Transcript

Hello everyone, welcome to “Just a Moment News.” I’m your host, Erika, and today is July 22, 2024. Let’s dive into today’s news stories:

First up, President Joe Biden has made a significant announcement that he will not be seeking reelection. Instead, he plans to focus on fulfilling his presidential duties for the remainder of his term. This decision was shared through a letter on social media, following pressures from within his party and the media. President Biden has thrown his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris to be his successor. This development follows after concerns and debates about his age and health, especially highlighted during a presidential debate in June. A recent poll showed that a significant portion of respondents felt it was time for him to step aside. If Harris were to be elected, she would make history as the first female and first South Asian American president.

Moving over to South Africa, the Department of Higher Education has returned a staggering R580 million to the National Treasury due to underspending, at a time when many students are struggling with fee payments. This amount could have supported over 9,000 students for a year. The underspending was mainly attributed to unfilled vacancies within the department. This revelation comes alongside reports from the Special Investigating Unit, which recovered R1.1 billion in misallocated funds, spotlighting the need for better financial management within the education sector.

In the world of sports, Xander Schauffele has clinched his second major championship by winning the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club. He posted a stellar bogey-free 6-under 65 in the final round, securing his victory and placing him among elite golfers who have won both the PGA Championship and The Open in the same year. Schauffele’s consistent performance and calm demeanor under pressure have been key to his success.

On the athletics track, South African sprinter Akani Simbine has made headlines by clocking 9.86 seconds in the 100m at the Diamond League meet in London, marking only the third time he’s run under 9.90 seconds. With the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, Simbine is a strong contender for a medal, focusing on both the individual 100m and the 4x100m relay team.

In the entertainment sector, Lee Isaac Chung’s film “Twisters” has made a record-breaking domestic opening, predicted at eighty million five hundred thousand dollars, making it the highest opening for a natural disaster film. This success is particularly notable in regions frequently affected by tornadoes, although the film saw less impressive figures overseas.

Lastly, a technological leap in gaming as Electronic Arts (EA) released “EA Sports College Football 25,” featuring likenesses of 11,000 players, facilitated by AI technology. This is the first game to use real player likenesses, a change made possible by a recent NCAA policy. The game has faced some online server issues, but early reviews are mostly positive.

That’s all for today’s news roundup here at “Just a Moment News.” I’m Erika, and I hope you found today’s discussions enlightening. Remember, there’s always more to every story. Have a great day!

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