In the latest edition of Santander’s Driving Tomorrow series Jenson Button offers advice for prospective talents and discusses how F1 drivers of the future might get their start in racing.
Mercedes are taking the latest step in their build-up to the 2026 campaign on Monday, with the team gathering for an official season launch event.
The New York Times lists other reasons a company lays off people. ("It didn't meet financial targets. It overhired. Tariffs, or the loss of a big client, rocked it...")
"But lately, many companies are highlighting a new factor: artificial intelligence. Executives, saying they anticipate huge changes from the technology, are making cuts now."
A.I. was cited in the announcements of more than 50,000 layoffs in 2025, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a research firm... Investors may applaud such pre-emptive moves. But some skeptics (including media outlets) suggest that corporations are disingenuously blaming A.I. for layoffs, or "A.I.-washing." As the market research firm Forrester put it in a January report: "Many companies announcing A.I.-related layoffs do not have mature, vetted A.I. applications ready to fill those roles, highlighting a trend of 'A.I.-washing' — attributing financially motivated cuts to future A.I. implementation...."
"Companies are saying that 'we're anticipating that we're going to introduce A.I. that will take over these jobs.' But it hasn't happened yet. So that's one reason to be skeptical," said Peter Cappelli, a professor at the Wharton School... Of course, A.I. may well end up transforming the job market, in tech and beyond. But a recent study... [by a senior research fellow at the Brookings Institution who studies A.I. and work] found that AI has not yet meaningfully shifted the overall market. Tech firms have cut more than 700,000 employees globally since 2022, according to Layoffs.fyi, which tracks industry job losses. But much of that was a correction for overhiring during the pandemic.
As unpopular as A.I. job cuts may be to the public, they may be less controversial than other reasons — like bad company planning.
Amazon CEO Jassy has even said the reason for most of their layoffs was reducing bureaucracy, the article points out, although "Most analysts, however, believe Amazon is cutting jobs to clear money for A.I. investments, such as data centers."
"But lately, many companies are highlighting a new factor: artificial intelligence. Executives, saying they anticipate huge changes from the technology, are making cuts now."
A.I. was cited in the announcements of more than 50,000 layoffs in 2025, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a research firm... Investors may applaud such pre-emptive moves. But some skeptics (including media outlets) suggest that corporations are disingenuously blaming A.I. for layoffs, or "A.I.-washing." As the market research firm Forrester put it in a January report: "Many companies announcing A.I.-related layoffs do not have mature, vetted A.I. applications ready to fill those roles, highlighting a trend of 'A.I.-washing' — attributing financially motivated cuts to future A.I. implementation...."
"Companies are saying that 'we're anticipating that we're going to introduce A.I. that will take over these jobs.' But it hasn't happened yet. So that's one reason to be skeptical," said Peter Cappelli, a professor at the Wharton School... Of course, A.I. may well end up transforming the job market, in tech and beyond. But a recent study... [by a senior research fellow at the Brookings Institution who studies A.I. and work] found that AI has not yet meaningfully shifted the overall market. Tech firms have cut more than 700,000 employees globally since 2022, according to Layoffs.fyi, which tracks industry job losses. But much of that was a correction for overhiring during the pandemic.
As unpopular as A.I. job cuts may be to the public, they may be less controversial than other reasons — like bad company planning.
Amazon CEO Jassy has even said the reason for most of their layoffs was reducing bureaucracy, the article points out, although "Most analysts, however, believe Amazon is cutting jobs to clear money for A.I. investments, such as data centers."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
The prime minister called for the House of Lords to modernise procedure so that peers can be more easily removed from the upper chamber
Peter Mandelson “leaked a sensitive UK government document to Jeffrey Epstein while he was business secretary that proposed £20bn of asset sales and revealed Labour’s tax policy plans”, the Financial Times is reporting.
In his story, Jim Pickard says:
The memo, dubbed “Business Issues”, was written on June 13 2009 by Nick Butler, who at the time was special adviser to the then prime minister Gordon Brown.
The confidential document, which was released by the US Department of Justice as part of a tranche of millions of files relating to Epstein, had been sent to British government officials including cabinet secretary Jeremy Heywood.
It is right that Peter Mandelson is no longer a member of the Labour party. Disciplinary action was underway prior to his resignation.
Jeffrey Epstein’s heinous crimes destroyed the lives of so many women and girls, and our thoughts remain with his victims.
President calls host a ‘pathetic, talentless, dope of an M.C’ after jibe about his connections to late sex offender at ceremony
Construction has resumed on four offshore wind mega-projects after they survived a near fatal attack by Donald Trump’s administration thanks to rulings by federal judges. These are being seen as victories for clean energy amid a wider war being waged on it by the Trump administration.
