Athens is heading down the home strait as the Greek summer Olympics start in 30 days. Fears around infrastructure problems have largely abated, but slow ticket sales in the wake of September 11 may prove to be a real headache — that is if the athletes themselves don’t run into drug trouble.
Top Springbok lock Victor Matfield will miss the Tri-Nations campaign after sustaining a knee injury during practice. A medical examination carried out on Wednesday confirmed that Matfield will be unable to play any part in this year’s tournament. Albert van den Berg has been called up to replace him.
Richard Virenque won the 10th stage of the Tour de France held over 237km between Limoges and Saint Flour on Wednesday. The 34-year-old Frenchman claimed his seventh stage overall on the race after another brave breakaway to claim the race’s polka dot jersey.
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The Iraqi government said on Tuesday that a Filipino hostage threatened with beheading, as well as two Bulgarian truck drivers held by militants are still alive. The United Nations has also appointed a new representative to the country after France reinstated diplomatic ties after a hiatus of 13 years.
Israel’s opposition leader Shimon Peres says that his Labour party will decide on Tuesday whether to accept an offer by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to join a new broad-based coalition government. Peres said that his party will ”decide yes or no” after meeting for a first round of talks with Sharon on Monday.
The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa (JSE) roared ahead on Tuesday, fuelled by a softer rand and basket buying by futures players. While it was one of the smallest gainers, even the gold sector managed to finish firmer despite a lower bullion price.
The all-share, industrial and financial indices also closed firmer.
British druid Merlin Michael Williams appeared in court on Tuesday charged with carrying a ceremonial sword while browsing through the aisles of a hardware store in Portsmouth. Williams maintains that the sword is used only for casting spells and other ritualistic purposes.
Two incidents involving criminals masquerading as police officers have been reported from Limpopo and the North West. In Limpopo, four men robbed a bottle store while ostensibly searching for forged banknotes, while police in North West are searching for another group of ”armed and dangerous” impostors.
Japan’s oldest man has died in hospital at the age of 109 years. Minsho Ozawa, a former Buddhist priest in the central city of Yamanashi, passed away on Monday after being hospitalised with pneumonia. He leaves behind 47 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.