Buoyed by the surge of public support for his policies on Iraq, the most controversial issue of the campaign, United States President George W Bush will continue his strategy there with renewed vigour. From the war in Iraq to wider foreign policy, the economy, social policy and energy issues, Guardian writers explore what the next four years will mean for the US and the rest of the world.

Formula-one supremo Bernie Ecclestone has given South African motor-racing fans a boost by promising to stage a grand prix in Cape Town within three years. ”We are definitely coming to Cape Town,” Ecclestone told Cape Town daily Die Burger on Thursday.

Tri-Nations champions South Africa begin their bid to complete an historic Grand Slam against Wales in Cardiff at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday in a buoyant mood. It is 20 years since Australia became the last southern-hemisphere side to achieve the feat, but it is South Africa who are the Slam specialists.

Australia’s fast-bowler Jason Gillespie and debutant spinner Nathan Hauritz combined to bowl India out for 104 on the second morning of the fourth and final Test in India on Thursday. Gillespie, who finished with 4-29, grabbed three wickets in the space of four runs, and Hauritz chipped in with 3-16 as India lasted only 41,3 overs.

Juventus and Lyon are into the 16-team knockout stage of the Champions League, joining Chelsea and Italians Inter Milan. Alessandro del Piero’s injury-time goal gave Juventus a 1-0 victory at Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The win kept Juventus perfect in group C on a night that saw 23 goals scored in eight Champions League games.

An Australian animal rights activist who dressed himself as a sheep held a rare protest in Singapore on Thursday to denounce allegedly cruel practices in Australia’s wool industry. Noah Mark (28) had sent media organisations a press release saying he expected to be arrested and deported by authorities in Singapore, which usually cracks down hard on any form of public protest.

South African vice-captain Nicky Boje has withdrawn from the national cricket squad’s tour to India next week after failing to get assurance by Delhi police that he would not be arrested for allegations of match-fixing. He will be replaced by Highveld Lions fast-bowler Charl Langeveldt. Boeta Dippenaar takes over the vice-captaincy.

Former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu is expected to be given a drug ban of several months when he appears before a Football Association hearing on Thursday.
The 25-year-old Romanian tested positive at Chelsea’s training ground in September. He admitted taking a recreational drug on October 18.

Supersport United played to a 2-2 draw against Moroka Swallows in a thrilling Castle Premiership match played on Wednesday night at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria.
Supersport United had a golden opportunity to break the Swallows’ jinx, as they were playing against 10 men after Bheki Ndlovhu was red-carded.