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COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• US Links Saudi Shooter at Navy Base to Al-Qaida VOA 18 May 2020 -- The FBI has uncovered a trove of information linking the Saudi gunman in a terror attack on a U.S. military base last year to al-Qaida and showing he had been planning for years to carry out the attack, senior law enforcement officials announced Monday.
• Naval Air Station Pensacola Investigation Update DoD 18 May 2020 -- Today, the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced additional findings about the shooting on Dec. 6, 2019 at Naval Air Station Pensacola. This was a tragic day for our military and our deepest condolences are still with the friends and families of Ensign Joshua Watson, Airman Mohammed Haitham, Airman Cameron Walters, and with the eight others wounded in this terrorist attack.
• Attorney General William P. Barr Announces Updates to the Findings of the Investigation into the December 2019 Shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station US Dept. of Justice 18 May 2020 -- Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
• FBI Found Evidence Linking Al Qaeda to 2019 Shooting at US Military Base in Florida Sputnik 18 May 2020 -- On 6 December 2019, a Saudi trainee pilot opened fire at US Naval Air Station Pensacola, killing three American sailors and wounding eight others before being shot dead.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 119 WHO 18 May 2020
• World paying heavy price for contradictory virus strategies: UN chief Press TV 18 May 2020 -- United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has criticized a disjointed approach to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, saying the world is "paying a heavy price" for following different strategies to fight the deadly virus.
• Global COVID-19 cases top 4.7 mln: Johns Hopkins University People's Daily 18 May 2020 -- Confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide topped 4.7 million on Sunday, reaching 4,708,415 as of 6:32 p.m. (2232 GMT), according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
• UN chief renews call for COVID-19 solidarity as WHO warns 'majority' of world still at risk UN News 18 May 2020 -- A "massive" and combined effort by all countries is needed to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday, as UN health agency head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, insisted that "the majority of the world's population remains susceptible to this virus".
• World Leaders Urge Solidarity to Defeat COVID-19 Pandemic VOA 18 May 2020 -- World leaders attending the first-ever virtual World Health Assembly have called on nations to unite to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the first cases of the deadly disease were declared in China in December, the WHO has reported more than 4.7 million infections around the world, including more than 315,000 deaths.
• UN Leader Calls for Global Solidarity Behind WHO-led Anti-COVID Campaign VOA 18 May 2020 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the World Health Organization's annual assembly Monday by echoing the agency's calls for global solidarity in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The disease is caused by the coronavirus.
• WHO Chief Pledges Independent Evaluation of Agency's COVID-19 Response VOA 18 May 2020 -- The head of the World Health Organization said Monday he will begin an independent evaluation of the U.N. health agency's response to the coronavirus pandemic "at the earliest appropriate moment."
• China Backs Calls for Probe of COVID Origins - But Not Now VOA 18 May 2020 -- China backed calls for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus outbreak, but only after the pandemic is under control, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday.
• China Says It's Too Early for Coronavirus Probe VOA 18 May 2020 -- As support for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus outbreak grows, China said Monday such a move is premature.
• China backs fair review of COVID-19 Global Times 18 May 2020 -- China supports the comprehensive review of the COVID-19 response, which should be conducted in an objective and impartial manner, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday at the opening session of the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA).

United States

• Trump Says He's Taking Hydroxychloroquine to Prevent Catching Coronavirus VOA 18 May 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters Monday that he is taking an anti-malaria drug to ward off COVID-19.
• Remarks by President Trump in a Roundtable with Restaurant Executives and Industry Leaders The White House 18 May 2020
• Governor encourages eligible New Yorkers to get tested for COVID-19 as testing capacity doubles Global Times 18 May 2020 -- Governor of the U.S. state of New York Andrew Cuomo on Sunday encouraged all individuals eligible for a COVID-19 test to receive one, as the state's daily testing capacity reached 40,000.
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces Sixth Region Hits Benchmark to Begin Reopening Tomorrow New York State 18 May 2020
• US health experts warn of new wave of coronavirus infections Press TV 18 May 2020 -- US health experts have warned about the possibility of a new wave of coronavirus infections and deaths as more US states begin to open.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 18 May 2020
• Oldest Army medical unit adopts state-of-the-art assets to combat COVID-19 Army News 18 May 2020 -- "We train for war," said Army Col. Robert F. Howe II, the commander of the Army's 1st Medical Brigade out of Fort Hood, Texas. "But getting to support citizens in our homeland is special. Helping fellow citizens is what we're here for."
• Army General to Co-Lead 'Operation Warp Speed' for COVID-19 Vaccine DoD News 18 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.
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 18 May 2020
• Weekly Update: DHS Response to COVID-19 DHS 18 May 2020

