THE WAY KWACHA IS APPRECIATING EVERYDAY IS NOT GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY – LAWYER FRED NAMAKANDO M’MEMBE SAYS
He wrote below:
ZAMBIAN KWACHA GAINS
We take note of the continued appreciation of the Kwacha, which is a welcome news for Zambia. However, it is true that too strong a Kwacha is not good and two weak a Kwacha is not good either.
So where do we stand? The economy has two segments, exporters and importers. Exporters lose out in Kwacha terms when the Kwacha becomes too strong, whilst importers gain when the Kwacha becomes too strong. The opposite is also true. Therefore, we need to surgically analyse our economy and ensure that a balance is struck, which benefits both exporters and importers. This balance is critical to ensure both exporters and importers are in equilibrium with regard to the exchange rate..
The critical path for exporters whose revenue is in Dollars and costs are in Kwacha is that Kwacha gain should not significantly erode their profit margin.
As regards imports, the Kwacha gain is welcome because it reduces the cost of imports. However, this same gain can undermine locally manufactured goods once it becomes cheaper to import than produce locally. It’s worth noting that the cost of production in Zambia is sub optimal. If not well managed factories can close and instead import cheaper goods.
On a final note, we are also curious to understand the key drivers that are driving the gain. If we isolate the high copper price, what else is contributing to this rapid gain. Is there any intervention from the Central Bank, or is it purely economic fundamentals that have shifted positively? It is critical that Zambians clearly understand what economic fundamentals have induced this gain.
Fred M’membe President of the Socialist Party and 2026 People’s Pact Presidential Candidate
Are you this dumb or you are just pretending? Please stop distorting what I say. If you lack comprehension skills, let me know so that I can see how best to help you. I do not mind being criticised. As a matter of fact, I prefer criticism to praise because the former allows me to learn, to grow, to change.
What I do not accept is the tendency to manufacture positions for me and to then proceed to criticise me over something that I never actually said but which is falsely attributed to me. I see many people do this. Some even call me names over a thing they have falsely attributed to me either out of ignorance, their lack of comprehension skills, or a deep seated commitment to misrepresenting my stated position.
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I take the time to read and understand what others say in response to what I put out. What disappoints me most is the failure to read and understand what has been said before responding, the lack of intellectual curiosity among many of us that would allow one to see beyond the obvious, and the tendency to misattribute things to me. Just because you don’t understand a thing does not mean the said thing is untrue. Often times, I just pity such people, ignore them, and move on. It remains my conviction that what is said about us is not as important as what we know about ourselves, how we respond to what has been said, and the weight that we attach to that sentiment.
Please get me right: criticise me. I do not mind at all. I live criticism. I just ask that you criticise me for what I actually said, not what you think I said. If you do not clearly understand what I have said, ask for clarification. That is why I am here. It is wrong what you lot repeatedly do: distorting what I say and proceeding to attack me over what I never said. Let us take what you have just posted as an example.
“Remember he [Sishuwa] said HH will go mad of her doesn’t see ECL body”.
Using this position falsely attributed to me, you then proceeded to present me as a person who posts things that are not credible. This is, from all points of view, most unfortunate. It is evil because a person who only reads your post will go away thinking I said what you claim I said.
The truth is that this is not what I said. What I said is this:
“If there is substance to occult-linked rumours that Hakainde Hichilema may run mad or die unless he sees the body of Edgar Lungu by 5 September, then the president is, after today’s court developments, slowly running out of time. Lungu died on 5 June.”
Source: x.com/ssishuwa/statu…
Show me where I used the word “will” in the text above. Nowhere. Those accusing me of saying what I did not say are even ignoring the very first word of the post – IF – and replacing ‘may’ with ‘will’. If they are not purposely misunderstanding what I said, then their lack of basic comprehension skills is a pandemic. I should not be blamed for this.
Moreover, the use of the word IF suggested that I did not believe the rumours myself. I even explicitly stated this point on the same day when someone asked: “I do not believe there is a possibility for such a thing to happen because I do not believe in the occult. The one who believes in witchcraft is the one who is affected.”
Source: x.com/ssishuwa/statu…
I note the coordinated effort to delegitimise and discredit me, but please do it by exposing the flaws in my argument or stated point of view. Although I do not hesitate to advance my opinion, I also retain the intellectual integrity of one who is willing to abandon their point of view if its weakness is shown.
I imagine that despite showing you that what you posted or attributed to me is false, you won’t have the decency to admit your wrong and say sorry as part of promoting the culture of informed public debate. I can only make one request: Please stop distorting what I say. Just stop!
