Transcript

Hello, everyone! This is Erika from ‘Just a Moment News’, bringing you some of today’s intriguing headlines on this 30th of May, 2024. Let’s dive into the details of each story.

Starting off with the elections in South Africa, the Electoral Commission of South Africa has begun announcing the initial results from the national elections after a significant turnout at the polls. With over twenty-three thousand polling stations operational nationwide, the queues were long and there were some issues with the voter management devices. However, the Commission was prepared with physical copies of the voter rolls to ensure everyone got a chance to vote. As the results trickle in, all eyes are on the ruling ANC, which might lose its majority, according to some analysts. The voter turnout is expected to exceed the sixty-six percent mark seen in the 2019 elections, indicating a high level of public engagement.

Moving on to a major cybersecurity incident, Ticketmaster/Live Nation has suffered a data breach at the hands of the dark web group known as Shiny Hunters. This breach has potentially exposed five hundred sixty million customer records, which the hackers aim to sell for seven hundred fifty-two thousand US dollars. The breach includes sensitive information like ticket sales and customer details, raising concerns about identity theft and financial fraud. This incident has sparked a renewed debate about the need for robust cybersecurity measures.

In entertainment news, Ster-Kinekor, a major cinema chain in South Africa, is facing tough times. Despite exiting business rescue last year, the company plans to reduce its workforce by two hundred thirty-six employees and close several cinemas. This decision comes in response to challenges such as competition from streaming services, load-shedding, and a shortage of new releases due to the Hollywood actors’ strike. CEO Mark Sardi remains optimistic about the future but acknowledges the current difficulties.

In sports, world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler has had criminal charges against him dismissed following a misunderstanding at the PGA Championship in Kentucky. The charges stemmed from an incident during a chaotic scene outside the Valhalla Golf Club. After a thorough review, the court found that the evidence did not support the charges, and they were dropped, allowing Scheffler to focus on his ongoing season without further legal distractions.

In tech news, OpenAI has rolled out new features for free ChatGPT users, which were previously available only to paid subscribers. These features include custom GPTs, chart creation, and data analytics among others. While free users have access to some advanced functionalities, they face limitations compared to paid users, particularly in terms of message limits.

Lastly, a former sheriff’s deputy from Florida, John Mark Dougan, has become a key figure in Russian disinformation efforts. After fleeing to Russia in 2016, Dougan now operates over one hundred sixty fake news websites that mimic reputable news sources. His activities have reached millions and are considered a significant threat to Western information ecosystems.

In a fascinating development in archaeology, researchers have used cosmic rays to date a seven thousand-year-old site in northern Greece. This innovative method combines dendrochronology, radiocarbon dating, and the identification of Miyake events to provide a precise chronological framework for ancient settlements.

That wraps up our discussion for today. Thank you for tuning in to ‘Just a Moment News’. I’m Erika, and we’ll be back with more stories and insights next time. Stay informed and take care!

Keywords - moment, daily, news