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Formula One’s commercial chief, Stefano Domenicali, warned that the concerns voiced by four‑time champion Max Verstappen over the sport’s latest technical package cannot be ignored. The Dutch driver has repeatedly expressed frustration that the new formula, especially the heightened role of energy‑management, prevents him from racing at full throttle.Verstappen’s unease is echoed by several of his peers, who have also questioned the deployment and recharging limits of the hybrid systems. The driver has even hinted that his future in the championship could be at stake, prompting Domenicali to confirm ongoing conversations with the Dutchman and other competitors.In response, the FIA, team principals, power‑unit manufacturers and the sport’s commercial rights holder, FOM, have scheduled a series of technical meetings this month. A further senior‑representatives session is set for 20 April, where decisions will be taken and later ratified by the World Motorsport Council, with the aim of implementing any changes before the Miami Grand Prix on 3 May.While engine specifications will remain untouched, officials are expected to focus on tweaking the parameters governing energy recovery and deployment. Adjustments in these areas could alleviate the current constraints on drivers while preserving safety – a priority sharpened by Oliver Bearman’s crash at Suzuka, which highlighted the risks of differing closing speeds when cars operate in varied electrical modes.Domenicali emphasized that while driver feedback is being taken seriously, persistent criticism could be detrimental to the sport’s image. “He knows his voice carries weight and must respect that weight,” the CEO said, adding that the organization aims to avoid any perception of antagonism between management and the drivers.

Sir Craig Reedie, who has died aged 84, was a pivotal figure in London's successful bid to stage the 2012 Olympics. As a member of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games from 2005 to 2013, he formed a highly effective partnership with Sebastian Coe, the bid leader, doing crucial work behind the scenes to secure the Games for London.Reedie's diplomatic skills and influential presence within the Olympic and Paralympic movement were instrumental in winning the support of British politicians and marshalling the votes of Olympic delegates. Coe credited Reedie with playing a vital role in London's bid success, saying that without his efforts, London might never have won the right to host the 2012 Games.Reedie's commitment to drug-free competition was unwavering. He was a founder board member of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) in 2000 and served as its president from 2014 to 2019. During his tenure, he clashed with the then IOC president Thomas Bach over Russia's state-sponsored doping regime, ultimately leading to Wada banning Russia from all international competition in 2019.Reedie's sports career began as a leading badminton player. He later became president of the International Badminton Federation and successfully campaigned for the sport's inclusion in the Olympics. His administrative work in badminton led to his appointment as chair of the British Olympic Association (BOA) and later as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), where he served as vice-president from 2012 to 2016.Throughout his career, Reedie was known for his tough but charming demeanor, earning him respect from his peers. He was knighted in 2006 and elevated to knight grand cross in 2018. The Sir Craig Reedie Badminton Centre in Glasgow was renamed in his honor in 2014.

Snap Inc, the parent company of Snapchat, has announced plans to lay off 1,000 workers, or 16% of its employees, citing rapid advancements in artificial intelligence as the reason. The social media company informed staff of the decision in an internal memo on Wednesday.The layoffs are part of a wave of tech industry job cuts in the past year, with many firms, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Oracle, blaming AI for the reductions. Snap Inc's CEO, Evan Spiegel, claimed that the layoffs would help the company move towards profitability and suggested that AI could fill the gap left by human labor.In his memo to staff, Spiegel wrote: “While these changes are necessary to realize Snap’s long-term potential, we believe that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence enable our teams to reduce repetitive work, increase velocity, and better support our community, partners, and advertisers.”The company, which employed around 5,200 people as of December last year, had also posted 300 open roles that will no longer be filled. Snap's stock rose around 6% in early trading following the news of the layoffs.The move has sparked concerns about the impact of AI on the labor market, with some experts and workers accusing firms of “AI-washing” layoffs to posture for investors and the market. However, top AI firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic have launched a charm offensive to address AI's potentially harmful effects on the labor market.

