Nerina Visser , ETFSA Strategist & Advisor talks about major recent currency moves ahead of the ECB meeting today and US oil inventories are at record highs, capping potential increases in oil prices

The Pan South African Language Board gave a damning report in Parliament on Tuesday on how it blew almost 100 million rands, on unnecessary expenses. The chairman of the board, Professor Mbulungeni Madiba, told the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture that the organisation had also exceeded its budget by almost 40-million rand in four years. In additon, it had had spent 21-million rand in the past five years on legal fees because staff members were suing each other. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture, Xoliswa Tom.

The leader of Lesotho's main opposition party has announced a coalition government with smaller parties after Saturday's election had no outright winner. Pakalitha Mosisili of the Democratic Congress said in Maseru he would form a government with former Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing's Lesotho Congress for Democracy and several other smaller parties to gain a majority win. The new coalition has a majority of 61 seats. The Democratic Congress won 47 seats, while Prime Minister Thom Thabane's All Basotho Convention won 46. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to WIPHOLD-Brigalia Bam Chair of Electoral Democracy in Africa, UNISA, Professor Kealeboga Maphunye

Four learners in Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape, who allegedly raped their fellow male learner, will definitely face a charge of rape. Their 18-year-old victim was stripped naked, covered with what appears to be a soapy substance and then allegedly raped with a broomstick. The boys will appear again in court today, as Reginald Witbooi reports

Arms deal critic Richard Young's briefly appeared before the Seriti Commission of Inquiry into the controversial 1999 deal yesterday. This is the third time that Judge Willie Seriti has had to allow a postponement. On two previous occasions, Young asked the commission to postpone his appearance, sighting among other reasons, an inability to read due to an eye operation. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Seriti Commission's spokesperson, William Baloyi.

In recent weeks, South Africa's media have focused on numerous high-profile incidents in which prominent figures were unmasked as frauds. The South African Qualifications Authority says this is a growing concern for the education and training sectors. In the latest incidents, the South African ambassador to Japan, Mohau Pheko, and the country's new ambassador to Washington, Mninwa Mahlangu, were found to have received their qualifications from unaccredited institutions. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the CEO of the South African Qualifications Authority, Joe Samuels...

Following last Wednesday's Budget Speech by Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene -the middle class say they feel short-changed as debt mounts. Spending has increased and so have the taxes. On this morning's edition of the Forum at eight we explore the spike in middle class debt. According to Unisa's Bureau of Market Research's Consumer Financial Vulnerability Index, South African consumers are under pressure due to high levels of debt and spending beyond their means. On the Forum@8 this morning we ask; how did the emerging South African middle class get into in trouble? Jacolize Meiring, who is an economist at the Bureau of Market Research at Unisa - Who was part of the research team working on the Consumer Financial Vulnerability Index and Dr Penelopé Hawkins, who is the Managing Director of economic policy and research company Feasibility discuss the matter.

1. Australia Stocks Fall From Seven-Year High After RBA Holds Rates

2. Asian stocks rose after U.S. equities climbed to records as rising consumer spending signalled strength in the world's largest economy

3. Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates kept his spot as the world's richest man

1. Asian stocks fell, dragging down the regional benchmark index from an almost six-month high, as a strengthening yen weighed on Japanese exporters

2. Alibaba stock falls heavily following regulation concerns and Taiwan government demanding that the company leaves the country

3. Forum contribution : Why our middle class is under pressure to service their debt?

Officials from the City of Cape Town together with fire authorities are currently meeting to discuss strategies to deal with the fires in the South Peninsula that is creating havoc. The situation in four hotspot areas have worsened overnight with a strong wind fanning the flames. Eight structures have been gutted and more than 300 people were evacuated from Tokai and Noordhoek. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Trevor Abrahams, Managing Director at Working on fire ...