Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Cybersecurity Firm Links Chinese Group to Cyber Espionage in Southeast Asia Radio Free Asia 08 May 2020 -- A China-based group has quietly carried out cyber espionage against Southeast Asian governments during the past few years, collecting "specific documents," among other data, from infected computers, a cybersecurity company said in a report.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 109 WHO 08 May 2020
• WHO Emergencies Press Conference on coronavirus disease outbreak - 08 May 2020 WHO 08 May 2020
• UN Chief: COVID-19 Has Released 'Tsunami of Hate, Xenophobia' VOA 08 May 2020 -- U.N. chief Antonio Guterres warned Friday that the coronavirus pandemic was continuing to provoke hatred throughout the world and called for a global effort to combat the trend.
• UN virus hunters continue search for animal link to human COVID-19 infections UN News 08 May 2020 -- The key work of tracing the animal transmission source of the COVID-19 coronavirus infection in humans is ongoing and must be carried out to prevent future health emergencies, a top UN health agency scientist said on Friday, after the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed more than 3.5 million cases of infection and 250,000 deaths globally.

United States

• Governor Cuomo Announces State Department of Health is Investigating Evidence That COVID-19 Can Cause Severe Illness in Children New York State 08 May 2020
• Remarks by President Trump in Meeting with Republican Members of Congress The White House 08 May 2020
• U.S. keen for military presence in region despite COVID-19: expert CNA 08 May 2020 -- The United States is keen to demonstrate to China that, despite the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, it is still capable of maintaining a strong military presence in key strategic regions of the Asia-Pacific, according to a Chinese military expert.
• Trump's personal valet tests positive for coronavirus People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- A member of the U.S. Navy and personal valet to President Donald Trump has tested positive for the coronavirus, the White House confirmed Thursday.
• Pence Aide Tests Positive for COVID-19, Spokesperson Says Sputnik 08 May 2020 -- A staffer for US Vice President Mike Pence has contracted coronavirus prompting stricter mitigation measures inside the White House, Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters.
• Pence's Press Secretary Tests Positive for Coronavirus VOA 08 May 2020 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary, Katie Miller, has tested positive for the coronavirus.
• Northcom Has Stepped Up to Battle COVID-19 DoD News 08 May 2020 -- Some 14,000 Defense Department employees from the U.S. Northern Command are battling COVID-19 in the United States, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 08 May 2020
• California Governor releases guidelines for businesses to begin reopening Global Times 08 May 2020 -- California Governor Gavin Newsom released guidelines Thursday for reopening businesses starting Friday in the most populous US state.
• First immigration detainee dies from COVID-19 in U.S. People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- A 57-year-old immigrant who was arrested this January and in custody since then was confirmed dead from novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, in Southern California, local media reported Thursday, saying it is the country's first known death of a detainee during the pandemic.
• Trump administration eager to reopen country as total COVID-19 cases top 1.25 mln People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- As the total COVID-19 cases in the United States rose to over 1.25 million with a death toll of above 75,000 by Thursday evening, the Trump administration is pushing for a nationwide economic reopening despite concerns voiced by public health experts and local officials.
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces State Will Extend Window for Victims to File Cases under the Child Victims Act until January 14th New York State 08 May 2020
• Briefing With Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper on the Political-Military Affairs Bureau's Support for Global COVID Relief Efforts US Dept. of State 08 May 2020
• Briefing With Special Envoy Lea Gabrielle, Global Engagement Center Update on PRC Efforts to Push Disinformation and Propaganda around COVID US Dept. of State 08 May 2020
• President Donald J. Trump Approves Seminole Tribe of Florida Disaster Declaration The White House 08 May 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 08 May 2020

