The key technology takeaways from Ramaphosa’s 2026 Sona
From digital IDs to AI-powered crime fighting, here are the key tech takeaways from Sona 2026.
Science/Tech
Claude Riveloux: The 2026 “Hard Asset” Super-Cycle Why Institutions Are Cornering Critical Metals
New York, USA – While mainstream media remains fixated on the volatility of equity indices, a far more significant structural shift is occurring in the global commodities markets. Driven by a perfect storm of geopolitical friction and “AI-industrial” demand, strategic metals have staged a historic breakout. Claude Riveloux, Chief Strategist at Ai Synthara, identifies this […]
HEBITAL Wealth College Strategically Positions AI-Driven Multi-Asset Ecosystem to Address Volatility Fragmentation Amidst 2026 Macro Shifts
New York, USA – As global capital markets grapple with heightened volatility and the decoupling of traditional asset correlations in early 2026, institutional allocators and Family Offices face increasing difficulty in preserving capital through static models. Against this backdrop of macroeconomic uncertainty and data saturation, HEBITAL Wealth College formally positions its proprietary...
Windows 11 Notepad Flaw Let Files Execute Silently via Markdown Links
Microsoft has patched a high-severity vulnerability in Windows 11’s Notepad that allowed attackers to silently execute local or remote programs when a user clicked a specially crafted Markdown link, all without triggering any Windows security warning. The flaw, tracked as CVE-2026-20841 and fixed in the February 2026 Patch Tuesday update, stemmed from Notepad’s relatively new Markdown support —...
CIA Makes New Push To Recruit Chinese Military Officers as Informants
An anonymous reader shares a report: Just weeks after a dramatic purge of China’s top general, the CIA is moving to capitalize on any resulting discord with a new public video targeting potential informants in the Chinese military. The U.S. spy agency on Thursday rolled out the video depicting a disillusioned mid-level Chinese military officer, in the latest U.S. step in a campaign to ramp up...
The Asus Zenbook S 16 Is $500 Off and Has Never Been This Cheap
The Asus Zenbook S 16 was a favorite of ours last year, but the price was always too high. Now it has dropped to $1,000, and it’s a total steal.
IBM Plans To Triple Entry-Level Hiring in the US
IBM said it will triple entry-level hiring in the US in 2026, even as AI appears to be weighing on broader demand for early-career workers. From a report: While the company declined to disclose specific hiring figures, it said the expansion will be “across the board,” affecting a wide range of departments. “And yes, it’s for all these jobs that we’re being told AI can do,” said Nickle...
‘Uncanny Valley’: ICE’s Secret Expansion Plans, Palantir Workers’ Ethical Concerns, and AI Assistants
In this episode of Uncanny Valley, our hosts dive into WIRED’s scoop about a secret Trump administration campaign extending right into your backyard.
Anthropic Is Valued at $380 Billion in New Funding Round
The artificial intelligence start-up raised another $30 billion and its valuation more than doubled since its last funding round in September.
The Super Bowl Shift: Spartans is Gaining Ground on DraftKings & Fanatics
The Super Bowl season typically pushes fans in multiple directions simultaneously, from displaying team colors to monitoring odds before the game starts. This year, Fanatics experienced significant pressure after a surprise Patriots–Seahawks game caused jersey deficits, digital criticism, and a formal apology regarding inventory gaps. Simultaneously, DraftKings took advantage of the trend,...
WP Engine Says Automattic Planned To Shake Down 10 Hosting Companies For WordPress Royalties
WP Engine’s third amended complaint against Automattic and WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg alleges that Mullenweg had plans to impose royalty fees on 10 hosting companies beyond WP Engine for their use of the WordPress trademark. The amended filing, based on previously sealed information uncovered during discovery, also claims Mullenweg emailed a Stripe executive to pressure the payment...
More Than Just Apps: Spartans Outshines DraftKings & Fanatics During This Super Bowl Stretch
Super Bowl season always pulls fans in many directions, from buying team gear to checking the latest odds. This year, Fanatics felt the heat when a surprise Patriots–Seahawks Super Bowl led to empty shelves, social media anger, and a formal apology over stock problems. Meanwhile, DraftKings seized the spotlight, launching Super Bowl LX deals that […]
Anthropic Raises $30 Billion at $380 Billion Valuation, Eyes IPO This Year
Anthropic has raised $30 billion in a Series G funding round that values the Claude maker at $380 billion as the company prepares for an initial public offering that could come as early as this year. Investors in the new round include Singapore sovereign fund GIC, Coatue, D.E. Shaw Ventures, ICONIQ, MGX, Sequoia Capital, Founders Fund, Greenoaks and Temasek. Anthropic raised its funding target...
Waymo Asks the DC Public to Pressure Their City Officials
Stuck in regulatory limbo, the self-driving vehicle developer is encouraging Washington, DC residents to message public officials to help get its robotaxis onto roads.
A Wave of Unexplained Bot Traffic Is Sweeping the Web
From small publishers to US federal agencies, websites are reporting unusual spikes in automated traffic linked to IP addresses in Lanzhou, China.
Smart Energy Pays Expands Business Accounts to Support International Corporate Payments
Smart Energy Pays has expanded its platform with the launch of dedicated business accounts aimed at companies, project entities and institutional clients operating across borders. Available since late January 2026, the new accounts are designed to support organizations with complex payment requirements, higher transaction volumes and international regulatory considerations. As global supply...
Massachusetts HERS Rating Company Helps Builders Cut Costs and Comply with Stretch Energy Code
Ashland, Massachusetts – HERS Rating Company, a Massachusetts-based HERS rating company, assists homeowners, builders, and developers in designing high-performance homes that reduce costs, meet the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code, and lower carbon emissions. As energy codes tighten across the state, builders face rising construction costs and complex compliance requirements. The company...
Palo Alto Chose Not To Tie China To Hacking Campaign For Fear of Retaliation From Beijing
An anonymous reader shares a report: Palo Alto Networks opted not to tie China to a global cyberespionage campaign the firm exposed last week over concerns that the cybersecurity company or its clients could face retaliation from Beijing, according to two people familiar with the matter. The sources said that Palo Alto’s findings that China was tied to the sprawling hacking spree were dialed...
China’s Yangtze River shows signs of remarkable recovery after fishing ban
Doubling of fish biomass and rebounding of endangered species shows government measures starting to work, biologists say
The Yangtze River in China, which has been in ecological decline for 70 years, is showing signs of recovery thanks to a sweeping fishing ban.
The ban was made more effective by the implementation of “evolutionary game theory”, which included finding alternative employment...
OpenAI’s President Gave Millions to Trump. He Says It’s for Humanity
In an interview with WIRED, Greg Brockman says supporting politicians who back AI is “bigger than the people that I happen to be employed with.”
Our Favorite TV Is Still Almost Half Off
Best Buy continues to sell the TCL QM6K for a staggering discount.