South Africa

Pretoria - The retail trade sales for June decreased by 6.7 percent compared to June last year, Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) announced on Wednesday.

Pretoria - South Africans who apply for or renew their passports will from today receive a new passport with more security features.

Johannesburg - Government is to establish a new institute of learning for newly appointed and long-serving judges and magistrates.

Johannesburg - Gauteng Economic Development MEC Firoz Cachalia has defended the province's decision not to proceed to acquire the rights to host Formula 1 events.

Nongoma - Thousands of maidens are busy with final preparations ahead of the KwaZulu-Natal Royal Reed Dance ceremony, which takes place this weekend.

Johannesburg - The "Fly the Flag for Football" campaign was launched in Johannesburg on Wednesday to build public excitement, awareness and support leading up to the two historic soccer events in South Africa.

Pretoria - Traffic officers countrywide are out in full force this Easter weekend to ensure motorists drive safely and follow all road regulations.

Pretoria - The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has suspended its strike action against power utility Eskom, according to a statement on Wednesday.

Johannesburg - The South African Broadcasting Corporation says it has acquired the sophisticated infrastructure needed to bring the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the subsequent 2010 FIFA World Cup to billions of fans worldwide.

Cape Town - The Ad Hoc Committee, set up by Parliament to appoint a new Public Protector, has shortlisted eight candidates.

Pretoria - The team of Correctional Services officials representing South Africa at the13th World Police and Fire Games in Canada have clinched over 200 medals.

Pretoria - Cabinet has conveyed condolences to the families and friends of Limpopo MEC for Public Works, Pandelani Ramagoma, Professor Tamsanqa Kambule, and Victor Moche.

Cape Town - More than 440 jobs will be created as part of the City of Cape Town's safety and security plan for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Pretoria - Cabinet has congratulated the world champion Springbok Rugby Team for their convincing victory against the Australians at the weekend.

Johannesburg - The newly established National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has set itself an ambitious target of recruiting one million young people to participate in its national youth service programme.