Transcript

Hello and welcome to “Just a Moment News.” I’m your host, Erika, and today is June 15th, 2024. Let’s delve into some of the notable headlines from around the world.

First up, we have a significant political development from South Africa. Yesterday, in what turned into a marathon session lasting about fourteen hours, the National Assembly saw the formation of a national unity government. This coalition, consisting of the ANC, DA, and IFP, marked a shift from traditional political dynamics as they united against a progressive caucus that included the EFF, UDM, and other parties. Cyril Ramaphosa of the ANC was re-elected as President, securing 283 votes against Julius Malema of the EFF, who received 44 votes. Thoko Didiza took the chair as the National Assembly speaker, with Annelie Lotriet as her deputy. The presidential inauguration is scheduled for June 19th, and we expect to see cabinet appointments following soon after.

Switching gears to sports, let’s talk about a thrilling cricket match at the T20 World Cup. The Proteas of South Africa narrowly defeated Nepal by just one run at the Arnos Vale Stadium. Reeza Hendricks was a standout for South Africa, scoring 43 runs. Nepal’s spinners, particularly Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Airee, performed brilliantly, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win. This victory ensured South Africa’s position at the top of Group D, with four wins from four matches.

In tech news, a fascinating development involves Microsoft and OpenAI. Mustafa Suleyman, a co-founder of DeepMind who now leads AI efforts at Microsoft, has been closely examining OpenAI’s code. This scrutiny comes amidst a backdrop of partnership and competition between the two firms. Microsoft, which has invested heavily in OpenAI, finds itself in a complex position as both a collaborator and competitor, preparing for a future where each might go their own way in AI development.

From the world of software and gaming, a surprising discovery was made by Martin C. Martin, a retired engineer. He uncovered a 55-year-old bug in the original Lunar Lander game’s code, which affected the game’s landing calculations. This bug had gone unnoticed since the game’s creation in 1969, shortly after the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Moving on to corporate news, the Spar Group has faced significant challenges with its SAP software implementation. These issues have led to substantial financial losses and operational disruptions, prompting a partial transition away from SAP for certain functions. Despite these setbacks, Spar continues to refine its systems and plans further updates later this year.

Lastly, we travel to Malawi, where an innovative AI-driven app called Ulangizi is making waves in agriculture. Developed by Chicago-based Opportunity International, the app helps farmers combat crop diseases and improve productivity using AI technology. The app operates through WhatsApp and is available in the local Chichewa language, proving to be a valuable tool for the region’s smallholder farming families.

In real estate news, a piece of history is up for grabs as Winston Churchill’s former London home is on the market for approximately twenty-four million eight hundred thousand dollars. This property, located at 27 Hyde Park Gate in Kensington, offers not only luxurious living spaces but also a rich historical heritage.

That wraps up our news for today. Thanks for tuning in to “Just a Moment News.” I’m Erika, and we’ll be back with more news and insights next time. Stay informed and take care!

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