South Africa were so confident of victory in their quarter-final against the West Indians that they rested their key fast bowler, Allan Donald, hoping to keep him fresh for later matches.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia

Their deposit-taking more than matches their loan-making, and they keep a fifth of their deposits in reserve at the central bank.

ECONOMIST: Resilient China

They are totally excited about the matches ahead and just want to make a difference, keep their place and win.

BBC: Jeremy Guscott's Six Nations Q&A

Eriksson's aim is to keep his successor Steve McClaren waiting for as long as possible - for seven more matches by taking England to the final and bringing the trophy home.

BBC: SPORT | Football | World Cup 2006 | Teams | England | Sven's farewell

Not that I'm thinking of anyone in particular, but for a sadly obsessive cricket fan who may or may not be awarding himself a week off between Christmas and New Year's, the timing of the two matches affords the opportunity to do little except watch cricket, sleep and keep other vital functions ticking over.

WSJ: A Boxing Day Treat to Savor

NHS. He is also likely to signal that he intends to honour the prime minister's rash pledge before the last election to keep the money tap open until Britain's previously parsimonious spending on health more nearly matches the European average of between 8% and 8.9% of national income, depending on which measure is used.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

They seek to win, or at least not to lose, and so prefer to keep the conflict open, much as if they were involved in a soccer league, with matches to be won or lost each year by fair means or foul.

NEWYORKER: Booted

Forum volunteers organise activities from Olympics fun days to charity football matches and litter picks, which regularly encourage more than 100 children out on Sparkbrook's streets to keep the area clean.

BBC: 'No support for terrorists in Sparkbrook'