As World Health Organization<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-team-probing-coronavirus-origin-in-china-leaves-wuhan-quarantine-359822">(WHO)</a> experts began their work on finding the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan after their mandatory 14-day quarantine, China's foreign ministry said they must be allowed to work "free from political interference".

Watch:

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"All these activities must be in accordance with the principle of tracking the origin scientifically and with the ultimate goal of preventing future risks and protecting the safety and health of the people," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

The WHO team left the hotel on Thursday although the itinerary&nbsp;of the team wasn't provided. The team is expected to visit the Huanan seafood wholesale market where the first case of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/battle-with-covid-may-be-a-long-one-even-with-vaccines-359748">virus</a> was reportedly detected.

According to official Chinese data, nearly 3,900 people have died in Wuhan among the 4,636 fatalities nationwide. The origin of the virus has become the bone of contention between China and the US with Chinese state media citing the presence of the virus in imported frozen food.

The Chinese foreign ministry had alleged that the sudden closure of a US army laboratory at Fort&nbsp;Maryland last year was linked to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Former US President Donald Trump had alleged that the virus may have been leaked by from a Wuhan laboratory where researchers were studying the virus.

The pandemic has surged in northeastern China in the past months with several cases reported in Hebei province surrounding Beijing. On Wednesday, China reported &nbsp;54 new coronavirus cases down from 75 COVID-19 cases a day earlier.

China's northeastern Heilongjiang province reported 28 new COVID-19 cases and neighbouring Jilin reported nine new coronavirus cases as the country continues to grapple with the virus.

As World Health Organization(WHO) experts began their work on finding the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan after their mandatory 14-day quarantine, China's foreign ministry said they must be allowed to work "free from political interference".

As World Health Organization(WHO) experts began their work on finding the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan after their mandatory 14-day quarantine, China's foreign ministry said they must be allowed to work "free from political interference". Watch: "All these activities must be in accordance with the principle of tracking the origin scientifically and with the ultimate goal of preventing future risks and protecting the safety and health of the people," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said. The WHO team left the hotel on Thursday although the itinerary of the team wasn't provided. The team is expected to visit the Huanan seafood wholesale market where the first case of the virus was reportedly detected. According to official Chinese data, nearly 3,900 people have died in Wuhan among the 4,636 fatalities nationwide. The origin of the virus has become the bone of contention between China and the US with Chinese state media citing the presence of the virus in imported frozen food. The Chinese foreign ministry had alleged that the sudden closure of a US army laboratory at Fort Maryland last year was linked to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Former US President Donald Trump had alleged that the virus may have been leaked by from a Wuhan laboratory where researchers were studying the virus. The pandemic has surged in northeastern China in the past months with several cases reported in Hebei province surrounding Beijing. On Wednesday, China reported 54 new coronavirus cases down from 75 COVID-19 cases a day earlier. China's northeastern Heilongjiang province reported 28 new COVID-19 cases and neighbouring Jilin reported nine new coronavirus cases as the country continues to grapple with the virus.

WHO must be allowed to work free from political interference: China on virus probe

The Joe Biden administration on Thursday&nbsp;reversed former President Donald Trump's order on work permit for H4 workers who are spouses of those possessing H-1B work visas.

Watch:

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The US government issues H-4 visa to family members of those who possess the H1-B visa which include spouse and children under 21 years of age. According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) the proposed rule titled, "Removing H-4 Dependent Spouses from the Class of Aliens Eligible for Employment Authorisation," was being withdrawn.

Trump in 2017 had announced he would rescind the rule which was started during the Obama administration, however, the&nbsp;Trump administration was not able to complete the process during its tenure. Trump's move had affected nearly 90,000 spouses of H1B visa holders most of them Indians.

US Vice President Kamala Harris had resisted Trump's move at the time calling it anti-women and which prevented talented women of H1-B holders to work in various sectors in the United States.

In December, A US federal judge had blocked rule changes ordered by former President Donald Trump making it harder for people to get skilled worker visas. In its final months, the Trump administration had sued Facebook, accusing it of discriminating against Americans by favouring immigrant applicants for high-paying jobs.&nbsp;

The Department of Justice had said Facebook engaged in "intentional and widespread violations of the law, by setting aside positions for temporary visa holders instead of considering interested and qualified US workers."

Silicon Valley companies depend heavily on overseas workers especially Indians to fill engineering jobs. According to a 2018 report by Congressional Research Service (CRS) 93 per cent of approved applications for H-4 employment authorisation were issued to individuals born in India, and five per cent were issued to individuals born in China.

The Joe Biden administration on Thursday reversed former President Donald Trump's order on work permit for H4 workers who are spouses of those possessing H-1B work visas.

The Joe Biden administration on Thursday reversed former President Donald Trump's order on work permit for H4 workers who are spouses of those possessing H-1B work visas. Watch: The US government issues H-4 visa to family members of those who possess the H1-B visa which include spouse and children under 21 years of age. According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) the proposed rule titled, "Removing H-4 Dependent Spouses from the Class of Aliens Eligible for Employment Authorisation," was being withdrawn. Trump in 2017 had announced he would rescind the rule which was started during the Obama administration, however, the Trump administration was not able to complete the process during its tenure. Trump's move had affected nearly 90,000 spouses of H1B visa holders most of them Indians. US Vice President Kamala Harris had resisted Trump's move at the time calling it anti-women and which prevented talented women of H1-B holders to work in various sectors in the United States. In December, A US federal judge had blocked rule changes ordered by former President Donald Trump making it harder for people to get skilled worker visas. In its final months, the Trump administration had sued Facebook, accusing it of discriminating against Americans by favouring immigrant applicants for high-paying jobs. The Department of Justice had said Facebook engaged in "intentional and widespread violations of the law, by setting aside positions for temporary visa holders instead of considering interested and qualified US workers." Silicon Valley companies depend heavily on overseas workers especially Indians to fill engineering jobs. According to a 2018 report by Congressional Research Service (CRS) 93 per cent of approved applications for H-4 employment authorisation were issued to individuals born in India, and five per cent were issued to individuals born in China.

