Efforts to build a new World Trade Centre have to take into account the power of money and politics, which are inextricably linked in New York City, and meet demands for security-proof buildings and the emotions of families of victims.

The South African Rugby Football Union has decided to approach ”an eminent person” to conduct an independent investigation into racism in the sport after allegations by Springbok media coordinator Mark Keohane, who resigned on Tuesday.

England captain Nasser Hussain said before this series began that ”South Africa were there for the taking”, but when the fifth cricket Test gets under way at The Oval on Thursday it won’t be England who have an unbeatable 2-1 lead.

World number one Andre Agassi of the United States moved into the US Open quarterfinals when countryman Taylor Dent quit because of a right hamstring injury.

The pool phase of the African Champions League reaches the halfway mark this weekend, with favourites ASEC Mimosa of Ivory Coast in deep trouble, sitting at the bottom of the table with three points behind Ismailia and two adrift of Enyimba of Nigeria and Simba, who upset title holders Zamalek of Egypt in the final qualifying round.

Ralf Schumacher was recovering in hospital on Wednesday after crashing his Williams-BMW in testing at Monza. Schumacher’s car was badly damaged in the crash on Tuesday.

South African Rugby Football Union executive officer Veleli Ncula confirmed on Wednesday morning that retired judge Edwin King had been approached to conduct an independent investigation into allegations of racism in the Springbok camp.

United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa urged President Thabo Mbeki to clarify the ”confusion” surrounding Deputy President Jacob Zuma’s alleged involvement in the arms deal.