South Africa

Johannesburg - FIFA and the 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) on Monday marked the 500th day to go to the first African soccer world cup kicks off.

Cape Town - The Navy is committed to empowering youth with skills that will put them in good stead for a career in the South African Defence Force.

Addis Ababa - The impact of the global economic crisis on Africa has come under the spotlight at a meeting of the African Union (AU) Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), ahead of the African Union Summit to take place later this week.

Johannesburg - Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma took a tour of OR Tambo International on Friday and gave the airport's preparations for the FIFA Confederations Cup, the thumbs up.

Bhisho - Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet has outlined the priorities she will focus on, during her term in office.

Gaza - Thousands of Gazans remain homeless and hospitals still have a large number of intensive care patients over a week after a ceasefire ended Israel's devastating three-week offensive against Hamas militants.

Pretoria - South African Police Services (SAPS) members are celebrating National Police Day on Tuesday to mark the achievements they have made and to remember heroes and heroines who passed away in the line of duty.

Kimberley -The Northern Cape provincial government is to convene an economic summit in September to discuss the effects of the economic slowdown in the province.

Groblersdal - Most water sources in Limpopo's Greater Sekhukhune district, including the Tubatse River, have tested negative for cholera.

Nairobi - More than 1 000 environment ministers from across the world are set to meet in Kenya next month for the UN Environment Program (UNEP)'s Governing Council meeting.

Pretoria - South Africans including people who are arriving for the FIFA Confederations Cup should not panic, following the announcement by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise the influenza A (H1N1) to a global pandemic status.

Challenges faced by police officers daily are many. Besides being perpetually at risk; other challenges such as bribery, intimidation and retribution are also ever-present. But, many still manage to give honour and dignity to the uniforms they wear. Edwin Tshivhidzo and Professor Ndawonde spoke to a few such officers.

Addis Ababa - Indications are that delegates attending the upcoming African Union Summit in Ethiopia will spend much time deliberating on finding lasting solutions to the continent's conflicts as there is a general view that conflicts are standing in the way of a unified Africa.

Addis Ababa - The African Union has invested much hope in United States President, Barack Obama, amid the global economic crisis.

Kimberley - The South African government in partnership with the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee have launched the 2010 Mass Mobilisation Programme at Galeshewe Stadium in the Northern Cape.