Transcript

Hello, everyone! This is Erika, and you’re listening to ‘Just a Moment News’ on this Wednesday, September 12th, 2024. Today, we’re taking a look at some of the top news stories making headlines.

First up, the South African Revenue Service, or SARS, has reported that claims from the two-pot system, which allows South Africans to withdraw ten percent of their previous retirement savings, have reached approximately four billion Rand between September 1st and 10th. This system has seen over one hundred sixty-one thousand tax directive applications processed, averaging nearly eighteen thousand applications daily. Alexforbes, the largest retirement fund administrator in South Africa, processed seventy-eight thousand of these withdrawals, totaling one point five billion Rand, with two hundred seventy million Rand paid in taxes. SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter emphasized that tax debts owed to SARS would be included in withdrawal taxes unless arrangements are in place, and the agency maintains a twenty-four-hour turnaround for processing these applications.

Next, Showmax, owned by MultiChoice Group, has secured a deal with SuperSport to stream Premier Soccer League, or PSL, football matches across Africa. This means Showmax Premier League subscribers can now stream all PSL matches, including major competitions, on mobile devices without needing a DStv subscription. The service, available for sixty-nine Rand per month, is exclusive to mobile streaming and won’t support TV viewing. This follows the recent relaunch of Showmax, which was backed by NBCUniversal and Comcast, costing around three billion three hundred million Rand, enhancing the streaming platform’s offerings, especially in sports and entertainment content.

Over at Kruger National Park, there’s a new development where GPS ear tags with mini solar panels are being tested to track wildlife. This technology replaces the bulky collars previously used and is seen on animals such as kudu, waterbuck, and rhino. These solar-powered tags allow for remote tracking via satellite without the need for large battery packs, offering a more compact and less intrusive method for tracking animal movements. Developed by companies like Ceres and GSatSolar, these tags weigh less than forty grams and provide up to twenty-four location updates per day, also capable of monitoring animal activity and detecting unusual behavior.

In the world of classic cars, a record bid was made at Creative Rides’ classic car auction, where a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda sold for three point five million Rand. This auction saw nine national records broken, with enthusiastic bidding from both global and local buyers. Highlights included numerous rare and restored classics like a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL convertible and a 1963 Porsche 356 B Cabriolet, each setting new price records and showcasing the rising value of collectible cars, particularly German models.

In a surprising turn at the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony, Tom Cruise performed a daring stunt where he jumped from the Stade de France, rode through Paris on a motorcycle, and appeared in a pre-recorded segment skydiving near the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles. Cruise performed all the stunts himself, rejecting the use of a stunt double, and did this entire sequence for free, showcasing his dedication to the project. The stunt was coordinated by Casey Wasserman, chairman of the LA2028 Olympics.

Lastly, a company in Hawaii, Oahu Publications, has started using AI-generated avatars to present news segments for The Garden Island, Kauai’s only daily newspaper. The use of these avatars, created by the Israeli startup Caledo, has sparked controversy, with unionized journalists at other Oahu Publications papers expressing concern over AI replacing human jobs and criticizing the quality and local disconnect of the AI presentations. The initiative follows global trends in using AI to produce news content, with similar efforts seen in Russia and China.

That’s all for today’s roundup on ‘Just a Moment News’. Thanks for tuning in. I’m Erika, and I’ll catch you next time for more updates. Stay informed and take care!

Keywords - moment, daily, news