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Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• People’s Republic of China (PRC) Targeting of COVID-19 Research Organizations FBI 13 May 2020 -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are issuing this announcement to raise awareness of the threat to COVID-19-related research. The FBI is investigating the targeting and compromise of U.S. organizations conducting COVID-19-related research by PRC-affiliated cyber actors and non-traditional collectors.
• FBI and CISA Warn Against Chinese Targeting of COVID-19 Research Organizations FBI 13 May 2020 -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a public service announcement today warning organizations researching COVID-19 of likely targeting and network compromise by the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
• Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency on Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain The White House 13 May 2020
• Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate The White House 13 May 2020
• Countries Certified as Not Cooperating Fully with U.S. Counterterrorism Efforts US Dept. of State 13 May 2020 -- Yesterday, the Department of State notified Congress that Iran, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, and Cuba were certified under Section 40A(a) of the Arms Export Control Act as "not cooperating fully" with U.S. counterterrorism efforts in 2019.
• Data on Islamic State Attacks Could be Masking Growing Problem, Some Fear VOA 13 May 2020 -- Across Iraq and Syria there is a growing sense of unease that when it comes to the Islamic State terror group, data showing the jihadist force on its heels should not be trusted.
• Daesh Continues Low-Level Insurgency, Unable to Gain Ground in Iraq, Syria - Pentagon Sputnik 13 May 2020 -- The Daesh* terrorist group wages a low-level insurgency in Iraq and Syria but is unable to gain and hold territory despite decreased counteractions amid the coronavirus pandemic, Inspector General for Operation Inherent Resolve said in a quarterly report on Wednesday.
• Germany Has 'Hard Evidence' Of Russian Cyberattack On Parliament RFE/RL 13 May 2020 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel says there is "hard evidence" of the involvement of "Russian forces" in a 2015 cyberattack on the German parliament in which documents from her own parliamentary office were reportedly stolen.
• FBI accidentally names Saudi official suspected of supporting 9/11 hijackers: Yahoo News Press TV 13 May 2020 -- The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is reported to have accidentally revealed, in a court filing, the identity of a Saudi diplomat, who is suspected of having directed support for two of the al-Qaeda-linked hijackers involved in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
• Disrupting Drug Traffickers - USS Tornado Completes Counter Drug Patrol NNS 13 May 2020 -- Cyclone-class patrol ship USS Tornado (PC 14) returned to Mayport, Florida, May 13, following a 68-day counter narcotics patrol in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 114 WHO 13 May 2020
• WHO Emergencies Press Conference on coronavirus disease outbreak - 13 May 2020 WHO 13 May 2020
• WHO: Coronavirus 'May Never Go Away' VOA 13 May 2020 -- As people around the world wonder when the coronavirus might go away, experts say: Maybe never.
• Global COVID-19 deaths surpass 290,000 - Johns Hopkins University People's Daily 13 May 2020 -- Global COVID-19 deaths surpassed 290,000 on Tuesday, reaching 290,269 as of 3:32 p.m. (1932 GMT), according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
• World's coronavirus caseload at 4.34mn, EU to push for opening of borders Press TV 13 May 2020 -- Some 4,342,354 people are now diagnosed with COVID-19 around the world, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
• UN: COVID-19 Could Push 34 Million Into Extreme Poverty VOA 13 May 2020 -- The United Nations warned Wednesday that the global financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic could see economic output plummet by $8.5 trillion over the next two years and push more than 34 million people into extreme poverty.
• IMF Director Sees Pandemic Fallout Being Worse Than Predicted VOA 13 May 2020 -- A senior official with the International Monetary Fund says the world economic outlook may be even worse than the grim forecast announced by the organization last month.
• COVID-19 pandemic 'quickly becoming a child rights crisis': Daily death rate could spike by 6,000 for under-fives UN News 13 May 2020 -- As the coronavirus outbreak enters its fifth month, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said that the health crisis is "quickly becoming a child rights crisis", requesting $1.6 billion to support its humanitarian response for children impacted by the pandemic. And without urgent action, a further 6,000 under-fives could die each day.
• Coronavirus 'grim reality': World economy to shrink by 3.2 per cent, new UN report projects UN News 13 May 2020 -- Against the backdrop of the raging COVID-19 pandemic, the world economy in 2020 is projected to shrink by 3.2 per cent, racking up some $8.5 trillion in overall losses – wiping out nearly four years of output gains, according to a mid-year economic analysis by the United Nations.
• COVID-19 threatens to undo global health progress UN News 13 May 2020 -- While more people are living longer and healthier lives, the rate of progress is too slow to realize global efforts to stamp out poverty and inequality by 2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.
• Take 'all appropriate public health measures' to protect detainees from coronavirus, UN urges UN News 13 May 2020 -- UN agency chiefs on Wednesday highlighted the heightened vulnerability to COVID-19 of detainees, and others in confinement, urging Governments to take "all appropriate public health measures" to keep them safe from the deadly disease.
• UN Predicts COVID-19 Pandemic to Diminish Global Economy by 3.2% in 2020 Sputnik 13 May 2020 -- The global economy is forecast to shrink by 3.2 percent this year and only gradually recover in 2021 after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused the recession at levels of the Great Depression, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) said in a new report on Wednesday.

