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Wuhan lab leak: “I’m not naive enough to absolutely write this off”

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Australian scientist Danielle Anderson was the only foreign researcher at the Wuhan virology lab. Now, she’s speaking out for the first time.

Australian scientist Danielle Anderson was the only foreigner to undertake research at the notorious Wuhan Institute of Virology’s BSL-4 lab. She worked at the lab until November 2019, just months before the initial outbreak of Covid.

The Covid pandemic has been rife with conspiracy theories since its emergence. The most popular of these theories is that Chinese scientists manufactured the virus in the lab.

Some theorise it either leaked out by accident, or as an act of biological warfare. China’s lack of transparency over Covid’s origins have only fuelled these rumours.

Virologist Danielle Anderson

“It was just a regular lab”

Anderson says that inaccurate reporting has given the public and false perception of the Wuhan lab.

“It’s not that it was boring, but it was a regular lab that worked in the same way as any other high-containment lab,” Anderson says. “What people are saying is just not how it is.”

Anderson also says she was ‘impressed’ with the institute’s maximum biocontainment lab which has the highest biosafety rating.

There were strict protocols and requirements aimed at containing the pathogens being studied, Anderson says researchers needed to train for 45 hours before being certified to work independently in the lab.

“It’s very, very extensive,” she said.

“The pandemic is something no one could have imagined on this scale,” she said. “The virus was in the right place at the right time and everything lined up to cause this disaster.”

The US and Europe are among countries questioning the lab’s safety.

Anderson said no one she knew at the Wuhan institute was ill toward the end of 2019. Moreover, there is a procedure for reporting symptoms that correspond with the pathogens handled in high-risk containment labs.

“If people were sick, I assume that I would have been sick—and I wasn’t,” she said. “I was tested for coronavirus in Singapore before I was vaccinated, and had never had it.”

Last month, 18 scientists writing in the journal Science called for an investigation into Covid-19’s origin amid rumours of the virus leaking from the lab.

Anderson says that while unlikely, it’s not entirely impossible that the virus escaped the facility.

If presented with evidence that such an accident spawned Covid-19, Anderson “could foresee how things could maybe happen,” she said. “I’m not naive enough to say I absolutely write this off.” 

Although she remains firm in her belief that the virus emerged from ‘natural sources’ Anderson does think China should assist with an investigation to nail down Covid’s origin.

She said she’s dumbfounded by the portrayal of the lab by some media outside China, including attacks on scientists who worked at the lab.

Anderson herself has also been the victim of violent threats and misinformation, which led her to filing a police report last year.

Natasha is an Associate Producer at ticker NEWS with a Bachelor of arts from Monash University. She has previously worked at Sky News Australia and Monash University as an Online Content Producer.

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DOGE cuts billions as federal spending overhaul continues

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Musk-Led Department slashes DEI grants while Transportation Secretary seeks tech innovation.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk, has eliminated over $370 million in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) grants at the Department of Education within just 48 hours.

In a post on X, DOGE revealed that 70 DEI training grants were terminated, marking the latest move in its effort to cut federal spending.

This follows another major budget reduction last week when DOGE slashed $881 million in Department of Energy contracts, including more than $100 million allocated to DEI programs.

The sweeping cuts signal a broader initiative under the Trump administration to curb what it considers excessive government spending.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced that SpaceX workers will visit the Air Traffic Control System Command Center on Monday as part of an effort to modernize U.S. air travel.

Duffy, who has been vocal about the need for infrastructure reform, stated that President Trump has tasked him with developing a world-class air traffic control system.

He has also called on American tech developers and businesses to contribute their expertise to the initiative.

With DOGE rapidly restructuring federal expenditures and the administration emphasizing private-sector partnerships in public services, the coming months could see further policy shifts.

Critics argue that these moves may reduce funding for key programs, while supporters praise them as necessary steps toward fiscal responsibility.

Oz Sultan, the Chief Strategist with the Sultan Interactive Group joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.

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Delta flight crash in Toronto, eight injuries reported

Delta flight crashes at Toronto airport, injuring eight; all passengers and crew accounted for, one in critical condition.

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Delta flight crashes at Toronto airport, injuring eight – all passengers and crew accounted for, one in critical condition.

In Short

A Delta flight crashed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, leaving eight people injured, with one in critical condition. All passengers and crew have been accounted for.

The incident occurred on Monday as the plane arrived at the airport.

Images show the aircraft upside-down on the snow.

The flight had originated from Minneapolis.

Peel Regional Police report that eight people were injured in the crash.

One person is listed as critical with non-life-threatening injuries, while seven others have moderate to mild injuries.

Authorities stated that all passengers and crew members have been accounted for.

The flight had originated from Minneapolis.

Further details are not currently available.

This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as more information comes in.

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Trump State Department angers China by removing Taiwan phrase

China criticises Trump officials for removing U.S. statement opposing Taiwan independence, calling it a detrimental signal to independence advocates.

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China criticises Trump officials for removing U.S. statement opposing Taiwan independence, calling it a detrimental signal to independence advocates.

In Short

The Trump State Department removed a key phrase about Taiwan relations from its website, causing outrage in China. Despite this, a spokesperson reaffirmed the U.S. position on Taiwan remains unchanged and underscored the commitment to peace in the region.

Previously, the State Department’s fact sheet stated that the U.S. did not support Taiwan’s independence.

This phrase was deleted last week, prompting Chinese officials to demand an immediate correction, asserting it sends the wrong signal to pro-independence forces in Taiwan.

In response, a State Department spokesperson clarified that the U.S. stance on Taiwan remains unchanged.

The U.S. is dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.

The spokesperson also emphasised support for cross-Strait dialogue, with an expectation that differences should be resolved peacefully.

Chinese President Xi Jinping – Reuters

Sole government

The relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan has long been complex, as the U.S. adheres to the “One China” policy. This policy acknowledges Beijing as the sole government of China while not explicitly affirming its claim to Taiwan.

Due to this understanding, the U.S. does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which is reflected in the absence of a U.S. embassy on the island.

China’s response highlights the ongoing tensions over Taiwan’s status and the delicate nature of U.S.-China relations. Overall, the situation underscores the challenges that arise from differing perspectives on Taiwan’s future.

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