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Other Security News

• US House Impeaches Trump for Inciting Deadly Capitol Riot VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump on Wednesday, declaring that he incited insurrection last week when he implored thousands of his supporters to march to the Capitol to try to overturn his reelection loss, prompting a mob demonstration that turned into deadly mayhem.
• US House impeaches Trump again Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- The US House of Representatives has impeached President Donald Trump for a second time days before he leaves office.
• McConnell: Trump impeachment trial to start after Inauguration Day Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell says the impeachment of US President Donald Trump will not begin in the Senate before the Inauguration Day.
• Pence tells Pelosi he won't invoke 25th Amendment to oust Trump People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi he will not invoke the 25th Amendment to oust President Donald Trump, shortly before the House was set to vote on a resolution urging him to do so.
• Facing 2nd impeachment, Trump reportedly acknowledges responsibility for Capitol riot People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly admitted Monday that he bore some blame for the riot on Capitol Hill, an acknowledgement that came the same day when House Democrats took their first step to impeach the president for a second time during his presidency.
• Statement from the President The White House 13 Jan 2021
• Joint Chiefs Stress Service Members' Commitment to Constitution DoD News 13 Jan 2021 -- In an unprecedented message, the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told service members that the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol was an attack on the Constitutional process of the nation.
• Washington Beefs Up Security Ahead of Presidential Inauguration VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- The same day the U.S. Congress voted to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time, the nation's capital prepared to welcome thousands more National Guard troops to help keep the peace during next week's transfer of power.
• US Prosecutors Expect to Charge Hundreds of Capitol Rioters VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- U.S. prosecutors say they have identified more than 170 people for potential criminal charges in connection with the January 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol and that they expect that number to run into the hundreds in the coming weeks as a massive nationwide hunt for the pro-Trump rioters continues.
• Domestic Terrorists Planning Inauguration Day Riots in New York - State Attorney General Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- The US state of New York is bracing for possible Inauguration Day riots, and has warned that it will prosecute anyone who participates, including potential domestic terrorists, state Attorney General Letitia James said in a press release on Wednesday.
• More Than 20,000 National Guard Troops to Help Secure Biden Inauguration, DC Police Chief Says Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- More than 20,000 soldiers from the US National Guard will be on hand to help secure the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden next week, acting Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department Robert Contee said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
• Expanding the Period of Designation of the 59th Presidential Inauguration as a National Special Security Event DHS 13 Jan 2021 -- On January 12, Acting Secretary Gaynor issued the following memorandum to all DHS Components expanding the period of the 59th Presidential Inauguration National Special Security Event to begin on January 13, 2021:
• Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen's Video Statement on the Seizure of the U.S. Capitol US Dept. of Justice 13 Jan 2021
• DHS Releases New Arctic Strategic Approach to Advance U.S. Interests in the Region DHS 13 Jan 2021 -- On January 11, then-Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf approved the Department's first-ever Strategic Approach for Arctic Homeland Security, a landmark document that positions DHS to more effectively tackle emerging risks in the region as geopolitical interest and competition grows.
• DHS Releases Strategic Action Plan to Confront Threats from China DHS 13 Jan 2021 -- On January 11, then-Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf approved a Strategic Action Plan that details DHS's efforts to confront the full spectrum of Chinese threats to the Homeland.
• Terrorist Designation of Abd al-Aziz Malluh Mirjirash al-Muhammadawi US Dept. of State 13 Jan 2021 -- Today the United States is designating Abd al-Aziz Malluh Mirjirash al-Muhammadawi – also known as Abu Fadak – as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to Executive Order 13224.
• Minnesota Man Pleads Guilty to Providing Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 13 Jan 2021 -- The Justice Department today announced the guilty plea of Abdelhamid Al-Madioum, 24, to one count of providing material support and resources, namely personnel and services, to ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
