Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Deadly Bomb Blast At Luxury Hotel In Southwestern Pakistan RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Apr 2021 -- Pakistani officials say a bomb went off in the parking area of a luxury hotel in the southwestern city of Quetta, killing at least three people and wounding nine others.
• Suicide Blast Rips Through Parking Lot of Pakistan Hotel VOA 21 Apr 2021 -- Authorities in southwestern Pakistan said Wednesday that a powerful bomb had ripped through the parking area of a five-star hotel, killing at least four people and wounding about a dozen others.
• VOA Exclusive: Pakistan's President Says His Country Does Not Want to Become Base of US Counterterror VOA 21 Apr 2021 -- Pakistan's President Arif Alvi sat down with VOA's Ayesha Tanzeem this week for an exclusive interview to discuss the impact on the region of the United States withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan, how Pakistan sees its future relationship with its western neighbor, and whether putting forward a resolution in parliament to expel the French ambassador from the country, over French support for publication of caricatures of Islam's Prophet Muhammad, is dangerous.
• Montenegro Rearrests Notorious 'Crime Boss' RFE/RL 21 Apr 2021 -- Montenegrin authorities say they have rearrested the alleged boss of a notorious criminal gang in an operation hailed by officials as a victory for the rule of law in the Balkan country.
• US Sanctions Help Crack Malaysian Crime Ring Radio Free Asia 21 Apr 2021 -- A series of American sanctions on a Macau underworld kingpin helped Kuala Lumpur pry the lid off a Malaysian connection to criminal groups in China and related police corruption in the Southeast Asian nation, a senior police official told BenarNews.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Medics warn of COVID-19 surge as vaccination moves slowly in countries Press TV 21 Apr 2021 -- Medics have warned of a surge of new COVID-19 cases around the world despite the ongoing vaccination campaigns in many countries.
• COVID-19 variant 45 pct more contagious than original virus: Israeli research People's Daily 21 Apr 2021 -- Israeli researchers have found that the COVID-19 variant detected in Britain and other countries is 45 percent more contagious than the original virus, the Tel Aviv University (TAU) in Israel said on Tuesday.

United States

• Remarks by President Biden on the COVID-19 Response and the State of Vaccinations The White House 21 Apr 2021
• Biden Expresses Confidence US Can Supply COVID Vaccines Abroad VOA 21 Apr 2021 -- The United States is working to provide desperately desired coronavirus vaccines to other countries, President Joe Biden told White House reporters on Wednesday.
• U.S. Reports 43,863 New COVID-19 Cases SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- The United States of America reported 43,863 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 456 deaths, during the past 24 hours.
• U.S. Reports 46,032 New COVID-19 Cases SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- The United States of America reported 46,032 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 355 deaths in the past 24 hours.
• Rush Transcript: Governor Cuomo Announces 16 Mass Vaccination Sites In New York State Will Accommodate Walk-in Appointments For Individuals Over The Age Of 60 Beginning April 23 New York State 21 Apr 2021

China

• Adverse effects found in 1.06% of over 500,000 Sinopharm vaccine recipients: report Global Times 21 Apr 2021 -- The incidence of adverse effects from Sinopharm's two inactivated COVID-19 vaccines is 1.06 percent, according to a report on Wednesday based on emergency use of the two vaccines in China on more than 500,000 people as of December 1, which is far lower than the phase II clinical trial results.
• Update: China administers 200m doses of vaccines; 80% medical workers inoculated Global Times 21 Apr 2021 -- China has administered about 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of Tuesday and 80 percent of medical personnel have been vaccinated, China's top health authority announced Wednesday at a press conference.
• China's top health body defends safety and efficacy of Chinese COVID-19 vaccines Global Times 21 Apr 2021 -- The protection rate of Chinese vaccines can be influenced by many factors and simple comparisons between them and Western vaccines cannot be made, Zheng Zhongwei, director of the Development Center for Medical Science and Technology of the National Health Commission (NHC), and head of the national working group for vaccine development, told the Global Times, urging the public to have confidence in Chinese vaccines.
• Chinese companies to produce 260m doses of Russian Sputnik-V COVID-19 vaccine in rising OEM trend Global Times 21 Apr 2021 -- Three Chinese pharmaceutical companies have in the past three weeks signed agreements with Russia's sovereign wealth fund RDIF to annually produce a combined 260 million doses of the Russian Sputnik-V COVID-19 vaccine, part of a trend of vaccine original equipment manufacturing (OEM).
• China administers over 200 mln COVID-19 vaccine doses People's Daily 21 Apr 2021 -- China has seen over 200 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide, a health official told a press conference Wednesday.
• Sinovac supplies 260 million COVID-19 vaccines globally People's Daily 21 Apr 2021 -- Chinese vaccine producer Sinovac has provided a total of 260 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the world. More than 60 percent of these were supplied abroad, said Yin Weidong, chairman and CEO of Sinovac, at a sub-forum of Boao Forum for Asia annual conference on Tuesday.
• Hong Kong reports 1 new COVID-19 case People's Daily 21 Apr 2021 -- Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported one confirmed case of COVID-19 on Wednesday, the lowest in more than three weeks, taking the total tally to 11,704.
• China administers over 200 mln COVID-19 vaccine doses People's Daily 21 Apr 2021 -- China has seen over 200 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide, a health official told a press conference Wednesday.
• Chinese mainland reports 2 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases People's Daily 21 Apr 2021 -- The Chinese mainland on Tuesday reported two new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in Yunnan Province, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Wednesday.
• China's Yunnan reports 2 new COVID-19 cases People's Daily 21 Apr 2021 -- China's Yunnan Province reported two confirmed COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, the provincial health commission said Wednesday.
• China to produce more than 3 bln COVID-19 vaccines this year: official People's Daily 21 Apr 2021 -- China is expected to produce more than 3 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses this year, an official said Tuesday.

