President Joe Biden said on Friday that China was withholding “critical information” on the origins of Covid-19 after the US intelligence community said it did not believe the virus was a bioweapon – but remained split on whether it escaped from a lab.
The United States, however, does not believe Chinese officials had foreknowledge of the virus before the initial outbreak of the pandemic that has now claimed 4.5 million lives, according to the unclassified summary of an eagerly awaited intelligence report. But the community remains divided on the pathogen’s origins, with four agencies and the National Intelligence Council judging in favour of natural exposure to an animal as the likely explanation, and one agency favouring the lab leak theory.
Analysts at three agencies were unable to reach a conclusion. Variations in analytic views largely stem from differences in how agencies weigh intelligence reporting and scientific publications, and intelligence and scientific gaps,” the summary said.
The intelligence community and global scientists lack clinical samples or epidemiological data from the earliest Covid-19 cases, it added.
Biden said the United States would continue to work with allies to press Beijing to share more information and cooperate with the World Health Organisation.
Source: IOL
In other news – Comedian Mpho Popps join forces with fast food joint Burger King
South Africans are known for finding humour in every situation, and funny man Mpho “Popps” Modikoane is putting this to the test – with cheese.
The local comedian and actor has joined forces with the American fast food joint Burger King to prove just how cheesy South African can be. Learn more
