It happened overnight

OBAMA’S CHALLENGE TO CONGRESS: ‘WORK FOR PEOPLE WHO ELECTED US’ – OR ELSE

Despite being panned by some quick-off-the-mark Republicans as “the worst pre-game show ever”, – the American football season started just after his speech – US President Barack Obama told a joint session of the US Congress to pass his new plan to create jobs or he’d take his case across the country directly to the voters. He reminded them, by the way, about an election in 14 months. By J BROOKS SPECTOR.

South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, THE WORST COMMUTE IN THE WORLD

Not to be unkind to people living in Fourways, but we raised a cynical eyebrow when it was announced that Johannesburg has one of the worst commutes in the world. It all makes sense when you realise that the parameters being measured are the happiness of the people commuting. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

COSATU CONTINUES PRESSURE ON SWAZI GOVERNMENT

The two Cosatu leaders deported from Swaziland on Wednesday will address a press conference on Friday to explain what went down. The trade union will also hold a protest outside the Swazi Embassy in Pretoria as it continues to support calls for democracy in the mountain kingdom. By THERESA MALLINSON.

GLIMMERS OF HOPE FOR PEACE AND SOLIDARITY IN THEMB’ELIHLE

We’ve been putting Themb’elihle under the microscope all week, in the belief that the service-delivery protests here are a good indication of things to come elsewhere. If that is true, then the early beginnings of the start of the planning of a bridge across the social divide we saw there on Thursday bodes well. Except for the government. By PHILLIP DE WET.

CRIMES, DAMNED CRIMES, AND THEIR STATISTICS

As usual in the past few years, the annual crime statistics for last year proved to be a mixed bag of successes and setbacks, but on the whole police minister Nathi Mthethwa believes victory is in sight. CARIEN DU PLESSIS reports.

FAITHFUL MOGOENG SURVIVES THE IRREVERENT TSUNAMI TO BECOME SA’S SUPREME JUDGE

After almost four days of thinking, President Jacob Zuma made up his mind about the appointment of Chief Justice Mogoeng Thomas Reets Mogoeng. It seems much judicial reform awaits our new judge at the top, CARIEN DU PLESSIS reports.

A DOUBLE DOSE OF ADVICE FOR MOGOENG MOGOENG

On Thursday, President Jacob Zuma anointed, sorry, appointed Judge Mogoeng Mogoeng as Chief Justice. It’s been a slightly bumpy ride, but Mogoeng got there in the end. However that little journey is nothing compared to the turbulence that lies ahead. As always, we think a little advice will go a long way. And who better than to dispense than the perennially shy and retiring STEPHEN GROOTES.

POPULATION ESTIMATES AND THE WAR AGAINST HIV/AIDS

The latest mid-year population estimate from StatsSA points to a bright light at the end of the HIV/Aids tunnel for the country. PAUL BERKOWITZ takes a closer look at the numbers and their implications.

Africa

KENYAN COURTS BLOCK SA MINING COMPANY

Courts in Kenya have blocked a South African mining company from prospecting what has been called a protected area after a local community successfully complained about the mine’s practices. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

HAS EGYPT’S REVOLUTION LOST ITS SOUL?

Activist appeals for a million-man march in Tahrir Square on Friday are ostensibly to protest the erratic decisions of the military junta now ruling Egypt. But in truth, the march will be a test of the popularity and influence of the activists themselves, and whether the “Soul of the Revolution” is still relevant in Egypt’s new dispensation. By SIMON ALLISON.

FOCUS SHIFTS TO SAHEL AS LIBYAN ENDGAME PLAYS OUT

Media attention might still be focused on the hunt for Gaddafi, but in the corridors of power he’s yesterday’s man. Countries are already jostling for position in North Africa’s new geopolitical landscape, which is unusually sandy and filled with terrorists, smugglers and dangerous levels of heavy weaponry. By SIMON ALLISON.