China

• EU Allows China to Edit Op-Ed Article, Removing Mention of Virus Origins Radio Free Asia 08 May 2020 -- The European Union ambassador to Beijing has allowed the Chinese foreign ministry to censor a joint opinion piece penned by EU ambassadors to remove a reference to the coronavirus originating in China.
• Media Advocates Urge West to Resist China's Censorship After EU Letter Controversy VOA 08 May 2020 -- Press freedom advocates say China's censorship of a letter co-authored by 27 European Union ambassadors that contained a reference to the origins of the coronavirus is another example of how the lack of press freedom in the country has caused problems for the world.
• German intelligence doubts US theory about Chinese lab origin of COVID-19: report Global Times 08 May 2020 -- Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND) is having doubts regarding Washington's claims that the coronavirus originated in a Chinese laboratory, German magazine Der Spiegel reported. The country's government has not commented on the report yet.
• No evidence that novel coronavirus was man-made in China: UK Health Secretary People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- The British government has not seen any evidence to suggest that the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 was man-made, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.
• WHO Expert Believes Wuhan Wet Market Played Role in COVID Outbreak VOA 08 May 2020 -- A World Health Organization food and animal disease expert said Friday that he believes a market in the Chinese city of Wuhan selling live animals likely played a significant role in the emergence of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, but more research is needed to determine precisely how.
• Xi chairs symposium with non-CPC members on COVID-19 response Global Times 08 May 2020 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday presided over a symposium to hear comments and suggestions from non-CPC members on COVID-19 prevention and control.
• Chinese FM's press briefings dedicated to refuting Pompeo's rumors Global Times 08 May 2020 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry's recent regular press conferences have largely turned into a forum to refute rumors spread by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
• China issues guidelines on wearing masks in public places as country enters prevention, control stage Global Times 08 May 2020 -- Chinese central government Friday issued guidelines on normalized epidemic prevention and control measures, including requirements on wearing masks in public places, promotion of health codes and allowing entertainment places to reopen with a reservation system and client-limiting measures.
• Chinese researchers detect COVID-19 in semen samples Global Times 08 May 2020 -- Chinese researchers have detected COVID-19 in semen samples from male coronavirus patients. Whether or not the disease is sexually transmissible is unknown.
• Chinese firms cautious of shifting US medical supply standards Global Times 08 May 2020 -- Chinese mask producers recently barred by US authorities due to quality issues will spur domestic manufacturers to strengthen quality supervision to help the world fight the COVID-19 pandemic, while exporters should also be cautious to receive orders due to various standards and shifting restrictions from different markets, Chinese industry insiders said on Friday.
• Chinese mainland has 260 existing COVID-19 cases, lowest since late January People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- The number of existing confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the Chinese mainland dropped to 260 for Thursday, the lowest since Jan. 20, said a national health official Friday.
• China introduces guidelines on regular COVID-19 epidemic containment People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- China has put in place a set of guidelines to facilitate regular prevention and control of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic, according to a senior health official.
• More provincial-level regions to further lower COVID-19 response levels in China People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- More provincial-level regions in China have decided to lower the public health emergency response for the COVID-19 epidemic.
• Shanghai to further lower COVID-19 response level People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- Shanghai will further lower its public health emergency response for the COVID-19 epidemic from the second level to the third level starting Saturday, the municipal government information office said Friday.
• China's Heilongjiang reports no new COVID-19 cases People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- No new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Thursday, the provincial health commission said Friday.
• China's Hubei reports no increase in COVID-19 cases for 34 consecutive days People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in central China's Hubei Province on Thursday, the provincial health commission said Friday.
• Chinese mainland has 219 existing imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- As of Thursday, the Chinese mainland has 219 imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that remained hospitalized, with five in severe conditions, the National Health Commission said Friday.
• Chinese mainland reports 1 new confirmed COVID-19 case People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Friday that it received report of one new confirmed COVID-19 case on the Chinese mainland Thursday.

Europe

• France to start "very gradual" easing of lockdown from May 11, says PM People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- France would start to ease restrictions on movement from next Monday through "a very gradual process" which would stretch over several weeks at least to avoid a resurgence of COVID-19, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe confirmed on Thursday.
• Children treated in London for "hyper inflammatory" syndrome likely linked to COVID-19 People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- More than 40 children have been treated in a specialist London hospital for a "hyper inflammatory" syndrome that could be linked to the novel coronavirus, the Evening Standard newspaper reported Thursday.
• British PM Delays Lifting Coronavirus Restrictions VOA 08 May 2020 -- Prime Minister Boris Johnson will keep Britain under a coronavirus lockdown until at least next month – to the frustration of some in his Cabinet, who behind the scenes are arguing that Downing Street now needs to prioritize the economy, which is heading for its worst recession in 300 years.
• Greek Police Tackle Corona Parties as Government Eases Lockdown VOA 08 May 2020 -- Greece's government is gradually easing lockdown restrictions, and after 42 days of strict stay-at-home rules, young Greeks are spilling onto the streets. Authorities are striking back, imposing stiff fines and new lockdowns in an effort to prevent a possible resurgence of the coronavirus.