United States

• Ignoring Fauci Concerns, Trump Calls for Schools to Reopen VOA 13 May 2020 -- Classrooms should reopen quickly, U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday.
• Remarks by President Trump in a Meeting with Governor Polis of Colorado and Governor Burgum of North Dakota The White House 13 May 2020
• DOD Awards $134 Million Contract, Providing Personal Protective Equipment For Medical Personnel At 15,000 Nursing Homes DoD 13 May 2020 -- "The Department of Defense's Defense Logistics Agency, in coordination with FEMA and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has signed a $134 million contract award with the Federal Resources Supply Company to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) kits including protective eyewear, gloves, gowns, and masks for medical personnel at over 15,000 nursing home locations."
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 13 May 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 13 May 2020
• California Department of Public Health Announces Several Additional Counties are Moving Deeper into Stage 2 California Department of Public Health 13 May 2020
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces Fourth Region Hits Benchmark to Begin Reopening May 15th New York State 13 May 2020
• U.S. death toll "almost certainly" higher than reported, says Fauci People's Daily 13 May 2020 -- Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on Tuesday many experts believe more people in the United States have died from COVID-19 than those who have been reported.
• Fauci warns of "really serious" consequences if U.S. states open up prematurely People's Daily 13 May 2020 -- Anthony Fauci, a top expert on infectious diseases in the United States, warned on Tuesday that states would face "really serious" consequences if they open up prematurely during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Fauci says coronavirus outbreak in U.S. not yet under total control People's Daily 13 May 2020 -- Anthony Fauci, a top expert on infectious diseases in the United States, said on Tuesday that the nation has not had the ongoing coronavirus outbreak under "total control" yet.
• Trump's "America First" approach hinders global search for vaccine against COVID-19: UK media People's Daily 13 May 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump administration's approach to the search for a vaccine has seen it exclude the U.S. government from an accelerating global effort against COVID-19, raising concerns that the endeavor could falter without official U.S. support and leadership, British newspaper The Guardian said in a report on its website Tuesday.
• Top public health officials, Democratic and Republican senators voice concerns over coronavirus Press TV 13 May 2020 -- US top health expert Dr. Anthony Fauci says that the coronavirus is not under control contradicting President Donald Trump, who has called for a quick reopening in the country.
• Cases of rare coronavirus-linked disease in kids rising in US Press TV 13 May 2020 -- The number of children with a potentially deadly inflammatory disease likely linked to the coronavirus has increased to over 100 in at least 14 US states.
• White House Urging CDC to Alter COVID-19 Reporting to Lower US Death Toll - Report Sputnik 13 May 2020 -- US President Donald Trump and members of the Coronavirus Task Force are working to lower the nation's official death toll from the COVID-19 novel coronavirus by adjusting the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) methodology for reporting on the contagious disease, according to various administration sources.

