ZAMBIANS STILL LOVE PF, THEY WILL VOTE FOR US IN AUGUST – NKANDU LUO
FORMER cabinet minister Nkandu Luo says the PF is confident of a political comeback this year because Zambians love it.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Luo said the bond between the party and Zambians is inseparable.
She stated that PF remains focused on positive energy and will keep avoiding negativity.
“In Zambia, we spend too much time on negative energies. When you ask if we, as PF. have lost hope, we say no. We believe in promoting positive energy. We have no intention to make ourselves miserable by dwelling on negativity,” Luo said.
Luo also reassured party supporters that the PF, known for its long-standing integrity, remains committed to its vision despite current challenges.
“PF is under siege, but we have our eyes on the ball. The person who will be president has already been chosen, and we are moving with the energy that our candidate will win,” she added.
“We know that the PF that had two presidents will be back to its people and deliver tangible results,” she stated.
BRIEFING | Kasama Mayoral Race Tilts as UPND Extends Lead in Lukashya
KASAMA — The Kasama mayoral by-election is edging toward a decisive moment after updated results from Lukashya Constituency, with the ruling United Party for National Development opening a commanding lead as counting continues.
Lukashya Constituency
90 of 109 polling stations declared:
– Bywell Simposya (UPND) – 8,122
– Peter Yuda Chikweti (Forum for Democracy and Development) – 5,652
– Aaron Zimba (Citizens First Party) – 1,907
– Mukuka Kapambwe (United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia) – 1,222
– Joseph Mubanga (Socialist Party) – 1,040
– Mary Bukisa (New Focus Party) – 215
What the Numbers Show
UPND is now leading in both Kasama Central and Lukashya, shifting the balance of a contest long seen as favourable to a PF-backed FDD candidate. Generally, the margin has widened sufficiently that unverified projections point to a UPND victory if current trends hold through the remaining polling stations.
Kasama is the capital of the Northern Circuit, historically aligned to the Patriotic Front since the Michael Sata era. A UPND win here would mark the party’s first mayoral breakthrough in a northern provincial capital, signalling a potential political realignment ahead of the 2026 general election.
⬆️ Next Steps
The Electoral Commission of Zambia is expected to complete counting and verification once results from the remaining polling stations are received. With margins tightening in Kasama Central and widening in Lukashya, the final declaration will determine whether the red wave completes a historic flip or whether late tallies alter the trajectory.
LATEST UPDATE Results from 174 out of the 218 polling stations in Kasama District. ( combination of results from 88 polling stations in Lukashya Constituency and 86 polling stations in Kasama Central Constituency)
1. Bywell Simposya-United Party for National Development-UPND- 14,528
2. Peter Yuda Chikweti Forum for Democracy and Development-FDD- 11,823
3. Aaron Zimba -Citizens First Party- 3,508
4. Kapambwe Mukuka-United prosperous and peaceful Zambia-UPPZ – 1, 870
THE Given Lubinda-led Patriotic Front (PF) has expelled Mporokoso Member of Parliament Brian Mundubile for taking up a leadership role in the Tonse Alliance, which the party describes as a breakaway faction.
PF faction national chairperson Jean Kapata stated that Mundubile’s participation in the Tonse Alliance general conference on Wednesday, where he was elected alliance president, effectively removed him from the PF.
Speaking when she addressed journalists yesterday, Kapata described the Mundubile-led Tonse Alliance as a splinter group posing as the former ruling party, emphasising that it holds no authority within PF structures or decision-making.
She urged members of the party to remain calm, stay loyal, and avoid being swayed by individuals pursuing personal ambitions.
Kapata stressed that the party remains larger than any one person, continuing to uphold the values set by its founding father, Michael Sata, and former president Edgar Lungu.
She also reminded members that past attempts by leaders to break away ended in failure, with many returning to the party.
“We further caution our members not to fall prey to people hired to creating structures, they shouldn’t be misled to leave the PF bigger family to those that will not go anywhere,” she said.
“The PF is full of documentaries where some known leaders left and misled people to follow them, only to reach dead ends and come back to the party. PF Libala iyalimwa kale, you leave, you still come back.”
“No one individual has ever been or will be bigger than our party, our party is bigger than individuals and we remain solid on strong foundation, principles,” added Kapata.
Kapata also announced that the party is preparing for its general conference at the end of February 2026, where a president and flag bearer for august elections will be formally elected.
Over the weekend, Kapata said, the Central Committee and Tonse Council of Leaders will meet to finalise convention preparations, review the Tonse Alliance’s developments, and determine the party’s next steps.
Kapata also revealed that the party has multiple strategies to ensure it fields a candidate in the upcoming elections.
According to her, while “Plan A” involves pursuing the court process to regain full control of the party, “Plan B” includes establishing a special purpose vehicle to secure PF participation in the polls.
“We still have our members that are intact out there, if there is a party with a lot of members it’s PF, so we need to guard our members to come along with us to the special purpose vehicle that will be announced very shortly,” she added.
PF DOUBTS JUDICIARY’S ABILITY TO RESOLVE INTERNAL DISPUTES AFTER COURT BLOCKS CONVENTION
By Nelson Zulu
Patriotic Front Chairperson for Legal Affairs George Chisanga says the Kabwe High Court’s upholding of the injunction restraining the party from holding a convention next month shows that it will be difficult for the PF to get a resolution from the judiciary.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Chisanga said the courts have failed to promptly deal with the party’s internal disputes since 2022, causing delays in resolving matters of injunctive relief and party administration.
He says the protracted hearings and slow rulings have denied the party timely determinations on its internal affairs and is urging the court to prioritize clarity and speed in politically sensitive cases.
Meanwhile PF faction Deputy Secretary General Celestine Mukandila insists that the PF will hold its convention next month while the process of appealing against the injunction takes course in a higher court.
Mr. Mukandila says an alternative political vehicle has already been recognized for the PF to use in their electoral convention next month without any legal impediments of the Kabwe High Court taking shape.
FDD RUBBISHES LAWSUIT CLAIMS, SAYS PARTY IS UNITED AND INTACT.
FELLOW countrymen and women, the Forum For Democracy and Development has noted with concern the various maligning which known and unknown members of the public have been writing and publishing about the Party.
Countrymen and women, no nation can thrive or develop based on lies. As a nation, in particular individuals who should command a bit of morality, it’s always important to remember that lies cannot overshadow the truth and will always be exposed.
To our friends in the opposition, in particular our colleagues in the Patriotic Front, it’s always important to put reason to everything we say and do. It’s always dangerous to forget those who carried you at your lowest moment.
As a party, we found the propaganda by some elements within and outside the PF suggesting that FDD members have sued the President, President Chifumu Banda to be highly misleading and without merit and must be treated as such.
No FDD member has ever taken such a shameful act, and none can do so within the party. We are aware as a party that some individuals who have become jealous of the FDD and its contribution to the opposition unity want to mislead the public but such will not succeed.
President Chifumu Banda participated and won the Vice Chairperson of the TONSE Alliance with the full support of the members. We challenge anyone spreading these unfounded and misleading statements as people hired because FDD has now become a threat because, FDD worked with all PF leadership both in Chawama and Kasama.
FDD also wishes to advise all its members to avoid toxic people who want to treat the election of President Mundubile as betrayal. The party affirms its acceptance of the victory of Mr Brian Mundubile who together with our President participated in a duly constituted election under Tonse Alliance.
The FDD remains intact and focused on working with progressive forces to liberate Zambians from the UPND misrule.
