BFI News (2024)

15/08/2021

International Rugby| Nienaber hails depth after Pumas win
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber was pleased with the depth his squad had shown after overcoming Argentina in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.
Despite altering 12 of the starting team that defeated the British and Irish Lions last weekend, the Springboks were too strong for Los Pumas, claiming a 32-12 victory at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
It continued their fine form and puts them in a strong position at the start of the Rugby Championship as they look to retain the title they won in 2019.
They take on the same side at the same venue next Saturday and Nienaber is looking to build on this triumph.
"The nice thing is when you make so many changes, there is nice energy. They haven't played in a while and you could see the guys who played a lot during the Lions series were a bit sore. The problem with that is continuity, but they handled it well," Nienaber told reporters.
"We will have a look and see (if we're going to make changes). Argentina are a proud rugby nation and they will definitely come back, so we will have to look at the injuries and the changes we make.
"We knew that cohesion would be an issue with so many changes, but the guys got really stuck in. Argentina are a tough nut to crack but hats off to the players… I thought the analysis they did was spot on and the plans they put in place were great.
"That (depth) is the beauty of the squad in terms of competition. Our training sessions have been filled with competition. The guys know if they don't do their best then the next guy will take over."

15/08/2021

SA Current Affairs| Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula set to become Speaker of Parliament
Former Defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is in line to be the National Assembly speaker after she was chosen as the ANC's preferred candidate.

Mapisa-Nqakula was removed as Defence Minister on Thursday 5 August for her failure to deal with the civil unrest and looting caused as a result of an alleged insurrection plot. She has been replaced by Thandi Modise, who was previously Speaker of Parliament and the pair have essentially done a role reversal with Mapisa-Nqakula a shoo-in for the position of National Assembly Speaker given the ANC's majority in parliament.

"As a former chief whip of the majority party in Parliament in 2001 as well as deputy chairperson of the ANC political committee as well as the chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, former minister Mapisa-Nqakula brings a formidable wealth of experience to the new position, with a solid track record as a legislator and policymaker spanning over a number of years," said the ANC caucus' acting chairperson Nomfanelo Kota.

15/08/2021

SA Current Affairs| Duduzane Zuma: 'I am here to do something different'
Duduzane Zuma remains as determined as ever to forge a career in politics after revealing he still intends to contest the ANC party leadership at the next national conference.

The 37-year-old, who is the son of former South African president Jacob Zuma, has insisted he is "not here to compete" as he feels he is walking "a completely different path" to his fellow party leadership hopefuls.

"When it comes to competition, I'm not looking at anybody else," Zuma told Newsbreak Lotus, as quoted by TimesLIVE.

"I'm not here to compete. I am here to do something different.

"If you're saying I'm competing against someone it means we walk on the same path. I'm walking a completely different path.

"We're going to do things differently and there's no-one in that lane.

"That's a lane I'm creating because I believe that's the only way we're going to overturn and overhaul the situation through the ANC."

While the first step for Zuma is his bid to secure ANC party leadership, he has revealed his next goal would be to run for president of South Africa.

He added: "That's exactly the plan [which is] in motion. We putting our name in the hat [in] running for ANC presidency and national general elections in 2024. The reason I say [this] is that we are all allowed to dream big. I'm not a career politician, I'm a businessman and I have made this decision very late in my life."

15/08/2021

SA CURRENT AFFAIRS| Zuma corruption case postponed to 9 September
Proceedings in the arms deal trial against former president Jacob Zuma have been postponed to 9 September.

This, because Zuma is in hospital under medical supervision after falling ill in Estcourt prison. Zuma's lawyer Dali Mpou argued that the case should be postponed on medical grounds, which Judge Piet Koen, presiding over the matter before the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg, did do.

His doctor will have to provide a medical report by 20 August. The State may appoint its own doctor to examine Zuma's fitness to stand trial.

Zuma was recently sentenced to 15 months in prison by the Constitutional Court for refusing to comply with a summons to appear at the State Capture Inquiry.

