Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the ‘Just a Moment News’ podcast. I’m your host, Erika, and today is June 26, 2024. Let’s dive into some of the interesting news stories making the rounds today.

First up, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has announced a strong 39-player squad for the upcoming rugby series against Ireland, which also includes a one-off Test against Portugal. This selection features nine players who were absent from the recent victory over Wales, and it introduces two uncapped players. Notably, players like Cheslin Kolbe and Lukhanyo Am are making a return from injuries. Despite Jasper Wiese’s current suspension, he, along with other key players like Handrè Pollard, has been included in the squad. The squad consists of 22 forwards and 17 backline players, including several World Cup winners such as Siya Kolisi and RG Snyman. Erasmus has emphasized the importance of building squad depth, pointing towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and has even prepared a strategic standby list of 14 players who may join the squad for the Portugal Test.

Moving on to economic development, the City of Cape Town has secured a significant investment for infrastructure development. Nedbank has contributed three billion five hundred million Rand to the city’s infrastructure pool. This funding is part of a larger plan where Cape Town aims to spend thirty-nine billion five hundred million Rand on infrastructure over the next three years, which is expected to be the largest three-year investment by a metropolitan municipality in South Africa. This project is anticipated to create one hundred twenty thousand construction-related jobs. Additional funding is expected from international sources like the International Finance Corporation and the Agence Française de Développement, with a focus on projects that align with the city’s climate change strategy.

In conservation news, the University of Witwatersrand’s Rhisotope Project is making headlines by fitting 20 adolescent black and white rhinos with low doses of radioisotopes in their horns. This innovative approach aims to combat poaching by making the horns detectable by radiation portals at global transit points, potentially deterring illegal trade. This project, observed at a secret rehabilitation center in Limpopo, could extend its methodology to other endangered species in the future.

From the realm of space exploration, China’s Chang’e 6 spacecraft has successfully returned to Earth with the first-ever soil samples from the far side of the Moon. This historic achievement is expected to enhance our understanding of the Moon’s terrain and its early history, potentially offering insights into the origins of life on Earth. The mission overcame challenges such as communication blockages caused by the Moon itself, with the aid of lunar satellites.

In tech news, OpenAI has recently showcased its latest advancements at their Spring Update event. Despite a delay in releasing the advanced voice mode for ChatGPT, which includes features reminiscent of Scarlett Johansson’s character in the movie Her, the company has successfully launched a desktop app for macOS. This app allows users to access ChatGPT using a keyboard shortcut, with a Windows version expected later this year.

Lastly, ElevenLabs has launched its first iOS app, “ElevenLabs Reader: AI Audio,” which turns text files or web links into audio narration. This app, developed by former Palantir engineers, supports various tasks and offers a selection of eleven different voices and accents. It’s designed to help users multitask by listening to content while engaged in other activities.

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 these discussions enlightening. Join us again next time for more updates and insights. Goodbye for now!

Keywords - moment, daily, news