GOVT PUSHES TO FINALIZE ECL BURIAL BEFORE AUGUST ELECTIONS
By Nelson Zulu
Government has disclosed that it is intensifying efforts to ensure former late President Edgar Lungu is laid to rest before the 13 august 2026 elections.
Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha has told Phoenix News in an interview that the matter remains a priority to government and that both legal and negotiated avenues are being pursued to achieve closure at least before the elections.
Mr. Kabesha says while the former first family was on 23rd December 2025 granted permission to appeal by the Supreme Court of Appeal, with a deadline of 11th February 2026 to file a notice of appeal and grounds of appeal in the relevant court, government is ready to respond should the family proceed.
Alongside court processes, Mr. Kabesha says government has continued negotiations with the Lungu family with the aim of reaching an out-of-court settlement.
He also disclosed that any agreement with the ongoing discussions will be formalized through a consent order to be filed at court, to bind all parties and reduce the risk of future mistrust in order to provide a durable, enforceable resolution that both respects the rule of law and delivers closure for the family and the nation.
🔵 DAVIES MWILA SAYS PF HAS LOST ITS REAL POWER UNDER LUBINDA
Davies Mwila has criticised Given Lubinda’s leadership of the Patriotic Front, claiming that the party has lost much of its political strength, organisational capacity, and national relevance.
Mwila argued that PF’s internal divisions and leadership struggles have weakened its ability to operate as a united political force. He said ongoing conflicts over party control, strategic direction, and alliance engagement have left PF fragmented and politically diminished.
According to Mwila, the party’s decline is reflected in reduced grassroots mobilisation, declining voter confidence, and weakening internal discipline. He said Lubinda remains in charge of a political structure that no longer carries the authority or influence PF once had.
Mwila criticised attempts within PF to ignore internal shortcomings rather than addressing structural failures that have contributed to the party’s weakened position. He argued that without major reform, PF risks further political marginalisation.
He said political parties must prioritise unity, accountability, and leadership renewal if they want to remain competitive and credible in Zambia’s political space.
🔵 KAMBWILI SAYS VOTERS ARE NO LONGER FOOLED BY GOVERNMENT
Chishimba Kambwili has argued that Zambians are becoming more aware of what he described as dishonesty in government communication, claiming that voters are increasingly resistant to manipulation and political spin.
Responding to allegations linked to the Kasama mayoral by-election, Kambwili denied any involvement in vote-buying or improper campaign activities. He rejected claims that distributing food or assistance constituted inducement, insisting that such accusations were politically motivated attempts to undermine his credibility.
Kambwili challenged those making the allegations to provide verifiable proof, stating that responsibility should only be assigned based on facts rather than rumours or political hostility. He argued that political accountability must be grounded in evidence and fairness across all parties.
He further claimed that the ruling UPND faced rejection in Kasama because voters were dissatisfied with the party’s performance in government. According to Kambwili, the electorate expressed frustration with leadership they felt had failed to meet expectations.
The PF official also addressed broader opposition politics, referencing Tonse Alliance dynamics and internal political tensions. He suggested that unity within the opposition remains important in maintaining political balance and offering voters credible alternatives.
Kambwili said political trust must be earned through consistent actions, transparency, and respect for citizens. He argued that the public is becoming more skilled at identifying contradictions in political messaging and campaign behaviour.
He declined to comment extensively on certain ongoing legal matters, stating that he preferred to wait until he had reviewed official rulings. He indicated that any further public statements would be guided by confirmed legal findings rather than speculation.
Kambwili ended by asserting that Zambians are more politically conscious than before, adding that he believes the electorate is now better positioned to hold leaders accountable.
On Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s Body in a Freezer 8 Months After Death
It’s beyond tragic. One wonders whether this is some Shakespearean tragedy or worse. It’s so disheartening… an ongoing nightmare.
Is this some kind of after death karma? Is this a curse? As Africans the idea of someone remaining unburied for this long is literally anathema. It’s beyond a curse!
And for the love of God, the big question we seem to have no answer for — why? 😭
Why, why, why?
Do his relatives even care honestly? Is this about settling scores? Is it about selfish fears? What in God’s name is it?
Both sides of this divide are squabbling whilst an elderly statesman of great repute remains unburied. For me this is beyond unacceptable. It’s borderline belligerent.
If you had asked me back in June that we would be here — 8 months later and our former commander in chief would still have his body stuck in some fridge in Pretoria — I would have said it’s impossible.
Yet — unreal as it may seem — here we are. I am honestly flabbergasted. There has to be something fundamentally flawed about us, both those from the family and those from government.
Is it pride mwebantu? Or what can it be aini? 8 months!! Aweh!
Can we drop our pride whoever it is and let’s get this son of the soil buried please. Tapapata!
Elvis Nkandu, A Political Asset Still Under-Utilised
By Miyanda Laiti
Elvis Nkandu is a political animal in the truest sense of with natural instincts, grounded and naturally connected to the mood of the ordinary voter. His greatest strength lies in communication. He does not speak at people, he speaks with them (his rhetoric is always on point).
That ability to connect with the common voter, in simple, relatable language, is not accidental. It is a political virtue many aspire to but few possess in the UPND ( truth be told) .
He understands the street, the village, and the ward meeting. His campaign messaging is sharp, direct, and memorable. His political jabs are well-timed and purposeful never academic, never detached.
Yet, for all this political instinct and grassroots appeal, he remains under-utilised. In an era where politics is increasingly about perception, narrative, and emotional connection, under utilising a communicator of his calibre is a strategic oversight.
Zambia’s politics must mature beyond slogans, tribal reflexes, and selective amnesia. Leadership must be judged on outcomes, not noise.
By that standard, President Hakainde Hichilema does not merely deserve a second term. He has earned it.
When Hichilema assumed office in August 2021, he did not inherit a functioning state. He inherited an economy on its knees, battered by reckless borrowing, fiscal indiscipline, collapsed investor confidence, and a currency that had become a national embarrassment.
Public debt had ballooned to unsustainable levels. Inflation was biting. The kwacha was volatile. The country was in default and isolated from international capital markets. That was the real Zambia, not the fantasy sometimes peddled by those who caused the crisis.
The most consequential achievement of Hichilema’s presidency has been the deliberate and disciplined turnaround of that broken economy.
Everything else that critics either ignore or take for granted flows from this single, foundational correction.
Within a short period, Zambia re-engaged with the international financial system, secured debt restructuring agreements that restored credibility, and returned predictability to macroeconomic management.
The government made difficult, often unpopular, but necessary decisions to stabilise public finances. The result has been visible and measurable. Inflation has moderated. Investor confidence has returned. Capital inflows have increased.
Crucially, the kwacha, once written off as a weak and failing currency, has shown resilience and strength relative to regional peers.
This matters. A stable currency is not an abstract victory for economists. It determines the price of fuel, fertiliser, medicines, and food. It lowers the cost of doing business.
It restores planning certainty for farmers, manufacturers, and traders. Without macroeconomic stability, no amount of road construction or social messaging can deliver sustainable development.
It is precisely because the economy has been stabilised that other sectors have begun to respond. Agriculture has benefited from more predictable input financing.
Mining has seen renewed investment commitments anchored on policy clarity and restored trust. Energy planning has become more coherent.
Social protection programmes have been better funded and more targeted. These are not coincidences. They are outcomes of sound economic stewardship.
Critics often demand instant “trickle-down” results while conveniently ignoring the scale of the collapse Zambia experienced before 2021.
