News by Dani

Posting over the weekend is not as extensive as during the week

News Headlines

Juju ridicules ‘shower man’ - ANC Youth League president Julius Malema has again ridiculed President Jacob Zuma, this time leading supporters in a song about how “the shower man is giving us a hard time” – while gesturing with a make-believe shower head at the party’s Limpopo conference. (Read More Times)

Final Convoy Of US Troops Leaves Iraq - The last US troops have withdrawn from Iraq, driving over the border into Kuwait nearly nine years after the US-led invasion. (Read More Sky)

Journalist allegedly assaulted by ANC Youth League - A photojournalist was assaulted on the sidelines of the ANC Limpopo elective conference when he went to investigate the alleged printing of duplicate voting tags by ANC Youth League members on Saturday. (Read More MG)

Obama signs key bill to fund federal government - US President Barack Obama has signed into law a spending bill, averting an impending shutdown of federal government services. (Read More BBC)

‘Death squad’ probe as cops are redeployed - THE authorities are cracking down on an alleged police hit squad exposed by the Sunday Times last week as more evidence of executions of suspects has emerged. (Read More Times)

Analysis: Could RIM’s survival mean abandoning the BlackBerry? - It might seem like corporate heresy but an increasing number of technology investors and experts are asking whether Research in Motion needs to ditch its BlackBerry handset business to survive. (Read More Reuters)

Library fire in Egypt clashes destroys ‘irreplaceable’ 200-year-old documents - The new wave of bloody clashes between pro-democracy protesters and Egypt’s security forces has left at least 10 people dead, including six by live ammunition — even though the new prime minister denied that live fire was being used by his forces. (Read More CNN)

You have a right to know the truth, says Mbeki - Former president Thabo Mbeki said on Saturday that South Africans deserved to know facts about the country’s history which were not yet public knowledge. (Read More MG)

Olympus offices to be raided this week: report - Tokyo police, prosecutors and the securities watchdog will likely launch a raid on the offices of disgraced Olympus Corp this week on suspicion the company falsified financial accounts, Kyodo News has reported, citing investigative sources. (Read More Reuters)

Revealed: how UK City fees are eating into pensions - Highly paid City traders are depriving pensioners and savers of thousands of pounds through high management fees that are often hidden, according to leaked advice provided by consultants to the Treasury. (Read More Guardian)

Flash Floods Kill More Than 400 In Philippines - Hundreds more are missing and an estimated 100,000 are homeless after torrential rain triggered by tropical storm Washi caused rivers to burst their banks while people slept in the Mindanao region. (Read More Sky)

Peru ‘stops’ parole trip by Lori Berenson to US - A US woman who served 15 years in prison in Peru for aiding left-wing rebels says she was prevented by the Peruvian government from making her first trip home. (Read More BBC)

U.S. defense chief in Libyan capital for talks - U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta expressed confidence in Libya’s transition to democracy Saturday in the first visit to the country by a Pentagon chief. (Read More CNN)

Russian drilling rig capsizes, 2 dead, many missing - An oil drilling rig with 67 crew on board capsized off the Russian Far East island of Sakhalin when it ran into a storm while being towed, and at least two of the crew died, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday. (Read More Reuters)

French credit downgrade could come ‘within days’ - Standard & Poor’s expected downgrade could create panic in the financial markets and make eurozone crisis even worse (Read More Guardian)

Sports Watch

South Africa in charge after Philander rocks Sri Lanka - Graeme Smith scored a half-century but fell late on as South Africa made a confident reply after dismissing Sri Lanka for 180 on the opening day of the first test on Thursday. (Read More SportLive)

Froch punished by wily Ward - Carl Froch lost his WBC super-middleweight belt and his bid to become Super Six champion after Andre Ward was awarded a unanimous points decision in Atlantic City. (Read More BBCSports)

Charl Schwartzel closes in on Lee Westwood at Thailand championship - Lee Westwood saw his huge advantage in the inaugural Thailand Golf Championship reduced to four shots following the third round on Saturday, with the South African Charl Schwartzel leading the chasing pack with a second successive 66. (Read More Guardian)

2013 Club World Cup to be held in Morocco - Morocco will become the first African country to host the annual Club World Cup of continental winners, Fifa President Sepp Blatter announced on Saturday. (Read More MG)

Bernie Ecclestone says Formula 1 will not be big in the United States - Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has admitted that the sport “will not be big in America”. (Read More BBCSport)

Has Peyton Manning played his last game for the Colts? - As it slowly became clear that quarterback Peyton Manning would not be healthy enough to play for the Indianapolis Colts this season, his teammates embraced the following rallying cry: (Read More CNN)

News Headlines

COP 17: Envoys slam SA ‘incompetence’ - Envoys at the global climate conference ended on Sunday in Durban left late-night sessions shaking their heads about their South African hosts, saying in rather undiplomatic speech they had let the process go off the rails. (Read More News24)

5 dead, scores injured in Belgium grenade, gun attack - A grenade and gun attack in this eastern Belgian city left five people dead, including the attacker, and 119 wounded Tuesday, authorities said. (Read More CNN)

Dewani a suicide risk, court told - The health, and the life, of British businessman Shrien Dewani will be at risk if he is extradited to South Africa to face allegations of masterminding the murder of his bride during their honeymoon, the London High Court was told on Tuesday. (Read More iol)

Iraq PM Nouri al-Maliki calls for US investment - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, has called on US business leaders to invest in his country to help it recover from years of war. (Read More BBC)

A SA dreadlocked mule - On the day a South African woman was executed in China for smuggling drugs, a young Johannesburg student was arrested in Thailand for allegedly trying to smuggle cocaine hidden in her dreadlocks into the country. (Read More Times Live)

MF’s Corzine said to know of customer fund misuse - The regulatory arm of CME Group has turned over interviews to the Justice Department that allege former MF Global chief Jon Corzine knew that the now-bankrupt brokerage firm used customer money to lend to a European affiliate, a CME executive said on Tuesday. (Read More Reuters)

David Cameron challenged in cabinet over EU veto - Energy secretary Chris Huhne tells prime minister he had no authority from the coalition to veto revision of Lisbon treaty (Read More Guardian)

For Syria’s Dissidents, Even Exile Isn’t Safe - Ghorayib’s husband, Thaer al-Nashef, is a prominent Syrian journalist and dissident — and one of the Syrian regime’s most vocal critics in exile. (Read More TimeWorld)

Archbishop Tutu discharged from hospital - discharged from hospital on Tuesday after undergoing minor surgery last week, his office said. (Read More MG)

Hasty Afghan withdrawal would be a disaster, US military warns - Secret report says end to combat operations would undermine gains and worsen security (Read More Independent)

China’s Hu Reportedly Tells Navy to Get Ready for Military Combat - As tensions grow over local maritime disputes and U.S. influence in the South China Sea, China’s president said Tuesday that its navy should “make extended preparations for military combat,” the AFP reported. (Read More Fox)

Thomas Cook Jobs Fear As 125 Stores Set To Shut - Holiday firm Thomas Cook is expected to reveal that it will close an additional 125 stores and axe hundreds of jobs. (Read More Sky)

Mdluli faces fraud charges – Suspended crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli will appear in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Pretoria on Wednesday on fraud and corruption charges. (Read More iol)

Deal on payroll tax cut extension still elusive - WASHINGTON – There is broad agreement in Congress to extend the payroll tax cut for one year and overhaul the federal unemployment benefit system, but a partisan divide over how to pay for it and whether to fast-track an oil pipeline has threatened Congress’ ability to adjourn for the year and reignited the prospect of a government shutdown. (Read More USAToday)

Egypt elections enter second round - Egyptian voters are set to go to the polls for the second round in the country’s lengthy post-revolution election process. (Read More BBC)

Mother’s Sunday Rapist fury - Tempers flared when the alleged Sunday Rapist appeared in court yesterday as the mother of one of the rapist’s victims shouted after him as he walked back to the holding cells. (Read More TimesLive)

Pakistan police rescue chained students from madrasa -Pakistani police rescued about 68 students from an Islamic seminary in Karachi, several of whom were reportedly chained in a basement, denied food and pressured to join the Taliban, officials said Tuesday. (Read More LATimes)

James Murdoch warned over phone hacking, e-mail shows - Correspondence released Tuesday shows that James Murdoch was warned in writing of the seriousness of a threat to sue his News of the World newspaper over phone hacking in 2008. (Read More CNN)

