Republican strategists expect George Bush to be trailing in the polls by at least 15 per cent by next month following the announcement of John Edwards as running mate of Democrat challenger John Kerry. The Democrats are also expected to win a large polls ‘bounce’ from their Boston convention at the end of July.
Johannesburg police were on Sunday continuing their investigation into the dramatic kidnapping of 21-year-old Leigh Matthews from Bond University in Sandton. Superintendent Chris Wilken said a task team had been appointed to investigate the kidnapping and they would work around the clock.
The government has confirmed it has declared a dispute after ”very little progress” with the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council after two months of wage negotiations. The Public Servants Association said the government’s action comes as a surprise, because normally the unions are the first to declare a dispute.
A conflict the world hoped was over blazed up again last month when a colonel in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) army, Jules Mutebutsi, led his rebels against the government and turned the city of Bukavu into a battleground. Now, in retreat in Rwanda, he is considering his next move.
Once again the Sharks have left Atlantic Park in Witbank red-faced after the Pumas beat the visitors 30-13 on Saturday. It was obvious that the Pumas, superbly led by flyhalf Marius Goosen, won because they did the basics better and used their try-scoring opportunities. No frills, no fuss.
The Lions completed a weekend of Absa Currie Cup shocks when they edged Western Province 32-28 in a thrilling encounter at Ellis Park. The Lions led 16-15 at halftime. Despite being outscored by four tries to two, the Lions were full value for the win and had the boot of flyhalf Nel Fourie to thank in the end.
In a scrappy Currie Cup fixture at Absa Park in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon, the Bulls outplayed Griquas to the tune of 30 points to 17. Many times during the match, Griquas found themselves short of the Bulls’ try on umpteen occasions only to throw away their chances of scoring a try.
Left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori took career-best one-day international figures of five for 30 as New Zealand beat the West Indies by 107 runs in the NatWest Series final at Lord’s in London on Saturday. It was the first time in the series a match had been won by the team batting first.
The All Blacks beat the Pacific Islanders 41-26 in a 10-try Test of fast and physical rugby in New Zealand on Saturday which gave deserved credibility to the formation of the composite Polynesian side. Although heavily favoured to win, the All Blacks were flattered by the final score.
In a country which sees ”bastard” and ”ratbag” as terms of endearment, a call for a return to old-fashioned standards of courtesy might seem out of place. But the Australian prime minister has called on his country — well known for its fertile imagination in inventing terms for vomiting — to behave with more civility.