Economies do not recover overnight. However, the early signs are unmistakable. Jobs are returning in key sectors. Small businesses are beginning to breathe again as inflationary pressure eases.
Government is paying its obligations more consistently. Confidence, that most fragile but essential economic ingredient, is slowly being rebuilt.
Hichilema’s leadership has also marked a decisive break from the politics of intimidation and patronage. While governance challenges remain, the space for dissent has widened, institutions are being reasserted, and public discourse has become less fearful.
That political stability is itself an economic asset. Investors do not put money where the rule of law is treated as optional.
It is fashionable for opposition voices to downplay these gains or dismiss them as “external.” That argument collapses under scrutiny.
Debt restructuring did not negotiate itself. Currency stability did not occur by accident. Fiscal discipline did not emerge spontaneously.
These were policy choices made by a leadership that understood the depth of the crisis and acted accordingly.
None of this suggests perfection. No administration is flawless, and citizens are right to demand faster service delivery, more jobs, and stronger local enterprise participation.
But elections are not beauty contests. They are choices between records and trajectories.
*The question Zambians must ask is simple. Do we return to the politics and economics that nearly bankrupted the nation, or do we consolidate a recovery that is already underway?
Hakainde Hichilema inherited economic ruin and chose responsibility over populism. He restored credibility where there was none, stability where there was chaos, and hope where there was despair.
On the central measure that defines the wellbeing of any nation, the economy, he has delivered a decisive turnaround.
For that reason alone, and for everything that has followed because of it, Hichilema has not just earned the right to ask for a second term.
*He has made a compelling case to be granted one.*
Lungu Dismisses “Excuses” for Disunity, Offers to Step Aside for National Cooperation
Zambia We Want Secretary General Muhabi Lungu has dismissed what he described as “lame excuses” being used to avoid cooperation and unity, arguing that genuine leadership should rise above personal offence in the interest of the majority.
In a strongly worded statement, Lungu said national unity and cooperation cannot be derailed by the words or actions of a single individual, including himself, adding that leadership must remain focused on the bigger picture.
“No one can stay away from genuine unity on the basis of the words uttered by one insignificant individual such as I, who has allegedly been offensive,” Lungu said.
He further stated that if his presence is being used as a justification for failure to cooperate, he is willing to remove himself from the process entirely for the sake of progress.
“If people want to use me, as Muhabi Lungu, as an excuse not to cooperate with others, and for the greater good of the majority, I am prepared to step aside from this process entirely,” he said.
Lungu argued that true leadership cannot be blocked by personal grievances, warning that leaders who prioritise personal offence over collective interests are not ready to lead.
“Those who are prepared to put aside the interest of the majority because they have been personally offended by a single individual are not prepared to lead anyone,” he said.
Using the analogy of a lifeguard rescuing a drowning person, Lungu said leadership demands resilience, patience and sacrifice, even in hostile conditions.
“True leadership requires that you are able to take offence and still look at the greater picture,” he said. “A life saver will grab the victim who is drowning even when the one being saved is in a state of panic and behaving in a manner that threatens both lives.”
Lungu also drew from personal experience, saying his role as a first-born child taught him that leadership often means guiding others through difficult situations, even when misunderstood or opposed.
“Real leadership is really hard,” he said. “If one cannot truly weather the storm of true leadership, and everything must be ‘my way or the highway,’ excuses for that failure of leadership can always be found.”
The statement comes amid ongoing debates within civil and political spaces about unity, cooperation and leadership maturity in efforts aimed at national development and reform.
MORGAN MUUNDA LAUNCHES A CHLORINE DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM IN CHAWAMA
Yesterday, 29th January 2026, Mr Morgan Muunda spent the day in Chawama Constituency working closely with the community to officially launch a chlorine distribution program aimed at preventing the spread of cholera.
The initiative covered markets, shops, and households to ensure residents had access to safe water treatment solutions. He purchased and distributed 400 cases of chlorine and committed to continuing the program by distributing 200 cases every week. The intervention was warmly received, with community members expressing appreciation for the timely support.
Mr Muunda says the initiative was driven by his deep love and sense of responsibility for the people of Chawama, where he grew up and witnessed the devastating effects of cholera firsthand. He emphasized that cholera is a serious public health concern that requires unity and action beyond political differences.
In addition to chlorine distribution, Mr Muunda says he will continue purchasing and supplying gravel to markets and homes affected by flooding, helping to reduce health risks caused by stagnant water.
Mr Muunda also visited a funeral house, where he provided food supplies and offered words of comfort, encouraging prayer and strength during the difficult time.
He thanked the community for their continued support and reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of Chawama.
Kim Kardashian has finally explained why she and her mother, Kris Jenner, deleted photos of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from Instagram after Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday party last November.
Speaking on her sister Khloé Kardashian’s podcast, Khloé In Wonder Land, Kim said the decision was “really innocent” and not driven by controversy or pressure.
According to Kim, her mother and Meghan have been friends for years and share a warm relationship. She explained that before posting, they had received permission to share photos from the birthday celebration. However, after the images went live, it was realised that the party coincided with Remembrance Day.
“They didn’t want to be seen partying and dancing on that day,” Kim said, adding that the photos were removed out of respect for the occasion.
Kim noted that while Prince Harry and Meghan had attended the Baby2Baby Gala earlier that evening, being publicly seen celebrating at a private party may not have been appropriate given the significance of Remembrance Day.
“So we took them down to respect Remembrance Day,” she explained.
Reflecting on the reaction, Kim said the situation was blown out of proportion and could have been handled more lightly. She admitted she disliked how the incident was interpreted and described the backlash as unnecessary.
“It was made into something so crazy and ridiculous that it didn’t have to be,” she said.
Jonas Savimbi, The Assassination that Ended Angolan 🇦🇴 Civil War.
Born on 3rd August 1934 to Evangelist parents. Jonas Savimbi attended school during the challenging time when it was very difficult for black Africans to enjoy the privilege of being in a classroom. After high school, he was awarded a scholarship due to his excellent performance, and he went to study Medicine in Lisbon, Portugal.
While attending university, he was arrested for political violations and later continued his studies in Switzerland, where he dropped medicine and pursued political science. He graduated with awards and was known as the most charismatic rebel on the African continent. He was later recognized by President Reagan of the USA 🇺🇲 as the most talented charismatic leader of modern African history.
Savimbi joined politics and aided Angola’s fight for Independence. However, he had misunderstandings with the government under José Eduardo dos Santos, the President of Angola. The international community encouraged them to compete in a well-supervised election. Unfortunately, Savimbi lost the 1992 elections and returned to the forest to seize power by waging a brutal war.
The war resulted in over half a million deaths and around 100,000 disabled or amputated. After years of resistance, the President of Zambia 🇿🇲, FTJ Chiluba, facilitated a meeting where dos Santos signed the Lusaka Accord with Savimbi. Savimbi was appointed as one of Angola’s two Vice Presidents, but he never stopped fighting the government and eventually returned to the forest.
On February 22, 2002, Israel surveillance experts tracked Savimbi, and he was shot 15 times (including the head). What’s intriguing is that he had been reported dead 15 times before; was the 15 symbolic?
He was buried in Luena town and in 2019, 17 years later, he was given a dignified funeral to heal Angola from its past atrocities.
Today, Angola has remained civil war-free and is the 8th largest economy in Africa.
