US President Donald Trump has threatened to blow up the entire country of Iran when asked about the threats to his life airing on Iranian state television.
Trump disclosed this to NewNation’s Katie Pavlich after the new 10 p.m. show host asked the president about Iran’s assassination threats.
Iranian state television aired clips of the July 13, 2024, Butler, Pennsylvania, rally in which Trump was nearly k!lled by an assassin’s bullet, with the words, ‘this time it won’t miss.’
‘Well, they shouldn’t be doing it, but I’ve left notification,’ the president told Pavlich. ‘Anything ever happens, we’re going to blow the – the whole country is going to get blown up.’
Trump pointed a finger at his predecessor, President Joe Biden, suggesting that Biden should have been more forceful against the Iranians when they continued to threaten Trump and other Trump administration figures’ lives.
The Islamic regime stayed angry at the Trump White House after the January 2020 k!lling of Qasem Soleimani, a top general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
But a president has to defend a president like, if I were here and they were making that threat to somebody even, not even a president, but somebody, like they did with me, I would absolutely hit them so hard,’ the president continued. ‘But I have very firm instructions – anything happens, they’re going to wipe them off the face of this earth.’
Last week, Trump appeared to be poised to launch a military strike against the regime, who have k!lled thousands of civilians protesting against the Islamic government.
On Sunday, an Iranian official told Reuters that the de@th toll had increased to at least 5,000 people.
Iranians have been protesting since last month over a faltering economy.
On January 2, Trump said the U.S. was ‘locked and loaded’ and ready to strike Iran if the killings continued.
But on Wednesday, the president suggested that he believed the regime’s line that they had stopped killing civilians.
‘We’ve been told that the killing in Iran is stopping, and it’s stopped and stopping, and there’s no plan for executions or an execution,’ Trump told reporters gathered in the Oval Office for a bill signing event that would allow whole milk into public school lunch rooms.
The president added that if he finds out that’s not the case, he would be ‘very upset.’
During his hour and 45-minute-long press conference on Tuesday, marking his one-year in office for a second time, the president was asked if a military option remained on the table.
Trump replied that ‘they were going to hang 837 people.’
‘We let them know if that happens, that will be a very bad day for them, and they decided not to do it. They didn’t hang the people. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen in the future, but supposedly they’re taking that off the table,’ he said.
‘So we’re just gonna have to see what happens with Iran,’ Trump said.
A Danish lawmaker has sparked controversy after using profanity to tell US President Donald Trump to “f*** off” during a debate in the European Parliament.
The outburst came during a heated session on the European Union’s response to Trump’s renewed threats to acquire Greenland.
Speaking on the floor of parliament, Danish MEP Anders Vistisen addressed the US president directly.
“Let me put it in words you might understand, Mr President. F*** off,” Vistisen said. His remarks were met with gasps inside the chamber.
The vice president of the European Parliament, Nicolae Stefanuta, immediately intervened. He interrupted the debate and told Vistisen that such language was unacceptable.
“You cannot use this kind of wording in this house,” Stefanuta said. He added that the parliament must maintain respect and decorum, even during tense political debates.
The exchange followed renewed comments by Trump suggesting the United States should take control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
Vistisen later defended his statement, saying Europe must send a clear message that its sovereignty is not negotiable.
US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that his newly created Board of Peace “might” replace the United Nations is deepening concerns among diplomats that the body meant to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza could instead be used to sideline the global organization established nearly eight decades ago to maintain international peace.
Even before Trump’s remarks, diplomats had raised questions about the board’s structure, its potential membership, and the controversial provision allowing countries to buy permanent seats for $1 billion.
The concerns come as Trump travels to the World Economic Forum in Davos and faces growing frustration from NATO allies over his insistence that the United States should own Greenland.
The White House announced a founding Executive Board that includes Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. According to a draft charter obtained by CNN, Trump will serve as the board’s chairman indefinitely, with removal possible only through voluntary resignation or incapacity determined by a unanimous vote of the Executive Board. A future US president may appoint an additional US representative to the board, a US official said.
Trump has sent invitations to dozens of countries and is expected to host a signing ceremony in Davos. While some nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, have confirmed participation, others have not committed, and some, such as France, have declined.
Russia is among the countries invited, raising alarm over the inclusion of a nation actively engaged in war. China and Belarus have also received invitations.
“Putin would certainly use Russia’s membership on the Board of Peace to undermine the UN and, by extension, sow further divisions in America’s alliances,” said Robert Wood, a former deputy US ambassador to the United Nations.
“Putin is not a man of peace, and I don’t think he belongs in any organization with peace in the name,” British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said.
Officials say the board’s broad charter appears to go far beyond Gaza and does not even reference the territory directly. The document describes the Board of Peace as “an international organization that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.”
Trump appeared to confirm suspicions about the board’s broader ambition when he criticized the UN during a White House briefing.
“The UN just hasn’t been very helpful. I’m a big fan of the UN’s potential, but it has never lived up to its potential,” Trump said. “The UN should have settled every one of the wars that I settled. I never went to them, I never even thought to go to.”
France cited concerns that the board would create a parallel system to the UN when explaining its decision not to join.
“When you read the charter, it doesn’t only apply to Gaza, whereas the resolution that we had voted [on] at the Security Council of the United Nations was really targeting Gaza and the Middle East,” a French Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. “Point two is that it raises very important concern regarding the rationality with the charter of the United Nations.”
Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said her country would give the invitation “careful consideration” but warned that the proposed body would have a mandate broader than the implementation of a Gaza peace plan.
“The United Nations has a unique mandate to maintain international peace and security, and the legitimacy to bring nations together to find common solutions to shared challenges,” she said. “While it may be imperfect, the UN and the primacy of international law is more important now than ever.”
The UN’s top humanitarian official, Tom Fletcher, said the Board of Peace would not replace the United Nations.
Former US Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller expressed skepticism about the board’s viability.
“The whole thing is tethered to a galaxy far, far away, not to the realities back here on planet Earth,” he said. “I just don’t see how you instrumentalize it.”
Miller argued that even with the UN’s flaws, it cannot realistically be replaced.
“You can’t rival this organization,” he said. “It’s too big, it’s too durable, and it’s too integral to so many different pieces of the international landscape.”
Wood said any attempt to supplant the UN would face strong resistance.
“Whether the Board of Peace has any future internationally as a conflict-resolution mechanism will depend on what it can accomplish in Gaza,” he said.
Under the board’s rules, members serve three-year terms, but countries seeking permanent seats must pledge $1 billion. US officials insist the contribution is not an entry fee and say the funds would be directed toward rebuilding Gaza. However, rebuilding plans remain preliminary, according to sources familiar with early discussions.
“Not every country that has the ability to fork out $1 billion is necessarily best-suited to oversee peace and security in the international arena,” Wood said.
North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un has dismissed his vice president over problems linked to a factory modernization project, a move seen as part of his effort to tighten discipline among senior officials ahead of a major ruling party congress.
The country’s media said Kim blamed Yang Sung Ho, a vice premier overseeing the machine-building industry, for failures in the modernization of the Ryongsong Machine Complex in northeastern North Korea. The project reportedly suffered setbacks and economic losses due to what Kim described as irresponsible leadership.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the completion of the first phase of the factory’s modernization, Kim said the project caused “not a small amount of economic loss” and accused officials of incompetence. He added that Yang had already been criticized during a party meeting in December but showed no sense of responsibility afterward.
“To speak figuratively in simpler words, he was like a goat yoked to pull an ox cart,” Kim said. “We should see this as an incidental mistake in our practice of personnel appointment. Could we expect a goat to pull a cart for an ox?”
Publicly reprimanding and removing officials has long been a hallmark of Kim’s leadership style. Analysts say such actions are meant to heighten pressure on top officials and force stronger performance ahead of the upcoming Workers’ Party congress, the first in five years and one of the country’s most important political events.
The congress is expected to review past policies, set new political and economic priorities, and reshuffle leadership positions. Observers say Kim is likely using high-profile dismissals to reinforce loyalty and accountability within the ruling elite.
Some experts argue the factory’s problems are rooted in deeper structural issues rather than the failures of a single official. They point to North Korea’s heavy focus on nuclear and missile development, chronic resource shortages, and the impact of international sanctions.
