Eskom accused of creating load-shedding for political purposes
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki said Eskom created an artificial electricity crisis from within the organisation, which culminated in load-shedding.
Science/Tech
Microsoft Forced to Issue Emergency Out-of-Band Windows Update
The senior editor at the blog Windows Central decries two serious Windows issues “that were not spotted by Microsoft during testing, and are so severe that the company has now issued an emergency fix to address the problems.”Microsoft’s first update for Windows 11 in 2026 has already caused two major issues that saw users unable to fully shutdown their PCs or sign-in into a device when using...
The Guardian view on microplastics research: questioning results is good for science, but has political consequences | Editorial
Errors in measuring microplastic pollution can be corrected. Public trust in science also needs to be shored up
It is true that science is self-correcting. Over the long term this means that we can generally trust its results – but up close, correction can be a messy process. The Guardian reported last week that 20 recent studies measuring the amount of micro- and nanoplastics in the human...
Astronomers Finally Explain How Molecules From Earth’s Atmosphere Keep Winding Up On the Moon
An anonymous reader shared this report from CNN:Particles from Earth’s atmosphere have been carried into space by solar wind and have been landing on the moon for billions of years, mixing into the lunar soil, according to a new study [published in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment last month]. The research sheds new light on a puzzle that has endured for over half a century...
Acer Sues Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, Alleging Infringment on Acer’s Cellular Networking Patents
Slashdot reader BrianFagioli writes: Acer has filed three separate patent infringement lawsuits against AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, taking the unusual step of hauling the nation’s largest wireless carriers into federal court. The suits, filed in the Eastern District of Texas, claim the companies are using Acer-developed cellular networking technology without paying for the privilege. Acer says...
China Builds ‘Hypergravity’ Machine 2,000X Stronger Than Earth
Long-time Slashdot reader schwit1 shared this report from Futurism:China has unveiled an extremely powerful “hypergravity machine” that can generate forces almost two thousand times stronger than Earth’s regular gravity. The futuristic-looking machine, called CHIEF1900, was constructed at China’s Centrifugal Hypergravity and Interdisciplinary Experiment Facility (CHIEF) at Zheijang University...
Vodacom, Maziv deal rewrites South Africa’s open-access rulebook
South Africa’s fibre market is entering an “Open Access 2.0” era shaped by scale, behaviour and enforcement.
South African Air Force helicopter unused for two years saves 18 in flood disaster
Many areas in eastern Limpopo have recorded rainfall of more than 400mm in a week, causing widespread flooding and some rivers rising to their highest levels in 46 years.
Could We Provide Better Cellphone Service With Fewer, Bigger Satellites?
European satellite operator Eutelsat “plans to launch 440 Airbus-built LEO satellites in the coming years to replenish and expand its constellation,” Reuters reported Friday. And last week America’s Federal Communications Commission approved SpaceX’s request to deploy another 7,500 Starlink satellites, while Starlink “projects it will eventually have a constellation of 34,000 satellites,”...
Elon Musk demands billions from OpenAI in explosive lawsuit
Elon Musk is suing OpenAI and Microsoft, arguing their profits stem from his early funding and support.
15 Best Electric Bikes (2026), Tested and Reviewed: Commuting, Mountain Biking
We tested the best electric bikes in every category, from commuters and mountain bikes to foldables and cruisers.
5 Best Water Leak Detectors (2026), Tested and Reviewed
Don’t let busted pipes or an overflowing washing machine dampen your day. These WIRED-tested smart water sensors can help you catch problems quicker.
South African flight school under fire from US Department of Justice
The US Justice Department has accused a South African flight school of masquerading as a civilian flight-training academy while providing Chinese air and naval forces with US and NATO military tech.
Jones Hovercraft 2.0 Snowboard Review: For Big Powder Days
Jeremy Jones’ sustainable snowboard is unbelievably fun in deep powder, steeps, and trees.
People Still Aren’t Into Buying Cars Online
A new report shows that only 7 percent of new-car buyers in the US completed their purchase online, despite a major push by automakers, Amazon, and others to move past the dealership.
6 Best Juicers (2026): Fast Juicers and Slow Juicers
Stay hydrated with tried-and-tested juicers for refreshing daytime beverages and eye-brightening evening drinks.
Personal Comfort’s the Rejuvenate Review: Have It Your Way
Memory foam layers, 45 firmness levels, and a library of specialty size options set this adjustable mattress apart.
Weight-loss drugs do nothing to address the troubled relationships we have with our bodies | Susie Orbach
The food, beauty and pharmaceutical industries poison our self-image. GLP-1 drugs will only make them richer – and strengthen the hold they have over us
Fifty years ago, I started thinking about the demand for women to look a certain way and the rebellions against the narrow ways in which we were supposed to display (and not display) our bodies. For a while, there was a conversation about the...
Nasa moon rocket creeps to its launch pad in preparation for astronaut flight
First journey around moon with astronauts in more than 50 years could blast off in February
Nasa’s giant new moon rocket has moved to the launch pad in preparation for astronauts’ first lunar fly-around in more than half a century.
The trip could blast off in February.
Continue reading…
Retailers Rush to Implement AI-Assisted Shopping and Orders
This week Google “unveiled a set of tools for retailers that helps them roll out AI agents,” reports the Wall Street Journal,The new retail AI agents, which help shoppers find their desired items, provide customer support and let people order food at restaurants, are part of what Alphabet-owned Google calls Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience. Major retailers, including home improvement...
South African solar panel company scores big win against government
Durban-based solar panel firm ArtSolar has scored an early win in its case against the South African government over alleged non-compliance with local procurement requirements in private power projects.