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Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Portland Riots Read-out: July 29 DHS 29 Jul 2020
• Acting Secretary Wolf's Statement on Oregon Agreeing to Cooperate in Quelling Portland Violence DHS 29 Jul 2020 -- Over the past 24 hours, Governor Brown and I have been in regular communication and have agreed to a joint plan to end the violent activity in Portland directed at federal properties and law enforcement officers.
• Expanding 'Operation LeGend': More Feds to Be Sent to Detroit, Milwaukee, Cleveland to Combat Crime Sputnik 29 Jul 2020 -- At the beginning of July, Attorney General William Barr announced the creation of a nationwide initiative to address the surge in crime in several cities. A group of more than 100 federal agents, including from the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, were sent to Kansas City.
• Operation Legend Expanded to Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee US Dept. of Justice 29 Jul 2020 -- Today, the expansion of Operation Legend was announced in Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee. Operation Legend is a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime. The Operation was first launched on July 8 in Kansas City, Missouri, and expanded on July 22, 2020, to Chicago and Albuquerque.
• Federal forces to pull out of Portland: Oregon governor Press TV 29 Jul 2020 -- Oregon governor has announced that the US federal troops will begin a phased withdrawal from downtown Portland following two months of anti-racism protests.
• US Federal Agents Agree to Leave Portland, With Conditions VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- The U.S. government says it will withdraw the federal tactical teams that have clashed with protesters in Portland, Oregon, beginning Thursday provided they are confident of an end to the violence and vandalism that have accompanied weeks of protests in the Pacific Coast city.
• UN Provides Roadmap for Peaceful Assembly in Time of Coronavirus VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- The 18-member U.N. Human Rights Committee has issued new guidance on the rules of engagement for people taking part in peaceful protests and the police monitoring them.
• No merit in US politicians' claim that TikTok is meddling in US elections: FM Global Times 29 Jul 2020 -- Some US politicians' accusation that short video app TikTok is meddling in the US elections is a fabrication and deliberate smearing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at Wednesday's regular press conference.
• Report: U.S. Officials Say Russia-Backed Websites Spread Coronavirus Disinformation RFE/RL 29 Jul 2020 -- U.S. officials have identified three English-language websites that they say Russia is using to spread disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic to exploit the U.S. struggle to contain the outbreak.
• Chinese Hackers Targeted Vatican, NY Times Reports VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- The New York Times Wednesday said the Vatican's computer networks have been breached by Chinese hackers since May, in an apparent espionage effort before the start of sensitive talks between the Roman Catholic Church and Communist China.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 191 WHO 29 Jul 2020
• COVID-19 deaths worldwide surpass 650,000, WHO urges action to stop transmission People's Daily 29 Jul 2020 -- COVID-19 infections worldwide saw a daily hike of 226,783 in the past 24 hours, staying above 200,000 for 13 consecutive days and bringing the total to 16,341,920, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday.
• WHO stresses importance of fighting COVID-19 within borders, noting travel bans cannot be indefinite People's Daily 29 Jul 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) stressed on Monday that bans on international travel cannot stay indefinitely, while each country should do more to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within its borders.
• Heads of UN agencies outline steps to lessen COVID-19 impact on children People's Daily 29 Jul 2020 -- children, according to a new white paper written by the heads of four United Nations agencies, including the Rome-based UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• G7 High-Level Transportation Principles in Response to COVID-19 US Dept. of State 29 Jul 2020 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Government of the United States of America, as President of the G7, on the conclusion of discussions with G7 partners on restoring confidence in transportation and travel.

United States

• Florida to Temporarily Shutter State-Supported COVID-19 Testing Sites Over Tropical Weather Concerns Sputnik 29 Jul 2020 -- The Florida Divison of Emergency Management (FDEM) on Wednesday announced that all state-supported drive-thru and walk-up COVID-19 testing sites would close at 5 p.m. local time Thursday due to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine.
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 29 Jul 2020
• Public Acceptance Key to COVID-19 Vaccine Success, Fauci Says VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- The top U.S. infectious disease expert is warning that while significant progress is being made on potential COVID-19 vaccines around the world, the public must be convinced they are safe, effective and necessary.
• Trump Again Touts Discredited Anti-Malaria Drug as Coronavirus Cure VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump again touted the use of an anti-malarial drug as a treatment for the coronavirus Wednesday, even as the country's top infectious disease expert debunked it as a cure for the illness.
• US Congressman Gohmert Tests Positive for Coronavirus VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- U.S. Congressman Louie Gohmert of Texas says he has tested positive for the coronavirus.
• Pence Visits North Carolina School to Push Nationwide In-Person Classes VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- With many U.S. schools weeks away from the planned start of a new academic year, Vice President Mike Pence is traveling Wednesday to the state of North Carolina to push the Trump administration's preference for in-person classes, while leaders in that state and others advocate giving local districts more options due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• UPDATE: The United States Continues to Lead the Global Response to COVID-19 US Dept. of State 29 Jul 2020 -- New foreign assistance funding commitments continue to bolster the unparalleled global leadership of the United States in response to COVID-19.
• Trump renews defense of using hydroxychloroquine against coronavirus Global Times 29 Jul 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday renewed his defense of using anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine against COVID-19, despite medical evidence disproving its effectiveness.
• Remarks by Vice President Pence in a Roundtable on Safely Reopening Schools | Apex, NC The White House 29 Jul 2020
• Remarks by Vice President Pence in a Roundtable on Phase III Coronavirus Vaccine Trials | Durham, NC The White House 29 Jul 2020