15/08/2021

Xavi turned down Sir Alex's brother
Xavi says he turned down Manchester United when playing for Barcelona after being approached by Sir Alex Ferguson's brother.
The former Spain international made 767 appearances for the Catalan giants during a decorated playing career that saw him win eight La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys and four Champions Leagues.
Xavi moved to Al Sadd in 2015 before hanging up his boots in 2019 to become manager of the Qatar-based club.
The World cup winner admits he wants to manage in the Premier League at some point and has revealed interest from Man Utd during his time playing for Barcelona.
"Manchester United approached me once through Sir Alex Ferguson's brother, but my answer was very quick," Xavi told The Times.
"I was focused on Barca, my priority was only Barca. I am a fan from the very inside of myself and that's why was impossible for me to leave.
"Now I see it differently. Everyone tells me that the Premier League is wonderful, a great league to work in. First of all, for the passion with how they live the game. How they treat and respect you, the atmosphere and the stadiums.
"So why not? I could see myself [managing] in England, definitely, it's one of the things I'd like to experience in my career."
Lionel Messi completed a move to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday after leaving Barcelona last week in an emotional farewell.
He had initially agreed to take a pay cut and sign for Barca but the club's debt and the La Liga salary cap ended his hopes of staying at the Camp Nou.
On Messi leaving Barcelona, Xavi added: "It's a pity to see him and the club couldn't find a solution. I know that Leo wanted to stay, but in the end it could not be sorted.
"The only thing I can say now is that I will miss him a lot. It's even hard for me to picture Messi with a shirt other than Barca's.
"It’s sad for Leo, especially for how I saw him emotionally at the Camp Nou the other day, but for FC Barcelona as well."

15/08/2021

International Rugby| Foster proud of much-improved All Blacks
After New Zealand put on a record score against Australia to retain the Bledisloe Cup, All Blacks coach Ian Foster was happy with his charges improvements.
New Zealand were disappointed with how they finished last week as their 33-8 advantage was almost wiped out by full-time. On Saturday they played for pretty much the whole 80 minutes, however, and came away with a dominant 57-22 triumph over the Wallabies.
It sets them up nicely for the rest of the Rugby Championship and Foster believes that they have laid down a marker.
"They probably believed that after last week, and I can see why," he told reporters.
"We opened the door a little bit for them (last weekend) so it was important we made a statement on Saturday."
Foster is under pressure following a mediocre 2020 by the All Blacks' high standards but this proved to be the ideal way to answer the critics.
His initial appointment was also not greeted particularly well by New Zealand supporters and his contract is only until the end of 2021.
It means they need an improved campaign if Foster wants to retain his position but this was their second superb display against Australia during his tenure.
Last year, they defeated the Wallabies in a record win and asked whether the result on Saturday was his best result as the country's head coach, he said: "I haven't thought of that. Sydney last year (where they won 43-5) was pretty good."
One downside to the triumph on Saturday was the half-empty stadium in Auckland.
The game was initially set to be played in Wellington but, due to issues surrounding Covid, it was moved to Eden Park at short notice, resulting in a sparse crowd for such a huge game.
"It shows the enormity of what it takes to stage a big Test match," Foster said. "If you look at last week, 47 000 was a brilliant job from our organisation filling this stadium.

15/08/2021

Sports News| Mauricio Pochettino vows not to rush Lionel Messi into PSG debut
Paris St Germain will not rush Lionel Messi into action following his signing from Barcelona earlier this week.

The six-time world player of the year signed a two-year deal with the French side and many fans are eager to see him line up for Mauricio Pochettino's team against Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

But Pochettino is in no hurry and he warned fans they may have to wait a little longer to see the Argentine in action.

Pochettino said in his press conference: "As for when we might see Leo Messi, it is his second day of training after a month since he played the last game at the Copa America.

"We will take it step by step, get to know each other and have him feel fit and comfortable so that he is able to make his debut when he is fully fit."

Messi trained with his PSG team-mates as they prepared for their first home game of the season.

But the 34-year-old has not played any football since winning the Copa America, his first international trophy with Argentina, in July.

Pochettino also said: "The priority is that he is ok, feels good and when he is in the best condition he can play.

"I want to have the best players like any coach. Everyone knows that Messi is one of the best in the world."

The Parisian side will boast one of the best attacking front lines in world football with the prospect of Messi lining up alongside Kylian Mbappe and former team-mate Neymar.

15/08/2021

Cricket Updates| Matches moved to Rawalpindi for England's joint tour of Pakistan
England's joint women's and men's tour of Pakistan will be played entirely in Rawalpindi after a tweak to the schedule.

The England men and women's teams will play two T20 internationals, with Heather Knight's side staying on for three ODIs, but the initial plan to play in Karachi has been changed.

The dates of the back-to-back double headers have also been pulled forward by a day each to allow both England and Pakistan to make an earlier departure to Dubai for the T20 World Cup.

Those games will now take place on October 13 and 14, with the women's 50-over series running from October 17 to 21.

PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said: "We are delighted to welcome both the England men's team for what will be their first tour to Pakistan since 2005, and the England women's team, who will be touring Pakistan for the first time.

"Both are additional tours with England men's side scheduled to return to Pakistan in the last quarter of 2022 for white-ball and ICC World Test Championship fixtures."

