South Africa

Pretoria - The decline in the unemployment rate down to 24.9% in the second quarter from 25.2% in the first quarter is encouraging, says Nedbank.

Pretoria - Government and labour unions have agreed on a three-year settlement for the period 2012 to 2015, with the salary increase for 2012 finalised at 7%.

East London - Many Eastern Cape National Union of Metal Workers (Numsa) downed tools on Monday, demanding a 13 percent wage increase.

Pretoria - Newly elected African Union Commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma met with seven former Heads of State and Government in Pretoria on Wednesday morning as part of consultations before she takes up her seat at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Bisho - Mluleki Nyoka said his decision to start a small multi-purpose co-operative has changed the fortunes of many people in his village.

Pretoria - The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has approved a methodology to approve maximum prices of piped-gas to distributors while it also determined that competition in the piped-gas market is inadequate.

Pretoria - Patrick Dlamini has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).

Pretoria - The Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, has called for "gender responsive" budgeting that can be used as a tool to promote the socio-economic rights of women, children and people with disabilities.

Johannesburg - A new publication, 'Saving Electricity in a Hurry', has been launched by Energy Minister Dipuo Peters to help the country deal with its electricity issues.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says that South Africa is the "land of gold", after Chad Le Clos won the men's 200 metre butterfly race at the London Olympics 2012 yesterday.

Pretoria - Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Mzwandile Petros is optimistic that the war against crime in the province and the country can be won.

Pretoria - Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu says the public sector wage settlement reached between government and labour unions last night will ensure stability, proper planning and chart a new way of doing things in government.

Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is concerned by media reports suggesting that he was canvassing support for election as President of the ANC, the Presidency said.

Pretoria - Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu says the public sector wage settlement reached between government and labour unions last night will ensure stability, proper planning and chart a new way of doing things in government.

Pretoria - Incoming African Union Chairperson and South Africa's Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma says she's confident that a solution can be found to quell tensions in Sudan.