EU discounts ‘chaotic’ DRC election results - The European Union’s election observation mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo added its voice on Tuesday to mounting criticism of polls that handed President Joseph Kabila a new five-year term. (Read More MG)

Gingrich surges ahead in Republican race: NBC/WSJ poll - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has taken a commanding lead in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, hitting the 40 percent mark for the first time in the campaign, according to an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll released on Tuesday. (Read More Reuters)

Canada condemned at home and abroad for pulling out of Kyoto treaty - China calls Canada’s decision ‘preposterous’, while Greenpeace says the country is protecting polluters instead of people (Read More Guardian)

Iranian Official Threatens Military Drill Sealing Off the Strait of Hormuz - A high-ranking Iranian official has said Iran’s military will practice sealing off the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important oil transport channel, in a provocative move that illustrates Iran’s capability of disrupting the world’s oil supply. (Read More Fox)

US Household electricity bills skyrocket - Electric bills have skyrocketed in the last five years, a sharp reversal from a quarter-century when Americans enjoyed stable power bills even as they used more electricity. (Read More USAToday)

Sports Watch

Bulls snubbed old sponsor - The Bulls are finally able to sport the logo of their new kit sponsor, PUMA, after they won a legal battle against their former sponsor. (Read More Sport24)

Froch – Ward is rattled - Carl Froch felt Andre Ward was ‘rattled’ during their final press conference ahead of Saturday’s Super Six final in Atlantic City. (Read More SkySports)

New CSA role for Van Zyl - Former Proteas head coach Corrie van Zyl has been appointed as Cricket SA’s new general manager of cricket. (Read More iol)

Kimi Raikkonen hurts hand in snowmobile crash - Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen has injured his hand in a crash in a snowmobile race but his Lotus team say the Finn is not seriously hurt. (Read More BBC)

Champion Klitschko sets Chisora date - Heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko will put his WBC title on the line against Britain’s Dereck Chisora in the German city of Munich on February 18, it was announced Tuesday. (Read More CNN)

Lewis Hamilton defends his management team, XIX Entertainment - Lewis Hamilton has again launched a robust defence of his management team. XIX Entertainment, run by Simon Fuller, has been heavily criticised by the Formula One rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone. (Read More Guardian)

IOC issues ethics rules for presidential campaign - A ban on use of social networks is just one of the wide-ranging regulations included in a “code of conduct” issued by the International Olympic Committee’s ethics commission. (Read More Fox)

Boeheim, Syracuse face lawsuit over abuse claims - The two men who have accused former Syracuse associate coach Bernie Fine of molesting them when they were children are suing Syracuse University and men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim for defamation. (Read More USAToday)

News Headlines

Father kills daughter’s alleged rapist - An Ulundi policeman lost faith in the criminal justice system after his baby daughter was raped – and now he will spend the rest of his life in jail for murdering two fellow police officers and the alleged culprit. (Read More iol)

Cameron Blocks EU Treaty Deal Bid In Brussels - David Cameron has blocked an EU deal for a crucial treaty change and now faces virtual isolation as the others forge ahead without the UK. (Read More Sky)

Babies left in boiling car, mom arrested - A woman was arrested at a shopping centre in Vereeniging on Thursday after paramedics had to break the window of her black BMW to rescue two severely dehydrated children. (Read More News24)

U.S. official: Iran does have our drone -A U.S. official tells CBS News that there is “high confidence” that a captured American aircraft shown on Iranian television today is, in fact, one of this country’s most sophisticated spy planes. (Read More CBSN)

India: ‘Many die’ in Calcutta hospital fire - At least 20 people are feared dead in a fire that broke out in a hospital in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta (Kolkata), officials say. (Read More BBC)

Activists beaten at COP17 by Durban ‘volunteers’ – The heavy-handed actions of the “green bombers” – so called by activists because of their green uniforms and aggression – and of unionists, who kicked an activist, were in full view of the world’s media. (Read More TimesLive)

Tensions rise between Egyptian military and Muslim Brotherhood - The military council that runs Egypt and an Islamist party that has done well in parliamentary elections accused each other Thursday of plotting a dictatorship. (Read More CNN)

Donen Report: ANC bosses are not off the hook – With one voice the headlines on Thursday proclaimed that the Donen Commission had “cleared” Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale. (Read More MG)

MF Global’s Corzine: I did not intend to break rules - A contrite Jon Corzine, in his first public defense of his leadership of now-bankrupt futures brokerage MF Global, told U.S. lawmakers he “never intended” to break rules and had no clue what happened to hundreds of millions of dollars in missing customer money. (Read More Reuters)

Mugabe pushes for early elections - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Thursday called for elections next year to end a fragile coalition with rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, and said he would not back down in forcing foreign firms to sell majority stakes to blacks (Read More iol)

British troops could leave Afghanistan early - Up to 4,000 British troops could leave Afghanistan before the end of 2013 under proposals being put before David Cameron at a meeting of the National Security Council next week. (Read More Guardian)

Leaders should get lifestyle audits: Vavi - Political leaders should undergo lifestyle audits to clear suspicions about their wealth, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on Thursday. (Read More News24)

Gingrich Leads in GOP Voter Preference - Newt Gingrich is the clear front-runner for the 2012 Republican nomination — and the biggest beneficiary of Herman Cain’s departure from the race (Read More Fox)

Cabinet’s intervention not political: Gordhan - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has dismissed the Limpopo ANC Youth League statement that the timing of the placement of five provincial departments under administration was politically driven. (Read More TimesLive)

No felony charges for Walmart pepper-sprayer - Prosecutors say a Los Angeles woman accused of attacking Black Friday shoppers with pepper spray won’t face felony charges. (Read More CBSN)

Police: Three Dead In Family Home Incident - Two adults and a child have died following an incident at a house in the East Midlands, police have said. (Read More Sky)

Public protector not ‘interfering’ with secrecy Bill - Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on Thursday labelled the ANC’s claims she is trying to interfere in the passage of the controversial Protection of State Information Bill into law as a “complete misunderstanding”. (Read More MG)

Samsung to sell Galaxy tablets in Australia - Australia’s High Court has lifted a ban on the sale of Samsung’s Galaxy tablet in the country in time for the Christmas shopping season. (Read More BBC)

New jobs data point to improving SA prospects - Though employment growth has been subdued, the addition of 6 000 jobs in the second quarter “has extended the most recent uninterrupted period of employment growth to five quarters”, according to the Reserve Bank quarterly bulletin released yesterday (Read More iol)

Note from Italian anarchist group found with bank bomb - An Italian anarchist group has claimed responsibility for a failed mail bomb attack on Deutsche Bank CEO Josef Ackermann, German investigators said Thursday. (Read More CNN)

Raped girl gets justice 5 years on - A man was jailed for 20 years by the KwaMhlanga Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for raping a girl, Mpumalanga police said. (Read More News24)

Two dead in Virginia Tech University shooting - A gunman ambushed and killed a campus police officer and was later reported to have been found dead on Thursday at Virginia Tech University, the site of one of the worst shooting rampages in U.S. history. (Read More Reuters)

How Mexico’s drug cartels profit from flow of guns across the border - Cartels using US residents to buy guns legally and smuggle them across the border as Mexico pleads with Congress to act (Read More Guardian)

FDA Cracking Down on Online Sperm Donor - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says a California man who has fathered 14 children through sperm donation is breaking the law, and its trying to stop him from making further donations, KPIX reported. (Read More Fox)

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Sports Watch

NFL guru helps Cheetahs - The Cheetahs’ conditioning coach Niel du Plessis has sought advice from an American conditioning expert in an effort to produce better rugby-specific athletes. (Read More Sport24)

Lancaster looking to future - Rowntree insists it is a “new start” after disappointing World Cup (Read More SkySports)

SA women defeated by champions - The Investec South African women’s hockey team went down 4-1 to Argentina’s beloved Las Leonas (the Lionesses) after trailing 2-1 at half-time in the Four Nations encounter in Buenos Aires late on Thursday night (Read More iol)

Virender Sehwag hits record one-day international score - Virender Sehwag smashed 219 from 149 balls to break the record for the highest one-day international score as India thrashed West Indies by 153 runs. (Read More BBCSports)

Old hand Matthews is new PSL CEO - The Premier Soccer League yesterday appointed Stanley Matthews as its new CEO, replacing Zola Majavu, who quit the post barely three months into the job. (Read More TimesLive)

IOC sanctions two leading sports officials over cash payments - Two leading world sports officials were sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee Thursday over cash payments they received from a collapsed sports marketing agency. (Read More CNN)