“Kim Jong Un has gone all-in on nuclear and missile programs but he’s mismanaged the economy,” said Moon Seong Mook, a South Korea-based analyst. “He’s just passing the blame for his fault to a subordinate.”
North Korea’s economy suffered severe setbacks during the
pandemic. Although modest growth has been reported recently, analysts say long-term recovery remains unlikely due to the country’s centralized economic system, sanctions, and prioritization of weapons development. Much of the limited growth, they add, has benefited the ruling elite and the defense sector rather than the general population.
The party congress, expected to open later this winter, is also likely to focus on economic management, nuclear weapons policy, and closer cooperation with Russia and China.
Observers are watching closely for any signal of renewed diplomacy with the United States, especially amid speculation that shifting global dynamics could reopen channels for talks.
China said on Wednesday, January 21, it would continue to defend the international system with the United Nations “at its core,” a day after confirming it had been invited to join US President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace.”
Beijing acknowledged on Tuesday that it had received an invitation from Washington to join the board, which is aimed at resolving global conflicts, according to its charter.
China has not said whether it will accept the invitation. However, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters on Wednesday that China’s position on the UN-led international order remains unchanged, regardless of global political shifts.
“No matter how the international situation changes, China firmly upholds the international system with the United Nations at its core, and international relations based on the objectives and principles of the UN Charter,” Guo said.
China, the world’s second-largest economy and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has long positioned itself as a defender of the UN system, while also calling for reforms to better reflect current global realities.
A$AP Rocky has shared the story of how he first met his longtime partner, Rihanna, and it was far from glamorous
The 37-year-old rapper appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he revealed that their first encounter happened outside a New York nightclub at a time when he was not yet famous.
According to Rocky, he was being turned away by bouncers alongside his friends, the late Virgil Abloh and Matthew Williams. While the group was arguing with security, Rihanna stepped out of the club.
Rocky said they locked eyes immediately, but admitted he felt embarrassed that she saw him in the middle of a heated exchange with the guards.
When Jimmy Fallon jokingly asked if Rihanna helped him get into the club, Rocky’s response was simple: no.
Despite the awkward first meeting, the pair have since built a life together. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, have been dating since 2020 and share three children.
Rocky was on the show to promote his new album, Don’t Be Dumb, his first studio project in eight years.
US President Donald Trump’s plane was forced to make a U-turn about an hour after departing its base for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Air Force One was grounded due to a “minor electrical issue”, according to the White House. Journalists travelling with the president also said the lights went out briefly in the press cabin.
The plane returned to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, and Trump left for Switzerland on another aircraft.
The president is expected in Davos, where he is due to deliver a speech at the World Economic Forum around three hours later than his planned 10:00 local time (09:00 GMT) arrival.
The two planes currently used as Air Force One have been flying for nearly four decades. Boeing has been working on replacements, but the programme has faced a series of delays.
The planes are equipped with radiation shielding and antimissile technology, and include a variety of communications systems to allow the president to maintain contact with the military from anywhere in the world.
Last year, the ruling family of Qatar gifted Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to be added to the Air Force One fleet, which is currently being retrofitted to meet security requirements.
Leavitt joked to reporters on Tuesday night that the Qatari jet was sounding “much better” now.
TRUMP ISSUES NUCLEAR-LEVEL WARNING TO IRAN: “YOUR ENTIRE COUNTRY WILL BE WIPED OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH”
In a shocking declaration that has sent shockwaves across Africa and the globe, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued his most explosive warning yet to Iran:
“Anything ever happens, we’re going to blow the whole the whole country’s going to get blown up.”
Trump’s warning comes after intelligence reports revealed Iranian plots to assassinate the American leader. The President made it crystal clear: any attack on him would result in Iran being completely obliterated.
“If they do it, they get obliterated,” Trump declared, leaving no room for interpretation.
This unprecedented threat raises the stakes in U.S.-Iran tensions to dangerous new heights. For Africa, this could mean:
➡️ Regional instability spreading across the Middle East and beyond
➡️Global security crisis impacting trade routes vital to African commerce
The world watches nervously as Trump draws the reddest of red lines. Will Iran back down, or are we witnessing the beginning of a catastrophic confrontation?
The “Board of Peace” was an idea initially proposed by Trump last September as part of his plan to end the war in Gaza, although the initiative now seems to be aimed at mediating global conflicts more broadly. US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 200% tariff on French wine and champagne after an aide for French President Emmanuel Macron said France “does not intend” to accept an invitation to join his new international “Board of Peace.”
“Nobody wants him because he’s going to be out of office very soon,” Trump said after hearing from a reporter that Macron would likely not join the board.
“I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes and he’ll join, but he doesn’t have to join,” he said.
Macron’s five-year presidential term is due to end in May 2027 and he cannot run again for a third term in accordance with French law.
The “Board of Peace” was an idea initially proposed by Trump last September as part of his plan to end the war in Gaza, although the initiative now seems to be aimed at mediating global conflicts more broadly.
A draft charter sent to about 60 countries by the US calls for members to contribute $1 billion in cash if they want their membership to last more than three years, according to the document seen by Reuters.
The charter suggests Trump would serve as the board’s inaugural chairman and would preside over membership decisions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join the board, as well as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and others.
There are fears that the Board could undermine the United Nations framework and the large number of invitations that have been sent out also raises questions about the board’s mandate and decision-making processes.
The US president also published a private text message from Macron on his Truth Social platform, in which the French president invited Trump to have dinner in Paris on Thursday.
In the messages, Macron told Trump he could invite the Ukrainians, the Danes, the Syrians, and the Russians to participate on the margins of a G7 meeting on Thursday.
The French president also told Trump he did not understand what the US President was “doing on Greenland.”
Washington announced that eight European countries would face a 10% tariff on their US exports from 1 February unless they support the US’ proposal to purchase the semi-autonomous Danish territory. This rate will rise to 25% in June if no deal is reached.
Specifically, the threat targets Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland.
Standing firm in their support for Greenland’s right to self-determination and Denmark’s sovereignty, EU member states are weighing their options.
One possibility is the use of retaliatory tariffs on €93bn of US goods, a measure that was floated then abandoned last year during an earlier trade stand-off with Washington. Another proposal includes the activation of an anti-coercion tool, which enables the EU to impose punitive economic measures on a country seeking to force a policy change.
“I don’t think they’re going to push back too much,” Trump said of the European nations. “We have to have it…They can’t protect it.”
Hot Mic Diplomacy: Thabo Kawana Upstages His Boss on Diamond TV While Mweetwa Stews in Silence
TV take-21 Jan. 26.
Thabo Kawana is the man who can turn a microphone into a Molotov cocktail without breaking a sweat, the spokesperson who is not a minister, not a special advisor, not even the comms czar of State House, yet somehow manages to eclipse them all with one hot mic stunt on Diamond TV that makes the president himself look like a call in guest on his own show.
Mr. Cornelius Mweetwa, the actual minister of information, must have felt the sting of junior envy, watching his subordinate steal the limelight with a trick he himself never dared attempt.
Clayson Hamasaka, they call him Comms Specialist at State House too, the presidential comms specialist, has never pulled such a stunt, preferring the quiet dignity of scripted statements. Mostly funny.
But Thabo, ah Thabo, he thrives in the theatre of familiarity, calling the president live on air as if HH were his drinking buddy from Chibolya.
This is not random, it is choreographed, and therein lies the satire: the President of Zambia reduced to a prop in his own spokesperson’s show.
I must know this; I am a former newspaper CEO and Editor in Chief.
The pros are obvious—Kawana shows courage, loyalty, and a willingness to bite the bullet for his boss, much like Trump’s Steve Miller or Pete Hegseth in America.
The cons, however, drip with danger. Familiarity can backfire. In Africa, we saw how Mugabe’s spokesperson George Charamba often over performed his loyalty, sometimes making the president look smaller than the office itself, feeding resentment among ministers who felt sidelined.
Abroad, Sean Spicer in the US tried to defend Trump with theatrical loyalty, only to become a punchline and lose credibility, dragging the administration’s messaging into chaos.
