For nearly a week, the federal capital has been waiting for peace talks between the United States and Iran to take place there and large parts of the city remain sealed off by authorities. Key roads leading into Islamabad are shut down, and a strict security cordon envelops the administrative centre, the so-called “Red Zone”. […]
lockdown
Life in IIOJK paralysed by military lockdown ahead of Republic Day
In the name of “security, Indian authorities have imposed a ruthless lockdown across Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) ahead of India’s Republic day today on January 26, subjecting residents to constant searches, frisking, heavy surveillance and overwhelming military deployment, paralyzing normal life. According to Kashmir Media Service, a multi-layered security grid has been […]
Three killed in suspected domestic shooting in eastern Australia
Three people have been shot dead in Lake Cargelligo, a small town in New South Wales, Australia, authorities said on Thursday, prompting a lockdown as police continue to search for the gunman. Emergency services were called to the scene in the late afternoon following reports of gunfire. Read More: Police arrest cop accused of killing […]
Tehran’s Lockdown
Iran has effectively been cut off from the outside world. Phone calls to and from Iran are failing while state media dribbles out only partial updates. This dramatic clampdown on connectivity came amid rare public outrage over inflation and shortages. The closure of Tehran’s grand bazaars, long a bellwether of economic legitimacy, matters because it […]
Early Covid-19 lockdown could have saved 23,000 lives in England
LONDON: About 23,000 deaths in England could have been prevented if the first Covid-19 lockdown had been introduced earlier at the start of the pandemic, according to a public inquiry report released on Thursday. The 800-page second report from the independent inquiry criticised the UK government, led by Boris Johnson in 2020, for a “lack […]
Education Under Lockdown
When the government announces the closure of educational institutions due to protests, security concerns, or climate-related issues, both teaching and learning fall under lockdown. Although such closures are brief, their consequences run deep in a country where higher education is already in the ICU. We asked our students a simple question: how do you feel […]
Rawalpindi, Islamabad Lockdown Enters Second Day Amid TLP March Fears
ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: The federal capital and nearby Rawalpindi remained under lockdown for a second day on Saturday as authorities tightened security to stop the Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) protest march from entering Islamabad. Over 1,200 paramilitary personnel were deployed in Punjab to block the rally moving from Lahore via GT Road. Police arrested more than 140 protesters […]
China’s ‘iPhone city’ under COVID lockdown after violent clashes
BEIJING: Six million people were on Friday under COVID lockdown in a Chinese city home to the world’s largest iPhone factory, after clashes between police and workers furious over pay. Authorities have ordered residents of eight districts in Zhengzhou, in the central province of Henan, not to leave the area for the next five days, […]
Despite mounting coronavirus infections, NCOC chief insists there will be no shutdown for the time being
ISLAMABAD/ KARACHI: Despite a fast increase in illnesses over the previous two weeks, Pakistan’s government has no plans to impose a coronavirus lockdown, according to Asad Umar, the head of the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC). “For the time being, we’re keeping a close eye on the data coming out of Pakistan and around […]
Sindh govt proposes a complete lockdown in Karachi amid a 30 pc positivity rate
KARACHI: The Sindh government has been considering a tighter control on the situation and the imposition of a total lockdown as the COVID positivity ratio escalated to 30 percent in the business hub of the country. According to sources, the positivity ratio has reached 30 percent in the city forcing the provincial authorities to think […]