South Africa

Johannesburg - Power utility Eskom has signed a R6.1billion loan agreement with seven European banks.

Paris - A South African government delegation is currently participating in the 35th UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) conference that is set to come up with an international educational programme for the next two years.

Durban - Residents living in the eThekwini area, who have eye problems and no money to visit a specialist, will today get an opportunity to test their eyes free of charge.

Krugersdorp - The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, has launched "When Duty Calls" - a new crime-fighting television programme.

Pretoria - The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) department has published the Municipal Systems Amendment Act Draft Regulations on the appointment and conditions of employment of senior managers in municipalities for comment.

Pretoria - A scheduled power outage on Sunday will not disrupt services at the Chris Baragwanath Hospital, said the Gauteng Department of Health.

Durban - Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigators have asked the public for help in their efforts to piece together the cause of the SA Airlink plane crash at a school ground in Merebank.

Pretoria - It will not come as a surprise if the Department of Home Affairs is rated as one of the most improved government departments in terms of financial management.

Pretoria - The coverage of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) will be increased in the Free State in an effort to reduce maternal mortality.

Pretoria - Drunk drivers and motorists who don't obey traffic rules have been warned: there will be more traffic police visibility in all the country's national road network starting from this coming Easter long weekend.

Polokwane - Limpopo's Agriculture Department will spend part of its R1.4 billion budget to create jobs through their revamped tea estates.

Pretoria - Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, has challenged communities to work with the criminal justice system to ensure that women and children abusers get locked up.

Pretoria - Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile has congratulated the makers of South African film “Fanie Fourie’s Lobola”, which recently won an international award.

Sao Paulo - President Jacob Zuma today met with Brazilian football bosses to exchange ideas on the preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Pretoria - Eastern Cape Planning and Finance MEC Phumulo Masualle delivered the provincial budget on Thursday, which he promised will speed up service delivery and improve education and health.