Kawana risks the same fate: his boldness could make HH look like a man hiding behind his spokesperson instead of leading from the front. When the bow breaks!
And the timing could not be worse. Farmers are unpaid, food and fuel costs are soaring into double digits, discontent is simmering six months before the polls. A hot mic stunt may entertain, but it does not feed hungry stomachs or calm angry voters.
The PR could have been done better. In the US, after the BP oil spill, President Obama did not rely on a spokesperson’s theatrics; he addressed the nation directly, showing empathy and control.
President HH could have done the same—speaking to farmers, acknowledging their pain, promising concrete relief—rather than letting Kawana’s familiarity overshadow the crisis.
I love Thabo as a brother and admire his courage, but satire demands I ask: is this the best strategy now? Should Thabo do this again?
Perhaps not. His loyalty is unquestionable, but his timing is catastrophic.
What will brother Cornelius parambulate 😂
Mweetwa’s jealousy over his junior is palpable, the minister forced to watch as Kawana plays star while he remains a supporting actor. In the end, familiarity may win applause in the studio, but it risks losing votes in the field.
In Part 1, I addressed the character of Emmanuel Mwamba and his questionable history. Now, I turn to the specific accusations he has made against me. claims that are not only false but are intended to distort the historical record and serve narrow political interests.
LIE #1: NEVERS MUMBA OPPOSED MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY IN 1991 BY GIVING A FAKE PROPHECY Mwamba has chosen to resurrect a long-debunked narrative that I opposed the introduction of multiparty democracy and predicted bloodshed if the MMD won the 1991 elections. Let me be clear: this is a lie.
I did not oppose multiparty democracy. What I did was issue a warning, not a prophecy. In the run-up to Zambia’s transition, I warned that if the Church did not play an active role in prayer, promoting peace and national reconciliation, the political transition could become volatile. This was not a prediction of bloodshed; it was a call for unity, urging the Church to help calm the nation during a fragile period.
Anyone who doubts this can consult the ZNBC archives, where my words were recorded and have remained a part of Zambia’s history. What I said in 1991 was a call to action, not a doomsday prophecy, thankfully the church was equal to the task. We prayed and God gave us a safe transition.
LIE #2: NEVERS MUMBA FOUGHT THE RETURN OF DEMOCRACY Another false claim that Mwamba continues to circulate is that I fought against the return of democracy in Zambia. The truth is the opposite. I fully supported Zambia’s transition to multiparty democracy, and I actively encouraged President Kenneth Kaunda to make that difficult decision in 1990.
When President Kaunda struggled with the decision to reintroduce multiparty politics, he called me to State House. I prayed with him and counseled him to trust the people of Zambia. This was not the record of a man opposing democracy; it was the record of a man who encouraged and supported the peaceful transition that followed. My contribution to Zambia’s democratic journey is well-documented, and history bears witness to the peaceful transition we experienced.
LIE #3: NEVERS MUMBA BETRAYED THE OPPOSITION TO SECURE THE VICE PRESIDENCY Mwamba’s accusation that I betrayed the opposition parties to negotiate myself into the Vice Presidency is malicious, cheap and a distortion of the truth.
My role as opposition spokesperson was temporary, given to me after the 2001 elections. It was never about personal ambition; it was a responsibility shared by multiple parties. After the elections, the electoral dispute was resolved through the courts, and the coalition of opposition parties was dissolved. A year later, President Levy Mwanawasa reached out to me to serve in his government, just as he did with others.
Mwamba’s claim that I “negotiated” my way into office completely disregards the fact that President Mwanawasa had the sole authority to choose his Vice President. This was a decision made by the President, who sought to bring together a team that could serve the nation; an inclusive team, not one built on personal negotiations.
It is important to note that several other figures from outside MMD and the established political structures such as Hon. Ngandu Magande and Dr. Caleb Fundanga, were also appointed to key positions by President Mwanawasa. They, too, were not “negotiating” for their positions; they were chosen based on merit and national interest.
LIE #4: NEVERS MUMBA DESTROYED HIS OWN DESTINY Mwamba’s “wish” that I destroyed my own destiny is rooted in an attitude of ungodliness, misunderstanding of ambition and leadership. Let me be clear: my vision has never been about seeking just one single office, but about serving my nation and making a difference in people’s lives. The presidency is not the ultimate measure of one’s legacy and success.
For over forty-five years, I have been driven by two guiding principles: my love for God and my commitment to Zambia. Destiny is not defined by a single moment or position. My journey has been marked by faith, service, and sacrifice. I have contributed to Zambia’s national life spiritually, politically, and publicly. The fact that I have not yet occupied the presidency does not mean I have failed, it means I have continued to serve Zambia in other significant ways.
If we reduce a person’s life to whether they’ve held a single office, then we deny the very essence of leadership and service to a nation. By the way, destiny does not take effect when you become president, but as you faithfully and relentlessly you serve the nation.
LIE #5: NEVERS MUMBA IS THE ULTIMATE BETRAYER Mwamba’s accusation that I am the “ultimate betrayer” is an offensive claim that requires serious scrutiny. He has failed to provide any proof of who I allegedly betrayed. Let’s get this straight: my political journey has always been guided by a vision to serve Zambia, not by personal ambition or the desire to outmaneuver others. The cry of Zambia shall be saved has been my life’s vision and battle cry.
I challenge Emmanuel Mwamba to produce the list of individuals or political entities I supposedly betrayed in my pursuit of a vision for a better Zambia. Who have I betrayed by seeking to serve the nation? He must show evidence, or he must stop making baseless claims.
Moreover, I challenge Mwamba to compile a list of political figures in Zambia who have been betrayed the most by the very people they expected to stand with them, political figures who, despite their loyalty and sacrifice, have been cast aside, marginalized, or betrayed by those closest to them. I can tell you this: my name often comes up in these discussions as one of the most betrayed men in Zambia’s political history.
However, I will not start listing the betrayals I have faced and the names of those who have turned their backs on me, because I have already forgiven them and moved on. My focus has always been on building Zambia and reconciling our nation, not on seeking revenge or seeking to keep score.
This is not a matter for petty accusations or personal grudges, it is a matter of historical record.
IN CONCLUSION Mwamba’s lies and distortions are designed to achieve one thing: to rewrite the historical record for political gain. His accusations are not grounded in fact; they are tools of manipulation meant to distract and confuse the public. But the truth is resilient, and it will stand.
I have always acted in the best interests of Zambia, and I will continue to defend my actions, my integrity, and my legacy.
In Part 3, I will wrap up this rebuttal, addressing the remaining lies and accusations, including the false narrative surrounding my firing by President Levy Mwanawasa. I will also shed light on Mwamba’s self-styled political exile, his years living abroad while seeking to undermine the very system he once served.
The final installment will pull back the curtain on Mwamba’s own contradictions, leaving no stone unturned as we close the chapter on his falsehoods. Stay tuned.
As I sign off, I leave you with this verse for reflection:
“BUT THE WICKED SHALL DO WICKEDLY: AND NONE OF THE WICKED SHALL UNDERSTAND; BUT THE WISE SHALL UNDERSTAND.”
A DEMOCRATICALLY elected president or leader can easily become a dictator, former Attorney General Musa Mwenye has said.
Speaking in Lusaka on Friday during the launch of the LCK Freedom Foundation, Mwenye said democracy in Zambia had faced serious threats despite the nation’s democracy surviving for over 34 years.
He urged lawyers to employ their training and expertise to publicly advocate against the entrenchment of power in one person or a group of persons.
“Examples abound as to where else this has happened, and therefore, eternal vigilance is extremely necessary. Laws that erode free expression and other rights that impede the freedom of the press and shrink the civic space must be resisted,” Mwenye said.
He said it was a constitutional duty for lawyers to prevail and resist all acts the breaches the constitutional order.
“It is our constitutional duty as lawyers to resist all acts that infringe upon constitutional rights, and it is the lawyer’s duty to do so through both courtroom and public advocacy,” Mwenye said. He warned that countries were under serious threats of creating dictators whom they would have no mechanisms to remove at once in power.
“Any country, the problem with a dictatorship is that there is no mechanism to correct and remove that person,” Mwenye said.