SARU to boost transformation - The South African Rugby Union (SARU), with the backing of the National Lottery and Department of Sport and Recreation, plans to launch a major Academy Project that has the potential to dramatically increase the opportunities for top-flight rugby among young, black players. (Read More Sport24)

Fabio Capello takes blame for Wayne Rooney ban as Uefa appeal succeeds - Wayne Rooney has been cleared to play in England’s final group game at Euro 2012, after Fabio Capello took full responsibility for the striker’s red card against Montenegro and urged a Uefa disciplinary panel not to punish him for an experienced manager’s mistake. (Read More Guardian)

New Zealand, South Africa seek Sevens solace - Giants New Zealand and South Africa are hurting before the third leg of the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series in Indian Ocean city Port Elizabeth from Friday. (Read More MG)

NBA Kills Three-Team Trade Sending Paul to Los Angeles - Despite the appearance earlier that the deal was done, the Los Angeles Lakers lost their chance to snag star point guard Chris Paul from the Hornets late Thursday after the NBA intervened to stop the trade from occurring. (Read More Fox)

Armed guards for Volvo boats - Volvo Ocean Race boats will be loaded onto a ship and protected by armed guards when they pass through the pirate-filled waters off the East African coast, organisers said on Thursday. (Read More Sport24)

Japanese star Darvish: I’m headed to majors - The 25-year-old right-hander, considered the best pitcher in the Japanese professional leagues, wrote on his blog that he had decided to use the posting system, which allows MLB teams to bid for the negotiating rights to Japanese players who have yet to become free agents. (Read More CBSN)

News Headlines

Buckle up your kids, or pay - Parents who do not strap in their children have been warned: the Western Cape
government is planning tougher legal penalties and huge fines to make sure kids are properly buckled up. (Read More iol)

Little left of illegal hunters, court hears - There was so little left of two men killed while hunting illegally that no
proper funeral could be held for them, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria heard on Wednesday. (Read More News24)

China executes female gangland prostitution ringleader - The female head of a gangland prostitution ring in Chongqing in south-west China has been executed, Chinese media say. (Read More BBC)

Detective in Jub Jub case shot dead - A key witness in the Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohonye murder trial was shot and killed by armed men, City Press reported on Wednesday (Read More News24)

Mexican Gunmen Kill Four In Ambulance Attack - Gunmen have attacked an ambulance in Mexico, killing the driver, two patients and a female passenger in the vehicle. (Read More Sky)

Heath’s job on the line – after just one week - Barely a week after taking over the hot seat as head of the Special Investigating Unit, advocate Willem Heath’s future hangs in the balance. (Read More Times Live)

Shining Path leader says it’s defeated - The Shining Path, the Maoist terrorist group that wreaked havoc in Peru in the 1980s, has admitted defeat and seeks to negotiate an end to its war with the government, one of the group’s top leaders told a nongovernmental organization. (Read More CNN)

Donen’s done, but the Oil for Food saga may not be over - The Donen report may have cleared Kgalema Motlanthe and Tokyo Sexwale — but, amid calls for the public protector to investigate the matter, analysts have predicted this may not be the end of the Oil for Food scandal. (Read more MG)

Japan: not aware of IMF $600 billion euro zone aid plan - A Japanese government official said on Thursday he had not heard of a reported $600 billion IMF lending facility to help the euro zone, although Japan would consider providing bilateral loans to the Fund if warranted by developments in Europe. (Read More Reuters)

SA courts partners for energy campaign - South Africa has formed an international partnership with four EuroEU countries in an attempt to source funding for its renewable energy programme. (Read More iol)

EU summit signals crunch time for Cameron at home and abroad - Prime minister arrives in Brussels for European summit amid demands for referendum and accusations of ‘obnoxious’ tactics (Read More Guardian)

Credit card fraud nearly doubles - Credit card fraud nearly doubled to R403m in the 2009/2010 financial year, a
study by the SA Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) has found. (Read More News24)

Senate Dems Threaten to Cancel Holiday Break to Push Payroll Tax Holiday - Senate Democrats seem to have declared a war on Christmas break — for the third year in a row — vowing to stay in Washington over the holidays to push through business that hasn’t passed during regularly scheduled sessions, including the payroll tax cut. (Read More Fox)

New drug combination controls advanced breast cancers - There are no drugs to cure breast cancer as advanced as Elise Winters’; her tumors have spread around her body. But Winters, diagnosed in 2002, says she’s
grateful that a series of experimental therapies has prolonged her life, even if some drugs have only worked for a year or two. (Read More USA Today)

Vet Student Gored To Death By Pygmy Elephant - A pygmy elephant has gored an Australian veterinarian student to death in a remote wildlife park on the Malaysian island of Borneo. (Read More Sky)

You have four years to see the light on bulbs - The government wants every household to install energy-saving light bulbs by 2016. (Read More TimesLive)

Thailand jails US man Joe Gordon for royal insult - Thailand has jailed a US citizen for two and a half years after he admitted posting web links to a banned biography of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. (Read More BBC)

ANC slates DA’s ‘supremacist’ secrecy Bill campaign - The ANC parliamentary caucus on Wednesday sharply criticised the opposition Democratic Alliance’s plan to muster support against the controversial Protection of State Information Bill — days after it called for broader societal debate. (Read More MG)

Gingrich front-runner in 3 of first 4 states to vote - Newt Gingrich tops the field of Republican presidential candidates by double digits in three of the four states to first hold contests in the race for the GOP nomination, according to new surveys in those states. (Read More CNN)

Moon tried to avoid crash: officer - Soccer star Bryce Moon tried to avoid hitting a Johannesburg woman after losing control of his car, the Randburg Magistrate’s Court heard on Wednesday. (Read More iol)

BP faces more citations, Halliburton responds - BP was hit with five more safety citations from the U.S. government on Wednesday, while it also received the latest legal salvo from a major contractor, as it continues to deal with fallout from last year’s massive oil blowout in the Gulf of Mexico. (Read More Reuters)

Russia’s anti-Putin protests grow - Tens of thousands say they are prepared to take to the streets in the biggest challenge yet to the country’s government (Read More Guardian)

U.S. Border Agent Shoots, Kills Alleged Illegal Border-Crosser in Struggle - A U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot a Guatemalan man in southern Arizona as the illegal border-crosser allegedly attacked an agent. (Read More Fox)

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Sports Watch

Johnson: I didn’t back Oscar - Michael Johnson wouldn’t have cleared Oscar Pistorius to run in able-bodied races
but, now the decision has been made, the retired 400m great wants to see the double-amputee athlete “do the best he can possibly do.” (Read More Sport24)

Swiss champions dump United out of the Champions League - Manchester United have missed out on the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in six seasons after losing 2-1 to Basel at St Jakob Park. (Read More SkySports)

Smith, AB help Sri Lankans get paid - Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan thanked the Proteas’ players for their
support in their battle to ensure the visiting team will be paid before next week’s first Test against South Africa after going nine months without their salaries. (Read More iol)

Wayne Smith would consider England coaching role - Former New Zealand attack coach Wayne Smith says he would consider a role in the new-look England management set-up. (Read More BBCSports)

Bacher to testify when CSA probe reconvenes in 2012 - The probe into the finances of Cricket South Africa has adjourned until January, when it will hear from more witnesses, including former cricket administrator Dr Ali Bacher. (Read More MG)

U.S. GP back on as 2012 F1 calendar confirmed - Organizers of the the U.S. Grand Prix said Wednesday that it will take its place in the 2012 Formula One calendar despite fears that the new circuit in Texas being built for the race will not be finished in time. (Read More CNN)

Injury setback for Gurthrö - Toulouse – Toulouse’s South African international prop Gurthrö Steenkamp, who
has played just 40 minutes for the French side, has suffered a hip injury, the club’s manager Guy Noves revealed on Wednesday. (Read More Sport24)

Luis Suárez and Liverpool charged by FA over Fulham incidents - Luis Suárez has been charged with improper conduct and Liverpool with failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion for incidents that occurred during the 1-0 defeat at Fulham on Monday evening. (Read More Guardian)

Afrika back to lead Blitz Boks - IRB Sevens Player of the Year Cecil Afrika will lead the Springbok Sevens attack on home soil in the Nelson Mandela Bay South Africa Sevens tournament which starts on Friday. (Read More SportLive)

Warburton targets Edinburgh - Wales captain Sam Warburton insists Cardiff Blues can go all the way in the Heineken Cup if they can overcome Edinburgh in the pool stage. (Read More Sky)

