http://www.702.co.za Talk Radio 702 - The Podcasts en-us 2006 07 February 2012 2 702webmaster@702.co.za Chris Gibbons focuses on national and international news and current affairs issues during the Midday Report. <br><br> ANCYL’s Julius Malema’s political career is in the balance after the ANC’s Disciplinary Committee Appeals Committee upheld all but one of the charges against him and his comrades. <br><br> The hunt is on for a missing baby held hostage by its nanny, it’s believed a dispute over wages might be behind the kidnapping of the baby boy in Pretoria this morning. <br><br> Many parts of Europe remain in the grip of bitterly cold weather that has claimed several hundred lives, flights to and from the continent have been disrupted, the cold weather is expected to continue. All charges against suspended crime intelligence boss, Richard Mdluli, are to be dropped and an inquest will be held instead, that’s the decision by the NPA and follows representations by Mdluli’s legal team. <br><br> There were more problems this morning with striking Gautrain bus drivers, they are demanding that the company provide them with transport to get to work at anti-social times, services were disrupted this morning.<br><br> More evidence is emerging that an unauthorised woman was on board the ill-fated Costa Concordia cruise liner which went aground off the Italian coast, and the 24-year old Moldovan and she’s confessed to being quite sweet on the skipper. Egypt has declared 3 days of national morning after at least 74 people died in clashes between rival football teams at Port Said on the Suez Canal, with fears that the violence may spread.<br><br> Police have made a breakthrough in the Free State, arresting 6 people who appear to be part of a syndicate that had tried to extort money from a local businessman.<br><br> Constable Kedibone Mokwele, a state witness in the murder trial of AWB leader, Eugene Terre’blanche, has come under fire this morning with prosecutors asking her how she could explain their rights to the suspects if she did not understand them herself.<br><br> In the South Gauteng High Court, Judge Joop Labuschagne has rejected the application for a retrial by self-confessed murdered, Donovan Moodley, saying his latest version of events was “far-fetched and fanciful”.<br><br> Tensions rise in Gauteng following an upsurge in taxi violence over a disputed commuter route, the SA Taxi Council is currently holding talks to address the issue. <br><br> Concern is rising about several developments in the Middle East, including the ongoing Iran nuclear question and worries about Syria and the Arab League’s failure to achieve either a peace accord or a reduction in violence, with an expert warning that the situation is especially volatile.<br><br> Motorists head for the pumps ahead of tonight’s sharp petrol price rise with reports of production problems at the Chevron refinery in Cape Town. <br><br> At the Johannesburg hearings this morning into the proposed Media Appeals Tribunal, and whether or not the Press, in particular, ought to be allowed to continue with self-regulation, the ANC called for a Parliamentary oversight of the Press.<br><br> Scientists in Britain have discovered that gorillas bare their teeth in a playful "grin" to reassure one another during play that they do not intend to harm, they found that human smiling is very much related to this expression in many of the primate species.<br><br> Eskom has warned that electricity supply remains tight and that users need to make an effort to cut their consumption.<br><br> The appointment of the new African Union chairperson has been put on hold as neither incumbent Jean Ping, nor South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma have managed to gain a 2 thirds majority.<br><br> A study review in Britain says blood pressure should always be measured in both arms because a consistent big difference between the left and right arm could indicate underlying health problems. Chris Gibbons focuses on national and international news and current affairs issues during the Midday Report. <br><br> A new anti-corruption organisation called Corruption Watch was launched today with the backing of the country’s major trade union federation, Cosatu, which says it hopes the independent body will give an additional weapon to those fighting corruption. <br><br> Convicted murderer, Donovan Moodley, has been rebuked for creating a media circus in court as he attempts to secure a re-trial for the 2004 kidnap and murder of student, Leigh Matthews.<br><br> The Environmental Affairs department has proposed the creation of a permanent wildlife reaction unit to deal notably with the problem of rhino poaching.<br><br> The Blue Bulls confirmed today that SARU has offered Heyneke Meyer the job of Bok coach, the new national coach is only due to be named by SARU on Friday.<br><br> Convicted murderer, Donovan Moodley, jailed for life for the killing of student, Leigh Matthews, wants a re-trial, saying he was involved in the murder but wasn’t the person who killed her. <br><br> The Democratic Alliance has unveiled a bold new plan to restructure and reform the National Lotteries Board, which includes a forensic audit, new management and an independent appeal process for NGOs. .