He said the advantage of democracy was that when people realised that their elected official was a wrong choice, they would always use the next election to correct the mistake by voting out such persons from power.
Mwenye said for democracy to work, people must have a chance to vote in a free and fair election to elect or remove leaders.
He reminded citizens that holding regular elections alone was not enough for democracy, warning that even some dictators hold regular elections.
“But they [dictators] operate in what have come to be known as illiberal democracies or hybrid regimes which have the veneer or appearance of democracy, but are really competitive autocracy or soft authoritarian regimes,” he said.
It was unfortunate that a few soft authoritarian regimes were cropping up in Zambia.
“The soft authoritarian regimes are characterised by manipulated elections, erosion of checks and balances through executive capture of the judiciary and parliament, propaganda and manipulation of information and the media, and suppression of dissent,” he said.
Mwenye commended newly launched LCK Freedom Foundation executive director Linda Kasonde for her consistent efforts in fulfilling her role as a lawyer in guarding the Constitution and defending democracy.
Meanwhile, Kasonde said Bill 7, now Act Number 13 of 2025, would stand as an unfortunate and troubling example of what many have described as ‘legal authoritarianism’.
She said while the bill was presented under the guise of reform, its implications for accountability, democratic participation and the balance of power raised serious concerns among lawyers, civil society and ordinary citizens.
“We must not be complacent in safeguarding democracy. We must interrogate laws, challenge abuses of power, and ensure that constitutional safeguards are not weakened under the pretext of efficiency or stability,” Kasonde said.
Matero Member of Parliament, and Patriotic Front Deputy Secretary General, Hon. Miles Sampa remain incarcerated following his arrest.
Police Charge, Arrest and Detain Miles Sampa
…President Hakainde Hichilema accused Miles Sampa of committing a crime…
The Zambia Police have charged Matero Member of Parliament and Patriotic Front Presidential Aspirant, Hon. Miles Sampa of transmitting deceptive communication under the Section 19 of the Cyber Crimes Act No. 4 of 2025 Transmission of deceptive electronic communication.
This is in relation to a Facebook post he made accusing the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of setting up an illegal polling staion.
Police have refused to grant him police bond and Sampa remains detained at Lusaka Central Police Station.
In his phone-in interview with Diamond TV Live, President Hakainde Hichilema accused Miles Sampa of committing a crime by his allegations that the ECZ set up an illegal polling station.
Sampa later apologised stating that he relied upon deep concerns about an ungazzetted polling station mounted in Lilayi.
The residents also complained that only bused voters from Chilanga area were using the facility expressing further anxieties that the polling station could have been mounted illegally for the benefit of the ruling UPND.
Infact when results came, they demonstrated Sampa’s concern. This is the only place where the UPND candidate was leading(Morgan Muunda 74, Bright Nundwe 7, Mohammad Mutete 4, other candidates got zeros 0).
The Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) has announced plans to lodge a formal complaint against the United Party for National Development (UPND) and its candidate in the recently held Chawama by-election.
FDD spokesperson Anthony Chibuye says the party is concerned that UPND officials prematurely declared their candidate, Mr. Morgan Munda, as the winner before the Electoral Commission of Zambia announced the official results.
Mr. Chibuye adds that celebrations which followed, including loud music and other activities, had the potential to disturb public peace, undermine the electoral process, and threaten state security.
He says the matter will be taken up with the relevant authorities.
🇿🇲 VIEWPOINT | Illegal Miners, National Security, and Why the Army Has Entered the Conversation
The statement by the Zambia Army Commander that soldiers will “exterminate” illegal miners has ignited a sharp national debate. Critics have framed the remarks as excessive, arguing that the matter falls within the mandate of the Zambia Police Service and immigration authorities, while others have invoked unemployment and survival as justification for illegal mining. Supporters, however, read the statement through a national security lens rather than a labour or livelihoods argument.
This distinction matters.
Across Africa, conflicts rarely begin with ideology. They begin with resources. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan offer sobering lessons on how loosely regulated extraction evolves into armed groups, territorial control, and eventually militias that challenge the state itself. Illegal mining rarely stays informal. It grows. It arms. It hardens. Once that line is crossed, policing becomes ineffective and the cost of restoring order multiplies.
Zambia has already seen early warning signs. Gold rush zones such as Kasempa have attracted not only Zambians but foreign nationals, including individuals from conflict-prone regions. Many local youths lack mining expertise, while organised groups with capital and technical know-how dominate operations. Entry routes, documentation, and enforcement gaps remain unanswered questions.
What is clear is that the scale and coordination of these operations point beyond casual subsistence activity.
The argument that this is solely a police matter ignores Zambia’s own history. During the Patriotic Front era, illegal Mukula trade overwhelmed civilian enforcement. The response was not rhetorical restraint but deployment of the Zambia National Service to secure timber routes and protect national resources. That decision was justified then on grounds of sovereignty and economic security. The same logic applies now.
Military involvement in internal security is not new. Zambia’s armed forces have previously been deployed to halt politically connected land seizures when civilian institutions faltered. The constitutional mandate of the military extends to internal threats where public order, territorial integrity, or strategic assets are at risk.
Illegal mining also carries a humanitarian cost. Operations often run without safety standards, equipment, or oversight. Collapses and fatalities quickly become national crises, not private misfortunes. Regulation is not only about control but about preventing avoidable loss of life.
The economic argument is equally stark. Illegally mined gold leaves the country untaxed, unrecorded, and unaccounted for. No royalties. No export controls. No benefit to the Treasury. Over time, this erodes state authority and normalises parallel economies that answer to no law.
Political discomfort with the Army’s language has been loud, but it is not neutral. Many of the strongest critics are political actors who indirectly benefit from illegal mining networks, either through mobilisation, financing, or influence. This context cannot be ignored. When Hakainde Hichilema was stoned in Chingola, reports linked the incident to anger from illegal mining groups facing disruption. That was not random unrest. It was resistance to enforcement.
The Army Commander’s statement should therefore be read less as a threat and more as deterrence. The intent, as clarified, is to work alongside the Ministry of Mines to restore order, remove illegal operators, and regularise small-scale mining through licensing that prioritises genuine Zambians. That approach separates survival-driven artisanal mining from organised illegality that threatens national stability.
Preventive action is always cheaper than crisis response. Waiting until illegal miners morph into armed groups, gangs, or regional militias would be strategic negligence. Zambia has watched that movie elsewhere on the continent. The ending is never good.
This moment is not about militarising poverty. It is about drawing a firm line before disorder becomes permanent. On that score, the security argument is not only valid. It is overdue.
UNITED Church of Zambia St. Bartholomew Congregation Minister-in-Charge, Rev Aaron Simukonda has expressed support of Christian couples undergoing paternity testing, emphasizing that it should be viewed as a tool for clarity rather than a danger to marriage.
His remarks follow a revelation by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security that out of 123 paternity tests conducted at the National Forensic DNA Laboratory, 48 returned negative results while 75 were confirmed positive.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka today, Rev. Simukonda said the availability of paternity testing is beneficial, particularly in situations where factual clarity is needed.
“DNA testing should not be seen as a cause of marital breakdown but as a way of promoting accountability between partners,” said Rev. Simukonda.
Meanwhile, he advised men who discover they are not the biological fathers of children they have been raising to seek counselling and prayer before making any decisions, in order to avoid choices, they may later regret.
Rev. Simukonda further encouraged couples considering DNA testing to first seek guidance and counselling from the church both before and after the tests are conducted, saying this support would help them make informed and rational decisions.
IMPROVED GRADE 12 RESULTS LINKED TO FREE EDUCATION AND TEACHER RECRUITMENT – ACTIVIST
Education stakeholders have attributed the improved Grade 12 examination results to deliberate government interventions aimed at supporting underprivileged learners.
Human rights activist Laura Miti said the positive outcomes were largely a result of free education, increased teacher recruitment, and the use of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to support learners.
Ms. Miti explained that free education had significantly reduced absenteeism in schools.
She noted that many learners were no longer sent out of class to search for school fees, allowing them to focus on learning.
According to her, this had enabled more pupils to complete the syllabus and benefit fully from teachers throughout the entire senior secondary school period.
“Free education has ensured that more children remain in class and complete their studies without disruption,” she said.
