Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Six Russian GRU Officers Charged in Connection with Worldwide Deployment of Destructive Malware and Other Disruptive Actions in Cyberspace US Dept. of Justice 19 Oct 2020 -- Defendants' Malware Attacks Caused Nearly One Billion USD in Losses to Three Victims Alone; Also Sought to Disrupt the 2017 French Elections and the 2018 Winter Olympic Games
• Six Russian GRU Officers Charged in Connection with Worldwide Deployment of Destructive Malware and Other Disruptive Actions in Cyberspace US Dept. of Justice 19 Oct 2020
• U.S. Charges Six Russian Military Officers With 'Destructive' Global Hacking Campaign RFE/RL 19 Oct 2020 -- The United States has charged six Russian military officers with a "destructive," global criminal cyber-campaign that included the worldwide distribution of destructive malware and attempts to undermine the former Soviet republics of Georgia and Ukraine.
• US Charges Six Russian Military Officers in Global Cyberattacks VOA 19 Oct 2020 -- U.S. prosecutors on Monday announced charges against six Russian military intelligence officers in connection with a global computer hacking campaign that targeted the 2017 French presidential election and the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, and carried out other high-profile cyberattacks.
• UK exposes series of Russian cyber attacks against Olympic and Paralympic Games UK FCDO 19 Oct 2020 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemns malicious cyber activity by Russia's GRU.
• United States Charges Russian Military Intelligence Officers for Cyber Crimes US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2020 -- The criminal charges the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced today against six officers of the Russian General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate's (GRU) Military Unit 74455 highlight once again Russia's continuing disruptive, destructive, and destabilizing activities in cyberspace.
• FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich's Remarks at Press Conference Announcing Cyber-Related Indictment of Six Russian Intelligence Officers FBI 19 Oct 2020 -- FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich delivered the following remarks during a press conference in Washington, D.C., with other Department of Justice officials announcing charges against six members of the GRU—Russia's military intelligence agency—in connection with the worldwide deployment of destructive malware and other disruptive actions. (Remarks as delivered)
• The United States Designates Al Qa'ida Financial Facilitator US Dept. of State 19 Oct 2020 -- Today, the United States continued to disrupt the financial and logistical networks that support Al Qa'ida (AQ) operations in the Middle East and around the world by designating a financial facilitator. Ahmed
• Treasury Designates al-Qa'ida Financial Facilitator US Treasury 19 Oct 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Australia-based al-Qa'ida-associated facilitator Ahmed Luqman Talib for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Al-Qa'ida. Additionally, OFAC also designated one company, Talib and Sons, for being owned, controlled, or directed by Ahmed Luqman Talib.
• France to Expel 231 Radicalised Foreigners After Beheading of Teacher in 'Islamist Terrorist Attack' Sputnik 19 Oct 2020 -- French President Emmanuel Macron held a defense council meeting in the wake of the brutal attack on a history teacher in a Paris suburb, vowing that "Islamists will not sleep peacefully in France", with probes to be conducted of the authors of 80 posts on social media that expressed support for the attacker.
• Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Narcotics Trafficking Centered in Colombia The White House 19 Oct 2020
• Text of a Letter to the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate The White House 19 Oct 2020

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Focus on fundamentals as COVID-19 caseloads rise: WHO UN News 19 Oct 2020 -- As COVID-19 cases continue to accelerate, particularly in Europe and North America, the World Health Organization (WHO) is advising governments and people everywhere not to let their guard down, for the benefit of those hospitalized, or working on the front line of the battle to end the pandemic.
• COVID-19 vaccine: UNICEF to stockpile more than half a billion syringes by year's end UN News 19 Oct 2020 -- With countries and pharmaceutical companies around the world gearing up to distribute COVID-19 vaccines following trials, the UN Children's Fund UNICEF has begun laying the groundwork for the rapid, safe and efficient delivery by buying and pre-positioning syringes and other necessary equipment.
• WHO Says 184 Countries Have Now Joined COVAX Vaccine Program VOA 19 Oct 2020 -- The World Health Organization says 184 countries have now joined the COVID-19 global vaccine alliance, known as COVAX, designed to speed development and ensure distribution of viable vaccines and treatments for the ailment caused by the coronavirus.
• Total COVID Cases Across Globe Surpass 40 Million VOA 19 Oct 2020 -- The world has now surpassed 40 million confirmed cases of coronavirus infections, as surges of cases in Europe and the United States have led to more restrictions on residents.
• World passes another milestone in COVID-19: Over 40mn infected Press TV 19 Oct 2020 -- The total number of novel coronavirus cases worldwide has now passed the 40 million milestone, prompting a number of countries to take decisive action to curtail the pandemic.
• Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 40.06 million, death toll at 1,113,218 SPA 19 Oct 2020 -- More than 40.06 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,113,218​ have died, according to a Reuters tally.
• Worldwide Coronavirus Cases Cross 39.94 Million, Death Toll at 1,112,131 SPA 19 Oct 2020 -- More than 39.94 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,112,131 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

