Brazil views its 2-1 loss to Paraguay as a helpful inconvenience ahead of its Copa Americana quarterfinal clash with Mexico on Sunday. Meanwhile, Peru will meet Argentina on Saturday, while reigning champions Colombia play Costa Rica. Paraguay takes on Urugauy on Sunday.

Chelsea has reportedly signed Portugal and Benfica midfielder Tiago Mendes to a four-year contract worth €12-million. Tiago signed the season-extendable contract in London on Thursday. The midfielder, signed to Benfica until 2007, is said to be leaving because of differences with new chief Jose Veiga.

The first to hit the heights of the Pyrenees, Friday’s 12th stage will show just how long Australian rider Stuart O’ Grady will hang on to his overall second place in the Tour de France. O’Grady is only three minutes behind Frenchman Thomas Voeckler in the general classification.

Mike Roach, the man who puts Mike Tyson through his paces, reckons the former world champion still has what it takes to again be a contender in the heavyweight division. Tyson is currently honing himself for a July 30 fight against no-name British slugger Danny Williams in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Bledisloe Cup is on the line Saturday when Australia and New Zealand meet in the first Tri-Nations match of the season. Australia are sitting pretty as the All Blacks engage in deep soul-searching to regain their mental toughness as Australian coach Eddie Jones brings out the verbals.

Western Province and Free State will close South Africa’s premier schools rugby tournament when they meet in the final game at Nelspruit on Saturday. Province are on course for a hat-trick over the Free Staters, who they have beaten in two Craven Week finals in two years.

Lord Robin Butler, delivering his review of intelligence on weapons of mass destruction on Wednesday, looked like the amiable Oxford head of college he has become. But the former Cabinet secretary’s findings throw a harsh light on British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s conduct of government, as well as on the performance of the intelligence agencies.

They attract millions of tourists seeking to improve their swing in the sun. But the rush to coastal golf courses around the arid southern Mediterranean is posing a grave threat to its limited fresh water stocks. Each of an estimated 200 courses built around the Mediterranean consumes the same amount of fresh water as a town of 12 000 people, according to a recent report.

A recent survey revealed that more and more people are boycotting companies that behave unethically. George W Bush tops the list of brands that have sparked consumers’ ire, but it also includes Coca-Cola, Benetton, Budweiser and more. Here’s your consumer’s guide to all the big baddies.