Country is showcasing its attractions at ATM
business1 hour ago
US intelligence agencies remain divided on the origins of the coronavirus but believe China’s leaders did not know about the virus before the start of the global pandemic, according to results released on Friday of a review ordered by President Joe Biden.
According to an unclassified summary, four members of the US intelligence community say with low confidence that the virus was initially transmitted from an animal to a human. A fifth intelligence agency believes with moderate confidence that the first human infection was linked to a lab. Analysts do not believe the virus was developed as a bioweapon.
China’s refusal to fully cooperate with the US and international investigations of the virus has hampered reviews of the virus’ origins. The Director of National Intelligence said that China “continues to hinder the global investigation, resist sharing information, and blame other countries including the United States.”
The cause of the coronavirus remains an urgent public health and security concern worldwide. In the US, many conservatives have accused Chinese scientists of developing Covid-19 in a lab and allowing it to leak. The scientific consensus remains that the virus most likely migrated from animals in what’s known as a zoonotic transmission.
China’s foreign ministry attacked the US investigation ahead of the report’s release. Fu Cong, a Foreign Ministry director-general, said at a briefing for foreign journalists that “scapegoating China cannot whitewash the US”.
“If they want to baselessly accuse China, they better be prepared to accept the counterattack from China,” he said.
Biden in May ordered a 90-day review of what the White House said was an initial finding leading to “two likely scenarios”: An animal-to-human transmission or a lab leak. The White House said then that two agencies in the 18-member intelligence community leaned toward the hypothesis of a transmission in nature and another agency leaned toward a lab leak.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence on Friday did not identify which agencies supported either hypothesis. But it noted some of the same hurdles facing the World Health Organization and scientists worldwide: A lack of clinical samples and data from the earliest cases of Covid-19. Beijing’s cooperation would most likely be needed to make further progress, the office said.
In conducting the review, intelligence agencies consulted with allied nations and experts outside of government. An epidemiologist was brought into the National Intelligence Council, a group of senior experts that consults the head of the intelligence community.
Country is showcasing its attractions at ATM
business1 hour ago
The turmoil on campuses has prompted several colleges and universities across the US to relocate, modify, or cancel commencement ceremonies altogether
world2 hours ago
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to send ground troops into Rafah regardless of any truce, defying international concerns
mena2 hours ago
The former president was fined for the 10th time over violating an order that bars him from making comments about jurors, witnesses and families of the judge
americas2 hours ago
Art curator Carlo Garrido's latest exhibition at World Art Dubai brought together artists on the spectrum to celebrate their work on a global platform
arts2 hours ago
Against Punjab in Dharamsala, Jadeja top-scored for Chennai with a breezy 43 and then returned to claim 3-20
cricket2 hours ago
The authority will process service requests concerning the monitoring and control of pests in residences, public areas and facilities
uae2 hours ago
Congress files complaints after PM Modi's party shares videos, accusing the opposition party of giving disproportionate benefits to Muslims
world2 hours ago