She further pointed out that the recruitment of teachers had improved the quality of learning, as subjects were now being taught by appropriately trained educators.
Ms. Miti observed that the reduction in cases where teachers handled subjects outside their areas of specialization had positively impacted examination performance.
“When the right teachers handle the right subjects, learners are bound to perform better,” she stated.
In addition, Ms. Miti highlighted the role of CDF in placing learners in boarding schools, saying this had created a conducive learning environment.
She said boarding schools allowed pupils to concentrate on their studies and enabled brilliant learners from remote areas, who might otherwise have dropped out, to sit for their examinations and excel.
“CDF support has given vulnerable but talented children a real chance to succeed,” she added.
Ms. Miti asserted that these combined efforts represented significant educational progress for disadvantaged communities, noting that the investments were now yielding visible results in national examination performance.
WHY IS THE NAME ‘MPEZENI’ A WRONG ONE? By Gumbi Kaziguda Jele Over the past 7 decades or so, the name ‘Mpezeni’ has been a popular one among the Zambian mainstream media. Most of us have grown up knowing this name as the correct name for the amaNgoni Nation’s leader. But you see, the name has actually evolved over time. Depending on the early writers of Ngoni history, different versions exist of the name.
However, none of the earlier Ngoni historians ever tried to understand the meaning of this name. Worse more, no one ever thought the name was not confined to Zambia alone. Ignoring this aspect entailed people spelling the name based on how they heard the locals spell it. Over time, we got stuck with ‘Mpezeni’.
When Ngonis began to write their own books, mostly after 1975, they also began this task of trying to understand the meaning of the name. And by then, ‘MPEZENI’ was the popular version. So they assumed the name is of Nyanja/Chewa origins and interpreted it to mean ‘FIND HIM’. However, when further pressed to explain the historical root of this name which meant, ‘Find Him’, they rushed to refer to the 1898 British-Angoni war.
This was a big mistake! Again what was ignored was the fact that the name had been in use and even documented decades before the 1898 war. The new breed of Zambian journalists, the political face and historians still continued to use this wrong name of the Ngoni King. So what is the correct spelling and what is its historical foundation?
The correct name is in fact MPHEZENI from the verb UKUPHEZA meaning to ‘leave off’ or ‘discontinue’. The name has its roots in the flying heir incident of 1826 when most family members of his mother were killed and their
EMULATE ZANACO’S PAYMENT PROCESS OF PAYING FARMERS – PS KAWANA URGES OTHER BANKS
Chisamba, Zambia 20th January 2026
By Jack Makayi
Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana has called on other financial institutions to emulate Zanaco Bank’s efficient payment system for farmers supplying maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), describing it as timely, organised and farmer-friendly.
Mr. Kawana made the remarks today during a visit to the Zanaco Chisamba Branch in Chisamba District, where he was assessing the progress of payments to farmers under the FRA maize marketing programme. He commended Zanaco for implementing a well-coordinated, depot-by-depot payment approach supported by a Cash-in-Transit model, which allows the bank to reach farmers in remote areas.
Under this system, cash is delivered directly to villages, enabling farmers to be paid at their respective depots without travelling long distances to banking halls. Mr. Kawana noted that the approach significantly reduces transport costs and inconvenience, particularly for farmers in far-flung rural communities.
“The efficiency of this system is commendable. Each transaction takes less than two minutes, which allows queues to move steadily and ensures that farmers are served in a timely manner,” he said, urging other banks involved in FRA payments to adopt similar models.
While acknowledging that some farmers remain anxious due to personal and operational commitments, the Permanent Secretary assured them that payments are ongoing and expected to ease their concerns.
He emphasized that there is no shortage of funds, clarifying that the money has already been released to the banks and that the process currently underway is the scheduled payment of farmers.
“Funds are with the banks and payments are continuing. What we are seeing is not a funding challenge, but the normal processing of payments, ” Mr. Kawana said.
Turning to the upcoming farming season, the Permanent Secretary expressed optimism, noting that farming inputs have been supplied on time. He said most farmers have already prepared their fields and planted their crops. Early indications, he added, point to a promising yield and the possibility of a bumper harvest in the next agricultural season.
Mr. Kawana further disclosed that he will continue touring other areas to monitor the payment process and ensure that farmers across all depots are paid smoothly and efficiently.
The government has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers and ensuring timely payments as part of broader efforts to strengthen food security and rural livelihoods.
I CAN ONLY DATE A HIGH STANDARD MAN NOT JUST A BARE MINIMUM MAN NEVER – GRACE CHILUFYA
PATSON DAKA’s ex fiancé Grace Chilufya, says can never lower her standards just to be in a relationship with a man.
Chilufya says she is highly selective when it comes to men and refuses to accept the bare minimum, a stance that has even left her mother worried about her chances of marriage.
“My mum honestly believes I’ll never get married at least not anytime soon,” she said. “I think my level of pickiness with men worries her.”
Speaking via her TikTok account, Chilufya explained that her standards are the product of years of self-growth and intentional personal development.
“I have done so much work on myself, so much that I can’t settle for the bare minimum,” she stated, adding that accepting less would feel like betraying her own progress.
She stressed that her selectiveness is not rooted in arrogance, but in self-respect, clarity, and knowing exactly what she wants regardless of societal pressure.
IVU SUZEE MY PHONE WON’T STOP RINGING, CALLS, SMS ETC FROM WOMEN EAGER TO COME TO THE AUDITION
Foreign adult-content creator Ivu Suzee has found himself at the center of growing attention in South Africa—attention he says has become overwhelming.
Since the now-viral Lerato Molwelang video began trending online, Suzee claims his phone has not stopped ringing, with calls and messages pouring in from women eager to audition for future projects.
According to Suzee, despite the controversy and online debate surrounding his work, he is not in any trouble with the law.
His legal team has been quick to clarify that no one involved in his productions was forced, misled, or tricked into participating.
His lawyer maintains that all the women featured in the videos are fully aware of the nature of the content before taking part…
A self-acclaimed model agent, Ivo Suzee, has duped a substantial number of well-endowed South African women by claiming the audition them for a nonexistent modelling agency.
Ivo Suzee poses as a middleman between the beautiful ladies in South Africa who send him messages and the non-existent Modelling Agency he works for.
When these ladies send him a message to book an appointment to show their modelling capabilities.
They are informed to come alone with their luggage for a private audition.
Most ladies are eager to be famous, so they usually don’t care about taking the risk of meeting a stranger in a coded location.
On their arrival, Ivo starts on a very low tempo by asking their likes and dislikes, if they want to be famous, and how they want the fame come, a celebrity they would like to dine with, and a hunch of how they would exit earth.
After the questionnaire, the latter part of their brief meeting leads to these victims wearing their lingerie to show their modeling skills.
In all this, there’s a camera that records every interaction during these sessions
Watch Also: The B.E videos with his wife, 5 minutes 20-second long
The zeal in the women Ivo has engaged with gives him the confidence to give them an offer they cannot refuse.
Suzee tells them bribe him not in cash but in kind to skip the long queue of review by his international partners.
Most women have fallen victim, and he keeps getting new people every day because they all want to be famous.
“Ivo Suzee’s Shocking Experiment Shows How Easily South African Girls Can Be Lured by Strangers – A Wake-Up Call About Human Trafficking, Safety Failures and How Our Children Are Exposed Every Day”
Popular content creator Ivo Suzee, who has built a massive following with over 23,000 videos, recently carried out an experiment that left many South Africans shaken. In the video, he showed how easily young girls could be approached, gained their trust, and persuaded to walk with a complete stranger without realising the danger they were in.
There was no force. No weapons. No violence. Just conversation, confidence and manipulation. Within minutes, the girls were comfortable enough to follow him. The situation looked harmless – yet it exposed a terrifying truth: this is exactly how real human traffickers operate.
Traffickers do not always grab their victims in the open. They groom. They lie. They pretend to be friendly, helpful, or caring. They promise jobs, money, love, modelling opportunities or a better life. Once trust is gained, the victim is taken – and often never seen again.
If the person in that video had been a real criminal:
Those girls could have been taken to a car within minutes.
Their phones could have been confiscated.
They could have been moved to another province or across the border.