The wind farms are considered critical by grid planners as America faces an energy affordability crisis. Together, the four projects will contribute nearly five gigawatts of energy to the east coast, enough to power 3.5 million homes.
Continue reading...The US president tried to kill offshore wind projects – now four are back under construction
Construction has resumed on four offshore wind mega-projects after they survived a near fatal attack by Donald Trump’s administration thanks to rulings by federal judges. These are being seen as victories for clean energy amid a wider war being waged on it by the Trump administration.
The wind farms are considered critical by grid planners as America faces an energy affordability crisis. Together, the four projects will contribute nearly five gigawatts of energy to the east coast, enough to power 3.5 million homes.
Continue reading...Island’s first tropical storm of season may bring 150mm of rain – meanwhile, eastern Europe freezes with possible night-time lows of -30C
At least three people have died and nearly 30,000 people have been affected by flooding after Madagascar’s first tropical storm of the season hit over the weekend.
Tropical Cyclone Fytia formed to the north-west of Madagascar over the northern Mozambique Channel on Thursday.
Continue reading...Tens of thousands of ill and wounded Palestinians await evacuation as diplomatic efforts inch forward
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt has been reopened by Israel for a limited number of people on foot, as fragile diplomatic efforts to stabilise the conflict inch forward.
Israeli forces took control of the Rafah crossing – Gaza’s only crossing not shared with Israel – in May 2024, describing it as necessary to prevent weapons smuggling by Hamas. The move isolated the territory, cutting off a critical lifeline for Palestinians seeking access to medical care, travel and trade.
Continue reading...
Het WK nadert met rasse schreden. In de Verenigde Staten begint men de druk te voelen. Er zijn twijfels of het organiserend land al z’n detentiecentra af heeft voor het WK begint. Op meerdere plekken in het land moeten grote centra komen waar meer dan 50.000 mensen kunnen zitten, staan of liggen.
“Het wordt een race tegen de klok”, denkt Amerika-deskundige Raymond Mens. “Het is nogal een opgave. In juni komen er hordes mensen met een andere huidskleur het land in. Over vier maanden moet er voldoende ruimte zijn om immigranten uit alle windstreken op te kunnen sluiten. En op sommige plekken moet de eerste steen nog geslagen worden. Veel supporters zijn bang dat ze straks nergens opgesloten kunnen worden.”
Volgens minister van Buitenlandse Zaken Marco Rubio is er geen reden tot paniek. “Dit WK is een geweldige kans om onze fascistische dictatuur te tonen aan de wereld. Er zullen grootse detentiecentra verrijzen in ons prachtige land. We gaan echt wel zorgen dat iedereen onder de indruk zal zijn van de grootschaligheid van onze repressieve faciliteiten.”
De bouw van detentiecentra zou vertraging hebben opgelopen, omdat immigratiedienst ICE de meeste arbeidsmigranten die aan de bouw zouden werken het land heeft uitgezet.
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LONDEN (ANP) - Tennisster Suzan Lamens is uit de top honderd van de wereldranglijst verdwenen. Daarmee staat er nu geen Nederlandse speelster bij de beste honderd van de wereld. Lamens zakte acht plaatsen en neemt op de nieuwste ranking de 105e plaats in.
De 26-jarige Lamens verloor in de eerste ronde van de Australian Open van de Oostenrijkse Anastasia Potapova. Afgelopen zondag ging ze onderuit in de eerste ronde van het WTA-toernooi in Ostrava tegen de Amerikaanse Catherine McNally.
Tallon Griekspoor leverde op de ranglijst van de mannen drie posities in. Hij zakte naar de 29e plaats. Griekspoor werd ook in de eerste ronde van de Australian Open uitgeschakeld. Botic van de Zandschulp won acht plaatsen en steeg naar de 67e plek. Van de Zandschulp bereikte op het grandslamtoernooi van Melbourne de derde ronde. Daarin werd hij verslagen door Novak Djokovic. Jesper de Jong, die in Melbourne evenmin de eerste ronde doorstond, leverde zelfs vijftien posities in op de wereldranglijst; hij zakte naar de 88e plaats.
DE BILT (ANP) - Omdat het dinsdag vanaf eind van de middag in het noorden en noordoosten weer kan gaan ijzelen, heeft het KNMI code geel uitgeroepen. De waarschuwing geldt voor Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, Overijssel en de Waddeneilanden en duurt tot woensdag in de ochtend.
