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Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Italian Mafia May Become Wealthier After Pandemic, Report Says Sputnik 17 Jul 2020 -- In April, chief of the State Police, Franco Gabrielli, said that during the coronavirus outbreak mafia groups managed to infiltrate various sectors of the national economy, primarily those dealing with the production of essential goods.
• CIA conducted cyber attacks against Iran after secret Trump order in 2018: Report Press TV 17 Jul 2020 -- The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) conducted a series of covert cyber operations against Iran and other targets after US President Donald Trump issued a secret order in 2018 giving the agency power to undertake such activities, according to a report.
• Designation of PRC Foreign Nationals and Entities under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act US Dept. of State 17 Jul 2020 -- The Department of State joins the Department of the Treasury in announcing the designation of four People's Republic of China foreign nationals – Ji Songyan, Zhan Longbao, Cheng Guifeng, and Zheng Guangfu – and one Chinese entity – , and Global United Biotechnology Inc. – for their support to and involvement in the international drug trafficking operations of Chinese synthetic opioid traffickers Zheng Fujing and Yan Xiaobing and the Zheng Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO).
• Treasury Targets Chinese Persons Involved with Drug Trafficking Organization Moving Fentanyl US Treasury 17 Jul 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four individuals and one entity pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act). The four individuals were designated for providing support to the Zheng Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), which is run by Chinese synthetic opioid trafficker Fujing Zheng. These designations include Songyan Ji, Longbao Zhang, Guifeng Cheng, and Guangfu Zheng, all located in China. OFAC also designated Global United Biotechnology Inc. for being owned or controlled by the Zheng DTO. OFAC previously identified Fujing Zheng and the Zheng DTO as significant foreign narcotics traffickers pursuant to the Kingpin Act in August 2019.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 179 WHO 17 Jul 2020
• WHO Emergencies Press Conference on coronavirus disease outbreak - 17 July 2020 WHO 17 Jul 2020
• COVID-19 highlights need for renewed, inclusive multilateralism: UN chief UN News 17 Jul 2020 -- With the COVID-19 pandemic putting development gains at risk, exposing vulnerabilities and inequalities both within and among nations, the UN Secretary-General is urging governments to reexamine how they work together to solve global challenges.
• COVID Fallout Could Result in 'Devastating Levels of Hunger', WFP Says VOA 17 Jul 2020 -- The United Nations' World Food Program said in a statement Friday that people in at least 25 countries "are set to face devasating levels of hunger in coming months due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic."
• WHO warns 'too many countries heading in the wrong direction' in COVID-19 fight People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that numerous countries are adopting the wrong approach in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

