Rescuers and volunteers in the tsunami-wrecked countries face the prospect of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), impairing their daily lives once they return to their homes, experts warn. The immediate focus of counsellors at the disaster sites is the wave of despair enveloping the surviving victims — those who lost family, homes and livelihood. Thwarting potential suicides is a priority, but the threat of PTSD looms next.

Six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong will make up his mind in April about whether he competes in this year’s event. However, 33-year-old Armstrong added that under the terms of his contract with new sponsors the Discovery Channel, he would have to take part in either this year’s race or the one in 2006.

Roger Federer doesn’t need to remember all the details of a recent winning streak that includes 21 consecutive match wins and a 14-0 record in his most recent trips to finals. ”I am aware of the [statistics] because I get reminded all the time,” said Federer, who will start this week’s Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament as favourite.

Dutch football giants Ajax have stepped up efforts to rid themselves of their image as a Jewish football team, Ajax chairperson John Jaakke announced in his New Year’s speech this weekend. Ajax spokesperson Simon Keizer said on Monday that there is no historical basis for the club’s Jewish image.

Chelsea couldn’t have picked a better time to face Manchester United. The two giants meet on Wednesday for the second time this season in England’s second-tier knockout competition, the League Cup. Liverpool host Football League Championship side Watford in the other semifinal on Tuesday.

England cricketer Mark Butcher has been ruled out of the rest of the tour to South Africa because of a sprained left wrist, a team spokesperson said on Monday, ahead of the fourth Test between South Africa and England, which starts at the Wanderers cricket ground in Johannesburg on Thursday.