Het KNMI adviseert ook op te passen op fietspaden, voetpaden en bruggen.
De gladheid zorgt al dagen voor problemen in het noorden en noordoosten van het land. Maandag tot het middaguur was daar eveneens code geel van kracht.
PARMA (ANP) - De Europese Autoriteit voor Voedselveiligheid (EFSA) heeft een nieuwe drempel vastgesteld voor cereulide in babyvoeding. Deze giftige stof kan braken en diarree veroorzaken en in tientallen landen zijn er recent terugroepacties geweest vanwege mogelijke aanwezigheid van de stof in babyvoeding.
Het ging daarbij om babyvoeding van onder andere Nestlé en Danone. De Europese Commissie vroeg EFSA om met spoed een wetenschappelijk advies uit te brengen.
De drempel die EFSA heeft vastgesteld is ongeveer de helft van de veiligheidslimiet die in veel Europese landen, zoals Frankrijk, gold. Zaterdag verlaagde Frankrijk de toegestane drempel al. De autoriteiten onderzoeken daar het overlijden van twee baby's die de giftige stof mogelijk binnenkregen. Volgens de Franse overheid leidt een lagere drempel mogelijk tot meer terugroepacties.
De Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit (NVWA) heeft zes meldingen gekregen over zieke baby's na het drinken van teruggeroepen voeding.
Weer voor Rotterdam ☁️
Huidige temperatuur (om 13:15): 6.2°C (Bewolkt)Windsnelheid: 15.1 km/u (4.2 m/s), richting: ← 97°
Luchtkwaliteit:
- AQI: 54 🟡 (Matig)
- PM2.5: 16.3 μg/m³
- PM10: 19.3 μg/m³
Voorspelling voor de komende dagen:
- maandag 02 februari: Min 0.6°, Max 7.1° (Lichte motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 0.1, Windsnelheid: 22.3 km/u (6.2 m/s), richting: ← 93°
- dinsdag 03 februari: Min -1.4°, Max 3.5° (Matige motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 3.2, Kans op neerslag 27%, Windsnelheid: 24.5 km/u (6.8 m/s), richting: ← 94°
- woensdag 04 februari: Min 4.0°, Max 9.6° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 10%, Windsnelheid: 15.8 km/u (4.4 m/s), richting: ↖ 114°
- donderdag 05 februari: Min -0.9°, Max 3.8° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Kans op neerslag 6%, Windsnelheid: 16.6 km/u (4.6 m/s), richting: ← 77°
- vrijdag 06 februari: Min 0.1°, Max 5.2° (Lichte motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 0.8, Kans op neerslag 15%, Windsnelheid: 13.1 km/u (3.6 m/s), richting: ← 81°
- zaterdag 07 februari: Min 2.7°, Max 7.0° (Lichte motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 0.4, Kans op neerslag 19%, Windsnelheid: 11.4 km/u (3.2 m/s), richting: ← 81°
- zondag 08 februari: Min 3.0°, Max 7.0° (Lichte motregen) 🌦️, Neerslag 1.2, Kans op neerslag 13%, Windsnelheid: 12.7 km/u (3.5 m/s), richting: ← 99°
Uurlijkse voorspelling voor de komende 12 uur:
- 14:00: 6.4° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 16.2 km/u (4.5 m/s), richting: ← 96°
- 15:00: 7.1° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 17.6 km/u (4.9 m/s), richting: ← 103°
- 16:00: 6.8° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 19.4 km/u (5.4 m/s), richting: ← 104°
- 17:00: 6.8° (Zonnig) ☀️, Windsnelheid: 18.4 km/u (5.1 m/s), richting: ← 100°
- 18:00: 6.7° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 19.4 km/u (5.4 m/s), richting: ← 102°
- 19:00: 6.2° (Bewolkt) ☁️, Windsnelheid: 19.4 km/u (5.4 m/s), richting: ← 88°
- 20:00: 4.1° (Licht bewolkt) 🌕, Windsnelheid: 21.2 km/u (5.9 m/s), richting: ← 90°
- 21:00: 3.1° (Helder) 🌕, Windsnelheid: 22.3 km/u (6.2 m/s), richting: ← 91°
- 22:00: 2.0° (Helder) 🌕, Windsnelheid: 22.0 km/u (6.1 m/s), richting: ← 88°
- 23:00: 1.2° (Helder) 🌕, Windsnelheid: 20.9 km/u (5.8 m/s), richting: ← 89°
- 00:00: 0.6° (Helder) 🌕, Windsnelheid: 22.3 km/u (6.2 m/s), richting: ← 87°
- 01:00: 0.2° (Helder) 🌕, Windsnelheid: 23.0 km/u (6.4 m/s), richting: ← 85°
#Rotterdam #Meteo #MeteoBot #MeteoNetherlands #OpenMeteo #FediMeteo
Darren Schiller has added a photo to the pool:
On Monday 4th August 2025, legendary South Australian pub rock favourites ‘The Angels’ have been immortalised by the City of Adelaide with the naming of a city laneway featuring striking public artworks.