15/08/2021

International Television News| David Attenborough 'makes £1 million a year'
Sir David Attenborough has made £1 million a year for the past three years.

The 95-year-old wildlife presenter’s firm David Attenborough (Productions) Limited, had £2.9 million for trading in 2019, £800,000 more than in 2018, according to the Daily Mail’s Eden Confidential column.

A £1 million profit was declared for 2018 and 2017.

While David has reached the nonagenarian stage of life, Keith Scholey, who produced his film ‘A Life On Our Planet’, has suggested the BBC stalwart has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.

He said: “David's [the age of] 50 to 52 in how he thinks and how he does things.

“He's got no interest in retiring whatsoever.

“As time is running out, he's doing everything he can now to help to make a difference.”

David is said to own 54 per cent of David Attenborough (Productions) Limited, and his children Susan and Robert are shareholders.

The naturalist previously said he doesn’t think the BBC would have commissioned his first nature show if it was suggested now.

He said the organisation has changed a lot since he made his 1954 programme 'Zoo Quest', which saw him spend months in Africa, and they would be much more cautious about the idea of taking such a risk these days.

He said: “Out of the blue I thought it would be wonderful to go to Africa.

"To my amazement the bosses at the BBC said, ‘That’s not a bad idea’... and they let me do it. I’m sure I could have done it much better if I’d been more experienced or talented, but we got away with it.

"The BBC said, ‘How long will it take?’ ‘Ooh, three or four months’.

"‘Oh well, good luck, my dear chap.

"Hope to see you at Christmas’.

"It was that kind of organisation at the time, it isn’t like that anymore."

15/08/2021

Fashion and Beauty| Cardi B is grossed out by celebrities who don’t shower
Cardi B is not impressed by celebrities who don't shower.

The 'WAP' hitmaker has blasted a growing list of stars who revealed they do not shower as often as they should.

She tweeted: "Wassup with people saying they don’t shower?"

The 28-year-old controversial rapper coupled her comment with a raised eyebrow emoji as she expressed her disgust.

She added: "It's giving itchy!"

Her comments come after A-list married couple Ashton Kutcher, 43, and Mila Kunis, 37, told of their questionable showering habits last month on the 'Armchair Expert' podcast.

Ashton said: "I wash my armpits and crotch daily and nothing else ever."

Following his admission, Mila - who used to star on 'That 70s Show' wither her spouse - revealed that she only washes her "slits and t*** and admitted that she refrained from bathing her children Wyatt, six, and four-year-old Dimitri every day when they were babies.

Jake Gyllenhaal, 40, revealed he shared the pair's aversion to showering.

The 'Brokeback Mountain' star said: "More and more I find bathing to be less necessary."

He went on to explain that his choice to abstain from showing regularly is related to a preference for nature.

He said: " 'I do also think that there's a whole world of not bathing that is also really helpful for skin maintenance, and we naturally clean ourselves."

'Justice League' star Jason Momoa, 42, is definitely on team Cardi B, as he showers constantly.

He told 'Access Hollywood': "I'm not starting any trends. I shower, trust me. I'm Aquaman. I'm in the f****** water. Don’t worry about it. I'm Hawaiian. We got saltwater on me. We good."

15/08/2021

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY| Russell: We should have gone at them a little bit more
Finn Russell has questioned British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland's tactics against South Africa in their series loss.
Despite the tourists claiming beforehand that they would look to counteract the Springboks power with something a little different, Gatland’s men played very conservatively.
Although the Lions won the first Test, they were comprehensively outplayed a week later by a South African side that had found their rhythm after a difficult build up.
The third and deciding clash started in a similar fashion, with kicking and out-and-out physicality dominating, but Russell's arrival after 10 minutes changed that.
He consistently altered the point of contact as the visitors actually fired some shots in attack. It wasn't enough as South Africa edged the contest, but it was still the Lions’ best performance of the tour.
"I thought that all three Tests we should have played more rugby and gone at them a little bit more," Russell told the Scottish Rugby Podcast.
"The first two Tests we played off nine for two phases and I kind of felt that played into their defence. We weren’t doing much out of the back of it. We were keeping the attack narrow instead of having a wide attack. The first 10 minutes of the third Test, there was still quite a bit of kicking and a lot of play off nine.
"There wasn't much rugby that actually got played. I was sitting on the bench thinking we are doing the same as in the last two games even though we've spoken about being a little bit more expansive.
"With coming on early enough, I was able to try and play that style of rugby."
The Lions ultimately paid the price for their profligacy in the third Test rather than their intent, with Russell coming away with plenty of credit for changing the way the tourists played.
"I kept saying to the boys make sure we get as flat as we can and get the ball out of the hands quickly," he said.

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