Travellers know they are approaching the Australian town of Wittenoom from the health warnings posted every few kilometres along the roadside. By law, tourist maps must warn you away from the town before you reach it. When you arrive, the signs advise you to keep doors and windows closed.

Last week United States President George Bush threw the lives of the German town of Baumholder’s 4 000 German residents into disarray when he announced a major restructuring exercise that will see 70 000 US troops sent home from Europe and Asia — 30 000 of them from Germany.

Asked how the battle in Najaf was going, Commander Abu Mohammad Hilu showed off his latest trophy — a blood-drenched American boot. There was a large bullet hole in the middle. Moqtada al-Sadr’s Mehdi Army was — despite reports to the contrary — on Saturday still in control of Najaf’s Imam Ali Shrine and much of the rest of Iraq.

Zimbabwe’s Information Minister — Jonathan Moyo, who has closed down three newspapers and ordered the arrest of more than 75 journalists — has been accused of seizing a wildlife sanctuary and turning it into a "slaughterhouse". Conservationists say South African hunters are paying to mow down wildlife.
<li><a class=’standardtextsmall’ href="http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=120842">In Mugabe we trust</a>

Frantz Kruger — the discus bronze-medal winner in Sydney 2000 — and Hannes Hopley got through to the discus final at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday. In men’s hockey, bolstered by the Springboks’ win, South Africa put everything into their game against the Aussies, but conceded 3-2 in the end.

Joe Cole’s strike maintained Chelsea’s perfect start to the season but it was no easy ride in their 1-0 win at Birmingham City on Saturday. Manchester United, 1-0 losers at Chelsea last week, beat newly promoted Norwich City 2-1 at Old Trafford thanks to an impressive volley from new striker Alan Smith.

The world’s fastest and strongest women were crowned at the Olympics in Athens on Saturday as United States swimming sensation Michael Phelps etched his name into history with a sixth gold medal. Doping controversies and wrangles over judging bubbled away on the sidelines but for once it was sporting stories that dominated.

Left-arm seamer Nuwan Zoysa took career-best figures of 5-26 on Sunday as Sri Lanka crushed South Africa by 37 runs in the second one-day international. Sri Lanka now lead the five-match series 2-0, having secured a thrilling three-wicket win in the opening match last Friday.

Kaizer Chiefs advanced to the semifinals of the SAA Super 8, beating Black Leopards 2-1 after playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation time at the FNB Stadium on Saturday. Chiefs’ Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma scored a brace — his first at the stroke of half-time and the winner in the 94th minute.