India

• Indian Navy's Cost Effective Protection Kits Cleared for Mass Production Amid COVID-19 Case Spike Sputnik 08 May 2020 -- India is under the third phase of the nationwide lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
• Updates on COVID-19 India PIB 08 May 2020
• Dr. Harsh Vardhan reviews preparedness and containment measures taken for COVID-19 management in Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka through Video Conferencing India PIB 08 May 2020

Pakistan

• COVID-19: Pakistan Coronavirus Cases Surge Past 25,000 As Government Set To Ease Lockdown RFE/RL 08 May 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus has reached nearly 270,000 with more than 3.8 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.

Iran

• Rouhani urges producing coronavirus test kits fit for exports IRNA 08 May 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani hailed successful achievements in meeting the needs for countering coronavirus and called for development of coronavirus detection kits both to meet domestic needs and export to applicant countries.
• Official: COVID19 death toll mounts to 6,541 in Iran IRNA 08 May 2020 -- Head of Iran's Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Friday that some 55 more Iranians died of coronavirus over the past 24 hours and 83,837 people out of a total of 104,691 infected with the coronavirus have survived and recovered while unfortunately, the total number of deaths reached 6,541.
• Iran daily coronavirus death toll hits lowest level in over 11 weeks: Health Ministry Press TV 08 May 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry says the coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of 55 people in the country over the past 24 hours with the death toll standing at 6,541, the lowest daily increase since the outbreak of the disease over 11 weeks ago.
• Doctors And Officials In Iran Say Coronavirus Seems To Trigger Strokes Radio Farda 08 May 2020 -- A neurologist physician in Iran says that 25 COVID-19 patients in one hospital had strokes, indicating that the virus played a role in developing blood clots.
• Iran's Newly Released Overall Death Numbers Can Shed Light On Coronavirus Toll Radio Farda 08 May 2020 -- After an unprecedented delay amid the COVID-19 epidemic the National Organization for Civil Registration of Iran (NOCRI) has finally published nationwide death figures for past winter.
• Earthquake Shatters Iran's Social Distancing Measures VOA 08 May 2020 -- An early morning earthquake in Iran has dealt a blow to the country's struggle to combat the coronavirus. Thousands of people took to the streets of Tehran, the capital, early Friday without observing the social distancing measures designed to prevent the spread of the disease. At least two people are reported to have died in the temblor, which Reuters reported had a magnitude of 5.1.

Japan

• Japan's Health Ministry Gives Fast-Track Approval for Remdesivir VOA 08 May 2020 -- Japan has fast-tracked the approval of the anti-viral drug remdesivir to be used to treat COVID-19 patients in that country.

Saudi Arabia

• 9120 Cases of Recovery from Covid-19, in KSA, Ministry of Health Spokesman Announces SPA 08 May 2020 -- Under the chairmanship of the Minister of Health Dr. Taufiq bin Fozan Al-Rabia'h, Coronavirus' Developments Follow up Committee held its 79th meeting here today.

Taiwan

• Taiwan reports no new COVID-19 cases Friday; total remains 440 CNA 08 May 2020 -- Taiwan confirmed no new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, keeping the total at 440 since the pandemic began late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

North Korea

• Anti-Epidemic Work Intensified in DPRK KCNA 08 May 2020 -- Preventive measures are being steadily taken in all the regions and units of the DPRK against the widespread malignant virus infection that comes to be a world disaster.

NATO

• Coronavirus response: NATO Allies, Partners, NGOs and local business work together to deliver medical assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina NATO 08 May 2020 -- On 7 May 2020, U.S. Embassy Sarajevo's Civil Military Support Element team and NATO provided critical supplies and disinfection equipment to the Armed Forces and Community Health Centers in eastern Mostar, western Mostar and Nevesinje. These Community Health Centers and their members are at the forefront of the Bosnia and Herzegovina's fight against COVID-19. The donation was made possible through support from the non-governmental organization Spirit of America and local BiH businesses.

Australia

• Australia to Phase-In Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions VOA 08 May 2020 -- Australia's federal, state and territory leaders have agreed on a road map to relax COVID-19 restrictions and get business activity back to normal by July.
• Australian PM announces plan to lift coronavirus restrictions Global Times 08 May 2020 -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a three-stage plan to lift Australia's coronavirus restrictions.
• Australia decries US exploitation of inquiry to promote Wuhan lab conspiracy Press TV 08 May 2020 -- Australian officials say the government's push for an inquiry into the origins of the new coronavirus outbreak should not be exploited by the United States amid a row with China, which has been accused by Washington of covering up initial data on the deadly viral pandemic and the coronavirus-leak at a Chinese laboratory.