How Michel Kuka Mboladinga brought Patrice Lumumba back to life at AFCON 2025 after 65 years
During the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco, amid the roar of crowds, flags, and drums, one man stood completely still. Michel Kuka Mboladinga, a 53-year-old supporter from the Democratic Republic of Congo, became the tournament’s quietest yet most powerful presence. For every minute of every Leopards match, he remained motionless, right arm raised high in a steady, dignified salute.
This wasn’t a random pose. It was a direct, deeply felt tribute to Patrice Lumumba, the Congo’s first democratically elected Prime Minister and an enduring symbol of African pride, independence, and resistance. Fans quickly nicknamed him “Lumumba Vea” meaning “Lumumba lives because in that frozen stance, he mirrored the famous memorial statue of Lumumba in Kinshasa, where the hero stands forever with arm uplifted, looking toward the future he dreamed of for his people.
To understand why this simple act moved so many, we need to remember who Patrice Lumumba really was and what happened to him.
Born in 1925 in a small village, Lumumba started as a modest postal clerk but taught himself widely and became a brilliant voice for freedom. In 1960, at only 35, he led the Congo to independence after decades of harsh Belgian colonial rule. On Independence Day, June 30, 1960, while others spoke of gratitude, Lumumba spoke the truth: he described the forced labour, the beatings, the daily humiliations, and declared that the Congo would now be truly free, united, and in control of its own destiny.
His honesty frightened those who wanted to keep control. Within weeks, the army mutinied, Belgian troops returned to guard the country’s rich minerals, and the nation began to break apart. Lumumba, trying desperately to save the country, asked for help from the United Nations and even the Soviet Union decisions that alarmed Western powers during the Cold War. They worried he might challenge their influence over Congo’s wealth.
Secret plans were made. The CIA considered ways to eliminate him, Belgium supported breakaway regions, and local rivals saw their opportunity. Lumumba was removed from office, placed under house arrest, and later escaped in a bold attempt to rally support. He was recaptured after pausing to make sure his wife Pauline and their child were safe.
In prison, conditions were brutal. From his cell in Thysville barracks, he wrote one of the most moving letters in African history to his wife: “My dear companion… Do not weep for me. I know that my country, which suffers so much, will know how to defend its independence… History will one day have its say… Africa will write its own history, and it will be a history of glory and dignity.”
On January 17, 1961 less than seven months after independence Lumumba and two loyal companions were flown to Katanga province. They were beaten during the journey and, that night, executed by firing squad under Belgian supervision. Their bodies were cut up, dissolved in acid, and burned to destroy every trace. A Belgian officer kept a tooth as a trophy it was only returned to Lumumba’s family in 2022.
His death was meant to end the dream of a truly independent Congo. Instead, it made him Africa’s greatest martyr for dignity, self-determination, and Pan-African unity.
More than sixty years later, in the stands of AFCON 2025, Michel Kuka Mboladinga quietly revived that dream. By holding Lumumba’s pose through full matches even the painful 120 minutes of extra time in the loss to Algeria he gave strength to the players, reminded millions of Congo’s ongoing struggle, and gently taught a new generation about a hero whose story matters more than ever.
When the final whistle blew and elimination was confirmed, Mboladinga finally lowered his arm, tears streaming, and collapsed into the embrace of fellow fans. Even then, he turned down a $2,000-per-match offer to stay in Morocco as an official ambassador. Instead, he chose to return home with the team putting loyalty and pride above personal gain, just as Lumumba had chosen principle over compromise.
In one man’s silent, unbreakable stand, Patrice Lumumba’s spirit stirred again — not in history books, but in a stadium, on screens, and in the hearts of people across Africa. History did speak, and today it speaks through those who still remember and honour him. Long live the Congo. Long live Africa. 🫡
🇺🇸🇿🇦 NEW U.S. ENVOY TO SOUTH AFRICA SWORN IN: BRENT BOZELL III SET TO RESET AND STRENGTHEN BILATERAL TIES
L. Brent Bozell III has officially been sworn in as the United States Ambassador Designate to South Africa, marking a significant moment in relations between Washington and Pretoria.
In a statement, the U.S. Embassy confirmed that it looks forward to working under Bozell’s leadership to advance American priorities while deepening engagement with South Africa. His appointment signals renewed diplomatic focus on building a safer, stronger, and more prosperous United States through constructive international partnerships.
Bozell will formally assume his duties after presenting his credentials to the Government of South Africa, a key diplomatic step that will allow him to begin full engagement with South African leadership, institutions, and civil society.
Who is Brent Bozell III?
Brent Bozell III is a senior American public figure with extensive experience in policy advocacy, political engagement, and international relations. As Ambassador, he will represent the President of the United States and the American government, serving as the chief link between the two nations.