President Biden withdraws plans to shelve H4 work permit allowing spouses of H1-B holders to work in US

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/relatives-of-wuhan-virus-victims-demand-meeting-with-who-officials-359751">World Health Organization</a>(WHO) said today that new UK coronavirus variant has spread to 70 countries which is ten&nbsp;more than a week ago.

The UN health body said the new virus variant first found in South Africa had spread to eight more countries in the past week and&nbsp;is now present in 31 nations while another variant discovered in Brazil had spread to eight countries.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-china-denied-who-officials-initial-coronavirus-data-last-year-359746">WHO's</a> revelation comes as the coronavirus cases worldwide crossed 100 million cases. The United States which is the worst-hit country due to the virus had passed 25 million confirmed cases last weekend with the death toll crossing 425, 400 deaths.

Britain which is the worst-hit country due to the virus recorded over 100,000 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday as the &nbsp;British government moved to quarantine travellers in hotels near airports for ten days after returning from 30 high-risk countries.

Amid a surge in cases in Germany, the government said it is considering almost completely stopping flights into the country.

With the death toll touching 2.1 million most nations in Europe are eager to boost their vaccination drive which has been hit by logistical problems.

The World Health Organization(WHO) said today that new UK coronavirus variant has spread to 70 countries which is ten more than a week ago. The UN health body said the new virus variant first found in South Africa had spread to eight more countries in the past week and is now present in 31 nations while another variant discovered in Brazil had spread to eight countries.

The World Health Organization(WHO) said today that new UK coronavirus variant has spread to 70 countries which is ten more than a week ago. The UN health body said the new virus variant first found in South Africa had spread to eight more countries in the past week and is now present in 31 nations while another variant discovered in Brazil had spread to eight countries. The WHO's revelation comes as the coronavirus cases worldwide crossed 100 million cases. The United States which is the worst-hit country due to the virus had passed 25 million confirmed cases last weekend with the death toll crossing 425, 400 deaths. Britain which is the worst-hit country due to the virus recorded over 100,000 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday as the British government moved to quarantine travellers in hotels near airports for ten days after returning from 30 high-risk countries. Amid a surge in cases in Germany, the government said it is considering almost completely stopping flights into the country. With the death toll touching 2.1 million most nations in Europe are eager to boost their vaccination drive which has been hit by logistical problems.

UK coronavirus variant has spread to 70 countries: WHO

WHO officials have been investigation the origins of the virus in China even as the relatives of the victims have been demanding a meeting with the team, however, China once again has been trying to silence them.

Chinese national Zhang Hai lost his father to the Wuhan virus last year when the outbreak was at its peak in China. Zhang wants the WHO investigators in Wuhan to meet the kin of the virus victims but Chinese authorities have been pressuring people like Zhang to keep quiet.

At least 80 to 100 citizens were using a WeChat group to discuss how officials in Wuhan can be held accountable but, a couple of weeks back the WeChat group was deleted without explanation.

"Our group for relatives (of Wuhan’s coronavirus dead on WeChat) was monitored by Chinese authorities all the time. Why did they forcibly demolish (the group)? This shows that they (Chinese authorities) are very nervous. They are afraid that these families will get in touch with with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-china-denied-who-officials-initial-coronavirus-data-last-year-359746">WHO</a> experts," Zhang Hai said.

For the last one year, Zhang has been reaching out to relatives in order to galvanise a movement and to hold Chinese officials accountable but any such demand has been crushed by the Chinese state.

In the past year, the victims have tried to sue the Wuhan authorities but the court rejected the lawsuits. Chinese officials interrogated Zhang and others on several occasions with some victims reportedly threatened.

Zhang Hai and others are now making a desperate appeal to the WHO team since they feel any investigation into the origins of the virus will be incomplete without testimony from the victims.

"If the WHO expert team dare to listen to our experiences, the relatives of the coronavirus dead, and want to search for the truth, I can go back to Wuhan to meet them but if they don't dare to meet relatives of coronavirus dead, I would think that the WHO expert team’s investigation in Wuhan is just a show, a mere formality to fool the world," &nbsp;Zhang added.

The world is watching how the WHO investigators conduct their probe in Wuhan. The pandemic began more than a year ago but still the world does not know the truth about the virus origin and the efforts to find answers have been repeatedly delayed.

Anthony Fauci, now the chief medical adviser to US President Joe Biden also believes China wasn't transparent.

"I think it's very important because there are still things that we don't know right now about the origin. Understanding the origin would really be important and we don't know it. Now, it's a big black box, which is awful. We are over a year into it and we still don't appreciate it," Fauci said.

As the WHO team kicks off the probe, Beijing stepped up its efforts to muddy the waters. It has been pushing conspiracy theories and stepping up propaganda to blame other countries for the pandemic.

WHO member states must step up and call out China's nefarious designs to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

WHO officials have been investigation the origins of the virus in China even as the relatives of the victims have been demanding a meeting with the team, however, China once again has been trying to silence them.

