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• Criminal Complaint: United States of America v. Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta USAG-WDM 08 OCt 2020
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27 November 2020

Other Security News

• Iranian Diplomat Goes On Trial In Belgium Over Bomb Plot RFE/RL 27 Nov 2020 -- An Iranian diplomat and three other Iranians went on trial in the Belgian city of Antwerp on November 27 accused of planning to bomb a meeting of an exiled opposition group in France in 2018, the first time an EU country has put an Iranian official on trial for terrorism.
• Iranian Diplomat on Trial in Belgium, Charged with Plotting Attack VOA 27 Nov 2020 -- An Iranian diplomat and three other Iranian citizens went on trial in Belgium Friday for allegedly plotting to bomb a 2018 rally of the Paris-based National Council Resistance of Iran (NCRI), an opposition group in exile.
• Taiwan bans import of live birds, eggs from Belgium due to bird flu CNA 27 Nov 2020 -- Starting Friday, the importation of live birds and their eggs from Belgium is banned, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) under the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture announced that day.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• COVID-19: Testing still vital even as vaccines roll out UN News 27 Nov 2020 -- Testing will still be a critical tool against COVID-19, even as vaccines are deployed against the disease, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday during his regular briefing on the crisis.
• WHO Scientist Calls for More Vaccine Data VOA 27 Nov 2020 -- The World Health Organization's top vaccine expert says the agency needs to evaluate coronavirus vaccines and their immune responses based on more than just a press release.
• British AstraZeneca to Conduct Another Trial Before Widely Distributing COVID-19 Vaccine VOA 27 Nov 2020 -- British drug maker AstraZeneca is cooperating with government regulators in investigating a manufacturing error of an experimental COVID-19 vaccine.

United States

• This Week in Operation Warp Speed - Nov. 27, 2020 DoD 27 Nov 2020
• Record-high 90,000 Americans hospitalized with COVID-19 amid Thanksgiving People's Daily 27 Nov 2020 -- Nearly 90,000 COVID-19 patients are in hospitals across the United States as of Thursday, the Thanksgiving day, reaching a new all-time high for the 16th consecutive day, according to The COVID Tracking Project.

China

• Global health codes, fast track challenged Global Times 27 Nov 2020 -- With setting a "fast track" for personnel exchanges and requiring pre-departure health QR codes for overseas passengers, China is gradually pushing a global mechanism of mutual health status recognition to drag the world to the path of recovery amid the pandemic. However, as for China, the only entity that has maintained economic growth amid the pandemic, it is not easy to lead the formation of a global health recognition mechanism in which people from different countries can use the universal health code and fast track for recovery.
• 'Fast track' to be strictly managed not suspended amid Japan and South Korea's new surge Global Times 27 Nov 2020 -- The "fast track" between China, South Korea and Japan might be affected due to the surging epidemic in these two countries. With more sources and chains of coronavirus from abroad being found in China, experts believe that anti-pandemic measures will be prioritized in these countries and stricter measures will be applied.
• More flu-COVID-19 cases expected, causing detection dilemma Global Times 27 Nov 2020 -- China has reported four cases of dual infections of flu and COVID-19, and more such cases will occur as the country enters winter flu peak season, China's top respiratory expert Zhong Nanshan warned on Friday.
• Coronavirus maintains longer vitality in wet and cold containers: Zhang Wenhong Global Times 27 Nov 2020 -- Coronavirus can maintain a longer vitality in dark and cold environments, especially in wet and cold shipping containers that have just landed, which will increase the risk of infection via unprotected contact, Zhang Wenhong, Shanghai-based infectious disease expert and leader of Shanghai COVID-19 control group said Thursday on China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo.
• Chinese mainland reports no new domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases People's Daily 27 Nov 2020 -- The Chinese mainland on Thursday reported no new domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases, with five newly confirmed cases all arriving from outside, the National Health Commission said Friday.

