• Military
• WMD
• Intelligence

• Security Menu                     

• Systems
• Industry
• Operations
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Space

Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• 'No longer a secret:' Al-Qaeda, Daesh hitting each other in Africa's Sahel Press TV 15 May 2020 -- The al-Qaeda and Daesh terrorist groups have turned their guns on each other despite having previously cooperated in Africa's Sahel region.
• The United States Protects National Security and the Integrity of 5G Networks US Dept. of State 15 May 2020 -- "The U.S. government today took another step to protect U.S. national security and the integrity of 5G networks by expanding the Commerce Department's foreign direct product rule to restrict Huawei from circumventing U.S. law. We will not tolerate efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to undermine the privacy of our citizens or the integrity of next-generation networks worldwide."
• Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Pakistani Doctor with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 15 May 2020 -- Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Erica H. MacDonald today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, returned a single-count indictment against Muhammad Masood, 28, charging him with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Masood, who was initially charged in a criminal complaint on March 19, 2020, is currently in custody pending further court proceedings.
• Alleged Narcotrafficker and High-Ranking Cartel Member Extradited from Uruguay to the United States US Dept. of Justice 15 May 2020 -- Assistant Attorney A Mexican national will have his initial appearance in federal court in the District of Columbia later today on charges related to his alleged involvement in a criminal conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.
• Southeast Asia Beset by Flood of Cheap Methamphetamines, Synthetic Opioids: UN Report Radio Free Asia 15 May 2020 -- The synthetic drug market in East and Southeast Asia is expanding and diversifying with the price of methamphetamines dropping to its lowest level in the past 10 years, while supplies of synthetic opioids have risen sharply, according to a new report issued Friday by the United Nations drug crimes agency.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 116 WHO 15 May 2020
• WHO Emergencies Press Conference on coronavirus disease outbreak - 15 May 2020 WHO 15 May 2020
• UN chief says mankind "so unprepared" for COVID-19, world lacks solidarity People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday said mankind is "so unprepared" for COVID-19, while pointing out that there is not enough humility, unity or solidarity in the world.
• COVID-19 economic impact could reach 8.8 trillion U.S. dollars globally: ADB report People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- The global economy could suffer between 5.8 trillion U.S. dollars and 8.8 trillion U.S. dollars in losses -- equivalent to 6.4 percent to 9.7 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) -- as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, said a new report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday.
• WHO Chief Scientist: 'Four to Five-Year' Struggle Ahead Before Containing COVID-19 Sputnik 15 May 2020 -- Soumya Swaminathan, the World Health Organization's (WHO) chief scientist, attempted to temper expectations of a "crystal ball" timeline for the containment of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus on Wednesday, expressing that vaccines are not guaranteed and the pandemic may even take a turn for the worse.
• In a post COVID-19 future, health and economy should go together: WHO regional director People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- As the world moves forward from COVID-19, societies should look to create a new normal where health and the economy go hand in hand, said a World Health Organization (WHO)'s regional director in a virtual media briefing Thursday.

United States

• Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Hoffman Updates Reporters on DOD Operations DoD 15 May 2020 -- Jonathan Rath Hoffman, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
• Army General to Co-Lead 'Operation Warp Speed' for COVID-19 Vaccine DoD News 15 May 2020 -- President Donald J. Trump today announced that Army Gen. Gustave F. Perna, the commander of Army Materiel Command, will co-lead an effort, dubbed Operation Warp Speed, to find a vaccine for COVID-19 by January 2021.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 15 May 2020
• CDC Issues Alert Over Mysterious Disease Linked to COVID-19 in Children Sputnik 15 May 2020 -- Officials with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday issued an alert that an inflammatory disease which has appeared among children in recent weeks may be linked to COVID-19.
• 'We're Looking at That': Trump Administration Considering Whether COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Free Sputnik 15 May 2020 -- US President Donald Trump on Friday suggested to reporters the administration is looking at whether the COVID-19 vaccine will be provided to people free of charge.
• US Government to Invest in Top COVID-19 Vaccine Candidates, Trump Says Sputnik 15 May 2020 -- US President Donald Trump delivered remarks on the development of a vaccine against the COVID-19 disease earlier today.
• Trump Signs Executive Order to Boost Domestic Production of COVID-19 Supplies Sputnik 15 May 2020 -- US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he has signed an executive order to boost domestic production of crucial supplies needed in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
• Trump Hopeful for Coronavirus Vaccine This Year VOA 15 May 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said he is hopeful there will be a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year and that the United States is working with other countries to ensure the effort is a global one.
• Parts of New York Begin Gradual Reopening VOA 15 May 2020 -- New York took its first steps toward a gradual reopening Friday, in parts of the state where the coronavirus outbreak has shown steady and sustained decline.
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces Five Regions Will Begin Reopening Today New York State 15 May 2020
• U.S. jobless claims climb by nearly 3 mln last week amid COVID-19 pandemic People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- The number of initial jobless claims in the United States totaled nearly 3 million last week as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to sweep the nation, the Labor Department reported Thursday.
• NYC expands COVID-19 testing capacity as reopening date still unknown People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- Any person with COVID-19 symptoms in New York City (NYC) is now eligible for a test, as the city is trying to reach its daily goal of testing 20,000 people, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday.
• Remarks by President Trump on Vaccine Development The White House 15 May 2020
• White House Announces Comment Period for Emerging Drug Threats Criteria The White House 15 May 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 15 May 2020

