South Africa

Johannesburg - Gauteng municipalities buckling under pressure from the current global financial crisis could soon breathe a sigh of relief.

Bloemfontein - The process of developing South Africa's rural areas took a giant step forward when young people received certificates for completing the first phase of their skills empowerment programme.

Pretoria - Enough money will be available to pay staff as well as bring about stabilisation to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), says interim board chairwoman Irene Charnley.

Pretoria - The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) is still in the process of confirming whether the death of a man in KwaZulu-Natal was due to the H1N1 Influenza Virus, also known as swine flu.

Johannesburg - South Africa's Business Confidence Index (BCI) has increased slightly to 83.2 points in July from 83.1 points in June, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) announced on Wednesday.

Giyani - Vitamin A supplementation, de-worming, catch up immunization and growth monitoring will be among the services offered during the Child Health Week.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has extended condolences to the government and people of Zimbabwe following the death of one of the country's Vice Presidents, Joseph Msika.

Potchefstroom - North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa, encouraged police officials to participate in sports to help boost their abilities to fight crime.

Pretoria - Energy Minister Dupio Peters is to meet with other role-players in the fuel industry on Thursday to discuss the shortage of jet fuel at the OR Tambo international Airport.

I have just concluded a meeting with the leadership group of the 'Framework Response to the Economic Crisis', in which they briefed me on progress in the implementation of the framework.

Based on the report from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) the recent death of a 44 year-old deceased from KwaZulu-Natal cannot be conclusively attributed to the H1N1 Influenza.

Johannesburg - The Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development has made significant strides in the fight against poverty and in improving the health of people in the province.

President Jacob Zuma was briefed at the Union Buildings today by the leadership group of the 'Framework Response to the Economic Crisis' on progress in its implementation. The leadership group consists of representatives of Labour, Business, Government and the Community constituency who are responsible for guiding the implementation of the Framework.

Cape Town - Government is to implement strict laws on the sale of cellular phones and sim cards to help curb serious crime in the country.

Pretoria - The Department of Education has decided to revert to the old system of releasing matric results in January, instead of during the December holidays.