• Testimony Begins Wednesday in Italy's Largest Organized Crime Trial in Three Decades VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- Testimony begins Wednesday in Italy in the country's largest organized crime trial in more than three decades.
• UN Urges US to Reverse Houthi Terror Designation VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- The U.N.'s humanitarian chief warns that if Washington's new terrorist designation of Houthi rebels in Yemen is not reversed, it could drastically impact aid imports and push the already desperate country into a large-scale famine.
• Iran says US blacklisting of Yemen's Ansarullah will kill political process, talks Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran has hit out at a US decision to designate Yemen's Ansarullah movement as a terrorist organization, warning that the move will impede a political solution to the conflict in the impoverished Arab country.
• US Warns Iran Fueling Potential al-Qaida Resurgence VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- Far from potentially fading into obscurity, one of the world's most feared jihadist terrorist organizations may be poised for a potential resurgence thanks to an unlikely ally.
• Iran Foreign Ministry reacts to US terrorist designation of Ansarullah IRNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh reacted to the US designation of Yemen's Ansarullah by emphasizing that it affects a peaceful solution and humanitarian aid collection and blocks the United Nation's conciliatory mission.
• Iran rejects Pompeo's claim about Iran's ties to al-Qaeda ISNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman strongly rejected US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's unfounded claim that Tehran has links to the al-Qaeda terrorist group.
• Absolutely groundless: Russia rejects US claim of Iran-Qaeda ties Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Russia has dismissed the United States' latest bout of trying to link the al-Qaeda terrorist group and Iran without providing any proof as "absolutely" groundless.
• Iran: Pompeo's claims of al-Qaeda ties preposterous, shows failure of pressure policy Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran says US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's latest "preposterous" accusations against the Islamic Republic are part of the Trump administration's "failed policy of Iran-bashing" and show the lame-duck diplomat's "hysterical" anger at his failure.
• Iran condemns US designation of Cuba as state sponsor of terror ISNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman condemned in the strongest terms the United States' move to put Cuba on its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
• Cuba condemns U.S. for adding it to terrorism blacklist People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Tuesday condemned the United States for including the island in a U.S. list of countries that sponsor terrorism.
• Kyiv Vows To 'Hold Responsible' Ukrainians Sanctioned For U.S. Election Meddling RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- The head of the Ukrainian president's office says that Volodymyr Zelenskiy's administration will do "everything in its power to hold...responsible" Ukrainians who meddled in the November U.S. election after Washington imposed sanctions on nearly a dozen Ukrainian nationals and entities.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Step up surveillance of emerging coronavirus variants, WHO urges UN News 13 Jan 2021 -- Efforts should be stepped up to quickly identify and study emerging variants of the COVID-19-causing SARS-CoV-2 virus, UN World Health Organization (WHO) scientists said on Tuesday.
• WHO Emergencies Chief: Second Year of Coronavirus Pandemic Could Be Worse VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- The World Health Organization's (WHO) emergencies chief warned Wednesday the second year of the coronavirus pandemic may be tougher than the first, at least in the first few months.
• WHO team working with Chinese vaccine producers ahead of potential emergency use: WHO director-general People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that a WHO team in China is working with producers of the Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines for potential emergency use listings.
• Schools should be open despite COVID-19: UNICEF chief People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Schools should be kept open or reopened as soon as possible, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) chief said on Tuesday.
• Second Year of Pandemic 'Could Even Be Tougher' - WHO's Ryan SPA 13 Jan 2021 -- The second year of the COVID-19 pandemic may be tougher than the first given how the new coronavirus is spreading, especially in the northern hemisphere as more infectious variants circulate, Reuters cited the World Health Organization (WHO) as saying today, on Wednesday.
• WHO Reports Record High of Nearly 5 mln COVID-19 Cases Last Week SPA 13 Jan 2021 -- The COVID-19 case tally worldwide grew by nearly 5 mln this past week, a new high since the start of the pandemic, and the death toll rose by over 85,000, the World Health Organization said in its weekly bulletin on Wednesday according to Russian News Agency (TASS).