WHO officials have been investigation the origins of the virus in China even as the relatives of the victims have been demanding a meeting with the team, however, China once again has been trying to silence them. Chinese national Zhang Hai lost his father to the Wuhan virus last year when the outbreak was at its peak in China. Zhang wants the WHO investigators in Wuhan to meet the kin of the virus victims but Chinese authorities have been pressuring people like Zhang to keep quiet. At least 80 to 100 citizens were using a WeChat group to discuss how officials in Wuhan can be held accountable but, a couple of weeks back the WeChat group was deleted without explanation. "Our group for relatives (of Wuhan’s coronavirus dead on WeChat) was monitored by Chinese authorities all the time. Why did they forcibly demolish (the group)? This shows that they (Chinese authorities) are very nervous. They are afraid that these families will get in touch with with the WHO experts," Zhang Hai said. For the last one year, Zhang has been reaching out to relatives in order to galvanise a movement and to hold Chinese officials accountable but any such demand has been crushed by the Chinese state. In the past year, the victims have tried to sue the Wuhan authorities but the court rejected the lawsuits. Chinese officials interrogated Zhang and others on several occasions with some victims reportedly threatened. Zhang Hai and others are now making a desperate appeal to the WHO team since they feel any investigation into the origins of the virus will be incomplete without testimony from the victims. "If the WHO expert team dare to listen to our experiences, the relatives of the coronavirus dead, and want to search for the truth, I can go back to Wuhan to meet them but if they don't dare to meet relatives of coronavirus dead, I would think that the WHO expert team’s investigation in Wuhan is just a show, a mere formality to fool the world," Zhang added. The world is watching how the WHO investigators conduct their probe in Wuhan. The pandemic began more than a year ago but still the world does not know the truth about the virus origin and the efforts to find answers have been repeatedly delayed. Anthony Fauci, now the chief medical adviser to US President Joe Biden also believes China wasn't transparent. "I think it's very important because there are still things that we don't know right now about the origin. Understanding the origin would really be important and we don't know it. Now, it's a big black box, which is awful. We are over a year into it and we still don't appreciate it," Fauci said. As the WHO team kicks off the probe, Beijing stepped up its efforts to muddy the waters. It has been pushing conspiracy theories and stepping up propaganda to blame other countries for the pandemic. WHO member states must step up and call out China's nefarious designs to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

Relatives of Wuhan virus victims demand meeting with WHO officials

Almost a year ago, the world was in a different place with the Wuhan virus mostly limited to China and the rest of the world did not need masks or lockdowns.

In the months that followed a lot has changed as the Wuhan virus has spread its tentacles and wreaked havoc across the world. A year after the pandemic started, WHO investigators in Wuhan have finally started piecing together what happened as fresh revelations have now emerged.

There is more proof of what happened in those early months and how China didn't release critical information including how the World Health Organisation struggled to get the data they needed despite all that, the WHO publicly kept praising China.

Audio recordings from within the offices of the World Health Organisation show&nbsp;top officials of the world health body were discussing and complaining about China's attitude.&nbsp;The first set of voices is from the second week of January.

First is Dr Michael Ryan who serves as the executive director of the WHO. &nbsp;Ryan often shares the dais with the WHO director-general Dr Tedros during the press briefings of the world health body.

In the clip, Dr Ryan while speaking to his colleagues asks them to shift gears and apply more pressure on China.

"We do need to shift gears now cause we've all been - some of us have been here before. This is exactly the same scenario, endlessly trying to get updates from China about what was going on in Guangdong and then bang. WHO barely got out of that one with its neck intact given the issues that arose around transparency in southern China," Dr Michael Ryan, WHO executive director, emergencies, says.

"WHO barely got out of that one with its neck intact given the issues that arose around transparency",&nbsp;Dr Ryan is heard referring to the 2002 SARS outbreak which was another major disease outbreak where China was accused of covering up.

There is more. In the next clip, Dr Ryan can be heard complaining about the lack of data from China.

"General, 'there's been no evidence of human-to-human transmission' is not good enough. This would not happen in Congo and did not happen in Congo and other places. We need to see the data, we need to be able to determine for ourselves the geographic distribution, the timeline, the epicurve and all of that. It's absolutely important at this point and not so that we have all the data as an organization, so we can protect China."

"so that we can protect China," says the executive director for emergencies of the WHO. Dr Ryan wanted the WHO to conduct its own independent analysis since he felt that was the "best way" to "protect China" from possible action by other countries.

Dr Ryan believed Congo was more forthcoming about the Ebola outbreak in 2018 than China for the Wuhan virus. Clearly, &nbsp;he wasn't happy about how Beijing was behaving.

In the next audio clip Dr Maria van Kerkhove, the WHO technical lead is heard speaking about the lack of data from China...

"We're going on very minimal information, knowing a little bit about ventilation and ICU and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a form of life support) and deaths is helpful but I know it's clearly not enough for you to do proper planning in the way that you would like to," Dr Maria van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead, COVID-19, says.

Perhaps, the most revealing audio clip is of the WHO official on the ground Dr Gauden Galea was the WHO representative in China at that time when the first cases were being reported and he said China wasn't sharing any specifics.

"We have informally and formally been requesting more epidemiological information, specifically, what was the date of onset of the last case and even that one line of information would have been, already been helpful, but all we are getting in return for that question is, there's a new update that's going to come out, they're working on this, it may be – but then when asked for specifics, we could get nothing," &nbsp;Galea said.

In another clip, Dr Galea says that they were getting information just 15 mins before it appeared on CCTV, the Chinese state broadcaster. The WHO officials were just getting an advance press release to deal with the Wuhan virus outbreak.

A couple of weeks later, on January 14 &nbsp;the WHO had put out the infamous tweet claiming there is no human-to-human transmission of the virus, however, &nbsp;by the end of January, the WHO realised it wasn't the case.