China

• Rising anxiety among Chinese in Nepal as coronavirus cases surge Global Times 29 Jul 2020 -- Chinese nationals in Nepal say they're increasingly anxious as dozens of people have been found infected with COVID-19 in some districts that border India and the daily tally of cases remains in the hundreds.
• Residents call for stricter measures, citywide screening to curb COVID-19 in HK Global Times 29 Jul 2020 -- While a ban on dining in restaurants and gatherings of more than two people has taken effect on Wednesday in Hong Kong to tackle the worsening COVID-19 outbreak, local residents are calling for even stricter anti-epidemic measures and citywide screening to curb new infections, after the number of daily new cases in the city has surpassed 100 for eight consecutive days as of Wednesday.
• Xinjiang leads daily COVID-19 caseload, but epidemic 'under control' Global Times 29 Jul 2020 -- The Chinese mainland has seen a rise in newly confirmed COVID-19 infections for the fifth consecutive day, with the number jumping to 101 on Tuesday, with most found in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
• WHO experts closely working with Chinese scientists on coronavirus traceability: FM Global Times 29 Jul 2020 -- Two experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) came to China for scientific cooperation on novel coronavirus traceability in mid-July, and they held in-depth communication with Chinese scientists on people infected by the virus, the environment and transmission route, as well as the scientific research involved in the next step, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
• Concerns grow as China's daily COVID-19 cases top 101 Global Times 29 Jul 2020 -- The Chinese mainland has seen a rise in newly confirmed COVID-19 infections for the fifth consecutive day, with the number jumping to three digits on Tuesday to 101, involving Beijing, Northeast China's Liaoning Province and Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
• China fights COVID-19 in people-first approach People's Daily 29 Jul 2020 -- Since the COVID-19 outbreak, China has waged a whole-of-nation "people's war" against the virus.

Europe

• Sweden Records Lowest Number of COVID-19 Deaths Since Start of Pandemic Sputnik 29 Jul 2020 -- According to Sweden's state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell, the country, which has seen fewer cases in recent weeks, is going against the global trend of rising infections that may lead to a second wave of infections.
• Coronavirus crisis costs Spain over 1 mln jobs in Q2 Global Times 29 Jul 2020 -- The coronavirus crisis reduced employment in Spain by over a million during the second quarter (Q2) of the year, according to the Economically Active Population Survey published by the Spanish Statistical Office (INE) on Tuesday.

Russia

• Meeting on sanitary and epidemiological situation and readiness of healthcare system for autumn and winter President of Russia 29 Jul 2020 -- The President held a meeting, via videoconference, on the sanitary and epidemiological situation and readiness of the healthcare system for the autumn and winter period.

India

• India's cumulative testing crosses 1.77 crore India PIB 29 Jul 2020 -- The State/UT governments under the guidance of Centre are steadily ramping up testing to ensure prompt identification and isolation of COVID-19 positive cases. With 4,08,855 samples tested in the last 24 hours, the number of Test Per Million (TPM) has increased to 12,858 and cumulative testing has crossed 1.77 crore.
• India's Case Fatality Rate (CFR) lowest since 1st April at 2.23% India PIB 29 Jul 2020 -- Coordinated implementation of "Test Track Treat" strategy by the Union and State/UT governments has effectively ensured that the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) is maintained at a low level when compared to the global scenario, and it has been progressively falling.
• In Indian Capital, People Return to Restaurants to Savor Normalcy VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- As in other countries, India's hospitality industry is among the worst hit sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cautiously however some restaurants are reopening, prepped up to navigate a post-COVID-19 world with new norms. And although the Indian capital is one of the cities hit hard by the pandemic, four months on people are ready to step out, bringing some hope to an industry that has cost millions their jobs and where many are still shuttered.
• India's capital witnesses improvement in COVID-19 situation People's Daily 29 Jul 2020 -- Till a couple of weeks ago, Delhi was among the states registering highest number of COVID-19 cases every day. But the rate of new cases has come down to below 5 percent.

Iran

• Waiting For Khamenei's Verdict On Row Over Iran Religious Ceremonies Amid Pandemic Radio Farda 29 Jul 2020 -- Iran's Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi on Tuesday advised those who insist on holding Muharram ceremonies to wait for the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other sources of emulation to announce their view but insisted any indoor congregation will be "impossible".
• Official: COVID-19 kills 196 more in Iran IRNA 29 Jul 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Wednesday that some 235 more Iranians have died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 16,343.
• Iran bans export of medial oxygen, gases amid surge in virus cases Press TV 29 Jul 2020 -- The Iranian customs office (IRICA) has imposed a ban on exports of medical grade bulk oxygen and other gases needed in hospitals to deal with a new surge in the coronavirus pandemic.

