Quentin Ariès is a journalist based in Brussels, Belgium.

Inside the Wuhan lab: French engineering, deadly viruses and a big mystery

15 Sept 2021  |  Yahoo Entertainment  |  English  |  International Relations

The Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), built with French engineering, is China's first P4 lab and has been at the center of controversy regarding the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite denials from Yuan Zhiming, the lab's director, and U.S. intelligence reports stating the virus is not a bioweapon, suspicions persist. The lab, which aimed to prevent outbreaks like SARS, has faced scrutiny and reduced international collaboration. The article provides a detailed history of the WIV, its research, and key figures involved, highlighting the challenges and political tensions surrounding the lab.

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Chinese Academy of Sciences Wuhan Institute of Virology U.S. intelligence agencies

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simone di meo is a journalist based in Naples, Italy. He has been dealing with issues such as Italian and international mafias for years; secret services; domestic and international terrorism; subversion; justice and politics.

Wuhan. Plausible Chronicle of an Infection

26 Jul 2023  |  www.panorama.it  |  Italian  |  Biological Weapons

An investigation by the Sunday Times reconstructs the steps leading to the spread of COVID-19, suggesting the virus may have originated from a Chinese laboratory in Wuhan. The report details risky experiments on coronaviruses conducted by the Wuhan Institute of Virology, with potential military involvement and cover-ups by Chinese authorities. The article highlights the role of American intelligence and various experts in uncovering these activities, raising questions about the virus's origins and the Chinese government's transparency.

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Pasteur Institute Wuhan Institute of Virology Chinese Military American Intelligence Rutgers University Washington Post Sunday Times

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Dr Joseph Downing is author of “French Muslims in Perspective” (****) and “Social Media and Security” (****). He is senior lecturer in politics and IR at Aston University. Previously he was fellow in nationalism in the European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science, and Marie-...

How wild theories linking 5G data to coronavirus started trending on social media

10 Jun 2020  |  Scroll.in  |  English  |  5G Technology

The article explores the origins and spread of conspiracy theories linking 5G technology to the coronavirus pandemic. It highlights how these theories have evolved and gained traction on social media, driven by a mix of historical fears, misinformation, and political agendas. The study by experts reveals that a significant portion of social media users believe in these theories, which have been amplified by influential figures and platforms. The article underscores the need for coordinated efforts by governments, social media platforms, and influencers to combat misinformation and restore public trust.

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US Department of Defence Wuhan Institute of Virology London School of Economics University of Manchester University of Amsterdam Newcastle University Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Ofcom

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I'm an Irish journalist, based in Asia. I'm currently in Kuala Lumpur. I specialise in environmental, health, and human rights issues and have my own website, Changing Times (****). I have been a journalist for more than 45 years and am a skilled editor, proofreader, and French-to-English ...

US Department of Health and Human Services suspends government funding to EcoHealth Alliance

16 May 2024  |  CHANGING TIMES  |  English  |  Coronavirus Pandemic

The US Department of Health and Human Services has suspended EcoHealth Alliance from federal funding and initiated debarment proceedings due to alleged failures in oversight and compliance related to gain-of-function research in Wuhan, China. The decision follows a report by the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, which highlighted systemic weaknesses in grant procedures. Key figures, including Brad Wenstrup and Raul Ruiz, have criticized EcoHealth and its president, Peter Daszak, for their actions. The suspension is temporary, pending the outcome of debarment proceedings, and aims to protect the integrity of federal procurement activities.

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Wuhan Institute of Virology National Institutes of Health National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases US Department of Health and Human Services EcoHealth Alliance Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations U.S. Right to Know

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Erin Hale is a journalist based in Taipei.

Three years later, what we know: How did COVID start?

11 Mar 2023  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Virus Origins

Three years after the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic, questions about the virus's origins persist. The virus was first detected in Wuhan, China, and linked to the Huanan Seafood Market, but China's lack of transparency has fueled competing theories. While many scientists support a natural zoonotic spillover, some consider a lab leak plausible. Recent studies suggest the Huanan market as the outbreak's epicenter, but definitive conclusions remain elusive. The debate underscores the need for better safety standards in bio labs and wet markets, though geopolitical tensions complicate the investigation.