China

• China Was Always Transparent About COVID-19 - President Xi Jinping Sputnik 18 May 2020 -- China has been transparent, responsible, and prompt in its response to the coronavirus and sharing information with other countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday.
• Full text: Speech by President Xi Jinping at opening of 73rd World Health Assembly People's Daily 18 May 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech via video link Monday in Beijing at the opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly.
• China been open, transparent in fight against COVID-19: President Xi Press TV 18 May 2020 -- President Xi Jinping says China supports a 'comprehensive' inquiry into the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic after it 'has been brought under control,' stressing that Beijing has acted with 'openness and transparency' in dealing with the contagious disease since its outbreak.
• China acts with "openness, transparency, responsibility" in COVID-19 fight: Xi Global Times 18 May 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday China has all along acted with openness, transparency and responsibility in the fight against COVID-19.
• Xi makes proposals for curbing COVID-19 Global Times 18 May 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping Monday made the following proposals to bring COVID-19 under control:
• China's COVID-19 vaccine to become global public good when available: Xi Global Times 18 May 2020 -- COVID-19 vaccine development and deployment in China, when available, will be made a global public good, which will be China's contribution to ensuring vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries, said Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday at the opening of the 73rd session of the World Health Assembly via video link.
• Health officials rule out COVID-19 for 33 Beijingers with fever symptoms from air conditioning Global Times 18 May 2020 -- A group of 33 people in Beijing's Xicheng district who had shown fever-like symptoms were later diagnosed with bacterial respiratory tract infections caused by a central air conditioning unit, and Beijing's Center for Diseases Prevention and Control has already ruled out the possibility of novel coronavirus infection being the culprit, local health authorities said on Monday.
• Epidemic situation in NE China's Jilin city under control: medical expert Global Times 18 May 2020 -- A member of a medical team sent to support Jilin city, Northeast China's Jilin Province said that there are abundant medical resources to handle the current epidemic, and experiences gained in severely COVID-19 hit regions would be useful to guide work in the city, where two new locally transmitted cases were reported on Monday.
• Border controls may ease in early June: experts Global Times 18 May 2020 -- China is likely to gradually ease its border controls after the two sessions, the nation's most important annual political event, which is scheduled to kick off on Thursday and last one week.
• Wuhan says expanded nucleic acid tests to be free of charge Global Times 18 May 2020 -- Wuhan will not charge individual testees as the central Chinese city moves to expand its nucleic acid tests to cover all residents who have not been tested for the novel coronavirus.
• Experts divided over whether China to see COVID-19 reboot Global Times 18 May 2020 -- Whether China could see a second novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak depends on whether top-down authorities can maintain the same level of prevention and control measures in the coming months, especially in areas involving border control and community-based prevention work, an expert close to the Chinese top health authority said.
• Chinese PLA sends epidemic prevention supplies to militaries of 12 countries People's Daily 18 May 2020 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) dispatched air force planes on May 12 and 13 to deliver COVID-19 prevention and control supplies including protective clothing, surgical masks, IR forehead thermometers to militaries of 12 counties.
• Nucleic acid testing should cover all overseas arrivals: official People's Daily 18 May 2020 -- Nucleic acid testing should cover all inbound personnel and those involved in transferring inbound travelers, a Chinese health official said Monday.
• Wuhan says expanded nucleic acid tests to be free of charge People's Daily 18 May 2020 -- Wuhan will not charge individual testees as the central Chinese city moves to expand its nucleic acid tests to cover all residents who have not been tested for the novel coronavirus.
• China's Hubei reports no new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 18 May 2020 -- No new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in central China's Hubei Province Sunday, the provincial health commission said Monday.
• Beijing's severe COVID-19 cases drop to zero: official People's Daily 18 May 2020 -- The number of COVID-19 patients in serious condition in Beijing has dropped to zero, a health official said on Sunday.
• Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao studying mutual recognition of quarantine measures, virus testing People's Daily 18 May 2020 -- Secretary for Food and Health of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Sophia Chan said on Sunday that the Hong Kong SAR, Guangdong Province and the Macao SAR are discussing mutual recognition of quarantine measures and virus testing of COVID-19.
• Chinese mainland reports 7 new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 18 May 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Monday that it received reports of seven new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland Sunday, of which four were imported.
• Chinese mainland reports 4 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 18 May 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported four new imported COVID-19 cases Sunday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 1,704, the National Health Commission said Monday.
• U.S. is to blame for global pneumonia outbreak People's Daily 18 May 2020 -- With no evidence, some American politicians continue to concoct and fuel conspiracy theories of COVID-19. Claiming that the novel coronavirus was made by and originated in China, they have accused China of covering up the pandemic, held China accountable for the global outbreak and incited other countries to demand compensation from China.
• China Reports 7 New Coronavirus Cases, Up from 5 a Day Earlier SPA 18 May 2020 -- China reported seven new coronavirus cases for May 17, up from five a day earlier, the country's health authority said on Monday, Reuters reported.
• Experts divided over whether China to see COVID-19 reboot Global Times 18 May 2020 -- Whether China could see a second novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak depends on whether top-down authorities can maintain the same level of prevention and control measures in the coming months, especially in areas involving border control and community-based prevention work, an expert close to the Chinese top health authority said.
• Beijing to build P3 laboratory Global Times 18 May 2020 -- Beijing will increase construction efforts on its P3 laboratory to improve and explore infectious disease detection capacity, Lei Haichao, director of Beijing Municipal Health Commission, said at a press conference on Sunday, Chinanews reported.