Becoming a parent reshapes every facet of daily life—the late‑night outings fade, responsibility expands, and the role shifts from being cared for to becoming a caretaker. This profound transition forms the emotional core of Jess Brodie’s new play, Gush. The playwright deliberately zeroes in on the moments before birth, a period she describes as a “still point” where reflection and anticipation collide. Rather than dramatizing labor itself, Brodie explores the inner landscape of a woman on the brink of motherhood. At the centre of the piece is Ally, a pregnant woman whose bulging belly becomes a visual reminder of her mounting anxieties. She grapples with sleepless nights, dietary restrictions, and the looming deadline of maternity leave, while also confronting an unfinished personal identity that must now accommodate the role of “mum”. Beyond the familiar pressures of pregnancy, the monologue delves into Ally’s quest for self‑realisation. The impending birth is portrayed as a ticking time‑bomb, intensifying her doubts about a middle‑class existence shared with a neurotic, controlling partner. The narrative questions whether she should finally honour the sexual desires she has long suppressed. Critics may note the play’s narrow focus—its politics are largely self‑absorbed, and its feminist themes risk sounding solipsistic. Nevertheless, Brodie’s script is laced with wit and unexpected turns, keeping the audience firmly engaged. In Becky Hope‑Palmer’s meticulously crafted production, the set—half stark white surface, half inviting cushion pool—mirrors the tension between alienation and comfort. It is Jessica Hardwick’s performance that elevates the piece. Her voice, both resonant and precise, navigates Brodie’s rapid tonal shifts—from irony to panic, embarrassment to eroticism, fury to humor—with remarkable sensitivity. Hardwick’s portrayal makes Gush a must‑see, even for those who might otherwise overlook the play’s limited thematic scope. The production runs at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh until 25 April.

The literary world was recently abuzz with the news that critically acclaimed author Helen DeWitt had declined a $175,000 Windham-Campbell prize due to its onerous promotional requirements. The prize, which aims to give recipients the financial freedom to focus on their work, came with obligations that DeWitt found unsustainable, including six to eight hours of filming.This decision has ignited a fierce debate about the pressures of self-promotion in the publishing industry and the challenges faced by authors who are unable to meet these demands due to disability, chronic illness, or other personal circumstances. DeWitt's stance has been praised by some as a principled refusal to play the self-promotion game, while others have criticized her as entitled or spoiled.The Windham-Campbell prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards, recognizing eight writers each year for their life's work. This year's winners include Gwendoline Riley, an author known for her nuanced explorations of family relationships. Riley's win is a testament to the prize's ability to shine a light on talented writers who may have been overlooked.The controversy surrounding DeWitt's decision highlights the precarious nature of a literary career. With average author earnings plummeting and the industry becoming increasingly professionalized, many writers are finding it difficult to make a living from their work. The emphasis on self-promotion can be particularly challenging for authors who are neurodivergent or have disabilities, as it can exacerbate existing difficulties.DeWitt's experience has sparked a wider conversation about the need for greater inclusivity and support in the publishing industry. As one author noted, the art world is ahead of publishing in terms of facilitating access and assistance for artists with disabilities. The industry must adapt to accommodate writers with diverse needs and ensure that opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of their abilities.In a surprising twist, DeWitt has since announced that she has received a $175,000 grant from a conservative university thinktank with no strings attached. This development has raised questions about the role of philanthropy in supporting literary talent and the complexities of author promotion in the modern publishing landscape.

Former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for the Federal Reserve to slash borrowing costs, likening the approach to the fiscal tactics of a “banana republic.”Trump has publicly urged the central bank to deliver the lowest interest rate in the world, arguing that cheaper financing would ease the service burden on the United States’ staggering $39 trillion debt.Speaking at an HSBC investor summit in Hong Kong, Yellen asked, “How often does the president of a developed country demand that interest rates be set to reduce debt‑service costs? This is what you hear in a banana republic.” She warned that such political meddling could unleash inflation if the Fed’s independence is compromised.The Fed, under Chair Jerome Powell, last lowered its policy rate in December to a range of 3.5 %–3.75 %. However, policymakers are growing uneasy about inflationary pressures, especially as the ongoing Iran conflict threatens oil supplies.Powell is slated to step down next month, but his successor—Trump’s nominee Kevin Warsh—has yet to secure Senate confirmation. Powell has indicated he will remain in his role if a replacement is not confirmed, and he may continue as a Fed governor until a pending Department of Justice investigation concludes.Trump has openly dismissed the idea of Powell staying on, telling Fox Business that he would “have to fire him” if the chair does not leave. Powell, for his part, describes the DOJ probe as a “pretext” aimed at pressuring the Fed to cut rates.Warsh, who argues that potential productivity gains from artificial intelligence could justify lower rates, faces skepticism from Yellen, who doubts he commands the same respect as former Fed chair Alan Greenspan. She noted, “Greenspan was widely respected for his expertise; I don’t think Warsh walks in with that level of credibility.”Trump’s broader effort to reshape the Fed board includes an attempt to remove Governor Lisa Cook, who is currently facing a Supreme Court case over alleged mortgage fraud.Meanwhile, finance ministers and central bankers have gathered in Washington for the International Monetary Fund’s spring meetings. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey warned that rising oil prices, driven by the Iran conflict, constitute a “major supply shock” that central banks must assess carefully.The IMF has cautioned that a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a global recession, underscoring the interconnected risks of geopolitical tensions, sovereign debt, and monetary policy decisions.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra expressed strong disapproval of LaMelo Ball's actions during Tuesday night's play-in tournament game against the Charlotte Hornets. Spoelstra stated that Ball should have been ejected for tripping Bam Adebayo, which resulted in Adebayo's injury and subsequent absence from the game.The incident occurred early in the second quarter when Ball appeared to reach out and grab Adebayo's left leg as he fell to the floor after missing a shot. This led to Adebayo falling on his back and eventually walking to the locker room under his own power, though he did not return to the game.Spoelstra emphasized that there is no place in the game for such actions, describing the play as 'stupid' and 'dangerous'. He also mentioned that it was not an excuse for the Heat's loss but highlighted the significance of Adebayo's absence.LaMelo Ball, who scored 30 points and made the go-ahead layup in overtime, apologized for his role in Adebayo's injury. He claimed he was disoriented after being hit in the head during the drive and did not intentionally grab Adebayo's leg.The play was not reviewed or penalized in real-time, with official Zach Zarba explaining that the window to review the play was closed due to the fast-paced nature of the game and the lack of an immediate whistle.The incident has implications beyond the game, with Zarba indicating that the league operations will determine if Ball should be assessed a flagrant foul in the coming days.