The Angels Lane is located adjacent to the Hindley Street Music Hall in the vibrant West End, with the popular live music venue part of the creative project.
It will become part of a growing trail of laneways within the Adelaide CBD celebrating South Australia’s musical heritage while inviting locals and visitors to support contemporary artists and businesses.
The Angels become the fifth act to receive this honour, joining iconic local musicians Sia Furler, Cold Chisel, No Fixed Address and Paul Kelly.
Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith said the naming and transformation of the laneway was a fitting tribute to The Angels, one of South Australia’s most beloved rock bands.
“From packed pubs to festival stages, The Angels helped shape the sound of South Australia and now their legacy has a permanent place in our city’s streets,” said the Lord Mayor.
“This honour both acknowledges rock royalty and reinforces Adelaide’s global reputation as a UNESCO City of Music.”
The Angels Lane features artworks which bring the band’s legacy to life through a dynamic mix of media. They include:
A large-scale mural on the side of the Hindley Street Music Hall facing Morphett Street
A second bold mural next to the newly installed Hindley Street public toilets
Glowing lightboxes and stencilled projections beamed from the TAFE SA Currie Street campus
The Angels founding member John Brewster said the band owed its early days to Adelaide.
“We are proud sons of Adelaide. Our journey began with The Moonshine Jug and String Band. We played all the music venues, the universities, even Marcellina’s Pizza, the Pancake Kitchen, Cowley’s Pie Cart and more,” he said.
“We couldn’t be happier for the City of Adelaide to recognise the heritage of The Angels with The Angels Lane.”
South Australian filmmaker and digital artist CAPITAL WASTE (Liam Somerville) and internationally renowned street artist Vans the Omega (Joel Van Moore) were commissioned by Council to create artworks that span the laneway.
"It’s an honour to reunite with The Angels again after shooting their documentary Kickin’ Down The Door in 2022,” said Somerville.
“Our work references the iconic imagery of The Angels including their theatrical approach to onstage lighting, classic album covers and onstage antics.”
The City of Adelaide said the realisation of The Angels Lane has been made possible through valued partnerships with TAFE SA and the Kambitsis Group.
Background
Formed in Adelaide in 1970 as the Moonshine Jug and String Band by brothers John and Rick Brewster, the addition of Bernard ‘Doc’ Neeson in 1972 saw the band evolve into The Keystone Angels in 1974 and then The Angels in 1975.
The Angels’ massive breakthrough moment came in 1978 when their smash-hit album Face to Face achieved 4-times platinum status with rhythm section Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup and Chris Bailey.
Electrifying live performances and enduring hits including ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again’, ‘Take A Long Line’, ‘No Secrets’, ‘Marseille’ and ‘Shadow Boxer’ secured The Angels’ place in Australian rock history.
Darren Schiller has added a photo to the pool:
On Monday 4th August 2025, legendary South Australian pub rock favourites ‘The Angels’ have been immortalised by the City of Adelaide with the naming of a city laneway featuring striking public artworks.
The Angels Lane is located adjacent to the Hindley Street Music Hall in the vibrant West End, with the popular live music venue part of the creative project.
It will become part of a growing trail of laneways within the Adelaide CBD celebrating South Australia’s musical heritage while inviting locals and visitors to support contemporary artists and businesses.
The Angels become the fifth act to receive this honour, joining iconic local musicians Sia Furler, Cold Chisel, No Fixed Address and Paul Kelly.
Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith said the naming and transformation of the laneway was a fitting tribute to The Angels, one of South Australia’s most beloved rock bands.
“From packed pubs to festival stages, The Angels helped shape the sound of South Australia and now their legacy has a permanent place in our city’s streets,” said the Lord Mayor.
“This honour both acknowledges rock royalty and reinforces Adelaide’s global reputation as a UNESCO City of Music.”
The Angels Lane features artworks which bring the band’s legacy to life through a dynamic mix of media. They include:
A large-scale mural on the side of the Hindley Street Music Hall facing Morphett Street
A second bold mural next to the newly installed Hindley Street public toilets
Glowing lightboxes and stencilled projections beamed from the TAFE SA Currie Street campus
The Angels founding member John Brewster said the band owed its early days to Adelaide.