Europe

• Coronavirus Pandemic Risks Widening EU Splits VOA 18 May 2020 -- At the start of their coronavirus lockdowns, European governments scrambled to shore up businesses and the public sector with subsidies – a bid to ensure that a post-virus recession is not prolonged because of cascading layoffs and bankruptcies.
• Some French Schools Close Again Due to COVID-19 VOA 18 May 2020 -- Some schools in France have closed just a week after reopening, after students or staff tested positive for COVID-19, the education minister said Monday.
• Coronavirus death toll tops 28,000 in France Global Times 18 May 2020 -- With 483 additional coronavirus-related deaths registered on Sunday, France saw its overall toll of the epidemic rise to 28,108, the Health Ministry said.
• Foreign Secretary's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 18 May 2020 UK FCO 18 May 2020 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab gave the 18 May 2020 daily press briefing on the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• UK COVID-19 deaths rise to 34,636 as another 170 patients die Global Times 18 May 2020 -- Another 170 COVID-19 patients have died in Britain as of Saturday afternoon, bringing the total coronavirus-related death toll in the country to 34,636, the Department of Health and Social Care said Sunday.
• Government advisor states UK may have to live with coronavirus 'for years' Press TV 18 May 2020 -- As the British government gradually unpicks the lockdown there are growing fears the country may have to grapple with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, for years to come.
• Germany's Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Rise by 342 to 174,697 SPA 18 May 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 342 to 174,697, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Monday, Reuters reported.
• Students in Belgium Return to School After 2-Month COVID Break VOA 18 May 2020 -- After some schools went through a "dry run" on Friday, more of Belgium's schools opened Monday as the nation took its "next step" in easing its COVID-18 restrictions.