China

• CIA Believes China Tried to Have WHO Delay Global Coronavirus Warning, Report Claims Sputnik 13 May 2020 -- The CIA is the second Western intelligence agency to accuse China of trying to cover up the gravity of the coronavirus outbreak. Last week, German media reported that the federal intelligence service believes Xi Jinping had personally attempted to keep the world unaware of human-to-human virus transmission. Both China and the WHO deny a cover-up.
• US COVID-19 accountability act against China irresponsible and immoral: FM Global Times 13 May 2020 -- China firmly opposes The COVID-19 Accountability Act endorsed by various US senators, which is totally ignorant of the facts and an attempt to shift the blame of US' incompetency in handling the pandemic to China, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
• China ends Australia beef imports amid COVID-19 dispute Press TV 13 May 2020 -- China has halted its beef imports from Australia's four largest meat processors, amid a dispute over the Australian government's call for an investigation into the origin of the new coronavirus.
• China-Australia Trade War Looms Over COVID-19 Investigation VOA 13 May 2020 -- China's sudden decision to ban Australian meat from four major suppliers is being seen as retaliation for Canberra's push for a global investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is thought to have started at an animal market in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.
• NE China city of Jilin to close off communities, villages following rebound of COVID-19 cases Global Times 13 May 2020 -- Jilin city in Northeast China's Jilin Province announced on Wednesday that it will close off all urban communities and villages, suspend all gatherings and halt all intercity train services as coronavirus cases rebound.
• China-S. Korea cooperation against COVID-19 effective, exemplary: Xi Global Times 13 May 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that cooperation between China and South Korea against the COVID-19 pandemic is effective and has contributed useful experience to and set a good example of cooperation for the global fight against the coronavirus disease.
• Wuhan kicks off citywide testing for all, including fluid population Global Times 13 May 2020 -- Wuhan districts began rolling out plans for city-wide testing after the release of a recent notice, with some prioritizing groups of high-risk people and others launching screening of all residents and kicking off district-wide registration.
• Chinese mainland reports 1 new imported COVID-19 case People's Daily 13 May 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported one new imported case of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Tuesday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 1,692, the National Health Commission said Wednesday.
• 18 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital on Chinese mainland People's Daily 13 May 2020 -- Eighteen patients of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were discharged from hospital after recovery on the Chinese mainland Tuesday, the National Health Commission said Wednesday.
• China's Hubei reports no increase in COVID-19 cases People's Daily 13 May 2020 -- No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in central China's Hubei Province Tuesday, the provincial health commission said Wednesday.
• Chinese mainland reports 7 new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 13 May 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Wednesday that it received reports of seven new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland Tuesday, of which one was imported case reported in Shanghai.
• China's Jilin reports 6 new COVID-19 cases People's Daily 13 May 2020 -- Northeast China's Jilin Province reported six new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, local health authorities said Wednesday.
• Factbox: China's fight against novel coronavirus outbreak People's Daily 13 May 2020 -- Here are the latest developments on COVID-19 in China:

Europe

• EU Announces Plan to Reopen to Domestic Tourism VOA 13 May 2020 -- The European Union Wednesday announced its plan to help European citizens salvage their summer vacations and resurrect Europe's damaged tourism industry after months of coronavirus lockdowns.
• Germany Hopes to Open Borders by Mid-June VOA 13 May 2020 -- Germany's interior minister said Wednesday the country wants to end some COVID-19 checks at land borders by the middle of next month.
• Germany's Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Rise By 798 To 171,306 SPA 13 May 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 798 to 171,306, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
• UK COVID-19 deaths rise to 32,692 as another 627 patients die Global Times 13 May 2020 -- Another 627 COVID-19 patients have died in Britain as of Monday afternoon, bringing the total coronavirus-related death toll in the country to 32,692, the Department of Health and Social Care said Tuesday.
• UK deaths reach 32,692, Spain sees slight rises in new infections, deaths People's Daily 13 May 2020 -- UK deaths rise to 32,692 as another 627 patients die;
• Italy COVID-19 cases drop as country braces for economic decline Global Times 13 May 2020 -- A further 172 COVID-19 patients had died in the past 24 hours in Italy, bringing the country's death toll to 30,911, out of total infection cases of 221,216, according to fresh figures on Tuesday.
• Belgrade Blasts Montenegro's Arrest Of Serbian Priests Who Ignored Virus Ban RFE/RL 13 May 2020 -- Belgrade has strongly criticized the detention of eight Serbian Orthodox Church priests in Montenegro after thousands of people attended a religious procession despite a ban on gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Russia