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University of Arizona New England Journal of Medicine University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill US Department of Energy Wuhan Institute of Virology World Health Organization FBI Oregon State University Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center University of California San Diego University of Saskatchewan George Mason University Georgetown University Rutgers University Council on Foreign Relations Nature magazine

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Bryan Kirk is a journalist based in Cypress, TX, United States.

CCP officials nominate Wuhan Lab for Nobel Prize amid growing speculation of lab leak

22 Jun 2021  |  BizPac Review  |  English  |  Lab Leak Theory

The Wuhan Institute of Virology has been nominated for the Nobel Prize by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, despite allegations of its involvement in the COVID-19 pandemic. Chinese officials, including the Foreign Ministry, have defended the lab, refuting claims of a lab leak. The article highlights growing speculation and reports, including from the Wall Street Journal and U.S. intelligence, suggesting the virus may have originated from the Wuhan lab. Former President Donald Trump and other Republican leaders feel vindicated by these reports, which support their earlier claims about the virus's origin.

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Chinese Academy of Sciences Wuhan Institute of Virology Chinese Foreign Ministry Global Times World Health Organization Chinese Embassy Wall Street Journal U.S. Intelligence Community Fox News Republican Party

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Violet Law is a tri-lingual American journalist currently based in Hong Kong and southern China. She has filed for The Associated Press, The Economist, the Los Angeles Times, the Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, etc.

COVID-19: The endless search for the origins of the virus

05 Apr 2022  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Virus Origins

The search for the origins of COVID-19 remains unresolved, with debates continuing over whether the virus emerged from a natural zoonotic pathway or a laboratory leak. Efforts by the World Health Organization and other scientific bodies have been hampered by limited data and transparency from China. Experts like Colin Butler and Alina Chan express skepticism about the transparency of both Chinese and US authorities. Recent studies suggest the Huanan Seafood Market as the pandemic's epicenter, but the lack of conclusive evidence leaves the question open. The ongoing pandemic highlights the need for better handling of wild animals to prevent future outbreaks.

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Wuhan Institute of Virology US National Institutes of Health University of Arizona Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard World Health Organization The Lancet COVID-19 Commission United Nations Environment Programme Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

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Perry Link is a journalist based in Riverside, United States of America.

Beijing Protests a Lab Leak Too Much

26 Jan 2024  |  WSJ  |  English  |  Political Language

The article discusses the debate over the origins of COVID-19, with some lawmakers pushing for sanctions to determine if the virus leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. The author, a student of Chinese Communist political language, expresses skepticism about the virus originating from bats or a wet market, citing linguistic evidence that suggests Chinese leaders believe the lab was the source. The author references a technique explained by the Chinese writer Wu Zuxiang, which involves reading official Party statements 'upside down' to discern the truth, implying that the official narrative often conceals reality.

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Wuhan Institute of Virology

A former auditor turned into an investigative journalist. Writes about China technology, the US-China relationship, and China's propaganda system for the New York Times, Foreign Policy, WIRED, ChinaFile, and other publications.
Contributing US-Correspondent for Deutsche Welle Chinese.
My Chinese ...

A Year On, Wuhan Victims Are Still Scarred and Still Censored

07 Feb 2021  |  Foreign Policy  |  English  |  Healthcare

One year after Wuhan's lockdown due to COVID-19, individuals including doctors and relatives of the deceased continue to grapple with the aftermath and censorship. Whistleblowers like Sun and Ai Fen faced threats and self-blame, while others like Zhang Hai persist in seeking justice despite government suppression. The article highlights the ongoing struggles and unresolved conflicts in Wuhan, contrasting the government's narrative of victory with personal stories of loss and resilience.

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Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention Wuhan Institute of Virology Wuhan Central Hospital Chinese Government People’s Liberation Army Chinese Consulates

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