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IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
Looking for value? Ask a local
Home-made steak and stout pie with chips, peas and gravy. Image: Frank Chemaly Crossways Where: Cnr Dennis Shepstone and Old Howick Road, Hilton Open: Monday to Thursday 11am till late (kitchen 9pm); Friday and Saturday 11am till late (kitchen 9.30pm); Sunday 11am to 9pm (kitchen 4pm, Pizza kitchen 8pm) Call: 033 343 3267 It takes something to fill a large restaurant on a chilly Monday evening. But a fire is blazing in the hearth and the locals are out in force. Monday is pizza special night. Any two large pizzas, excluding seafood come in at R159 - and that includes two complimentary drinks. And boards carrying large pizzas are flying out of the kitchen, they look really good, nice crisp thin bases and generous toppings. The value is incredible. Similar specials on Tuesday take in their pastas. On Wednesday it's burgers, Thursday mix and match and Saturday, steak egg and chips. Sunday's special is a traditional roast with all the trimmings for R120. The inclusion of complimentary drinks offers exceptionally good value. In addition, pensioners get a 10% discount on main courses. Sadly neither Mom or I feel like pizza. We're at Crossways pub in Hilton. I didn't realise the extent of the operation only having eaten in the pub itself, which spills out onto a wide verandah. People were actually sitting there despite the cold. The heaters must have been working overtime. But behind the pub is the main diningroom. There's also a small 'pizza' dining room with the oven taking pride of place which was full. And at the back is a large garden which would be excellent for summer braais. Friendly staff soon found us a spot near the fire, a Scotch for Mom, a good glass of red for me. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Snails in garlic butter and gratinated with cheese. Image: Frank Chemaly The menu is substantial, taking in many pub classics. Light meals include wraps, salads and toasties. There's a selection of snack baskets, ideal for soaking up the booze in a communal setting in the pub. These can include anything from calamari and scampi, to spicy chicken wings, riblets, crumbed mushrooms, jalapeno poppers, boerewors, and lamb chops. They all come with chips and onion rings, and offer good value. Starters include everything from a soup of the day, to a variety of ways with nachos. There's the predictable chicken livers, spicy or mild, deep fried brie, and a mussel pot, along with many of the items that make up the baskets. There's also an anti-pasto board and bruschetta. Pepperoni balls with a tomato relish. These were croquettes stuffed with pepperoni and cheese. Image: Frank Chemaly We opted for creamy garlic snails (R89), gratinated in the pizza oven, which we really enjoyed. You could smell that lovely cheesy topping as it hit the table. We mopped it all up with toasted French loaf. The pepperoni balls (R74) - croquettes stuffed with pepperoni and cheese - sounded great on paper, but somehow didn't work in practice. The pepperoni sort of over powered everything. But perhaps that is just me. When I took some of the potato only and dipped it into the excellent roast tomato relish, it worked. So maybe patatas bravas would be an option. For mains there's burgers which feature a home- made 150g patty topped with options like cheese, bacon, pulled pork and featuring an array of different sauces from Jack Daniels to guacamole and sour cream, to mushroom or spicy mayo. You can also build your own. They're all a good R30-R40 cheaper than their Durban equivalents. Then besides the pizzas in evidence everywhere, there's a range of pastas, and then a selection focussed on real pub grub. Think sausage and mash, fish and chips, eisbein and chicken schnitzels. There are a number of steak options - including a beef and reef - and Natal style curries including chicken and prawn, beef, lambs and veg. Oxtail served with mash. Image: Frank Chemaly I opted for their home-made steak and stout pie (R150) which was sizable and enjoyable, even though the stout didn't really come through fully. The chips could have done with a second frying and the gravy was on the Bisto side of things. A pity. Mom's oxtail (R179) lacked the deeply umami flavours one expects of oxtail although the meat was tender. It was more like a bean stew with pieces of oxtail. It was served with a good creamy mash. All things a few technique tips in the kitchen could fix.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Amazon layoffs coming - these positions may be phased out, is your job on the list of roles being cut?