"What happens next, as far as our counterparts are concerned, they are now talking openly and consistently about human-to-human (transmission), we did not (inaudible) debate as to whether this is sustained, but their one key request in this regard is that they would like WHO's help in communicating this to the public, without causing panic," &nbsp;Dr Gauden Galea said

All through this, the WHO officials kept praising China in public, director-general Dr Tedros lauded the response of the Chinese authorities and Xi Jinping himself while behind the scenes the senior-most officials of this health body kept complaining how China wasn't sharing the information they needed.

There is more proof of China's criminal negligence. A doctor in Wuhan has now spoken out. He was working in a hospital hit hardest by the Wuhan virus. He claims that the doctors suspected the virus was highly transmissible way back in early January but the Chinese authorities stopped them from warning anyone.

In just one year, the virus has made its way to more than 190 countries and regions infecting over 100 million people and killing over 2 million. These revelations are just a reminder of the sins committed by China.

Almost a year ago, the world was in a different place with the Wuhan virus mostly limited to China and the rest of the world did not need masks or lockdowns. In the months that followed a lot has changed as the Wuhan virus has spread its tentacles and wreaked havoc across the world.

Almost a year ago, the world was in a different place with the Wuhan virus mostly limited to China and the rest of the world did not need masks or lockdowns. In the months that followed a lot has changed as the Wuhan virus has spread its tentacles and wreaked havoc across the world. A year after the pandemic started, WHO investigators in Wuhan have finally started piecing together what happened as fresh revelations have now emerged. There is more proof of what happened in those early months and how China didn't release critical information including how the World Health Organisation struggled to get the data they needed despite all that, the WHO publicly kept praising China. Audio recordings from within the offices of the World Health Organisation show top officials of the world health body were discussing and complaining about China's attitude. The first set of voices is from the second week of January. First is Dr Michael Ryan who serves as the executive director of the WHO. Ryan often shares the dais with the WHO director-general Dr Tedros during the press briefings of the world health body. In the clip, Dr Ryan while speaking to his colleagues asks them to shift gears and apply more pressure on China. "We do need to shift gears now cause we've all been - some of us have been here before. This is exactly the same scenario, endlessly trying to get updates from China about what was going on in Guangdong and then bang. WHO barely got out of that one with its neck intact given the issues that arose around transparency in southern China," Dr Michael Ryan, WHO executive director, emergencies, says. "WHO barely got out of that one with its neck intact given the issues that arose around transparency", Dr Ryan is heard referring to the 2002 SARS outbreak which was another major disease outbreak where China was accused of covering up. There is more. In the next clip, Dr Ryan can be heard complaining about the lack of data from China. "General, 'there's been no evidence of human-to-human transmission' is not good enough. This would not happen in Congo and did not happen in Congo and other places. We need to see the data, we need to be able to determine for ourselves the geographic distribution, the timeline, the epicurve and all of that. It's absolutely important at this point and not so that we have all the data as an organization, so we can protect China." "so that we can protect China," says the executive director for emergencies of the WHO. Dr Ryan wanted the WHO to conduct its own independent analysis since he felt that was the "best way" to "protect China" from possible action by other countries. Dr Ryan believed Congo was more forthcoming about the Ebola outbreak in 2018 than China for the Wuhan virus. Clearly, he wasn't happy about how Beijing was behaving. In the next audio clip Dr Maria van Kerkhove, the WHO technical lead is heard speaking about the lack of data from China... "We're going on very minimal information, knowing a little bit about ventilation and ICU and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a form of life support) and deaths is helpful but I know it's clearly not enough for you to do proper planning in the way that you would like to," Dr Maria van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead, COVID-19, says. Perhaps, the most revealing audio clip is of the WHO official on the ground Dr Gauden Galea was the WHO representative in China at that time when the first cases were being reported and he said China wasn't sharing any specifics. "We have informally and formally been requesting more epidemiological information, specifically, what was the date of onset of the last case and even that one line of information would have been, already been helpful, but all we are getting in return for that question is, there's a new update that's going to come out, they're working on this, it may be – but then when asked for specifics, we could get nothing," Galea said. In another clip, Dr Galea says that they were getting information just 15 mins before it appeared on CCTV, the Chinese state broadcaster. The WHO officials were just getting an advance press release to deal with the Wuhan virus outbreak. A couple of weeks later, on January 14 the WHO had put out the infamous tweet claiming there is no human-to-human transmission of the virus, however, by the end of January, the WHO realised it wasn't the case. "What happens next, as far as our counterparts are concerned, they are now talking openly and consistently about human-to-human (transmission), we did not (inaudible) debate as to whether this is sustained, but their one key request in this regard is that they would like WHO's help in communicating this to the public, without causing panic," Dr Gauden Galea said All through this, the WHO officials kept praising China in public, director-general Dr Tedros lauded the response of the Chinese authorities and Xi Jinping himself while behind the scenes the senior-most officials of this health body kept complaining how China wasn't sharing the information they needed. There is more proof of China's criminal negligence. A doctor in Wuhan has now spoken out. He was working in a hospital hit hardest by the Wuhan virus. He claims that the doctors suspected the virus was highly transmissible way back in early January but the Chinese authorities stopped them from warning anyone. In just one year, the virus has made its way to more than 190 countries and regions infecting over 100 million people and killing over 2 million. These revelations are just a reminder of the sins committed by China.

How China denied WHO officials initial coronavirus data last year

China has been making it harder for the world to solve the mystery around the origins of the Wuhan virus.