Europe

• Slovenia's COVID-19 cases exceed 70,000 Global Times 27 Nov 2020 -- Slovenia on Thursday reported 1,767 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the national tally of confirmed cases to 70,911, according to official figures.
• Croatia to shut restaurants amid COVID-19 spike Global Times 27 Nov 2020 -- Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Thursday announced strict new measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, as a record high of 4,009 new cases and 51 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours.
• Sweden to reach COVID-19 peak in two weeks: forecast Global Times 27 Nov 2020 -- The second wave of Sweden's COVID-19 epidemic will peak in mid-December, according to a new forecast from the country's Public Health Agency Thursday.
• Rome airport to try "COVID-tested" flights from U.S. to replace quarantine People's Daily 27 Nov 2020 -- Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome will start the operation of "COVID-tested" flights from three U.S. airports on a trial basis, Aeroporti di Roma (ADR), the airport's operator said Thursday.
• Germany's COVID-19 cases surpass 1 mln People's Daily 27 Nov 2020 -- Germany reported 22,806 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the national tally to 1,006,394, the Robert Koch Institute said on Friday.
• Merkel confirms extension of partial COVID-19 lockdown in Germany People's Daily 27 Nov 2020 -- Addressing the Bundestag, the lower house of the German parliament, Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday confirmed the extension of the partial COVID-19 lockdown in the country into December.
• UK Regulator Confirms Government's Request to Assess Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik 27 Nov 2020 -- The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) confirmed on Friday that it has received a request from the government's Department of Health and Social Care to assess the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the University of Oxford and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.
• Europe Coronavirus Updates: France's COVID-19 data improve, Italy's infections plateau; Germany to extend partial lockdown People's Daily 27 Nov 2020 -- The following are the latest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in European countries.

Russia

• Russian Armed Forces Begin Mass COVID-19 Vaccination to Cover 400,000 Servicemen Sputnik 27 Nov 2020 -- Russia has begun mass coronavirus vaccination among its armed forces personnel, planning to inoculate more than 400,000 servicemen, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday at a ministral meeting.
• Russia's RDIF Agreed on Producing 100Mln Doses of Sputnik V Coronavirus Vaccine in India Sputnik 27 Nov 2020 -- The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) announced on Friday that it reached an agreement with India's pharmaceutical company Hetero on producing over 100 million doses of Russia's coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V per year in India.

India

• 70% of India's Active Caseload from Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh India PIB 27 Nov 2020 -- The Active Caseload of India stands at 4,55,555 today. Present contribution of Active Caseload to India's total positive cases is 4.89%.

Iran

• COVID-19 kills 406 more Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 27 Nov 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Friday that some 406 more Iranians have died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours.

South Korea

• S. Korea PM Warns of Full-Fledged Virus Resurgence As Daily Cases Exceed 500 SPA 27 Nov 2020 -- S. Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said today, on Friday that South Korea has confirmed more than 500 COVID-19 infections for the second consecutive day and warned that the virus appears to be spreading again in earnest nationwide, Yonhap reported.
• South Korea Reports 569 New Coronavirus Cases SPA 27 Nov 2020 -- The daily number of novel Coronavirus cases in South Korea exceeded 500 for the second straight day on Friday, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Saudi Arabia

• Health Ministry: 302 New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, 407 Recoveries Reported, in Saudi Arabia SPA 27 Nov 2020 -- The Ministry of Health announced in a statement here today that 302 new confirmed cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 356,691, including 5,212 active cases undergoing treatment.

Taiwan

• Taiwan reports 14 new imported COVID-19 cases in 1 day (update) CNA 27 Nov 2020 -- Taiwan confirmed 14 new imported cases of COVID-19 on Friday, the highest number reported in one day since April, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan bans 2 Indonesian agencies from sending migrants due to COVID-19 CNA 27 Nov 2020 -- Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Friday that it is temporarily banning migrant workers from two Indonesian manpower agencies from entering, after it reported 13 new imported cases of COVID-19 from the Southeast Asian country earlier that day.

North Korea

• Media Claims North Korea Launched a Cyberattack Against Covid Vaccine Developer AstraZeneca Sputnik 27 Nov 2020 -- Also on Friday, a UK regulator confirmed that it had received a formal request from the Government to assess the prospective Covid-19 vaccine being developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. Earlier, an executive from British-Swedish pharma giant said its vaccine could be approved even if its efficacy is no higher than 60 percent.

