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Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• DHS Announces Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras Have Signed Asylum Cooperation Agreement DHS 29 Dec 2020 -- Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras have all signed the Asylum Cooperation Agreement (ACA) and all three ACAs have entered into force.
• Russia's FSB, US Justice Dept. Conduct Joint Operation to Prevent Cocaine Smuggling Sputnik 29 Dec 2020 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced it had conducted a joint operation with the US Department of Justice to prevent cocaine smuggling from South America to Europe; it had seized 330 kilograms (727 pounds) of cocaine, mostly in the Moscow region.
• Russia, U.S. Collaboration Cracks Drug Network In Rare Show Of Cooperation RFE/RL 29 Dec 2020 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says it has cut off an international drug-smuggling network through a collaboration with the United States, culminating in the seizure of about 1 billion rubles ($13.6 million) worth of cocaine.
• Hackers Attack Networks of Malaysian Military, Chief of Defence Forces Says Sputnik 29 Dec 2020 -- A cyberattack was detected on networks belonging to the Malaysian military on Monday, Chief of Defence Forces Affendi Buang confirmed on Tuesday, adding that crucial data was protected.
• North Macedonia Arrests Eight Men Suspected Of Creating Terrorist Organization RFE/RL 29 Dec 2020 -- Eight men have been arrested in North Macedonia on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks, police said on December 28.
• Pakistan Sentences Two On Terror-Financing Charges RFE/RL Gandhara 29 Dec 2020 -- A Pakistani court has sentenced two alleged members of banned organizations to long prison terms on terrorism-financing charges.
• Russia blacklists Germany's top security, intelligence officials Press TV 29 Dec 2020 -- Russia has blacklisted Germany's top security and intelligence officials and barred them from entering the country in response to recent restrictive measures imposed by the European Union (EU) over an alleged cyber attack and the purported poisoning of a Russian opposition figure.
• Russia Blacklists Germany's Top Security, Intelligence Officials Over Bundestag "Hacking" Sanctions Sputnik 29 Dec 2020 -- The officials' entry ban was introduced in relation to Germany's claims of "Russian trace" in the cyberattack on the German federal parliament in 2015.
• Russia Adds German Officials Barred From Entry In Tit-For-Tat Over 2015 Cyberattack RFE/RL 29 Dec 2020 -- Moscow says it has added several senior German security officials to its list of those barred from the country in response to the European Union's decision to place travel bans on Russian officials over a 2015 hacking attack on the German parliament.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Weekly Epidemiological Update WHO 29 Dec 2020
• Pfizer Warns About Delays in Vaccine Deliveries to Eight Countries Due to Temperature Control Issues Sputnik 29 Dec 2020 -- The COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech was approved by the European Medicines Agency last week, after British and US health regulators had done so. The vaccine has now been making its way into Europe.
• Worldwide Coronavirus Cases Cross 80.86 Million, Death Toll at 1,768,392 SPA 29 Dec 2020 -- More than 80.86 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,768,392 have died, according to a Reuters tally.
• Worldwide coronavirus cases surpass 81.3mn amid fast spread of new variant Press TV 29 Dec 2020 -- The new coronavirus has now infected over 81.3 million people and killed more than 1.7 million others across the globe, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
• The virus that shut down the world: The plight of refugees and migrants UN News 29 Dec 2020 -- In part four of our review of the global impact of COVID-19, UN News considers the new challenges faced by refugees and migrants during 2020; from a heightened risk of catching the COVID-19 virus in crowded camps, to being stranded due to travel restrictions, and becoming the targets of criminal gangs.