• Moscow Prepares Letters to FT, NYT Demanding to Refute Misreporting on COVID-19 in Russia Sputnik 13 May 2020 -- Moscow has prepared letters to chief editors of The Financial Times and The New York Times newspapers, demanding a refutation of the published misinformation about the coronavirus statistics in Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.
• Russia Reports More Than 10,000 New Coronavirus Infections SPA 13 May 2020 -- Russia on Wednesday reported 10,028 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, pushing its nationwide tally to 242,271, according to Reuters.
• US States Returning Russian Ventilators Out of 'Abundance of Caution' - Emergency Agency Sputnik 13 May 2020 -- The states of New York and New Jersey earlier received ventilators from Russia as a form of aid to help the country fight the novel coronavirus pandemic.
• After Deadly Fires, Russia Suspends Use Of Ventilators It Also Sent To U.S. RFE/RL 13 May 2020 -- U.S. emergency officials say ventilators sent to the United States by Russia to help treat COVID-19 patients are the same model that reportedly caused two deadly fires in Russian hospitals.
• The Strange Story Of A Russian Ventilator Shipment To the U.S. Just Got Stranger RFE/RL 13 May 2020 -- It was billed as a gesture of goodwill, a way to start improving toxic relations between Moscow and Washington as both countries battle the coronavirus. But the shipment of ventilators and other supplies was plagued by confusion and mixed messages from the start:

India

• PM CARES Fund Trust Allocates Rs. 3100 Crore for Fight against COVID-19 India PIB 13 May 2020 -- PM CARES (Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations) Fund Trust today decided to allocate Rs. 3100 Crore for fight against COVID-19. Out of Rs 3100 crore, a sum of approximately Rs.2000 crore will be earmarked for the purchase of ventilators, Rs. 1000 crores will be used for care of migrant labourers and Rs.100 crores will be given to support vaccine development.
• Dr. Harsh Vardhan engages with Punjab to review preparedness and containment measures taken for COVID-19 management India PIB 13 May 2020 -- Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare held a high level meeting, through video conference, with Sh. Balbir Singh Sidhu, Health Minister of Punjab in presence of Sh. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, MoS, Health and Family Welfare, here today.
• Indian PM unveils 267-bln-USD package to ensure self-reliance amid COVID-19 lockdown Global Times 13 May 2020 -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon his countrymen on Tuesday to try and make the COVID-19 pandemic crisis into an opportunity and become self-reliant in terms of manufacturing activities.

Iran

• Official: COVID19 kills 50 more Iranians in past 24 hours IRNA 13 May 2020 -- Head of Iranian Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Wednesday that some 50 more Iranians died from coronavirus over the past 24 hours and 89,428 people out of a total of 112,725 infected with the coronavirus have survived and recovered, but, unfortunately, the total number of deaths reached 6,783.
• Spread of COVID-19 under "control" in most parts of Iran: minister People's Daily 13 May 2020 -- Iran's Minister of Health and Medical Education Saeed Namaki on Tuesday touted that the spread of COVID-19 is under control in most parts of the country, though the rise in new infections continued.
• Iran eases curbs on exports of COVID-19 test kits, PPEs Press TV 13 May 2020 -- Iran's caretaker minister of industries says that the country has lifted restrictions on exports of some tests kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to confront the new coronavirus pandemic amid a surge in production that outweighs domestic demands.
• Thousands Attend Ramadhan Gatherings In Iran Amid Coronavirus Fears Radio Farda 13 May 2020 -- For the first time since March thousands of Iranians in the capital Tehran and 400 other cities throughout Iran gathered in mosques and open-air spaces on Tuesday evening for three-night long ceremonies amid coronavirus fears.