United States

• No Coronavirus Vaccine Before US Election VOA 19 Oct 2020 -- President Donald Trump's predictions that a coronavirus vaccine would be ready before Election Day, Nov. 3, will not be met.
• US governors send questions to federal gov't about COVID-19 vaccination plan Global Times 19 Oct 2020 -- The National Governors Association (NGA) on Sunday sent a list of questions to the Trump Administration seeking clarification on how the federal government will most effectively distribute and administer a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Rush Transcript: Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic New York State 19 Oct 2020
• Trump tells supporters: Biden would surrender their 'future to the virus' Press TV 19 Oct 2020 -- US President Donald Trump has warned that his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, would "listen to the scientists" if elected to the White House and impose harsh lockdowns to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 19 Oct 2020

China

• Imported case found in E. China, sounding alarm over COVID-19 Global Times 19 Oct 2020 -- An asymptomatic coronavirus carrier from abroad was reported in East China's Shandong Province after a 14-day quarantine, sounding the alarm to prevent the COVID-19 from re-entering the country and causing a new epidemic.
• Guangzhou's new COVID-19 case confirmed infected by inbound traveler Global Times 19 Oct 2020 -- The domestic asymptomatic case of COVID-19 in South China's Guangzhou reported on Thursday has been tracked to a strain of the coronavirus bought to the city by an inbound traveler, local Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on Sunday. Guangzhou has conducted 148,295 tests for the virus, and none was positive.
• Beijing urges disinfecting outer packaging of goods ordered from overseas People's Daily 19 Oct 2020 -- The Beijing Municipal Health Commission on Monday urged citizens to disinfect the outer packaging of goods ordered from overseas via e-commerce platforms or purchasing agents.
• Qingdao cranks up epidemic prevention and control measures People's Daily 19 Oct 2020 -- Qingdao has ordered hospitals to strengthen management and monitoring of key departments, including fever clinics, emergency units, and CT rooms, after 13 confirmed COVID-19 cases emerged in the city.
• 16 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals on Chinese mainland People's Daily 19 Oct 2020 -- The National Health Commission said Monday that 16 COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals after recovery on the Chinese mainland Sunday.

Europe

• COVID-Stricken European Countries Focus on Breaking Up Parties VOA 19 Oct 2020 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been urging Germany's young people to observe tightening pandemic restrictions. "Do without a few parties," she has told them.
• France's new COVID-19 cases slow but deaths sharply up SPA 19 Oct 2020 -- French health authorities on Monday reported 13,243 new COVID-19 infections over the past 24 hours, sharply down from Saturday's record of 32,427 and Sunday's 29,837, according to Reuters.
• France reports another 29,837 new COVID-19 cases People's Daily 19 Oct 2020 -- The cumulative COVID-19 cases in France totaled 897,034, with 33,477 fatalities.
• Austrian Gov't to Ban Indoor Social Gatherings of More Than 6 People Amid COVID-19 Surge Sputnik 19 Oct 2020 -- Indoor social gatherings of more than six people and outdoor meetings of more than 12 individuals will be banned in Austria from Friday as the European country seeks to respond to a rapid rise in new COVID-19 cases, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Monday.
• Norway Detects New Type of Coronavirus With Faster Transmission Properties Sputnik 19 Oct 2020 -- The Norwegian health authorities have detected a new mutation of the coronavirus with a higher transmission capacity in the central municipality of Trondheim, local chief physician Tove Rosstad told the NRK public broadcaster on Monday.
• UK records another 16,982 new coronavirus cases with 67 deaths People's Daily 19 Oct 2020 -- Another 16,982 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 722,409, according to official figures released Sunday.
• UK police to be given details of people told to self-isolate by test-and-trace system People's Daily 19 Oct 2020 -- People who have been told to self-isolate through the test and trace system of Britain's National Health Service (NHS) could have their contact details shared with the British police, local media has reported.
• UK lockdowns: Wales and Manchester head towards tougher restrictions Press TV 19 Oct 2020 -- The UK government plans to impose tougher lockdowns in Wales and Greater Manchester over the rising number of coronavirus cases across the United Kingdom.
• Britain Will Have to 'Learn to Live With the Virus', Says UK Government's Chief Scientific Advisor Sputnik 19 Oct 2020 -- Researchers around the world are racing to develop a vaccine against Covid-19, with more than 170 candidate vaccines now tracked by the World Health Organization (WHO). Vaccines normally require years of testing and additional time to produce at scale, but scientists are hoping to develop a coronavirus vaccine within 12 to 18 months.
• Wales to Impose Two-Week Coronavirus Lockdown Beginning Friday VOA 19 Oct 2020 -- Officials in Wales announced Monday they will impose a two-week "firebreak" lockdown effective Friday, requiring all but essential workers to stay at home to combat an accelerating second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Poland starts to build first field hospital for COVID-19 patients People's Daily 19 Oct 2020 -- The construction of the first field hospital for COVID-19 patients was started at the National Stadium of Poland here in Warsaw, local media reported on Sunday evening.

