Townlands eligible up to now for areas of natural constraints (ANC) payments will remain eligible in the new scheme next year in about 98% of cases, said Agriculture Minister Michael Creed yesterday.

Farmer groups have welcomed the timely roll-out of GLAS scheme payments to 33,000 participants, adding that it is essential that the remaining 16,000 farmers are also paid without delay.

Cyril Ramaphosa’s victory in December’s contest to lead South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) was a resounding repudiation of President Jacob Zuma, writes Anne-Marie Slaughter.

South Africa's top court has ruled that parliament failed to hold President Jacob Zuma to account in a scandal over multimillion-dollar upgrades to his private home.

Cyril Ramaphosa has been elected the new leader of South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress.

Nelson Mandela achieved a distinction — not entirely undeserved — little short of sainthood during his 95 years on this earth.

Latest: Catalonia "has won the right to become an independent state", the Spanish region's leader Carles Puigdemont said.

One-third of farmers who get ANC (disadvantaged) payments believe they are unfairly distributed.

The Hill Farming Forum in Connemara organised by the IFA last week was an opportunity to examine how best to unlock the potential of farming on our uplands.

South Africa's president has responded to the political crisis that erupted after he fired the finance minister, acknowledging that public disputes at the top of the government are a "serious weakness".

South Africa's parliament descended into chaos as opposition politicians denounced President Jacob Zuma as a "scoundrel" and "rotten to the core" because of corruption allegations and then brawled with guards who dragged them out of the chamber.

A signed letter from Muhammad Ali to Nelson Mandela offering his condolences on the death of an anti-apartheid leader has sold at auction in England for £7,200 (€8,500).

A signed letter from Muhammad Ali to Nelson Mandela offering his condolences on the death of an anti-apartheid leader will be sold at auction.

With three out of every four sheep and suckler farmers earning less than minimum wage, the sector urgently needs EU relief, greater access to live exports and a review of the retail price, says ICSA president Patrick Kent.

South Africa's ruling party the African National Congress (ANC) has lost the metropolitan area which includes the capital in its biggest election setback since it took power 22 years ago.

Enhanced direct payments, low cost short-term loans and the abolition of EU import tariffs on fertiliser are on the IFA’s menu of solutions for the income crisis facing farmers.

As the income crisis deepens across all farming sectors, the IFA is sending a clear message to the Government that urgent action is needed.

Next Monday, May 16, is the BPS application deadline. Avoid these pitfalls which landed applicants in trouble last year.

Be aware, that time is ticking away, time stands still for nobody.

A South African judge yesterday ordered authorities to prevent Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is in South Africa for an African Union summit, from leaving the country because of an international order for his arrest, human rights activists said.

Apartheid death-squad leader Eugene de Kock, dubbed ‘Prime Evil’ for his role in the torture and murder of scores of black South African activists in the 1980s and early 1990s, was granted parole after more than 20 years in prison.

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