Religious prayers and a series of activities marked the first anniversary of the Java earthquake that killed more than 5 800 people and caused massive destruction, local media reports said on Sunday. The May 27 2006 temblor caused more than -billion in damages.
Stefano Garzelli beat Gilberto Simoni in a sprint to win the 14th stage of the Tour of Italy on Saturday, while Danilo di Luca retained the overall lead. Garzelli covered the 192km leg from Cantu to Bergamo in an unofficial time of four hours, 58 minutes and 34 seconds. Simoni was second in the same time.
Kevin Pietersen broke new ground on Saturday with a maiden Test double hundred to help put England in sight of an innings victory and a 1-0 series lead against West Indies at Headingley. Pietersen’s 226 was the centrepiece of England’s 570 for seven declared. His effort was impressively backed up by Ryan Sidebottom.
After the rain, everybody left at the Colonial was under par. The waterlogged second round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational was completed on Saturday afternoon, when 24 players finally managed to finish. They ran out of daylight the day before and then had the scheduled resumption delayed by more rain.
The naked, decomposed body of a 22-year-old woman was found in Mdantsane near East London, Eastern Cape police said on Saturday. Earlier in the day, a naked, battered and badly bruised woman was found dumped in a field in Umlazi, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal police said. She died soon after being found.
A 13-year-old Durban boy was crushed to death by a set of soccer goal posts moments after scoring a goal on Saturday evening, paramedics said. Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said paramedics were told that the boy had scored a goal. In celebration, he jumped and swung on the crossbar.
African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Jacob Zuma on Saturday warned party members to ensure that the party does not become "power-drunk". Speaking at an ANC branch meeting in Durban, he said: "The ANC is going to rule South Africa for a long time. But, we must not fall into the mistake of being power drunk."
The two academics who helped with Chippy Shaik’s thesis will face charges of serious misconduct within the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s internal judicial system, the <i>Sunday Times</i> reported. This follows reports that "more than two-thirds" of Chippy Shaik’s 2003 PhD had been plagiarised.
Schoolgirls who fall pregnant could face having to spend two years out of the classroom before being allowed back if a proposal in circulation within the Department of Education is approved, the <i>Sunday Times</i> reported.
Ajax Cape Town spoiled the celebration plans of thousands of Mamelodi Sundowns fans who came all the way from Tshwane only to see their team outplayed and outclassed in an exciting Absa Cup final at a packed Absa Stadium on Saturday night. Sundowns were aiming for a domestic double but Ajax were more confident and evidently better prepared.