United States

• Statement by Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller on Operation Warp Speed Vaccine Doses Delivered Today DoD 13 Jan 2021
• California Moves to Vaccinate All Residents Over 65 VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- The U.S. state of California announced Wednesday that all residents over age 65 would be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine.
• US expands negative COVID-19 test requirement to all international air passengers Global Times 13 Jan 2021 -- The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Tuesday a new requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States.
• US to Require Negative COVID-19 Test for All Air Passengers Beginning January 26 Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- All air passengers will be required to present a negative coronavirus test result prior to boarding their flight to the United States beginning on January 26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced.

China

• China Covered Up Pandemic, Continues Crackdown on COVID-19 'Rumors' Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2021 -- At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the Chinese government withheld crucial information from the public, under-reported cases, downplayed the severity of the infection, and dismissed the likelihood of transmission between humans, an international rights group said on Wednesday.
• China Posts Highest One-Day Increase in New COVID-19 Infections Since July VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- China has recorded its highest daily increase of new coronavirus infections since last July after a recent cluster of cases in northern Hebei province.
• NE China's Heilongjiang reports 40 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 50 asymptomatic infections Global Times 13 Jan 2021 -- Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province reported 40 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 50 asymptomatic infections as of 7 pm Wednesday and the locked-down Wangkui county in the city of Suihua was adjusted as a medium-risk area, with a township being adjusted to a high-risk area, the local health authority announced on Wednesday night.
• Shanghai announces eight COVID-19 measures targeting people entering the city Global Times 13 Jan 2021 -- Shanghai on Wednesday announced eight COVID-19 prevention measures targeting all those who plan to enter the city, effective immediately, and they will continue until March 31, to curb the possible spread of the coronavirus with the Spring Festival, the most important traditional Chinese festival for family gathering, one month away.
• Sinovac inactivated COVID-19 vaccines are safe: CEO Global Times 13 Jan 2021 -- Inactivated COVID-19 vaccines made by Sinovac are effective and safe, said Yin Weidong, CEO of Chinese vaccine producer Sinovac Biotech, at a press conference of the State Council on Wednesday.
• Silent carriers will not cause major COVID-19 epidemic in China as long as public takes preventive measures Global Times 13 Jan 2021 -- Asymptomatic infections, sporadic cases and outbreaks in a few places will not cause another major COVID-19 epidemic in China, an official from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) told the public at a press conference Wednesday.
• Hebei outbreak sees record daily high, may date back to early November Global Times 13 Jan 2021 -- North China's Hebei Province on Wednesday saw record daily infections since the outbreak started on January 2, with 90 confirmed and 15 asymptomatic COVID-19 patients reported. Experts said such high level of daily reported infections, which may actually date back to early November, is likely to last for another week.
• Deliberate concealing of COVID-19 patient's contact information punished in Heilongjiang and Beijing Global Times 13 Jan 2021 -- At least two people have been punished for deliberately concealing the travel history of COVID-19 confirmed cases or asymptomatic patients during the recent outbreaks in different cities in China.
• NE.China's Heilongjiang enters COVID-19 emergency amid virus spread Global Times 13 Jan 2021 -- Northeast China's Heilongjiang has entered a state of emergency after a fresh outbreak from Wangkui county spread to two regions in the province on Wednesday.
• Sinovac's vaccine proven safe and effective in several countries Global Times 13 Jan 2021 -- China's CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine produced by Sinovac has been proven safe and effective after phase III trials conducted in several countries, boosting public confidence over its global rollout as Indonesian President Joko Widodo received his first shot of the CoronaVac vaccine on Wednesday.
• China's health authority says domestic COVID-19 situation "complex" People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- A Chinese health authority spokesperson on Wednesday described the country's COVID-19 prevention and control situation as "complex" and "challenging."
• Chinese mainland reports 107 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- The Chinese mainland on Tuesday reported 115 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, of whom 107 were locally transmitted and the rest arrived from outside the mainland, the National Health Commission said Wednesday.
• Beijing reduces COVID-19 medium-risk areas to eight People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Beijing reduced the number of COVID-19 medium-risk areas in the city from nine to eight Tuesday, a local health official said.
• Northeast China city acts firmly to contain COVID-19 People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Authorities in the city of Suihua, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, announced a string of measures on Tuesday to curb the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic in the wake of newly emerged cases.
• China fights COVID-19 resurgence with stepped-up testing, vaccination People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- China is using a combination of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 amid the latest resurgence of the virus in Beijing and provinces including Hebei, Liaoning and Heilongjiang.
• Taiwan compatriots on mainland can enjoy free COVID-19 vaccines: spokesperson People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday said that Taiwan compatriots on the mainland can apply for free COVID-19 vaccines.