World

UK VOTES ON ABORTION LAW

The UK pro-abortion lobby won the day on Wednesday, when the British parliament shot down a bill which proposed to strip abortion counselling from the abortion process. But the “spirit” of the proposal is being retained in a consultation which will necessitate a further MP vote. By REBECCA DAVIS.

MUSLIM RACIAL PROFILING IS LIKE TREATING MEASLES – NYC MAYOR

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has defended the New York City Police Department against allegations of racial profiling. The Associated Press conducted an investigation which showed that the NYPD specifically targeted and spied on Muslim communities. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

WHERE HAVE ALL THE GOOD GLACIERS GONE?

The Petermann Glacier is in Iceland. Or at least, it was two years ago. A Welsh scientist has taken photos which have shown an incredible amount of the glacier has melted away. Cause for alarm? Not until the Al Gores of this world get their hands on the photos. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

PERRY ON TOP AFTER REPUBLICAN TV DEBATE

The Republican presidential battle kicked off in earnest on Wednesday night with a televised candidates’ debate held, fittingly, in Ronald Reagan’s library. Most commentators agreed that this round was won by Texan Rick Perry. By REBECCA DAVIS.

VIEW FROM MIDDLE AMERICA: IOWA MAY BE LOSING THAT LOVING FEELING, MR PRESIDENT

The central place of Iowa in US national politics was cemented in the 1988 presidential elections, when Iowans, reeling from the farm crisis and the decimation of the local economy, voted Democrat for the first time. After two elections that saw extremely close calls in the state, in 2008 Iowa voted Obama by a landslide. Is the love affair now over? By KEVIN BLOOM.

Business

GOOGLE ACQUIRES RESTAURANT RATING SITE ZAGAT

Google have announced the acquisition of restaurant rating site Zagat. It is like they looked at the deal- buying site frenzy and chose to do the exact opposite. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

BEER O’CLOCK IN CONGO AS HEINEKEN INVESTS MILLIONS

Four hundred million euros is a lot of money for anyone to invest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially when there’s no gold or diamonds involved. But Heineken think they have an even more valuable product: beer. We’re inclined to agree. By SIMON ALLISON.

JUDGE RULES IN FAVOUR OF FIVE EMPLOYEES FIRED FOR WINING ON FACEBOOK

In the brave new world of Facebook and Twitter, South African companies are scrambling to put together social media policies for staff. They may want to look at the US judgment which has just ordered the reinstatement of five employees fired for dissing their workplace on Facebook. By REBECCA DAVIS.

Life, etc

GALLIANO AND SCOTT: SEPARATED AT BIRTH?

On Wedensday, British designer John Galliano was found guilty by a Paris court of making racist statements in a bar. Et tu, Darren Scott? By REBECCA DAVIS.

LASER HEADLIGHTS FOR FUTURE BMWs

We know about light emitting diode (LED) lights being used in the headlights of cars, but have a gurn at this: future BMWs will have power-saving lasers in their headlights. By SIPHO HLONGWANE.

Sport

THE TIME HAS COME: CROUCH, TOUCH, PAUSE … ENGAGE!

If Test match rugby was played in press conference rooms and quotes were the equivalent of five-pointers, Wales would have already won the opening encounter against the Springboks. STYLI CHARALAMBOUS previews Sunday’s big match.

RWC 2011: PREVIEW, NEW ZEALAND VS TONGA

The question is not who will win Friday’s 2011 Rugby World Cup opener in Auckland, but rather in what state New Zealand will be left after 80 minutes. By ROSS HASTIE.

PREVIEW: ITALIAN GRAND PRIX

The historic 5.8 kilometre Monza circuit, just north of Milan, plays host to this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. It has only six corners, which means the drivers spend most of their time on full throttle. Success will depend on straight-line speed, stability under braking and making best use of the two DRS zones. OSIAME MOLEFE previews the 13th round of the Formula One world championship.