United States

• Statement from the Press Secretary The White House 29 Dec 2020
• Biden Vows to Ramp Up COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts VOA 29 Dec 2020 -- President-elect Joe Biden said he plans to be aggressive in fighting COVID-19 upon taking office, pushing for 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days.
• US VP-elect Harris Inoculated Against Coronavirus VOA 29 Dec 2020 -- U.S. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff received their first doses of the coronavirus vaccine on Tuesday, even as officials warned that the pace of inoculations in the country is moving slower than promised.
• California Expected to Extend Stay-at-Home Orders as Health Care System Overwhelmed VOA 29 Dec 2020 -- The western U.S. state of California is expected to extend strict stay-at-home orders Tuesday for residents in two major areas of the state as it struggles with increasing numbers of new COVID-19 infections.
• Additional DOD Locations Selected To Support COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trials DoD 29 Dec 2020 -- Operation Warp Speed (OWS) continues to accelerate development of safe and effective vaccines by supporting multiple candidates. In line with this unprecedented effort, Womack Army Medical Center, is the latest Department of Defense (DOD) location to join Phase 3 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trials.
• Michigan Guard supports COVID-19 vaccination effort Army News 29 Dec 2020 -- The Michigan National Guard, on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 since March, is now helping the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) get Michigan residents vaccinated.
• U.S. suffers deadliest month for coronavirus in December People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- More than 65,000 Americans have died of COVID-19 in the past 28 days, roughly equivalent to over 1.6 Americans lost to the virus every minute, making December the worst month for COVID-19 deaths in the United States since the start of the pandemic.
• Phase 3 trial of Novavax investigational COVID-19 vaccine starts People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- The Phase 3 trial of another investigational COVID-19 vaccine has begun enrolling adult volunteers, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced on Monday.
• U.S. rolls out COVID-19 vaccines at long-term care facilities People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- The United States started on Monday to administer the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines to people in long-term care facilities (LTCF), who have been hit hard by the virus since the beginning of the pandemic.
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 29 Dec 2020

China

• China enters annual chunyun time with coronavirus lessons Global Times 29 Dec 2020 -- Ahead of chunyun and days before the New Year's holiday, the Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued some personal hygiene and public health guidelines including preventive measures against COVID-19 epidemic, travel advice, mandatory mask-wearing on public transport and social distancing requirements.
• 10,000 have received emergency COVID-19 vaccination in Guangxi Global Times 29 Dec 2020 -- Southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has started COVID-19 emergency vaccination for key population, the authority said on Monday. So far, 10,000 people among the first batch have received the vaccines.
• 281,800 people in E China's Zhejiang receive COVID-19 vaccines Global Times 29 Dec 2020 -- 281,800 people from key groups in East China's Zhejiang Province have received emergency COVID-19 vaccines so far, Zhejiang's health authorities said at a press conference held Tuesday. Zhejiang is reportedly the first province in China to have started its emergency vaccination campaign.
• Beijing to test airport staff amid virus resurgence Global Times 29 Dec 2020 -- Beijing will test all airport staff in the wake of continuous locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases in the Chinese capital.
• Wuhan launches emergency vaccination for high-risk groups Global Times 29 Dec 2020 -- Wuhan, the city hit the hardest by the COVID-19 epidemic in China, has been administering emergency COVID-19 vaccinations since December 24 for high-risk groups, local health authority said Monday.
• China-developed COVID-19 vaccine effective, safe -- Egyptian official People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- The China-developed anti-coronavirus vaccine Egypt has received is effective, safe and easier to use, an Egyptian official said.
• NE China city finds coronavirus on packaging of imported frozen meat People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- Kaiyuan City in northeast China's Liaoning Province has detected COVID-19 on a packaging sample collected from a shipment of frozen pork imported from Mexico, local authorities said on Tuesday.
• East China's Wuxi reports one imported asymptomatic COVID-19 case People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- The city of Wuxi in east China's Jiangsu Province reported one new imported asymptomatic case of COVID-19 on Tuesday, local health authorities said.
• China's Zhejiang reports one asymptomatic COVID-19 case People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- East China's Zhejiang Province reported one asymptomatic COVID-19 case on Tuesday, authorities said.
• Chinese mainland reports 15 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- The Chinese mainland on Monday reported 27 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 15 locally transmitted cases and 12 arriving from outside the mainland, the National Health Commission said Tuesday.
• China's Liaoning reports 8 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- Northeast China's Liaoning Province on Monday reported eight confirmed COVID-19 cases and two asymptomatic cases, all locally transmitted, the provincial health commission said Tuesday.
• Beijing reports 7 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- Beijing reported seven new locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases on Monday, local health authorities said Tuesday.
• On the Silencing and Prosecution of PRC Citizen Journalist Zhang Zhan US Dept. of State 29 Dec 2020 -- "The United States strongly condemns the People's Republic of China's (PRC) sham prosecution and conviction of citizen journalist Zhang Zhan on December 28."