Europe

• EU to deliver 651,000 BioNTech/Pfizer jabs to Western Balkans People's Daily 21 Apr 2021 -- The European Union (EU) will deliver 651,000 doses of BioNTech/Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to the Western Balkan region, said European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi on Tuesday.
• UK PM announces new taskforce to find "promising new medicines" to treat coronavirus People's Daily 21 Apr 2021 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday announced a new taskforce to find "promising new medicines" to treat coronavirus.
• UK Records 2,524 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- The United Kingdom recorded 2,524 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), along with 33 deaths in the past 24 hours.
• In Germany, 60 Arrested in Protests Over COVID Restrictions VOA 21 Apr 2021 -- Police in central Berlin have clashed with protesters outside the German parliament, which is considering a bill to give Chancellor Angela Merkel the power to impose tougher restrictions as the nation suffers a third wave of coronavirus infections.
• Belgium Records 3,430 New Cases of Coronavirus, 52 Deaths SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- Belgium recorded 3,430 new cases of the emerging coronavirus, and 52 deaths during the past 24 hours.

Russia

• Russia Records 8,271 New Cases of Coronavirus SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- Russia recorded 8,271 new cases of the novel coronavirus, 399 deaths and 9,644 recoveries during the past 24 hours.

India

• India's crosses a Landmark with Cumulative Vaccination Coverage more than 13Crores India PIB 21 Apr 2021 -- The cumulative number of COVID19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed13 Cr today as part of the world's largest vaccination drive.
• COVID19 Vaccination-Day 96 India PIB 21 Apr 2021 -- The total vaccinations across the country have crossed more than 13.22 crore mark today with more than 21.21 lakh vaccine doses administered till 8 pm.
• Union Government allocates supply of Remdesivir to 19 States/UTs with High Burden of COVID cases India PIB 21 Apr 2021 -- Various steps have been taken by Government of India to address the emerging issues for effective management of the recent unprecendented spike in COVID19 cases across various States and UTs. These pro-active measures taken by the Union Government under a 'whole of government' are also being regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
• Eminent Doctors re-assure India out of anxiety due to COVID-19 India PIB 21 Apr 2021 -- Through a graded, pre-emptive and pro-active approach, Government of India is taking several steps along with the States/UTs under a 'whole of government' approach for prevention, containment and management of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.
• Countries slap ban on Indian travelers as the country faces explosive COVID-19 spike Global Times 21 Apr 2021 -- As India faces a surge in COVID-19 fueled by a "double mutant" coronavirus variant, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday warned the country of "being hit by a storm" as new infections exceeded 290,000 on Tuesday, with the country's social healthcare system on the brink of collapse.
• India Reports More than 2,000 COVID-19 Deaths in Single Day SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- India reported 2,023 deaths from COVID-19 over the last 24 hours, the highest single-day tally for the country so far, health ministry data showed on Wednesday, according to Reuters.