Russia

• First results of Russian coronavirus vaccine trial to include data from 5,000-10,000 people SPA 19 Oct 2020 -- Interim results from the late-stage human trial of Russia's main coronavirus vaccine candidate could include data from 5,000 -10,000 participants, Denis Logunov, director at the Gamaleya Institute that developed the vaccine, said on Monday.
• Moscow To Begin Mass Coronavirus Vaccinations In Weeks RFE/RL 19 Oct 2020 -- The mayor of Russia's capital says the city will begin mass vaccinations against the novel coronavirus disease "in December-January" as he sets to open two more field hospitals to deal with a surge in cases.

India

• Confirmed COVID-19 cases keep surging in Asia-Pacific as India records 61,871 new infections People's Daily 19 Oct 2020 -- Asia-Pacific countries kept on high alert on Sunday as India recorded 61,871 new cases, bringing the total to 7,494,551.
• India's expert panel chief says second wave of COVID-19 can't be ruled out in winters People's Daily 19 Oct 2020 -- A member of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI ) Aayog (commission) Sunday said the possibility of a second wave of infections during the winter season cannot be ruled out in the country.
• India's COVID-19 peak past, to be under control early next year: gov't Global Times 19 Oct 2020 -- A government-appointed panel studying the mathematical progression of COVID-19 numbers in India has said the country has crossed the pandemic peak and will bring it under control by early next year if all health protocols are followed.
• India sustains trend of consistently low Active Cases India PIB 19 Oct 2020 -- India has crossed another milestone in its fight against COVID-19. The national cumulative Positivity Rate has fallen under 8%. This trend has been sustained without a break for four days. The cumulative Positivity Rate is 7.94% now and is on a continuous decline.

Iran

• Another single day record of COVID-19 death toll in Iran IRNA 19 Oct 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Monday that some 337 more Iranians have died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours.

Saudi Arabia

• Health Ministry: 381 New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, 357 New Recoveries, Reported in Saudi Arabia SPA 19 Oct 2020 -- The Ministry of Health announced in a statement here today that 381 new confirmed cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 342,583, including 8,487 active cases undergoing treatment.

Taiwan

• Five new imported COVID-19 cases recorded in Taiwan CNA 19 Oct 2020 -- Five new imported cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Taiwan on Monday, bringing the total number in the country to 540 since the pandemic began at the end of last year, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said.

North Korea

• Emergency Anti-epidemic Activities Intensified in DPRK KCNA 19 Oct 2020 -- It has been carried out in an offensive way by all emergency anti-epidemic units to keep the current anti-epidemic stability.

Australia

• Pressure remains over Aussie state lockdown despite partial easing People's Daily 19 Oct 2020 -- The Australian State of Victoria has taken the next highly anticipated step towards "COVID normal" as it eases its way out of a long and difficult lockdown.
• Australia's Coronavirus Hotspot, Victoria State, Loosens Restrictions VOA 19 Oct 2020 -- Officials in Australia's Victoria state, once the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the country, began loosening lockdown restrictions Monday as new and active cases continued to decline.

Other Countries

• S. African health minister tests positive for COVID-19 People's Daily 19 Oct 2020 -- South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize and his wife tested positive for COVID-19, his office said in a statement late on Sunday.
• Another Top Kazakh Health Official Resigns Amid Coronavirus Pandemic RFE/RL 19 Oct 2020 -- Another top health official in Kazakhstan has resigned as the country continues to lead Central Asian nations with registered coronavirus cases.
• Senegal reports 14 new coronavirus cases SPA 19 Oct 2020 -- Senegal reported that 14 new coronavirus COVID-19 confirmed cases took place in the country over the past 24 hours.
• Mali reports one new COVID-19 case SPA 19 Oct 2020 -- Mali reported today one new case of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
• East African Truckers Pay Bribes for Negative Coronavirus Tests, Official Says VOA 19 Oct 2020 -- Long-distance truck drivers are paying bribes to evade coronavirus testing at the Uganda-Kenya border, the head of Uganda's Professional Drivers Network said.
• Kenya Sees New Surge of Coronavirus After Easing Restrictions VOA 19 Oct 2020 -- Kenya is facing a second wave of coronavirus infections, just weeks after lifting tough restrictions meant to limit its spread. Kenya's health minister on Sunday warned the country was headed for tough times after reporting more than 600 new cases and several deaths. Some experts say it might be challenging to reimpose restrictions.