In a growing dispute over the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, China is pushing back against renewed claims from the United States that the virus emerged from a laboratory in Wuhan. A multipage document released by the Chinese government accuses the U.S. of "evading responsibility" and politicizing efforts to trace the virus’s source.

The paper, issued by the Chinese Communist Party, claims the coronavirus may have been present in the United States earlier than official timelines suggest. It urges Washington to "cease from shifting blame" and to "genuinely reflect on and overhaul its public health policies."

This statement follows recent changes to the U.S. federal COVID-19 information portal. Earlier this month, the White House relaunched the COVID.gov website with new sections addressing what it calls the "true origins" of the virus. The site now highlights evidence supporting the theory that the virus originated from a lab leak in Wuhan, China, a claim long debated by health experts and officials globally.

The updated website outlines the U.S. government’s position that a unique biological feature found in SARS-CoV-2 has not been observed in nature, lending weight to the lab-origin hypothesis. It also points to Wuhan’s role as the location of China’s leading SARS research facility.

The COVID.gov site discusses the actions of former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, including his early support for the natural-origin theory. It also references a statement by former President Joe Biden that effectively pardoned Fauci for any alleged misconduct. In addition, the site explores the history behind social distancing guidelines and mask mandates imposed during the pandemic.
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The Trump administration has admitted 49 white South Africans to the U.S. as refugees, citing “government-sponsored racial discrimination,” according to a senior State Department official. ⁠
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Most of the group are Afrikaners from farming communities. President Donald Trump ordered their resettlement through an executive action titled “Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa,” claiming they face violence and economic exclusion. ⁠
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The move comes amid an ongoing dispute over South Africa’s land reform efforts. In 2017, an audit found that white South Africans—who make up about 7% of the population—own roughly 75% of individually held farmland.⁠
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A 2025 law allows limited expropriation without compensation, which the Trump administration framed as targeting whites. South African officials say the policy is intended to address the legacy of apartheid, during which the Afrikaner-led government denied Black South Africans land rights, political representation, and basic freedoms under a formal system of racial segregation that lasted from 1948 to 1994.⁠
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South Africa’s government rejected Trump’s refugee designation, calling the persecution claims “completely false” and politically motivated. “There is no data at all that backs that there is persecution of white South Africans,” said Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola. ⁠
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Critics in the U.S., including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, questioned why this group was prioritized while refugee programs for people fleeing war and famine remain suspended. ⁠
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President Trump announced plans to sign an executive order aimed at reducing U.S. drug prices by implementing a "Most Favored Nation" (MFN) policy. This policy would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate lower drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, tying U.S. prices to the lowest prices paid by other countries. ⁠
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The order is set to focus on Medicare Part B drugs, which include medications administered in a doctor's office, such as cancer treatments. Trump claims the policy could reduce costs by 30% to 80% and save the U.S. "TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS."⁠
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This latest order is a continuation of Trump's efforts from his first term to address the high cost of U.S. drugs via price controls. In 2020, he signed a similar executive order aimed at tying U.S. drug prices to international benchmarks, but the proposal faced significant opposition from the pharmaceutical industry. Critics argued that such a policy would harm innovation and reduce access to new medications. Trump's 2020 attempt was blocked by a federal court after he left office, preventing its implementation under President Biden. ⁠
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The MFN policy is likely to face similar resistance from the pharmaceutical industry, which argues that forcing lower prices could stifle innovation, leading to fewer new medicines and potentially harming the U.S.'s role as a global leader in drug development. ⁠
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Pharmaceutical companies contend that the policy would grant foreign governments excessive influence over U.S. drug pricing, undermining the ability of the U.S. market to set fair and competitive prices. Despite this opposition, the proposal reflects ongoing frustrations with U.S. drug pricing, a long-standing issue that has drawn bipartisan criticism.⁠
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In the midst of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a strong statement addressing the situation. He made it clear that the United States had no involvement in the recent attack on Iran, distancing the U.S. from direct military action in the region. However, he also delivered a stern warning to Iran, stating that if Iran retaliates or attacks the United States in any form, the U.S. Armed Forces would respond with unprecedented force.

President Trump emphasized that while the U.S. seeks to avoid entering another Middle Eastern conflict, its military strength should not be underestimated. His message was a clear deterrent aimed at preventing further escalation, especially towards American interests or personnel stationed in the region.

Adding another layer to the unfolding drama, the United States officially declined a request from Israel to join its war efforts against Iran. Despite being a long-time ally of Israel, the U.S. chose to exercise restraint, signaling that it does not wish to be pulled into a broader war. This decision indicates Washington's intent to play the role of a mediator rather than a combatant in the conflict.

President Trump also hinted at the possibility of brokering peace between Iran and Israel, stating that a deal could be reached to end the ongoing violence. His statement opens the door to diplomacy, even as the region braces for further uncertainty and potential retaliation. The U.S. response thus reflects a balance between deterrence, strategic patience, and a cautious hope for resolution.
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