Other Countries

• Canada's COVID-19 cases surpass 350,000 level Global Times 27 Nov 2020 -- Canada's COVID-19 cases surpassed the 350,000 level on Thursday afternoon as the country confirmed a total of 351,133 COVID-19 cases and 11,776 deaths, according to CTV.
• WHO urges African states to strengthen readiness for COVID-19 vaccine People's Daily 27 Nov 2020 -- African countries should establish robust infrastructure and invest in manpower to facilitate deployment of COVID-19 vaccine in the continent, a senior World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Thursday.
• African nations 'far from ready' for COVID-19 vaccination drive, says UN health agency UN News 27 Nov 2020 -- As efforts to find safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19 are showing increasing promise, the African continent is "far from ready" to roll out what will be its largest ever immunization drive, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.
• COVID-19 Staffers Test Positive in Sudan Leader's Office VOA 27 Nov 2020 -- Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok's staff is self-isolating after 19 members, including Cabinet Affairs Minister Omer Manis, tested positive for coronavirus during a recent random sampling.

26 November 2020

Other Security News

• Australia to Cancel Citizenship of Convicted Algerian-Born Terrorist VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- A convicted terrorist has had his Australian citizenship canceled by authorities in Canberra. Algerian-born Abdul Nacer Benbrika was jailed for 12 years in 2008 for his role in a plot to attack targets in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.
• Terror Threats Across Africa 'Not Degraded' VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- U.S. efforts to stem the threat from terror groups across Africa are struggling as military commanders grapple with the prospect of troop reductions and shifting priorities, according to a new government report on counterterrorism operations.
• Tanzania Teams Up with Mozambique to Contain Terrorists VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- Tanzania's government says is teaming up with Mozambique to launch a joint operation against violent attacks by Islamist militants along their shared border. But some opposition parties and rights groups are raising concerns about how the Tanzanian government plans to tackle the threat.
• Leader of Aum Shinrikyo Cult's Russian Branch Jailed for 15 Years on Terrorism Charges Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- A military court in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don has sentenced Mikhail Ustyantsev, the founder of the Russian cell of the Aum Shinrikyo cult* to 15 years in prison, the court's spokesman told reporters.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• WHO chief calls for prioritization of older persons in COVID-19 vaccine distribution People's Daily 26 Nov 2020 -- Older persons and those living in care homes should be prioritized when COVID-19 vaccines become available, according to the World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom.
• Global COVID-19 cases surpass 60 mln -- Johns Hopkins University People's Daily 26 Nov 2020 -- Global COVID-19 cases surpassed 60 million on Wednesday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
• Worldwide Coronavirus Cases Cross 60.05 Million, Death Toll at 1,415,428 SPA 26 Nov 2020 -- More than 60.05 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,415,428 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

United States

• Millions of Americans Travel for Thanksgiving Despite COVID-19 Warnings VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- Millions of people in the U.S. are traveling ahead of Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday, despite a surging COVID-19 death toll and record hospitalizations.
• US Records Highest Coronavirus Toll Since May VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- The United States registered its deadliest day from the coronavirus since May on Wednesday while also adding nearly 200,000 infections to a wave of new cases that is by far the worst the country has experienced at any time during the pandemic.
• U.S. COVID-19 deaths top 260,000: Johns Hopkins University People's Daily 26 Nov 2020 -- U.S. COVID-19 deaths surpassed 260,000 on Wednesday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
• Rush Transcript: Governor Cuomo Announces New Record-High Number of COVID-19 Tests Reported to New York State New York State 26 Nov 2020
• Biden can't save US from darkest period of epidemic Global Times 26 Nov 2020 -- "I know that we can and will beat this virus," US President-elect Joe Biden said in a Thanksgiving speech on Wednesday.
• US sets new record for COVID-19 hospitalizations for 15th consecutive day Global Times 26 Nov 2020 -- More than 88,000 COVID-19 patients were in hospitals across the United States as of Tuesday, reaching a new all-time high for the 15th consecutive day, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
• Transmission rate of COVID-19 reaches highest in LA County Global Times 26 Nov 2020 -- The transmission rate of COVID-19, or the R number, has reached 1.27, the highest ever for the most populous county in the United States, Los Angeles County's health official said on Wednesday.
• Americans defy pandemic as US COVID cases set new record Press TV 26 Nov 2020 -- Americans have defied pleas from officials to stay home for the Thanksgiving holiday amid record-breaking COVID-19 cases in recent days.