United States

• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 17 Jul 2020
• Army senior leaders discuss lessons learned from COVID-19 Army News 17 Jul 2020 -- The Army is considering adjustments to its fiscal year 2022 budget request, as senior leaders look to invest in the service's ability to fight against infectious diseases or other chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats.
• DOD Announces $36.9 Million in Defense Production Act Title III COVID-19 Actions DoD 17 Jul 2020 -- Today, the Department announces two Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III actions to help sustain and strengthen essential domestic industrial base capabilities and defense-critical workforce in the aviation and shipbuilding industries.
• COVID-19 Cases Climb in US as White House Report Recommends Tougher Lockdown Measures VOA 17 Jul 2020 -- COVID-19 cases in the U.S. topped a world-leading 3.6 million cases Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University, as the number of new cases reported each day continue to rise sharply, as an unpublished report from the White House Coronavirus Task Force recommends that 18 U.S. states should impose more stringent lockdown measures.
• US Bars Imports from Top Rubber Glove Maker Amid COVID Surge VOA 17 Jul 2020 -- The United States has blocked imports from the world's top rubber glove maker just as health care workers are facing a new surge of coronavirus cases in some states.
• U.S. approaches half million new COVID-19 cases each week: report Global Times 17 Jul 2020 -- The United States is approaching half a million new COVID-19 cases each week, according to a report of The COVID Tracking Project released on Thursday.
• Most early COVID-19 cases in New York City trace back to Europe: CDC People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- Sequences of most early SARS-CoV-2-positive specimens in New York City (NYC) resembled those circulating in Europe, suggesting probable introductions of the virus from Europe, other U.S. locations, and local introductions from within New York, according to a new report of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday.
• U.S. states slam federal gov't for inadequate response to COVID-19 outbreak People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- A number of U.S. state governors have slammed the Trump administration for its inadequate response to the COVID-19 outbreak as cases are spiking again in the country amid rash reopenings.
• U.S. breaks record with over 77,000 cases of COVID-19 in one day: Johns Hopkins People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- The United States reported a record high of more than 77,000 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections to 3,560,364, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
• U.S. weeks away from high rate of serious COVID-19 infections: vaccinologist People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- A top U.S. vaccinologist warned on Thursday the United States is "weeks" away from such a high rate of serious COVID-19 infections that "every single American's going to know someone who's seriously ill."
• U.S. COVID-19 cases top 3.5 mln as debate over mask-wearing persists People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- Confirmed COVID-19 cases topped 3.5 million on Thursday in the United States, with deaths over 137,000, while debate over mask-wearing, one of the most effective means of curbing the virus spread, persists around the country.
• US police use unmarked vehicles to 'grab' protesters in Portland Press TV 17 Jul 2020 -- US police have been using unmarked vehicles to drive around Portland and grab people off the streets, as they gathered to decry police brutality, on the 50th consecutive day of Black Lives Matter rallies in the city, witnesses say.
• 'Science should not stand in the way' of schools reopening: White House Press TV 17 Jul 2020 -- The White House says that "science should not stand in the way" of schools reopening, as the coronavirus pandemic continues unabated across the United States.
• US Shatters Single-Day COVID-19 Case Record for 11th Time in Last Month Sputnik 17 Jul 2020 -- The US on Thursday set yet another record in daily COVID-19 cases, with more than 75,600 new cases reported, according to a New York Times database.

China

• Xinjiang conducts intense screening, but virus controllable with China's experience in epidemic control fight Global Times 17 Jul 2020 -- Despite concerns over Xinjiang's newly reported COVID-19 cases, epidemiologists advised the public not to panic as Xinjiang is unlikely to be the new epicenter of a second-wave outbreak, given China's fruitful experience in previous rounds of epidemic.
• Xinjiang tightened control after COVID-19 home cases revealed Global Times 17 Jul 2020 -- Xinjiang should take strict measures to curb the virus spread, prevent imported cases and strengthen testing in densely populated areas, Xinjiang's Party chief Chen Quanguo said on Thursday at a Party meeting after one symptomatic and three asymptomatic COVID-19 cases were reported in Urumqi, the capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
• Shenzhen, Zhuhai require nucleic acid tests and 14-day quarantine for people traveling from HK Global Times 17 Jul 2020 -- People who travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen and Zhuhai in South China's Guangdong Province are from Friday required to present valid negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test results and undergo a 14-day medical quarantine.
• 18 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals on Chinese mainland People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- The National Health Commission said Friday that 18 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery on the Chinese mainland Thursday.
• Chinese mainland reports 9 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported nine new imported COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 1,998, the National Health Commission said Friday.
• Chinese mainland reports 10 new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Friday that it received reports of 10 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland Thursday, of which one was domestically transmitted.
• Xinjiang Capital Urumqi on Lockdown Amidst New Outbreak of Coronavirus Radio Free Asia 17 Jul 2020 -- Authorities in Urumqi, the capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) have ordered a lockdown, cancelling nearly all flights in and out of the city, after confirming at least 17 cases of infection from the coronavirus.

Europe

• EU Leaders Hold Summit on COVID-19 Recovery Plan, Multi-Year Budget VOA 17 Jul 2020 -- In Brussels, European Union leaders are holding their first face-to-face summit in months on two key issues that will shape the bloc in the years ahead– a massive coronavirus economic recovery plan and its next multi-year budget. But differences, especially over the fund, remain sharp. Many are downplaying chances of striking a deal this time around.
• UK PM Johnson: National Covid Lockdown Was Right Thing to Do, Now Targeted Local Action Better Sputnik 17 Jul 2020 -- The latest announcement from Downing Street has outlined strategic plans to tackle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, including a second wave set to hit in the winter, with sweeping new measures being launched to transfer power to local authorities and boost contact tracing protocols, among others.
• Local authorities given new powers to close premises and cancel events Press TV 17 Jul 2020 -- Mr Johnson, speaking at a Downing Street press conference, revealed that from Saturday local authorities would have new powers to close specific premises, shut outdoor spaces and cancel events.
• France: New Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Up 836 SPA 17 Jul 2020 -- France today reported 836 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 within 24 hours to stand at 174,674, amid rising concerns over renewed flare-ups of the epidemic, Reuters reported.