Pirates are now ‘complete and better’ - Orlando Pirates coach Julio said his side was now “complete and better” and ready to claim their first Telkom Knockout trophy, against Wits in the final in Durban on Saturday evening. (Read More SportLive)

Barry Hearn hits back at ‘silly’ Mark Allen’s UK Championship criticism - World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn has dismissed Mark Allen’s criticism of him as that of “a silly little boy”. (Read More BBCSport)

Winner of F1′s ‘closest-ever’ GP dies - British driver Peter Gethin, the man who won what is widely regarded as the closest grand prix in Formula One history, has died at the age of 71. (Read More CNN)

Vonn Wins World Cup Super-G in Front of Home Crowd - Lindsey Vonn felt a sense of relief and regret right after winning her first World Cup race in the United States. (Read More Fox)

Angels offer Albert Pujols 10 years, at least $210 million - The Los Angeles Angels suddenly complicated first baseman Albert Pujols’ free-agent decision Wednesday by offering a 10-year contract worth at least $210 million, according to a person involved in the negotiations who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the talks. (Read More USAToday)

News Headlines

Cele used pay-outs to get cronies jobs – union - Suspended national police commissioner Bheki Cele had misused his authority by getting rid of police officers in positions earmarked for his friends, the SA Police Union (Sapu) said on Thursday. (Read More News24)

Tender winner gives big at ANC party - The Bus and Taxi Business Chamber, whose business arm One Future Development 46 secured a R206-million scholar transport tender earlier this year, forked out R150000 for a table at the dinner. (Read More TimesLive)

Unions Take Pensions Battle To High Court - The unions’ pensions fight with the Government has moved to the High Court just two days after the public sector strike. (Read More Sky)

EU crisis hammers SA jobs - The economy grew at a disappointing 1.4% in the third financial quarter of the year, compared with 1.3% in the previous quarter. It had grown at 4.5% in the beginning of the year. (Read More MG)

US Senate passes sanctions on Iran central bank - The US Senate has unanimously approved economic sanctions on Iran targeting the country’s oil industry, despite warnings the move could backfire. (Read More BBC)

Zuma seeks fresh emphasis on Aids - South Africa wants to cut new HIV infection rates by at least 50 percent within
five years as it seeks to build on recent successes following years of failing to tackle Aids and increased mortality, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday. (Read More iol)

Al Qaeda leader claims responsibility for capture of American - Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has claimed responsibility for the capture in August of a 70-year-old U.S. citizen in Pakistan, according to a number of radical websites known for carrying militants’ messages. (Read More CNN)

Qatar to be sued for booting HIV+ journo - A human rights organisation is planning to file an international law suit
against the Gulf state of Qatar and its broadcaster Al Jazeera after a South African journalist was deported from the Gulf country for being HIV positive (Read More News24)

Auto sales rise to near two-year high - U.S. auto sales rose 14 percent in November, paced by gains at Chrysler Group
LLC and Volkswagen AG, as consumers returned to showrooms even without the lure of a big year-end sale. (Read More Reuters)

Afghanistan faces $4bn defence funding shortfall - US is prepared to foot only $3bn of bill for security forces, raising fears that Kabul will struggle to fight Taliban (Read More Guardian)

Senate Rejects Extending Payroll Tax Cut — For Now - Senate Republicans on Thursday defeated a plan by President Barack Obama to renew a temporary cut in the Social Security payroll tax, even as all sides on Capitol Hill continue to promise an eventual compromise on a tax holiday before Congress leaves Washington for Christmas. (Read More Fox)

Russia’s Ruling Party Flags As Elections Loom - Millions of Russians are preparing to cast their vote in Sunday’s parliamentary election that will set the stage for Vladimir Putin’s presidential comeback next year. (Read More Sky)

Court decides on Simelane’s job - In a blow to President Jacob Zuma, the appeal court ruled on Thursday that his
appointment of Menzi Simelane as head of the National Prosecuting Authority was invalid. (Read More iol)

Sarkozy: France Germany ties key to eurozone stability - The French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, has said France and Germany must come together to ensure stability at the heart of Europe. (Read More BBC)

Nando’s pulls Dictator ad over threats - The “Last Dictator Standing” TV commercial currently running in South Africa
will be cancelled, the Nando’s restaurant chain said on Thursday. (Read More News24)

Egypt postpones election results - The release of results in the first round of voting from Egypt’s historic election are being postponed, the country’s military rulers said Thursday. (Read More CNN)

Trevor’s plan ‘unrealistic’: Angie - The plan, unveiled last month by the National Planning Commission chaired by Manuel, calls for performance-based pay for teachers, and suggests that teachers and principals face competency tests. (Read More TimesLive)

Apple vs Samsung lawsuit full of secret combat - The biggest legal battle for the technology industry is playing out in a federal court in Silicon Valley, where Apple is trying to stop Samsung from selling Galaxy phones and tablets in the United States. (Read More Reuters)

Jeremy Clarkson was only being silly, says David Cameron - Top Gear presenter says sorry as ‘shoot strikers’ row prompts 5,000 complaints (Read More Guardian)

GM May Buy Back Chevrolet Volts, Redesign Battery Pack Due to Fires - The car of the future may have to take a step back. (Read More Fox)

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Sports Watch

Bok star set to stay in Japan - Fourie, who plays for the Panasonic club, was expected to return at the end of
March to play in the Super Rugby tournament, but an apparent R22 million offer for two years is likely to keep him in Japan. (Read More Sport24)

Capello expects tough Euros - England head coach Fabio Capello believes that Euro 2012 will be tougher for his side than the 2010 World Cup campaign was. (Read More SkySports)

Matfield backs Bekker - Springbok giant Victor Matfield says that Andries Bekker has the ability to be an even better lock than him, and that the Stormers are very close to winning an elusive Super Rugby crown. (Read More iol)

Williams confirm Pastor Maldonado to stay for 2012 season – Pastor Maldonado will remain with Williams for the 2012 season but the identity of his team-mate next year remains a mystery, with Rubens Barrichello expected to leave. (Read More BBCSports)

Anger has helped Schwartzel - Masters champion Charl Schwartzel boldly attacked the back nine at the Gary Player Country Club to seize a share of the first-round lead in the Sun City Challenge with a dazzling 68 on Thursday. (Read More Sport24)

UK prosecutors considering Terry racism allegations - Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service is considering whether to charge England international footballer John Terry with racist abuse after receiving a full police file on the Chelsea captain. (Read More CNN)

Nothing ‘corrupt at Cricket SA’ - Former Cricket SA chief operations officer Don McIntosh said on Thursday he did
not feel it necessary to clear a bonus payment with the CSA remuneration committee (Remco). (Read More Sport24)

RFU must decide if it is prepared to spend thousands on mole inquiry - The hunt for the mole who leaked three confidential reviews into England’s World Cup campaign will continue into next week if the Rugby Football Union’s council agrees at its meeting on Friday that cost is no object in tracking down the source. (Read More Guardian)

Beckham: I Have a ‘Big Decision to Make’ on Future - David Beckham said he has a “big decision to make” after his contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy expires and reiterated his desire to play for for the British team in the London Olympics next year. (Read More Fox)

News Headlines

ConCourt expert supports wealth tax - Constitutional Court law expert Pierre de Vos came out in support on Monday of Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s call for a once-off wealth tax imposed on those who benefited from apartheid. (Read More News24)

Video Released Of Riot Cops Being Run Over - Dramatic CCTV footage of two police officers being knocked down by a car as they chased looters during last week’s riots has been released. (Read More Sky)

Search for missing planes on hold - The search for two light aircraft that went missing in George’s Valley near Tzaneen were put on hold as night began to fall on Monday, Limpopo police said. (Read More iol)

Syria unrest: Palestinian refugees flee camp, says UN - Thousands of Palestinian refugees have been forced to flee a camp in the Syrian port of Latakia amid shelling by government troops, the UN says. (Read More BBC)

Municipal workers threaten mayhem - Municipal workers vowed on Monday to bring services to a halt around the country as a strike for a massive 18% wage increase got underway. (Read More News24)

U.S., South Korea start military exercises - U.S. and South Korean troops began a 10-day military exercise around Seoul on Tuesday, maneuvers the U.S. commander called “defense-oriented” during a period of heightened tensions with the communist North. (Read More CNN)

Child porn suspect claims assault - Former policeman Andre Stephen Botha, who allegedly distributed graphic sexual pictures of children aged between four and 10, appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday. (Read More News24)