25-Minute Presidency: Uganda’s Shortest-Serving Leader, Col. Walter Ochora
According to historical accounts often shared in political folklore, Col. Walter Ochora is remembered as Uganda’s shortest-serving head of state, holding power for an astonishing 25 minutes. His fleeting presidency reportedly occurred during a period of intense political instability, when power shifts were rapid, fragile, and often settled by force rather than formal process. In such moments, leadership could change hands in minutes, not months.
Ochora’s brief rise is said to have been the result of internal military maneuvering, where announcements of authority moved faster than actual control on the ground. Before his leadership could be consolidated or recognized broadly, events overtook him either through counter-orders, rival commanders asserting dominance, or swift reversals within the armed forces. As a result, his presidency existed more in declaration than in effective governance.
Though short-lived, the story of Col. Walter Ochora serves as a powerful symbol of Uganda’s turbulent post-independence years. It highlights how political power, when rooted in instability and force, can be as temporary as it is dramatic. His 25-minute presidency remains a striking reminder that history is not only shaped by long reigns, but also by moments, however brief that reflect deeper struggles within a nation.
ZAMBIA’S 2026 WAFCON TITLE BID: The Elephant In The Room
… Addressing The Barbra Banda & Racheal Kundananji Conundrum
From time to time, I would agree with Elite Ladies FC owner Oliver Shalala’s views on Zambian women football. Unfortunately, we both belong to the Threatre of Dreams crew in Zambia, but that’s a topic for another day.
Today, my memory is jolted by the comments he made after the Copper Queens were humiliated 5-0 by Nigeria in the quarterfinal of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Oliver didn’t name names, but those who are keen followers of the Zambian game knew what he was talking about – the Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji conundrum.
Not a direct quote, Oliver said something like until we accept that one of the biggest problem in the Copper Queens is the subtle yet volatile combination between Barbra & Kundananji, positive results will be far fetched – it’s by happenstance that it sometimes works.
Although Oliver didn’t name the players he was talking about, it was evident to those who keenly follow Zambian women’s soccer what he was talking about.
Less than 50 days before the tournament, I want to touch on this issue so that we all move in tandem and ensure the Copper Queens’ ultimate goal is solely fixed on the title.
In the history of Zambian women’s soccer, we have never produced such a talented team. Granted, there are a few departments that must be strengthened. But it’s safe to say, this is our Golden Generation in women’s football.
So winning the WAFCON & going to the FIFA 2027 World Cup as well as making a strong statement at the Loss Angeles 2028 Olympics should be the target.
Beyond these three competitions, the Golden Generation will have completed its life cycle and begin responding to its disintegration.
So, let’s not take chances. It’s now or never. And it’s good the team is already in camp.
Having discussed with a lot of people, it’s important that coach Nora Hauptle takes the bull by its horn. She, too, must not allow the elephant in the room to morph into a barrier that will hamper development.
If it means benching either Barbra or Kundananji in the interest of the team – this must happen. If their chemistry does not seem to properly coordinate on a given game, Nora must be bold to make decisions and substitute either of them.
By the time WAFCON kicks off, Barbra would not have played competitive football for slightly over six months due to injury. She would have had only a month of training. Being an exceptional player she is, she still can make it back to average form, but not her level best.
Nora will have to make a decision to pick Barbara based on her form. She’s in not so much a different situation as Ochumba Oseke Lubandji who is also recovering from injury.
In 2023 (2002), Zambia reached the last four and earned a spot at the FIFA World Cup without Barbra and Kundananji – it’s doable. But I am not suggesting they should be dropped. Both are a vital part of the team and on their day, they can deliver wonders.
But it must dawn on them that they play for each other, and no player is bigger than the team – this is very important for the country to win honors.
The business of behaving like ba ngoshe babili in the same room must come to an end, and if such conduct rears its head anywhere near the team, action must be taken. Team spirit, good attitude will be cardinal.
My appeal, too, is to the government to start liquidating whatever is owed to the girls.
FAZ must compile the full amounts from as far back as the last Olympics to now and show they are on top of things with the allowances for the team. Everything must be on point.
In that way, we should be strong contenders for the title.
SAPS Slams Tribalism and Xenophobic Abuse After Senior Officer Is Insulted for Not Speaking isiZulu – Calls for Unity, Respect and Social Cohesion in KwaZulu-Natal
The South African Police Service has strongly condemned discriminatory and offensive remarks made against one of its senior spokespersons, describing the incident as unacceptable and harmful to the country’s constitutional values.
This follows the circulation of a recording made outside a police station, where a woman verbally attacked a SAPS spokesperson for not addressing her in isiZulu. During the confrontation, she went as far as calling him a “kwerekwere”, a deeply offensive slur often used to label people as foreigners.
SAPS has made it clear that such language and behaviour amount to tribalism and discrimination, which have no place in a democratic South Africa.
The officer involved, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, is a proud South African born and raised in Limpopo. His home language is Tshivenda, one of South Africa’s twelve official languages. His deployment in KwaZulu-Natal reflects the diverse and unified nature of the SAPS, where officers serve communities across provincial and cultural lines.
Police management stressed that KwaZulu-Natal is home to people from many racial, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, not only isiZulu-speaking communities. The expectation is that all residents and visitors treat one another with dignity and respect.
SAPS emphasised that it is unfair and disappointing for any member of the public to direct abuse at a police officer who is highly qualified, professional and committed to protecting all who live in the country, regardless of language or background.
The organisation reiterated its commitment to inclusivity, integration and mutual respect, both within its ranks and in the communities it serves. Police stations across South Africa are staffed by officers from different cultures and ethnic groups, a diversity that strengthens service delivery rather than weakens it.
SAPS has called on communities to reject intolerance and promote social cohesion, reminding the public that discrimination based on language, culture or race undermines the values of unity and equality enshrined in the Constitution.
The police service also took the opportunity to commend Colonel Netshiunda for his outstanding work, noting that he was recently honoured as Administration Officer of the Year at the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner’s Excellence Awards — a recognition of his dedication and professionalism.
South Africa on Autopilot: Ramaphosa Orders Yet Another Task Team After Madlanga Report Exposes Serious Crimes, While the Country Burns and Accountability Keeps Being Delayed
South Africa is once again being described as a country on autopilot, following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint a task team to investigate serious crimes highlighted in the Madlanga Commission’s interim report — instead of taking direct and decisive action.
The Madlanga Commission, in its interim report dated 17 December 2025, revealed prima facie evidence of serious criminal conduct within the South African Police Service (SAPS). The report points to alleged corruption, fraud, perjury, defeating the ends of justice, and even murder, involving senior police officials who were entrusted with upholding the law.
What the report uncovered
According to the findings:
Five senior SAPS officers are implicated, including KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Lesetja Senona
Eight officials from Ekurhuleni, among them suspended police chief Julius Mkhwanazi, are also flagged
The alleged crimes are not minor administrative issues, but serious criminal acts that undermine the justice system itself
The commission concluded that there is sufficient evidence to justify immediate criminal investigations, possible prosecutions, and disciplinary action, including suspensions.
Ramaphosa’s response
President Ramaphosa accepted the commission’s recommendations and instructed that:
Law enforcement agencies must investigate the implicated individuals
Criminal prosecutions should follow where evidence supports them
Internal disciplinary processes should be initiated within SAPS
However, instead of announcing decisive action against those named, the response has largely been framed around processes, task teams, and further investigations — a pattern South Africans have grown increasingly frustrated with.
