Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Hezbollah Called to Reform Amid Protests, Political Pressure, Possible Sanctions VOA 09 Jun 2020 -- Protests in Beirut in recent days over government corruption and mismanagement quickly escalated into rioting and sectarian violence that included clashes between Shi'ite Hezbollah supporters and other demonstrators. Analysts say there are now renewed calls for the powerful Hezbollah militia, also represented in the government and parliament, to disarm.
• Tajik Religious Cleric, Relatives Convicted Of Being Members Of Banned Religious Group RFE/RL 09 Jun 2020 -- A Muslim cleric and his relatives in Tajikistan's southern region of Khatlon have been sentenced for being members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood group.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 141 WHO 09 Jun 2020
• Globally COVID-19 situation is worsening: WHO chief People's Daily 09 Jun 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said that although the situation of the COVID-19 outbreak in Europe is improving, globally it is worsening.
• Global COVID-19 cases pass 7.13mn mark, death toll at 406,540 Press TV 09 Jun 2020 -- The total coronavirus infections worldwide now number at 7,136,366, and the toll of related deaths has reached 406,902, according to the latest data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
• Act now to avert COVID-19 global food emergency: Guterres UN News 09 Jun 2020 -- Although the COVID-19 pandemic could push nearly 50 million more people into extreme poverty, this and other dire impacts of the crisis can be avoided if countries act immediately to shore up global food security, the UN Secretary-General said on Tuesday.
• Invest in humanitarian relief now, to limit possible 'catastrophic' impact of coronavirus UN News 09 Jun 2020 -- The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) heard strong appeals on Tuesday for more funds to be steered into the UN's COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan, as it opened its annual Humanitarian Affairs Segment – the first to be held via video-teleconference.

United States

• U.S. Navy Navigates to 'New Normal' NNS 09 Jun 2020 -- The Navy has incorporated lessons learned from the initial COVID-19 outbreaks onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS Kidd (DDG 100) into guidance to sustain underway operations while fighting the virus during future outbreaks at sea.
• Findings From USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Health Investigation Support Force Health Protection NNS 09 Jun 2020 -- The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released findings from a joint public health outbreak investigation into how the COVID-19 disease affected crewmembers aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (TR).  
• Fauci: Coronavirus Pandemic 'Isn't Over Yet' VOA 09 Jun 2020 -- Dr. Anthony Fauci has described COVID-19 as his "worst nightmare," saying the disease spread around the world with surprising speed.
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 09 Jun 2020
• Rush Transcript: Governor Cuomo Announces Mid-Hudson Valley Enters Phase Two of Reopening Today New York State 09 Jun 2020
• New York City begins reopening 100 days after its 1st COVID-19 case People's Daily 09 Jun 2020 -- After nearly three months of lockdown, New York City entered the first phase of reopening on Monday, 100 days since the city reported its first COVID-19 case.
• Corning Receives $204 Million in Federal Funding for COVID-19 Countermeasures VOA 09 Jun 2020 -- Corning Inc. said Tuesday it will increase production of glass vials for anticipated coronavirus vaccines after announcing it would receive $204 million from the U.S. government's Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

China

• New Study Suggests COVID-19 Outbreak Began in Wuhan Earlier Than Reported VOA 09 Jun 2020 -- A study by U.S. researchers suggests the novel coronavirus that was first detected in central China may have begun spreading well before the outbreak was first revealed to the world.
• Wuhan virus test on silent carriers proves city is safe: experts Global Times 09 Jun 2020 -- Wuhan, the city hit hardest by COVID-19 announced that no "living virus" had been detected in any of the 300 asymptomatic infections screened during its citywide test, which experts said further cemented the city's victory against virus, proving to the outside world that Wuhan is safe.
• China issues white paper on fight against COVID-19 People's Daily 09 Jun 2020 -- A white paper titled "Fighting COVID-19: China in Action" was issued by China's State Council Information Office at a press conference on June 7.
• Nucleic acid testing reveals 19 asymptomatic carriers in Mudanjiang, NE China People's Daily 09 Jun 2020 -- Large-scale nucleic acid testing in the city of Mudanjiang, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, has revealed 19 new asymptomatic carriers, local authorities said Monday.
• Chinese mainland reports 3 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 09 Jun 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported three new imported COVID-19 cases Monday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 1,783, the National Health Commission said Tuesday.

Europe

• North Macedonia unveils measures to support tourism amid COVID-19 pandemic Global Times 09 Jun 2020 -- North Macedonia's Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteshi unveiled here on Monday a set of measures to support tourism as part of the third set of measures introduced by the government amid COVID-19 pandemic.
• Scientists prove efficacy of face masks in preventing virus transmission in Germany Global Times 09 Jun 2020 -- The obligation to wear face masks has considerably helped reduce the spread of the coronavirus infection in Germany, according to a discussion paper published by four universities in Germany and Denmark on Monday.
• More COVID-19 restrictions lifted in Ireland Global Times 09 Jun 2020 -- More businesses and public amenities in Ireland reopened on Monday as the country entered the first day of what the government called Phase 2 in reopening society and business.

Russia

• COVID-19: Muscovites Can Return To Their 'Normal' Lives As Measures Eased; Kazakh Women Demand Financial Support RFE/RL 09 Jun 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 393,000 with more than 6.7 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.