Amazon layoffs: Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has officially confirmed what many insiders have been warning for months—Amazon will gradually reduce its corporate workforce over the next few years as it accelerates the rollout of AI across operations. In a June 18 internal memo first reported by Business Insider , Jassy stated that as generative AI tools reshape the way work gets done, the company expects to need fewer employees in traditional roles. This move is not a temporary layoff spree—it's a long-term shift in how Amazon will operate. The focus, Jassy said, is on efficiency through automation , not cost-cutting alone. Which Amazon jobs are most at risk from AI? According to Jassy's memo several key corporate roles are expected to see the biggest impact: Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트 최대 할인 지원해드려요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo Customer service and software development : Jassy explicitly named these as functions being reshaped by AI tools. With over 1,000 AI tools already active inside Amazon—from code-writing bots to customer interaction agents—the demand for traditional developer and service roles will shrink. Alexa division : The voice assistant team is reportedly undergoing deep restructuring. AI is increasingly handling voice-based tasks more efficiently, and sources suggest this team is facing major cuts in 2025. Middle management : Around 14,000 manager-level roles have already been eliminated this year, according to internal leaks. AI enables flatter structures and faster decision-making, reducing the need for layers of leadership. Administrative roles : Jobs in HR, internal communications, compliance, and support —especially those built on repetitive coordination or routine reporting—are seen as easily automatable. How many people are losing their jobs due to AI in 2025? Across the tech industry, AI-related restructuring is having a real human impact. According to data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, around 20,000 layoffs in just the first five months of 2025 were attributed to 'technological updates' like AI automation. Live Events A Goldman Sachs report from last year predicted that 25% of all jobs across industries could be automated by AI in the near future. That projection is now playing out, especially in companies that were early to adopt AI tools internally. Why is Amazon reducing its workforce now? There's no single trigger—this is part of a long-term AI strategy . Jassy explained the shift is driven by operational transformation, not financial urgency. Here's what's fueling the changes: AI has gone mainstream inside Amazon : More than 1,000 internal AI deployments are in use, ranging from inventory forecasting to automated seller listing tools. Hiring freeze and restructuring : Rather than sudden, sweeping layoffs, Amazon is quietly downsizing through attrition, non-refills, and internal shifts. However, some teams like Alexa, Kindle, and Prime Video have seen direct terminations. Focus on efficiency, not just headcount : Jassy emphasized that AI will free employees from 'rote work,' allowing Amazon to redirect talent into strategic, creative, and innovation roles. Is your Amazon job safe, or could it be automated next? Amazon employees—or anyone in corporate tech—should take note. These roles are considered high-risk as automation scales up: Repetitive corporate functions (HR, internal comms, admin) Middle-management overseeing standard processes Basic customer service and support roles Coding jobs focused on routine or boilerplate work On the other hand, roles that require strategic thinking, creative innovation, product development, or AI system design are expected to stay—and even grow. How can Amazon employees stay relevant in the AI era? Jassy offered clear advice to workers hoping to avoid redundancy as AI reshapes the workforce: Adopt AI tools now : Employees are encouraged to work with internal tools like Amazon Bedrock , Claude , and Sonnet . The more fluent workers are with these systems, the more valuable they become. Upskill or reskill : Amazon is offering training and workshops. Employees should invest in learning AI integration , data analysis , or workflow automation to pivot into new opportunities. Move where the growth is : Teams building or managing AI infrastructure are hiring. If you can transition into these areas, you're more likely to thrive in Amazon's next chapter. What's the big picture on Amazon's AI-driven workforce shift? Amazon isn't alone in this transformation—Microsoft is also preparing thousands of layoffs, mainly in its sales division, to align with its massive $80 billion investment in AI data centers for 2025. Amazon is going even bigger, budgeting around $105 billion, with most of it going toward AI infrastructure for AWS. The trend is clear: as AI becomes central to operations , corporate headcounts will shrink, and the nature of work will evolve. According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas , AI-related 'technological updates' already triggered 20,000 layoffs in just the first five months of 2025. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs estimates that generative AI could automate nearly 25% of all jobs across industries.