Europe

• Scotland Further Tightens COVID-19 Restrictions VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced Wednesday the government will tighten its lockdown measures, while stepping up its vaccination program in an effort to halt the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
• British Health Secretary Hopes Current Situation is Peak of Pandemic VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Wednesday he is hoping the nation's current situation is the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, as infection rates and hospitalizations are at or near record levels.
• UK police to be "quicker" to enforce coronavirus lockdown rules: official People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- British police will be "quicker" to enforce restriction rules during England's national lockdown amid mounting concerns over some of the public bending the curb rules, a senior British official said Tuesday.
• UK records another 45,533 coronavirus cases, 1,243 deaths People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Another 45,533 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 3,164,051, according to official figures released Tuesday.
• Britain: Boris Johnson Says COVID-19 Lockdown is 'Working' as Hospital Cases Fall Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- PM Boris Johnson promised a "phased" relaxation of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions — currently at nationwide lockdown level — once the nearly-14 million most vulnerable had been vaccinated against the deadly virus.
• Record 5,300 UK Armed Forces Servicemen Engaged in COVID-19 Response, Government Says Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- The record 5,300 servicemen of the United Kingdom's Armed Forces are engaged in COVID-19 operation across the UK and abroad, and play crucial role in providing support to the National Health Service (NHS), the government said on Wednesday.
• UK Reports 1,564 COVID Deaths, New Record and 47,525 Cases SPA 13 Jan 2021 -- Britain today, on Wednesday reported 1,564 new deaths within 28 days of a positive test from COVID-19, a record daily toll, with another 47,525 additional cases, Reuters reported.
• Boris Johnson describes 'very very tough' situation as Covid-19 deaths hit new record Press TV 13 Jan 2021 -- Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has acknowledged the scale of the latest Covid-19 crisis by admitting the situation is "very, very tough" and the strain on the National Health Service (NHS) staff is "colossal".
• France registers nearly 20,000 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Official figures showed on Tuesday that some 19,752 people in France have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, sharply higher than Monday's 3,582.
• Germany's Health Minister Says Nation In 'Hardest Phase of the Pandemic' VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- German Health Minister Jens Spahn told German lawmakers Wednesday the nation is in one of the hardest phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, with infection rates high and a strained health care system, but an effective vaccine being delivered.
• Portugal's president tests negative for COVID-19 People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa tested negative for COVID-19 on Tuesday, according to an official statement.
• New COVID-19 lockdown to come into force in Portugal from Friday SPA 13 Jan 2021 -- A new lockdown to bring a worrying rise in coronavirus cases under control will come into force in Portugal from Friday, Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced, urging people to stay indoors and protect themselves, Reuters reported.
• Swiss regulator warns of fake COVID-19 vaccines, urging not to order vaccines online People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Switzerland's health regulator Swissmedic on Tuesday warned of the danger of buying vaccines online, saying that fake coronavirus vaccines are already being offered on the internet.
• Netherlands Begins Mass Testing to Isolate COVID-19 Variant VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- Dutch authorities began a mass testing program Wednesday in a coastal town after 30 cases of the new, more easily transmissible strain of COVID-19 was discovered at a grade school.

Russia

• Meeting with Government members President of Russia 13 Jan 2021 -- The President held a meeting, via videoconference, with members of the Government of the Russian Federation.
• Putin Orders Mass Coronavirus Vaccinations From Next Week RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered officials to begin mass vaccinations next week and to open up the inoculation program to all Russians.
• Russia Agrees with Brazil to Supply 10 mln Doses of Sputnik Vaccine in Q1 SPA 13 Jan 2021 -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Brazilian pharmaceutical company Uniao Quimica have agreed on supplies of 10 million doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine to Brazil in the first quarter of 2021, Reuters cited vaccine developers as saying today, on Wednesday.
• RDIF to Deliver 150Mln Doses of Sputnik V to Brazil in 2021, Including 10Mln in Q1 Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) will deliver 10 million doses of Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to Brazil in the first quarter of 2021, with a total of 150 million doses to be delivered this year, according to the vaccine's official Twitter account.
• EU Consultations on Sputnik V Vaccine Authorisation Set for 19 January, RDIF CEO Says Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- The European Union is set to conduct a scientific review of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 on 19 January, which could be the first step toward gaining emergency use approval in the bloc, Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), told Sputnik on Wednesday.

India

• India continues its streak of decline in active caseload; at 2.14 lakh after 197 days India PIB 13 Jan 2021 -- India's active caseload has fallen to 2.14 lakh (2,14,507) today. The share of Active Cases in the total Positive Cases has further shrunk to 2.04%. This is lowest after 197 days. The total active cases were 2,15,125 on 30th June, 2020.