Russia

• Russia Says No Need to Steal Western Coronavirus Research VOA 17 Jul 2020 -- Russia still expects a tentative agreement with a multinational pharmaceutical company to manufacture a COVID-19 vaccine under development with Oxford University to move forward, despite accusations Russia has been trying to steal vaccine data, the head of Russia's wealth fund said Friday in an interview with Reuters.
• Health Minister Expects Russian Vaccine Against COVID-19 to Be Registered in August Sputnik 17 Jul 2020 -- The registration of a Russian vaccine against the coronavirus is expected to be completed in the first half of August, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Friday.
• Russia to Make Coronavirus Vaccine Available for General Public During Phase 3 Trials Sputnik 17 Jul 2020 -- Russia will make a coronavirus vaccine candidate it is working on available to general public before it clears the third and last phase of clinical trials, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Friday.
• Russia's Coronavirus Death Toll Passes 12,000 SPA 17 Jul 2020 -- Russia's death toll from the novel coronavirus passed 12,000 on Friday, as the country reported 186 new deaths in the past 24 hours, Reuters reported.
• Kremlin denies UK allegations of vote meddling, COVID-19 vaccine hacking Global Times 17 Jul 2020 -- The Kremlin on Thursday denied claims by Britain that "Russian actors" sought to meddle in last year's general election and that Russian intelligence services most likely hacked coronavirus vaccine research.

India

• India records 1m COVID-19 cases, at risk of overtaking the US in number: analysts Global Times 17 Jul 2020 -- Chinese analysts warned that India may become the world's leading country in terms of the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths, which would cause great disaster if the country fails to take more aggressive and efficient control measures.
• COVID-19 UPDATES India PIB 17 Jul 2020
• Actual case load of COVID-19 patients in the country is only 3.42 lakhs India PIB 17 Jul 2020 -- The actual case load of COVID-19 cases in the country is only 3,42,756, as on date. More than 6.35 lakhs (63.33%) of the total cases have recovered.
• COVID-19 cases surpass 1 million in India, deaths cross 25,000 People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- The number of COVID-19 cases in India surpassed one million on Friday, as total deaths crossed 25,000, according to the latest data issued by federal health ministry.

Iran

• Tehran Consolidates Hardline Gains At Home While COVID-19 Spreads Radio Farda 17 Jul 2020 -- Iran experienced its highest-ever record of coronavirus-related deaths in just one day earlier this month, bringing the official number of reported deaths since late February to more than 13,000. These deaths follow a widely reported second peak of confirmed coronavirus infections from early June. Despite this trend, as well as Iran's status as a regional hub for the virus, the Islamic Republic has not used the pandemic as an opportunity to moderate its behavior or improve the function of government at home.
• Covid-19 kills 183 more Iranians over past 24 hours: Official IRNA 17 Jul 2020 -- Some 183 people in Iran have died as a result of the coronavirus disease over the past 24 hours bringing the total death toll to 13,791, Iranian Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Friday.
• Hundreds Of Iranian Political Activists Urge Chief Justice To Free Prisoners With COVID Radio Farda 17 Jul 2020 -- In a letter to Chief Justice Ebrahim Raeesi on Wednesday, nearly five hundred political activists living in Iran and in exile abroad have urged him to order the release of prisoners infected with the coronavirus, including the prominent human rights activist Narges Mohammadi.