Other Countries

• No Sure Way to Predict Impact of Loosening COVID Restrictions VOA 08 May 2020 -- As some states moved to open their economies from the pandemic lockdown this week, The New York Times reported that a government model predicted a dramatic increase in the death toll from COVID-19.
• WHO: 44 Million Africans at Risk for COVID-19 VOA 08 May 2020 -- Up to 44 million people in Africa could come down with the coronavirus and 190,000 will die if the virus is not contained, the World Health Organization said.
• Up to 190,000 people in Africa could die of COVID-19 if mitigation measures fail: WHO People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday said that between 83,000 to 190,000 people in Africa could die of COVID-19 while an additional 29 to 44 million are likely to contract the disease if containment measures fail to work.
• Chinese company donates supplies to help S. Africa province fight COVID-19 People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- Dr. Zamani Saul, Premier of The Northern Cape Province Government in South Africa, has expressed his thanks to Chinese company Longyuan Mulilo Wind Project for its donations to help fight the COVID-19 outbreak.
• South Sudan Lifts COVID-19 Restrictions Despite Rise in Cases VOA 08 May 2020 -- Even though the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in South Sudan, the government is lifting several restrictions that are intended to control the spread of the pandemic.
• Kenyans Riot in Nairobi After Demolition of Homes VOA 08 May 2020 -- Police in Nairobi on Friday reportedly used water cannons, tear gas and live ammunition on demonstrators after they took to the streets to protest the demolition of houses and shops earlier this week that left thousands homeless.
• Ethiopian Opposition, Prime Minister Accuse Each Other of Power Grab VOA 08 May 2020 -- Ethiopian opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of using the coronavirus pandemic to delay elections and stay in power beyond his constitutional mandate.
• Coronavirus Poses Threat to Somalia's Planned Parliamentary Elections VOA 08 May 2020 -- The International Crisis Group said the coronavirus poses the threat of a political crisis to Somalia as the country heads toward its scheduled November election.
• 25 Evacuated from Nursing Home in Argentina after Testing Positive for COVID-19 VOA 08 May 2020 -- Authorities in Argentina evacuated 25 residents from a nursing home in Buenos Aires Thursday night after they tested positive for the coronavirus.
• Chinese military medical experts provide training to Myanmar military medical staff for COVID-19 fight PLA Daily 08 May 2020 -- Medical experts from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Thursday provided necessary training to Myanmar's military medical staff who will be assigned to work at a COVID-19 treatment center soon.
• Egypt reports 393 new COVID-19 cases as tally nears 8,000 People's Daily 08 May 2020 -- Egypt on Thursday reported 393 new COVID-19 cases, as the tally of coronavirus infections in the country approached 8,000.
• Lao Migrant Workers Clear Quarantine, Return Home, After Crossing Back From Thailand Radio Free Asia 08 May 2020 -- More than 6,000 Lao migrant workers held in camps in quarantine after returning from Thailand have now gone home, with smaller numbers still crossing the border each day and unknown numbers still stranded in Thailand, Lao sources said this week.
• Analysis: Turkmenistan Says It's Coronavirus Free, But Doesn't Want WHO To Check RFE/RL 08 May 2020 -- Turkmenistan's government never fails to disappoint, and its latest action will keep that reputation intact.
• Armenian Parliamentarians Exchange Blows After Coronavirus Aid Criticism RFE/RL 08 May 2020 -- Armenian parliamentarians from opposing parties exchanged blows amid a disagreement over the government's economic response to the coronavirus crisis.
• UAE Reports 553 New Coronavirus Cases SPA 08 May 2020 -- Ministry of Health and Prevention in the United Arab Emirates reported today 553 new coronavirus cases of various nationalities, bringing the total number of infections to 16793 cases.
• Sultanate of Oman Reports 154 New Coronavirus Cases SPA 08 May 2020 -- Omani health ministry reported today 154 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number to 3112 cases.
• Malaysia Reports 68 New Coronavirus Cases SPA 08 May 2020 -- Malaysian health authorities today reported 68 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number to 6,535 cases.
• 'Humanitarian catastrophe' looms in Haiti, threatening years of progress as COVID-19 takes hold, ECOSOC group says UN News 08 May 2020 -- The COVID-19 outbreak could trigger a humanitarian catastrophe in Haiti, endangering many years of hard-won progress in the Caribbean nation, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) said on Friday.