The US Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into Chinese tech giant ByteDance, the parent company of the popular social media app TikTok, over allegations of improper access to the personal information of US citizens. The investigation involves a subpoena to ByteDance and interviews by the FBI, and follows the firing of four ByteDance employees in December. The Biden administration is now considering a possible nationwide TikTok ban if ByteDance does not divest itself from the app. The investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear what the outcome will be.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Chinese health authorities to release genetic sequences of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, after a new analysis of genetic material collected from the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, China revealed animal DNA in samples already known to be positive for the virus. The analysis uncovered a significant amount of animal DNA that appears to belong to raccoon dogs, which were known to be traded at the market, and WHO has urged other countries to share their data in order to help scientists better understand the virus and its origins.
Scientists from around the world have analyzed genetic data from samples collected near the first human cases of Covid-19 in China, suggesting that the pandemic originated from animals, not a lab. The WHO has called for more research and data sharing to gain a better understanding of the virus and how it spread.
Key takeaways: Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting Russia to show support for Russian President Vladimir Putin amid rising tensions between East and West. US…
Chinese President Xi Jinping is making a state visit to Russia from Monday to Wednesday at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks will focus on the countries' “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation” and a number of “important bilateral documents” will be signed. This visit is seen as a sign of the deepening ties between China and Russia, as both countries seek to counter the influence of the United States and its allies in the region and demonstrate the importance of diplomacy in resolving international conflicts.
The Biden administration has issued an ultimatum to TikTok, a popular social media app with over 100 million US users, to be sold by its Chinese owners or face a ban across the US. The move is in response to security concerns posed by the app's Chinese ownership, and marks a possible turning point in the long-running negotiations between federal officials and the company. TikTok has expressed disappointment with the ultimatum, and it remains to be seen how the company will respond.
The U.S., U.K. and Australia have announced a trilateral agreement to develop a next-generation submarine, SSN-AUKUS, based on the U.K.'s design and incorporating U.S. technologies. The submarine is part of a larger effort to modernize Australia's fleet and counter China's growing influence in the region. China has criticized the agreement, but the U.S., U.K. and Australia are sending a clear message that they will continue to work together to ensure a secure and prosperous future for the Indo-Pacific region.
China is reopening its borders to foreign tourists for the first time in three years, allowing travelers with multi-year visas issued before March 28, 2020 to use them. The country has implemented a number of safety measures, including face masks, temperature checks, and contact tracing, as well as a “green channel” for travelers from certain countries. It is hoped that this move will help to revive the country’s tourism industry and boost the economy.