At a time when the WHO team is conducting an investigation in Wuhan, China has escalated its misinformation campaign. First, China floated new theories about the transmission of the virus. Beijing has been driving efforts to promote the claim that the virus spreads through the cold chain.

Several experts have raised doubts over these claims, however, reports say China has tried to convince the World Health Organisation(WHO) to acknowledge the theory.

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Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal had published a story which said the WHO has been caught between China and the western powers as the world health body had allegedly shared the draft of its new advice claiming the virus can spread through the cold chain and trigger an outbreak in countries that have managed to contain the virus.

The WHO has been formulating new advice for the public on the issue. A draft sent to the Wall Street Journal warns that the virus could spread via the cold chain and be reintroduced into countries where the pandemic is under control but the WHO later made a U-turn. It said the draft wasn't cleared for publication and sharing it was a mistake.

The United States, European Union and several other governments have disputed China's claims on the cold chains. The US, EU and several other governments have meanwhile disputed Beijing’s assessment of the evidence, as have many experts outside China.

Experts believe if china can get the WHO to sign off on it, it will help Beijing convince the world that the virus could have come from anywhere and the pandemic didn't begin in Wuhan.

It is a clear attempt to cast doubts over what the world already knows about the virus. China has been pushing conspiracy theories as well. A story about a biological lab is going viral on Chinese social media. Not the Wuhan lab but the Fort Detrick laboratory in Maryland, United States.

It all began with a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry as almost a week back a spokesperson made a rather absurd demand. She wanted America to open up the Detrick lab in Maryland to WHO investigators.

"The fact that the US government turns a blind eye to all the truths precisely demonstrates how some American politicians are comfortable with turning lies into 'truths' as long as they serve to attack and smear China. I would like to stress that if the United States truly respects facts, it should open the biological lab at Fort Detrick, give more transparency to issues like its 200-plus overseas bio-labs, invite WHO experts to conduct origin-tracing in the United States, and respond to the concerns from the international community with real actions," foreign affairs spokesman Hua Chunying said.

China has now come up with its own lab theory to defect the global attention on the Wuhan lab. The claims around the Wuhan lab are perhaps as old as the pandemic. It has been at the centre of several theories with claims floated around that the Wuhan virus was engineered at this lab. While scientists reject the claim that the virus was made in a lab, experts do not rule out the possibility that researchers could be studying samples of this virus and it could have escaped from the facility.

The is a claim was raised aggressively by the Trump administration which demanded that China open up the Wuhan lab to outside investigators especially the WHO&nbsp;instead of doing that China has raised the demand for an investigation into American labs first.

The world might find it preposterous but, within China the conspiracy theory went viral alongside exaggerated claims about the Pfizer vaccine. The Chinese press has claimed that the Pfizer shot is killing the elderly.

China has been making it harder for the world to solve the mystery around the origins of the Wuhan virus. At a time when the WHO team is conducting an investigation in Wuhan, China has escalated its misinformation campaign.

China has been making it harder for the world to solve the mystery around the origins of the Wuhan virus. At a time when the WHO team is conducting an investigation in Wuhan, China has escalated its misinformation campaign. First, China floated new theories about the transmission of the virus. Beijing has been driving efforts to promote the claim that the virus spreads through the cold chain. Several experts have raised doubts over these claims, however, reports say China has tried to convince the World Health Organisation(WHO) to acknowledge the theory. Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal had published a story which said the WHO has been caught between China and the western powers as the world health body had allegedly shared the draft of its new advice claiming the virus can spread through the cold chain and trigger an outbreak in countries that have managed to contain the virus. The WHO has been formulating new advice for the public on the issue. A draft sent to the Wall Street Journal warns that the virus could spread via the cold chain and be reintroduced into countries where the pandemic is under control but the WHO later made a U-turn. It said the draft wasn't cleared for publication and sharing it was a mistake. The United States, European Union and several other governments have disputed China's claims on the cold chains. The US, EU and several other governments have meanwhile disputed Beijing’s assessment of the evidence, as have many experts outside China. Experts believe if china can get the WHO to sign off on it, it will help Beijing convince the world that the virus could have come from anywhere and the pandemic didn't begin in Wuhan. It is a clear attempt to cast doubts over what the world already knows about the virus. China has been pushing conspiracy theories as well. A story about a biological lab is going viral on Chinese social media. Not the Wuhan lab but the Fort Detrick laboratory in Maryland, United States. It all began with a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry as almost a week back a spokesperson made a rather absurd demand. She wanted America to open up the Detrick lab in Maryland to WHO investigators. "The fact that the US government turns a blind eye to all the truths precisely demonstrates how some American politicians are comfortable with turning lies into 'truths' as long as they serve to attack and smear China. I would like to stress that if the United States truly respects facts, it should open the biological lab at Fort Detrick, give more transparency to issues like its 200-plus overseas bio-labs, invite WHO experts to conduct origin-tracing in the United States, and respond to the concerns from the international community with real actions," foreign affairs spokesman Hua Chunying said. China has now come up with its own lab theory to defect the global attention on the Wuhan lab. The claims around the Wuhan lab are perhaps as old as the pandemic. It has been at the centre of several theories with claims floated around that the Wuhan virus was engineered at this lab. While scientists reject the claim that the virus was made in a lab, experts do not rule out the possibility that researchers could be studying samples of this virus and it could have escaped from the facility. The is a claim was raised aggressively by the Trump administration which demanded that China open up the Wuhan lab to outside investigators especially the WHO instead of doing that China has raised the demand for an investigation into American labs first. The world might find it preposterous but, within China the conspiracy theory went viral alongside exaggerated claims about the Pfizer vaccine. The Chinese press has claimed that the Pfizer shot is killing the elderly.

