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Sports star’s vaccine hesitancy troubles experts

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German footballer Joshua Kimmich is the latest athlete to express vaccine concerns; his refusal to get the jab is part of a growing problem in the sporting world.

Medical experts have warned of the dangers of vaccine misinformation, after Bayern Munich and Germany national team footballer Joshua Kimmich confirmed he had not received the COVID-19 vaccine over concerns of long-term side-effects.

“I have concerns about the lack of long-term studies,” he told Sky Sport.

Kimmich however confirmed he was not a COVID-19 denier or anti-vaxxer, and was open to receiving the vaccine in the future.

“I am of course aware of my responsibility,” he said.

“There is a very good chance that I will still get vaccinated,”

“It’s simply that I still have some concerns.”

Joshua Kimmich is expected to assume the captaincy role for club and country in coming years.

News of his vaccination status a surprise to many

Kimmich, now 26, has played for his country 64 times, and captained Germany to a 2-1 victory over Romania earlier this month.

He’s been lauded for his leadership and maturity on and off the field, and for his philanthropic efforts during the pandemic. He’s tipped by football experts as a future long-term captain of his club and country.

Along with several of his Bayern teammates, Kimmich last month set up WeKickCorona, an initiative that hopes to support charities and medical facilities in need of assistance in fighting coronavirus.

“That’s not how it works”

German medical experts have been quick to condemn Kimmich’s stance.

Carsten Watzsl, scientific director of the department of immunology at Technical University Dortmund, said it’s a common “misunderstanding” that vaccines could have potential long-term side-effects that appear years after first and second doses.

“Say I let myself get vaccinated and perhaps next year I will have some grave side-effects, that’s not how it works,” he told a German broadcaster.

“The side effects of a vaccine always appear directly after the vaccination, within a few weeks.”

Much like food and medicine, vaccines don’t last long in the body, and immunologists have maintained that the jab performs a “once-off function”, which then degrades in the body over time.

The chair of Germany’s top medical advisory body, Thomas Mertens, said Kimmich was mistaken if he believed there were no designated studies or monitoring programs closely focused on detecting long-term side-effects.

“Joshua Kimmich is certainly a recognised expert on football issues, but not an expert on vaccination,” Mertens added.

Kimmich joins a growing list of vaccine hesitant sportspeople

Vaccinations are not compulsory for English Premier League players, nor those of Germany’s top flight, the Bundesliga, in which Kimmich competes.

But Kimmich’s reputation and role model image on the world football stage means his vaccination status holds much more significance.

World number one tennis player Novak Djokovic is perhaps the most prominent example of a sports star who’s turned down the vaccine.

Last year, Djokovic said he was “opposed to vaccination” before a controversial exhibition tour in Serbia and Croatia. The Serbian tennis star and three other players later tested positive for the virus.

He remains steadfast in his view, and his appearance at next month’s Australian Open is far from certain because of this.

West Bromwich Albion and Ireland national team footballer Callum Robinson (pictured above) has caught Covid twice, yet remains unvaccinated.

“That’s my choice at this moment in time,” he said earlier this month.

“Further down the line I could change my mind and want to do it. I think it’s your personal choice and my choice at this moment in time, I haven’t been vaccinated. I wouldn’t force people to do it, it’s your choice and your body.”

Kimmich’s comments come amid rising vaccine cases in Germany, as well as England, where only 68% of Premier League players have been fully vaccinated.

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Australia’s workforce revolution sets the stage for a four-day work week

Australia’s AI Workforce Revolution: Automation Paves the Way for a Four-Day Work Week and New Job Redesigns.

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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 GalstianHead 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.

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Future of hospitality: AI, smart automation, and record-breaking 2025 travel growth

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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.

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Nightmare for Labour as Reform UK leads in poll

Reform UK surpasses Labour in polling for first time, with Brexit leader Nigel Farage gaining support amid Conservative decline.

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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.

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