China

• China pushes test-based health code, eyes global mechanism Global Times 26 Nov 2020 -- More Chinese embassies have joined the push for pre-departure health codes based on coronavirus nucleic acid and antibody tests, a prerequisite for China-bound travels, which can shed light on how a global mechanism for mutual health code recognition will look like.
• Manzhouli rushes to curb COVID-19 outbreak after virus strain found similar to that of Russia Global Times 26 Nov 2020 -- China's largest land port - Manzhouli in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region - vowed to curb the latest COVID-19 outbreak, as the city announced the virus strain of the initial infections was highly similar to that of Russia. A total of 11 cases have been confirmed so far.
• Disinfection in low temperatures a new challenge in COVID-19 combat: expert Global Times 26 Nov 2020 -- Disinfection in low temperatures and freezing environments has become a new challenge in combatting COVID-19, as many places in China have detected the coronavirus on the outer packaging of imported cold-chain products, and concerns over coronavirus transmission via cold-chain products continue to grow.
• Mainland to offer COVID-19 vaccine to HK amid 'fourth wave' Global Times 26 Nov 2020 -- Amid the fourth wave of the COVID-19 surge, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the Chinese central government had agreed to supply Hong Kong people with a vaccine.

Europe

• UK records highest daily COVID death toll since May 5 People's Daily 26 Nov 2020 -- The coronavirus-related deaths in Britain rose by 696 to 56,533, marking the highest daily death number since May 5, according to official figures released Wednesday.
• UK Prime Minister Says Three-Tiered System Best Way to Avoid Spike in COVID-19 Cases Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- The new COVID-19 alert level tier allocations, which will come into force in the UK once the country's nationwide lockdown expires on 2 December, is the best way to prevent a spike in COVID-19, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at a press briefing on Thursday.
• France unveils gradual easing of nationwide coronavirus lockdown People's Daily 26 Nov 2020 -- French people will enjoy more freedom in outdoor exercises starting Saturday, and the nationwide coronavirus lockdown could be lifted on Dec. 15 if health conditions are met, President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday in a TV address.
• Italy Reports 29,003 New Coronavirus Cases, 822 Deaths, Health Ministry reports SPA 26 Nov 2020 -- Italy reported 822 COVID 19-related deaths today, on Thursday, up from 722 the day before, and 29,003 new infections, up from 25,853 on Wednesday, Reuters cited the health ministry as saying.
• Austrian Chancellor Opposes Common EU Rules for Ski Resorts Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Thursday that he opposed the common guidelines for all European Union countries on operation of ski resorts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Russia

• Sputnik V Developers Suggest Combining Their Vaccine With AstraZeneca Shot to Boost Efficacy Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- The vaccine developed by AstraZeneca in collaboration with Oxford University demonstrated 62% efficacy - a far cry from the 90% and over shown in the trials of two US and one Russian vaccine that were presented earlier.
• EU Drug Agency Confirms Talks With Producer of Russia's Sputnik V Vaccine are Ongoing Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- A representative of the European Commission said the day before that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is in talks with the manufacturer of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus.

India

• Indian Company Says it Made Millions of Doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- There is rising optimism in India about getting access to a prospective Covid 19 vaccine after Britain-based pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca announced this week that clinical trials of its vaccine candidate have shown that it is highly effective in preventing infections.
• India's 61% of Daily New Cases contributed by Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh India PIB 26 Nov 2020 -- 44,489 new confirmed COVID cases have been registered in the last 24 hours in the country. Of these, 60.72% is contributed by six States/UT i.e. Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
• India continues to suspend international flights till year end due to pandemic People's Daily 26 Nov 2020 -- The Indian government on Thursday decided to continue the suspension of international flights till the year-end due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Iran

• Washington's Sanctions Should Not Bar Iran From Getting US Vaccines, Health Ministry Says Sputnik 26 Nov 2020 -- The worldwide death toll from the coronavirus is now over 1.4 million, while the global case tally is more than 60 million. Scientists are working on vaccines in order to stop the global pandemic, as a new wave has forced multiple countries to re-impose lockdowns or severe restrictions.
• Official: 482 more Iranians die from COVID-19 over past 24 hours IRNA 26 Nov 2020 -- Some 482 people in Iran have died as a result of the coronavirus disease over the past 24 hours, Iranian Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Thursday.
• Iran, Russia to cooperate on COVID-19 vaccine development IRNA 26 Nov 2020 -- Spokeswoman for Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education announced on Thursday that Tehran and Moscow are to cooperate on COVID-19 vaccine development.

Saudi Arabia

• Health Ministry: 322 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Reported, in Saudi Arabia SPA 26 Nov 2020 -- The Ministry of Health announced today that 322 new confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 356,389 cases, including 5,334 active cases receiving necessary medical care.