Russia

• Putin Acknowledges Acute COVID-19 Problem In Daghestan After Locals Warn Of 'Catastrophe' RFE/RL 18 May 2020 -- President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged a "complicated" situation in Russia's southern republic of Daghestan after a local mufti described the region's battle against COVID-19 as a "catastrophe."
• Measures Taken by Russia Led to One of Lowest COVID-19 Mortality Rates Globally, Minister Says Sputnik 18 May 2020 -- Measures Taken by Russia Led to One of Lowest COVID-19 Mortality Rates Globally, Minister SaysMOSCOW (Sputnik) - The comprehensive measures taken by Russia to curb the coronavirus pandemic led to one of lowest COVID-19 mortality rates in the world, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Monday.
• Six of Russian State Duma Members Diagnosed With COVID-19 - Speaker's Aide Sputnik 18 May 2020 -- Six of 450 members of the State Duma, the Russian parliament's lower house, have been diagnosed with COVID-19, Anastasia Kashevarova, an aide to the State Duma Chairman, said on Monday.
• Russian COVID-19 cases grow to 290,678 People's Daily 18 May 2020 -- Russia has confirmed 8,926 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, raising its total number of infections to 290,678, its coronavirus response center said in a statement Monday.
• Russia's New Coronavirus Cases Below 10,000 for Third Day in A Row SPA 18 May 2020 -- Russia on Monday reported 8,926 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, pushing its nationwide case tally to 290,678, according to Reuters.

India

• COVID-19 deaths cross 3,000-mark, total cases rise to 96,169 in India Global Times 18 May 2020 -- The number of COVID-19 deaths in India crossed the 3,000-mark, reaching 3,029, as the total cases reached 96,169 on Monday, said official data released by the federal health ministry.
• COVID-19 updates India PIB 18 May 2020
• Dr Harsh Vardhan participates in the 73rd World Health Assembly through VC India PIB 18 May 2020 -- Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare participated in the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA) through Video Conference, here today. India's response on address of Director General, World Health Organization (WHO), delivered by Dr. Harsh Vardhan is as follows:

Pakistan

• Pakistan's Top Court Ends Coronavirus Lockdown VOA 18 May 2020 -- Pakistan's Supreme Court has set aside the government's partial economic lockdown order, saying the country should not be made "all together dysfunctional" because of the coronavirus.

Iran

• Iran's "white areas" increase to 280 cities: Rabiei IRNA 18 May 2020 -- Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Monday that Iran's white areas have increased to 280 in terms of coronavirus contamination and Iran ranks third in the world after China and Switzerland in terms of the recovery and treatment of patients of the pandemic.
• Official: Some 69 more Iranians die from coronavirus over the past 24 hours IRNA 18 May 2020 -- Head of Iranian Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Monday that some 69 more Iranians died from coronavirus over the past 24 hours bringing the total death toll to 7,057.
• Iran Says First Steps Taken To Launch South Korean Humanitarian Trade Mechanism Radio Farda 18 May 2020 -- Iran's foreign ministry announced on Monday, May 18 that "preliminary steps and political consultations were undertaken" to launch a South Korean "humanitarian channel" for Iran.

Saudi Arabia

• Kingdom calls on international community to take bold and immediate measures to reduce loss of lives due to COVID-19 SPA 18 May 2020 -- The Kingdom called on the international community to take bold and immediate measures to reduce the loss of lives, and to accelerate efforts to contain the catastrophic impact of COVID-19 on humanity, and the importance of international cooperation in eradicating the epidemic.
• Dr. Al-Abdulaali: Total Number of COVID19-Recovered Cases is 28748 SPA 18 May 2020 -- Under the chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the COVID-19 Follow-up Committee held its 89th meeting today, in the presence of the members of the Committee representing a number of the relevant governmental entities.

Taiwan

• Taiwan reports no new COVID-19 cases for 11th day CNA 18 May 2020 -- Taiwan saw another day of no new confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 398 of the total 440 people that contracted the conoravirus during the ongoing pandemic having already been discharged, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Monday.
• Taipei to reopen more public venues from next week CNA 18 May 2020 -- Taipei will begin May 25 to reopen more public venues after their temporary closures due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Deputy Mayor Huang Shan-shan (黃珊珊) announced Monday.

