Author: Ariana Steenkamp

YouTube’s Latest Move YouTube, the renowned hub for online videos, is intensifying efforts to enhance transparency, particularly in the realm of AI-generated content. They’re doing this to tackle the rise of deepfakes and fake news spreading on the platform. What’s Changing? Now, when creators upload videos that look too real because of AI tricks, they have to tell viewers about it. This means checking a box during the upload process to say, “Hey, this isn’t real footage!” Then, YouTube puts a special mark on the video to show viewers it’s not genuine. What Counts as AI-Generated? YouTube’s rules cover a range…

Introduction:A recent volcanic eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula has sparked a state of emergency in southern Iceland. This marks the fourth eruption in the region since December, raising significant concerns about the impact of lava flows and potential risks to nearby communities.What Unfolded:The eruption kicked off on Saturday night with a dramatic display of powerful lava flows. While initially intense, the pace of the lava flow has since steadied, as reported by the Icelandic Met Office. The eruption site, near Grindavik, a mostly evacuated town, is witnessing a slow advance of lava towards critical infrastructure such as water pipes and…

Benoni residents, take note! The contact numbers for Benoni Police Station have changed due to cable theft issues. New numbers were introduced last year, improving connectivity with officers. During load-shedding or power outages, call 065 740 2159 for assistance. Update your contacts: 011 747 0014 or 011 747 0015. Stay connected for a safer community.

Introduction: Get ready, South African households! Your electricity bills are about to spike, and it might hit your wallet hard. Let’s break down what’s happening and what it means for you, with insights from Alumo Energy. Context of Tariff Hike: The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) have given the green light for a big 12.74% increase in electricity prices for 2024/2025. This hike kicks in on April 1 for Eskom users and July 1 for those on municipal power, piling onto the hefty 18.65% increase from last year. Expert Insights: According to Alumo Energy, this situation is tough. Not only…

In a significant incident yesterday (11 March 2024), a mayonnaise spill on the R21 near the Pomona Road exit has resulted in ongoing traffic disruptions. A truck transporting mayonnaise overturned, causing delays and prompting public looting on the highway. As of today (12 March 2024), cleanup operations are still underway, with only one lane open heading north (to Pretoria) and slow traffic in the southbound direction (towards Kempton Park). The mayonnaise spill has created slippery conditions, and several lanes remain closed. R21 after Atlas Road off ramp, East Rand. https://t.co/61aUWBMO5h— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) March 11, 2024 Motorists are strongly urged to avoid…

In the wake of a significant power outage at Rand Water’s Eikenhof pump station,  Benoni is forced into a deepening water outage. The crisis, sparked by a lightning strike and a feeder board explosion, has disrupted water supply in areas like Soweto, Roodepoort, Hursthill, Crosby, Brixton. Frustration grows among residents as City Power rushes to make emergency repairs, but irregular water supply remains a looming concern. Struggles in Repairs Heighten Uncertainty City Power’s dedicated repair work at the substation aims for completion by Tuesday evening. Despite some progress, persistent challenges raise doubts about when normal water supply will be restored. As concerns…

As we ride the digital wave, social media is our go-to for staying connected and in the know, promoting mental health along the way. But, hey, too much of a good thing can sometimes mess with our mood. In fact, a survey by the American Psychiatric Association says that over a third of peers feel social media is a bit of a downer on their mental health. Research tells us that too many hours on social media can make us feel lonely, especially when our friends seem to be living their best lives online. It’s like a never-ending comparison game that can…

In a recent article by City Press, we learned that a Soweto teen recently took his own life, highlighting the extensive impact of social media on the mental health of today’s youth. This article delves into the intricate world of social media, shedding light on its dual nature and the significant repercussions it can have on the lives of vulnerable teenagers.The Dual Nature of Social MediaSocial media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat offer teenagers unprecedented opportunities for self-expression and identity exploration. While commendable in many aspects, these digital spaces also introduce risks, notably cyberbullying, which can exert a detrimental effect…

Introduction: The Enigmatic Meta Conspiracy In the wake of the recent Meta outage, an intriguing conspiracy theory has emerged, suggesting a clandestine move by the tech giant to transition from conventional servers to AI servers. While unverified, this theory raises questions about the potential implications for users and the broader digital landscape. The Unsubstantiated Claim Origins of the Conspiracy The origin of the conspiracy theory remains unclear, with outside sources hinting at Meta’s possible shift to AI servers as the cause behind the recent service disruption. Without official confirmation, this claim adds a layer of mystery to an already enigmatic situation. Unpacking…

IntroductionMeta, the parent company of popular social media platforms Facebook and Instagram, faced a widespread outage on Tuesday (5 March 2024), leaving thousands of users unable to access their accounts. The disruption, attributed to a “technical issue” by the company, was resolved within approximately two hours.User Reports and ImpactAs the outage unfolded, as many as 500,000 Facebook users encountered difficulties logging in or accessing the site, according to the outage tracker DownDetector. Simultaneously, Instagram received around 50,000 outage reports, with an additional 10,000 reported for Facebook Messenger. Users experienced issues such as being unexpectedly logged out of their accounts or encountering error…