Chinese car makers flood South Africa while factories lag
Government is seeking to boost local automotive manufacturing while Chinese brands weigh investment versus market risks.
Science/Tech
Apple Sued by App Developer Over its Continuity Camera
An anonymous reader shares a report: Apple is being sued by Reincubate, which makes the Camo smartphone webcam app. It has filed a lawsuit against Apple in a U.S. federal court in New Jersey, accusing the company of anticompetitive conduct and patent infringement. The suit alleges that Apple copied Camo’s technology, integrated similar features into iOS, and used control over its software...
Google’s New Chrome ‘Auto Browse’ Agent Attempts to Roam the Web Without You
Google’s latest addition to its Chrome browser puts generative AI behind the wheel and you in the passenger seat.
Smart Money’s Silent Pivot: Crypto’s Next Big Move Isn’t a Meme Coin
For years, the dominant mindset among Bitcoin and XRP investors was simple: buy, hold, and wait for the next major market cycle. That approach worked well during periods of rapid expansion. But as markets have matured, and consolidation phases have grown longer, a different behavior is beginning to surface. Rather than waiting indefinitely for price […]
Iran’s internet is returning – but not for everyone
The country cut off internet access on 8 January following a government crackdown on protesters.
The Shift Away From Exchanges: How Automated DeFi Is Changing Crypto Investing
For a long time, investing in cryptocurrency meant one thing: patience. You buy Bitcoin or XRP, hold it in your wallet, and hope that at some point the market will do the rest. The problem is that the market has no reason to rush. In reality, most of the capital in crypto is not lost […]
Tim Berners-Lee Wants Us To Take Back the Internet
mspohr shares a report: When Sir Tim Berners-Lee invented the world wide web in 1989, his vision was clear: it would used by everyone, filled with everything and, crucially, it would be free. Today, the British computer scientist’s creation is regularly used by 5.5 billion people — and bears little resemblance to the democratic force for humanity he intended. Since Berners-Lee’s disappointment...
What’s the ‘Best’ Month for New Movies and Music? A Statistical Analysis
An analysis of film and music release patterns has found that summer and late fall are the optimal windows for movie premieres, while the music industry has no clear “best” month — only a worst one, December, which the report’s author dubbed “Dump-cember.” For films, the calendar splits into distinct strategic zones. Summer months and holidays see elevated box office because audiences have more...
430,000-Year-Old Wooden Tools Are the Oldest Ever Found
Early hominins in Europe were creating tools from raw materials hundreds of thousands of years before Homo sapiens arrived there, two new studies indicate, pushing back the established time for such activity. From a report: The evidence includes a 500,000-year-old hammer made of elephant or mammoth bone, excavated in southern England, and 430,000-year-old wooden tools found in southern Greece —...
Google DeepMind launches AI tool to help identify genetic drivers of disease
AlphaGenome can analyse up to 1m letters of DNA code at once and could pave way for new treatments
Researchers at Google DeepMind have unveiled their latest artificial intelligence tool and claimed it will help scientists identify the genetic drivers of disease and ultimately pave the way for new treatments.
AlphaGenome predicts how mutations interfere with the way genes are controlled,...
With AlphaGenome, Researchers Are Using A.I. to Decode the Human Blueprint
AlphaGenome is a leap forward in the ability to study the human blueprint. But the fine workings of our DNA are still largely a mystery.
Election Denier Tina Peters Was ‘Pardoned’ by Trump. She’s Still in Prison
Former election clerk Tina Peters is a hero to conspiracy theorists, and even received an empty “pardon” from the president. Colorado’s governor has held firm against commuting her sentence—so far.
30,000 More UPS Jobs On the Chopping Block as Amazon Era Ends
UPS said today it plans to eliminate an additional 30,000 operational jobs this year as the shipping giant continues to wind down its partnership with Amazon — previously its largest customer — and push forward a broader turnaround strategy under CEO Carol Tome. CFO Brian Dykes said on an earnings call that the cuts will be accomplished through attrition and a voluntary separation program for...
Behind the scenes at a successful Takealot merchant
Founded 26 years ago, specialist retailer Solenco South Africa has carved out a digital niche for itself by diversifying its presence across the country’s largest e-commerce platforms, including Takealot.
Android’s Full Desktop Mode Surfaces in Accidental Chromium Leak
A bug report filed on the Chromium Issue Tracker inadvertently exposed Google’s desktop Android interface for the first time, revealing a system codenamed “Aluminum OS” running on existing Chromebook hardware. The report, ostensibly about Chrome Incognito tabs, included screen captures from an HP Elite Dragonfly 13.5 Chromebook running Android 16. The status bar has been redesigned for large...
What happens when people can buy their driving licences in South Africa
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse says state-sanctioned negligence has led to tragic and fatal accidents increasing on South Africa’s roads.
The Best Ski Helmets, Editor Tested and Reviewed (2026)
This is an essential item for all skiers and snowboarders. WIRED has tested the best helmets for all abilities and budgets.
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPU Review: Gaming’s Best Chip
This year’s Ryzen is still my top choice for PC games.
BOXO Report at Davos: A New Blueprint for Tokenizing the Global Creative Economy
A new Global Stratalogues–GBBC report, launched at the GBBC Blockchain Central Davos, features BOXO Productions’ perspective on legally enforceable media tokenisation alongside global regulatory and standards leadership. Global Stratalogues, in collaboration with the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC), launched the joint Event Report and White Paper titled “Digital Assets Policy...
Sony Bravia 5 Review: An Excellent Mid-Tier TV for Cinephiles
This mid-tier Sony comes with its highest-end processor, and that’s a big deal for home theater nerds.
‘Clawdbot’ Has AI Techies Buying Mac Minis
An open-source AI agent originally called Clawdbot (now renamed Moltbot) is gaining cult popularity among developers for running locally, 24/7, and wiring itself into calendars, messages, and other personal workflows. The hype has gone so far that some users are buying Mac Minis just to host the agent full-time, even as its creator warns that’s unnecessary. Business Insider reports: Founded by...