IOL News
a day ago
- Health
- IOL News
When it comes to Freedom of Expression, the WHO Pandemic Agreement says nothing
The writer says that the next time a pandemic strikes—and there will be a next time—we cannot look to Geneva for guidance on how to preserve open debate and protect democratic norms. Image: File THE World Health Organization's long-awaited Pandemic Agreement has finally been adopted. At over 30 pages, it is comprehensive in ambition - addressing everything from vaccine access to supply chain resilience. But when it comes to one of the most critical ingredients for effective public health in a democracy - freedom of expression - the Agreement has remarkably little to say. In fact, it says almost nothing. Take, for instance, this key provision: 'Each Party shall, as appropriate, conduct research and inform policies on factors that hinder or strengthen adherence to public health and social measures in a pandemic and trust in science and public health institutions, authorities and agencies.' This sounds constructive. But read it again. 'As appropriate'? According to whom? And what policies, exactly? The Agreement doesn't say. It offers no guidance on whether open public debate - complete with disagreement, critique, and messy facts - is essential to building trust in science and public institutions. Nor does it warn against the dangers of censorship during public health crises. It simply leaves it to each country to decide for itself what 'appropriate' means. In other words, it takes no position. And this is precisely the problem. In the name of trust, governments during the COVID-19 pandemic did not always build it - they sometimes undermined it. South Africa offers two powerful examples. First, Dr Glenda Gray, one of the country's most respected scientists and then-president of the Medical Research Council, publicly criticised aspects of the government's lockdown measures. The reaction from the Department of Health was swift: the Director-General requested that her employer, the Medical Research Council, investigate her. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ This wasn't scientific debate. It was an attempt to silence a dissenting voice. It was only after public uproar that the matter was dropped. Second, consider the ivermectin litigation saga. In December 2020, South Africa's medicines regulator, SAHPRA, triggered a controversy by incorrectly stating in a press release that ivermectin was 'not indicated … for use in humans', despite the fact that the drug had long been registered for certain human indications in South Africa. Some might label SAHPRA's statement as misinformation or even disinformation, but more plausibly, it was simply a careless - though consequential - error by a public authority. Yet the same press release went further, threatening with criminal enforcement against members of the public seeking to import ivermectin - an unnecessarily heavy-handed stance that swiftly provoked litigation. These are not stories from some distant autocracy. They happened here, in South Africa. And they highlight an uncomfortable truth: even well-meaning public institutions can slip into authoritarian habits under the pressure of a public health crisis. The antidote to authoritarian drift - and to official error - is freedom of expression. In Democratic Alliance v African National Congress, the Constitutional Court affirmed that freedom of expression is valuable not only for its intrinsic worth but also for its instrumental role in a democratic society. It informs citizens, fosters public debate, and enables the exposure of folly and misgovernance. It is also vital in the pursuit of truth—both personal and collective. If society suppresses views it deems unacceptable, those views may never be tested, challenged, or proven wrong. Open debate enhances truth-finding and allows us to scrutinise political claims and reflect on social values. This is why the South African Constitution enshrines freedom of expression - not as a luxury for peacetime, but as a safeguard for moments of crisis. Our Constitution was written with the memory of repression in mind. And it is precisely when fear and uncertainty tempt governments to silence dissent that its protections matter most. One might have expected an international agreement on pandemic response to affirm these same values. Yet the WHO Pandemic Agreement retreats into vagueness. It speaks of 'trust' and 'solidarity,' and warns against 'misinformation and disinformation,' but avoids the real issue: how should a democratic society respond when public health policies are contested? How do we protect space for critical voices? Instead of offering a principled stand, the Agreement offers a shrug. Countries are told to act 'as appropriate.' That could mean encouraging open dialogue—or it could mean criminalising dissent. The WHO doesn't say. And that silence speaks volumes. Professor Donrich Thaldar Image: University of KwaZulu-Natal
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
He applied for 47 jobs but only 3 replied, then an HR insider's AI resume hack brought 3x responses
Applying for jobs can be a frustrating experience—especially when you're qualified but hear nothing back. That's exactly what happened to one jobseeker who found himself stuck. Despite applying to 47 roles for which he believed he was fully qualified, only three companies responded. The silence from employers was frustrating and baffling. It wasn't a lack of experience or a weak resume—he was confident in both. But something clearly wasn't working. It wasn't until a friend working in HR gave him crucial resume tip that changed everything. The story shared on Reddit, revealed a major flaw in how companies filter candidates today—and why getting hired often depends more on language than qualifications. The Hidden Filter: ATS Systems Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. His HR friend pointed out a common but often overlooked issue: applicant tracking systems (ATS). These software tools are widely used by companies to sort through job applications before a human ever sees them. The system scans resumes for keywords pulled directly from the job description, filtering out any that don't match—even if the applicant has the right qualifications in different words. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo For instance, a candidate might use the term 'client engagement,' while the job post asks for 'customer success.' Despite meaning the same thing, the mismatch could lead to an automatic rejection by the ATS. Simple Experiment That Changed the Outcome Determined to test this theory, the jobseeker split his applications. For half, he used his original resume. For the other half, he edited the document to include keywords directly from the job descriptions—still truthful and relevant, just differently worded. The results were eye-opening. The version with keyword optimization received nearly three times the responses, even though nothing else had changed—same experience, same skills, just different language. Beating the System with AI Many others online shared similar experiences. Some started using tools like ChatGPT to help optimize their resumes for ATS. By copying the job description and asking the AI to align their resumes with the required language, applicants noticed a substantial improvement in callback rates. Some took it a step further, using services on platforms like Fiverr to get their resumes fine-tuned for ATS compatibility. Others emphasized the importance of having a 'Skills' section packed with both valuable competencies and hard-to-spot keywords—terms that might help pass automated filters. Not About Qualifications Anymore? This shift in job hunting raises larger questions. Several users expressed frustration that hiring decisions now seem to depend more on passing algorithmic checks than on genuine merit. Many felt exhausted by the need to 'game the system' just to be seen, with some even saying they felt disillusioned about the job market as a whole. Still, some took this challenge as a sign of adaptability. By using AI to outsmart the very filters that were holding them back, they found themselves back in the game—with no changes to their actual qualifications. The takeaway is clear: matching a job posting's language word-for-word can make or break your chances, regardless of your actual capabilities. In today's tech-driven hiring process, it's not just about what you've done—but how you phrase it. In an era where AI tools can help level the playing field, those who adapt quickly may find themselves ahead. The lesson? Don't just polish your resume. Make sure it speaks the same language as the systems reading it.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
DA to report Nkabane to Ethics Committee for misleading Parliament
Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane is in hot water over the names of the independent panel that recommended chairpersons of SETA boards she disclosed to the Higher Education Portfolio Committee on Tuesday. Image: Archives The DA has threatened to report Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane to the Ethics Committee for allegedly misleading Parliament over the independent panel that recommended the chairpersons of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). This follows the much-anticipated disclosure on Tuesday when Nkabane finally revealed the names of the independent panel members to the Higher Education Portfolio Committee. Nkabane previously faced intense scrutiny for her alleged bias in selecting candidates for the SETA chairs, particularly those aligned with the ANC. During a recent heated session, she refused to disclose the identity of the panel members, only to promise to do so on compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Nkabane's spokesperson, Camagwini Mavovana, confirmed that she had disclosed the panel members. 'The minister stands ready to account to the portfolio committee and to respond to further requests for information in this regard,' Mavovana said. The disclosed panel members are Advocate Terry Motau, who reportedly did not attend any meetings, Asisipho Solani, Nelisiwe Semane, Mabuza Ngubane, and Rhulani Ngwenya. The DA has raised concerns about some of the panel members. DA MP Karabo Khakhau said Solani is the ministerial advisor to Nkabane, Semane, the chief of staff in her office, Ngubane, the chief director responsible for SETA coordination, and Ngwenya, the department's deputy director-general for corporate services. Khakhau also stated that Nkabane failed to reveal all names, as one panel member's name was concealed due to their discomfort with being disclosed. 'The minister also concealed two other names from the National Skills Authority Selection and Evaluation Panel, as well as one from the Universities Council Ministerial Appointments, and the Selection and Evaluation Panel for the Council for Higher Education (CHE),' she said. Portfolio committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie welcomed the submission of a letter containing the names of panel members. Letsie said the committee has consistently held the view that Nkabane was constitutionally obligated to disclose the names of the panel members to Parliament. 'We are pleased that sanity has prevailed and that the minister has now complied with this requirement. The committee believes this disclosure should have occurred from the outset,' he said. Letsie stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in institutions funded by public resources. 'We are dealing with public institutions funded through parliamentary appropriations. It was therefore baffling that the committee had to strongly remind the minister of such a basic accountability requirement in our democratic governance system.' Letsie said the committee will now engage with the minister further on the processes followed in appointing chairpersons to lead South Africa's 21 SETAs. Khakhau said her party will refer Nkabane to the Ethics Committee. 'The DA will refer the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, to the ethics committee for misleading the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education when she stated that all members of the Sector Education and Training Authority board chairpersons Selection and Evaluation Panel were independent,' she said.
