NASA helps with the trapped miners in Chile.

A team of NASA doctors and scientists will travel to Chile this week to lend efforts to keep thrifty-three trapped miners fit and healthy. News24 reports the Chilean government had asked NASA to provide technical advice that might assist the trapped miners at gold and copper mine. NASA's expert knowledge of how astronauts deal mentally and physically with arduous space journeys could help the miners cope for months underground.

MySpace allows users to sync posts to Facebook

MySpace has recently revamped it’s image to look more like Facebook, is now allowing users to sync their posts to Facebook, too. News24 reports, users on Facebook can see their friends' MySpace items without leaving Facebook. MySpace users will also be able to share music, videos, game applications, links and photos across both social networking sites. The changes announced are part of an over pull at MySpace, which has faced falling advertising revenue and stagnant user growth.

The earliest known stone-arrow heads are discovered in Kwazulu Natal

A team of South African scientists have discovered the earliest-known examples of stone-arrow heads. Independent on Line reports these weapons are sixty-four thousand year-old hunting scene in KwaZulu-Natal. Dr Marlize Lombard of University of the Witwatersrand says this forms part of the evidence that has enabled a team of South African scientists to deduce the quartz segments that are the earliest-known examples of stone-arrow heads. The findings are published in the team's journal Antiquity.

• Sun-tech sings a solar plants deal with the South African government.

Sun-tech Power Holdings has signed a deal to develop solar plants in South Africa with up to one hundred megawatts as South Africa looks to boost clean energy output. SABCnews reports the signing of the memorandum of understanding is one of a dozen of deals involving investments in energy, power transmission and railways between China and South Africa. Zuma has urged China to invest more in infrastructure and manufacturing in South Africa.

A man has been sentenced for ninety-five years imprisonment.

Bloemfontein High court has sentenced a man for ninety-five imprisonment for hijacking truck on the N3, between Ladysmith and Villiers. He was arrested and never got bailed and his sentence came after four cases of truck hijacks were investigated against him by the Hawks in Free State. The accused once hijacked a truck of fish oil and attempted to murder a driver of a truck transporting new vehicles.

The National Credit Regulator CEO resins.

The National Credit Regulator (NCR) says its CEO, Gabriel Davel, will resin with effect from the first of January. His contract has expired and he has decided not to renew. Davel has been with the NCR since 2006 and lead to the development of the National Credit Act. He believes he has made an important contribution in establishing a more equitable credit market which has an important role to play in improving the lives of South Africans.

Today's science and technology

A review on medicines prescribed last year shows many South Africans are living unhealthy lifestyles. News24 reports that the findings clearly shows that more money was send on medication for high blood pressure, cancer, high cholesterol and others. The report shows lifestyle factors such as smoking, incorrect diet and heavy alcohol use are known to increase the risk of developing chronic diseases. According to a science research company, medication for high blood pressure constituted 10.8% of expenditure on medicines.

A national committee has been set up to tackle rhino poaching in South Africa. News24 reports that the committee is to improve communication and co-ordination among the anti-poaching initiatives and government. The newly-elected committee-chair, Sam Ferreira, says four initial priorities are set to fight rhino poaching are agreed upon by the committee. He says the first to set up a national number where people could phone to report rhino poaching activities.

BlackBerry may provide some solution next week to help Indian security agencies access corporate email by obtaining encrypted data in readable format. This is after threatening to shut down BlackBerry if it did not address the security concerns by the end of this month. The Indian authorities want BlackBerry to give them the means to track and read BlackBerry Enterprise email and its separate BlackBerry Messenger service. It says it is concerned about the potential for militants to use the secure BlackBerry network to carry out attacks.

A study published by Nature Geo-science says the solar system could be nearly two million years older that it had been believed before. Independent on line reports, evidence comes from a 1,49-kilo meteorite, found in the Moroccan desert in 2004, that contains a "relict" mineral, which is one of the oldest solid materials formed after the birth of the Sun. Analysis of lead isotopes suggest the mineral was formed 4.4 billion years ago, making the meteorite the oldest object ever found

Murder investigation under way in Kgotsong Location

The Hawks are investigating a murder case of a (36) thrifty-Six year old man, who was shot and killed by an unknown suspect this past weekend. Sergeant Mmako Mophiring says the man was watching TV with his girlfriend when the incident took place in Kgotsong Location. It is alleged that the suspect shot (3) three bullets at the victim and die instantly. The motive behind the killing is not yet known and no arrest has being made.

