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MONDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2026, 15:39

Top Stories

DIGITAL MENACE OP-ED: How deepfakes and e-rapes became children’s new normal

Today at 15:22 PM, via Daily Maverick

Grok’s recent frenzied creation and sharing of deepfake pornography through X’s public platform confirmed what activists have known for years. The technology to digitally undress women and children and create e-rape content is easily accessible, largely free, gamified and difficult to police, and neither those responsible for ‘nudifying’ technology or those creating the images think...

Africa

Africa Cup of Nations 2027 set for June-July slot

Friday at 17:18 PM, via BBC News

Afcon 2027 will be held in June and July next year and reports the finals could be delayed are “totally unfounded”, says African football boss Patrice Motsepe.

Politics

Herman Mashaba in bid to reclaim Joburg mayor’s office

Today at 12:49 PM, via Mail & Guardian

ActionSA has confirmed that its leader is among five shortlisted candidates to lead the party’s 2026 Johannesburg mayoral campaign, with a final decision expected on 21 February

Sport

Kerr succeeds Devine as New Zealand captain

Today at 14:34 PM, via BBC News

Melie Kerr says it’s a “massive privilege’ to be named the new New Zealand captain with the all-rounder taking over across all formats from Sophie Devine.

Science/Tech

Musk changes course on Mars quest and shoots for moon – again

Today at 15:00 PM, via The Guardian

Moon was a distraction and Mars the goal for billionaire SpaceX chief – could Trump have influenced his U-turn?

Barely a year ago, the moon was “a distraction” to Elon Musk, the billionaire chief executive of SpaceX then fixated on his ludicrously ambitious project to build a self-sustaining city on Mars within 20 years.

Why bother returning to the orbiting chunk of rock humanity conquered half...

Science/Tech

Where’s The Evidence That AI Increases Productivity?

Today at 14:34 PM, via Slashdot

IT productivity researcher Erik Brynjolfsson writes in the Financial Times that he’s finally found evidence AI is impacting America’s economy. This week America’s Bureau of Labor Statistics showed a 403,000 drop in 2025’s payroll growth — while real GDP “remained robust, including a 3.7% growth rate in the fourth quarter.”This decoupling — maintaining high output with significantly lower...