“The system is broken”
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia admitted that SAPS’ disciplinary system is dysfunctional, acknowledging that internal processes are slow, ineffective, and often fail to hold senior officials accountable. This admission has deepened public concern, as it suggests that even clear findings may not translate into consequences.
Public reaction: anger, fatigue, and distrust
Reactions across the country have been sharply divided:
Some have welcomed the move as a necessary legal step to avoid court challenges
Others see it as another delay tactic, arguing that South Africa is trapped in a cycle of commissions, reports, and task teams with no real accountability
Many have questioned why certain political figures, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, are not mentioned or held to account, despite the scale of the crisis
For ordinary South Africans, the issue is no longer about one report — it is about trust.
A country on autopilot
With violent crime escalating, corruption cases dragging on for years, and public institutions collapsing, critics argue that South Africa has a President who is unwilling or unable to make hard decisions. Instead of swift action, the country gets:
More inquiries
More interim reports
More promises of accountability “in due course”
Meanwhile, communities live with daily crime, failing policing, and a justice system many believe only acts against the weak.
The bigger question
The Madlanga report has once again exposed how deep the rot runs within SAPS. But for many South Africans, the real scandal is not just what the report revealed — it is how the state responds.
As the country faces economic pressure, social unrest, and a crime crisis, the question being asked louder than ever is simple:
How many more reports and task teams will it take before someone is actually held accountable?
Until that question is answered with action, South Africa will continue drifting — on autopilot.
Ramaphosa Extends Nkabinde Inquiry Deadline to June 2026
President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the deadline for the completion of the Nkabinde Inquiry into the fitness of Advocate Andrew Chauke to hold office as Director of Public Prosecutions, pushing the date to 30 June 2026.
The inquiry, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Baaitse Elizabeth Nkabinde, was established in September 2025 in terms of section 12(6) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act.
It was initially expected to conclude by 30 January 2026, but the Presidency says delays in the commencement of proceedings necessitated the extension.
Justice Nkabinde is assisted by Advocate Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere SC and attorney Matshego Ramagaga. The inquiry’s findings will be submitted to the President upon completion.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu cleared in Madlanga Commission interim report, Presidency confirms
The Presidency has officially confirmed that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has not been implicated in the interim findings of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, despite serious allegations made against him during the commission’s hearings.
The interim report, submitted to President Ramaphosa on 17 December 2025, is part of the ongoing inquiry into alleged criminality, political interference and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
Chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the commission has heard testimony from several witnesses who have alleged misconduct by senior police officials.
While the report identifies prima facie evidence of wrongdoing against a number of senior police figures and recommends immediate referrals for further investigation, the Presidency clarified that Mchunu’s name does not feature on the list of those facing criminal charges at this stage.
The statement acknowledged that the interim report includes evidence and allegations raised during Mchunu’s testimony but stressed that the commission’s work is ongoing and that more evidence will be heard before final conclusions are drawn.
Mchunu, who was placed on special leave last year amid the controversy, has denied any criminal links and has insisted he acted in good faith in decision-making, including his controversial move to disband the KwaZulu‑Natal Political Killings Task Team an action that triggered significant scrutiny.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya added that there is “no evidence” the president is protecting the minister and that Mchunu will return to the commission to respond to further allegations before any decisions are taken about his future in the role.
The High Court in Mombasa, Kenya is considering a plea for leniency from Murad Awadh Mbarak, a truck driver convicted of m8rdering his wife, Nuru Ibrahim, as prosecutors press for the maximum sentence ahead of sentencing next month.
Mbarak, 40, k!lled Nuru for joining Instagram against his wishes.
Mbarak on January 27, 2026 told the court that his four years in custody had changed him and that he was deeply remorseful.
He said he had no family or home to return to and asked the court to consider a reduced sentence or his release.
“Spending four years in prison has been a great lesson for me, and I ask for forgiveness for my sins,” he said.
“I ‘m sorry. I regret my actions.”
The prosecution opposed any leniency, describing the k!lling as deliberate and exceptionally violent.
Prosecutors told the court that Ibrahim, a mother of six, was st@bbed several times in an attack carried out in front of her children and neighbours.
They said Mbarak prevented neighbours from intervening, and one person was injured while trying to gain access to the house.
The court heard that Ibrahim was k!lled on 19 June 2022 at the family home in Kanamai, Kilifi County. Evidence showed that the couple’s marriage had been strained by financial disputes and ongoing conflict.
Ibrahim had sold her jewellery to help finance the construction of their home, which was later registered in her husband’s name. Disagreements over a debt involving her brother added to the tension.
Witnesses testified that relations deteriorated further after Ibrahim joined Instagram, which her husband viewed negatively.
Family members said she had expressed fear for her safety and had spoken of leaving the marriage.
Days before her death, she reportedly left personal documents and belongings with her sister, suggesting she was preparing to separate.
The court heard that Mbarak had threatened to k!ll his wife or release intimate photographs if she attempted to leave him.
On the night of the attack, the couple’s 11-year-old daughter said she was woken by her mother’s screams and saw her father assault her with a broken piece of wood before st@bbing her. Neighbours who responded to the disturbance said they were blocked from entering the house.
Police arrested Mbarak after he surrendered. Forensic evidence showed that blood found on his clothes and on a knife matched the victim. His claim that an intruder was responsible was rejected by the court, which found that the attack was planned and carried out with intent.
In a judgment delivered in November, the court ruled that the prosecution had proved all elements of murder beyond reasonable doubt.
Ten witnesses, including relatives and neighbours, testified during the trial, describing a relationship marked by repeated disputes and threats that required family intervention.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. has suggested that President Donald Trump’s rhetoric toward her and the Somali community contributed to the attack on her at a town hall on Tuesday.
Omar said Wednesday that the man at the town hall “was specifically upset that Trump’s order to deport Somalis was not yielding enough deportations of Somalis, so he wanted to come get the person he thought was protecting the Somalis.”
“What the facts have shown since I’ve gotten into elected office is that every time the president of the United States has chosen to use hateful rhetoric to talk about me and the community that I represent, my death threats skyrocket,” Omar said at a news conference in Minneapolis.
“I do believe that the facts of the situation are that I wouldn’t be where I am at today, having to pay for security, having the government to think about providing me security, if Donald Trump wasn’t in office,” she added.
Omar was confronted at a town hall on Tuesday by a man who tried to spray her with a substance from a syringe. The man, identified as James Kazmierczak, 55, was arrested on suspicion of assault but has yet to be formally charged.
A spokesperson for Omar said her office was told that a preliminary report showed that the substance was apple cider vinegar. The FBI said in a statement Wednesday that it is now investigating the incident.
Trump has targeted Omar dating to his first term in office, often referring to her home country, Somalia. In 2019, he tweeted that Omar and three fellow House progressives and women of color known as “the squad” should “go back” to the countries they came from. All of the “squad” members except Omar were born in the U.S.
At a rally in Pennsylvania last month, Trump said Omar “does nothing but bitch” and encouraged the crowd to chant “send her back.”
On Monday, Trump said the Justice Department was “looking” at Omar over fraud claims.
Omar said Wednesday that the man at the town hall “was specifically upset that Trump’s order to deport Somalis was not yielding enough deportations of Somalis, so he wanted to come get the person he thought was protecting the Somalis.”
Advertising posters for Melania Trump’s upcoming documentary, Melania, have been repeatedly vandalised across Los Angeles, prompting concern from the city’s public transit authority.
