Welcome to Axis ProRata, where we take just 10 minutes to get you smarter on the collision of tech, business, and politics.

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I'm Dan Pramak.

On today's show, AI's impact on white-collar workers and why Democrats can't agree on private equity.

But first, escalating tensions and violence in Hong Kong.

So yesterday the U.S. Senate did something almost unheard of in these hyper-partisan times.

It passed something on a unanimous vote. This was the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which is more than just a public

statement of support for political protest.

This bill would ban the export of certain crowd control equipment to Hong Kong police forces,

including tear gas, pepper spray, stun guns, and rubber bullets.

This move, this vote, could further complicate White House

trade talks with Beijing, which continues to view the protesters as little more than rioting

students, although it has steered clear of military intervention. It also could threaten Hong Kong

status as a global financial hub, because the U.S. State Department would be forced to certify annually

that Hong Kong retains enough autonomy to qualify for special trading partner status.

All of this comes amidst alarmingly increased violence in Hong Kong, including the death of

one student protester and the stabbing of a pro-Beijing lawmaker. In short, things are only getting

worse, not better, in a city that

was once viewed as a beacon of peace and prosperity, not a geopolitical hotspot. So in 15 seconds,

we'll try to break it all down with Axios World Editor David Lawler. But first, this.

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