Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• As Crime Dips Worldwide, Agile Syndicates Adapt to Pandemic VOA 25 May 2020 -- El Salvador, one of the world's homicide hot spots, reported something highly unusual early in the coronavirus pandemic – four murder-free days.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 126 WHO 25 May 2020
• WHO Emergencies Press Conference on coronavirus disease outbreak - 25 May 2020 WHO 25 May 2020
• Coronavirus updates: More than 5.4 million infected, over 345k dead Press TV 25 May 2020 -- The number of known coronavirus cases across the world has risen to 5,410,439, while 345,105 have lost their lives to the disease (COVID-19), according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, about five months after the deadly virus emerged in China and quickly moved to plague other countries.
• Hydroxychloroquine: WHO Pauses Trial of Drug Trump Took as COVID-19 Prevention Amid Safety Concerns Sputnik 25 May 2020 -- More than 40,000 healthcare workers from across the world are reportedly taking part in a global trial of two anti-malarial drugs - hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine - to check their effectiveness in preventing the COVID-19 infection, with the first tests having begun in the UK cities of Brighton and Oxford.

United States

• Rush Transcript: Governor Cuomo Announces State and Local Governments Will Provide Death Benefits for Frontline Workers Who Died From Covid-19 New York State 25 May 2020
• U.S. COVID-19 death toll nears 100,000, New York Times calls it "incalculable loss" People's Daily 25 May 2020 -- The front page of Sunday's New York Times features the names of 1,000 people who have died of COVID-19 in the United States. Calling it "an incalculable loss," the newspaper clarified that "the 1,000 people here reflect just 1 percent of toll."
• US National Security Adviser O'Brien Compares China's COVID Response to Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster Sputnik 25 May 2020 -- The official's comments come as the administration of US President Donald Trump has accused the Chinese government of "covering up" an unproven story that the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease originated in a laboratory in the city of Wuhan.
• Weekly Update: DHS Response to COVID-19 DHS 25 May 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 25 May 2020

China

• Wuhan to test remaining residents missed in citywide COVID-19 testing Global Times 25 May 2020 -- Health authorities in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, said on Monday that they will test the remaining small number of residents who were missed in a citywide sampling and testing for coronavirus rolled out in mid-May.
• 7 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals on Chinese mainland Global Times 25 May 2020 -- Seven COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery on the Chinese mainland Sunday, the National Health Commission said Monday.
• China calls for international cooperation against COVID-19 to tide over darkest hours People's Daily 25 May 2020 -- Cooperation and solidarity are the most powerful weapon to prevail over the epidemic.
• China's Hubei reports no new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 25 May 2020 -- No new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in central China's Hubei Province on Sunday, the provincial health commission said Monday.
• China's Jilin reports no new COVID-19 cases People's Daily 25 May 2020 -- No new confirmed COVID-19 cases and asymptomatic cases were reported in northeast China's Jilin Province on Sunday, the provincial health commission said Monday.
• Chinese mainland reports 11 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 25 May 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported 11 new imported COVID-19 cases Sunday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 1,724, the National Health Commission said Monday.
• China's Hubei reports no new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 25 May 2020 -- No new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in central China's Hubei Province on Sunday, the provincial health commission said Monday.
• China's PLA sends anti-pandemic supplies to militaries of three countries PLA Daily 25 May 2020 -- Approved by the Central Military Commission (CMC), the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) sent anti-pandemic supplies including face masks and protective gears to Russia, Mongolia, and East Timor respectively on 22nd and 24th of May to assist the militaries of the three countries in their fighting against the COVID-19, according to a statement released by China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Monday.
• Wuhan lab director says virus leak claims 'pure fabrication' Press TV 25 May 2020 -- The Wuhan Institute of Virology's director has dismissed as "pure fabrication" US claims that the new coronavirus pandemic originated in the Chinese laboratory.
• China Reports 11 COVID-19 New Cases SPA 25 May 2020 -- National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China reported 11 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus on mainland China in the past 24 hours.

