Transcript

Hello and welcome to “Just a Moment News.” I’m your host, Erika, and today is August 24, 2024. Let’s dive into some of the interesting stories making headlines today.

First up, we have an update on a significant service disruption that occurred yesterday. FNB and RMB experienced a major outage that affected their card payments, ATM services, and digital banking channels. The issues began around 12:30 PM, with users encountering problems such as being unable to make payments, access accounts, or use ATMs. The FNB mobile app displayed errors like “Request cannot be processed,” and there were delays in updating transaction histories on internet banking. After about two hours, the services were restored, and FNB issued an apology for the inconvenience caused.

Moving on, let’s talk about Yaga, an online second-hand retail platform in South Africa. Founded in January 2020 by Aune Aunapuu, Yaga has quickly grown to over eight hundred thousand users and has facilitated sales exceeding five hundred million Rand. The platform provides a secure environment for buying and selling second-hand items, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. Aunapuu, with her background in environmental sustainability, aims to promote a circular economy and is considering expanding Yaga into other African markets.

Next, we discuss the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA). Recently, four board members, including the chairperson and vice-chairperson, resigned following a contentious special general meeting. The resignations were prompted by social media abuse and unfounded corruption allegations. Interim board members have been appointed to help stabilize the organization and prepare for the upcoming annual general meeting in November.

In sports news, the Stormers could have sold two hundred and forty thousand tickets for the upcoming Springboks versus All Blacks match, highlighting the immense demand for this event. The tickets sold out within minutes, frustrating many fans. However, the Stormers have reserved some tickets for season ticket holders, ensuring that loyal supporters have access to this highly anticipated match.

Turning to a fascinating discovery in Suffolk, George Ridgway, an archaeologist inspired by Indiana Jones, uncovered a hoard of seven hundred and forty-eight historic coins dating from 206 BC to AD 47. The coins were found near a Roman road and are expected to fetch seventy-five thousand pounds at auction. Ridgway plans to share the proceeds with the landowner and buy his dad a pint as a token of gratitude.

Lastly, we look at a groundbreaking development in artificial intelligence. Researchers from the University of British Columbia, in collaboration with the University of Oxford and Sakana AI, have developed an AI scientist that autonomously generates, evaluates, and iterates on machine learning experiments. This AI scientist is exploring new ideas independently, showcasing the potential for AI systems to evolve beyond human-designed limitations.

And finally, we revisit the enduring mystery of the Wow! Signal. Detected in 1977 by Ohio State University’s Big Ear radio telescope, this strong, narrowband radio signal has intrigued scientists and the public alike. Despite various theories, the origin of the Wow! Signal remains a topic of speculation and scientific inquiry.

That’s all for today’s episode on “Just a Moment News.” I’m Erika, and I hope you found these stories as intriguing as I did. Join us next time for more updates and discussions on the latest news. Have a great day!

Keywords - moment, daily, news