The findings show that missing sleep over several consecutive nights, known as sleep debt, is one of the strongest predictors of motor vehicle accident risk.

South Africa's procurement system reveals a troubling confusion between policy and performance. As governance theatre obscures real outcomes, can we address the corruption that undermines public trust?

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to make the most of seeing Lionel Messi lead his team out in another World Cup final at the age of 39 as the holders aim to retain the trophy when they take on Spain this weekend. Scaloni lauds Messi “He has made history. He is a legend,” Scaloni said of the former Barcelona player, who has already helped Argentina win a World Cup and back-to-back Copa America titles in the last five years. Messi’s international career has enjoyed a remarkable late renaissance — a decade ago he briefly retired from the Argentina team at the age of 29 after a Copa America final loss to Chile, his fourth defeat in a final for his country. Messi and Scaloni hugged on the pitch at full-time after Wednesday’s 2-1 semi-final win over England, with the Argentine captain calling that victory “pure history”. “It fills me with pride because he is the best player in the history of football,” Scaloni said of Messi, who has scored eight goals at this World Cup, which is his sixth, and is the tournament’s all-time top scorer with 21. “To have been able to get to a final in the way that he has in this moment, at the age of 39, I think it is incredible. “That is why I said we should enjoy having him, because look at what happened with Diego (Maradona) and how we ended up missing him. “We still have Leo and we should appreciate that. He is the historic figure and the legend, as are all these players who have given us these marvellous years.” Argentina had gone 28 years without winning a major international title before lifting the Copa America in 2021 to spark this current golden era. ‘The journey to get this far has been incredible’ “They have done things that a few years ago were unthinkable. It was not easy to get here and to compete at this level over so many years,” he said ahead of Sunday’s final at the MetLife Stadium just outside New York City. “We might win and I hope we do but in any case the journey to get this far has been incredible.” Scaloni said he could not answer whether the game would definitely be Messi’s last at a World Cup, but it seems highly unlikely he will continue until the next one in 2030. Argentina will have to beat the reigning European champions if they are to become the first nation in 64 years to win back-to-back World Cups. “They are a great team. Everything worries me about them,” Scaloni said.

Thomas Tuchel said Friday that England’s players carry the “scars” of a painful World Cup exit, admitting there was still a gap to close to the top nations. The England boss has been heavily criticised for his defensive substitutions in a 2-1 semifinal defeat by Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday. Anthony Gordon put England on track to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 but late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez turned the match around. The Three Lions face France in the third-place play-off in Miami on Saturday after Didier Deschamps’ men were beaten 2-0 by European champions Spain. England’s Tuchel – The decisions are made under stress’ Tuchel was repeatedly grilled over his tactics during the Argentina game at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “I tried to help, I tried to support,” said the German, taking charge of his first major tournament with England. “I took a decision, I took several decisions, trusting my instinct, my intuition, my experience, trusting my competitiveness and I took the decision in order to help the team and get the result. “We didn’t get the result, so I take, of course, the responsibility for these decisions. But the decisions are made under stress, the decisions are made in-game.” Tuchel was downbeat as he took questions alongside former Manchester City defender John Stones, saying he and his players would suffer the most. “We have to live with this, so it’s our pain, my pain and the players’ pain — we feel the most pain of all,” he said. “And it is our scar that we carry now. It is a very painful defeat, and we have to live with this defeat, first and foremost, not the critics, not the experts, not our family members who suffer as well with us and want only the best for us, but it’s basically us.” The former Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss said England, fourth in the FIFA rankings, still had a gap to bridge to reach the standards of the three top nations — Argentina, Spain and France. Defending champions Argentina face European champions Spain in Sunday’s final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. ‘There’s still a slight gap’ “I think the gap is there because of the titles that Argentina, France and Spain have as national teams, as countries,” he said. “What they built over many years with the coaches and the team, there’s still a slight gap that we have to close. “I think the gap shows in almost the expectations of these countries to win a World Cup and to be in a final.” But Tuchel promised a reaction from his men. “We will overcome it, we will use it, we will have a reaction and it starts from tomorrow,” he said. “We have a gap to close, and we are aware of that, and that’s where the focus is.”

Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis returns to the Octagon on Sunday morning (SA time) when he takes on former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City. The bout marks Du Plessis’ first appearance since suffering the first defeat of his UFC career, losing his middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev. Before that setback, the South African had put together an impressive 9-0 run in the promotion, recording notable victories over Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. A victory over Usman could put Du Plessis firmly back in the title picture, with the winner expected to strengthen their case for a shot at current middleweight champion Sean Strickland. What time will Dricus Du Plessis fight Usman? The UFC Oklahoma City main card is scheduled to begin at 02:00 (SA time) on Sunday. As the headline bout, Du Plessis and Usman are expected to make their cage walks between 04:00 and 04:30 (SA time). Speaking ahead of the contest, Du Plessis insisted he deserves another title opportunity if he delivers a convincing performance and questioned talk of a rematch between Strickland and Chimaev. Dricus Du Plessis eyeing title match “Between Sean and Khamzat, there’s no title defenses,” Du Plessis said. “I defended my title twice — against Strickland and against Israel Adesanya. The Khamzat rematch is ridiculous, it doesn’t make any sense. If they do it, I mean, it’s ridiculous. It would be crazy. Let them do what they need to do. I’ll just fight my way back. After my performance, let my performance speak.” The South African fighter admitted that his defeat to Chimaev has limited his ability to make demands but remains confident he can earn another championship opportunity. Dricus Du Plessis is a favourite to win against Usman but defeat could put him on a backfoot in terms of regaining the title. “That’s the thing, right now I don’t have anything to say. I can’t really say anything because I got beaten in my last fight. You can’t really say too much. I’ll do my talking then and I’ll prove once again why I’m the best in the world,” he said. Will DDP beat Usman?

The Western Cape Government will offer free scholar transport safety checks from 21 to 23 July as learners return to school for the new term. The initiative aims to improve road safety by helping scholar transport and public transport operators identify vehicle defects before they become a danger to passengers. Qualified vehicle examiners will carry out the inspections between 08:00 and 15:00 at Gene Louw Traffic College and participating vehicle testing centres across the province. What the free safety checks cover The inspections are not full roadworthy tests. Instead, they provide operators with a practical safety assessment of their vehicles as schools reopen on 21 July for the third term. After each inspection, operators will receive a printed report identifying any defects or safety concerns that need attention. They can then repair the faults before they become a risk on the road. Vehicle examiners will inspect: Tyres Braking systems Lights Suspension CV joints Exhaust systems Windscreen wipers Other critical safety components The Western Cape Government said preventative vehicle maintenance remains one of the most effective ways to reduce breakdowns and prevent avoidable crashes. Western Cape urges operators to use the free service Western Cape Mobility Department Chief Director for Traffic Management Maxine Bezuidenhout said the initiative comes at an important time as thousands of learners return to classrooms. “For many families, scholar transport is an essential service that they trust every day. These free vehicle safety checks provide operators with an opportunity to identify and address potential safety concerns.” Bezuidenhout said the inspections are designed to improve road safety rather than replace a formal roadworthy test. “While this is not a roadworthy test, it is a practical preventative measure that can make a meaningful difference to road safety. We encourage every scholar transport and public transport operator to make use of this free service and demonstrate their commitment to the safety of the passengers they transport.” Where to get free scholar transport safety checks The free safety checks will take place from 21 to 23 July, between 08:00 and 15:00, at the following centres across the Western Cape: Gene Louw Traffic Training College, Brackenfell Swartland Municipality, Malmesbury Swartland Municipality, Moorreesburg Cape Agulhas Municipality, Bredasdorp Cederberg Municipality, Clanwilliam Cederberg Municipality, Citrusdal Hessequa Municipality, Riversdale Beaufort West Municipality City of Cape Town vehicle testing centres in Kuils River and Bellville AVTS centres in Airport Industria, Bellville, Cape Town CBD, Kenilworth, Strand, Table View and Goodwood Lansdowne Vehicle Testing Station The Western Cape Government encouraged scholar transport and public transport operators to make use of the free service and ensure their vehicles are safe for the busy start of the new school term.

Acting CEO Fathima Gany tells TechCentral the Post Office can survive - but only if government honours its funding promise.

ERP specialist Astraia Technology is iOCO's second purchase in four months as dealmaking accelerates.