Taiwan

• Taiwan reports 2 new imported COVID-19 cases CNA 26 Nov 2020 -- Two additional imported COVID-19 cases were reported in Taiwan on Thursday, boosting the number of total cases to 625 in the country since the pandemic broke out at the end of last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan representative office in U.S. reports 9 new COVID-19 cases CNA 26 Nov 2020 -- Nine more staff members at Taiwan's representative office in the United States tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday (U.S. time), after two cases were reported the previous day, forcing the closure of the office's consular hall, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Other Countries

• Africa Braces for Second Coronavirus Wave VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- As a second wave of coronavirus approaches, Africa has a plan, says the continent's top health official.
• WHO Urges Africa to Prepare for Vaccine Rollout VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- The World Health Organization urged African countries Thursday to prepare plans to distribute vaccinations for COVID-19 as they become available.
• Sudan Mourns Former Leader Who Died of COVID-19 VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- Flags across Sudan are flying at half-staff after former prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi, who was overthrown in the 1989 coup that brought Omar al-Bashir to power, died of COVID-19 on Thursday.
• Australian State of Victoria Celebrates 28 Days Without a New COVID-19 Case VOA 26 Nov 2020 -- The Australian state of Victoria has recorded no new coronavirus cases or deaths for 28 consecutive days. Health authorities say they have achieved what is widely considered to be the official benchmark for eliminating COVID-19 from the community.

25 November 2020

Other Security News

• Sussex County Woman Charged with Concealing Terrorist Financing to Syrian Al-Nusra Front, a Foreign Terrorist Organization US Dept. of Justice 25 Nov 2020 -- A Sussex County, New Jersey, woman, Maria Bell, a/k/a "Maria Sue Bell," 53, of Hopatcong, New Jersey, was arrested at her home today and charged with one count of knowingly concealing the provision of material support and resources to a Foreign Terrorist Organization Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito for the District of New Jersey announced.
• Russia foils Daesh planned attacks in Moscow region Press TV 25 Nov 2020 -- Russia says it has dismantled a militant cell affiliated with the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group that was planning to conduct acts of terror in the Moscow region.
• Russia Says It Foiled Islamic State Attacks In Moscow Region RFE/RL 25 Nov 2020 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) says it has broken up a cell of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group that was planning "acts of sabotage and terror" in the Moscow region.
• Venezuelan Business Executive Charged in Connection with International Bribery and Money Laundering Scheme US Dept. of Justice 25 Nov 2020 -- A dual Venezuelan-Italian citizen who controlled multiple companies via U.S. based bank accounts was charged in an indictment returned Tuesday for his role in laundering the proceeds of inflated contracts that were obtained by making bribe payments to officials at Venezuela's state-owned and state-controlled energy company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA).
• Report: Far-Right Terrorism Rises as Islamist Terrorism Declines VOA 25 Nov 2020 -- After a 21-year-old white man armed with a semiautomatic rifle entered a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, killing nearly two dozen people, mostly Latinos, authorities treated the attack as an act of far-right domestic terrorism.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• UN Warns of 'Shadow Pandemic' as Domestic Violence Increases Globally VOA 25 Nov 2020 -- Rallies were held around the world Wednesday on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

United States

• Nevada National Guard stays in fight against COVID-19 Army News 25 Nov 2020 -- More than eight months into the Nevada National Guard's battle against COVID-19, the stubborn microscopic enemy shows no sign of surrender as many of the state's counties report record numbers of cases.
• NY National Guard adds troops to airport health screening mission Army News 25 Nov 2020 -- New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have collected COVID-19 health information from over 456,000 airline passengers since starting a mission to aid the New York State Department of Health.
• Rush Transcript: Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic New York State 25 Nov 2020
• US Considers Shortening COVID-19 Isolation After Potential Exposure VOA 25 Nov 2020 -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering reducing the recommended self-quarantine period for people who may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
• Biden: US Won't Lose Fight Against Coronavirus VOA 25 Nov 2020 -- U.S. President-elect Joe Biden urged Americans on Wednesday to "steel our spines" against the surging coronavirus pandemic but assured them that "America is not going to lose this war."
• Millions of Americans Travel for Thanksgiving Despite COVID-19 Warnings VOA 25 Nov 2020 -- Millions of people in the U.S. are traveling ahead of Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday, despite a surging COVID-19 death toll and record hospitalizations.
• Child COVID-19 cases in US approach 1.2 mln Global Times 25 Nov 2020 -- Nearly 1.2 million children in the United States have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic, according to the latest data of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Children's Hospital Association.
• Growing "anti-vaxx" movement complicates U.S. fight against COVID-19 People's Daily 25 Nov 2020 -- Frank Wessley, 39, a multi-media professional based in the Washington D.C. area, said he will get the COVID vaccine the moment it is available.
• Millions of Americans travel for Thanksgiving, ignoring CDC guidance People's Daily 25 Nov 2020 -- Millions of Americans are traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday, ignoring the advice of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and health experts to stay at home.

