As the full midsummer heat hits Pakistan’s Jacobabad, the city retreats inside as if sheltering from a terror attack
The city of Jacobabad in Pakistan has sweltered through intense heat for years. And experts say that temperatures will only rise in the coming years.
As summer approaches, the streets become deserted and residents hide from the scorching sun.
Very few local residents have air conditioning or any forms of house cooling to provide any relief from the temperatures which can reach 52 degrees.
Distributing water throughout the city. In the city of Jacobabad.
‘When it gets that hot, you can’t even stay on your feet’
In more wealthy Arabic countries such as Dubai, electricity and air conditioning are plentiful. Here, the heat threshold may have little effect on residents.
In Jacobabad, where many live on wages of only a couple of pounds a day, residents must find other ways to adapt to the rising heat levels and the changes in climate.
Often, the heat gets so extreme that blackouts occur, and so even those that do have an AC won’t be able to use it.
Many people who live in the village must withstand the heat to bring income. The residents in the village say that when it gets that hot, you can’t even stay on your feet.
These same workers often end up filling hospital beds as they suffer from extreme heatstroke.
Scientists say Jacobabad is particularly vulnerable to climate change
Around 200,000 people live in Jacobabad, which is located in Pakistan’s Sindh province. It has long been renowned for its fierce heat, but recent research has come to an unwelcome conclusion.
Its mixture of heat and humidity has made it one of only two places on Earth to have now officially passed a threshold hotter than the human body can withstand.
Climate experts consider the region to be one of the world’s most vulnerable places to climate change. Now, experts are raising concerns that Jacobabad’s temperatures may increase further, or other cities may join the club.
On the outskirt of Jacobabad.
A threshold hotter than the human body can withstand
Researchers have examined the temperatures in the Pakistani city, and say as the heat rises, the impacts to humans can potentially be devastating.
The researchers examined ‘wet bulb temperatures’, by taking a thermometer covered in a water-soaked cloth. This takes both heat and humidity into account.
Wet-bulb thermometer readings are significantly lower than the more familiar dry bulb readings, which do not take humidity into account. Researchers say that at a wet-bulb reading of 35C, the body can no longer cool itself by sweating.
Such a temperature can be fatal in a few hours, even to the fittest people. Jacobabad crossed the 35C wet-bulb threshold in July 1987, then again in June 2005, June 2010 and July 2012.
Each of those occurrences may have only happened for a few hours at a time, but a three-day average maximum temperature has been recorded hovering around 34C in June 2010, June 2001, and July 2012. The dry bulb temperature is often over 50C in the summer.
What is the solution?
Jacobabad’s crown for unsurvivable temperatures may conjure pictures of Death Valley-like deserts, but it is an agricultural hub fed by irrigation canals.
Stretches of the town’s bazaar are dedicated to keeping cool. Shops sell electric fans and low-tech washing machine-sized coolers that emit a refreshing mist.
But electrical solutions such as powered air conditioners and fan units are deemed useless by frequent power cuts. In the city centre, residents often lose power for three or four hours, while in more rural areas the blackouts are much longer.
Many adults and children swim in rivers as a means to cool down, but humidity levels at night too often make for uncomfortable rest.
As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns shift, difficulties with farming, irrigation, disease and labour are predicted by 2050 and will hurt people’s quality of living in parts of Pakistan.
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.