Google makes bold bid for Motorola Mobility - Google Inc’s biggest deal ever, acquiring Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc for $12.5 billion, is an attempt to buy insurance against increasingly aggressive legal attacks from rivals such as Apple Inc. (Read More Reuters)

Libya shows signs of slipping from Muammar Gaddafi’s grasp - Supply lines to capital in peril as coastal cities fall amid US reports that regime has fired Scud missile near Brega (Read More Guardian)

Sports Watch

Springboks to ring the changes - Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is expected to spring a surprise or two when he names his side to take on the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth on Saturday (Read More Sport24)

Schumacher vows to race on - Michael Schumacher is adamant he will remain with Mercedes GP next season despite rumours claiming he is ready to retire again (Read More SkySport)

United States sprinter Mike Rodgers fails drugs test - Rodgers, the fourth fastest man in the world this year, is now a doubt for the World Championships in South Korea. (Read More BBC)

Leading pair round Fastnet Rock in yachting classic - A pair of giant trimarans are battling for line honors in the Fastnet Race, one of yachting’s classic offshore races. (Read More CNN)

Grand National fences to be made easier as Aintree responds to flak - The drop on the landing side of Becher’s Brook, the most famous fence on the Grand National course at Aintree, will be reduced before the track’s Becher Chase meeting in December as part of the track’s continuing effort to reduce the risks for horses and riders. (Read More Guardian)

News Headlines

 Teen Gang Reveals Looting Spree - Four teenagers who looted in neighbourhoods across London have told Sky News it was like a ‘shopping spree’ (Read More Sky)

Mexico Arrests Trafficker Accused of 600 Killings - Mexican police arrested the suspected leader of a brutal drug gang called “The Hand with Eyes” and he has confessed to helping carry out or ordering more than 600 murders, authorities said Thursday. (Read More Fox)

Four EU nations ban short-selling on banking stocks - France, Italy, Spain and Belgium have banned short-selling on the shares of banks and other financial companies. (Read More BBC)

NHI contributions will be compulsory - Those who earn above a certain income will be required by law, with no exceptions, to contribute towards the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme once it starts up, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Thursday (Read More News24)

In wake of riots, British PM proposes social media ban - British Prime Minister David Cameron thinks he’s found some culprits to blame in the recent riots that have rocked London and other cities — Facebook and Twitter. (Read More CNN)

Inaugural reinstated ‘people-to-people’ Cuba tours start - Everyday American travelers, forbidden for years from visiting Cuba legally, can now go, with restrictions. (Read More USA Today)

Zuma Inc in row over govt office tender - President Jacob Zuma’s new son-in-law is at the centre of an escalating row over a R1-billion tender for new government office space. (Read More MG)

Bachmann, Pawlenty clash in heated debate - Republicans Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty clashed repeatedly over their records during a presidential debate on Thursday, two days before they vie for conservative support in a straw poll that could make or break their campaigns. (Read More Reuters)

UK riots: in courtrooms across country, there was little room for leniency - It was a day of frenzied activity in magistrates courts as the long riot cleanup entered its judicial phase (Read More Guardian)

Minister mum on rhino horn stock - Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa cannot reveal the amount of rhino horn being held by conservation agencies in South Africa. (Read More News24)

Everything must go! Gaddafi’s diplomats hold embassy fire sale - Diplomats from the Libyan regime attempted to carry out a “fire sale” of £100m of houses, limousines and electronic equipment in London after being ordered to leave Britain by the Government, it was claimed last night. (Read More Independent)

Sports Watch

Stricker leads, Rory battles - An injury to Rory McIlroy added to the drama of an opening day at the USPGA Championship which also saw Steve Stricker set the early pace with a record-equalling 63 and Tiger Woods slump to his worst-ever opening round in a major. (Read More SkySports)

Klinsmann Settles for Draw in Debut as U.S. Men’s Soccer Coach - Jurgen Klinsmann sent a message in his U.S. coaching debut without saying a word. He stripped the names off the back of the jerseys and assigned Nos. 1-11 for the starters and 12-18 for the reserves. (Read More Fox)

Boks must win against Wallabies - A line of questioning to the Springbok players this week has been the issue of what is most important in the only two games the full-strength side will play before meeting Wales in Wellington on September 11 (Read More iol)

Miller aims to extend streak; Rousey enters Strikeforce - As long as he accumulates victories, lightweight Jim Miller figures the Ultimate Fighting Championship has to let him compete for a belt someday. (Read More USA Today)

Spanish players vote for strike action - Players in the top two tiers of the Spanish league have announced they are to go on strike for the first two weekends of the season. (Read More CNN)

Alastair Cook hits a century as England dominate India - England batted India into submission to assume total control of the third Test at Edgbaston and move ever closer to the number one spot in the world rankings. (Read More BBC)

Martin Johnson backs Courtney Lawes to be a big hit against Wales - Martin Johnson has warned Wales to brace themselves for a painful collision with England’s hard-hitting lock Courtney Lawes when the teams meet again on Saturday in Cardiff. (Read More Guardian)

McCaw, Carter skip SA tour - All Blacks coach Graham Henry has elected to rest captain Richie McCaw and flyhalf Dan Carter for the New Zealand team’s Tri-Nations match against South Africa in Port Elizabeth next week (Read More Sport24)

Woeful Woods strikes new low with worst first round in major - Tiger Woods visited the sand a staggering 12 times here yesterday as he recorded his worst opening round in 16 years of playing in the majors. (Read More Independent)

News Headlines

Breivik ‘Filmed’ Norway Island Massacre - Norwegian terror suspect Anders Behring Breivik may have filmed his massacre of 69 people on Utoya island, Norwegian police have said. (Read More Sky)

One of ‘most wanted’ escapes on crutches - A manhunt was launched for one of the South Africas most wanted criminals, Bongani Moyo, who escaped from the Pretoria Regional Court on Wednesday morning. (Read More iol)

David Cameron to outline further riot measures - David Cameron is expected to outline further measures to deal with recent disorder in England when MPs are recalled for an emergency debate (Read More BBC)

Pretoria cops in naked pics scandal - Members of the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria initially refused to lay charges of assault and indecent assault against two colleagues who allegedly took naked pictures of a detained part-time model. (Read More News24)

Tanks leave Hama’s center, but violence erupts in other Syrian cities -  Syria’s tanks withdrew Wednesday from the center of the western city of Hama and were positioned on the city’s periphery, more than a week after security forces besieged the center of anti-government sentiment, an activist said. (Read More CNN)

U.S. stock futures rise in Asia but Europe will be key - U.S. stock futures rose 1.5 percent on Thursday after a sharp drop in the cash index overnight, limiting Asian share losses, though focus will shift quickly to how European markets hold up to a sovereign debt crisis that has spread to its banking system. (Read More Reuters)

Anni’s family: Step towards closure - Anni Dewani’s family on Wednesday welcomed a British court ruling that her husband Shrien may be extradited to South Africa. (Read More News24)

Taliban who shot down Chinook helicopter killed in US air strike - General John Allen says F-16 strike killed those responsible for deaths of 38 US navy Seals and colleagues in crash (Read More Guardian)

Blow for Obama as bid to oust Wisconsin Republicans fails - A daring effort by Democrats to oust a group of conservative Republicans in Wisconsin’s state senate narrowly failed yesterday, a setback that seems to confirm the resurgence of the right nationwide and spell trouble for Barack Obama whose re-election strategy will rest in part on solid support from the Midwest. (Read More Independent)

Sports Watch

Bok, Oz plans are poles apart - Durban – Retention versus renewal … the wisdom of one of these over the other will be put to an intriguing little test on Saturday when the Springboks meet the Wallabies in the Castle Tri-Nations here. (Read More Sport24)

India pushed to the edge - England close on top ranking as seamers again run through tourists (Read More SkySports)

Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas on verge of Barcelona move - Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is close to signing for European champions Barcelona for a fee believed to be about £35m. (Read More BBC)

Bafana savour Ellis Park victory - Katlego Mphela scored a brace as Bafana Bafana made an easy meal of Burkina Faso, beating them 3-0 in their international friendly at Ellis Park on Wednesday night. (Read More iol)

Germany, Italy win in night of shocks - Germany recorded their first win over Brazil in 18 years in stunning fashion by defeating the five-time world champions 3-2 in Stuttgart. (Read More CNN)