Iran

• Iran pays $30m from money blocked in S Korea to buy COVID-19 vaccine IRNA 21 Apr 2021 -- The head of the Iran-South Korea Joint Chamber of Commerce told IRNA on Wednesday that 30 million dollars from Iran's approximately seven billion dollars blocked in South Korea has been paid to purchase the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Official: 8 million Iranians to be vaccinated against COVID-19 soon IRNA 21 Apr 2021 -- The spokesman for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Kianoush Jahanpour said on Saturday that 8 million Iranians will be vaccinated against Coronavirus in the second phase.
• Iran embassy receives 6th 'Sputnik V' consignment IRNA 21 Apr 2021 -- The Iranian Embassy in Moscow received the fifth consignment of 'Sputnik V' vaccine on Wednesday which includes 620,000 doses.
• COVID-19 kills 388 more people in Iran IRNA 21 Apr 2021 -- Some 388 more Iranians have died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 67,913 Iran's Health Ministry announced on Wednesday.

South Korea

• Seoul Considers Using Russian COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V Sputnik 21 Apr 2021 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in instructed his aides to examine the possibility of using the Russian vaccine against COVID-19 Sputnik V in the country, Yonhap news agency reported on Wednesday, citing a source in the presidency.
• South Korea releases $30 mln of Iranian funds for vaccine, drug purchases: Businessman Press TV 21 Apr 2021 -- A senior Iranian businessman says South Korean financial authorities have accommodated the release a tiny portion of Iranian funds that have been blocked in the country over alleged concerns about US sanctions.

Japan

• Japan Nears Decision on New COVID Emergency Decree VOA 21 Apr 2021 -- The Japanese government may declare a new state of emergency for the cities of Tokyo and Osaka in response to another surge of COVID-19 infections.

Saudi Arabia

• Health Ministry: 1,028 New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, 824 Recoveries Reported in Saudi Arabia SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- The Ministry of Health announced today in a statement that 1,028 new confirmed cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 408,038, including 9,818 active cases.

Taiwan

• Taiwan to expand COVID-19 vaccination to police officers, care workers CNA 21 Apr 2021 -- Taiwan's COVID-19 vaccination program will be expanded, with effect from Friday, to include law enforcement personnel as well as residents and staff at long-term care facilities, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Wednesday.
• Four new COVID-19 cases reported, pilots' infection source still unknown CNA 21 Apr 2021 -- The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Wednesday that four new imported COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Taiwan, and that officials are still investigating how two Taiwanese pilots became infected with the disease.

Other Countries

• Cambodia's Interior Ministry Urges Police to End Violent Enforcement of Coronavirus Lockdown Radio Free Asia 21 Apr 2021 -- Cambodia's Ministry of Interior on Wednesday called on the country's authorities to refrain from using violence to enforce coronavirus restrictions, after videos emerged of police using sticks to beat residents of the capital region found in violation of an ongoing lockdown.
• India records 259,170 new COVID-19 cases, Philippines' cases rise to 953,106 People's Daily 21 Apr 2021 -- The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread in Asia-Pacific countries as 259,170 new cases took the total tally in India to 15,321,089, while the Philippines reported 7,379 new cases on Tuesday.
• Mexico kicks off COVID-19 immunization of teachers with Chinese CanSino vaccine People's Daily 21 Apr 2021 -- Mexico launched its immunization plan against COVID-19 for teachers and other educational personnel in five states on Tuesday with vaccines from Chinese pharmaceutical firm CanSino, after announcing the return to in-person classes in some states in two weeks.
• Laos Locks Down Capital, Provinces as COVID Cases Climb Radio Free Asia 21 Apr 2021 -- Laos has announced a two-week lockdown in the capital Vientiane, with restrictions also ordered in several provinces as the number of COVID cases in the country suddenly climbs, Lao media sources say.
• Four Patients Being Treated In Kyrgyz Hospitals For Poisoning With Toxic Root Promoted By President RFE/RL 21 Apr 2021 -- Four patients are being treated in hospitals in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, after consuming a toxic root that had been promoted by President Sadyr Japarov as an "effective" cure to treat COVID-19.
• UAE Announces 1,931 New COVID-19 Cases SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced that it conducted 191,886 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment, according to WAM News Agency.
• Algeria Records 182 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- Algeria recorded 182 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), 7 deaths, and 129 recoveries, during the past 24 hours.
• Palestine Reports 1,748 New COVID-19 Cases SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- Palestine reported 1,748 new cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and 2,536 recoveries, in the last 24 hours.
• Morocco Records 669 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- Morocco recorded, during the past 24 hours, 669 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of lab-confirmed infections to 507,338.
• Lebanon Records 2,082 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- Lebanon recorded, during the past 24 hours, 2,082 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of the confirmed cases to 515,088.
• Egypt Records 855 New Covid-19 Cases SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- Egypt recorded 855 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, and 42 deaths during the past 24 hours.
• Kuwait Reports 1,371 New Covid-19 Cases SPA 21 Apr 2021 -- Kuwait reported yesterday 1,371 new cases of the novel coronavirus, and 21 deaths.