South Africa's football future looks bright

South Africa's elimination from the Under-20 World Cup has done little to dampen the enthusiasm of coach Serame Letsoaka, who says his players have enough talent to form the core of the country's senior side for years to come.

South Africa was knocked out of the tournament after losing 2-1 in extra time to Ghana on Tuesday, despite being the better team for most of the match.

Letsoaka's team has grown together for four years, and he believes some are good enough to break into Bafana Bafana's squad in time for next year's World Cup at home.

"We have invested to make sure that these type of players will take us through to 2012, 2014, 2016, …

NATION BRIEFS

Police Seek Serial Killer in New Orleans A serial killer - possibly a police officer - has murdered 24 peoplein New Orleans, mostly prostitutes, since 1991 and dumped their nakedbodies near swamps, law enforcement officials said Friday.Authorities have suspected for about a year that a serial killer wasin the New Orleans area but didn't announce the investigation untilFriday, when they appealed to the public for help. Police ChiefRichard Pennington said one of his officers is a suspect, but herefused to identify the officer or discuss specifics. Clintons' Legal Bills at $2.1 Million President and Hillary Rodham Clinton have run up legal bills of $2.1million to respond to …

AP Interview: Gates urges patience with Pakistan

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the U.S. is disappointed and suspicious that militants in Pakistan apparently were tipped off that American intelligence officials had discovered two of their suspected bomb-making facilities.

Gates stopped short of concluding that Pakistani officials leaked the information to the insurgents. And he said such incidents must not derail U.S. relations with Islamabad.

A U.S. official said that …

Search resumes for those missing after Ark. flood

The search has resumed in Arkansas for nearly two dozen people missing after flood waters swept through a campground.

The search had been suspended Saturday night because it was too dangerous to continue as darkness fell upon the rocky terrain.

At least 18 people have been killed by the floods. The victims were from Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.

The last time someone was found alive was late Friday morning. Only two bodies were found Saturday as swollen rivers subsided and anguished relatives awaiting word of loved ones grew more frustrated, knowing that at some point the search mission would become one of recovery.

THIS IS A BREAKING …

Making his mark with police

Barry Trevaskis is now a Police Coxswain, employed by theMinistry of Defence and working out of Plymouth where he covers thesurrounding area.

He recently received a Chief Constable's Commendation for arescue of some American submariners - but admits he is unable todiscuss the details!

"We have five 15-metre police launches …

The Diary of a Soviet Schoolgirl, 1932-1937

Nina Lugovskaya. The Diary of a Soviet Schoolgirl, 1932-1937. Translated by Joanne Turnbull. Moscow: Glas New Russian Writing, 2003. 215 pp. Photographs. $17.95, paper.

Nina Lugovskaya's diary is one of a number that have emerged from the NKVD archives since 1991. It is a valuable and revealing document on a number of levels. The diary covers Lugovskaya's teenage years and contains much of the familiar angst that is associated with that period in a person's development. Lugovskaya agonizes over friendships, first crushes, and insecurities about her appearance. She envies her older sisters and seeks to find a special talent that will make her more noticeable in the eyes of her …

Morales: Bolivia to seize fuel smugglers' vehicles

Bolivian President Evo Morales says any vehicle caught smuggling fuel out of the country will be seized.

The South American country is rich in natural gas but suffers chronic fuel shortages. That's because Bolivia heavily subsidizes energy prices. So people illegally export the fuel and resell it for a profit across the border. Gas for heating and cooking is especially …