Now, China makes absurd claims on coronavirus origin

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's troubles began when he made a daring move to return to Russia after surviving a poisoning attempt last year. It was a symbolic act of defiance which triggered one of the biggest protests that President Putin has had to face.

Navalny's arrival in Russia was beamed across the world via the internet. It was a much-anticipated return after a near-fatal poisoning attempt but barely minutes after his plane landed in Moscow, Alexei Navalny was arrested.

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The incident fuelled a massive public rally. Last Saturday, supporters of Navalny braved the bitter cold and attempts at intimidation. Tens of thousands turned up to demand Navalny's release.

More than 3,000 citizens were arrested in 109 cities across Russia despite the crackdown the protesters have not relented. They announced a new round of rallies despite Putin's tight grip on power.

Alexei Navalny has managed to build an opposition movement which has barely existed almost a decade ago. Navalny started his movement with a blog that investigated and exposed corruption in state tenders and government contracts.

On the back of the exposé, &nbsp;Navalny built up his media organisation - the anti-corruption foundation which probes corruption and abuse of power in Russia. Navalny has been leading all these efforts with his tough, populist and humorous style.

After surviving last year's poisoning attempt, Navalny began investigating the attempt on his life while he was still in Germany teaming up with journalists Navalny was able to identify eight people.

The Russian opposition leader even managed to extract a confession allegedly from the man who tried to kill him. For the Kremlin, Navalny remains the greatest domestic enemy. Before last year's poisoning attempt, Navalny was arrested repeatedly and detained for protesting.

Navalny faces four legal cases however he says all of them are politically motivated even Navalny's brother Oleg has faced the Russian state's wrath. Oleg Navalny was put behind bars for close to four years over fraud charges.

An international human rights group had called Navalny's brother a political prisoner. Navalny is said to have returned to Russia for what many are calling a final fight against the Russian president.

The world has its eyes on this showdown.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's troubles began when he made a daring move to return to Russia after surviving a poisoning attempt last year. It was a symbolic act of defiance which triggered one of the biggest protests that President Putin has had to face.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's troubles began when he made a daring move to return to Russia after surviving a poisoning attempt last year. It was a symbolic act of defiance which triggered one of the biggest protests that President Putin has had to face. Navalny's arrival in Russia was beamed across the world via the internet. It was a much-anticipated return after a near-fatal poisoning attempt but barely minutes after his plane landed in Moscow, Alexei Navalny was arrested. The incident fuelled a massive public rally. Last Saturday, supporters of Navalny braved the bitter cold and attempts at intimidation. Tens of thousands turned up to demand Navalny's release. More than 3,000 citizens were arrested in 109 cities across Russia despite the crackdown the protesters have not relented. They announced a new round of rallies despite Putin's tight grip on power. Alexei Navalny has managed to build an opposition movement which has barely existed almost a decade ago. Navalny started his movement with a blog that investigated and exposed corruption in state tenders and government contracts. On the back of the exposé, Navalny built up his media organisation - the anti-corruption foundation which probes corruption and abuse of power in Russia. Navalny has been leading all these efforts with his tough, populist and humorous style. After surviving last year's poisoning attempt, Navalny began investigating the attempt on his life while he was still in Germany teaming up with journalists Navalny was able to identify eight people. The Russian opposition leader even managed to extract a confession allegedly from the man who tried to kill him. For the Kremlin, Navalny remains the greatest domestic enemy. Before last year's poisoning attempt, Navalny was arrested repeatedly and detained for protesting. Navalny faces four legal cases however he says all of them are politically motivated even Navalny's brother Oleg has faced the Russian state's wrath. Oleg Navalny was put behind bars for close to four years over fraud charges. An international human rights group had called Navalny's brother a political prisoner. Navalny is said to have returned to Russia for what many are calling a final fight against the Russian president. The world has its eyes on this showdown.

How Navalny built an opposition in Russia despite Putin's tight grip on power

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India increased by 37 per cent to $43.85 billion during April-November 2020, according to data by the commerce and industry ministry.

Total FDI inflows (including reinvested earnings) during the eight-month period of the current fiscal grew by 22 per cent to $58.37 billion, the ministry said on Wednesday.

"FDI equity inflow received during 2020-21 (April to November, 2020) is $43.85 billion. It is the highest ever for the first 8 months of a financial year and 37 per cent more compared to the first 8 months of 2019-20 $32.11 billion," it said.

It added that FDI is a major driver of economic growth and an important source of non-debt finance for the economic development of India.

"Measures taken by the government on the fronts of FDI policy reforms, investment facilitation and ease of doing business have resulted in increased FDI inflows into the country," it said.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India increased by 37 per cent to $43.85 billion during April-November 2020, according to data by the commerce and industry ministry.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India increased by 37 per cent to $43.85 billion during April-November 2020, according to data by the commerce and industry ministry. Total FDI inflows (including reinvested earnings) during the eight-month period of the current fiscal grew by 22 per cent to $58.37 billion, the ministry said on Wednesday. "FDI equity inflow received during 2020-21 (April to November, 2020) is $43.85 billion. It is the highest ever for the first 8 months of a financial year and 37 per cent more compared to the first 8 months of 2019-20 $32.11 billion," it said. It added that FDI is a major driver of economic growth and an important source of non-debt finance for the economic development of India. "Measures taken by the government on the fronts of FDI policy reforms, investment facilitation and ease of doing business have resulted in increased FDI inflows into the country," it said.