News Headlines

Rhinos – harsh sentence makes statement - Two foreign nationals were convicted and sentenced on Thursday for illegal possession of rhino horns, the Endangered Wildlife Trust said. (Read More News24)

Global Markets Tumble Amid Economic Fears - Markets around the world have tumbled as fresh fears over the eurozone and US debt grip investors. (Read More Sky)

Paul McCartney to speak to police over phone-hack fears - Sir Paul McCartney has told US media he appears to be a victim of phone hacking and will go to the police. (Read BBC)

Mars may have flowing saltwater, study says - Scientists have found new evidence for possible saltwater flows on Mars. The discovery was announced at a NASA news conference Thursday at the space agency’s headquarters in Washington. (Read More lightyears)

Mugabe treats Zim’s Big Brother winner - Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Thursday presented $50 000 to Wendall Parson, co-winner of this year’s Big Brother Africa reality show, who was honoured with a luncheon at his official residence. (Read More Channel24)

Retreating Gadhafi forces leave behind deadly mines - Qawalish, Libya (CNN) — The front lines of Libya’s grinding war weave through the western mountains and around Zlitan, the last city east of Tripoli still under the grip of strongman Moammar Gadhafi. (Read More CNN)

Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck, becomes Thai prime minister - Yingluck Shinawatra was elected Thailand’s first female prime minister on Friday in a parliamentary vote just 11 weeks into a political career crafted from exile by her brother and former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra. (Read More Reuters)

UK’s secret policy on torture revealed - Document shows intelligence officers instructed to weigh importance of information sought against pain inflicted (Read More Guardian)

UK – Lib Dems to vote to decriminalise all drug use - The Liberal democrats are to call for the decriminalisation of all drugs, including heroin and cocaine, to be considered urgently by the Coalition Government in an effort to cut levels of addiction. (Read More Independent)

Eskom strike looms as union talks collapse - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Thursday that wage talks with state-owned power utility Eskom had collapsed and it would ask its members for a mandate to strike. (Read More MG)

FREE ME, SAYS ILLEGAL LOCKED UP FOR 5 YEARS - AN illegal immigrant who has languished in custody for more than five years – because the Home Office doesn’t know where to send him – has launched a High Court bid for freedom. (Read More Express)

Gold sets new high - Spot gold prices set yet another new record high on Thursday after the European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said the bank would continue to buy bonds in response to a deepening euro zone debt crisis. (Read More iol)

Sports watch

Bok coach confident in ‘A’ team - Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is expected to announce a much stronger squad for the home-leg of the Tri-Nations. (Read More Sport24)

Scott leads, Tiger impresses - Australian posts immaculate 62 to lead by one at Firestone (Read More SkySports)

Cricket SA needs an impartial umpire - The more Cricket South Africa (CSA) and its chief executive, Gerald Majola, try to draw a line under the financial scandal that has dragged the sport through the mud for a year, the more it seems likely to continue. (Read More MG)

Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi to make England debut - Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi will make his England debut against Wales in the World Cup warm-up international at Twickenham on Saturday. (Read More BBCSports)

HTC-Highroad cycling team to fold -  HTC-Highroad, the cycling team that top Tour de France sprinter Mark Cavendish races for, is to fold at the end of the season (Read More CNN)

Graeme Swann cleared for England’s third Test with India after x-ray - Graeme Swann has declared himself fit for England’s third Test against India at Edgbaston. (Read More Guardian)

News Headlines

David Hicks memoir: Australian court freezes proceeds - An Australian court has frozen proceeds from a memoir written by former Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks. (Read More BBC)

Security Council ends Tuesday’s meeting on Syria without acting - The 15 members of the U.N. Security Council ended a second day of private discussion Tuesday without deciding how to respond to Syria’s violent crackdown on protesters. (Read More CNN)

Gang robs Cape cash depot, millions stolen - An armed gang has stolen millions of rand in cash destined for banks from a security company in Brackenfell, Cape Town, the Hawks said on Tuesday. (Read More News24)

Sarkozy under fire as Roma crackdown fails - A year ago Nicolas Sarkozy launched a crackdown on Roma gypsies moving to France from Eastern Europe. (Read More Independent)

Cancer delays Anni Dewani trial - The case of one of the men accused of killing honeymooner Anni Dewani is being prejudiced, his lawyer claims, by postponements granted because his co-accused has a malignant brain tumour. (Read More TimesLive)

US avoids default as Obama signs debt bill into law - President Barack Obama has signed legislation to increase the US debt ceiling and avert a financial default, after Congress voted in favour of a bipartisan compromise deal. (Read More BBC)

US debt crisis continues as turmoil infects Italy and Spain - Markets spooked as bond yields in both founder members of single currency hit monetary union records (Read More Guardian)

Mubarak Faces ‘Cage’ Trial Amid Hanging Calls - The trial of Egypt’s former President Hosni Mubarak is set to start in the capital Cairo, six months after the mass protests that forced him from power. (Read More Sky)

Putin says U.S. is “parasite” on global economy - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused the United States Monday of living beyond its means “like a parasite” on the global economy and said dollar dominance was a threat to the financial markets. (Read More Reuters)

Moody’s affirms AAA rating, lowers outlook - NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Credit rating agency Moody’s said Tuesday the United States will keep its sterling AAA credit rating for the time being, but lowered its outlook on U.S. debt to “negative.” (Read More CNN)

Sports Watch

Woods – The game’s changed - On the eve of his comeback at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational this week, Tiger Woods has admitted that the game of golf has changed since his era of dominance. (Read More SkySports)

Lewis Moody to return to captain England against Wales at Twickenham - Lewis Moody is set to resume the England captaincy for the World Cup warm-up against Wales at a sold-out Twickenham on Saturday. (Read More Guardian)

McCarthy is fit and ready for Pirates - A trimmer Benni McCarthy said on Tuesday that he was ready to play for his new club, Orlando Pirates, and there were no concerns about his fitness after signing a two-year deal with the Buccaneers. (Read More iol)

Kaplan to rest for World Cup - London – South African referee Jonathan Kaplan has been relieved of his Test duties in August to allow him to recover for the Rugby World Cup after being injured in a scooter accident. (Read More Sport24)

Shane Warne likens England to his former Australia team - Shane Warne has likened Andrew Strauss’s in-form England side to the great Australia teams he played in. (Read More BBC)

News Headlines

AWOL Soldier Arrested in What Police Say Was New Fort Hood Terror Plot - An Army private has been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to attack Fort Hood soldiers that authorities suggest was close to being carried out. The arrest, first reported by Fox News, comes nearly two years after a deadly shooting rampage at the base. (Read More Fox)

Donald Trump faces lawsuits over business deals - “This lawsuit is without merit and is very insignificant,” said Trump in a telephone interview this week. (Read More USAToday)

Norway to hold first funeral after Utoya massacre - Norway was due to hold the first funeral on Friday for a victim of Anders Behring Breivik’s massacre of 76 people a week ago amid signs of a leap in popularity for the ruling Labor Party that was his main target. (Read More nbc)

A Young Tibetan Lama Prepares for a Greater Role - WOODSTOCK, N.Y. — At the age of 7, he was deemed to be the 17th reincarnation of the Karmapa — one of the most revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism — and whisked from the yak-hair tent of his nomad family in the Himalayas to be groomed in a monastery for leadership. (Read More nyTimes)

Relief as fuel workers back on the job - Johannesburg – Fuel sector workers began returning to work on Thursday after an 18-day strike ended. (Read More News24)

Libyan rebel commander Abdel Fattah Younes killed - The military commander of the Libyan rebels fighting to topple Col Muammar Gaddafi has been killed, the rebel National Transitional Council says. (Read More BBC)

Norway Suspect Breivik To Be Quizzed Again - Norwegian police are to question massacre suspect Anders Breivik again today, as new information emerges about his killing spree. (Read More Sky)

House vote on GOP debt plan delayed - House Republicans called off a vote Thursday on Speaker John Boehner’s plan that would raise the nation’s debt ceiling and enact sweeping cuts in government spending, but the possibility remained that the measure could come up on Friday. (Read More CNN)

Dominique Strauss-Kahn accuser not a ‘scheming opportunist’, lawyer insists - Nafissatou Diallo has lengthy meeting with prosecutors over taped conversations with ‘friend’ one day after alleged sex attack (Read More Guardian)

SA’s unemployment rate rises to 25.7% - The unemployment rate increased to 25.7% between the first and second quarters of 2011, Statistics South Africa said on Thursday. (Read More MG)