Saudi Arabia

• COVID-19 Follow-up Committee Holds 84th Meeting SPA 13 May 2020 -- Under the chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the COVID-19 Follow-up Committee held its 84th meeting today, in the presence of the members of the Committee representing a number of the relevant governmental entities.
• Ministry of Interior: Continuing to Apply All Precautionary Measures Until the End of Ramadan, and a Complete Curfew During the Period from 30 Ramadan until 4 Shawwal SPA 13 May 2020 -- An official source at the Ministry of Interior stated that, in implementation of the directive of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for the Ministry of Interior in coordination with other relevant authorities to undertake any amendments to the procedures related to the curfew, required by health developments. And based on what the competent health authorities have raised regarding the measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to confront the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the following was decided:

Taiwan

• Taiwan records no new COVID-19 case for sixth straight day CNA 13 May 2020 -- Taiwan did not report any new cases of COVID-19 for a sixth consecutive day on Wednesday, keeping the total at 440 since the pandemic began late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

Yemen

• Coronavirus rages through more provinces in war-ravaged Yemen Press TV 13 May 2020 -- The new coronavirus outbreak continues to claim more lives in Yemen as the impoverished country is already grappling with deteriorating humanitarian crisis in the wake of years-long Saudi aggression.
• Over 16Mln Yemenis Could Be Infected With Novel Coronavirus - Yemen Social Fund Official Sputnik 13 May 2020 -- Well over half of Yemen's population, or 16 million residents, could be infected with the novel coronavirus, Yemen Social Fund for Development Monitoring and Evaluation Head Lamis Al-Iryani said in an event live-streamed by the United States Institute of Peace.

NATO

• Coronavirus response: NATO continues close consultation with Allies, EU NATO 13 May 2020 -- NATO has been consulting closely with Allies and partners from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of these efforts, Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana has participated in weekly coordination calls since mid-March, led by US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun. The calls include participation at the level of deputy minister by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
• Coronavirus response: 56 tonnes of medical supplies arrive in Poland NATO 13 May 2020 -- A NATO-supported Strategic Airlift International Solution (SALIS) flight landed in Wroclaw, Poland on Monday (11 May 2020). It carried 56 tonnes of face shields and protective gowns to support Poland's efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The SALIS-chartered AN-124 aircraft took off from Tianjin, China and marks the third SALIS mission requested by Poland's Ministry of National Defence. In total, Poland has airlifted 170 tonnes of medical supplies through this programme.

Myanmar

• Chinese military medical team returns home after anti-pandemic mission in Myanmar PLA Daily 13 May 2020 -- The Chinese military medical expert team to Myanmar embarked on their homebound journey on May 12 after successfully completed nineteen-day work in Myanmar. Heads of the Yangon Command of the Myanmar armed forces (Tatmadaw) and the Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai went to the airport to see the Chinese military medical expert team off.
• China provides medical supplies for Myanmar's COVID-19 fight Global Times 13 May 2020 -- The Chinese government donated more medical supplies to help Myanmar in its fight against COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Other Countries

