News

Wuhan to test all residents as COVID-19 returns

Published

4 years ago

August 3, 2021

The entire population of the Chinese city of Wuhan, where COVID-19 first emerged, will be tested for the virus.

Chinese authorities are racing to curb a widespread outbreak, that is being fuelled by the highly transmissible Delta variant.

Fresh travel restrictions have been imposed as authorities battle to contain the outbreak, which has spread to around half of China’s 32 provinces.

This includes the Hubei Province, home to the city of Wuhan, where the first cases of COVID-19 were identified.

More than 400 local cases have been reported in China since mid-July, including 7 new cases in Wuhan on Monday.

State-run media outlet The Global Times reports that the outbreak is “posing great challenges to the country as it deals with the worst epidemic in months”.

The outbreak was triggered by cleaners at Nanjing Lukou International Airport. Xinhua News reports that the cleaners did not follow strict hygiene measures.

More than 1.6 billion vaccine doses have been administered in China, but the exact number of fully vaccinated people is not clear.

Entire population of Wuhan to be tested

The new cases are the city’s first local infections since June 2020, prompting a testing blitz.

The city, home to 11 million people, is “swiftly launching comprehensive nucleic acid testing of all residents”, according to senior Wuhan official Li Tao.

The first reported COVID-19 cases were in Wuhan in November 2019. The outbreak was quashed through a strict lockdown that lasted 76 days.

But the exact origin of the virus remains unclear.

The World Health Organisation has proposed a second phase of its investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

But Beijing has rejected the WHO’s proposal for a more rigorous probe.

News

UK, Canada and Australia consider banning Elon Musk’s X over AI risks

UK, Canada, Australia discuss banning Elon Musk’s X over AI tool Grok’s potential for misuse; regulatory action may follow.

Published

6 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

UK, Canada, Australia discuss banning Elon Musk’s X over AI tool Grok’s potential for misuse; regulatory action may follow.

Downing Street has opened talks with Canada and Australia about a possible ban on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X. Concerns are growing over the platform’s AI tool, Grok, which could be misused to generate explicit images.

The scrutiny comes as government officials, including Sir Keir Starmer, voice serious worries about the platform’s impact and the potential for harm. Officials believe coordinated international action could send a clear message to Musk about the urgency of addressing these risks.

Ofcom is expected to release recommendations soon, potentially paving the way for regulatory action. How Musk responds could determine whether X faces restrictions in multiple countries.

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News

Trump weighs options as Iran protests escalate

Trump to discuss US responses to Iran protests with officials, including sanctions and military action options.

Published

6 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump to discuss US responses to Iran protests with officials, including sanctions and military action options.

President Donald Trump is set to meet with senior US officials to discuss possible responses to the growing protests in Iran. The talks will focus on how Washington should react as unrest continues to spread across the country.

Options on the table reportedly include tougher sanctions and the possibility of military action. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top officials are expected to attend, as concerns mount over how US involvement could impact regional stability.

Iran has warned it will retaliate if the US intervenes, raising fears that any move by Washington could sharply escalate tensions in the Middle East.

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News

Trump declares US ready to support Iranian protesters

Trump pledges US support for Iranian protesters as regime arrests 100 amid escalating crackdown on dissent

Published

1 day ago

January 11, 2026

Ahron Young

Trump pledges US support for Iranian protesters as regime arrests 100 amid escalating crackdown on dissent

In Short:
– Trump supports Iranian protesters and promotes their quest for freedom amid government crackdowns.
– Iran reports arrests and increased military threats against protesters, with international demonstrations in solidarity emerging.

Donald Trump has warned Iran’s clerical regime that the US is “ready to help” anti-government protesters facing a crackdown. He stated on his social media platform, Truth, that the nation is witnessing a push for freedom like never before.On Saturday, Iran’s government reported the arrest of 100 “armed rioters” amid ongoing demonstrations. Rights groups claim at least 116 protesters have been killed, with unrest erupting over Iran’s currency collapse and demands for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Iranian military has intensified threats against protesters, warning that anyone participating could be deemed “enemies of God”, carrying a potential death sentence. There have been claims of “terrorist agents” linked to the US and Israel stirring unrest.

Protester Responses

International protests have also emerged in solidarity with Iranian demonstrators.

In London, an individual was seen tearing down the Iranian flag from the embassy, drawing attention to the global dissent. Iranian state media has accused “rioters” of violence and targeting military bases, amidst a climate of increased government scrutiny and restrictions.

With the internet down in Iran, accurate assessment of the situation remains challenging. Reports indicate scattered protests continue, but fear of government retaliation complicates participation.

The Iranian government’s response highlights the volatility of the political situation, and the growing international pressure on Tehran.