Scandal of abuse at Irish tycoons’ care homes – Hundreds of people with learning disabilities and mental-health problems have been subjected to inhumane and substandard care in hospitals and care homes owned by Castlebeck, the firm at the centre of the Winterbourne View abuse scandal that was exposed in May. (Read More Independent)

Earth to hit 7 billion mark this year, straining developing regions - Earth will become home to 7 billion people later this year, and most of the planet’s growth will affect the developing countries the most, straining those regions’ limited resources, a Harvard University professor said Thursday. (Read More CNN)

Sports Watch

Ex-Yankees Pitcher Hideki Irabu Found Dead in Apparent Suicide - LOS ANGELES — Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu was found dead, an apparent suicide in the wealthy suburb of Rancho Palos Verdes. (Read More FoxSport)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. seeking NASCAR rebound at Indianapolis - Dale Earnhardt Jr. spent much of the first half of the Sprint Cup season on the cusp of ending a three-year winless streak. (Read More USAToday)

Vince Young will sign with Eagles and other Football News- (Read More Profootballtalk)

Boks switch Lambie and Steyn - Cape Town – Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has made one positional change to his starting line-up for their Tri-Nations clash against the All Blacks in Wellington. (Read More Sport24)

Firestone return for Woods - Former world number one Tiger Woods is to return to action at next week’s Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio. (Read More SkySport)

Jenson Button expects three-way fight at Hungarian GP - McLaren’s Jenson Button expects another close fight between the top teams at this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. (Read More BBCSport)

Immelman grabs Classic lead - West Virginia – South Africa’s Trevor Immelman fired a six-under par 64 on Thursday to grab a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the $6 million Greenbrier Classic. (Read More Sport24)

Andrew Strauss says England have to match the hype against India - England take the next step in their attempt to become the world’s leading Test nation on Friday with their captain, Andrew Strauss, saying they have to match the hullaballoo their performances have generated. (Read More Guardian)

News Headlines

Breivik’s Explosives Cache Destroyed At Farm - Norwegian massacre suspect Anders Breivik posed as a farmer to stockpile explosives, it has emerged, and possibly planned more attacks. (Read More Sky)

Afghan war: Mayor of Kandahar killed in suicide attack - The mayor of the volatile Afghan city of Kandahar, Ghulam Haidar Hameedi, has been killed in a suicide attack, officials say. (Read More BBC)

Hawks to decide on Malema probe - The Hawks have received a case docket against ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, spokesperson McIntosh Polela said on Tuesday. (Read More News24)

Plane crash kills 78 in Morocco - A plane crash in southern Morocco killed 78 people Tuesday, the state news agency reported. (Read More CNN)

Special report: Fukushima long ranked most hazardous plant - Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant ranked as one of the most dangerous in the world for radiation exposure years before it was destroyed by the meltdowns and explosions that followed the March 11 earthquake. (Read More Reuters)

Snow, big freeze sow havoc - Icy weather has caused havoc throughout the country as highways were blocked, rail services suspended, with drivers rescued by helicopter, and a ship running aground in heavy seas. (Read More TimesLive)

Breivik sent ‘manifesto’ to 250 UK contacts hours before Norway killings - The man responsible for the mass killing in Norway emailed his 1,500-page document to 250 British contacts less than 90 minutes before he began his attack, according to a Belgian MP. (Read More Guardian)

Murdochs were given secret defence briefings - The extraordinary access that Cabinet ministers granted Rupert Murdoch and his children was revealed for the first time yesterday, with more than two dozen private meetings between the family and senior members of the Government in the 15 months since David Cameron entered Downing Street (Read More Independent)

Fuel dispute could end soon – CCMA - Johannesburg – Negotiations between fuel sector unions and employers have reached a point that may resolve their dispute, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) said on Tuesday (Read More Fin24)

Congress Faces Narrowing Options for Avoiding Credit Downgrade - Congress may be running out of options for heading off a U.S. credit downgrade, and, in a cruel twist, it is effectively at the mercy of the very rating agencies faulted for helping drive the financial crisis. (Read More Fox)

Eco-friendly cigarette ads make tobacco foes fume - A green cigarette? New magazine ads touting cigarettes with “additive-free” organic tobacco use the term “eco-friendly,” prompting anti-smoking activists to fume. (Read More USAToday)

Coal strike threatens power supply - The coal strike currently under way will threaten the immediate ability to provide electricity, the unions and state power company Eskom said on Tuesday. (Read More MG)

Debt-ceiling threat has Wall Street scrambling - Business executives have stepped up appeals for political action and prepared contingency plans in case the stalemate persists. (Read More LATimes)

100 000 workers to join strike - South African gold miners are gearing to join hundreds of thousands of workers seeking pay rises in widening strikes, threatening to hurt output at a time when bullion is at record highs (Read More Fin24)

Foreign investment in SA dives in 2010 - South Africa’s share of foreign direct investment (FDI) fell 70% in 2010 from the previous year, according to a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report released on Tuesday (Read More Fin24)

Sports Watch

Renault boss wants a boost - Renault team boss Eric Boullier is demanding an immediate response from his drivers after declaring himself unhappy with recent results. (Read More Sky)

Tougher tires lead to new race strategies, quicker pit stops - Excessive tire wear was the story of the 2008 Brickyard 400, a debacle that resulted in constant caution flags for pit stops to prevent blowouts. (Read More USAToday)

Springbok door open for Lambie - Sydney – Gio Aplon’s injury might not only open the door for Patrick Lambie to start his first game for the Springboks, but could also give coach Peter de Villiers the chance to determine Lambie’s potential for the Rugby World Cup. (Read More Sport24)

50 Aspiring Olimpians for 2012 - Highlights of 50 aspiring Olympians from around the world with their sights on a place on the podium at London 2012. (Read More BBCSport)

Batista sacked as Argentina coach - Coach Sergio Batista has paid the price for Argentina’s unsuccessful 2011 Copa America campaign after having his contract canceled on Monday. (Read More CNN)

Botha expected captaincy fate -  Proteas all-rounder Johan Botha says he expected to lose the T20 captain’s armband and also miss out on possibly succeeding Graeme Smith as the national ODI skipper. (Read More Sport24)

Europe’s top clubs threaten Fifa revolt - Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), has called for a club-led “revolution” against the “corrupt people” who govern football and called for his members to have a say in Fifa’s decision-making process. (Read More Guardian)

Flower hits out at ‘weak’ ICC for bowing to India over DRS - Coach fears the inability to appeal lbw decisions will cost England in the series, as Tremlett injury puts Bresnan in the frame (Read More Independent)

Fitzpatrick blasts Boks, De Villiers - Former All Black skipper Sean Fitzpatrick has condemned Bok coach Peter de Villiers’ decision to leave at home some of his best players for the current Tri-Nations Australasian tour. (Read More iol)

Olympic Skier Jeret ‘Speedy’ Peterson Dies, Apparent Suicide - Olympic silver medalist Jeret “Speedy” Peterson was found dead in a remote canyon in Utah in what police are calling a suicide. (Read More FoxSports)

Young Proteas win thriller - The South Africa under-19′s lower order showed nerves of pure steel when they successfully chased down 300 runs to beat England by one wicket in the fifth of the seven match England Youth Series at Taunton on Tuesday. (Read More Sport24)

News Headlines

Amy Winehouse’s family pay tributes as album sales surge - Relatives of singer ask for privacy and space to come to terms with loss of ‘wonderful daughter, sister, niece’ (Read More Guardian)

Web restrictions draw ire of some educators - New York City’s Department of Education blocked Google Images last month for what it called “objectionable content” but later left it up to schools whether to allow it. (Read More USAToday)

News International staff told to stop deleting emails - Staff across all of Rupert Murdoch’s News International newspapers have been warned not to delete or destroy documents relating to any of the phone-hacking investigations now under way. (Read More Independent)

After Long Wait, Same-Sex Couples Marry in New York - Hundreds of gay and lesbian couples, from retirees in Woodstock to college students in Manhattan, rushed to tiny town halls and big city clerks’ offices across New York to wed in the first hours of legal same-sex marriage on Sunday, turning a slumbering summer day into an emotional celebration. (Read More NYTimes)

Norwegian Attacks Suspect Due In Court - The Norwegian man accused of killing at least 93 people in a shooting and car bomb will appear in court today – and is expected to give his reasons for the twin attacks. (Read More Sky)

Net tightens round Malema - Johannesburg – The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) on Sunday called for an investigation into the financial affairs of ANC Youth League president Julius Malema. (Read More News24)

