Springbok coach Jake White has said his class of 2005 reflects well on transformation and that the balance of youth and experience in the squad is a key factor. Addressing a media conference in Cape Town on Monday, White said he is confident that the squad of 33 will rise to the occasion and represent their country with pride, in spite of the poor showing of South African teams in the Vodacom Super 12.
World number-one Roger Federer has set his sights on sweeping the remaining three tennis grand slams this year, as well as the season-ending Masters finals in China. The Swiss star was in Portugal this week to accept a distinction at the annual Laureus sports awards.
A Colombian town has taken a hard line against gossip, with fines of up to 000 (R38 200) and three years in jail. ”Residents come out with things that they have no reason to say, that are mere gossip and that have even gotten people killed,” said Margoth Morales, city manager of Iconozo.
Tight security cloaked coup-prone Guinea Bissau on Monday as top officials held crisis talks to digest a claim from ousted president Kumba Yala that he remains head of the West African state. A pro-peace rally that aimed to discredit Yala’s statements was held and dispersed without incident in central Bissau.
South Korea hoped for a favourable response from rival North Korea on Seoul’s latest push to get the North back into six-nation negotiations on nuclear disarmament, but there were signs that the atmosphere was souring on the second day of reconciliation talks on Tuesday.
Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Gedi has sacked his information minister, seen as too close to powerful Somali warlords, amid a deepening split in the fledging transitional government still exiled in Kenya, officials said on Tuesday. Gedi fired Mohamoud Abdullahi Jama over the weekend.
Australian pop star Kylie Minogue has been diagnosed with breast cancer, prompting her to cancel her current Australian tour, her touring company said on Tuesday. Minogue had been due to arrive in Sydney from Melbourne on Tuesday to begin the Australian leg of her Showgirl tour, which started in the United Kingdom.
The African Christian Democratic Party says it hopes that the Constitutional Court will rule in favour of the wishes of the majority of South Africans — and oppose same-sex marriages. ”The ACDP has continually said that we do not support the legalisation of so-called gay marriages,” said ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe.
Listed South African quick-service restaurant franchiser Famous Brands on Tuesday reported a 48% increase in headline earnings per share to 58,6 cents for the year ended February 28, from 39,6 cents a year ago. On a fully diluted basis, headline earnings per share were 41% higher at 55 cents, from a previous 39 cents.
The United States Open will use blue instead of green tennis courts this year in an attempt to make balls easier to see for players and television viewers. Blue courts also will be used for the 10 tournaments in the US Open Series, the summer hard-court circuit leading up to the season’s final grand slam.