Author: Ariana Steenkamp

South Africa is currently in the grip of extreme weather conditions, particularly impacting the Western Cape region. From powerful winds to devastating fires and flooding, communities are facing significant disruptions. The Impact on Education and Transportation As the ‘black south-easter’ batters the region, numerous schools have been forced to close their doors. In the Cape Winelands and Overberg districts, 281 schools remain shut, affecting nearly 270,000 learners. Additionally, vital transportation routes have been affected by the adverse weather. Chapman’s Peak and Clarence Drive are among the roads closed due to the risk of rockfalls. Furthermore, the Helderberg area of the Metro…

Keeping Up with the Evolution of Synthetic ContentMeta is taking proactive steps, including enhancing its AI labeling, to address the surge of generative content flooding its apps. This update aims to broaden the scope of AI-generated images, ensuring that a wider range of artificial content is appropriately identified.Adapting to the Growing Influence of AI-Generated PostsIn recent months, an increasing number of AI-generated posts have appeared on Facebook, garnering significant engagement. However, many users may not possess the digital literacy to discern artificial content from real ones. Expanding the Scope of Content IdentificationAcknowledging the limitations of its existing approach, Meta is revamping…

Taiwan was rocked by its most powerful earthquake in a quarter of a century, claiming the lives of at least ten people and injuring over 1,000 individuals. The quake, measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale, struck during the morning commute, causing widespread devastation and triggering a massive rescue operation. Search for Survivors The earthquake’s epicentre was near the city of Hualien, where buildings were damaged, roads were destroyed, and landslides occurred. Rescue teams mobilised quickly to search for survivors trapped under debris and in collapsed structures. Dramatic footage captured helicopter rescues of miners trapped in a quarry and efforts to free individuals…

In a remarkable turn of events, the Internet was saved from a major cyber threat thanks to the swift actions of a hacker who became a hero. Untangling the Cyber Puzzle It all began when Andres Freund, a tech expert at Microsoft, noticed something suspicious while working on a common tool called Secure Shell (SSH). After some investigation, he realised the problem wasn’t with SSH itself but with some extra bits added by Linux distributions like Debian. These extra bits contained a hidden backdoor that could let hackers into servers. Foiling the Covert Cyber Threat This backdoor was hidden inside a commonly…

In a bid to boost child safety within virtual reality (VR) environments, Meta is rolling out age verification checks across its Meta Quest Platform. Here’s what you need to know about this crucial update:Prompting Age ConfirmationMeta Quest users will soon encounter prompts to confirm their age before accessing the platform’s offerings. This verification can be done either through credit card/government ID for users over 13 or with parental confirmation for younger users. Why it MattersMeta emphasises the importance of understanding users’ ages to tailor experiences, settings, and protections accordingly. With a range of activities available on Meta Quest, from surviving…

Bitter Reality of Post-Easter Price Surges As Easter festivities fade into memory, South African consumers face a harsh reality check as the cost of living, compounded by soaring utility bills, continues its relentless ascent. From households to businesses and motorists, everyone is feeling the pinch of soaring utility bills, primarily driven by steep hikes in electricity tariffs and fuel prices. Shocking Surges in Utility Bills The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) recently greenlit an eyebrow-raising 12.74% increase in Eskom’s tariffs, effective April 1st. This translates to a hefty blow to household budgets, with monthly electricity bills for moderate users expected…

Let’s dive into the recent decision by the (SARB) to keep South Africa’s repo rate steady. This decision is crucial as it affects both inflation and the country’s economic growth. Steady Repo Rate The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) decided not to change the repo rate, which stands at 8.25%. This decision was made unanimously and matches what experts predicted. Inflation Situation One big reason behind this decision is inflation. It’s been higher than expected, and it’s not likely to go down to the desired level (around 4.5%) until the end of 2025. In February, inflation hit 5.6%, which is…

Recently, Florida made headlines by passing a bill that limits social media access for children under 14 and mandates parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds to use platforms like Instagram and TikTok. This decision has sparked a broader conversation about the role of regulation in safeguarding children online. Examining Florida’s Recent Legislative Action Florida’s move to regulate teens’ social media access underscores concerns about their susceptibility to addictive and harmful online content. However, the implementation of these regulations may face legal hurdles, particularly regarding constitutional rights such as freedom of speech. South Africa’s Online Landscape: Risks and Realities In South Africa, the…

With the looming petrol price increase, we step into April with a mixed picture. As hopes for relief in petrol costs dampened by a surge in international oil prices, there’s some good news for diesel customers. Understanding the Current Fuel Price Landscape Recent data from the Central Energy Fund suggests that petrol prices could spike by as much as 40 cents by month-end. Conversely, diesel prices are expected to dip by around 28 to 33 cents. This follows significant increases in both petrol and diesel costs in March. Implications for the EconomyA drop in diesel prices could spell relief for industries…

Preparedness Amidst Winter Anticipation As winter approaches, South Africa’s energy sector gears up for potential challenges, issuing a load shedding alert. Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, voices concerns over the nation’s readiness to meet the expected surge in electricity demand. As temperatures drop, typically around May, Eskom faces the recurring dilemma of managing supply and demand to avert widespread load shedding. Critical Power Stations Under Scrutiny During a recent media briefing, Minister Ramokgopa stressed the urgency of addressing issues within six crucial power stations. Tutuka, Kendal, Kusile, and Majuba are among those singled out for immediate maintenance and upgrades. While Eskom’s…