Mass arrests in Mexico human trafficking raids - More than 1,000 people have been arrested in a crackdown on human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Ciudad Juarez, officials in Mexico say. (Read More BBC)

Man wakes up in morgue - Johannesburg – A 50-year-old asthmatic man presumed dead by his family woke up inside the morgue of a private undertaker at Libode in the Transkei region on Sunday afternoon (Read More iol)

Debt-ceiling talks continue as sides pursue dueling plans - Washington (CNN) — After expectations were raised of a possible deal earlier Sunday, weekend talks to resolve the nation’s debt-ceiling crisis appeared to reach a new stalemate, as the sides pursued separate plans. (Read More CNN)

Greece rating cut by Moody’s amid default warning - Credit rating agency Moody’s has cut Greece’s rating, warning that a planned debt swap would constitute a default. (Read More BBC)

Murder Hunt After Woman Found Dead In Alley - A murder inquiry is under way in Nottingham after a woman’s body was discovered in an alleyway. (Read More Sky)

State ‘can’t build free houses for ever’ - The government cannot continue offering free housing to the poor indefinitely, according to Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale. (Read More Mercury)

Hotel maid in Strauss-Kahn case speaks out - The New York hotel maid who accused former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn of attempting to rape her said in an interview published on Newsweek’s website on Sunday that he appeared as a “crazy man” and attacked her when she entered his room. (Read More Reuters)

Hundreds left stranded on trains after body on tracks - Hundreds of passengers were stranded on trains, some for more than four hours, after a body was discovered on a railway line. (Read More Independent)

Tsvangirai eyes protests to overthrow Zim government - Zimbabwe’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said his party would emulate violent protests that toppled governments in North Africa if it deemed it necessary, Zimbabwe’s Herald online reported on Monday. (Read More MG)

Bear Mauls 7 Students on Survival Course in Alaska - Two teenagers badly mauled by a bear while on a survival skills course in the Alaskan wilderness were Sunday in a hospital in Anchorage with “serious, life-threatening injuries,” the Alaska Dispatch reported. (Read More Fox)

Malawi protesters ‘being led by Satan’, says Mutharika - Malawi’s president has threatened opposition leaders, accusing them of treason and blaming them for the deaths of at least 18 people this week at anti-government demonstrations. (Read More MG)

Sports Watch

NFL players set to accept labor deal Monday - After differences were settled and language revised over the weekend, it appears the NFL finally has a labor deal that both sides can agree on. (Read More USAToday)

Hamilton wins in Germany – McLaren star scores second win of season after close battle  (Read More SkySport)

Playing Games Out of Place - And now, the latest example of a trend in sports event management — a college basketball game scheduled for Veterans Day on the aircraft carrier used to bury Osama bin Laden at sea. (Read More NYTimes)

Henry Cecil: ‘I don’t like to be defeated – beat depression, get on’ - This is a story of the quick and the dead. Its central character, Sir Henry Cecil, belongs to some Wildean parable (Read More Independent)

Scooter accident halts Kaplan - Johannesburg – Jonathan Kaplan, the world’s most experienced Test referee, had to withdraw from Saturday’s Currie Cup match between the Blue Bulls and the Free Sate Cheetahs after being involved in a scooter accident. (Read More Sport24)

Tour de France: Evans Wins Tour Mark Cavendish wins historic green jersey - Cadel Evans took the yellow jersey to become Australia’s first Tour winner. (Read More BBCSport)

Boks can’t rely on their old tricks - Fundamental questions concerning South Africa’s playing style and in particular who fills the key No10 jersey emerged from the ashes of this Tri-Nations defeat need to be asked. (Read More iol)

Forlan punishes Paraguay as Uruguay make Copa America history - Diego Forlan grabbed two goals as Uruguay thrashed Paraguay 3-0 in Buenos Aires to secure a record 15th Copa America title. (Read More CNN)

Doc: Pistorius has unfair edge - Johannesburg – South African sport scientist Ross Tucker says there is enough evidence to suggest double amputee Oscar Pistorius’ carbon-fibre blades give him a “significant advantage” over able bodied athletes (Read More Sport24)

David Beckham: I’d love to play for Team GB at the 2012 Olympics - The LA Galaxy star may seek an ambassadorial role rather than coach when his playing career comes to an end (Read More Guardian)

Leal bemaons Pirates’ missed chances against Spurs - Orlando Pirates coach Julio Leal bemoaned the missed chances in his side’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Vodacom Challenge  final at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday. (Read More TimesLive)

News Headlines

‘Poor people don’t care about our money’ - Johannesburg – It was nobody’s business where he got his money from – and his supporters did not mind his lavish lifestyle, ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema said on Wednesday. (Read More iol)

Lindsay Hawker Killer Jailed For Life - A Japanese man has been sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of British teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker in 2007. (Read More Sky)

Germany and France agree common position on debt crisis - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have hammered out a common position on the euro debt crisis. (Read More BBC)

End of fuel strike may be in sight - Johannesburg – The end of the chemical sector strikes, including that in the fuel sector, is in sight, an employer group has said (Read More Fin24)

China, ASEAN agree on plans to solve South China Sea dispute - Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) — Chinese and Southeast Asian officials have agreed on a draft of guidelines to avert tension in the South China Sea. (Read More CNN)

David Cameron spoke to Rupert Murdoch’s executives about BSkyB bid - David Cameron insists conversations were ‘appropriate’ and comes close to apologising over decision to hire Andy Coulson (Read More Guardian)

Cops’ lethal force plan - Police could be given a licence to kill if a proposed amendment to Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act is given the nod by Parliament in coming months. (Read More iol)

Texan Executed For 9/11 ‘Revenge’ Killings - A Texas man has been executed for killing two shop workers in what he claimed was revenge for the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Read More Sky)

Google offers credit card to advertisers - Google Inc is introducing a credit card for its advertising customers, offering its clients a credit line to try and drum up business as competition in the online ad market heats up. (Read More Reuters)

SA ‘civilised’ enough for Shrien Dewani - There are no human rights arguments against extraditing Shrien Dewani to stand trial for allegedly arranging his wife’s murder, a London court heard on Wednesday. (Read More News24)

Shuttle Atlantis heads home for farewell - Space shuttle Atlantis is ready to make one last descent to Earth. (Read More BBC)

Irish prime minister slams Vatican over child sex abuse - Ireland’s prime minister has launched a stinging attack on the Vatican, a week after a report said the Catholic Church in Ireland did not take serious steps to stamp out child abuse by priests, even after the scandal blew up worldwide. (Read More CNN)

Despite high returns, investors slight SA - South Africa offers “stunning” returns to investors, according to Sandeep Mahajan, a World Bank economist. Yet the economy fails to attract enough investment to achieve the government’s 6.5 percent annual growth target. (Read More BusRep)

Loyalist troops besiege Damascus suburb after protests - Loyalist troops commanded by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s brother surrounded a suburb in the capital Damascus on Wednesday, residents said, part of a campaign to crush growing protests against Assad’s rule. (Read More Reuters)

Sports Watch

Double for Boasson Hagen - Edvald Boasson Hagen won his and Team Sky’s second stage of the 2011 Tour de France with a superb solo attack near the end of the 17th stage from Gap to Pinerolo. (Read More SkySport)

Woods parts company with long-standing caddie Williams - Tiger Woods has confirmed that he will no longer be working with long-standing caddie Steve Williams after a successful 12-year relationship. (REad More CNN)

Boks suffer another injury blow - Sydney – South Africa’s team for the Tri-Nations opener against Australia on Saturday has been further weakened by the withdrawal of lock Johann Muller on Thursday. (Read More iol)

Anderson downs Russell - Atlanta – South African Kevin Anderson continued the best season of his career on Wednesday, downing Michael Russell in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP Atlanta Championships. (Read More Sport24)

England are ready to be world No1 Test side, says Andrew Strauss - Andrew Strauss has laid down the challenge to India ahead of a historic 2,000th Test, making his most emphatic statement yet that England are ready to take over their ranking as the best Test side in the world. (Read More Guardian)

Wallabies look to Bok game for redemption - The chastened Wallabies will be searching for their first title in a decade and the decimated Springboks will be out to prove they are serious contenders when the Tri-Nations tournament kicks off in Sydney on Saturday. (Read More MG)

The debate surrounding Oscar ‘Blade Runner’ Pistorius - Oscar Pistorius shocked the athletics world this week when he qualified for the World Championships – but should he be allowed to race against his able-bodied rivals? (Read More BBCSport)