Transcript

Hello everyone, this is Erika from ‘Just a Moment News,’ bringing you today’s news on this 23rd of August, 2024. Let’s dive into the stories making headlines today.

First up, Eskom Distribution, in partnership with GridCars, has launched a pilot project for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This initiative is being rolled out at five Eskom sites across South Africa, including Midrand, Cape Town, Pietermaritzburg, Rustenburg, and Mbombela. The project includes installing state-of-the-art charging stations and the procurement of twenty electric vehicles. It’s part of Eskom’s broader strategy to electrify its fleet by 2040 and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Additionally, Eskom has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Golden Arrow Bus Services to introduce electric buses into the public transport sector, aiming to replace 10% of its fleet with electric buses by the end of 2025.

Moving on, the Australian government has given environmental approval to the initial stages of the Australia-Asia Power Link. This renewable energy project by SunCable, valued at over thirty billion dollars, aims to export energy from a massive solar farm in Northern Territory to Singapore via subsea cables. The project plans to develop a twelve thousand-hectare site at Powell Creek, including ten gigawatts of solar and forty-two gigawatt-hours of battery storage.

In other news, a 2,492-carat diamond has been discovered in Botswana, potentially making it the second-largest gem-quality diamond ever found. The Lucara Diamond Corp recovered this significant stone from its Karowe mine. This discovery continues to highlight Botswana’s significant role in the global diamond market.

Switching gears to sports, the online sports betting industry in South Africa has seen remarkable growth, especially during and after the COVID-19 lockdowns. Revenues from sports betting now surpass those of traditional casinos, with a significant increase in bets placed by South Africans. However, this surge has also led to a rise in individuals seeking help for gambling addiction.

In sports news, the All Blacks are facing a coaching challenge as they head to South Africa for two crucial Tests against the Springboks. Backline coach Leon MacDonald has parted ways with the team just days before departure, citing philosophical differences with head coach Scott Robertson.

Lastly, in the tech world, Andela, a talent startup once valued at $1.5 billion, has appointed Carrol Chang, a former Uber executive, as its new CEO. Andela connects companies with remote workers from emerging markets and has seen a resurgence in sales, driven by the generative AI boom and a continued need for flexible talent.

That’s all for today’s news. Thank you for tuning in to ‘Just a Moment News.’ I’m Erika, and I’ll be back with more news tomorrow. Stay informed and take care!

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