Europe

• Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine delivery to Spain delayed People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- The delivery of the 350,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine that was due to arrive in Spain on Monday, has been delayed by 24 hours, the Spanish Ministry of Health has confirmed.
• UK records highest daily increase in coronavirus cases People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- Another 41,385 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, marking the highest daily increase in coronavirus cases since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country, according to official figures released Monday
• Italy's coronavirus indicators improve during holiday lockdown, experts warn against complacency People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- Italy's coronavirus infection and mortality rates continued to show improvement as the country approached the halfway point in its nationwide holiday lockdown.
• EU to Purchase Another 100 Million Doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik 29 Dec 2020 -- The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine received authorization for conditional use from the European Commission on December 21. The decision came on the same day that the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommended authorizing the vaccine.

Russia

• Moscow Extends School Holidays To Limit Spread Of Coronavirus RFE/RL 29 Dec 2020 -- Moscow authorities say they will extend the winter school holidays by one week until January 17 to limit the spread of the coronavirus and avoid new restrictions.
• Deliveries of Russian Vaccine Sputnik V to US, EU Will Be Limited Due to Politics, RDIF Head Says Sputnik 29 Dec 2020 -- The supply of Russian vaccine Sputnik V to the United States and Europe will be limited due to geopolitics, Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) CEO Kirill Dmitriev said on Tuesday.
• Production of COVID-19 Vaccines in Russia Exceeds Planned Volumes, Public Health Chief Says Sputnik 29 Dec 2020 -- The production of vaccines against the coronavirus in Russia exceeds the planned volumes, Anna Popova, the head of Russia's public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, said on Tuesday.

India

• India scales a landmark peak- Less than 16,500 daily New Cases recorded; lowest in 187 days India PIB 29 Dec 2020 -- With a sustained, pro-active and calibrated strategy based on 'whole of government' and whole of society' approach, India has surpassed a crucial milestone in its fight against the global pandemic today. The daily new cases have touched a new low today.
• Dry run for COVID-19 Vaccination successfully conducted in Four states India PIB 29 Dec 2020 -- Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare conducted a two-day dry run for activities entailed in Covid-19 vaccination in four states Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Gujarat on 28th and 29th December 2020.
• Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) Labs release initial results of Genome sequencing of mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2 India PIB 29 Dec 2020 -- Government of India took cognizance of the reports of mutant variant of SARS- CoV-2 virus reported from UK and put in place a pro-active and preventive strategy to detect and contain the mutant variant.
• 'British Virus' detected in the Indian subcontinent as it spreads around the world Press TV 29 Dec 2020 -- The new variant of the coronavirus – dubbed the "British Virus" – is continuing to spread around the world, causing panic and disruption in the process.

Iran

• COVID-19 kills 132 more people in Iran IRNA 29 Dec 2020 -- Some 132 more Iranians have died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 54,946, Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Tuesday.
• Iran initiates human trial of COVID19 vaccine today IRNA 29 Dec 2020 -- The first injection of the 1st phase of COVID19 vaccine human trial produced by Imam Khomeini's Order Executive Office was done on Tuesday.
• Coviran vaccine Phase I clinical trial: Volunteers get first shots Press TV 29 Dec 2020 -- Iran has begun the first phase in the human trial of the homegrown COVID-19 vaccine after successfully completing the initial steps, including tests on animals, and obtaining necessary approvals.

Japan

• Japan suspends entry of non-resident foreigners amid concerns over new virus strain People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- Japan on Monday suspended entries of non-resident foreign nationals arriving from the majority of the world in a bid to prevent the spread of the new, highly transmissible coronavirus strain.
• Japan reports 2,396 new COVID-19 cases as gov't tightens borders amid fears of virus variant People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- Japan on Monday reported 2,396 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the nation's cumulative total to 223,772, not including those related to a cruise ship quarantined near Tokyo earlier this year.
• Japan Reports First Case of New Coronavirus Strain That Emerged in South Africa - Reports Sputnik 29 Dec 2020 -- The first case of the new coronavirus variant found in South Africa has been confirmed in Japan, The Japan Times reports.