What he can help with in South Africa
As U.S. Ambassador, Bozell is expected to:
Strengthen diplomatic and political relations between the USA and South Africa
Promote trade, investment, and economic cooperation, creating opportunities for jobs and growth
Support security cooperation, including regional stability and countering transnational crime
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Advance collaboration on energy, education, health, and technology
Engage on democracy, governance, and human rights, while respecting South Africa’s sovereignty
Restoring and strengthening USA–South Africa relations
At a time when relations between the two countries have faced tensions and misunderstandings, Bozell’s role will be crucial in rebuilding trust, improving dialogue, and finding common ground. His mission includes ensuring open communication, reducing diplomatic friction, and reinforcing the long-standing partnership between the two nations.
The U.S. Embassy emphasized that continued engagement with South Africa remains a priority, highlighting the country’s strategic importance on the African continent and globally.
📌 All eyes will now be on the presentation of credentials, which will officially mark the start of Bozell’s tenure and a new chapter in U.S.–South Africa relations.
World Cup 2026 Faces Turmoil in the USA as Trump Policies, High Costs Trigger Mass Ticket Cancellations
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, with most matches scheduled in the United States, is now facing unprecedented ticket cancellations, raising serious concerns about the tournament’s future success.
In the USA, analysts and fans are increasingly linking the cancellations to the policy direction under President Donald Trump. Stricter immigration rules, tougher visa processes, heightened border controls, and a more aggressive stance on who is allowed into the country have reportedly discouraged international fans from committing to travel plans.
On top of that, Trump’s economic and trade policies, combined with inflation and a strong dollar, have pushed travel, accommodation, insurance, and match-day costs to extremely high levels. For many ordinary football fans, especially from Africa, Latin America, and Asia, attending the World Cup in the USA is becoming financially impossible.
The fallout is serious. FIFA stands to lose millions in ticket revenue, while US host cities, hotels, airlines, transport services, restaurants, and informal workers could miss out on the massive economic boost they were promised. Local businesses that were counting on an influx of global supporters are now facing uncertainty.
Critics argue that the World Cup is being over-commercialised and over-securitised, turning what should be a global people’s tournament into an elite event for the wealthy. Others warn that if policies are not softened or costs reduced, stadiums could struggle to fill despite the World Cup’s global popularity.
As 2026 approaches, pressure is mounting on FIFA and US authorities to reassure fans that the World Cup will be accessible, welcoming, and truly global — not restricted by politics, fear, or high costs.
TRUMP THROWS ZELENSKYY UNDER THE BUS: President Signals He Won’t Touch Putin, Citing “Good Relationship” as Ukraine Faces Growing Pressure
US President Donald Trump was asked whether he would ever order a mission to capture Russian President Vladimir Putin. His answer was calm but revealing: he said he does not think such a move would be necessary, adding that he has a “good relationship” with Putin.
This response highlights the long-standing personal and political ties between Trump and the Russian leader. During his time in office, Trump repeatedly spoke with admiration about Putin’s “strong leadership,” avoided direct public confrontation with Moscow, and often argued that good relations with Russia were better for global stability than hostility. He believes keeping communication and mutual respect with Putin can reduce the risk of major war between nuclear powers and protect American strategic interests.
Because of this relationship, Trump appears careful not to antagonise the Kremlin. Ordering the arrest or capture of Putin would completely destroy any chance of diplomacy, escalate tensions, and could push the world closer to a direct US-Russia confrontation. In Trump’s view, maintaining a working relationship with Moscow is more valuable than taking dramatic actions that could trigger global instability.
However, this stance has serious consequences for Ukraine and its President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. By signalling that he would not move against Putin and by constantly calling for a “quick deal” to end the war, Trump gives the impression that Kyiv may be pressured to make painful concessions for the sake of peace. Critics say this effectively means throwing Zelenskyy “under the bus” – sacrificing Ukraine’s negotiating power in order to preserve a relationship with the Kremlin.
Zelenskyy has built his leadership around resisting Russian aggression and defending Ukraine’s sovereignty. When Trump downplays accountability for Putin and focuses on protecting his personal and diplomatic ties with the Russian leader, it sends a message that Ukraine’s struggle could become secondary to great-power politics.
In short, Trump’s refusal to contemplate action against Putin, and his emphasis on their “good relationship,” explains why many believe he is sidelining Zelenskyy. For Trump, keeping channels open with Moscow and avoiding direct confrontation appears to matter more than openly backing Kyiv, even if that means leaving Ukraine feeling isolated on the global stage.
EASY WAY OR HARD WAY: President Trump Warns Denmark Over Greenland, Citing Russia and China Threat
President of the United States Donald Trump has once again made it clear that Greenland is a strategic priority for Washington, warning Denmark that the issue will be settled “one way or another.”