The Los Angeles public transit agency has reported a sharp rise in vandalism on buses and at bus stops displaying the First Lady’s image. The posters have been defaced with expletives, drawn moustaches resembling Adolf Hitler’s, and references to Hitler’s wife, Eva Braun.
The scale of the damage has forced transit officials to take action. The agency said it had begun reassigning buses carrying Melania advertisements to other areas in an effort to limit further vandalism. Although some of the vandalised bus stops are not managed by the transit authority, officials said the situation had become severe enough to warrant intervention.
US First Lady Melania Trump?s movie posters defaced with Hitler
“At least one billboard has also been defaced in the city,” according to reports. Activist art collective INDECLINE has claimed responsibility for vandalising one of the billboards.
Melania Trump announced the launch of her production company last year, with Melania marking its first project. The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, is set to be released tomorrow and offers what has been described as an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Melania Trump’s life in the weeks leading up to the 2025 presidential inauguration.
US First Lady Melania Trump?s movie posters defaced with Hitler
Amazon MGM Studios reportedly paid $40 million for the documentary.
Burkina Faso’s military-led government has dissolved all political parties and scrapped the legal framework governing their operations, further tightening its grip on power more than three years after the coup that brought the junta to office.
The decision was approved by the council of ministers on Thursday and enacted through a decree, marking the latest step by authorities who seized power in September 2022 to consolidate control after previously suspending political activities.
Interior Minister Emile Zerbo said the move was part of a broader effort to “rebuild the state,” arguing that the country’s multiparty system had become dysfunctional and prone to abuse.
He said a government review found that the proliferation of political parties had fuelled divisions and weakened social cohesion.
Before the coup, Burkina Faso had more than 100 registered political parties, with 15 represented in parliament following the 2020 general election.
Under the decree, all political parties and political formations are dissolved, and their assets will be transferred to the state.
A new law repealing statutes governing political parties, public financing, and the status of the opposition leader will be submitted to the transitional legislative council.
The move comes as the Sahel nation, like neighbours Mali and Niger, continues to battle Islamist insurgencies linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, violence that has killed thousands and displaced millions across the region over the past decade.
Since last week rumors have been circulating about the alleged assassination of former Congolese President Joseph Kabila.
According to information obtained by sources, the former Congolese President Joseph Kabila was killed on January 25 in an explosion at the building where he was meeting with representatives of the M23 guerrilla group in Kalundu, one of the three municipalities of Uvira in the Congolese province of South Kivu in the east of the country.
The explosion, which is being attributed either to a bomb planted in the building or to a heavy drone strike by the Congolese army, is said to have killed around forty people in addition to Kabila, including several high-ranking M23 commanders.
On September 30, 2025, a military court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) sentenced former President Joseph Kabila to death in absentia.
Kabila, who led the DRC from 2001 to 2019, was convicted of treason, insurrection, war crimes, and collaborating with the M23 rebel group. He is currently in hiding outside the country, with reports placing him in Kenya.
I WILL NOT CONTEST THE PF CONVENTION — MUNDUBILE SHIFTS FOCUS TO TONSE ALLIANCE
By: Gift Tembo
Tonse Alliance chairman and presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has disclosed that he will not contest the Patriotic Front convention, choosing instead to focus on the alliance.
He noted that the country is undergoing significant changes and advised opposition leaders to unite in defending the UPND general elections scheduled for August 2026.
Mr. Mundubile stated that he will play an active role in addressing issues affecting the alliance and the public, adding that he will also engage opposition leaders to resolve these challenges.
He further revealed that he has not yet submitted the name of his running mate, but assured that the announcement will be made soon to the Tonse Alliance.
If I go to Beijing, it doesn’t mean I’m against Washington, Hichilema tells diplomats
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says he understands the geopolitics surrounding powerful nations but that they should not drag Zambia into their issues.
The President said Zambia is too small to be drawn into geopolitics, as it only seeks partnerships without being forced to choose sides.
Speaking at the 2026 Presidential Annual Greetings for members of the Diplomatic Corps in Lusaka this morning, President Hichilema explained that when he visits a particular nation or city, it does not mean he is against other cities or countries.
He said Zambia is open to partnering with any country, regardless of what other countries may have against that particular nation.
He encouraged diplomats from powerful nations to work towards assuring peace, stability and security around the world.
“When we are in Beijing, we are not against Washington. Please, we don’t want to be drawn into your geopolitics; we are too small. We are too busy trying to make sure schoolchildren are sitting on desks, they were sitting on the floor. Don’t drag us into those issues, just keep our world peaceful,” he pleaded.
“You are the big guys who should assure global peace, security and stability and we can all benefit from that. But if you drag us into those issues, you create unnecessary pressure on us. So if I am in Beijing, I am not against Washington, we are not against London, Brussels, Rome or Berlin.”
The Head of State noted that Zambia remained committed to bringing business back home to improve the economy.
“We want to bring business home, which will create opportunities for our people. We want to lower the cost of doing business. We understand the issues among yourselves, but make our world safer,” he said.
The Head of State explained that Zambia subscribes to a rules-based international order, which is meant to benefit small countries and the global community at large.
ANGRY FDD MEMBERS TAKE CHIFUMU TO COURT FOR ‘AUCTIONING’ THEIR PARTY TO UPND PROJECT MUNDUBILE
The Candidates has been informed that some angry founder Members of FDD have taken Chifumu Banda to court, and seek to put an injunction against using their party in any unknown alliances.
This means, the Chris Zumani led Tonse Alliance faction will remain partyless, without a special purpose vehicle through which their candidate Brian Mundubile will stand as President.
Recently, Zumani led faction held what they call a general conference and appointed Mundubile as their President breaking away from the Patriotic Front. Mundubile is supported by all PF MPs who now support and vote for UPND Bills, against the wishes of their party and the general public.
However, the FDD members have said they will fight in court to ensure that their party is not dented by pro-UPND individuals who want to defranchise the opposition and pretend that they are serious with opposing the ruling party.
The FDD members say it is betrayal against Edith Nawakwi for Chifumu Banda to deliver the party to a group that is aligned to HH and UPND since they are the ones who tormented the late opposition figure through court cases while she was sick.
PF DISMISSES TONSE ALLIANCE AS BREAKAWAY, SAYS MUNDUBILE EXPELLED HIMSELF By Victoria Kayeye Yambani The Patriotic Front (PF) has described the Tonse Alliance that ushered in the Mporokoso Member of Parliament as its Alliance President as a breakaway grouping masquerading as the former ruling party, insisting it does not represent legitimate PF structures or decisions.
PF National Chairperson Jean Kapata says they have taken note of the Tonse Alliance general conference held on Wednesday and led by Danny Pule, where Brian Mundubile was voted in as Alliance President, but emphasized that the process has no bearing on the Patriotic Front.
She stressed that as far as the PF is concerned, Mr Mundubile, by participating in what the party views as a breakaway and parallel structure, has effectively expelled himself from the party.
She has urged PF members and structures to remain calm and united, warning against being misled into abandoning the party for what she termed individual ambitions, and reaffirmed that no single person is bigger than the Patriotic Front as preparations continue towards a duly sanctioned General Conference.
🇿🇲 DATELINE | Opposition in Flux: 48 Hours That Rewired the Battlefield
The last 48 hours have produced one of the most destabilising sequences in Zambia’s opposition politics since the Patriotic Front’s 2021 defeat. Court rulings, rival congresses, surprise endorsements, and open accusations have collided, leaving voters, party structures, and even sitting MPs struggling to keep up.
