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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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N10bn Alleged Loot: SGF Akume’s PA ,Torhile Uchi Turns Chinery

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** as he implicates Sen. Jack Gyado, Shango, Two Reps members, Chia Waya and others

 

As the ongoing probe into the alleged fraudulent activities of the embattled personal Assistant to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF Senator George Akume, Hon. Andrew Torhile Uchi, continues , our correspondent gathered that he has allegedly turned to Chinery dropping prominent individuals names as EFCC widened up its investigations.

Meanwhile, the operative of the Commission on Thursday, granted an administrative bail to his younger brother, Mr. Tersoo Uchi, who was taken into custody over his alleged complicity in the matter.

Our checks reveals that a mind-boggling scandal was exposed via a petition written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, intimating them about a controversial office opened in the central business district in Abuja, beside the Federal High Court, to engaged on fraudulent consultancy of awarding Ecological contracts to business men and women, boards appointments and other governments favors amounting to billions of Naira.

Further checks also, revealed that the embattled Uchi, so far, has allegedly implicated two elder statesmen, Senator Jack Gyado and Elder Simon Shango, over the sharing of the largesse.

Also, mentioned are two serving members of the House of Representatives ( names withheld), Mr. Chia waya, Prof. Babatunde, Late. Ortaver Abaagu, a serving director in the SGF office and other three close political associates of the secretary to the government of the Federation, SGF Senator George Akume.

Importantly, a highly placed source at the Commission, told our correspondent that, the SGF, was duly notified about the investigations weeks ago, which he personally okayed that it’s must be carried out to enable him cleared his name and office.

The source who quoted the SGF, that he outrightly distanced himself from the alleged fraud that the law must takes its cause without any hindrance and obstructions.

Investigations from the EFCC, indicates that most of the inflows traced to four new generations banks of Mr. Uchi, allegedly raises serious suspicions with the volumes and the traffic its generated, which clearly indicated its were bribes.

Recall that a highly placed source at the Commission, had confirmed to our correspondent on Friday, that the embattled Uchi was invited by the operatives of the Commission on Monday, upon a petition received by the anti-graft agency over Alleged properties he acquired in Abuja, Jos, Makurdi, Gboko and Wannune in Tarka, local government Area of Benue State amounting to over N6 billion.

According to the source, further investigations so far, has revealed that between December 2023 to date the anti-graft agency has been able to trace a whooping N1.6 billion that was allegedly used in buying purch cars through four new generations banks to nine car dealers in Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Jos and Makurdi respectively.

The source further added that two Bureau de change operatives are currently been investigated by the Commission, over their alleged involvement in the scam, owing that most of the funds credited to embattled Torhile Andrew Uchi, emanated from their coys.

He said that the Commission is currently working towards getting a court nod to widen the scope of their investigations to the properties in Abuja, Jos and other part of the country to ascertain the source of the income and how the properties were allegedly purchased.

As of the time of filing in this report Mr. Uchi, is still in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, telling the dreaded operatives of the Commission how he allegedly got the funds which is largely believed to be proceeds from bribes.

He might end up staying in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC beyond 48 hours as recommended by the law, owing the fact that the Commission has secretly secured an injuction to keep him beyond the required days as stipulated by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Starship to leave for Mars at end of 2026 – Elon Musk

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Elon Musk has announced an ambitious timeline for SpaceX’s Mars mission, revealing that the company’s massive Starship rocket is set to depart for the Red Planet at the end of 2026. The mission will include Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, as part of the spacecraft’s payload.

“If those landings go well, then human landings may start as soon as 2029, although 2031 is more likely,” Musk posted on his social media platform, X.

The Starship rocket—considered the world’s most powerful—is central to Musk’s long-term vision of colonizing Mars. However, significant technical hurdles remain before this dream becomes reality.

NASA is also counting on a modified version of Starship to serve as the lunar lander for its Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon this decade. But before SpaceX can proceed with interplanetary travel, it must demonstrate that Starship is safe, reliable, and capable of complex in-orbit refueling—an essential requirement for deep space missions.

SpaceX recently encountered a setback when the latest test flight of Starship ended in an explosion. While the booster was successfully caught in its orbital test, the upper stage failed, tumbling out of control before the live feed abruptly cut. The incident mirrored a previous attempt.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated an investigation before Starship can fly again, adding another layer of scrutiny to SpaceX’s ambitious timeline.

Despite these challenges, Musk remains optimistic, continuing to push forward toward his goal of making humanity a multi-planetary species.

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Obi donates N20m to Colleges of Nursing in Ahiara and Ihiala

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The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has donated N20 million to two Colleges of Nursing Sciences in Imo and Anambra States. The beneficiaries are Holy Rosary College of Nursing, Ogbe, in Ahiara Catholic Diocese, Mbaise, and College of Nursing Sciences, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.

Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, presented N10 million cheques to each institution during his visits on Friday. At the Holy Rosary College of Nursing, he handed over the cheque to the Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev Simeon Nwobi, at the college’s construction site. Similarly, at Our Lady of Lourdes, Ihiala, he presented the donation to the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Miss Anigbo Chisom Mary, in the presence of excited students.

Highlighting the significance of his donation, Obi stressed that healthcare and education are critical to national development. He commended the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara for investing in nursing education, describing it as a vital step in securing Nigeria’s future.

“My Lords, what you are doing is a great service to our country,” Obi said. “This donation is not a favour but a recognition of your efforts in nation-building. I will always support this project because it is about securing a better future for Nigeria.”

Obi further urged the government to prioritize quality education, including the prompt payment of teachers’ salaries. He emphasized the need for free and accessible education at the primary and secondary levels, both in public and private schools.

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