China

• Russia calls U.S. accusations against China of spreading COVID-19 groundless People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- Moscow considers the U.S. accusations against China of spreading COVID-19 groundless, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Thursday.
• China says US prolonging coronavirus crisis Press TV 15 May 2020 -- China's ambassador to the United Nations in Vienna says the United States' position against the World Health Organization (WHO) is artificially prolonging the coronavirus pandemic, warning against the consequences of Washington's arbitrary trade barriers on the global economy.
• Shulan outbreak puts 8,000 in quarantine Global Times 15 May 2020 -- Chuanying district in Northeast China's Jilin Province adjusted its epidemic-risk level from low to medium on Friday after a female coronavirus patient was diagnosed, who turned out to be the close contact of a confirmed patient from Shulan that is under the administrative jurisdiction of Jilin city, while cluster infections have placed over 8,000 in quarantine.
• China firmly supports WHO leading role in global COVID-19 fight: official Global Times 15 May 2020 -- China values its cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and resolutely supports the WHO's leading role in the global fight against COVID-19, a Chinese health official said Friday.
• China to complete phase 2 clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines beginning in July: official Global Times 15 May 2020 -- The second phase of clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines is expected to be completed successively beginning in July, and no major adverse reactions from the trials had been reported so far, a Chinese official said Friday.
• Wuhan tests 3m, to finish citywide tests by May 20 Global Times 15 May 2020 -- The government of Wuhan, the region of China worst hit by COVID-19, announced on Thursday that it will expand nucleic acid testing to cover all of its 11 million residents. It aims to estimate the number of asymptomatic carriers in the city after testing 3 million residents last month.
• Wuhan denies COVID-19 rumor after video goes viral, suspect detained Global Times 15 May 2020 -- Wuhan authorities on Wednesday denied a rumor that armed police called in after COVID-19 patients were spotted at a fresh produce market.
• COVID-19 vaccine could arrive before year's end Global Times 15 May 2020 -- Two COVID-19 vaccine candidates with the China National Biotec Group (CNBG) have been proven safe in current clinical trials and could be available by the end of the year or early 2021, Yang Xiaoming, president of CNBG said in a report on Thursday.
• China spares no effort in epidemic research, information disclosure: official People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- China had carried out research about the novel coronavirus at the fastest possible speed under existing conditions at the early stage of its anti-epidemic work and has been unreserved in sharing information, a Chinese official said Friday.
• China's Heilongjiang reports no new COVID-19 cases People's Daily 15 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 Jilin reports 4 new COVID-19 case People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- Northeast China's Jilin Province reported four new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Thursday, local health authorities said Friday.
• Wuhan's temporary hospitals critical, indispensable in COVID-19 control: experts People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- The 16 temporary hospitals in Wuhan, the Chinese city hit hardest by the COVID-19 epidemic, have played an important and indispensable role in the prevention and control of the disease, a Chinese health official said Thursday.
• Chinese mainland reports no new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported no new imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Thursday, and the total number of imported cases was 1,692, the National Health Commission said Friday.
• China's Hubei reports no increase in COVID-19 cases People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in central China's Hubei Province Thursday, the provincial health commission said Friday.
• Factbox: China's fight against novel coronavirus outbreak People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- Here are the latest developments on COVID-19 in China:
• 14 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital on Chinese mainland People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- Fourteen patients of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were discharged from hospital after recovery on the Chinese mainland Thursday, the National Health Commission said Friday.
• Xi calls for vigilance to combat virus People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- President Xi Jinping instructed local governments on Thursday to keep alert on disease prevention and control to avoid a resurgence of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
• Chinese products forward global efforts to fight COVID-19 pandemic People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- Five foreign military airplanes landed in Shanghai on a same day to pick up coronavirus prevention supplies; the world's largest transport aircraft joined the international convoy to transport medical supplies from China; passenger flights around the world were dispatched to China for medical materials.

