Yet another mass shooting in America, and the world is reeling because change is unfortunately unlikely
As a human being, as a woman, as a Journalist, as a daughter, and as a friend, I was wholeheartedly saddened to hear of the Texas mass shooting in Uvalde, at Robb Elementary School.
I was, and still am angry, sad, and horrified, but unfortunately, not surprised.
Guns are woven into the fabric of America, in particular, Texas.
It’s becoming clearer after each senseless murder, that lawmakers are more worried about protecting their gun rights than they’re innocent people.
Enough is enough.
It’s almost ten years since the Sandy Hook mass shooting where 20 children were murdered.
You would assume that particular massacre would’ve been enough to ignite change in American gun rights, but it wasn’t.
Now, another group of children has been slaughtered in their classrooms. So what is the threshold before something is done?
"The United States has determined that owning guns has costs and one of those costs is human lives… Right now the lives of no one matters…not even our children."
Children shouldn’t have to live in fear. The kids of Uvalde were just two days out from summer vacation, where they should be just that- kids.
Now, the selfish and barbaric actions of one 18-year-old individual, who had easy access to an assault rifle, stole their futures away.
Moments of silence are not enough, condolences are not enough.
This does not happen as frequently in any other country in the world. So why is the political appetite for change in America so low?
“You cannot separate the fabric of gun ownership from the reality of being American”
megran pratz, cheddar
Megan pratz, cheddar
Gun law overhaul
Here’s what’s being discussed in Congress, in regards to making a change to gun rights.
Currently, federal law does not require unlicensed gun sellers to conduct background checks prior to the purchase of arms.
Dubbed the H.R. 8 bill, it would step up the required background checks before a gun is purchased.
However, it continues to be stalled in the Senate, where it needs ten Republican votes to get through.
It’s now in the process of getting on the upper chamber’s calendar, with many pushing for an urgent vote, even if it’s doomed to fail by Republicans.
They argue that background checks tarnish gun rights and will take away guns.
“You see Democrats and a lot of folks in the media whose immediate solution is to try to restrict the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens,”
Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer will also push for a gun safety bill to be voted on in June.
The proposed bill would “allow family members and law enforcement to obtain an extreme risk protection order to temporarily remove access to firearms for those who are deemed a danger to themselves or to others by a federal court.”
Red flag laws are also in place, but they prove ineffective far too frequently.
They only alert a problem if someone has a criminal history or has been previously deemed mentally ill.
Meaning cases like the 18-year-old suspect in the Uvalde mass shooting slipped through the cracks.
Most regulations on gun rights vary from state to state, because gun regulation cannot pass at the Federal level, with no majority support.
Therefore, it leaves gun use and availability up to the leaders of each state.
At this point in time, gun control will not stop every horrific attack, but it will make a difference.
If you keep doing the same process in life, you will get the same outcome. A mass shooting nearly every week in America is surely enough reason to make a change?
“The President should demand that the Senate meet right now on the gun control bill and let the votes fall where the children die”
Bruce wolpe, U.s studies centre
National Rifle Association meeting
And most distastefully, the National Rifle Association convention is scheduled for this weekend in Houston, Texas.
Attendees at this convention are prohibited from “bringing firearms, firearm accessories, knives, and other items.”
So no guns are allowed at the NRA meeting but an 18-year-old can walk into an elementary school with an assault rifle and massacre innocent people.
The irony in that. As the NRA essentially continues to hold America hostage.
“You’ll see a very paradoxical messaging strategy, where NRA will talk about guns for everyone, everywhere, all the time, while not allowing guns in its own events”
Australia’s AI workforce revolution: automation paves the way for a four-day work week.
In Short
UiPath’s report highlights the rapid shift towards “agentic automation,” where AI makes autonomous decisions, encouraging businesses to reassess roles and harness automation for productivity. This evolution may enable a four-day work week and necessitates the retraining of staff while ensuring regulations are in place for trust and compliance with AI integration.
The trend towards work reallocation is rapidly advancing, with UiPath’s new report identifying significant shifts in AI and automation.
Key insights from the report suggest a move towards “agentic automation,” where AI begins to make autonomous decisions. Yelena Galstian, Head of Solutions and Customer Advisory at UiPath shares her key insights.
Organisations are encouraged to reassess existing roles and identify areas where automation can enhance productivity.
A critical aspect will be the orchestration of collaboration between human employees, AI agents, and software robots to ensure effective teamwork.
Looking ahead, the motto for businesses is to “redesign and reassign” processes while considering how AI can handle repetitive tasks, allowing human employees to focus on more complex responsibilities.
As organisations embrace these changes, we could see a potential transition to a four-day work week, made feasible through increased efficiency and productivity from AI.
For further insights into the research and methodologies for implementing AI in business, interested parties can connect with the UiPath team through their website.
As global tourism revenue surges, cutting-edge technology and automation are revolutionising the hospitality industry.
Global travel demand remains strong heading into 2025, with industry experts predicting record-breaking tourism revenue.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, global tourism revenue is set to hit $1.9 trillion this year.
With record-breaking growth projected for the travel industry, hospitality leaders are embracing AI, automation, and luxury innovations to enhance guest experiences.
As demand for international travel remains strong, hospitality businesses are adapting to evolving traveler expectations through technology and innovation.
One of the key trends shaping the industry is the rise of artificial intelligence and smart automation.
From AI-powered customer service to energy-efficient hotel management systems, technology is redefining guest experiences.
Luxury boutique hotels like London’s Eccleston Square Hotel are at the forefront of this transformation.
Known as one of the world’s most technologically advanced hotels, Eccleston Square has recently unveiled a major tech upgrade.
The hotel is now using Apple TVs from ROOMNET, an advanced automation system developed with Leading Edge Automation, and a cutting-edge building management system by HSYCO. These innovations enhance operational efficiency while maintaining a commitment to sustainability.
These enhancements work in sync with the hotel’s property management system, MEWS, to create a smarter, more sustainable hospitality experience.
As AI continues to reshape the hospitality landscape, Eccleston Square Hotel’s approach reflects the industry’s broader shift toward innovation, efficiency, and sustainability—paving the way for the future of luxury travel.
Olivia Byrne, Owner and Company Director Eccleston Square Hotel joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.
Reform UK surpasses Labour in polling for first time, with Brexit leader Nigel Farage gaining support amid Conservative decline.
In Short
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has overtaken Labour in a YouGov poll with 25% support, while Labour sits at 24% and the Conservatives at 21%. This shift indicates growing discontent with the government, particularly as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch struggles to regain support.
The poll, conducted among 2,223 adults at the beginning of February, shows Reform UK at 25 percent support, a rise of two points from the previous poll.
Labour has declined by three points to 24 percent, while the Conservative Party has dropped to 21 percent.
While these results are notable, the next general election is not required until August 2029, and Reform’s lead falls within the poll’s margin of error. POLITICO’s Poll of Polls shows Labour and Reform both at 25 percent, with Conservatives at 22 percent.
This polling data is troubling for the government, particularly after Labour’s dominance in the last election, where they achieved a majority with 33.7 percent of the vote. Reform UK was in third place with 14.3 percent.
The findings also reflect poorly on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who seeks to restore support following recent losses.
YouGov indicates that 24 percent of those who voted Conservative in July would now choose Reform, with 43 percent of Conservative voters in 2024 favouring a merger between the two parties.