Saudi Arabia

• Saudi health authorities set 718 movable medical rooms ready to provide coronavirus vaccines for citizens and expatriates as first phase, report SPA 29 Dec 2020 -- Coronavirus vaccination centers in three governorates of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are embarked on providing the pandemic vaccine to citizens and residents alike, the first phase of covering other parts of the continent-like country as soon as possible, it was reported here today.
• New 149 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, 159 Recoveries, Great Turnout at Vaccine's Centers, in Saudi Arabia SPA 29 Dec 2020 -- The Ministry of Health announced in a statement here today that 149 new confirmed cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 362,488, including 2,772 active cases undergoing treatment.

Taiwan

• Taiwan reports new imported COVID-19 cases from the Philippines, U.S. CNA 29 Dec 2020 -- Taiwan reported two new imported cases of COVID-19 infections, one each from the Philippines and the United States on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 795, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

Brazil

• Brazil's COVID-19 cases top 7.5 mln People's Daily 29 Dec 2020 -- Brazil registered 20,548 new COVID-19 cases in the past day, taking the national count to 7,504,833, the country's health ministry said Monday.
• Brazil reports 20,548 new coronavirus cases, 431 deaths SPA 29 Dec 2020 -- Brazil recorded 20,548 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours and 431 deaths from COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

Other Countries

• Cuba restricts traveler entry to curb rise in COVID-19 cases Global Times 29 Dec 2020 -- Cuba will reduce the entry of travelers from the United States and some Latin American and Caribbean countries starting on Jan. 1, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, health officials announced on Monday.
• Argentine president asks residents to reflect on carelessness regarding COVID-19 Global Times 29 Dec 2020 -- Argentine President Alberto Fernandez on Monday called for reflection by all residents while noting "so much carelessness" during social gatherings for end of year celebrations amid the novel coronavirus disease.
• Iraq to release Iranian funds for vaccine purchase: Minister Press TV 29 Dec 2020 -- Iran's Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian says he has reached an agreement with the Iraqi government authorities on how Iranian funds blocked in a commercial bank in the Arab country could be used by Tehran for purchase of COVID-19 vaccines from a European manufacturer.
• Amid New COVID-19 Outbreak, Thailand to Give Migrants Temporary Work Permits Radio Free Asia 29 Dec 2020 -- The Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved a program to temporarily legalize undocumented workers from three other Southeast Asian countries, as a measure to stem the spread of the coronavirus amid a huge outbreak in one migrant labor community, officials said.
• 'Illegal' Vaccines In Northern Kosovo Provide A Heavy Dose Of Cross-Border Politics RFE/RL 29 Dec 2020 -- Sretko Radenkovic was one of the first of Kosovo's 1.7 million people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 last weekend.
• UAE Announces 1,506 New COVID-19 Cases, 1,475 Recoveries, and 2 Deaths in Last 24 Hours SPA 29 Dec 2020 -- The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, announced that it conducted 153,157 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment.
• Venezuela's Maduro Expresses Gratitude to Russian President After Sputnik V Deal Reached Sputnik 29 Dec 2020 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin after Moscow and Caracas came to a purchase agreement for 10 million doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19.
• Belarus Starts Vaccinating Citizens Against COVID-19 With Russia's Sputnik V, RDIF Says Sputnik 29 Dec 2020 -- Belarus has become the first country in the world, apart from Russia, to start vaccinating its population against COVID-19 with Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said on Tuesday.
• Kenyan Teachers Say Schools Not Ready to Reopen in Midst of Pandemic VOA 29 Dec 2020 -- Kenya's plan to open primary and secondary schools next week is getting resistance from the leading teachers' association, which says the schools are not well prepared to follow health protocols to prevent the spread of coronavirus. They say the schools need at least double the space they had before COVID-19 to keep children safe.
• South African President Reinstates Restrictions to Control Resurgence of COVID Cases VOA 29 Dec 2020 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he is reinstating a ban on alcohol sales and ordered the closure of all bars as a necessary step to control a resurgence of the coronavirus, including a new variant of the virus.
• Thailand's Prime Minister Orders Crackdown on Officials Abetting Human Traffickers VOA 29 Dec 2020 -- Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has ordered police to set up a special committee to find and probe government officials abetting the country's human trafficking rings, after a COVID-19 outbreak he has blamed on illegal migrants.