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Beijing shuts schools as COVID restrictions impact 165 million Chinese citizens

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China has introduced lockdown measures in its two biggest cities, in a bid to stamp out COVID outbreaks

Beijing and Shanghai are both in complete lockdown, where residents are undergoing a series of tests to minimise China’s COVID spread.

Around 165 million residents are reported to be under the measures.

Shanghai is at the centre of the latest outbreak, reporting upwards of 10 thousand new cases a day.

Meanwhile, Beijing officials have shut schools and imposed targeted lockdowns on some residential buildings to confine the outbreak.

Shanghai’s month long lockdown

This week, Shanghai entered its fifth week of restrictions.

Strict stay-at-home orders mean citizens can only leave home to get tested.

This has created food and medical shortages in the city, as people rely on the state for supplies.

In addition to this, reports of people being fenced into residential buildings surfaced this week, raising concerns from human rights advocates.

Yaqiu Wang of the Human Rights Watch says people are suffering “tremendously” because of the 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,”

yaqiu wang, human rights watch

On Wednesday, Shanghai authorities announced neighborhoods with no cases in the past two weeks can start to ease lockdown measures.

It is unclear how long freedoms will last, with lockdowns set to be reinstated if a single case is recorded.

Beijing’s fight to avoid Shanghai-style restrictions

Today the Chinese government intensified lockdown measures in Beijing, with the suspension of all schools, weddings and funerals.

After a rise in cases this week, there had been widespread speculation that the city could be facing enhanced restrictions.

This prompted a comprehensive round of testing, covering 20 million residents, approximately 90 per cent of the city’s population.

The testing spree incited fears of lockdown amongst citizens, and sparked incidents of panic buying as residents look to stock up on supplies before being placed under wider restrictions.

“I can understand the panic, given what happened in Shanghai.”

Shi Wei, resident of beijing

Elsewhere across the country, partial lockdowns are in place for 27 other cities.

By Bryan Hoadley

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Global leaders look to shape tech futures

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From disputed pay packages to tariff threats, global leaders are making waves in tech, trade, and innovation.

A U.S. judge has once again denied Elon Musk’s controversial $56 billion Tesla pay package, raising questions about the company’s governance practices. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s tariff threats against BRICS nations could derail de-dollarization efforts, adding tension to global trade dynamics.

Concerns are also growing around Super Micro Computer audits, which have sparked fears of potential vulnerabilities in the tech sector. Additionally, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has announced his departure, leaving questions about whether his efforts to revitalise the company met expectations.

These developments underline the influence of leadership on shaping the global tech landscape, as decisions continue to ripple across industries.

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Teens make use of AI in education as ‘Brain Rot’ goes mainstream

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A recent study sheds light on how teenagers are turning to generative AI for both social and academic purposes.

 

From using chatbots for emotional support to leveraging AI for essay writing, the study reveals both the creativity and risks associated with these tools.

Parents, however, are struggling to keep up. Many are unaware of how extensively their children engage with AI and lack understanding of its potential risks. The gap in awareness highlights the need for ethical discussions and better parental guidance around generative AI.

Meanwhile, Oxford’s 2024 Word of the Year, “brain rot,” captures a growing cultural concern. The term, which originally appeared in the 19th century, now reflects the mental toll of consuming trivial and excessive online content. Its resurgence signals a collective awareness of the evolving relationship between technology and mental health.

Experts say these trends point to the need for critical conversations about the role of AI and social media in shaping our habits and well-being.

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Democrats move to resist Trump deportation plan

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Los Angeles officially declared itself a sanctuary city in a direct challenge to the incoming Trump administration’s plan to deport those in the U.S. illegally.

As one of the largest cities near the southern border, LA’s decision has sparked significant debate over the role of local governments in federal immigration matters.

City Council took the bold step by passing the sanctuary city ordinance, ensuring that no local resources are used to assist federal immigration enforcement.

Additionally, the city’s public school system has doubled down on its sanctuary status, passing emergency resolutions to protect undocumented students.

Critics argue that such actions undermine federal law and set a dangerous precedent, raising questions about the balance between local autonomy and national enforcement.

Keith Hanson the CEO of QUX Technologies, and a veteran law enforcement expert joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.

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