What follows is a clear reconstruction of how events unfolded and why they matter.
The chain reaction began yesterday with a High Court decision freezing the Patriotic Front’s planned General Conference. The ruling restrained the Given Lubinda-led faction from convening, adopting candidates, or holding meetings in the party’s name pending a full trial.
The impact was immediate. With the election clock already ticking, the ruling paralysed the party’s internal succession plans. No conference meant no clear authority to issue adoption papers, no confirmed leadership, and no legal clarity on who speaks for the party.
For many PF MPs, this created a vacuum. The vacuum did not last long.
Within hours of the court freeze, a rival centre of power emerged. A faction of the Tonse Alliance, led by Dan Pule, convened a General Conference and elected Mporokoso MP Brian Mundubile as Alliance President.
The move was seismic.
For Mundubile’s supporters, it offered a tactical escape from PF’s legal paralysis. For the Lubinda bloc, it was an act of political desertion carried out under the Tonse banner. PF leadership dismissed the gathering as an illegal breakaway and accused Mundubile of using an alliance structure to bypass party processes.
PF National Chairperson Jean Kapata was blunt. By participating in the Tonse conference, Mundubile had, in the party’s view, “effectively expelled himself.”
The anger within PF is not only procedural. It is emotional and strategic.
Senior figures point to the January Chawama parliamentary by-election, where victory was secured using the Forum for Democracy and Development as a special-purpose vehicle. The campaign was heavily powered by PF mobilisation, funding, and senior leadership, including Given Lubinda, Miles Sampa, and Chishimba Kambwili.
Mundubile, Dan Pule, and former State House aide Chris Zumani Zimba were notably absent from that campaign.
Now, with Mundubile elected Tonse Alliance President, PF leaders fear he is effectively taking over the same FDD vehicle they helped deliver to victory just weeks ago. To them, it looks less like alliance politics and more like a hostile takeover.
As PF was still absorbing the Tonse shock, another surprise landed.
The New Congress Party, which had recently signalled a return to the Lubinda-aligned Tonse camp, unveiled Makebi Zulu as its presidential candidate. Party president Peter Chanda stepped aside, urging members to rally behind Zulu.
The implications are sharp. Unlike Tonse, NCP is a registered political party. It holds a parliamentary seat in Eastern Province, also won with PF backing. By backing Zulu, NCP has effectively opted out of the Mundubile moment, reinforcing fears among PF old guards that allies are benefiting from PF support only to chart independent presidential paths.
One fact underpins the confusion. The Tonse Alliance is not a political party. It has no independent legal personality to adopt candidates or issue nomination papers. Every strategic move must ultimately anchor itself in a registered party vehicle.
Right now, those vehicles are pulling in different directions.
PF is frozen by court order. FDD appears to be drifting toward Mundubile. NCP has planted its flag behind Makebi Zulu.
What remains of PF’s authority is now a question not of rhetoric, but of law.
All this is unfolding as voting closes in the Kasama mayoral by-election, a symbolic PF stronghold where opposition fragmentation is playing out in real time. With Parliament dissolving in May and campaigns formally opening, the cost of confusion is rising fast.
Zambia’s electoral law is unforgiving to parties without clear leadership, legal standing, and recognised adoption structures.
For voters, the last 24 hours have stripped away slogans and exposed the machinery of opposition politics. What remains is a stark question:
Who actually controls the tools required to contest power?
US President Donald Trump has instructed his team to significantly expand the details of his public schedule, a move aimed at countering growing scrutiny over his energy levels and workload as he approaches 80.
In recent months, vague entries such as signing ceremonies, policy discussions and meetings with industry executives, many of them held behind closed doors, have increasingly appeared on the daily schedule released to the media each night. According to sources familiar with the decision, the changes were deliberate and personally directed by Trump.
Despite frequent public appearances, some lasting several hours, Trump had grown irritated by reports suggesting his days were lighter than during his first term. Analyses of his official schedule had fueled speculation about his health and stamina, a perception the president believed was unfair and misleading.
To address this, aides began listing private meetings and engagements that previously would not have appeared on the public calendar. These include closed-door discussions with Cabinet members, executives and outside visitors, as well as interviews and calls.
Some listings, such as “Policy Time” or “Signing Time” in the Oval Office, provide few specifics but reflect periods when Trump reviews and signs documents — a task he insists on doing personally rather than using an autopen.
Multiple sources said the directive to bulk up the schedule came directly from Trump, who has long been sensitive to any suggestion that he is slowing down.
His frustration reportedly intensified after a late-2025 media report argued that his age was affecting his performance, noting a sharp drop in official appearances compared to his first year in office, later start times for events and fewer domestic trips.
Trump wanted it publicly understood that even when not in front of cameras, he remains engaged throughout the day. In response to questions about the changes, the White House released a week of his private schedule, showing a packed agenda of phone calls, meetings and other engagements stretching from early morning into the evening.
Over that period, the president held dozens of meetings and calls involving foreign leaders, business executives, lawmakers, media figures, administration officials and family members. While some days began later than others, most extended well past 7 p.m., according to the internal calendar.
This is not the first time Trump has sought to shape perceptions of his work ethic. Near the end of his first term, daily guidance to the press included a line personally dictated by the president emphasizing that he worked “from early in the morning until late in the evening,”
Nicki Minaj has suggested she is a step closer to becoming an American citizen after showing off what she described as a Trump “Gold Card”.
The Trinidad-born rapper shared photos on social media on Wednesday, January 28, holding the card and said it was obtained “free of charge,” adding that she was in the process of finalising her US citizenship paperwork. In the posts, Minaj praised President Donald Trump, referring to him as her “wonderful, gracious, charming” president.
The Gold Card programme was introduced by Trump in September 2025 and is designed to fast-track US residency. Under the scheme, applicants are required to pay a $15,000 Department of Homeland Security processing fee and make a $1 million “gift” to qualify for expedited residency.
Minaj appeared to have avoided those payments, coinciding with her public appearance alongside Trump at the Trump Accounts Summit on Wednesday, where she openly expressed her support for the president and described herself as his biggest supporter.
The Trump Account initiative is intended to fund tax-advantaged investment accounts for US citizens under the age of 18. The administration has pledged to provide $1,000 to every citizen born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, to open the accounts. Minaj has reportedly pledged donations of $150,000 and $300,000 to support the programme.
In recent months, the rapper has been vocal in backing Trump and his administration, marking a notable shift from her earlier views. In 2018, Minaj revealed she entered the US as an undocumented immigrant and criticised family separation policies at the time.
Earlier this week, she also made a surprise appearance at the White House, where she greeted auto workers while Trump looked on.
Lady Gaga has criticised U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a concert in Tokyo, condemning what she described as the agency’s “merciless” treatment of families amid ongoing immigration raids in the United States.
The singer made the remarks while performing at her Mayhem Ball tour, pausing her set to address the situation back home. Gaga said her heart was “aching” for families affected by immigration enforcement actions and for communities living in fear.
“I’m thinking about all of their pain and how their lives are being destroyed right in front of us,” she said, referencing Minnesota and other parts of the United States where residents are searching for answers amid heightened enforcement activity.
She added that when entire communities lose their sense of safety and belonging, “it breaks something in all of us,” and urged her audience to stand in solidarity with those affected, even from across the world.
Although acknowledging that she was not currently in the United States, Gaga said she felt it was important to speak out and called on American leaders to change course and show mercy.
Following her remarks, she performed her song Come to Mama, which she described as carrying a hopeful message.
