South Africa

Pretoria - The Presidential Hotline, which turns one today, continues to change the lives of ordinary citizens, while making government more accessible.

Johannesburg - South Africa needs to embark on a different growth path if the economy is to grow and poverty beaten, says Trade and Industry Minister (dti) Rob Davies.

Pretoria - Proper textbooks and workbooks is a right that every school-going child should have, says Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma's state visit to China this week signifies a deliberate attempt to reposition the economy to take advantage of new trade and investment opportunities in rapidly growing emerging markets.

New York - Although the number of hungry people in the world has fallen below 1 billion, thanks to renewed economic growth, it remains "unacceptably" high, says the United Nations.

Pretoria - Up to 1 826 learners in Gauteng will be awarded bursaries estimated at R128 million to further their studies at higher education institutions, Premier Nomvula Mokonyane announced on Tuesday.

Pretoria - The Labour Court has granted the South African Police Service (SAPS) an interim interdict which prohibits its employees from participating in the public service strike.

Pretoria - The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) and the Portfolio Committee on Communications have agreed to an out-of- court settlement regarding their dispute relating to the committee's closed meeting with the SABC.

Pretoria - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga assured that the final matric exams will not be affected or postponed due to the ongoing strike in the public service.

Pretoria - The Department of Labour in Gauteng has served a prohibition notice to Tony's Plastics in Roodepoort for non-compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Durban - Rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal will soon have access to sport and recreation facilities thanks to two multi-million rand developmental projects.

Pretoria - Government has called for calm amid the ongoing national public sector strike.

Pretoria - The preliminary examinations are expected to proceed as normal in Gauteng today following minor disruptions in exams on Tuesday.

Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's two-day working visit to the United Kingdom, gets underway today with a focus on strengthening both political and economic ties with that country.

Pretoria - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa believes the Civilian Secretariat for Police Bill will mark a new era and provide a "new way of securing our democracy" through civilian oversight over police.