FDI into India grew 37% to $43.85 billion in April-November 2020: Government

The Union government said today that in view of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-covaxin-offers-protection-against-uk-variant-of-coronavirus-study-359634">COVID-19 </a>cases declining steadily, new guidelines have been issued which will be effective from February 1.

Watch:

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According to the new rules laid down by the government, all activities will be permitted outside containment zones including use of swimming pools, cinema halls, exhibition halls and social and religious gatherings subject to revised SOPs.

Cinema halls have been allowed up to 50 per cent seating capacity, the MHA guidelines said. "Now they will be permitted to operate at higher seating capacity for which a revised SOP will be issued by Ministry of Information &amp; Broadcasting," it said.&nbsp;

The government said there will be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods including cross-border trade.

The government said that persons over 65, those with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below 10 years of age have been advised to take precautions.

The MHA directive said that for further opening up of international air travel, the ministry of civil aviation will take a decision in consultation with the home ministry.

The order to enforce guidelines for surveillance, containment and caution which will be effective from February 1 to February 28 with states and Union Territories mandated to continue to enforce containment measures &amp; SOPs on various activities &amp; COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

The Union government said today that in view of COVID-19 cases declining steadily, new guidelines have been issued which will be effective from February 1. Watch: According to the new rules laid down by the government, all activities will be permitted outside containment zones including use of swimming pools, cinema halls, exhibition halls and social and religious gatherings subject to revised SOPs.

The Union government said today that in view of COVID-19 cases declining steadily, new guidelines have been issued which will be effective from February 1. Watch: According to the new rules laid down by the government, all activities will be permitted outside containment zones including use of swimming pools, cinema halls, exhibition halls and social and religious gatherings subject to revised SOPs. Cinema halls have been allowed up to 50 per cent seating capacity, the MHA guidelines said. "Now they will be permitted to operate at higher seating capacity for which a revised SOP will be issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting," it said. The government said there will be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods including cross-border trade. The government said that persons over 65, those with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below 10 years of age have been advised to take precautions. The MHA directive said that for further opening up of international air travel, the ministry of civil aviation will take a decision in consultation with the home ministry. The order to enforce guidelines for surveillance, containment and caution which will be effective from February 1 to February 28 with states and Union Territories mandated to continue to enforce containment measures & SOPs on various activities & COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

Government's new COVID-19 guidelines: Cinema halls allowed 50% per cent seating capacity

A judge in Texas on Tuesday temporarily blocked President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-reverse-trumps-immigration-policies-biden-tells-mexican-president-358885">Biden's </a>administration's 100-day cap on deportations.

Watch:

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Judge Drew Tipton granted a 14-day temporary restraining order until the case could be further examined on request by state’s Republican attorney-general Ken Paxton.

Paxton had argued before the judge that the deportation freeze violated immigration law. Biden had signed the moratorium on the deportation of undocumented <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-signs-raft-of-orders-rolls-back-trump-policies-on-coronavirus-immigration-and-more-358220">migrants </a>who arrived in the United States before November 1, 2020 on his first day as US president. Biden had also cancelled Trump's immigration measures, including the building of a wall on the border with Mexico.&nbsp;

"I commend the court for prioritising the law and safety of our citizens," Paxton said in the statement.

During a call to Mexican President Obrador President Biden outlined his plan to create new legal path for immigration which involved "reversing the previous administration’s draconian immigration policies".&nbsp;

Biden,78, had also reversed Trump's entry ban for people from many majority Muslim nations targeted at citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen within hours of entering the White House.

Iraq and Sudan were dropped from the Trump administration's list, however, the US Supreme Court had&nbsp;upheld a later version of the ban for the other nations

Biden also signed new protections for the "Dreamers" project which involved children of illegal immigrants who have grown up in the United States. A US judge had earlier ordered the Trump administration to fully reinstate a program.

Former President Barack Obama had instituted the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals(DACA) in 2012 by executive order to help nearly 10 million people estimated to be living in America without documentation which applied to people who were brought into the United States illegally as children and then grew up there.

However, former President Donald Trump had moved to end the DACA in 2017.

A judge in Texas on Tuesday temporarily blocked President Biden's administration's 100-day cap on deportations. Watch: Judge Drew Tipton granted a 14-day temporary restraining order until the case could be further examined on request by state’s Republican attorney-general Ken Paxton.

A judge in Texas on Tuesday temporarily blocked President Biden's administration's 100-day cap on deportations. Watch: Judge Drew Tipton granted a 14-day temporary restraining order until the case could be further examined on request by state’s Republican attorney-general Ken Paxton. Paxton had argued before the judge that the deportation freeze violated immigration law. Biden had signed the moratorium on the deportation of undocumented migrants who arrived in the United States before November 1, 2020 on his first day as US president. Biden had also cancelled Trump's immigration measures, including the building of a wall on the border with Mexico. "I commend the court for prioritising the law and safety of our citizens," Paxton said in the statement. During a call to Mexican President Obrador President Biden outlined his plan to create new legal path for immigration which involved "reversing the previous administration’s draconian immigration policies". Biden,78, had also reversed Trump's entry ban for people from many majority Muslim nations targeted at citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen within hours of entering the White House. Iraq and Sudan were dropped from the Trump administration's list, however, the US Supreme Court had upheld a later version of the ban for the other nations Biden also signed new protections for the "Dreamers" project which involved children of illegal immigrants who have grown up in the United States. A US judge had earlier ordered the Trump administration to fully reinstate a program. Former President Barack Obama had instituted the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals(DACA) in 2012 by executive order to help nearly 10 million people estimated to be living in America without documentation which applied to people who were brought into the United States illegally as children and then grew up there. However, former President Donald Trump had moved to end the DACA in 2017.

