South Africa

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has sent Brazil his condolences and solidarity following the recent floods that engulfed some parts of that country this week.

New York - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon has welcomed the end of the week-long polling period for the Southern Sudan referendum, calling on the Sudanese to show patience and restraint for the final result.

Pretoria - Learners in Gauteng who have qualified to write supplementary exams can now register for free classes which will be offered in various subjects at the end of the month.

Pretoria - At least 30 people were killed in road accidents in South Africa at the weekend.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has wished boxing champion Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala a speedy recovery from his illness.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has conveyed condolences to families who have lost loved ones as a result of the recent floods.

Addis Ababa - The African Union (AU) has expressed its concern with the situation in Tunisia after the departure of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Pretoria - The arrest of two men believed to be part of a syndicate which steals ARVs and sells them for use in the manufacturing of the drug "whoonga" - a highly addictive mixture containing stocrin, dagga, Strepsils and rat poison - has been welcomed by the Department of Health.

Limpopo - President Jacob Zuma and his Cabinet have met in Limpopo for the January Cabinet Lekgotla where they are expected to thrash out the national agenda for the year ahead.

Pretoria - The Ministry for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation has dismissed as false media reports that the Presidential Hotline might be closed.

Pretoria - A Tshwane Emergency Services fire fighter died during a rescue operation in flooded Centurion earlier today.

Cape Town - Government will be stepping up its fight against HIV and Aids by promoting various prevention measures, including medical male circumcision and prevention of mother to child infections, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says government will focus this year on the three "Ts" - teachers, textbooks and time.

Mookgopong - Government has recommended that a national state of disaster be declared covering seven provinces and 28 municipalities following the recent floods in the country.

Pretoria - Energy security is important if South Africa is to create jobs and avoid power cuts, says President Jacob Zuma.