South Africa

Bloemfontein - Bafana Bafana are through to the FIFA Confederations Cup semi-finals, despite losing 2-nil to Spain in their last group A match in Free State Stadium last night.

Nelspruit - Mpumalanga has recorded its first cholera death, according to the provincial Department of Health on Wednesday.

Cape Town - Government has successfully implemented its national greening pragramme and has in the past three years reached and exceeded its million-trees-a year target.

Pretoria - Education Minister Naledi Pandor has challenged South African businesses to help build a numerate, literate and technologically advanced society by supporting and adopting schools.

North West - North West MEC for Health and Social Development, Rebecca Kasienyane, has pledged her undivided attention and leadership to accelerate health and social service delivery in the province.

Vosloorus - Government has put in place a strategy to recruit and retain more social workers in the public sector.

Nelspruit - Mpumalanga police arrested 14 799 people in police operations that ran from 1 October 2008 until Monday along all national and provincial roads.

Pretoria - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed on Wednesday that it has served subpoenas to witnesses from whom it sought cooperation with regard to the investigation into suspended National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.

Willow Park - The community of Willow Park, made up of abandoned farm workers, has started to see progress in the North West Department of Local Government and Housing's plans to build 60 emergency houses for them to occupy.

Cairo - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon began an intensive mission to try to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, as the reported death toll from Israel's 19-day offensive against Hamas topped 1 000.

Johannesburg - Political parties registered to contest the 18 May municipal elections in Gauteng have signed a code of conduct aimed at creating a conducive environment consistent with democratic elections.

Pretoria - Rural safety, improved service delivery and safety at the country's schools were all high on the Police Ministry's agenda, Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Thursday.

Johannesburg - With only three games left before the end of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) says its happy with the manner in which the tournament was run in South Africa.

Johannesburg - City-owned buildings will go dark for one hour on Friday, 27 March in support of Earth Hour, the climate change initiative of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Johannesburg - Deputy Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula says Government is happy with the general security at Confederations Cup matches.