South Africa

Bisho - Robust research inputs from South Africa's academic and research institutes are needed to better the lives of people by delivering quality social services.

Johannesburg - The atmosphere generated by the South African fans at the Ellis Park stadium is incredible, particularly to international soccer fans who are experiencing it for the first time.

White River - More than 100 wild animals and plants were seized during a two-month operation aimed at combating cross-border trade in great apes and other wildlife.

Cape Town - Effective and decisive action is needed in the fight against piracy, oil theft and drug trafficking off Africa's coastline, says Chief of the South African Navy Vice Admiral Johannes Mudimu.

Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana and Iraq played a goalless draw in the thrilling opening match for the FIFA Confederations Cup at Ellis Park on Sunday.

Cape Town - President Kgalema Motlanthe has approved the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Bill, 2008 and the South African Police Service Amendment Bill, 2008.

Pretoria - Google has announced a R8.6 million grant to the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory that will help to preserve and give unprecedented digital access to thousands of archival documents, photographs and audio-visual materials about the life and times of Madiba.

Addis Ababa - The African Union has asked former South African leader Thabo Mbeki to head a peace panel which aims to reconcile the need for accountability in Darfur with opposition calls for Sudan's president to be prosecuted.

Pretoria - In just less than two hours, the second match of the FIFA Confederations Cup will take place in Rustenburg with New Zealand and Spain battling it out on the pitch.

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has declared the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup officially open at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg.

Pretoria - An independent firm has been roped in to investigate the dismissal of Nomonde Mapetla, the CEO of the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB).

Pretoria - More than 180 000 pupils from 300 schools are set to receive better access to opportunities in sport through the School Sport Mass Participation Programme launched by the Gauteng Provincial Government on Friday.

Pretoria - The Department of Correctional Services says solving the delays in the implementation of new salary packages for correctional services officials is a priority.

North West - The North West Provincial Disaster Management Centre has issued a flood warning and appealed to residents to be careful when crossing rivers and bridges.

Pretoria - Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela has welcomed the decision of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development to engage with her following the recent visit by two counter intelligence officials from the South African Police Service to her office.