Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Killed Islamic State Leader Had Previous Run-In With US VOA 02 Dec 2022 -- The United States was able to quickly confirm the death of the Islamic State's leader in southern Syria this past October because it had his DNA and other biometric data on file from an encounter with him from long before he took the helm of the terror group.
• US sanctions 'Hezbollah's financial, armament facilitators' Press TV 02 Dec 2022 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on what it calls individuals and companies facilitating the Lebanese popular resistance group Hezbollah's financial and weapon procurement affairs.
• U.S. Sanctions Additional Corrupt Haitian Politicians for Drug Trafficking US Treasury 02 Dec 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Haitian nationals Rony Celestin (Celestin) and Richard Lenine Hervé Fourcand (Fourcand) pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059 of December 15, 2021, "Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade." Celestin is a current Haitian senator. Fourcand is a former Haitian senator.
• US Lists Top TTP, Regional al-Qaida Commanders as Global Terrorists VOA 02 Dec 2022 -- The United States has designated several commanders of militant groups, including a top anti-Pakistan militant leader, operating in Afghanistan as global terrorists.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

United States

• Department of the Army updates Total Army COVID-19 vaccination statistics Army News 02 Dec 2022 -- The U.S. Army updated COVID-19 vaccination rates and exemption requests for the Total Army as of December 1, 2022.
• COVID-19 cases in most populous U.S. county surge to highest levels: media People's Daily 02 Dec 2022 -- COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the United States, have surged to highest levels since summer wave, local media reported on Thursday, citing official data.

China

• Beijing and several other major cities scrap checks on COVID-19 tests for public transportation Global Times 02 Dec 2022 -- Several major Chinese cities, including Beijing and Tianjin, announced on Friday they would scrap checks of two-day or three-day valid COVID-19 test results previously required for passengers of public transportation. Residents in cities such as Chengdu and Guangzhou no longer need to show test results when entering most public places.
• Chinese mainland reports 4,233 new local confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 02 Dec 2022 -- The Chinese mainland on Thursday reported 4,233 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said Friday.
• China's zero-COVID restrictions ease in some places, not in others: residents Radio Free Asia 02 Dec 2022 -- Chinese citizens described wildly varying COVID-19 prevention measures following anti-lockdown protests across the country this week, with some areas still locked down and others easing back on restrictions.
• China actively optimizes COVID-19 response measures People's Daily 02 Dec 2022 -- As the pathogenicity of the Omicron virus weakens, the vaccination rate rises and China accumulates experience in containing the virus, the country is actively optimizing and refining its COVID-19 response.
• Vice premier emphasizes summarizing grassroots experience to enhance COVID-19 response People's Daily 02 Dec 2022 -- Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan on Thursday called for drawing on effective practices for fighting COVID-19 in communities while optimizing response measures.

Europe

• French gov't calls on high-risk groups to get 2nd COVID-19 booster shot People's Daily 02 Dec 2022 -- French government spokesperson Olivier Veran on Thursday called on high-risk groups to get another booster shot against COVID-19 ahead of the holiday season.
• Early flu season, COVID-19, RSV causes for concern in Europe, health leaders say People's Daily 02 Dec 2022 -- European health leaders on Thursday voiced their concern over a potential surge in respiratory virus infections across the region this winter, and called for better protection of the population, especially the most vulnerable.

Iran

• Iran registers one more zero COVID-19 death in 24 hours IRNA 02 Dec 2022 -- The number of deaths from the coronavirus pandemic in Iran stayed unchanged at 144,634 with another zero death day over the past 24 hours, Iran's Health Ministry announced on Friday.

Taiwan

• Taiwan reports 14,081 new COVID-19 cases, 29 deaths CNA 02 Dec 2022 -- Taiwan on Friday reported 14,081 new COVID-19 infections and 29 deaths from the disease, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

Other Countries

• Peru enters fifth wave of COVID-19 pandemic People's Daily 02 Dec 2022 -- Peru entered into its fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic after an increase of infectious cases in most regions in the past three weeks, Peruvian Health Minister Kelly Portalatino said on Thursday.