Transcript

Hello everyone, welcome to ‘Just a Moment News’. I’m Erika, and today, July 3, 2024, we have some intriguing stories to discuss.

First up, there’s been a notable shift in South Africa’s fuel prices. Following a series of hikes earlier this year, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has announced a decrease effective from Thursday, June 4. Prices for 93 Unleaded petrol will see a drop of one Rand and five cents per litre, while 95 Unleaded will decrease by ninety-nine cents per litre. Diesel will also see a reduction, varying between twenty-four to thirty cents per litre, depending on the grade. This change comes amid lower international oil prices and a stronger rand, alongside a small contribution from the Slate Levy. Despite these reductions, it’s worth noting that petrol prices had previously risen by nearly three Rand from January to May 2024.

Next, let’s talk about Standard Bank. The bank has been in the spotlight due to numerous customer complaints about alleged fraudulent transactions and missing funds. Despite these concerns, Standard Bank has stated there was no breach in their systems, attributing the delayed response to a spike in month-end transactions. They’ve reassured customers about the robustness of their security measures. This situation has drawn attention from various quarters, including notable public figures who’ve experienced difficulties in contacting the bank’s fraud hotline.

Moving on to another story from South Africa, the South African National Roads Agency, or Sanral, has addressed concerns about card cloning at toll gates. They clarified that while cloned cards are sometimes used at tolls, the cloning doesn’t occur there. This comes amidst reports suggesting that handing over cards to toll collectors might expose them to skimming risks. However, advancements in contactless payment systems are being introduced to enhance security and convenience for motorists.

In the e-commerce realm, a remarkable story has emerged about Mikal Subramoney, a seller on Takealot, who has made significant profits by reselling items purchased from Chinatown Malls. Starting with gaming peripherals, Subramoney expanded his inventory to include unique items that proved popular during the holiday season. His success story is a testament to the potential of online retail platforms to transform entrepreneurial ventures.

Internationally, the United States has imposed sanctions on several companies, including two from South Africa and China, for their alleged involvement in training Chinese military forces. This action reflects ongoing tensions and the complexities of international trade and security relations. The companies involved have been added to the Commerce Department’s “Entity List,” which affects their ability to trade with U.S. entities.

In technology news, Figma has temporarily disabled its “Make Design” AI feature after accusations that it replicated designs from Apple’s Weather app. This decision follows concerns raised about the potential legal and job-related implications of such AI tools in the design industry. Figma’s CEO, Dylan Field, has emphasized that the feature was not trained on existing app designs and blamed the issue on quality assurance processes.

Lastly, journalist Evan Ratliff has launched a new podcast titled “Shell Game,” which explores the deceptive capabilities of AI voice clones. Through a series of experiments, Ratliff demonstrates how AI can mimic human interactions, raising questions about the future implications of this technology.

That wraps up our news for today. Thank you for tuning in to ‘Just a Moment News’. I’m Erika, and I hope you found today’s discussions enlightening. Stay informed and see you next time!

Keywords - moment, daily, news