South Africa

Johannesburg - It is probably every child's dream to be a mascot at a FIFA World Cup, especially if the tournament is in their country.

Pretoria - Department of Labour inspectors are investigating yet another death reported on Wednesday afternoon of a worker who was fatally injured by an explosion of a fuel tanker at a Sasol plant in Sasolburg, Northern Free State

Pretoria - Government, in collaboration with the business sector, is planning a lekgotla that will look into how best the country can take advantage of the positive opportunities created by the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Pretoria - The Producer Price Index rose to 6.8 percent in May, reported Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).

Pretoria - The fifth and final ticket sales phase of the 2010 FIFA World Cup will kick off tomorrow with the opening of 11 Ticketing Centres in all host cities across the country.

Pretoria - Brazilian President Lula da Silva will be among the leaders touching down in the country as the FIFA World Cup progresses

Pretoria - Defending World Cup champions Italy will battle it out to guarantee themselves a place in the knock-out stages when they take on Slovakia in Johannesburg's Coca-Cola Park this afternoon.

Pretoria - The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has dismissed allegations that the son of Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi received preferential treatment at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital

Durban - The match that is touted as the king of all group matches will take place in front of an expected capacity crowd at Moses Mabhida Stadium when Portugal and Brazil do battle in their final Group G game.

Cape Town – The government has to be held accountable, but people also need to be accountable to themselves and actively participate in their own progress, Cyril Ramaphosa, the Deputy Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, said on Wednesday.

Durban - The German camp are holding their breath as their star midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger faces a race against time ahead of their giant round of 16 clash against England.

Cape Town - Thousands of orange-clad Dutch fans, old and young, celebrated their team's 2-1 victory over Cameroon in the teams' final group match by packing out clubs and restaurants in Long Street and along the city's fan walk.

Nelspruit - The FIFA Local Organising Committee and police in Nelspruit have issued a stern warning to motorists attending the last World Cup match at the Mbombela Stadium on Friday to refrain from parking in unauthorised areas.

Johannesburg - The defending champions crashed out of the World Cup on Thursday as debutantes Slovenia won the do-or-die game 3-2 to book their place in the second round of the tourney.

Los Angeles - A large gathering of fans are expected to pay tribute to the late King of Pop Michael Jackson at his tomb in Forest Lawns Cemetery on Friday, one year after he died.