South Africa

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma and Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of the Virgin Group, have agreed to establish a Disease Control Hub in South Africa.

Midrand - First National Bank (FNB) customers can now Tata ma Chance and play the national lottery using their cellphones, the ATM machine or by using online banking.

Pretoria - Government on Wednesday launched National Policy Guidelines for Victim Empowerment which will serve as a reference point for those involved in helping victims of violence, abuse and crime.

Cape Town - The Presidency is expected to release two green papers to allow stakeholders an opportunity to give input on how the Planning Ministry and National Planning Commission should function.

Durban - The 4th Southern African AIDS Conference, which kicks off on Tuesday, will explore and provide insights into factors that impact on responses to the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

Johannesburg -The partnerships between South Africa and India must be used to address the current economic recession, says Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

Pietermaritzburg - The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Finance will next week introduce a campaign in schools to instil a culture of saving among children.

Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana is ready to face Brazil in the much anticipated FIFA Confederations Cup semifinals, says the national team Coach, Joel Santana.

Pretoria - The biotechnology industry must be developed in South Africa and the region, to ensure the advancement of therapies for HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and other diseases, says Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor.

Durban - Durban Mayor, Councillor Obed Mlaba, has strongly condemned the criminal behaviour of members of the Unemployed People's Movement who looted shops in the city centre on Wednesday.

Pretoria - Bafana Bafana will be searching for a miracle when they take on five-time world champions Brazil in the second semifinal of the FIFA Confederations Cup at Ellis Park stadium tonight.

Mafikeng - The North West province is to get its own radiation therapy facility, to relieve the burden of cancer patients having to travel to Gauteng to get their treatment.

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma is to visit India early next year to further cement bilateral relations between the two countries.

Midrand - The lack of a culture of saving among South Africans is a reason for concern, says Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

Johannesburg - Government needs to improve the implementation of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) in South Africa's business sector, says President Jacob Zuma.