Her comments come amid controversy surrounding recent incidents in Minnesota, where two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, were shot and k!lled by federal immigration agents earlier this month. Authorities subsequently labelled both individuals domestic terrorists, a move that has drawn public criticism and intensified debate over ICE operations.
A senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is welcome to travel to Moscow for direct talks with the Russian leader, pledging that security guarantees would be provided.
Yuri Ushakov, a key foreign policy adviser to the Kremlin, said Putin has repeatedly made his position clear on a possible meeting. According to him, if Zelenskyy is genuinely prepared for face-to-face talks, Moscow remains open to hosting the meeting.
Ushakov added that assurances would be put in place to guarantee Zelenskyy’s safety should he decide to visit Russia. He also revealed that the prospect of a Putin–Zelenskyy meeting has come up several times during recent phone conversations between Putin and United States President Donald Trump. During those discussions, Trump reportedly suggested that Moscow consider the option of such a meeting.
The comments come amid renewed diplomatic maneuvering around possible peace talks. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, recently said Zelenskyy is ready to meet Putin in person to resolve what he described as two key issues in negotiations: territorial disputes and the future control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Putin has previously ruled out traveling to another country to meet Zelenskyy, insisting instead that any talks must take place in Moscow. Ukrainian officials have pushed back against that proposal, with Sybiha previously describing the idea of meeting in Moscow as unacceptable.
Zelenskyy himself has also expressed skepticism, suggesting that the invitation may be a tactic to delay meaningful negotiations. He has said that being invited to Moscow under current circumstances appears designed to prevent a real meeting from happening rather than facilitate one.
Despite the exchange of statements, no date or concrete framework for a Putin–Zelenskyy meeting has been announced.
BREAKING | Makebi Zulu Emerges as NCP Presidential Candidate as Opposition Fault Lines Deepen
New Congress Party has unveiled Makebi Zulu as its presidential candidate for the forthcoming general elections, a move that intensifies opposition realignments less than 24 hours after fresh fractures within the Patriotic Front (PF) and the wider Tonse ecosystem.
NCP President Peter Chanda announced the decision, confirming he has withdrawn his own presidential ambition with immediate effect to allow the party to consolidate behind Zulu.
The endorsement signals a decisive shift by the NCP to project a single standard-bearer amid accelerating opposition volatility.
The timing is consequential. Zulu’s elevation lands as PF factions jostle for legitimacy, Tonse Alliance splinters harden, and senior figures reposition ahead of a compressed electoral calendar.
Within PF, the announcement adds pressure to an already strained structure grappling with court injunctions, contested authority, and competing centres of gravity.
For the opposition landscape, the move sharpens the contrast between fragmentation and consolidation.
For PF in particular, it underscores a widening centrifugal pull as allies peel off, recalibrate, or formalise alternative vehicles, raising immediate questions about coordination, vote-splitting, and command heading into the campaign season.
WHEN DESTINY REWARDS LOYALTY – THE CASE OF CHIFUMU BANDA
A KBN TV EDITORIAL
When late Edith Nawakwi served as Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) President, State Counsel Chifumu Banda, worked behind her, quietly providing support and the infrastructure of wisdom.
Deputising a woman-led political party demonstrated a rare sense of servant leadership and self awareness that solidified the long standing cohesion synonymous with FDD as a party.
Banda’s speech during the official funeral of Nawakwi last year, gave Zambians a glimpse of his political steadiness and clarity of thought in which he pledged to carry on the legacy of Nawakwi and FDD.
It’s not surprising that when the opposition needed a home under which they could unite, FDD was selflessly the natural choice without exhibiting insecurities of being hijacked or threatening to pull-out of the Tonse Alliance.
FDD has anchored concerted political aspirations and in Chawama, the party gave birth to a Parliamentary victory that has been claimed and celebrated by many opposition parties and PF factions alike.
Faced with numerous challenges and legal hurdles, even though the PF don’t seem to agree on who leads them into the August general elections, one thing is certain: the different factions seem comfortable suspending their faction allegiances to converge on a campaign trail under FDD.
Kasama cast a spotlight on this unusual political reality that though on different teams, Chishimba Kambwili, George Chisanga, Mutotwe Kafwaya, Stephen Kampyongo, Kennedy Kamba and others, put aside their factionalism, shared a platform, sang songs and lifted the FDD banner as they urged Kasama voters to replace their late Mayor using a mutually coveted special purpose vehicle, FDD.
It was not surprising that last night, while on the last day of campaigning in Kasama, Chifumu Banda virtually participated in a tightly executed hybrid General Congress where he was elected and announced as 1st Vice President of the Tonse Alliance.
Going into the August polls, it’s probable that Chifumu Banda, will most likely show the same magnanimous leadership trait he proffered to Nawakwi and deputise Brian Mundubile as the just elected Tonse Alliance Chairperson and presidential candidate on the FDD ticket.
As the results begin to be announced for the Kasama Mayoral by-election this evening, if fate has it that they go the PF/FDD way, both the Lubinda and Mundubile camps will be dancing to “Dununa” reverse and it’s all thanks to the selfless leadership of Chifumu Banda who has embraced two warring factions as a center pivot and allowed them pleasure of temporary amnesia as adversaries that shared an FDD platform in Kasama.
There is no more pretending. Kasama has exposed the hypocrisy. Both the Lubinda and Mundubile factions can infact collaborate and work together. They just demonstrated that in Kasama. The question is, what’s fuelling the pride?
Whatever the odds, opposition parties should protect and preserve the FDD maturity and emulate the selfless leadership of State Counsel Chifumu Banda. Let destiny reward his comradery and loyalty.
TONSE Alliance President Brian Mundubile has hit the ground running with a call for unity and poverty eradication in the country.
Speaking when he featured on ‘The Hot Seat’ programme this morning, Mr. Mundubile called on Zambians not to underrate the damage that division can cause to the nation.
Mr. Mundubile said once elected as Republican President in the August 13, general elections, his Government will strive to end divisions and resolve the many challenges that the country is going through.
“Zambians should trust me, because when I was Northern Province Minister I did a alot and my works are there for everyone to see. We will resolve the many challenges that the country is going through such as divisions and poverty. Poverty is very high especially in rural areas where it stands at 80 percent and 60 percent in urban areas. We will create meaningful employment not only in Government but in the private sector as well,” Mr. Mundubile said.
“Zambians are decided to change Government this year due to failures by the UPND. They have failed in the energy sector, agriculture sector … there is no sector that that the UPND can come up to show their successes. Zambians are coming together with a decision that will change this country because they are looking for leadership that will prioritize the suffering of the people,” the Tonse Alliance president said.
And responding to caller about reaching out to other presidential aspiring candidates in the Patriotic Front such as Mr. Makebi Zulu and Mr. Greyford Monde, Mr. Mundubile said he will reach out to them and ensure that they work together.
“Mr. Makebi Zulu and Mr.Greyford Monde are my brothers and we normally meet away from cameras, the last time I met them was two days ago. Late President Edgar Lungu left us in Tonse because he foresaw the imingalato from the UPND Government in ensuring that PF was not on the ballot in this year’s elections,” he said.
Mr. Mundubile also assured Zambians that there will be no room for cadrerism and violence in the country.
“For us when we say zero to cadrerism and violence we mean just that. There is no room for cadrerism and violence, UPND claims to have ended cadrerism but in any by- election people are hacked. Ending cadrerism will not be like that of the UPND, “Mr. Mundubile said.