Iran

• Iran COVID-19 death toll drops to 97 IRNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Spokeswoman for Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education Sima Sadat Lari announced here on Wednesday that the COVID-19 death toll in Iran has dropped to 97 over the past 24 hours.

South Korea

• S. Korea, Japan to Halt Business-Track Entry Program to Curb Coronavirus Variant SPA 13 Jan 2021 -- South Korea and Japan plan to suspend "business-track" trips to each other in a bid to curb the spread of the new coronavirus variant, Yonhap cited their governments as announcing today, on Wednesday.

Japan

• Japan tightens border controls to include Taiwan CNA 13 Jan 2021 -- The Japanese government will tighten its border restrictions with effect from Thursday, temporarily banning the entry of visitors from all countries, including Taiwan, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced Wednesday.
• Japan reports 4,539 new daily COVID-19 cases as emergency set to expand People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Japan on Tuesday confirmed 4,539 new daily COVID-19 cases, bringing the nation's cumulative total to 298,172 infections, not including those related to a cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama last year.
• Japan's PM set to expand emergency to more prefectures People's Daily 13 Jan 2021 -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is set to expand a state of emergency declared over the COVID-19 pandemic for the Greater Tokyo area to include Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures as the virus is also continuing to surge in western Japan, sources close to the matter said Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia

• Health Ministry: 175 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Reported in Saudi Arabia SPA 13 Jan 2021 -- The Ministry of Health said in statement today that 175 new confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; thus bringing the total number to 364,271 confirmed cases, including 1,954 active cases, receiving necessary medical care. Of these, there are 307 critical cases, while the health condition of the rest is stable.

Taiwan

• Taiwanese Health Official Warns Against Reliance on Coronavirus Vaccines VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- The Taiwanese health official credited with leading one of the world's most successful COVID-19 control efforts is warning people globally to keep up their guard against coronavirus even as vaccines emerge.
• Taiwan reports 4 new imported COVID-19 cases CNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Taiwan reported four new imported COVID-19 cases on Wednesday -- one from India and three from Indonesia -- bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 842, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• CECC eases rules for discharge of COVID patients on isolation wards CNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Wednesday it was revising its medical criteria for the discharge of COVID-19 patients in negative pressure isolation rooms in hospital, based on new scientific evidence.
• Visiting foreign nationals get another visa extensions over COVID-19 CNA 13 Jan 2021 -- Foreign nationals who entered Taiwan on or before March 21 and have been unable to return home because of COVID-19 can get a further 30-day extension of stay, the National Immigration Agency said Wednesday.

Other Countries

• UAE announces 3,362 new COVID-19 cases, 2,588 recoveries, and 6 deaths in last 24 hours SPA 13 Jan 2021 -- ‏The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced that it conducted 134,768 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
• Indonesian President Says Vaccine Will Help Stop Virus Spread, Support Economy SPA 13 Jan 2021 -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Wednesday the country's mass COVID-19 vaccination programme was important to stop the spread of coronavirus and would help accelerate economic recovery, Reuters reported.
• Mexico's Official Coronavirus Death Toll Rises to 135,682 SPA 13 Jan 2021 -- Mexico reported 14,395 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 1,314 more fatalities on Tuesday, according to the health ministry, bringing its total to 1,556,028 infections and 135,682 deaths, Reuters reported.
• Venezuelan Health Ministry Registers Russian Coronavirus Vaccine Sputnik V Sputnik 13 Jan 2021 -- The Venezuelan Health Ministry registered the Russian vaccine against the Sputnik V coronavirus via a fast-track procedure, according to a statement on the vaccine's website.
• Aid Groups Warn of COVID-19 Outbreak at Ethiopian Refugee Camp in Sudan VOA 13 Jan 2021 -- Aid workers this week confirmed several cases of COVID-19 in Sudan's camps for refugees who fled the fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray Region. The United Nations refugee agency and aid group Mercy Corps say an urgent intervention is needed to avoid a humanitarian disaster.
• Licorice Root As Potion To Tackle 'Lung Disease' In 'Coronavirus-Free' Turkmenistan RFE/RL 13 Jan 2021 -- Authorities in Turkmenistan's eastern region of Lebap have instructed employees of state organizations, schools, medical institutions, and schoolchildren to carry personal medicine boxes with them containing, among other items, bottles of licorice-root syrup to tackle possible "lung disease."