Their identities could have been erased.
Their families might still be searching for them today.
South Africa is already battling serious cases of child abduction and human trafficking. Girls are targeted at malls, taxi ranks, schools, parks, on the streets and even online. Poverty, unemployment, broken families and lack of awareness make many children easy targets.
What makes this even more painful is that:
Many communities lack proper security.
Bystanders often do nothing.
Children are not taught enough about the real dangers of strangers.
Parents are forced to work long hours and cannot always supervise.
Criminal networks are organised, while society is not.
This video was not just content. It was a warning.
It showed how vulnerable our children are.
It showed how easily trust can be abused. It showed how close danger really is.
If this does not wake up parents, schools, churches and government, then we are failing the very people we are supposed to protect.
Our daughters should not be easy targets. Our communities should not be hunting grounds. And our silence should not become the reason another child disappears without a trace.
BREAKING: THE UNTHINKABLE IS HERE! Canada has begun preparing military plans in case irrational, unhinged Trump tries to invade them!
As the Mad King of Washington continues to lash out at our former allies over control of Greenland — which, it cannot be stressed enough, we already have — and posts pictures of maps with Canada as an American possession, the Canadian military has been forced to do what has been previously unthinkable for over a century:
Prepare for a potential invasion by the United States.
“The Canadian Armed Forces have modelled a hypothetical U.S. military invasion of Canada and the country’s potential response, which includes tactics similar to those employed against Russia and later U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan,” according to two senior Canadian government officials.
Recognizing that they do not have the military power to oppose the United States directly, the plans focus on the use of hit-and-run guerrilla tactics, ambushes, sabotage, mass IEDs, and drone warfare. The aim of such tactics would be to impose mass casualties on U.S. occupying forces, the official said.
The Globe and Mail reports that “General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, has already announced her intention to create a 400,000-plus-strong reserve force of volunteers. The officials said they could be armed or asked to provide disruptions if the U.S. becomes an occupying power.”
Yikes.
It is terrifying that we are one year into Donald Trump’s second term and already our steadfast allies are being forced to deploy troops and draw up war plans in case Big Macaligula suddenly decides he’s tired of being told no and orders the 82nd Airborne to make Canada the 51st state, which is something he’s talked about over and over again.
Trump needs to be removed from office immediately before he starts a war that puts all of us in serious danger.- Occupy Democrats
Samuel Eto’o reveals he was advised to ask the indomitable Lions to leave the pitch in the quarter finals against Morocco but he chose not to do it..
Samuel Eto’o,️“I was suspended for four matches because I refused to make that decision.
You know, sometimes emotions are uncontrollable, and at one point during our match against Morocco, there were a lot of emotions involved, and one of my teammates suggested I withdraw the team. But on a whim, I could have made that decision.
But I don’t think I’m going to blame the Senegalese coach. On the contrary, he had the courage to defend his team; you have to take those kinds of risks. In the end, Senegal won, and that’s what I want to remember.
Now, those in charge of investigating, of looking into what went wrong, will take responsibility, but the fact remains that there are emotions in a football match, and we have to do everything we can to prevent those emotions from getting out of hand […] And what does ‘doing everything’ mean? We might have VAR.”
It costs us nothing to check the game facts, and I think that if we check the game facts at some point, our emotions will be much better controlled.
ACCUSATIONS ROCK SOUTH AFRICA–US RELATIONS AS AMERICA ALLEGES THAT A SOUTH AFRICAN MILITARY TRAINING COMPANY ILLEGALLY TRANSFERRED SENSITIVE U.S. DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY TO CHINA, RAISING FEARS ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY, EXPORT CONTROL VIOLATIONS, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF STRATEGIC INFORMATION REACHING THE CHINESE ARMY
There are growing international accusations that a South African-based aviation and military training company may have helped China gain access to sensitive United States military technology, sparking serious concern in Washington and raising uncomfortable questions about security oversight in South Africa.
According to the United States Department of Justice, specialised military training equipment, originally developed using American technology and software, was allegedly exported from South Africa to China without proper authorisation. The equipment in question is said to be linked to advanced naval warfare training, particularly systems used to train air crews in detecting and tracking submarines — a critical capability in modern warfare.
US authorities claim that this technology, or parts of it, falls under strict export control laws because it can enhance the combat readiness of foreign militaries. They allege that the equipment was destined for use by China’s People’s Liberation Army, which the US views as a strategic rival.
The company at the centre of the storm is a South African flight and military training academy that has previously worked with foreign forces. American investigators argue that by shipping this equipment, the company may have violated US arms regulations and endangered US national security by indirectly strengthening China’s military capabilities.
South African officials have not admitted that the government itself shared any classified US secrets. The case is not about the South African state officially handing over intelligence, but rather about whether a private entity operating from South African soil transferred controlled technology that the US considers sensitive.
The company involved has denied wrongdoing, insisting that the equipment was not classified, that it was legally obtained, and that all exports complied with international law. They argue that the systems were for training purposes only and did not contain secret US military data.
Despite these denials, the US has moved ahead with legal action, including attempts to seize the equipment and block its delivery, saying the matter is serious enough to involve national security and foreign military balance of power.
The accusations have added tension to already sensitive relations between the US, South Africa, and China. Critics inside South Africa are now asking whether the country’s close political and economic ties with China could be creating security blind spots, while others warn against jumping to conclusions before courts and investigations have delivered final rulings.
In summary, there is no proven claim that South Africa as a government is deliberately handing over American military secrets to China. What exists are strong allegations by the United States that a South African-based company may have unlawfully transferred controlled defence-related technology that could benefit the Chinese military — a case that continues to unfold with major geopolitical implications.
“I Feel a Little Bit Important” – Tiwa Savage Reveals She Is President Tinubu’s Neighbor
Afrobeats queen Tiwa Savage has shared an intriguing detail about her current living situation, disclosing that her home is located right next to the residence of President Bola Tinubu.
A “Safe Haven” in Ikoyi
During a 2026 documentary interview with content creator Korty EO, the singer described her current abode in Ikoyi as a temporary sanctuary. When Korty remarked on the high-level security and the impressive nature of the property, Tiwa explained that the tight security is largely due to the President living directly across from her.
The “Somebody’s Son” crooner clarified that despite the prestige of her current location, it is not her permanent base. She revealed that she is currently constructing a new house elsewhere, which is scheduled for completion next year. Until then, she enjoys the safety and status that comes with her current address.
She told Korty:
“To be honest, this is like my temporary place. I am building one I bought somewhere, but it’s not ready until next year. So this is like my safe haven till then. I feel safe. I feel safe actually. I actually feel a little bit important ’cause the president’s house is in front,”
President Tinubu is known to own significant properties in the upscale Ikoyi neighborhood, including his famous residence on Bourdillon Road and another on Queens Drive, often dubbed the “White House.”
Ethiopia To Print Its Own Currency In A Move For Economic Sovereignty
The Ethiopian government has announced plans to begin printing its own banknotes locally to reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers.
The initiative will be led by Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), one of Africa’s largest sovereign wealth or state investment funds.
Ethiopia currently outsources the printing of its currency, the birr, to foreign firms.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says the government is losing millions of dollars to the West annually in printing its currency.
He said printing their own currency locally would save Ethiopia billions of taxpayers’ money.
Around 40+ African countries print their currency in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada, which costs them an estimated sum of $300 million annually.
🚨 Victor Osimhen cost Nigeria the AFCON title – Sunday Oliseh
👤 Sunday Oliseh 🎤: “Let’s look at the toxicity that might have caused us (Nigeria) the AFCON title.
“We are confusing talent with license. Victor Osimhen is world class but talent is not license to destroy team chemistry.
“Look at the evidence. Since that public outburst against Ademola Lookman, one of our brightest lights, Lookman became a shadow of himself and we lost the bite.
“When you publicly diminish your teammates, you break their spirit. You destroy the very confidence a team needs to survive a semifinal. Against a team as tactically sharp as Morocco, we needed our best players at a hundred percent.
“Statistically, Ademola Lookman was the most dangerous player in the tournament, until that public verbal abuse broke his focus. You can’t expect a playmaker to perform a miracle on the pitch when he has been demoralised by his own teammate.
