World News from the BBC.
Israel has launched a new observation satellite into space. An Israeli official was quoted as saying that the satellite would significantly boost Israel's intelligence gathering. It's been reported that it'll be used to spy on Iran's nuclear programme.
A court in Cuba has released a
prominent
opposition activist after 11 months in prison without trial. The court found Darsi Ferrer guilty of buying cement on the black market, but they said he'd already served enough time. Human rights activists said his arrest for an offence usually punished with a simple fine was an attempt to silence his criticism of the government.
At the football World Cup, South Africa have failed to qualify for the next round. It's the first time the hosts for the competition have not gone through to the knock-out stage. In their final game, South Africa beat the 2006 finalists France two-one, but they were
pipped on
goal difference by Mexico, who lost one-nil to the group winners Uruguay. France were also eliminated as Alex Capstick reports from Bloemfontein.
It's been a woeful World Cup for France. They've been eliminated without a win and without much sympathy. There was no
abundance
of ads for South Africa in Bloemfontein. They may have gone down in history as the first host nation to fail to advance from the group stage of the tournament, but at least they went out in style. There was even a possibility they might go through when they led two-nil at halftime. The French displayed a little more spirit in the second half, but it was too little, too late. They'll return home a battered and bruised squad. The players know they have let down the French football fans. For them, this World Cup will only be remembered for the