South Africa

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has applauded the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the successful conclusion of the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Durban - As Heads of State and ministers start arriving in Durban today for the UN climate talks, negotiators are hoping that come end of the week, some kind of political compromise will be reached to break the stalemate on a whole range of issues.

Pretoria - Unit 2 of the Koeberg power station has returned to service as repairs to the generator have been completed, Eskom said on Monday.

Cape Town - About R500 million is expected to be set aside in the 2012 Budget to fund pilot sites for the National Health Insurance (NHI) system, the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan revealed today.

Pretoria - It is of utmost importance that at the end of COP17, there is an agreement on the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, says Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

Durban - At least a dozen zero-emission electric cars have been doing the rounds in Durban since the start of COP17.

Cape Town - Government is to place more emphasis on funding the development of long-term infrastructure the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan said today.

Pretoria - The changes to the National Executive announced by President Jacob Zuma on Monday will come into effect when the new ministers and deputy ministers are sworn in to office during a ceremony at Tuynhuys this afternoon.

Durban - The South African government has been praised for setting an example by moving to introduce climate change legislation.

Cape Town - Underspending on infrastructure and an increase in public servants' wages remained key concerns for the government, with R3.8 billion in unspent balances in the last financial year expected to be rolled over and an additional R4.4 billion made available to cover higher-than-expected salary adjustments, the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan said today.

Pretoria - Continuous failure by South African national teams to qualify for continental and global tournaments calls for introspection on where the country's football is headed, says Safa President Kirsten Nematandani.

Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma and his Deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe, have welcomed the new Ministers and Deputy Minister at a swearing in ceremony at Tuynhuys, Cape Town.

Pretoria - Gautrain buses are again not operating today, as the illegal strike by bus drivers continues.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has wished the Indian community in South Africa well as millions of Hindus celebrate the Festival of Lights, Diwali, today.

Pretoria - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has praised the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) after it received an unqualified audit report for the 2010/11 financial year.