US judge blocks President Biden's 100-day pause on deportations

Russia's lower house of Parliament today approved the extension of the New <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-proposes-to-renew-new-start-nuclear-treaty-between-us-and-russia-358434">START</a> nuclear arms control treaty with the United States after the Kremlin said both countries had reached a deal to extend the pact which was signed in 2010.

Watch:

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All 399 lawmakers voted for the extension with no absentations. The country's upper house is due to vote on the extension later today. After the legislation is approved by both Houses it will be signed by President Putin.

The treaty which expires next week on February 5 sets the limits to the number of nuclear warheads, missiles and bombers that the US and Russia can possess.&nbsp;

The bill to extend the pact was ratified after President Putin had a phone call with new US President Joe Biden on Tuesday. "They discussed both countries’ willingness to extend New START for five years, agreeing to have their teams work urgently to complete the extension by Feb. 5," the White House had said.

"They also agreed to explore strategic stability discussions on a range of arms control and emerging security issues," the White House added.

The New START caps the number of nuclear warheads between Moscow and Washington to 1,550.&nbsp;The Russian President hailed the move saying the "extension of New START is step in the right direction".

The US had signed the pact&nbsp;during Obama's presidency. However, tensions continue between the two countries as the White House said: "President Biden made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to actions by Russia that harm us or our allies.

Biden raised other matter of concern with the Russian president including the Alexei Navalny poisoning row and the cyber attack by alleged Russian hackers who targeted US tech company SolarWinds Corp recently.

Russia's lower house of Parliament today approved the extension of the New START nuclear arms control treaty with the United States after the Kremlin said both countries had reached a deal to extend the pact which was signed in 2010.

Russia's lower house of Parliament today approved the extension of the New START nuclear arms control treaty with the United States after the Kremlin said both countries had reached a deal to extend the pact which was signed in 2010. Watch: All 399 lawmakers voted for the extension with no absentations. The country's upper house is due to vote on the extension later today. After the legislation is approved by both Houses it will be signed by President Putin. The treaty which expires next week on February 5 sets the limits to the number of nuclear warheads, missiles and bombers that the US and Russia can possess. The bill to extend the pact was ratified after President Putin had a phone call with new US President Joe Biden on Tuesday. "They discussed both countries’ willingness to extend New START for five years, agreeing to have their teams work urgently to complete the extension by Feb. 5," the White House had said. "They also agreed to explore strategic stability discussions on a range of arms control and emerging security issues," the White House added. The New START caps the number of nuclear warheads between Moscow and Washington to 1,550. The Russian President hailed the move saying the "extension of New START is step in the right direction". The US had signed the pact during Obama's presidency. However, tensions continue between the two countries as the White House said: "President Biden made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to actions by Russia that harm us or our allies. Biden raised other matter of concern with the Russian president including the Alexei Navalny poisoning row and the cyber attack by alleged Russian hackers who targeted US tech company SolarWinds Corp recently.

After Biden-Putin phone call, Russia's lower house of Parliament approves New START nuclear control treaty

Protesters clashed with police in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-syrian-refugee-camp-set-on-fire-after-fight-between-refugees-and-locals-352758">Lebanon's</a> capital Tripoli on Tuesday amid a national coronavirus lockdown leading to the at least 45 people being injured.

The demonstrators came out on the streets as they threw bottles at the police who retaliated with tear gas and rubber bullets. Protesters say the lockdown has led to worsening of their economic conditions.

The government rolled out tanks as protests spread. Last week, authorities had extended the lockdown by another two weeks with round-the-clock curfew in force nationwide. &nbsp;

The coronavirus cases have spiked in the country after &nbsp;families reportedly gathered during the year-end holidays and authorities allowed bars to stay open until 3:00 am. The surge in cases has put pressure on the country's health services which has been reeling in the economic crisis.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/historic-ruling-lebanons-parliament-criminalises-sexual-harassment-351445">Lebanon</a> has recorded over 285,000 coronavirus cases with over 2,470 fatalities.

The country has been in the midst of an economic turmoil which was exacerbated after the coronavirus pandemic last year.

The blasts in Beirut in August, 2020 in which at least 200 had died had further heightened the economic crisis.

According to reports, half of the country's population lives below the poverty line, with a quarter of the population who live in extreme poverty.

Protesters clashed with police in Lebanon's capital Tripoli on Tuesday amid a national coronavirus lockdown leading to the at least 45 people being injured. The demonstrators came out on the streets as they threw bottles at the police who retaliated with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Protesters clashed with police in Lebanon's capital Tripoli on Tuesday amid a national coronavirus lockdown leading to the at least 45 people being injured. The demonstrators came out on the streets as they threw bottles at the police who retaliated with tear gas and rubber bullets. Protesters say the lockdown has led to worsening of their economic conditions. The government rolled out tanks as protests spread. Last week, authorities had extended the lockdown by another two weeks with round-the-clock curfew in force nationwide. The coronavirus cases have spiked in the country after families reportedly gathered during the year-end holidays and authorities allowed bars to stay open until 3:00 am. The surge in cases has put pressure on the country's health services which has been reeling in the economic crisis. Lebanon has recorded over 285,000 coronavirus cases with over 2,470 fatalities. The country has been in the midst of an economic turmoil which was exacerbated after the coronavirus pandemic last year. The blasts in Beirut in August, 2020 in which at least 200 had died had further heightened the economic crisis. According to reports, half of the country's population lives below the poverty line, with a quarter of the population who live in extreme poverty.

Lebanon rolls out tanks amid anti-lockdown protests

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