“The conflict did its damage. We didn’t just lose a game, we lost the psychological edge needed to win.
“What is worse, and frankly, what is most dangerous for our football is the fan culture that now tolerates this.
“Scoring goals for Nigeria doesn’t give you a license to disrespect certified legends like Finidi George or Victor Ikpeba. It doesn’t give you the right to disrespect your coaches or teammates.
“If we don’t fix the discipline and the administration, there won’t be a Super Eagles left to support.”
Trending ⚡️🇨🇲 Samuel Eto’o was finally confronted with questions about President Paul Biya on France 24📺 and here is how it went down.
Journalist🗣️ “Do you support the head of state, Paul Biya?”
Samuel Eto’o🗣️ “The one who was elected by Cameroonians is the head of state. He is the one who has responsibilities toward all Cameroonians, and all we can do is do everything possible to contribute to the successful completion of his term.”
Journalist🗣️ “He has just turned 92. Don’t you think it would be the right time for him to say, “I’m going to step aside so that Cameroonian youth can find a successor”?
Samuel Eto’o🗣️ “I’m not here to give my opinion on what the head of state should or should not do. What I have to do is take responsibility in my own field and contribute to ensuring that our country continues to move forward. Obviously, there are many things to fix, but each of us, in our own field, must take responsibility and try to move things forward”
LaLiga: ‘You can’t win a fight with Real Madrid players’ – Zidane reveals why Alonso was sackedPublished on January 16, 2026
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has said that the most important thing for any coach to succeed at the club is focusing on helping the players.
Zidane noted that having a good connection with the players is really important, and if that connection is not there, no coach can last very long.
On Hamidou Msaidie’s YouTube channel, Zidane explained that the main reason Xabi Alonso left the club was because he was not able to manage the team’s dressing room properly.
He said the manager was not winning the players over and was trying to fight a battle he could not win at Real Madrid.
He said, via GOAL, “At Real Madrid, we were at the players’ disposal. For me, that’s what makes something strong—you’re there for the player. If you still don’t get it, you won’t be able to stay in this job.
“We’re here to help them; you need to let them know you’re here for them. For the dressing room to support what you want to do, they need to like us. If the players don’t agree with everything you set up, like the training and all of that…, omething will always be missing.
“With us, they really enjoyed themselves on all levels, I think. We gave the players a lot of confidence. When they’ve had gone through a tough time and needed to get their confidence and fitness back, we set up a system so they could retrieve all of that again.
“When a player is really motivated, enjoys training, and is excited to play in matches, you’ll definitely win all three Champions Leagues.”
Zinedine Zidane coached 263 games for Real Madrid during his two separate stays at the club.
He won the UEFA Champions League three times and the league title twice
🌍🔥 RAMAPHOSA’S SOUTH AFRICA DOMINATES AFRICA’S MILITARY POWER – THE CONTINENT’S NEW DEFENSE GIANT! 🇿🇦
AFRICA IS RISING and South Africa is leading the charge!
Under President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa has cemented its position as Africa’s #1 military manufacturing powerhouse!
WHAT SOUTH AFRICA IS PRODUCING:
✅ Advanced armored vehicles that rival global standards ✅ Cutting-edge combat drones with AI capabilities ✅ World-class missiles and defense systems ✅ Next-generation military technology
This is MORE than just South African pride – this is AFRICAN POWER!
For TOO LONG, Africa has depended on foreign powers for defense. Now, ONE African nation is saying “NO MORE!”
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR AFRICA:
➡️ We can BUILD our own weapons ➡️ We can PROTECT our own borders ➡️ We can DEFEND our own sovereignty ➡️ We can SUPPLY other African nations
IMAGINE an Africa that doesn’t beg Europe, America, Russia, or China for protection!
IMAGINE an Africa that MANUFACTURES its own defense technology!
President Ramaphosa, THIS is the leadership Africa needs!
While others talk, South Africa is BUILDING! This is Pan-Africanism in ACTION!
HOW EL SALVADOR TOOK BACK ITS COUNTRY FROM BRUTAL GANGS AND WHY SOUTH AFRICA MUST LEARN FROM THIS EXAMPLE AS CRIMINALS, DRUG LORDS AND SYNDICATES CONTINUE TO TERRORISE TOWNSHIPS, COURTS AND CITIES
For many years, El Salvador was one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Powerful gangs like MS-13 and Barrio 18 controlled entire neighbourhoods. They decided who could live where, who could run a business, who must pay “protection money,” and even who could walk freely in the streets. Police, communities and politicians were intimidated. Murders were daily, children were recruited, and the state was slowly losing control.
Then everything changed.
When President Nayib Bukele came into power, his government declared an all-out war on organised crime. A state of emergency was introduced. Thousands of gang members and leaders were arrested in coordinated operations. Special prisons were built to isolate dangerous criminals from society. Intelligence, police and the army worked together. Communities were flooded with visible security. Gangs lost their freedom to operate, recruit, intimidate and kill.
Today, El Salvador’s murder rate has dropped dramatically. Areas that were once ruled by fear are now being reopened to normal life. While human rights debates continue, one thing is clear: the government showed political will and sent a strong message that criminals, not citizens, would fear the law.
Now compare this to South Africa.
In many parts of our country, gangs and crime syndicates control drug markets, extortion rackets, taxi routes, construction sites and even influence court cases. We see shootings at courts, witnesses being silenced, communities living in fear, and criminals moving freely while ordinary people hide behind gates and walls. In places like Cape Flats, Westbury, Eldorado Park, parts of KZN and Gauteng, gangs behave like parallel governments.
Just like El Salvador before its crackdown, South Africa is facing: – Organised gangs that recruit young boys – Drug lords who buy protection – Intimidation of communities and witnesses – Fear inside the justice system – Criminals who feel untouchable
The difference is political will.
El Salvador chose to confront gangsterism head-on, using intelligence, the army, police, tough laws and fast courts. South Africa, on the other hand, often arrests small criminals while the real kingpins remain free, protected by corruption, weak investigations and slow justice.
If El Salvador could take back its streets from some of the most violent gangs in the world, then South Africa can do the same. But it requires bold leadership, fearless law enforcement, clean intelligence structures, and a justice system that protects citizens instead of being infiltrated by criminals.
South Africa does not need to become a police state, but it must become a serious state against crime. Gangs must fear the law again. Courts must be safe. Communities must be protected. And criminal syndicates must be dismantled from the top, not just at street level.
The lesson is simple: When a government decides that gangsterism will no longer rule, gangsterism collapses. South Africa must now make that same decision.
According to DailySports, a Moroccan politician has stirred reactions online following Senegal’s 1–0 victory over Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Reacting to the outcome of the decisive match, the politician criticised the referee’s handling of the game, calling for his suspension and possible trial.
According to him, the referee violated competition rules by restarting play after Senegalese players briefly left the pitch, an action he claimed affected the flow and outcome of the match.
Senegal’s win secured them the African champion title, but the politician insisted the officiating raised serious concerns that should not be ignored.
He also made a controversial allegation against the Senegalese team, claiming they practiced magic in the dressing room shortly before Brahim Diaz stepped up to take his penalty.
Norwegian authorities have issued thousands of notices ordering citizens to prepare for the possible seizure of private property in the event of a Russian invasion, as concerns about escalating tensions in Europe continue to mount. The letters warn that homes, vehicles, boats, and machinery may be requisitioned “in a wartime situation” to support national defence
According to officials, some 13,500 “preparatory requisitions” were sent out on Monday. Oslo stressed that the measures are intended to ensure the military has access to necessary resources, stating: “The requisitions are intended to ensure that, in a wartime situation, the armed forces have access to the resources necessary for the defence of the country.” Around two-thirds of recipients were renewing previous notices.
Head of Norwegian military logistics Anders Jernberg said: “The importance of being prepared for crisis and war has increased dramatically in recent years. Norway is in the most serious security policy situation since the Second World War.” He warned: “Our society must be prepared for security policy crises and, in the worst case, war… we are undertaking a major build-up of military and civil preparedness.”
Norway, a NATO member sharing both maritime and land borders with Russia in the Arctic, has intensified its defence posture since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Former U.S. president Donald Trump has previously warned that Russia and China are seeking to expand their presence in the Arctic — arguing such threats bolster the case for Washington to seize Greenland.