China

• Massive needs accelerate worldwide vaccines race Global Times 25 Nov 2020 -- November has witnessed an information explosion of global COVID-19 research and development. In the 16 days from November 9 to 25, three Western vaccine producers - Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca - have revealed their interim Phase-III clinical trial data, and two Chinese companies - Sinovac and Sinopharm - separately unveiled plans on data publishing or applications for marketing.
• China alert to COVID-19 risks from containers Global Times 25 Nov 2020 -- International containers and imported cold-chain products are posing dual challenges for China to prevent a COVID-19 epidemic resurgence, which has prompted many cities to adopt preventive measures to avoid another large-scale outbreak.
• German pork knuckles 'scapegoat' for N American pig heads in Tianjin infections Global Times 25 Nov 2020 -- A health official in North China's Tianjin, who has been dubbed China's Sherlock Holmes, has cracked the mysterious case of the latest COVID-19 infections in the municipality and helped "clear the name" of German pork knuckles, which were previously believed to be the source of recent infections.
• Transmission risk surges as more imported COVID-19 cases found in China Global Times 25 Nov 2020 -- China faces an increasing risk of coronavirus transmission with imported cases from more countries being found and more virus-positive imported cold-chain food being detected in the past 30 days, China's health authority said on Wednesday.
• Decision to close Wuhan's Huanan seafood market back in Jan. made 'after heated arguments' Global Times 25 Nov 2020 -- The closure of Wuhan's Huanan seafood market early on in the epidemic has been shown to be the right decision made by Chinese experts and government officials, after heated arguments that lasted under 12 hours, a top epidemiologist revealed.
• Sinopharm eyes bringing COVID-19 vaccine to market, says clinical trial results in various countries 'good' Global Times 25 Nov 2020 -- China's leading vaccine producer Sinopharm announced Wednesday that it has submitted an application to Chinese authorities for marketization of its COVID-19 vaccine.
• Health official dubbed 'China's Sherlock Holmes' pinpoints pig heads from N. America source of cold-chain infections in Tianjin, instead of German pork knuckles Global Times 25 Nov 2020 -- A local Tianjin health official who has been dubbed China's Sherlock Holmes has cracked the mysterious case of the latest COVID-19 infections in North China's Tianjin, and helped clear up suspicions over German pork knuckles, which were previously believed to be the source of the recent infections.
• China likely to approve a COVID-19 vaccine by year end to meet the need of epidemic-stricken countries: experts Global Times 25 Nov 2020 -- As Brazilian health officials expressed hope for China to hasten approval process for a China developed vaccine and more countries are laying out vaccination plan, some experts said that it is possible for China to approve a vaccine by the end of this year to meet the urgent need of some countries severely hit by the epidemic.
• Chinese mainland reports no new domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases People's Daily 25 Nov 2020 -- The Chinese mainland on Tuesday reported no new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said Wednesday.
• Tianjin lowers COVID-19 risk level for two areas People's Daily 25 Nov 2020 -- North China's Tianjin Municipality adjusted two COVID-19 middle-risk areas to low-risk after no new domestically transmitted cases have been reported for 14 consecutive days there, according to a press conference on Tuesday.

