Transcript

Hello everyone, welcome to ‘Just a Moment News.’ I’m your host, Erika, and today is September 15, 2024. Let’s dive into today’s news stories.

Starting with sports, we have an update from UFC 306, which took place at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The event featured a bantamweight title bout between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley, the reigning champion, was looking to further cement his position in the 135-pound division. Dvalishvili, on a ten-fight win streak, was aiming to claim the title and avenge his teammate’s loss. After five rounds, Dvalishvili was declared the new bantamweight champion with a unanimous decision victory.

Moving on to rugby, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi recently shared his reasons for returning to South Africa from Racing 92. His primary motivation is to participate in the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Kolisi mentioned that balancing duties with the Springboks and Racing 92 was challenging, leading to his decision to focus on his international career. He expressed gratitude towards Racing 92 for their understanding and hopes to return to the club in the future.

In another rugby story, the Sharks have made it to the Currie Cup final after a dramatic match against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, ending in a 40-40 tie. The Sharks advanced by scoring more tries than the Bulls. The game saw both teams pushing their limits, with the Sharks managing a comeback despite being reduced to twelve men in the final stages.

In political news, MTN’s contributions during South Africa’s election campaign have been disclosed. The company provided in-kind donations, including SIM cards and data services, to the ANC and EFF. This was part of their support for a multi-party system, adhering to South African legislation and their internal policy, which avoids cash donations.

Turning to a family dispute, renovations to Nelson Mandela’s former residence in Houghton are on hold due to disagreements among his grandchildren. The main issue is whether the house should be turned into a museum. While some family members support the idea to preserve Mandela’s legacy, others, who grew up there, oppose it. The house, which has fallen into disrepair, was previously converted into a luxury boutique hotel in 2021.

Lastly, in scientific news, South African scientists have collaborated with NASA to study Pluto’s atmosphere through an occultation event. Researchers from the University of the Western Cape set up a telescope in the Northern Cape to capture this rare event, aiming to gather data to understand more about Pluto’s atmospheric conditions as it moves further from the Sun.

In other research news, DNA analysis of ancient inhabitants of Easter Island has provided new insights into the island’s historical population dynamics. The study challenges previous theories of ecological collapse, showing no significant genetic bottleneck and suggesting a sustainable population until the 1860s. The findings also confirm early contact between the Rapa Nui inhabitants and South America, adding to our understanding of their societal complexity.

That wraps up our news for today. Thank you for tuning in to ‘Just a Moment News.’ I’m Erika, and we’ll see you next time for more updates. Stay informed and take care.

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