Europe

• Europe Coronavirus Updates: UK death toll rises to 36,793, Italy records lowest daily fatalities since March 7 People's Daily 25 May 2020 -- UK COVID-19 death toll rises to 36,793
• As many as 29% of swab COVID-19 tests in UK produce wrong results Press TV 25 May 2020 -- Doctors' leaders in the UK have demanded an end to the "evasion" and "wall of silence" around how many swab tests on NHS staff produce wrong results.
• Greece, Spain Slowly Reopen Tourism Industries VOA 25 May 2020 -- The tourism industry is slowly being revived in some European countries with new precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Top British Aide to PM Defends Coronavirus Personal Travel VOA 25 May 2020 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's closest aide has defied calls to step down, following accusations he broke coronavirus lockdown rules.

Russia

• Russia Reports 8946 Coronavirus New Cases SPA 25 May 2020 -- Russia reported 8946 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of the novel coronavirus infections in the country to 353,427 cases.
• Current Time Report Sparks Investigation At Makeshift Hospital In Moscow Region RFE/RL 25 May 2020 -- Prosecutors in Moscow say they have started an investigation after Current Time reported alleged shortages of medicines and labor violations at a makeshift hospital for coronavirus patients set up by a well-known Azerbaijani-Russian businessman Araz Agalarov.

India

• India's Mumbai COVID-19 infections surpasses 30,000 mark Global Times 25 May 2020 -- India's western state of Maharashtra has surpassed the milestone of 50,000 COVID-19 cases with its capital Mumbai surpassing 30,000 cases mark, as per the official update late Sunday.
• COVID-19 update India PIB 25 May 2020
• UPDATES ON COVID-19– 1 India PIB 25 May 2020
• India Reports 6977 Coronavirus New Cases SPA 25 May 2020 -- India reported 6977 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of the novel coronavirus infections in the country to 138,845 cases.
• India Resumes Limited Domestic Flights Even as COVID Cases Surge VOA 25 May 2020 -- Airline crews donned body protective suits and passengers arrived with masks as India resumed limited domestic flights on Monday after two months amid a gradual easing of lockdown restrictions.

Iran

• Official: 34 more Iranians die from COVID-19 pandemic IRNA 25 May 2020 -- Head of Iran's Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Monday that 107,713 people out of a total of 137,724 infected with the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have recovered while 7,451 have lost their lives.

Japan

• Japan lifts state of emergency over coronavirus for entire country Global Times 25 May 2020 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday lifted the COVID-19 state of emergency in the five remaining prefectures still under restrictions, including Tokyo, as the spread of the virus has largely been brought under control.
• Japan Lifts Coronavirus State of Emergency SPA 25 May 2020 -- Japan today lifted a state of emergency put in place nationwide since mid-April to stem the coronavirus pandemic six days early.
• PM Abe says Japan to lift limits on regional travel from June 19 - Kyodo SPA 25 May 2020 -- Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told his ruling Liberal Democratic Party that Japan will lift limits on regional travel on June 19, Reuters quoted Kyodo news agency as reporting.
• Japan to Lift Coronavirus State of Emergency for Tokyo VOA 25 May 2020 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has lifted the state of emergency for Tokyo and four neighboring prefectures imposed last month at the height of the coronavirus outbreak. The move ends nationwide restrictions as businesses begin to reopen their doors.

Saudi Arabia

• Health Minister: Great Support from Wise Leadership for Health Sector and Early Precautions Provide us with Opportunity to Control Pace of Coronavirus Spread and Get Ready for it SPA 25 May 2020 -- Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah has affirmed that the great support of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense for the health sector, and all what have been invested in this sector made the health capabilities and readiness in their best levels, adding that the early precautions provided us with the opportunity to control the pace of the new Coronavirus spread, get ready for it, spread the culture and awareness in the society, and also enabled us to maintain the health system, and to double the capacity of the laboratories, the critical care rooms and the ventilators during the past period.
• Saudi Arabia to Ease Coronavirus Restrictions on Thursday Sputnik 25 May 2020 -- Saudi Arabia will start phasing out restrictions on Thursday that were imposed to limit the spread of the new coronavirus, Health Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has said.