Poland has issued a similar warning to its citizens, sending printed World War III “Safety Guides” to all 17 million households in the country. The manuals advise residents on how to respond in emergencies ranging from fires and floods to terrorist attacks and the use of nuclear or chemical weapons. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on X: “We have already delivered over 4 million ‘Safety Guides. The ‘Safety Guide’ complements the activities carried out under the Population Protection and Civil Defense Program and, step by step, reaches every household, directly into the hands of citizens.”
The guide warns: “The threats Poland faces have substantially grown in the last few years. Disinformation, cyberattacks, hybrid threats, hostile disruption and sabotage are used to destabilise the country.” Highlighting the impact of the war in Ukraine, it adds: “The war beyond our eastern border impacts our sense of safety as well.” The handbook “aims to prepare citizens for various threats – from cyberattacks and disinformation to natural disasters, military situations and infrastructural crises.”
France previously distributed a similar booklet, while several European nations, including France and Germany, have reintroduced forms of military conscription amid growing anxiety over Russia’s intentions.
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the United States of harbouring territorial ambitions in the Arctic, warning that after capturing Greenland, Washington would turn its sights to Iceland. “Greenland is not a natural part of Denmark,” he said, adding: “It was neither a natural part of Norway nor a natural part of Denmark. It is a colonial conquest. The fact that the inhabitants are now accustomed to it and feel comfortable is another matter.”
US Leader, Donald Trump has escalated diplomatic tensions with Europe after posting private messages from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and French President Emmanuel Macron, deepening a growing rift over his push to take control of Greenland.Entertainment center
The messages were shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform, just a day after leaked correspondence with Norway’s prime minister sparked controversy across Europe. Trump also posted an AI-generated image depicting him in conversation with European leaders inside the White House, with a US flag superimposed over Greenland.
One of the leaked messages, attributed to NATO chief Mark Rutte, praised Trump’s foreign policy actions and expressed willingness to help promote his efforts on global platforms. In the message, Rutte said he would highlight Trump’s work in Gaza, Ukraine, and Syria at the World Economic Forum and added that he was “committed to finding a way forward on Greenland.”
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Trump also shared a message from French President Emmanuel Macron, who requested a meeting and dinner in Paris while expressing confusion and concern over Trump’s threats regarding Greenland. Macron suggested convening a G7-linked meeting involving leaders from Ukraine, Denmark, Syria, and Russia, alongside bilateral talks with Trump.
The White House did not comment on the release of the messages, and Trump did not share any replies he may have sent.
The disclosures come amid Trump’s renewed threats to impose sweeping tariffs on European nations, including France, Denmark, Germany, and others, unless the United States is allowed to acquire Greenland. Trump has linked the dispute to his frustration over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and has suggested he is no longer focused “purely on peace.”
Football executive, David Beckham has said “you have to let your children make mistakes” in a new interview about social media, hours after his son Brooklyn posted shocking allegations against his family on social media.
Speaking live on CNBC’s financial program Squawk Box today, Jan. 20, David, 50, said: “I have always spoken about social media and the power of social media . . . For the good and for the bad
“What kids can access these days, it can be dangerous. But what I have found personally, especially with my kids as well, use it for the right reasons.
“I’ve been able to use my platform for my following, for UNICEF. And it has been the biggest tool to make people aware of what’s going on around the world for children.
“And I have tried to do the same with my children, to educate them.
“They make mistakes, but children are allowed to make mistakes. That is how they learn. That is what I try to teach my kids, you sometimes have to let them make those mistakes as well.”
Broadcaster Andrew Ross Sorkin asked: “There’s a spotlight on you and headlines constantly. From your own mental health, is the UK easier or the US?”
Without directly acknowledging his son, David replied: “I’m going to have to sit on the fence, I love living in both places. I love my country I love where I grew up but I always wanted to live in America and I love America… I’m lucky that I get to spend a huge amount of time in both places.”
His words came after Brooklyn, 26, took to Instagram with a six-page statement to insist he has no wish to reconcile with his family. He also called the Beckhams out and made it clear that he is standing by his wife Nicola Peltz, 31 (read here).
China’s population has fallen for the fourth year in a row despite efforts by the government to persuade couples to have more children.
Official figures released on Monday revealed that the world’s second-most populous nation shrank in 2025, with the total population to 1.404billion, around three million fewer people than the year before.
A decade after ending China’s longtime one-child policy, the country’s authorities have been pushing a range of ideas and policies to try to encourage more births, tactics that range from cash subsidies to taxing condoms to eliminating a tax on matchmakers and day care centers.
‘China’s one-child policy will be remembered as one of the costliest lessons of misguided public policymaking,’ the Brookings Institution said in a 2016 report shortly after the policy was abolished.
Birth rates have now slumped to their lowest level since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, when Mao Zedong’s Communists seized power.
Just 5.63 births were recorded per 1,000 people in 2025 – the weakest figure on record – and only 7.92million babies were born last year, a dramatic fall of 1.62million, or 17 per cent, compared with 2024.
That drop wiped out a brief and fragile uptick seen the year before, confirming that China’s long-term decline in births remains firmly entrenched after seven consecutive years of falling numbers through 2023.
Once the world’s most populous country, China was taken over by regional rival India in 2023.
Families cite the high cost of living, intense academic pressure, and the expense of raising children in a fiercely competitive society as reasons for delaying or avoiding parenthood.
As one expert put it: ‘It’s these big structural issues which are much harder to tackle, whether it’s housing, and work and getting a job and getting started in life and expectations around education… It’s gonna be difficult to make a major change in those number of births until those are addressed.’
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham has said he does not want to reconcile with his famous parents, former football star David Beckham and fashion designer Victoria Beckham, confirming a long-rumoured breakdown in their relationship.
In a statement shared on Instagram on Monday, Peltz Beckham accused his parents of trying to “ruin” his marriage to American actress and billionaire heiress Nicola Peltz, the daughter of businessman Nelson Peltz and former model Claudia Heffner Peltz.
“For my entire life, my parents have controlled narratives in the press about our family,” Peltz Beckham wrote, adding that his parents have been “trying endlessly to ruin” his relationship with his wife since before their wedding in 2022. He adopted the double-barrelled surname Peltz Beckham following the marriage.
“I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life,” he wrote to his 16.3 million followers in a lengthy statement posted across six Instagram stories.
Rumours of a feud between the Beckhams and their eldest son have circulated for years, with tabloids frequently publishing headlines about the alleged dispute.
In his statement, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham pointed to several incidents that he said contributed to the rift.
“My mum cancelled making Nicola’s dress in the eleventh hour despite how excited she was to wear her design, forcing her to urgently find a new dress,” he wrote.
Nicola Peltz eventually wore a Valentino haute couture gown with a square neckline and a dramatic train. Her stylist later described the process as the “ultimate couture experience,” which required several trips to the fashion house’s headquarters in Rome.
Victoria Beckham launched her fashion brand in 2008 and has since showcased collections at London, New York and Paris Fashion Weeks.
Peltz Beckham also claimed that his mother “went so far as to call me ‘evil’” after he and Nicola chose to seat his nanny and Nicola’s grandmother at their wedding table because both women had lost their husbands.
He further alleged that his mother “hijacked” his first dance with his wife.
“I was called to the stage where my first dance with my wife was supposed to happen,” he wrote. “Instead my mum was waiting to dance with me.”
“My wife has been consistently disrespected by my family, no matter how hard we’ve tried to come together as one,” he added.
Despite the tensions, Peltz Beckham said he and his wife travelled to London for his father’s birthday but were left waiting in their hotel room for days while trying to arrange time together. He claimed his father “refused” to see him unless it was at a large birthday party “with a hundred guests and cameras at every corner.”
“When he finally agreed to see me, it was under the condition that Nicola wasn’t invited,” he wrote. “Later, when my family travelled to LA, they refused to see me at all.”
Addressing speculation that his wife controls him, Peltz Beckham rejected the claim, saying, “The narrative that my wife controls me is completely backwards. I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life.”
“I grew up with overwhelming anxiety,” he added. “For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared.”