Japan

• Tokyo Once Again Sets Daily Record for New COVID-19 Cases VOA 17 Jul 2020 -- Tokyo's governor confirmed Friday the Japanese capital had 293 new daily cases, setting a record for new cases for the second straight day.
• Japan mulls reissuing COVID-19 restrictions, urges U.S. to curb clusters on Okinawa bases People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- The Tokyo metropolitan government on Tuesday confirmed 143 new COVID-19 infections, with the number staying below the 200-mark for the second straight day but spiking above the 119 cases reported a day earlier.

Saudi Arabia

• Ministry of Health: Covid-19 Lab-Tests Exceed 65,000 Per Day SPA 17 Jul 2020 -- Ministry of Health indicated that it conducted 65,549 new Coronavirus (Covid-19) laboratory tests (PCR), during the past 24 hours, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, pointing out that at the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak in the Kingdom, the number of tests, per day, in various sectors were approximately (1000), and at the present time, the total number of tests reaches more than (65,000) per day.
• Symptom tracker app reveals 6 distinct types of COVID-19 infection SPA 17 Jul 2020 -- British scientists analyzing data from a widely-used COVID-19 symptom-tracking app have found there are six distinct types of the disease, each distinguished by a cluster of symptoms, according to Reuters.
• Health Ministry: 2,613 New COVID-19 Cases, 3,539 New Recoveries Reported, in Saudi Arabia SPA 17 Jul 2020 -- The Ministry of Health said in a statement here today that 2613 new confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 245,851 cases, including 52,283 active cases undergoing treatment.

Taiwan

• Taiwan records two new imported cases of COVID-19 CNA 17 Jul 2020 -- Two people who recently returned from the Philippines have tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in Taiwan since the start of the pandemic to 454, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Friday.
• Taiwan allows fifth extension of stay for foreign visitors CNA 17 Jul 2020 -- Foreign nationals who entered Taiwan as visitors on or before March 21 will be eligible to obtain another 30-day extension of stay, given that international flights have not yet fully resumed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Friday.
• People from Taiwan can soon visit Guam without being quarantined CNA 17 Jul 2020 -- Short-stay travelers from Taiwan to Guam will no longer need to receive a COVID-19 test and self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival beginning July 24, the Taiwan representative of the Guam Visitors Bureau said Friday.

Australia

• Australian COVID-19 cases up 20 pct since July 10 Global Times 17 Jul 2020 -- Australia has surpassed 11,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday as the nation's death toll continues to grow.
• Australian COVID-19 cases up 20 pct since July 10 People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- Australia has surpassed 11,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday as the nation's death toll continues to grow.

Other Countries

• World's first phase-III COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial begins vaccination in UAE Global Times 17 Jul 2020 -- The world's first phase-III clinical trial of a COVID-19 inactivated vaccine formally began in the UAE on Thursday as cooperation flourishes between Sinopharm, the leading vaccine producer in China, and G42 Healthcare, based in Dubai.
• Cambodia reports 5 new COVID-19 cases including 2 U.S. diplomats People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- Cambodia on Friday confirmed five new COVID-19 cases including two U.S. diplomats, raising the total number of infections in the kingdom to 171, according to the Health Ministry.
• WHO says COVID-19 situation in Eastern Mediterranean region remains alarming People's Daily 17 Jul 2020 -- The current situation in the Eastern Mediterranean region remains alarming, a statement issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Regional Director Ahmed Al-Mandhari said on Thursday.
• Kazakh Health Minister Says More Than 3,300 People Died Of Pneumonia In 2020 RFE/RL 17 Jul 2020 -- Governments in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are adding pneumonia cases most likely caused by the coronavirus to their overall pandemic totals even though they were undetected at the time.
• Philippine Health Ministry Reports 17 Coronavirus Deaths, 1,841 More Cases SPA 17 Jul 2020 -- The Philippines on Friday recorded 17 new coronavirus deaths and 1,841 additional infections, with the capital Manila still accounting for the bulk of newly confirmed cases and casualties, Reuters reported.
• Africa's 'Shadow Pandemic' Hits Women Hard: Activists VOA 17 Jul 2020 -- Women in Africa have been disproportionately affected by government measures meant to stop the spread of coronavirus, according to women's advocates. Graca Machel and Melinda Gates say they are urging African governments to take action to reverse what they worry is a harmful trend.