The Hawks investigates a case of fraud in Bethule

The Hawks are investigating a case of fraud against a woman employed by a loan company in Bethule, Free State. Sergeant Mmako Mophiring says the woman was employed as a check and she used client’s personal details to defraud fifty thousand rends (50 000). When clients were confronted for repayment they say they knew nothing about the applications taken on their names. The suspect will appear in court on Monday in the Bloemfontein Magistrates' court.

The 2010 Liberation Marathon

UMendo Trading has organized 2010 Liberation Route Marathon scheduled for 17th October this year. The sixty-five kilometer (65km) distance marathon is open for every athlete and registration will be closing on 10th October. The marathon will start at Mmabana Stadium in Thaba Nchu and will finish at Vodacom Park Athletic Stadium in Bloemfontein. It aims to celebrate the contribution played by heroes of the liberation struggle as the route has a historic significance.

The Indian government shut down BlackBerry

The Indian government says it will shut down BlackBerry if the maker does not address the Indian security concerns by the end of this month. SABC news reports, if India’s demands are not met, mobile phone operators will be required by law to close BlackBerry email and instant messaging services. Indian’s demands follow a deal with Saudi Arabia, where a source says Research in Motion agreed to give authorities codes for BlackBerry Messenger instant of messaging users.

Tshwane University unveil a bicycle powered by hydrogen

Tshwne University of Technology in partnership with Science and Technology has unveiled a bicycle which is powered by hydrogen. SABC news reports the bicycle was designed and developed by the students. The Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor, says this bicycle is foreseen as a mode of transport and that it would be good to see such production increase in Africa. Pandor says department is determined to improve funding to encourage students take science studies seriously.

Free State University student is given a suspended sentence

A student from Free State University has been given a suspended sentence of five thousand rand (R5 000) fine or six months imprisonment in the Bloemfontein Regional Court. News24 reports, the student broke into the mainframe computer as the University. It is reported; he gained access to highly confidential information. The student admitted guilty and says he did out of curiosity. His lawyer says he only wanted to see how far he can go in to the system.

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In your headlines:

Operation Ukhangelo Lwezigebengu arrests 66 people in the Free State.

The Young Communist League asks the higher education minister to intervene at UFS

This is Kovsie FM news at three: good afternoon.

Sixty-six people have being arrested in the Virginia and Welkom mining areas. Free State police says operation Ukhangelo Lwezigebengu was a success. This is after (28) twenty-eight people were arrested in Virginia and (38) thirty-eight in Welkom. Amongst the arrested are (17) seventeen illegal immigrants. The operation was turned into roadblocks that were conducted in Ventersburg yesterday. Sixty motorists were issued with fines during the two phases of the operation.

Twenty-five people have being arrested for various crimes in Allanridge. A nine millimetre pistol, an unclosed amount of cash, fake ID documents and a large quantity of liquor has being seized. The arrested have being charged for assault with the intent to cause body harm, fraud, robbery, theft, possession of dagga, attempted murder and other crimes.

The Young Communist League (YCL) has called for the higher education minister to intervene at Free State University, as it is a publicly-funded institution. The YCL stated that if management wishes to run the university as an exclusively Afrikaner institution, they should simply privatise it. They say funds should be channelled to deserving institutions that are under-resourced. They added their voice to the resignation of the university's rector Jonathan Jansen.

On a lighter note

Jack Daniels was found dead by Johnny Walker this morning at Savannah Street, near Castle in Red Square centre. Sergeant Heineken says he was killed by Hunters who stabbed him with a Strongbow. His Four Cousins believes he was from J&B club in Melowood when the incident happened. No arrests have being made.

For Kovsie FM news, I’m Zonela Mkhumbeni, the next bulletin is at 4