Update@Noon

1. Asian stocks fell and the dollar held declines against major peers as Federal Reserve timidity toward raising interest rates underscored global growth concerns 2. China Edges Closer to IMF Seal of Approval With Yuan Policy Move 3. A mixed bag of South African Results with the Rand still under pressure 4. Thursday Investment Theme: Agriculture investing

amlive speaks to senior manager at PRASA Sello Maluleke

The decision by National Prosecuting Authority Head Advocate Shaun Abrahams to withdraw the charges against Nomgcobo Jiba, could have a material bearing on cases being litigated. That's according to a public interest organisation, Freedom Under Law. It also wants to be furnished with the reasons for the withdrawal of the charges. Sakina Kamwendo speaks to the chaiperson of Freedom Under Law Judge...

1. Brutal sell off in SA stocks persist. Take us through some of the big moves in equities yesterday? 2. SA CPI and retail sales tick higher 3. Fed FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) minutes sees some push rate hike expectations to later in the year

The task team which was appointed to find a lasting solution to the issues facing the closure of Roodepoort Primary school, say they have hope to find a solution within the next 48 hours. The schools routine has been disrupted for several weeks by violent protests over the appointment of its principal, Noma-themba Molefe, and her deputies. Chaos broke out since Monday at the School on Gauteng's We...

Three women, a foster mother, a doctor and a psychologist, have petitioned the Constitutional Court, asking that an unborn fetus be granted the right to life. The Choice of Termination of Pregnancy Act makes abortions legal under certain conditions. But the act does not recognise the foetus' right to life. Senior Constitutional Court Reporter, Candice Nolan reports

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has decided to drop fraud and perjury charges against its own Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba. Jiba, whose trial was due to start today, has reportedly been promoted to a higher position. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Spokesperson of the NPA, Luvuyo Mfaku.

1. Asian stocks fell a fourth day as a deepening commodities selloff raised concern growth may be slowing in China 2. Japan's export growth slowed in July, a sign that foreign demand is failing to provide much support to the world's third-biggest economy 3. Booting up South Africa's creative economy! Innovation in the arts industry creating opportunities domestically and internationally! 4. We fin...

Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi, will today meet with a mediation team as well as community representatives in an effort to resolve the impasse at the Roodepoort Primary School. Calm was restored yesterday, after children arrived from their temporary school facility in Soweto. At least five people were injured during a protest at the school. Sakina Kamwendo speaks to SABC reporter Tshepo Pha...

The Democratic Alliance ‚ says it would ask the High Court to nullify Minister of Police Nathi Nhleko's report on the Nkandla upgrades. Sakina Kamwendo speaks DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach

South Africa has the saltiest fast foods. According to a survey carried out by World Action on Salt and Health (WASH) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) children are being fed alarmingly high amounts of salt by fast food chains. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Deidre Lindeque, a registered Dietician with Nutripaeds...

1. Emerging markets pressured as capital outflows mount 2. Merkel to take Greek deal to German parliament 3. Shoprite results good as eyes shift to today's retail sales and CPI data locally

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon has added his voice to international pressure mounting of South Sudan's President Salva Kiir to sign a peace deal to end the almost two year old conflict in his country. Sudan government delegation led by Kiir has asked for a 15 day extension to review the agreement while his adversary former Vice President Riek Machar signed the document. Sherwin Bryce-Pease repo...

The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) has formally notified Rand Water of their intention to go on a strike. This follows several rounds of negotiations with the company which have yielded no positive results. SAMWU is asking for a 10 percent salary increase for the lowest paid workers and 12-percent for incentive bonuses. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SAMWU's National Collective Bargaining...

1. Chinese stocks dropped from their highest level in three weeks on concern the rebound in equities has overshot prospects for earnings growth 2. U.S. stocks rose, following last week's gain in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, with homebuilders pacing the advance amid light volume before further clues from the Federal Reserve on the path for interest rates 3. What is the trend behind the falling...

The Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa is unhappy about Pistorius parole during the women's month and will ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services not to approve the parole board's recommendation. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Convener at the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa, Mme Jacqui Mofokeng.

Fifteen people have been confirmed dead and five seriously injured in an accident involving a mini-bus and a train. The accident happened in Shaka's head near Ballito north of Durban last night. It is believed the drive of the taxi lost control and the taxi veered off the road and landed on the rail way track colliding with passing train. Vusi Makhosini reports

Three nurses are accused of neglecting a pregnant woman at the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in Johannesburg will be disciplined by the department of health. This comes after the death of an unborn baby at the hands of the nurses at the facility. It's alleged that the mother had been admitted at the hospital as a high risk patient, however she wasn't treated as such. Senior Health Journal...

The ANC's National General Council is expected to focus its attention relentlessly on the state of the country's economy. This was revealed at the ruling party's launch of a number of discussion documents for its National General Council scheduled for the 9th to the 12th of October. The NGC is a mid-term review of the policies and implementation of decisions passed at the ANC's 2012 National Confe...

1. Rand part of the Troubled Ten as it weakens further 2. Eurozone trade surplus widens 3. Brazilian president Rouseff faces further calls for impeachment as economy crumbles

Legal representatives of the Marikana tragedy victims have called the Farlam Commission report a disgrace and criticized government for being in denial. The legal team says they will also apply for a review of the Farlam commission of inquiry's report as they do not agree with the findings. For more we are joined on the line by one of the legal representatives of the Marikana victims, Advocate Dum...

Today is the final day for the South Sudan's government and rebels to reach a peace deal or face possible sanctions. Over the weekend . East African leaders were gathered in Ethiopian capital in an effort to convince South Sudan's warring sides to sign a peace deal. Diplomats have warned any failure to sign a peace deal could trigger serious consequences for the rival leaders. Sakina Kamwendo spea...

About a hundred residents have been left destitute following a fire that gutted about 50 shacks in Lwandle, Cape Town. Residents says they are not sure how the last night fire started. Many called on government to provide them with RDP houses. Thandiswa Mawu reports

The families, whose loved ones were killed in Marikana three years ago, are still struggling to come to terms with the events of that fateful day. Forty-four people were killed in the week between the 12th and the 16th of August in 2012. The third commemoration was held at the koppie, where 34 mineworkers were killed. Itumeleng Kgajane compiled this report.

Market Analyst and Economist Clive Ramathibela looks at the Asian Markets which, tracking an advance in U.S. equities, Japan’s Economy Contracts as Consumption, Investment Decline and South Africa finally wakes up to “Venture Capitalisation” as SME’s show strong growth potential