South Africa

Cape Town - The Western Cape province has honoured scores of top notch learners and schools for their 2011 National Senior Certificate examination achievements.

Thohoyandou - Matriculants from poor families in Limpopo's Vhembe district have until 18 January to apply for bursaries to further their studies this year.

Pretoria -Two primary school learners were swept away by strong currents while crossing a flooded river in Moruleng near Sun City in the North West on Tuesday morning.

Johannesburg - Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane has called on the management of the University of Johannesburg to work closely with the Johannesburg Metro Police and other authorities in order to ensure that the stampede which occurred earlier today is not repeated.

Pretoria - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has met with Limpopo Premier Cassel Mathale to discuss matters relating to the implementation of the section 100 intervention in the province.

Pretoria -Three months into her appointment as Communications Minister, Dina Pule has assured South Africans that her department will strive to deliver information and communication technology (ICT) services to the people on the ground.

Pretoria - It's all systems go as thousands of schools in four coastal provinces open their doors as the 2012 academic year kicks off today.

Cape Town - National Consumer Commissioner Mamodupi Mohlala today revealed that the commission has set its sights on tackling the high cost of international roaming for cellphone users.

Pretoria - Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi says the release of the improved matric pass rate and the rate of qualification for university entry should be cause for celebration, not tragedy.

Sedibeng - Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane rolled up his sleeves and got down to business during a tour of schools in the Sedibeng District on Tuesday.

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is in New York to preside over South Africa assuming the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of January.

Pretoria - South Africa and Cuba have strengthened cooperation in the defence field with the signing of a memorandum of understanding.

Pretoria - As the 2012 school year gets underway today, the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu) says it will make the training and development of teachers its main focus this year.

Cape Town - State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele says the Protection of State Information Bill is aimed at stamping out rising espionage cases as well as the business of peddling state information.

Ibadan - The government of Nigeria's southwest state Oyo on Tuesday imposed a 12-hour curfew due to the fuel subsidy protest with immediate effect.