South Africa

Pretoria - Twelve people, including nine children, have lost their lives in a collision between a truck and a bakkie on the R603 near Umbumbulu, KwaZulu-Natal.

Cape Town - The new Cape Town Stadium has been opened on time - 32 months after the first sod was turned.

Pretoria - Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, has launched a R25 million Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) that not only promotes jobs and training but energy efficiency adaptation as well.

As you know, the 16 Days of Activism Campaign on No Violence against Women and Children is a United Nations-endorsed campaign. It takes place annually from the 25th of November which is an International Day of No Violence against Women. It runs up to the 10th of December which is an International Human Rights Day.

Pretoria - South Africa has secured an additional $108 million from the Global Fund to finance its HIV prevention projects over the next five years.

Pretoria - Home Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is expected to hand over a house to the family of the late S'khumbuzo Mhlongo later today.

Pretoria - Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, Hlengiwe Mkhize, is to take a project which focuses on the well-being and protection of children behind bars to the Limpopo province on Friday.

Johannesburg – Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane says the proposal to rename Commissioner Street in the Johannesburg CBD has been tabled before the Gauteng Geographical Names Committee.

Pretoria - The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, says the benefits derived from biodiversity or ecosystem services are estimated at R73 billion, contributing to 7 percent of South Africa's GDP per annum.

Pretoria - The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has assured the public that it has the rights to be the official broadcaster of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Parliament - The atmosphere was jovial outside Parliament on Thursday afternoon ahead of President's Jacob Zuma arrival with songs and drums being heard from a distance.

Pretoria - Transnet has signed a R2.2 billion loan agreement with Agence Fran±aise de D,veloppement Group (AFD and Proparco) to partly fund the expansion of Cape Town harbour's container terminal.

New York - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday led a chorus of United Nations officials in calling on the international community to make greater efforts to tackle the global pandemic of violence against women and girls.

Pretoria - Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has assured the British public that South Africa's transport sector is ready for the first ever FIFA World Cup on African soil.

Pretoria - After months of waiting, teachers will finally get their Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) payments in full before Christmas.