South Africa

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has clarified South Africa's foreign policy, saying it was independent and the country's decisions were informed by its national interest.

Cape Town - The Film and Publication Board (FPB) has confiscated 230 000 in illegal pornographic material, unclassified films and publications from both the streets and shops around the country in the past 2010/11 financial year.

Durban - A training centre in Illovo has been selected to become a beacon for Africa in terms of training people with disabilities.

Pretoria - The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, and the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Rosemary, are to undertake an official visit to South Africa at the personal invitation of President Jacob Zuma.

Cape Town - The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has been commended by MPs for its remarkable work both at home and on the African continent.

Pretoria - The upcoming Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) must reinforce what the country can do to cushion the negative impact of developments in the world economy.

Pretoria - Business should report incidents of key projects being delayed as a result of red tape, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel says.

President Jacob Zuma has reiterated that the country's judiciary is independent and can be trusted to be the final arbiter in disputes.

Pretoria - New Energy Efficiency (EE) building regulations that will come into effect in November will boost job creation, says Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies.

Pretoria - The KwaZulu-Natal Health Department has called on people who paid bribes to a woman posing as a nurse in the promise of jobs in hospitals, to submit information and evidence to the hospitals where they were promised employment.

Cape Town - The Public Protector has called on President Jacob Zuma to consider taking action against Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka after making several findings against the minister.

Pretoria - Nine Cuban nationals have begun sharing their knowledge on immigration issues with a group of 30 South African trainers.

Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti says rural communities need to take charge of their development if government is to achieve its goals of tackling poverty and unemployment.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has appointed two new non-executive directors to fill vacant positions on the Board of the South African Reserve Bank.

Cape Town - Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies has highlighted that the global economic meltdown and European debt crisis was affecting SA's manufacturing industry.