Europe

• Will a Green Economy Emerge in Europe Post-Coronavirus? VOA 15 May 2020 -- France emerged from lockdown this week pretty much the way it entered – with blue skies and chilly winds in the capital, where Parisians savored newly found freedoms.
• Swedish Prime Minister Defends COVID-19 Response VOA 15 May 2020 -- Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven defended his country's strategy in fighting the spread of COVID-19, pushing back on the notion Sweden has taken a "business as usual" attitude toward the pandemic.
• Slovenia Lifts Many of Its COVID-19 Restrictions VOA 15 May 2020 -- The Slovenian government has declared an official end to many of its coronavirus limits, becoming the first European country to do so, after authorities confirmed less than seven new coronavirus cases each day for the past two weeks.
• Localised restrictions could be reimposed in case of flare ups of the disease Press TV 15 May 2020 -- Some elements of the lockdown could be eased at different rates in different parts of the UK, with the possibility of reimposing restrictions if there are indications of a flare-up of the disease, prime minister Boris Johnson's official spokesperson has said.
• Spain's coronavirus death toll climbs by 138 SPA 15 May 2020 -- Spain's death toll from coronavirus registered its lowest increase since Monday as health authorities registered 138 new fatalities on Friday, the health ministry reported, according to Reuters.
• Germany's Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Rise By 913 to 173,152 SPA 15 May 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 913 to 173,152, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Friday, Reuters reported.

Russia

• Opening of Defence Ministry's medical centres for treating patients with COVID-19 President of Russia 15 May 2020 -- A videoconference was held on the opening of multifunctional medical centres in several Russian regions, built by the Defence Ministry to treat patients with the novel coronavirus infection.
• Instructions following meeting on sanitary and epidemiological situation President of Russia 15 May 2020 -- Vladimir Putin approved a list of instructions following a meeting on the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the Russian Federation held on May 11, 2020.
• Russia's FM Lavrov blasts media rumors Moscow seeks to 'hide' data on COVID-19 deaths Press TV 15 May 2020 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has strongly dismissed media reports that Moscow sought to conceal the real number of Russians dying of the COVID-19 contagious disease, saying the Kremlin has no intention whatsoever to hide such information.
• Russia's Media Regulator Asks Google To Block Article Questioning Coronavirus Death Toll RFE/RL 15 May 2020 -- Russia's media regulator, Roskomnadzor, has asked Google to block an article about the controversy over official data on coronavirus deaths in the country on the website of MBKh Media independent online publication.
• Russia Reports 10,598 New Coronavirus Infections SPA 15 May 2020 -- Russia on Friday reported 10,598 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, pushing its nationwide case tally to 262,843, Reuters reported.

India

• $1 Billion from World Bank to Protect India's Poorest from COVID-19 India PIB 15 May 2020 -- The Government of India and the World Bank today signed a $750 million of $1 billion proposed for Accelerating India's COVID-19 Social Protection Response Programme to support India's efforts at providing social assistance to the poor and vulnerable households, severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 15th meeting of GoM on COVID-19 held; reviews current status, preparedness and actions for management of COVID-19 India PIB 15 May 2020 -- The 15th meeting of the high level Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 was held at Nirman Bhawan, here today, under the chairmanship of Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare. Sh. Hardeep S. Puri, Minister of Civil Aviation, Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Sh. Nityananda Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sh. Mansukh Lal Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping, & Chemical and Fertilizers, and Sh. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare were present, along with Sh. Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff.
• Indian Gov't Not Satisfied With Drugs Remdesivir, Favipiravir's Efficacy in COVID-19 Treatment Sputnik 15 May 2020 -- As the World Health Organisation has stated that the COVID-19 virus may never leave, efforts are on to develop a vaccine to eradicate the virus. Until then, various existing anti-viral drugs are being tried to subside the symptoms of the infection and help in treatment.

