SOUTH AFRICA

New analysis of bones that are nearly 2 million years old suggests they come from a species that may be a leading candidate for an ancient human ancestor, paleontologists say.

Origin of humans up for debate, according to new papers.

South African President Jacob Zuma appointed evangelical pastor Mogoeng Mogoeng to the Chief Justice position on Thursday. But, the choice of Mogoeng, who will now hear the country's Constitutional Court, has already sparked fury in some South Africans.

South Africa's Wesizwe Platinum will look at consolidation with neighbouring mines as it aims for full production at its new mine by 2021, its chief executive said on Thursday.

The Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) published by the World Economic Forum, which ranks the world's most competitive economies, has pushed the U.S. down the list to a No. 5 spot. Escalating government debts and declining faith of the public in its administration were cited as the critical factors that contributed to the plunge of the country which was No. 1 in 2008 and No. 4 last year.

South Africa has no plans to privatise logistics group Transnet and power utility Eskom to attract more investment and has no intention of splitting the companies, the minister of public enterprises said on Tuesday.

South Africa's rand weakened against the dollar on Tuesday, reversing earlier gains on broad-based dollar buying but could get support at around 7.16.

South Africa's finances are sound but the risk of high indebtedness by both the government and individuals lurks if no action is taken now, Deputy Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene said.

South Africa's stocks fell more than 2 percent on Monday and the rand hit one-week lows to the dollar, with further losses seen this week as worries about the global economy and euro zone debt crisis persist.

Bubba Watson regained his composure after dropping three shots on the back nine holes to grab a one stroke lead after the third round of the Deutsche Bank Championship on Sunday.

There were tears and glory, a solitary world record and athletics firsts. There was even a Daegu curse. But for most, the story of the 13th world athletics championships will be disqualifications.

Master champion Charl Schwartzel joined Bubba Watson and Australia's Adam Scott in a three-way tie for the lead at the halfway stage of the Deutsche Bank Championship on Saturday.

LaShawn Merritt performed the Virginia Shuffle before storming down the final 100 meters to overhaul his Jamaican and South African rivals and win the world 4x400 meters relay title for the United States on Friday.

The new entry, which will be the 23rd Bond movie, will be directed by Sam Mendes and released in November 2012.

Veronica Campbell-Brown ripped Allyson Felix's 200 meters crown from her grip on Friday while another Jamaican scorched up the road to redemption and into the hearts of the Daegu crowd at the world athletics championships.

Tales of intimidation, racial violence and even murder are multiplying for the hundreds of thousands of black Africans who came to Libya to find work.

The value of palladium, the least known of the world's four major precious metals, is set to rise this year, perhaps more sharply than its more popular cousins.

A government crackdown on anti-Museveni protesters in April led to the deaths of at least nine people.

South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Thursday it had reached a two-year wage deal with ALS, a contractor working at Harmony Gold's Kalgold mine.

The NTC received a large boost on Thursday when Russia finally granted its recognition.

Australia's Adamus Resources said on Thursday it expects a friendly takeover by Canada's Endeavour Mining Corp to be completed in early November, creating a West Africa-focused company producing a quarter million ounces of gold annually by 2013.