Transcript

Hello, everyone! Welcome to ‘Just a Moment News.’ I’m Erika, and today, August 22, 2024, we have some intriguing stories to share with you.

Starting off, Statistics South Africa, commonly known as Stats SA, has come forward with an admission regarding the Census 2022 data. They’ve stated that due to a flawed data collection process, critical data from the census is of poor quality and will not be released for public or official use. This includes key themes like income, employment, mortality, and fertility. Stats SA has faced criticism for an undercount of 30% and anomalies in results, which have led to significant implications for resource allocation and government planning.

Moving over to Cape Town, the real estate market is buzzing, especially in the Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl areas. Nearly nine hundred properties have been sold, accumulating over five point five billion Rand in sales. High-value transactions have been noted, with property prices in areas like Clifton and Camps Bay reaching up to sixty-eight point two five million Rand. The market shows strong activity, particularly in high-end properties, indicating a robust confidence among both local and international buyers.

In a more somber note, South Africa mourns the loss of William Smith, the country’s beloved mathematics and science educator, who passed away at 85 after a brief battle with cancer. Smith was renowned for his TV lessons which greatly assisted disadvantaged students across the nation. His legacy includes numerous accolades and a profound impact on educational accessibility in South Africa.

In scientific news, researchers from the University of New Mexico have made a startling discovery—microplastics have been found in human brains. These tiny particles, less than five millimeters in size, are accumulating at levels ten to twenty times higher than in other organs. This raises concerns about potential neurological impacts, including links to neurodegenerative diseases.

Next, in the tech world, major social media companies Meta and Snap are gearing up to showcase their new AR glasses next month. This marks a significant development in augmented reality technologies, with both companies viewing these devices as a step toward the future of computing. However, the technology is still not ready for mainstream use, and both companies plan to use these glasses primarily for demonstration and development purposes.

Lastly, in the entertainment sector, Lionsgate is pulling the trailer for Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis” after it was revealed to contain fabricated quotes from movie critics. The trailer, intended to showcase skepticism Coppola faced in the past, mistakenly featured quotes that were not from actual reviews. Lionsgate has issued an apology and is recalling the trailer, though it remains available through third-party channels.

That wraps up our news stories for today. Thank you for tuning in to ‘Just a Moment News.’ I’m Erika, and we hope you found these discussions enlightening. Have a great day!

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