The recent controversy surrounding NFL reporter Dianna Russini and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has sparked a heated debate about gender bias in sports media. Russini, one of the NFL's most high-profile reporters, was photographed holding hands with Vrabel at a resort in Sedona, Arizona, leading to rumors and speculation about their relationship.Russini and Vrabel, both married to other people, denied any wrongdoing, but the damage was already done. Russini resigned from her post at The Athletic, while Vrabel continued to work as usual, with no apparent consequences. This double standard has raised questions about the way women are treated in sports media, particularly when they are attractive and outgoing.The internet was quick to point the finger at Russini, with many people criticizing her for allegedly crossing professional boundaries. The media scrutiny was intense, with People magazine even writing about the dynamics of her marriage. Meanwhile, Vrabel's job was seemingly unaffected, with Patriots vice-president of player personnel Eliot Wolf stating that Vrabel had been actively involved in the team's preparations for the NFL draft.The incident has highlighted the challenges faced by women in sports media, who often have to navigate a complex web of relationships with coaches, players, and other media professionals. Russini's situation has sparked concerns about the impact on women in sports media in general, with some wondering if the story will have a lasting effect on the industry.In contrast, male journalists and NFL staff have faced similar situations but have not suffered the same consequences. For example, NFL insider Adam Schefter was involved in a scandal in 2021 when an email was uncovered in which he asked a team president for approval for an unpublished article. Despite this, Schefter kept his job at ESPN and has continued to work as a trusted source of breaking news.The difference in treatment between Russini and Schefter has raised questions about the role of gender in sports media. While Schefter's value to ESPN was seen as too significant to let one issue end his career, Russini's career has been derailed by the controversy surrounding her relationship with Vrabel. As the NFL and sports media continue to evolve, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the industry and the way women are treated in the future.

Adam Scott, a familiar face in the entertainment industry since the 90s, has had a diverse career spanning films like Hellraiser IV: Bloodline, Star Trek: First Contact, Knocked Up, and Step Brothers. One of his most memorable roles was as Ben Wyatt in Parks and Recreation, where he played a state auditor and the anxious policy wonk turned devoted husband to Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler.Since his time on Parks and Recreation, Scott has continued to work in both comedy and drama, appearing in shows such as The Good Place and Veep, as well as taking the lead in the Apple TV hit Severance. His film work has also been notable, with roles in Madame Web alongside Dakota Johnson and as an absent father in Stephen King’s The Monkey.In addition to his acting career, Scott also runs a podcast series called U Talkin’…, where he deep-dives into bands like U2, REM, and Talking Heads. He has also expressed his fandom on occasion, such as when he met his hero Mark Hamill on Jimmy Kimmel.Now, Adam Scott is set to star in the supernatural horror film Hokum, which is scheduled to release in cinemas on May 1st. Fans have the opportunity to ask him questions about his career and upcoming projects, with responses to be published in a reader interview series. Questions must be submitted by 3pm BST this Thursday, April 16th.