“We are proud sons of Adelaide. Our journey began with The Moonshine Jug and String Band. We played all the music venues, the universities, even Marcellina’s Pizza, the Pancake Kitchen, Cowley’s Pie Cart and more,” he said.
“We couldn’t be happier for the City of Adelaide to recognise the heritage of The Angels with The Angels Lane.”
South Australian filmmaker and digital artist CAPITAL WASTE (Liam Somerville) and internationally renowned street artist Vans the Omega (Joel Van Moore) were commissioned by Council to create artworks that span the laneway.
"It’s an honour to reunite with The Angels again after shooting their documentary Kickin’ Down The Door in 2022,” said Somerville.
“Our work references the iconic imagery of The Angels including their theatrical approach to onstage lighting, classic album covers and onstage antics.”
The City of Adelaide said the realisation of The Angels Lane has been made possible through valued partnerships with TAFE SA and the Kambitsis Group.
Background
Formed in Adelaide in 1970 as the Moonshine Jug and String Band by brothers John and Rick Brewster, the addition of Bernard ‘Doc’ Neeson in 1972 saw the band evolve into The Keystone Angels in 1974 and then The Angels in 1975.
The Angels’ massive breakthrough moment came in 1978 when their smash-hit album Face to Face achieved 4-times platinum status with rhythm section Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup and Chris Bailey.
Electrifying live performances and enduring hits including ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again’, ‘Take A Long Line’, ‘No Secrets’, ‘Marseille’ and ‘Shadow Boxer’ secured The Angels’ place in Australian rock history.
Darren Schiller has added a photo to the pool:
On Monday 4th August 2025, legendary South Australian pub rock favourites ‘The Angels’ have been immortalised by the City of Adelaide with the naming of a city laneway featuring striking public artworks.
The Angels Lane is located adjacent to the Hindley Street Music Hall in the vibrant West End, with the popular live music venue part of the creative project.
It will become part of a growing trail of laneways within the Adelaide CBD celebrating South Australia’s musical heritage while inviting locals and visitors to support contemporary artists and businesses.
The Angels become the fifth act to receive this honour, joining iconic local musicians Sia Furler, Cold Chisel, No Fixed Address and Paul Kelly.
Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith said the naming and transformation of the laneway was a fitting tribute to The Angels, one of South Australia’s most beloved rock bands.
“From packed pubs to festival stages, The Angels helped shape the sound of South Australia and now their legacy has a permanent place in our city’s streets,” said the Lord Mayor.
“This honour both acknowledges rock royalty and reinforces Adelaide’s global reputation as a UNESCO City of Music.”
The Angels Lane features artworks which bring the band’s legacy to life through a dynamic mix of media. They include:
A large-scale mural on the side of the Hindley Street Music Hall facing Morphett Street
A second bold mural next to the newly installed Hindley Street public toilets
Glowing lightboxes and stencilled projections beamed from the TAFE SA Currie Street campus
The Angels founding member John Brewster said the band owed its early days to Adelaide.
“We are proud sons of Adelaide. Our journey began with The Moonshine Jug and String Band. We played all the music venues, the universities, even Marcellina’s Pizza, the Pancake Kitchen, Cowley’s Pie Cart and more,” he said.
“We couldn’t be happier for the City of Adelaide to recognise the heritage of The Angels with The Angels Lane.”
South Australian filmmaker and digital artist CAPITAL WASTE (Liam Somerville) and internationally renowned street artist Vans the Omega (Joel Van Moore) were commissioned by Council to create artworks that span the laneway.
"It’s an honour to reunite with The Angels again after shooting their documentary Kickin’ Down The Door in 2022,” said Somerville.
“Our work references the iconic imagery of The Angels including their theatrical approach to onstage lighting, classic album covers and onstage antics.”
The City of Adelaide said the realisation of The Angels Lane has been made possible through valued partnerships with TAFE SA and the Kambitsis Group.
Background
Formed in Adelaide in 1970 as the Moonshine Jug and String Band by brothers John and Rick Brewster, the addition of Bernard ‘Doc’ Neeson in 1972 saw the band evolve into The Keystone Angels in 1974 and then The Angels in 1975.
The Angels’ massive breakthrough moment came in 1978 when their smash-hit album Face to Face achieved 4-times platinum status with rhythm section Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup and Chris Bailey.
Electrifying live performances and enduring hits including ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again’, ‘Take A Long Line’, ‘No Secrets’, ‘Marseille’ and ‘Shadow Boxer’ secured The Angels’ place in Australian rock history.