News

“Very draconian” – human rights concerns over Shanghai lockdown

Published

3 years ago

April 27, 2022

ticker NEWS

As Shanghai deals with a “draconian lockdown” with Beijing looking like its next in line, Human Rights Watch representative says people are suffering more from the lockdown than they are from Covid

China’s biggest city and financial hub, Shanghai enters its fifth week of strict lockdown as authorities try to cut Covid transmission and get the cases to zero across the country.

Citizens are restricted to their homes, only allowed to leave homes to get tested. This has put the city in food shortages with people relying on the city to be fed.

The country has also been evacuating cities and relocating residents to quarantine facilities.

This comes as the country has begun mass testing of Beijing with many residents already stocking up on supplies, preparing for a Shanghai style lockdown.

Human Rights Watch representative, Yaqiu Wang agrees that China’s Covid policy has gone too far and is now instilling fear in the population.

“If you look at Shanghai, given this tariff – very draconian lockdown – a lot of people have died, not from Covid but from not being able to access medical care for their non Covid related illnesses,” Wang says.

“People couldn’t go to hospital to have their kidney dialysis because they can’t leave their compound.”

Is the Chinese Government too stubborn to change its #covid strategy?

@Yaqiu Senior China researcher for @hrw explains #Lockdowns #China #Shanghai #Beijing pic.twitter.com/pCciM7tJAb
— TICKER NEWS (@tickerNEWSco) April 27, 2022

She says people are suffering “tremendously” because of the lockdown.

In recent updates, authorities have begun putting up fences outside residential buildings.

This has sparked outrage with many questioning the well being of Shanghai residents but Wang says that we’re still not seeing the full picture.

“Let’s talk about the people who don’t have a huge following on social media, who don’t use social media, who don’t even have a cell phone- we have no idea about their stories,” she says.

Shanghai has recorded 190 deaths from Covid in the current outbreak. However, most of them were elderly un-vaccinated residents.

In a country that’s made PCR and quarantining mandatory, why is vaccination for the elderly not mandatory?

Wang says that China’s Covid zero policy was so successful that President Xi Jinping made it a political move to show that his governance model was better than the democratic chaotic US where Covid was “raging”.

“When it becomes a political issue it’s very hard to walk back,” she says

While US’s suffering triggered an urgency to get vaccinated, Wang says people in China were living a normal life with zero cases.

“In China, when the vaccination campaign started there was no Covid so older people didn’t have the incentive to get vaccinated.”

Rijul Baath contributed to this report

News

Yom Kippur synagogue attack in Manchester leaves two dead

Synagogue attack in Manchester on Yom Kippur kills two; suspect shot dead by police in terror incident

Published

4 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Ahron Young

Synagogue attack in Manchester on Yom Kippur kills two; suspect shot dead by police in terror incident

In Short:
– Two people were killed when a man drove into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard during Yom Kippur.
– The suspect, wearing an explosive-like vest, was shot dead by police; two further arrests followed.

Two people were killed on Thursday when a man drove a car into pedestrians and stabbed a security guard outside a synagogue during Yom Kippur ceremonies, UK police confirmed.

This was a vile terrorist attack that attacked Jews, because they are Jews.

Antisemitism is a hatred that is rising, once again. Britain must defeat it, once again.

To every Jewish person in this country: I promise that I will do everything in my power to guarantee you the… pic.twitter.com/DAd9OaGNMc

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 2, 2025

The suspect, reportedly wearing a vest resembling an explosive device, was shot dead by police after they responded to the incident at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Northern England.

British authorities declared the attack a terrorist incident. The police suggested they were aware of the attacker’s identity but could not verify it at that moment. Following the attack, two additional arrests were made.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, having interrupted his participation in a European summit to address the situation, pledged enhanced security measures for Jewish communities, noting rising antisemitism in the UK since the conflict escalation following Hamas’s October 7 assault on Israel.

We are deeply concerned by reports of a violent attack at a synagogue in Manchester today. We unequivocally condemn this act of violence. pic.twitter.com/niGBdI4heB

— MCB (@MuslimCouncil) October 2, 2025

Starmer expressed solidarity with the Jewish community, acknowledging their fears and confirming his commitment to counteract rising hatred.

Injured Victims

As the situation unfolded, three other individuals remained in serious condition.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as police evacuated vulnerable individuals from the synagogue, where many attendees were in traditional dress.

The prompt actions of security staff and law enforcement were credited with preventing further harm. King Charles expressed his deep shock and sorrow regarding the incident.

Leaders

Cyber security shifts redefine critical infrastructure in APAC

Cyber security evolution prompts redefinition of critical infrastructure in Asia Pacific amid rising digital threats

Published

21 hours ago

October 2, 2025

Nathan Langridge

Cyber security evolution prompts redefinition of critical infrastructure in Asia Pacific amid rising digital threats.

In Short:
– Cyber security incidents in Asia Pacific redefine critical infrastructure, expanding its scope beyond just industrial machinery.
– New strategies emphasise visibility to protect crucial sectors like banking, finance, and telecommunications from cyber threats.

The rise in cyber security incidents in Asia Pacific is reshaping the definition and protection of critical infrastructure. New digital and operational technology risks are prompting stakeholders to reconsider conventional beliefs that critical infrastructure is primarily industrial machinery behind high fences.

Michael Fisher from Garland Technology discusses this evolving landscape. Critical infrastructure now encompasses essential services such as banking, finance, and telecommunications, expanding beyond traditional definitions.

The convergence of IT and operational technology (OT) networks increases cyber security risks. Many OT services were not designed with cyber security in mind, leaving them vulnerable to cyber attacks. Industries most at risk include telecommunications, banking, finance, and utilities, where any disruption can significantly impact society.

Increased Visibility

Fisher highlights that traditional cyber security alone is insufficient to secure these infrastructures. Effective protection requires a new approach focused on visibility. Garland Technology’s mission is to provide visibility to upstream cyber security platforms, eliminating blind spots.

Governments and businesses must recognise their roles in combatting cyber threats. Australia’s Security of Critical Infrastructure Act is a step towards increasing corporate responsibility in recognising critical infrastructure and ensuring compliance with security measures.