Pakistan

• Pakistan Set to Make, Export Anti-COVID-19 Drug Remdesivir VOA 15 May 2020 -- Pakistan announced Friday that it would begin "within weeks" production and export of the antiviral drug remdesivir for treating COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.

Iran

• COVID-19 takes lives of 48 others in Iran: Official IRNA 15 May 2020 -- Head of Iran's Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Friday that 91,836 people out of a total of 116,635 infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) have survived and recovered while 6,902 have lost their lives.
• COVID-19 Cases Rising In Three Iranian Provinces As Total Reaches 117,000 Radio Farda 15 May 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokesman on Friday said the number of COVID-19 cases is expected to increase in three provinces in the coming days as the total number of cases in the country rose to nearly 117,000.

Myanmar / Rohingyas

• Fears of disaster as first virus case emerges at Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh Press TV 15 May 2020 -- According to a senior Bangladeshi official and a UN spokesperson, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 has been reported in the Rohingya refugee camp, which houses more than a million, raising concerns of a potential humanitarian disaster.
• First Rohingya Refugee in Bangladesh Tests Positive for COVID-19 Radio Free Asia 15 May 2020 -- Bangladeshi authorities said Thursday that a Rohingya man had tested positive for COVID-19, the first case detected among close to 1 million refugees who live at camps and settlements in southeastern Cox's Bazar district.
• 1st COVID-19 case detected in Rohingya camps in Bangladesh SPA 15 May 2020 -- The first coronavirus case has been confirmed in the crowded camps for Rohingya refugees in southern Bangladesh, where more than 1 million refugees are sheltered.
• Support stepped up for Rohingya camps as first COVID-19 infections are confirmed UN News 15 May 2020 -- After confirmation that the first cases of COVID-19 infection have been identified in a vast and overcrowded refugee camp in Bangladesh, UN humanitarians on Friday announced additional measures and appealed for funds to prevent the disease from spreading.
• COVID Emerges in Rohingya Refugee Camp in Bangladesh VOA 15 May 2020 -- A Rohingya refugee in the massive Cox's Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh has tested positive for COVID-19.
• Aid Agencies Ramp Up Efforts to Tackle Coronavirus in Rohingya Refugee Camps VOA 15 May 2020 -- U.N. aid agencies are intensifying COVID-19 operations to prevent the spread of the deadly disease in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. The move follows the confirmation of the first case of the coronavirus in the camps Thursday, as well as a second infection in the local Bangladeshi host community.

Japan

• Japan lifts COVID-19 emergency for 39 of 47 prefectures ahead of planned deadline People's Daily 15 May 2020 -- The Japanese government on Thursday decided to lift a nationwide state of emergency for 39 of the country's 47 prefectures where the coronavirus has been less prevalent, with the move coming ahead of the planned deadline of May 31.

Saudi Arabia

• COVID-19 Committee Holds 86th Meeting SPA 15 May 2020 -- Under the chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the COVID-19 Follow-up Committee held its 86th meeting today, in the presence of the members of the Committee representing a number of the relevant governmental entities.
• Saudi Press: Saudi Arabia Hosts Meetings to Address Various Issues in Light of COVID-19 SPA 15 May 2020 -- Saudi newspapers highlighted in their editorials today a number of issues at local, regional, and international arenas.

Taiwan

• No new COVID-19 cases in Taiwan for 8 straight days CNA 15 May 2020 -- Taiwan confirmed no new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus for the eighth consecutive day on Friday, keeping the total at 440 since the pandemic began late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan proposes plan to loosen travel, transportation restrictions CNA 15 May 2020 -- The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) on Friday detailed a plan to loosen travel and transportation restrictions as Taiwan appears to have controlled the spread of COVID-19.

Brazil

• Brazil's Lula warns virus could cause 'genocide' under Bolsonaro Press TV 15 May 2020 -- Former Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has called for the impeachment of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, warning that his fierce opposition toward coronavirus restrictions could cause "genocide" in the country.
• Number of Coronavirus Cases in Brazil Surpasses 200,000 SPA 15 May 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Brazil reached 202,918, increasing by 113,944 over the past day, according to official statistics published on Friday, Russian News Agency (TASS) reported.
• Brazil's Sao Paulo State Building Thousands of Vertical Cemetery Plots VOA 15 May 2020 -- Brazil's Sao Paulo state is building thousands of vertical funeral plots in order to meet the demand caused by the surge in coronavirus victims.

