News

New WHO group may be last chance to find COVID virus origins

Published

4 years ago

October 14, 2021

The World Health Organisation says a new taskforce may be the last chance to find the origins of COVID-19

A medical worker takes a swab sample from a resident to be tested for the COVID-19 coronavirus in Wuhan in China’s central Hubei province on May 14, 2020. – Nervous residents of China’s pandemic epicentre of Wuhan queued up across the city to be tested for the coronavirus on May 14 after a new cluster of cases sparked a mass screening campaign. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT

The WHO has nominated 26 experts to join the body, more than a year-and-a-half since the virus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

The new team will consider if the virus jumped from animals to humans in Wuhan markets, or leaked in a lab accident.

China has strongly denied the lab leak theory.

It follows an earlier investigation from the WHO that concluded the virus had probably come from bats but that more work was needed.

But the WHO’s Director General said the investigation had been hampered by a lack of data and transparency from China.

The WHO has set up the Scientific Advisory Group on the Origins of Novel Pathogens known as ‘Sago’ to lead the taskforce

The proposed members of the Sago group include six experts who visited China as part of the previous team.

Aside from coronavirus, Sago will also look into the origins of other high-risk pathogens.

“Understanding where new pathogens come from is essential for preventing future outbreaks,” said Dr Tedros said.

In a joint editorial in the journal Science, Dr Tedros and other WHO officials said “a lab accident cannot be ruled out”.

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Costa Haritos

Costa is a news producer at ticker NEWS. He has previously worked as a regional journalist at the Southern Highlands Express newspaper. He also has several years' experience in the fire and emergency services sector, where he has worked with researchers, policymakers and local communities. He has also worked at the Seven Network during their Olympic Games coverage and in the ABC Melbourne newsroom. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Professional), with expertise in journalism, politics and international relations. His other interests include colonial legacies in the Pacific, counter-terrorism, aviation and travel.

News

Trump weighs U.S. role in Iran as Middle East conflict escalates

Trump consults advisers on U.S. strategy post-Iran conflict as regional tensions escalate amid military actions.

Published

15 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump consults advisers on U.S. strategy post-Iran conflict as regional tensions escalate amid military actions.

President Trump is consulting with top advisers on how the U.S. should respond once the conflict in Iran subsides. Decisions on military, diplomatic, and regional strategies are reportedly being finalised amid the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, Iran has targeted multiple regional sites while Israel intercepted a jet fighter over Tehran, signalling a dangerously volatile situation. International concern grows as conflicts risk wider escalation.

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#MiddleEastCrisis #IranConflict #TrumpUpdate #USMilitary #Israel #AirCampaign #GlobalTensions #BreakingNews

News

U.S. submarine sinks Iranian warship near Sri Lanka

U.S. video of Iranian warship sinking escalates tensions, confirms submarine responsible near Sri Lanka, sparks geopolitical concerns.

Published

15 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. video of Iranian warship sinking escalates tensions, confirms submarine responsible near Sri Lanka, sparks geopolitical concerns.

A dramatic video showing the sinking of an Iranian warship has been released by the United States, escalating tensions in an already volatile region. While the exact date and full details of the footage remain unverified, the images have quickly gone viral across global platforms.

U.S. Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that a U.S. submarine was responsible for sinking the Iranian vessel off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The development marks a significant flashpoint in maritime security across the Indo-Pacific.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister identified the ship as the IRIS Dena, raising fresh geopolitical questions about Tehran’s naval movements and Washington’s strategic response.

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#Iran #USMilitary #SriLanka #Geopolitics #NavalWarfare #BreakingNews #DefenseNews #GlobalTensions

News

Trump claims Iran military neutralised as Strait Of Hormuz tensions surge

Trump claims Iran’s military largely neutralized; tensions rise with attacks threatening air travel and oil shipping.

Published

2 days ago

March 4, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump claims Iran’s military largely neutralized; tensions rise with attacks threatening air travel and oil shipping.

President Trump says Iran’s military capability has been largely neutralised, including its navy and air force, as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies. Iranian attacks have threatened commercial air travel and oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of wider economic fallout.

The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh has faced two attacks, while Gulf states worked to intercept further Iranian strikes. Officials report six U.S. troops killed and more than 700 deaths inside Iran as the exchange of fire escalates.

With global markets watching closely, the region remains on edge as military and diplomatic tensions show no signs of easing.

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#MiddleEastCrisis #Trump #Iran #Israel #StraitOfHormuz #BreakingNews #GlobalPolitics #TickerNews