Two local airlines, Safair and SA Airlink want to unite under the common umbrella of the Airlink group of companies and will approach the Competition Commission today for approval. The airlines say the merger will among other things make air travel accessible and affordable for their customers across Southern Africa. Will passengers really benefit? Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Aviation Expert and Managing Director of Plane Talking, Linden Burns.

The United Nations Security Council will today convene in New York after news reports and video footage emerged last week showing African migrants in Libya being sold as slaves. Permanent member France, which has taken the lead on the issue, says the meeting is aimed at creating a broader awareness on modern-day slavery while seeking a unified position from Council members against such acts. Last week the UN Secretary General expressed his horror at the reports and called on the competent authorities in the country to investigate without delay and bring the perpetrators to justice. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports.

Suspended Gauteng Mental Health Director Dr Makgabo Manamela has apologised to the affected families as she concluded her testimony at the Life Esidimeni hearings in Parktown, Johannesburg on Monday. After four days on the witness' stand, Manamela admitted that the re-locations did not go according to plan, but says they tried their best to contain the situation. This is in contrast with Legal Aid SA's position that more mentally ill patients continued to die because the Department refused to acknowledge the deaths as they were occuring, and simply ignored complaints that were being raised. Meanwhile, suspended Head of Department Dr Barney Selebano will be in court today in a bid to set aside a subpoena compelling him to testify at the hearings. Wisani Makhubele reports..

The SACP in the Free State believes it will get an outright majority victory in Wednesday's by-elections in the Metsimaholo Local Municipality. The Communist party will be contesting the elections for the first time ever against its alliance partner, the ANC. Political experts say Wednesday's by-election will test the SACP's popularity outside its alliance partners. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SACP's spokesperson in the Free State, Phillip Kganyago and Professor Goodfriday Mhlongo from the Vaal campus of the University of the North West...

Market analyst, Maudi Lentsoane of Lehumo Investments looks at Asian markets as BITCOIN up 800% in 2017, most major Asian indexes are trading higher following a narrowly mixed close on Wall Street overnight and US Retailers close higher after strong Black Friday & Cyber Monday.

Research analyst, Fundiswa Nkuta looks at the South African markets as the Rand performed better than expected and Bitcoin has made some significant gains and almost topped $10 000 and what is driving the crytocurrency crazy

Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi together with Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa have announced a high level task team to co-ordinate a recovery plan for the provincial health department. The department has been facing a number of challenges, which were heightened by the Life Esidimeni tragedy. The three officials briefed the media in Johannesburg yesterdayon these interventions. Nomsa Mdhluli reports...

Lehumo investments CEO, Maudi Lentsoane on looks at markets in Asia trading negative led lower by the South Korean markets which is down over 1.3% and a look back at the Federal Reserve unprecedented steps to stimulate the American economy during the financial crisis 9 years ago, did it do the right thing?

Zimbabwe's former finance minister, who was taken into custody by the military after it took power, is back in court today for a formal bail hearing. Ignatius Chombo, who's charged with corruption offences that allegedly took place more than a decade ago, first appeared in the Harare Magistrates Court on Saturday. The ousted finance minister was among those detained by the military when it seized power before Robert Mugabe resigned as president last Tuesday. We speak to Alexander Rusero, lecturer at Harare Polytechnic.

- Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters crowned Miss Universe.
-Idols SA runner-up Mthokozisi Ndaba accused of assaulting a young woman.
- Zuma a no show at 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children launch.