Mexico

• COVID-19 Deaths Peak in Mexico's Yucatan, Authorities Say VOA 15 May 2020 -- Health officials in the Yucatan area of the Mexican peninsula say coronavirus deaths peaked Thursday, with a record number of nine people losing their lives during a 24-hour period.
• Number of coronavirus cases in Mexico surpasses 42,500 SPA 15 May 2020 -- The total number of coronavirus cases in Mexico increased by 2,409 and reached 42,595, Deputy Minister of Health Hugo Lopez-Gatell said on Friday, Russian News Agency (TASS) reported.

NATO

• Coronavirus response: Second Dutch flight transports additional medical aid to Montenegro in response to COVID-19 NATO 15 May 2020 -- Today (15 May 2020), the Netherlands delivered another set of protective equipment and medical supplies from Bejing (China) to Podgorica (Montenegro), in support to Allied efforts against the COVID-19 global pandemic, following Montenegro's request for assistance, through NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre, NATO's principal disaster response mechanism.

Other Countries

• COVID Pandemic Weakens National Economies as Countries Continue to Reopen VOA 15 May 2020 -- The coronavirus pandemic continues to take a toll on national economies, with Germany among its latest victims.
• How Contact Tracers Could Help Control COVID-19 VOA 15 May 2020 -- One August day in 2017, a 31-year-old man with a cough boarded a crowded minibus in Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo.
• COVID-19: Uzbekistan Eases Some Restrictions But Extends Lockdown; Kazakhstan Lifts State Of Emergency RFE/RL 15 May 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 302,000 with more than 4.4 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Kuwait reports 885 new Coronavirus cases, 8 deaths SPA 15 May 2020 -- The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health announced 885 new coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 12,860, while eight deaths were reported as well, bringing the fatalities' toll up to 96, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
• Malaysia reports 36 new coronavirus cases SPA 15 May 2020 -- Malaysia reported 36 new coronavirus cases on Friday with no additional deaths, the health ministry said, according to Reuters.
• Oman Reports 284 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 15 May 2020 -- The Omani Ministry of Health reported today 284 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Sultanate of Oman to 4,625.
• Philippines' Coronavirus Infections Top 12,000, Deaths Pass 800 Mark SPA 15 May 2020 -- The number of novel coronavirus cases in the Philippines' has passed the 12,000 mark, and more than 800 people have now died, the health ministry said on Friday, according to Reuters.
• Singapore Reports 793 New Coronavirus Cases SPA 15 May 2020 -- Singapore's health ministry said on Friday it had confirmed 793 more coronavirus cases, taking the city state's tally of infections to 26,891, Reuters reported.
• Thailand Reports 7 New Coronavirus Cases SPA 15 May 2020 -- Thailand reported seven new coronavirus cases on Friday, while the number of deaths remained unchanged at 56, Reuters reported.
• IMF Provides Jamaica With $520 Million to Fight Novel Coronavirus Pandemic Sputnik 15 May 2020 -- Jamaica's request for emergency help during the novel coronavirus pandemic has won the approval of a $520 million, the International Monetary Fund said in a press release on Friday.
• Coronavirus lockdowns in Central America, exploited by criminal gangs UN News 15 May 2020 -- Chronic violence, insecurity and now COVID-related restrictions have put tens of thousands of Central Americans at risk of increased hardship and even death, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Friday.
• First COVID-19 Death Reported in South Sudan VOA 15 May 2020 -- South Sudan health officials announced the country's first death from COVID-19 on Friday, with a top health official describing the deceased as a 51-year old "high-profile South Sudanese."
• Colombia Tightens COVID-19 Restrictions at Border with Brazil VOA 15 May 2020 -- Colombia launched new measures Thursday night aimed at stopping a rise in coronavirus infections near the border with Brazil.
• Chile Begins Special Quarantine to Slow Rise in New COVID Cases VOA 15 May 2020 -- Chile's special quarantine for the capital, Santiago, begins Friday as authorities attempt to slow the rise in new coronavirus infections after briefly easing lockdown restrictions.
• Child vaccinations down in DR Congo, and COVID-19 is not helping: UNICEF UN News 15 May 2020 -- Fewer children are getting vaccinated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the COVID-19 pandemic is almost certainly going to make matters worse, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says. If the trend continues, it could trigger a resurgence in deadly childhood diseases such as polio, chickenpox, measles, yellow fever, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and meningitis.