Strauss takes "tough decision" to depart the sport

A lot happens in four years and the turning point in global long-term yields is beginning to look overdue

South Africa top ODI rankings and take series lead

If the turtles, groupers, rays and alligators that inhabit the Tampa Aquarium woke up with a hangover yesterday you can't blame them. On Monday night, the fish tank galleries were packed with convention VIPs invited to drink considerable volumes of booze as guests of the American drinks industry. Those spotted enjoying the liquid networking included David Corn, the distinctively un-conservative writer at Mother Jones, and Fred Karger who tried earlier this year to run as America's first gay presidential candidate. The night turned distinctly Austin Powers when two scantily attired mermaids dived into a tank to frolic with shoals of shimmering fish.

Tampa must have seemed like a good idea all those aeons ago when the Republicans chose the venue for this year's convention. Not only would the most intense heat and humidity of summer have passed, but with Florida a close-run swing state, extra opportunities to get the message out were surely welcome.

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House prices face further squeeze

He was in Sarasota, just south of Tampa, on Sunday night to pick up a "Statesman of the Year" award from local Republican bigwigs. But now Donald Trump won't be coming to the Republican convention – though it took one of nature's mightiest phenomena, to keep him away.

Lion tries to get into casino for breakfast

Emergency personnel in Florida rushed yesterday to finalise contingency plans to postpone or relocate next week's Republican Party convention in Tampa, should the area be lashed by Tropical Storm Isaac.

As Republicans struggle to regain their footing in the storm unleashed by comments on rape made by a conservative congressman from Missouri, President Barack Obama has signalled that he intends to give them no help with biting remarks delivered at a New York fundraiser.

The Presidential campaign of Mitt Romney was rocked again yesterday as his private wealth came under fresh and unfriendly scrutiny in the media even as Democrats continued to exploit embarrassment created by comments from a conservative congressman in Missouri on rape and abortion.

The Republican candidate whose remarks on abortion and rape have created a national uproar was yesterday still refusing to withdraw from his pivotal Senate race in Missouri, despite demands from infuriated and embarrassed party leaders and the loss of millions of dollars of campaign funding.

Nobody needs to be reminded that the Sea of Galilee in the Holy Land has special significance to Christians as the place where Jesus walked on water. Now, however, a new historic marker may need to be erected on its shores: "Here in 2011 swam a gaggle of inebriated US Republican Congressmen, one in the buff."