Europe

• EU to approve new COVID-19 vaccine contract People's Daily 25 Nov 2020 -- The European Union (EU) will give the green light to a new vaccine contract in its bid to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday.
• Spanish gov't outlines COVID-19 vaccination plan Global Times 25 Nov 2020 -- Spain's Health Minister Salvador Illa on Tuesday explained the government's plans to vaccinate the population against COVID-19 in 2021.
• Bulgaria Closes Schools, Restaurants Amid Surge In COVID-19 Cases RFE/RL 25 Nov 2020 -- The Bulgarian government has announced the reimposition of tougher restrictions, including the closure of restaurants and schools, in an effort to contain a surge in coronavirus cases that are straining the country's health system.
• Italy Reports 25,853 New Coronavirus Cases, 722 Deaths - Health Ministry SPA 25 Nov 2020 -- Italy reported 722 COVID 19-related deaths today, on Wednesday, down from 853 the day before, and 25,853 new infections, slightly up from 23,232 on Tuesday, the Reuters cited health ministry as saying.

Russia

• Russia reports record 507 coronavirus deaths SPA 25 Nov 2020 -- Russia reported a record 507 coronavirus deaths in the last 24 hours on Wednesday, taking its national death toll to 37,538 since the pandemic began, Reuters reported.

India

• Exponential rise in India's testing; Cumulative tests nearing 13.5Cr India PIB 25 Nov 2020 -- India has demonstrated a consistent increase in the COVID-19 testing infrastructure since Jan 2020 resulting in an exponential increase in its testing numbers.

Iran

• Minister: Iran to buy 42 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine IRNA 25 Nov 2020 -- Iranian Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Education Saeed Namaki said on Wednesday that Iran will purchase about 42 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine from foreign companies to vaccinate 21 million people.
• Official: 469 more Iranians die from COVID-19 over past 24 hours IRNA 25 Nov 2020 -- Some 469 people in Iran have died as a result of the coronavirus disease over the past 24 hours, Iranian Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Wednesday.

South Korea

• S.Korea reports 382 more COVID-19 cases, 31,735 in total People's Daily 25 Nov 2020 -- South Korea reported 382 more cases of COVID-19 as of 0:00 a.m. Wednesday local time compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 31,735.
• S. Korea's childbirth hits record-low in Q3 over COVID-19 People's Daily 25 Nov 2020 -- South Korea's childbirth hit a record quarterly low in the third quarter as the COVID-19 pandemic delayed marriages, statistical office data showed Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia

• Health Ministry: 326 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Reported in Saudi Arabia SPA 25 Nov 2020 -- The Ministry of Health said in a statement today that 326 new confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number to 356,067 cases, including 5,455 active cases receiving necessary medical care. Of these, there are 724 critical cases, while the health condition of the rest is stable.

Taiwan

• CECC lists exemptions from compulsory COVID-19 tests for all arrivals CNA 25 Nov 2020 -- All arrivals to Taiwan must present a negative COVID-19 test, starting Dec. 1, with exemptions for individuals coming from countries where self-paid tests are unavailable, urgent situations and where prior approval has been given, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced Wednesday.
• Taiwan reports 5 new imported COVID-19 cases CNA 25 Nov 2020 -- Five foreign nationals from Indonesia and the Philippines who came to Taiwan to work have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the number of cases in the country to 623 since the pandemic began late last year, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Wednesday.
• Migrant worker employers warned against charging for quarantine CNA 25 Nov 2020 -- Employers of migrant workers face a maximum fine of NT$300,000 (US$10,529) if they fail to cover the cost of the 14-day compulsory quarantine their employees are required to undergo when entering Taiwan, the Ministry of Labor (MOL) said Wednesday.

North Korea

• Thoroughgoing Anti-Epidemic Measures Taken in DPRK KCNA 25 Nov 2020 -- All the sectors and units in the DPRK are further intensifying the works for strictly carrying out state anti-epidemic measures.

Other Countries

• Brazil's COVID-19 death toll tops 170,000 Global Times 25 Nov 2020 -- Brazil's COVID-19 death toll surpassed 170,000 on Tuesday, after 630 new death cases were reported in the past 24 hours, according to Brazil's Ministry of Health.
• Mongolia adds 27 COVID-19 cases People's Daily 25 Nov 2020 -- Mongolia reported 27 more COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, according to the country's National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) on Wednesday.
• China donates medical supplies for Sierra Leone's COVID-19 fight People's Daily 25 Nov 2020 -- The Chinese embassy in Sierra Leone on Tuesday handed over a batch of medical supplies to the country's government for its fight against COVID-19.
• Australia "on track" to provide coronavirus vaccines in March 2021: health minister People's Daily 25 Nov 2020 -- Australia's Health Minister Greg Hunt has declared that the country is "on track" to start administering coronavirus vaccines in March 2021.