• COVID-19 could derail energy transition, World Economic Forum warns Global Times 13 May 2020 -- The transformation of the global energy system could be derailed as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause economic and social damage, the World Economic Forum warned Wednesday in an annual energy transition report.
• Chinese Y-20 transport aircraft delivers medical supplies to Thailand PLA Daily 13 May 2020 -- According to the official website of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand, at the request of the Thai military and with the approval of China's Central Military Commission (CMC), the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) sent its Air Force Y-20 transport aircraft to Thailand on May 12 for an emergency delivery of materials for epidemic prevention and control. Heads of Thailand's Ministry of Defense and Chinese Embassy in Thailand greeted them at the airport and attended the handover ceremony.
• China's public security ministry donates anti-epidemic supplies to Vietnam Global Times 13 May 2020 -- China's Ministry of Public Security on Tuesday donated COVID-19 prevention and control materials to Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security.
• China-assisted makeshift hospital handed over to Nigeria Global Times 13 May 2020 -- A China-assisted makeshift hospital, the largest of its kind in Nigeria, was handed over to the Nigerian government on Tuesday, shoring up the western African nation's defenses against the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Algeria extends lockdown in continued effort to contain COVID-19 Global Times 13 May 2020 -- The Algerian government on Tuesday announced its decision to extend the country's lockdown until May 31, in efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Kuwait Reports 751 New Coronavirus Cases SPA 13 May 2020 -- Kuwait reported today 751 new coronavirus, COVID-19, infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total of infections to 11,028.
• Morocco Announces 48 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 13 May 2020 -- Morocco announced today 48 new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) . This brings the total number of coronavirus infections in the country to 6466, and the death toll to 188, according to Morocco Press Agency (MAP).
• Oman Announces 298 New Coronavirus Infections SPA 13 May 2020 -- Oman's Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday 298 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Sultanate of Oman to 4,019.
• Thailand Reports No New Coronavirus Cases for First Time Since March 9 SPA 13 May 2020 -- Thailand on Wednesday reported no new coronavirus cases for the first time since March 9, according to Reuters.
• Philippines Records 21 New Coronavirus Deaths, 268 More Infections SPA 13 May 2020 -- The Philippines' health ministry on Wednesday recorded 21 more coronavirus deaths and 268 additional infections, Reuters reported.
• Malaysia Reports 37 New Coronavirus Cases SPA 13 May 2020 -- Malaysian health authorities today reported 37 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number to 6779 cases, Reuters reported.
• Beirut Reintroduces Four-Day Lockdown After Spike in COVID-19 Cases Sputnik 13 May 2020 -- Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that Lebanon had reached a high level of progress in the fight against the coronavirus over the past two months. However, the prime minister noted that several provinces had violated the precautionary measures declared by the government.
• South Sudan: Coronavirus cases confirmed inside UN civilian protection site UN News 13 May 2020 -- The South Sudanese Government has confirmed that two cases of COVID-19 have been identified inside a Protection of Civilians (PoC) site in the capital, Juba, although the world's youngest nation has been relatively unscathed by the pandemic, with 74 cases recorded so far.
• Country-to-Country Bubbles: a New Way to Travel in Asia after COVID-19 VOA 13 May 2020 -- Asia Pacific countries with quick improvement in their coronavirus cases will consider forming "bubbles" that let people travel from one spot to another but keep restricting people from more heavily infected places, some analysts predict.
• WFP Warns Pandemic Exacerbating Hunger in Mideast, North Africa VOA 13 May 2020 -- The World Food Program warns the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to boost the number of hungry people in the Middle East and North African region to more than 47 million, an increase of more than 6.7 million from current figures.
• COVID Lockdown Upends Life for Overlooked Afghan Refugees in Pakistan VOA 13 May 2020 -- Nearly 2.5 million Afghans live in Pakistan as either registered or undocumented refugees. Their lives have been upended by the coronavirus lockdown, but they seem to be getting little attention.
• Cameroon's Traditional Healers See Rush for Herbal Medicines to Treat COVID-19 VOA 13 May 2020 -- Cameroon's traditional healers say they are being overwhelmed by the number of people seeking herbal medicine for prevention or treatment of the coronavirus. The rush for traditional healing comes as the central African nation confirms more than 2,500 cases of COVID-19 and 121 deaths. But medical doctors caution the use of herbal medicine for the coronavirus.
• New Zealand, Thailand Report Zero New Coronavirus Cases VOA 13 May 2020 -- New Zealand and Thailand each reported no new coronavirus cases Wednesday as the governments prepared to further ease lockdown restrictions.
• New Zealand Reports No New COVID Cases for 2nd Straight Day VOA 13 May 2020 -- Officials in New Zealand announced no new cases of COVID-19 were detected for the second straight day Wednesday as most businesses in the country begin reopening.