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What the US does about COVID-19 divides the world

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COVID-19 is still ravaging the world. Almost four million cases were reported to the WHO last week, and on current trends, the total number of cases is expected to pass 200 million within the next two weeks. Facing the severe situation, the international society must enhance solidarity and cooperation so as to prevent the virus from further spreading.
At this critical moment, US politicians started playing the “solidarity” card, saying “solidarity” is of vital importance for the international society. However, it’s obvious that the America-proposed “solidarity” is indeed a kind of divide, and a deceitful strategy to gain support from some countries for the second phase of studies into the origins of COVID-19, which disrespect facts, run counter to science and conscience, and are manipulated by the US.
The WHO said that “The only way we will defeat this outbreak is for all countries to work together in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation.” The arduous fight between mankind and COVID-19 over the past year proved that the world needs rationality, science and solidarity, rather than lies, blame game and divide. The mankind must stand together, as only solidarity can build the strength to defeat the virus.
However, the US has never stood together with the rest of the world. As the world was battling the pandemic, Washington was, as always, dividing the world. Last year, the US intercepted anti-pandemic materials of other countries, bought out medicines, and defunded and withdrew from the WHO. This year, it hoarded vaccines, restricted export of vaccine raw materials, formed cliques, and acted hypocritically on supporting multilateralism. It even coerced the WHO on some important agendas and projects.
The WHO warned that “The greatest enemy we face is not the virus itself; it’s the stigma that turns us against each other.” However, the US has always been spreading rumors and provoking confrontations by playing the stigmatization game, labeling the virus and politicizing origin tracing over the past year. It blatantly called COVID-19 “China virus,” and frequently hyped the so-called “lab leak theory.” Such practices have built walls between different countries, and instigated a hate against Asians in the US, which is not only hurting global solidarity in the fight against COVID-19, but also exacerbating the racial divide in the country.
Many objective scientists have suffered personal attacks and verbal abuse due to the “origin tracing terrorism”advocated by the White House, and the US government even threatened to defund some research institutions.
Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the US who once received a death threat, said now it’s not a secret any longer that the White House is politicizing many issues.
The US is extending its “evil claws” to the science community. It hopes to hinder the process of origin tracing and cripple the efforts defeating the virus with science by oppressing and separating the international science community, which is irresponsible for mankind.
The US government said “We’re always better off at the table, not outside the room.” However, it is going back into the room to confront China with its allies, not to promote international solidarity and cooperation.
Taking China as the biggest strategic enemy and threat, which is a wrong approach, the US ignores facts and calls white black. It maliciously interpreted China’s vaccine assistance as vaccine diplomacy, saying China was filling the vacuum created by the US by helping other countries develop. Sticking to such a Cold War and zero sum mentality, the US would only create gaps between countries, and hinder the international cooperation in coping with global challenges.
The world is a community with a shared future, and solidarity and cooperation remain the most powerful weapon against the pandemic. As the world’s largest developing country, how the pandemic is controlled there directly concerns the global situation.
According to data released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on July 30, the seven-day average of daily new cases, deaths and hospitalized cases increased 64.1 percent, 33.3 percent and 46.3 percent compared with the previous seven-day data. It triggered concerns of American public health experts that the number of new cases might keep surging if the government doesn’t take effective measures.
When will the White House do as it says and really join the global anti-pandemic cooperation? When will it stop undermining solidarity and dividing the world?
(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on China’s foreign policy and international affairs.)

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

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The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.

PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.

Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.

In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.

Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”

His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.

“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.

“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.

“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.

“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.

On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.

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IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court

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The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.

“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.

He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.

Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.

“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.

While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.

He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.

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Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism

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The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.

Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.

However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.

“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.

He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.

Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.

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