Seven prisoners regarded as ”dangerous” escaped from a holding cell at an Eastern Cape police station on Saturday. A police spokesperson said the seven, arrested for crimes including murder and armed robbery, overpowered a police officer, grabbed the keys to the holding cell and locked him inside at the central police station in Mthatha.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) plans to purge African National Congress Cabinet ministers failing to support the party’s political campaigns, the Sunday Times reported. Those facing the chop include Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi, the report said.
Maria Sharapova was plunged into a Wimbledon rain row on Saturday as torrential downpours meant that just two matches were completed and drenched fans saw only 75 minutes of action. The only other women’s third-round match saw defending champion Amelie Mauresmo dismantle the challenge of Italian Mara Santangelo.
The All Blacks will be searching for answers on Sunday after their 20-15 upset loss to trans-Tasman rugby rivals Australia. The problem for the Wallabies, and the rest of the rugby nations heading to this year’s World Cup, is that Graham Henry’s New Zealand team will very likely find them.
The Lions shrugged off a spirited effort by the Sharks to win 14-0 in their Absa Currie Cup match at Ellis Park on Saturday night. The Sharks had most of the try-scoring opportunities, but they went into half-time without scoring as the Lions led 3-0. The visitors created all the play.
After leading 13-3 at half-time, Griquas defeated the Blue Bulls 26-18 in a hard-fought Currie Cup fixture at Absa Park on Saturday afternoon. The visitors were most unfortunate to lose the services of their lively and capable scrumhalf Heinie Adams, who had the misfortune to break his left fibia in a tackle.
Swiss defender Alinghi beat challenger Emirates Team New Zealand to win the sixth race of the America’s Cup in Valencia on Saturday and take a 4-2 lead in the best-of-nine series. Alinghi crossed the line 28 seconds ahead of their rivals in perfect sailing conditions off the coast of Valencia.
Brazilian Felipe Massa ended Lewis Hamilton’s two-race domination of Formula One by taking pole position ahead of the young Briton on Saturday for Sunday’s French Grand Prix. The Latin-American Ferrari driver clocked a fastest lap in the final segment of qualifying with a time of one minute, 15,034 seconds.
Seven-time world champion Italian Valentino Rossi, riding a Yamaha, won the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen on Saturday ahead of championship leader Casey Stoner of Australia and American reigning champion Nicky Hayden. It was a remarkable victory for Rossi, who started 11th on the grid.
Protectionism is making a comeback. At least, that is the fear of many influential figures — from senior officials at finance ministries to politicians and independent economists. These experts are, generally speaking, pointing their fingers from West to East, from the United States and Europe to China, Russia and the Persian Gulf.