Transcript

Hello, this is Erika, and welcome to ‘Just a Moment News’ on February 27, 2024. Let’s dive into the headlines.

Starting off in Cape Town, where residents are reaping the benefits of solar power. The city has launched a unique “cash for power” program that rewards businesses and households for surplus solar PV energy returned to the city’s grid. Since the 2022/23 financial year, payments have exceeded 25 million Rand. This initiative is a first among South African metros, offering cash in addition to municipal bill credits, making the scheme accessible to both commercial entities and residential customers. The program has already acquired over 25 million kilowatt-hours of solar power as of February 1, with disbursements surpassing 19.4 million Rand for the feed-in tariff and an extra 6.4 million Rand from a 25 cents per kilowatt-hour incentive to encourage participation. This scheme is part of Cape Town’s strategic plan to diversify and decentralize its energy supply, aiming to incorporate up to 1GW of independent power over time.

Moving on to the world of entertainment, Netflix’s series “The Gentlemen,” a spinoff of Guy Ritchie’s 2019 movie, is creating buzz. The series, which stars Theo James as Eddie Horniman, a man who inherits his father’s estate and involvement in an underground marijuana business, tries to emulate the original film’s style. However, it seems to struggle to fully capture its spirit. Critics have pointed out that the series often comes across as a diluted version of its cinematic predecessor, lacking the same depth of character and narrative engagement. Despite these flaws, Kaya Scodelario’s portrayal of Susie Glass, a crime boss with more depth and agency than her film counterpart, adds a layer of intrigue to the series.

In other news, a maritime mystery has been solved. The SS Nemesis, a ship lost in 1904 off the coast of Australia, has been discovered by Subsea Professional Marine Services. The ship vanished following a severe storm while transporting coal to Melbourne, resulting in the loss of its thirty-two crew members. The discovery was made off the coast of Sydney, under five hundred and twenty-five feet of water. The find offers closure to the descendants of the crew and highlights the ongoing efforts to locate and document over two hundred shipwrecks believed to be off the New South Wales coast.

In the tech world, Inkitt, a self-publishing platform, is using artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize the publishing industry. With a recent Series C funding of thirty-seven million dollars, led by Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures, the company plans to diversify its offerings. This includes AI-driven story creation from user ideas, personalized fiction, expansion into games and audiobooks, and more video content derived from its published fiction. The aim is to enhance the reading experience through short, mobile-friendly chapters and immersive effects, such as sound, to attract more readers.

Switching gears to Formula One, Christian Horner, the team boss of Red Bull Racing, is under scrutiny due to allegations made by a female employee concerning his conduct. An announcement regarding Horner’s future with the team is expected before the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for Horner and Red Bull Racing, especially ahead of the 2024 Formula One season.

In broadcasting news, Paramount Global has entered into an agreement with MultiChoice Group, a prominent South African pay-TV operator, to introduce the Paramount+ streaming service to South Africa. This strategic move will make Paramount+’s content available through MultiChoice’s Showmax and the DStv app, marking a significant step in Paramount Global’s efforts to extend its digital footprint globally.

And finally, in sports, South African sport is on a high after receiving four Laureus World Sports nominations. The Springboks’ defense of their Rugby World Cup title in Paris has placed them among the nominees for the Laureus World Team of the Year. In addition, sailor Kirsten Neuschäfer has been nominated for the World Action Sportsperson of the Year, and the non-profit organization Justice Desk Africa is in the running for the Sport for Good category.

That’s all for today’s headlines. This is Erika, signing off from ‘Just a Moment News’. Stay safe and have a great day!

Keywords - moment, daily, news