Other Countries

• Latest on pandemic: Deaths pass 316K, new hotspots emerging in Africa Press TV 18 May 2020 -- There have now been some 4,804,000 confirmed cases of infection with the new coronavirus globally, and 316,703 people have lost their lives, according to Johns Hopkins University.
• COVID-19: 'Coronavirus-Free' Turkmenistan Imposes Restrictions RFE/RL 18 May 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 315,000 with more than 4.7 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Kuwait reports six new coronavirus deaths, 841 infections SPA 18 May 2020 -- The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health announced 841 new coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 15,691, while six deaths were reported as well, bringing the fatalities' toll up to 118, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
• Morocco reports 60 new cases of COVID-19 SPA 18 May 2020 -- Morocco reported today 60 new coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 6,930, while the fatalities' toll remained 192, according to Morocco Press Agency (MAP).
• Indonesia reports 496 new coronavirus infections, 43 deaths SPA 18 May 2020 -- Indonesia reported on Monday 496 new coronavirus infections, taking the total in the Southeast Asian country to 18,010, said health ministry official Achmad Yurianto, according to Reuters.
• Malaysia reports 47 new coronavirus cases with no new deaths SPA 18 May 2020 -- Malaysian health authorities on Monday reported 47 new coronavirus cases, bringing the cumulative total to 6,941 cases, according to Reuters.
• Philippines records 7 novel coronavirus deaths, 205 more cases SPA 18 May 2020 -- The Philippines' health ministry on Monday reported seven new coronavirus deaths and 205 additional infections, according to Reuters.
• Oman announces 193 new COVID-19 cases SPA 18 May 2020 -- Oman's Ministry of Health announced on Monday 193 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Sultanate to 5,379.
• Thailand Reports Three New Coronavirus Cases, No New Deaths SPA 18 May 2020 -- Thailand on Monday reported three new coronavirus infections and no new deaths, bringing the total to 3,031 confirmed cases and 56 fatalities since the outbreak started in January, Reuters reported.
• Mexico Reports 49,219 Cases of Coronavirus and 5,177 Deaths SPA 18 May 2020 -- Mexico registered 49,219 cases of coronavirus on Sunday, with the country's death toll rising to 5,177, health authorities said, Reuters reported.
• Australia's COVID-19 Border Closures Separates Families of Migrant Workers VOA 18 May 2020 -- Strict COVID-19 controls in Australia are separating families of migrant workers who have been stuck overseas since its international borders were closed. Temporary visa holders do not have the same rights to return to Australia as citizens during the pandemic.
• South Sudan's Senior Officials Test Positive for Coronavirus VOA 18 May 2020 -- South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Machar Teny and his wife, Minister of Defense Angelina Teny, have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
• Senegal's Opening Mosques During Pandemic Divides Muslim Community VOA 18 May 2020 -- Senegal's controversial decision to reopen mosques as the Muslim-majority country is still battling the coronavirus pandemic has split the religious community.
• Cameroon Doctors Ask for Protection as Attacks by COVID Carriers Increase VOA 18 May 2020 -- Medical staff in Cameroon are asking for additional security at hospitals following a series of attacks by people upset that they or their loved ones were diagnosed with the coronavirus. Cameroon so far has 3,300 confirmed cases of the virus with 147 deaths.
• Assad Exploiting COVID-19 Prevention Measures to Consolidate Grip on Syria, Observers Say VOA 18 May 2020 -- Observers say the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is using the coronavirus crisis to exploit prevention measures to consolidate its control. Syria's health ministry has so far reported 59 cases of COVID-19, with three deaths, accounting only for people in areas under Assad's control. But Western intelligence officials believe the official tally is far too low. Concerns are growing that the pandemic could devastate crowded displacement camps and conflict-ridden regions in Syria's northwest and northeast.