It’s officially been called ”one national conversation”. But in reality Heartlines, the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) R44-million moral-regeneration project, is not about dialogue. It is a one-way instruction manual for good behaviour put out by the corporation in conjunction with the non-government Mass Media Project.

New Zealand won a third straight women’s rugby World Cup crown when it fended off England 25-17 in the final at Commonwealth Stadium on Sunday. The Black Ferns scored four tries to two but England closed within three in the 77th minute, and not until a try in injury time by fullback Amiria Marsh did the New Zealanders start celebrating.

So much for so little? Tony Blair’s vague acknowledgment that, well, you know, by this time next year … had been dragged out of him after the most damaging public revolt in the history of New Labour, which is saying something. It is the political equivalent of losing several regiments of the best and bravest for a few metres of bloody clay in Flanders.

The point at which President Hugo Chávez decided that London should serve as a model for services and governance in Caracas was not immediately apparent, writes Hugh Muir. He came in May, visited City Hall amid much controversy and fanfare, and was soon gone. But the result of his visit is likely to be an extraordinary deal struck with London’s mayor.