Japan

• Japan Reaches 1,000 Daily COVID-19 Cases for 1st Time VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- Japan confirmed Wednesday a new daily record for COVID-19 infections, topping more than 1,000 cases for the first time since the pandemic began.
• Japan's COVID-19 cases hit daily records outside Tokyo People's Daily 29 Jul 2020 -- Japan's number of new daily COVID-19 infections increased by 965 on Tuesday, bringing the nation's cumulative total to 32,229, not including those connected to a cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama in February.

Saudi Arabia

• Hajj Begins in Saudi Arabia Under Historic COVID Imposed Restrictions VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- Islam's holiest observances began Wednesday as a small group of pilgrims arrived in Mecca to begin the Hajj, which has been dramatically scaled-back due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Health Ministry: Pilgrims' Health Status Is Reassuring, No Coronavirus Cases among Pilgrims SPA 29 Jul 2020 -- The Ministry of Health said in a statement today that the pilgrims' health status is reassuring, and there are no Coronavirus cases among pilgrims so far.

Taiwan

• No new COVID-19 cases reported in Taiwan Wednesday CNA 29 Jul 2020 -- No new COVID-19 cases were reported in Taiwan on Wednesday after two consecutive days of imported infections that hiked the total number of cases to 467 since the pandemic began late last year.
• No need to test all arrivals in Taiwan for COVID-19: CECC CNA 29 Jul 2020 -- The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Wednesday there is no need to test all arrivals in Taiwan for COVID-19, as current quarantine regulations have proven to be successful in disease prevention.

Vietnam

• Vietnam Broke a 100-Day Streak Without COVID: Here Are 3 Takeaways VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- The new cases of COVID-19 that emerged in Vietnam's Danang city – 30 cases since the weekend – marked an abrupt end to the Southeast Asian nation's 100-day streak with no local transmissions of the coronavirus. It was a period of relative calm as people returned to work feeling sheltered from the pandemic that is raging outside the borders. Now, the new cases leave Vietnam to puzzle over how the virus may have been lurking in the community and how it infected locals, most of whom had not been traveling. It also begs the question of whether, even with a perfect pandemic response, it is really possible to quash the virus out of existence.
• After Nearly Erasing COVID-19, Vietnam Grapples with a Spike VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- Vietnamese officials are rushing to control a sudden new outbreak of COVID-19 after reporting one of the world's most successful control efforts earlier in the year.

Other Countries

• South Africa's COVID-19 Upsurge Possibly Representative of Broader Continent Dynamics, NGO Says Sputnik 29 Jul 2020 -- The rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in South Africa could be testament to a broader spread of the disease across the African continent, possibly downplayed due to inaccurate reporting, Graciano Masauso, the founder of the Africa Health Organization (AHO), said.
• Israel sets new record of daily COVID-19 infections with 2,308 cases Global Times 29 Jul 2020 -- Israel's Ministry of Health reported 2,308 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, setting a new record of daily hike in coronavirus infections.
• Australian authorities doing "everything possible" to fight coronavirus "crisis" in aged care facilities People's Daily 29 Jul 2020 -- Australian authorities have declared that they are doing "everything possible" to fight coronavirus outbreaks in aged care facilities in the state of Victoria.
• Chinese Migrants Cross Illegally Into Laos, Vietnam Amid Renewed COVID Fears Radio Free Asia 29 Jul 2020 -- Over 30 Chinese migrants were deported from Laos last week after they were caught entering the country illegally, sparking concerns over border controls as new cases of COVID-19 infection begin to appear in Laos and in neighboring Vietnam.
• COVID-19: Bosnian Minister Dies; Kazakhstan Extends Lockdown RFE/RL 29 Jul 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 662,000, with more than 16.8 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the respiratory illness.
• Asia-Pacific: 'Call to action' highlights role of family farmers amidst COVID-19 pandemic UN News 29 Jul 2020 -- Although hundreds of millions of smallholder family farmers in Asia-Pacific produce a majority of the world's food, the COVID-19 pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on their livelihoods, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• Somali Livestock Traders Count Losses After Hajj Cancellation Due to COVID-19 VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- Somalia's livestock industry has been reeling since Saudi Arabia canceled the hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, because of COVID-19.
• Landlocked Botswana Truck Drivers Face COVID-19 Dilemma VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- Trucker Wisiso Balathi used to look forward to his daily drive from his home country, Botswana, to pick up goods in neighboring South Africa.
• Belarus Leader Says He Survived Coronavirus VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced he had tested positive but successfully overcome the novel coronavirus on Tuesday – adding a new twist to a charged presidential election season in the former Soviet republic often called the "last dictatorship in Europe."
• Malaysia's Hungry Banking on Charity to Get Through Lockdown VOA 29 Jul 2020 -- On the 15th floor of a shabby, low-rent apartment block in north Kuala Lumpur, Justin Cheah stepped out of a rickety elevator with a bulging bag of groceries and headed for the unit flanked by a dusty shrine to the elephant-headed god Ganesh, the "remover of obstacles."