India

• UPDATES ON COVID-19 India PIB 09 Jun 2020
• GOM reviews containment measures of COVID-19 India PIB 09 Jun 2020 -- The 16th meeting of the high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 was chaired by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare via a video-conference, here today.
• With 50% of COVID-19 Cases Untraceable in Delhi, Centre Gov't Says No Community Spread in Capital Sputnik 09 Jun 2020 -- With 29,943 COVID-19 cases, India's national capital Delhi has the third highest caseload in the country. The government previously launched a mobile application called "Delhi Corona" to provide citizens with details of resources to combat the pandemic.

Iran

• All countries must work together to defeat coronavirus: Iran's President ISNA 09 Jun 2020 -- Speaking with the President of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday by telephone, Dr. Hassan Rouhani referred to Iran's successes in the fight against coronavirus and the production of equipment needed in this way by knowledge-based companies, adding, "In order to protect our people from this virus, all countries must help each other".
• Official: 74 more Iranians die from COVID-19 over past 24 hours IRNA 09 Jun 2020 -- Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Tuesday that 74 more Iranians have passed away from coronavirus (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths in the country to 8,425.
• Iran's Health Minister Replaces 'Coronavirus Spokesman' Who Was Too Active Radio Farda 09 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Minister Saeed Namaki on Tuesday replaced the ministry's spokesman who had become a familiar face during the coronavirus crisis. He advised the new appointee to refrain from "political games" and concentrate on the ministry's expert and specialized activities.

Saudi Arabia

• Ministry of Health: 3,288 New COVID-19 Cases Reported in Saudi Arabia SPA 09 Jun 2020 -- The Ministry of Health said in a statement today that 3,288 new confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 108,571 cases, including 31,449 active cases receiving necessary medical care. Of these, there are 1,686 critical cases, while the health condition of the rest is stable. As many as 1,815 cases have recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 76,339.
• A Shipment of 14,000,000 face masks Arrives at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah SPA 09 Jun 2020 -- King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah today received a shipment carrying 14,000,000 face masks to provide markets needs of these medical supplies to face the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Taiwan

• Taiwan planning to loosen quarantine rules for business travelers CNA 09 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan is devising regulations that will make it easier for business travelers to visit Taiwan after border restrictions are relaxed, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Monday.

Venezuela

• Venezuela says flight arrives from Iran carrying COVID-19 aid IRNA 09 Jun 2020 -- Venezuela's government said on Monday that a flight carrying humanitarian aid for the COVID-19 patients had arrived from Iran.
• Iranian aid flight arrives in Venezuela despite continued US pressure Press TV 09 Jun 2020 -- Venezuela says an Iranian flight carrying humanitarian aid for use in the fight against the coronavirus has arrived in the South American country, as Tehran and Caracas move to forge closer ties to blunt the impact of the US sanctions targeting the two nations.
• Venezuela Receives COVID-19 Medical Aid From Iran RFE/RL 09 Jun 2020 -- Venezuela has received an air cargo shipment of aid from Iran in another sign that ties between the Islamic republic and the South American country - both targets of U.S. sanctions - are strengthening.

Other Countries

• COVID-19 Offers 'World of Opportunity' For Spies, Terrorists Australian Spy Boss Says VOA 09 Jun 2020 -- Australia's spy chief is warning of a surge in espionage, extremist propaganda and cyber-crime during the COVID crisis.
• Chile's COVID-19 cases close to 139,000, with 2,264 deaths Global Times 09 Jun 2020 -- Chile's Health Ministry on Monday reported a total of 138,846 people have tested positive for COVID-19, and 2,264 people have died from the disease.
• Chinese medical expert team arrives in Bangladesh to help fight COVID-19 Global Times 09 Jun 2020 -- A medical expert team sent by the Chinese government arrived here on Monday to support Bangladesh's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Conflict-hit Nigerian families living under COVID-19 lockdowns, on 'life-support' UN News 09 Jun 2020 -- Help and funding are needed urgently for millions of people in Nigeria who have been hit severely by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, including conflict-hit communities "on life-support" in the north-east, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
• COVID-19 is Threatening Food Security in Nigeria VOA 09 Jun 2020 -- Nigeria, Africa's biggest economy and most populous country, is reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A steep drop in international oil prices, Nigeria's major export, since the outbreak of the coronavirus has sparked fears of a recession.
• New Zealand Celebrates End of Coronavirus Restrictions VOA 09 Jun 2020 -- New Zealanders gathered at restaurants and cafes Tuesday to celebrate the official end of their long coronavirus quarantine period.
• China, Singapore Plan Covid-19 'Bubble' for Essential Travel VOA 09 Jun 2020 -- Planes jetting between Singapore and China next week will be carrying some of the first passengers of the two nations' "Covid-19 travel "bubble." Before then flights linked to China were starting to become a political matter, as the nation took issue with places from the United States to Vietnam for canceling travel in the wake of the virus emergency.
• South Africa Reopening of Schools Amid COVID-19 Outbreak VOA 09 Jun 2020 -- School children in South Africa are returning to class amid the COVID-19 outbreak that has closed schools for several weeks.
• Mexico's President Refuses to Take Coronavirus Test After Coming in Contact with Infected Admin Member VOA 09 Jun 2020 -- Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is attempting to allay any suspicions about his health after a high-ranking member of his administration he'd recently been in contact with was infected with the coronavirus.