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“Very draconian” – human rights concerns over Shanghai lockdown

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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.”

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

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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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