South Africa

Pretoria - The arrival of newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners is expected to advance relations between their respective countries and South Africa.

Johannesburg - Over 300 children have been killed and more than 1 500 wounded since the beginning of the Gaza crisis on 27 December, according to the United Nation's Children's Fund (Unicef).

Sasolburg - The number of fatalities and accidents on the country's roads showed a significant decrease this past festive season as compared to previous years.

Brits - Two disadvantaged schools that produced top marks in the 2008 matric examinations have recommitted themselves to maintain the high standard they have set and improve on what they achieved last year.

Durban - The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality has assured the residents of Durban that there is no outbreak of meningitis in the city.

Pretoria - The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has warned doctors who have participated in illegal strike action that they may face suspension or be struck off from the doctors' roll if they do not return to work.

Cape Town - The Department of Mining has implored mining companies to take their commitments towards social and labour plans seriously.

Cape Town - The Department of Higher Education and Training has budgeted R146 million for this year's foundation programmes with qualifying institutions being allocated teaching development grants.

Johannesburg - Local Organising Committee Chairperson, Irvin Khoza, has warned those who have been duplicating FIFA Confederations Cup tickets, that they will face the might of the law.

Pretoria - The South African Police Services on Tuesday made another major drug bust at the OR Tambo International Airport - seizing drugs with a street value of about R170 million

Cape Town - The Department of Human Settlements will need an extra R102 billion more than its current budget allocations over the next three years if it is to create human settlements that government can be proud of.

Parliament - The much anticipated Broadcasting Digital Migration process, which will also help address socio-economic challenges, is on track, says Communications Minister, General Simphiwe Nyanda.

Cape Town - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has warned that her department will not tolerate any form of laziness and unaccountability in the schooling system.

Parliament - An Independent benchmark study, commissioned by the Department of Communications has found that telecommunications costs in the country are still way too high in comparison to other countries.

Cape Town - Government has committed to allocating more resources towards its HIV and AIDS programme to accelerate its implementation.