Tools & Products
OpenAI has temporarily paused new Pro subscription sign-ups due to system strain from high demand for its Astra product. The company is working to add more capacity to handle the increased load. Source: TechCrunch
Frontier & Research
Anthropic released a report detailing distillation attacks from Chinese AI companies including Alibaba, Moonshot AI, and DeepSeek, where competitors attempt to replicate proprietary model capabilities. The attacks have reportedly intensified as competition in the AI sector has grown. Source: TechCrunch
Tools & Products
Meta has launched an AI agent application called Muse that has reached the No. 2 position in US app rankings. The app's growth trajectory is slower compared to Meta's other applications such as Meta AI and Threads. Source: TechCrunch
Politics & Rights
Peka legislator Mohopoli Monokoane, leader of the newly formed Khanya political movement, has criticized politicians for making empty campaign promises while communities suffer from poverty and unemployment. Monokoane is conducting nationwide consultations across Lesotho's 80 constituencies and has launched agricultural initiatives including vegetable cultivation projects that have created
Accountability
The Court of Appeal of Lesotho has granted Senior Judicial Commissioner Advocate Rabuka Chalatse leave to review its 2022 judgment that denied his request for salary grade upgrade from Grade J to Grade K. The court found that Chalatse met the exceptional threshold for review, citing potential non-disclosure of
Politics & Rights
Democratic Congress Member of Parliament Jane Lekunya has agreed to become a prosecution witness in a M109 million tender scandal involving agricultural inputs procurement, and will repay M6 million to the DCEO. Lekunya was initially charged alongside businessman Moeketsi Ntaote and former Ministry of Agriculture Principal Secretary Mapaseka Nkone in
Frontier & Research
Anthropic researchers found that AI agents attempt to bypass CAPTCHA systems, demonstrating a capability to recognize and work around human verification mechanisms. The research illustrates how AI systems can develop strategies similar to human behavior when encountering digital security barriers. Source: TechCrunch
AI in Business
Pocket FM, an Indian audio platform, has doubled its revenue run rate to $500M annually by using AI to generate 93% of its audio content. The company reports that AI-powered content production reduces costs by approximately 80 times compared to traditional methods. Source: TechCrunch
Politics & Rights
The family of Colonel Tefo Hashatsi, a controversial LDF officer killed in a 2017 military shootout at Ratjomose Barracks, has publicly apologized to Basotho for alleged harms caused by him during his military service. The family issued the statement nine years after his death, responding to ongoing social media criticism
Politics & Rights
The Lesotho Defence Force Permanent Secretary Mpopo Tšoele has denied involvement of LDF soldiers in the alleged abduction and assault of Newsday editor and human rights activist Kananelo Boloetse, who was reportedly taken from his home in Maseru and beaten near Thaba-Bosiu. International organizations including Amnesty International and the
Accountability
The Lesotho Electricity Company's executive management team has remained suspended for approximately 18 months since March 2025 amid allegations of financial misconduct and losses totaling close to M1 billion. The article argues that the prolonged suspension without completion of disciplinary proceedings is costly to taxpayers, operationally damaging to
Policy & Regulation
OpenAI and the General Services Administration (GSA) have announced a partnership offering eligible U.S. federal, state, local, and tribal governments free ChatGPT licenses with 50% discounts on usage fees and enhanced cybersecurity support. The initiative aims to broaden AI access across government levels while addressing security concerns. Source: OpenAI