South Africa

Pretoria - South Africa is ready to deal with any search and rescue situation that may arise during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, says Transport Deputy Minister Jeremy Cronin.

East London - The East London Metro is contributing to the fight against climate change by making use of trains instead of trucks to transport waste to its main landfill site.

Pretoria - South Africa has signed the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, which seeks to promote international co-operation in the assessment and collection of taxes.

Pretoria - There has been a slight increase in South Africa's unemployment rate, according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Thursday.

Cape Town - Government's Cluster on Social Protection and Community Development had completed the drafting of the Consolidated Government Document on Comprehensive Social Security.

Pretoria - The North West Public Safety traffic officers arrested 62 motorists for drunken driving at roadblocks around Mafikeng and Mmabatho at the weekend.

Pretoria - The Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA) has applauded the appointment of Medi-Clinic executive Roly Buys to the Ministerial Advisory Committee on National Health Insurance (NHI).

Johannesburg - Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has appointed Judge Christopher Nicholson as the chairperson of a committee to investigate the financial irregularities at Cricket South Africa (CSA).

Johannesburg - The Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, Beninoise singer-songwriter Ang,lique Kidjo and one of South Africa's greatest artists Johnny Clegg, will headline a star-studded line-up for the Final Draw of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Addis Ababa - Talks to end months of political turmoil in Madagascar have led to leaders of the major four political parties agreeing to settle the power share-out ahead of presidential elections in late 2010.

Cape Town - The Expanded Public Works (EPWP) second quarter figures show that KwaZulu-Natal created the most number of jobs in the period 1 April - 31 August this year.

Pretoria - Bobby Godsell has resigned as chairman of Eskom's board, a statement issued by the Public Enterprises Ministry has confirmed.

Pretoria - South African motorists will be forking out 45 cents more per litre of petrol from 4 March, while diesel drivers will enjoy a decrease of 38 cents per litre, the Department of Minerals and Energy reported on Friday.

Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe is currently in London for the World Travel Market in London.

Pretoria – In a bid to eliminate fraud and ensure that public funds are used more effectively, the Gauteng Department of Health is undertaking a process to verify all its employees and to update payroll information.