Taiwan

• Taiwan records no new COVID-19 cases Monday CNA 25 May 2020 -- Taiwan confirmed no new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus Monday, leaving the total number of cases at 441 since the pandemic began late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan likely to lift ban on mask exports on June 1 CNA 25 May 2020 -- Taiwan is planning to lift a ban on surgical mask exports on June 1, but the decision will not be finalized until later this week, according to an official with the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

Brazil

• New IHME Projection Sees COVID-19 Deaths in Brazil at More than 125,000 IHME 25 May 2020 -- New forecasts from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington find COVID-19 deaths exceeding 125,000 through early August and continuing to increase after that.
• U.S. imposes travel restrictions on Brazil due to COVID-19 Global Times 25 May 2020 -- The White House on Sunday announced travel restrictions on Brazil, which has become the nation with the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases.
• US to Donate 1,000 Ventilators to Brazil, NSC Says After Trump Issues New Entry Ban Sputnik 25 May 2020 -- Washington will give Brazil 1,000 ventilators to help the country, which is currently in second place in terms of the number of coronavirus cases, fight COVID-19, the US National Security Council (NSC) has announced.

NATO

• Coronavirus response: Romanian medical personnel and experts supporting their United States colleagues NATO 25 May 2020 -- Romanian military medical personnel and specialists in the field of CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear) left today (25 May 2020) for Alabama, in the United States, to join forces with their American colleagues, as part of NATO Allies' response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Coronavirus response: The Republic of Moldova receives continued support following request to NATO's EADRCC NATO 25 May 2020 -- Romania, Lithuania, Slovakia and NATO's partner Austria are the latest countries to assist the Republic of Moldova in order to deal with the consequences of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Other Countries

• Aussie students return to school as restrictions ease Global Times 25 May 2020 -- Public school students in several Australian states returned to classrooms on Monday, as state leaders unveiled further plans to ease COVID-19 restrictions.
• South Africa wants COVID-19 vaccine to be shared by all: president Global Times 25 May 2020 -- Any COVID-19 vaccine, if developed in the world, should be made freely and equitably available to citizens of all countries, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday.
• Chile confirms 69,102 cases of COVID-19, 718 deaths Global Times 25 May 2020 -- Chile on Sunday said a total of 69,102 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the death toll has reached 718.
• COVID-19: Iran Reopens Religious Shrines After Two Months; Ukrainian Cities Reopen Subways RFE/RL 25 May 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is almost 350,000 with more than 5.4 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Kazakh COVID-19 Cemetery Has More Graves Than Reported Coronavirus Victims RFE/RL 25 May 2020 -- A cemetery said to be only for coronavirus victims in the southwestern Kazakh city of Almaty and the surrounding region appears to hold many more bodies than the area's number of reported COVID-19 deaths.
• Jordan Reports 3 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 25 May 2020 -- The Jordanian Ministry of Health reported today 3 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number to 711.
• Lebanon Reports 5 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 25 May 2020 -- The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported 5 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number to 1119.
• Mexico Reports 2764 Coronavirus New Cases SPA 25 May 2020 -- Mexico (The United Mexican States) today reported 2764 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of the novel coronavirus infections in the country to 68620 cases.
• Botswana's COVID Border Checks Rile Truck Drivers VOA 25 May 2020 -- Botswana's strict COVID-19 border checks have riled truck drivers, who say they spend days waiting to be cleared. Botswana has so far confirmed only 35 COVID-19 cases and one death but began requiring the border testing amid rising concerns about imported infections.
• Children Return to Australian Schools After Weeks of Lockdowns VOA 25 May 2020 -- Schools in Australia's most populous state have reopened Monday after weeks of a COVID-19 lockdown. Students in New South Wales, along with those in Queensland, have headed back to class in one of the most significant easing of coronavirus restrictions.
• 5 reasons Costa Rica is winning plaudits for fighting COVID-19: a Resident Coordinator's blog UN News 25 May 2020 -- Costa Rica is winning plaudits for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alice Shackleford, UN Resident Coordinator in Costa Rica, and WHO Representative María Dolores Pérez-Rosales, explain why the small Central American country is managing to keep the number of cases down, and its population healthy.