Trump argues that Greenland is no longer just a Danish territorial matter but a critical security zone in the Arctic. With melting ice opening new shipping routes and exposing vast reserves of rare minerals, oil, and gas, the region is becoming a global power battleground. Russia is expanding its Arctic military bases, while China is investing heavily in polar routes and infrastructure.
According to Trump, if the United States does not secure a dominant role in Greenland, rival superpowers will move in, bringing their military presence right to America’s doorstep. He says this would make Russia or China direct “neighbours” of the U.S. through the Arctic, something Washington cannot allow.
Trump insists he prefers a peaceful, negotiated solution with Denmark and Greenland’s authorities — an “easy way” based on cooperation, security partnerships, and economic development. This could include:
Stronger U.S. military and NATO presence.
Investment in Greenland’s infrastructure and mining sector.
Greater security guarantees for the island and the wider Arctic region.
However, he also warns that if diplomacy fails, the United States will protect its interests “the hard way,” making it clear that Arctic security is non-negotiable.
He further questions the historical basis of Denmark’s claim, arguing that ancient exploration alone should not determine modern strategic ownership, especially when global security is at stake.
In Trump’s view, NATO must fully grasp the importance of Greenland in the new world order, where Arctic dominance could decide future power balances between the West, Russia, and China.
: “PUTIN FEARS AMERICA, NOT EUROPE” – Warning Over Europe’s Weakness, Migration Crisis, and Global Decline
President of the United States Donald Trump has made a blunt assessment of Europe’s current position in global power politics, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin is not intimidated by European leaders, but by the strength of the United States under firm leadership.
Trump argues that Europe has lost much of its influence because it has become divided, slow in decision-making, and heavily dependent on America for security through NATO. According to him, many European countries no longer invest enough in their own defence, leaving them militarily and strategically weak in the face of threats from Russia and other global rivals.
A major concern he raises is mass migration. Trump says uncontrolled immigration has placed enormous pressure on European societies, changing the character of many cities and communities, straining public services, and creating security and social cohesion challenges. He believes that weak border control and overly lenient asylum policies have made some parts of Europe “unrecognisable” compared to what they were a few decades ago.
In his view, these internal problems have distracted European governments from focusing on national security, economic competitiveness, and cultural stability. As a result, Europe is no longer projecting the kind of strength that would deter adversaries like Russia.
Trump maintains that only a strong and decisive United States can effectively stand up to Moscow, keep NATO credible, and ensure that Western allies are protected. He says Europe must urgently:
Strengthen its borders and immigration systems.
Rebuild its military capabilities.
Reduce dependence on U.S. protection.
Restore economic and political confidence.
Without these changes, Trump warns, Europe risks continuing to fall behind in a world where power is increasingly defined by security, technology, and the ability to defend national interests.
RAMAPHOSA REJECTS “GENOCIDE” CLAIMS, CALLS THEM DANGEROUS LIES – BUT SAYS SOUTH AFRICA WILL NOT ARREST PEOPLE FOR OPINIONS, ONLY FOR CRIMES.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly dismissed claims that any group in South Africa is facing “genocide”, calling such statements false, misleading and harmful to the country’s unity and international image.
He has made it clear that South Africa is a constitutional democracy where all races are protected by law, and that crime affects everyone, not one group targeted by the state. According to Ramaphosa, these genocide stories are being used to spread fear, divide communities, and damage the country’s reputation globally, especially among investors and tourists.
However, the President has also emphasised that South Africa is not a dictatorship. He has not said that people will be arrested simply for talking, criticising government, or expressing opinions. Freedom of speech is protected by the Constitution. Arrests can only happen when someone breaks the law – for example by inciting violence, spreading hatred that leads to attacks, or committing actual criminal acts.
Ramaphosa’s message is that: • There is no government policy of racial persecution. • There is no genocide happening in South Africa. • Crime is a serious national problem, but it is not racially driven by the state. • Lies and exaggerated narratives weaken the country and fuel division. • The courts, not politicians, decide who gets arrested.
He has urged South Africans to stop spreading panic and foreign propaganda, and instead focus on solving real problems: crime, unemployment, corruption, inequality and economic growth.
The President says unity, facts and calm dialogue are needed, not rumours that can tear the nation apart and create fear where there should be cooperation.
RAMAPHOSA IS FACING REMOVAL AS PRESIDENT: WHY FORCING HIM OUT BEFORE ELECTIONS WILL DAMAGE THE ANC, CREATE INSTABILITY, AND DEEPEN SOUTH AFRICA’S CRISIS
There is growing talk inside and outside the ANC about removing President Cyril Ramaphosa before the next national elections. While frustration with the current leadership is understandable, the reality is that removing him now will not solve South Africa’s problems – it may actually make them worse.
Firstly, the ANC currently has no clear, credible, and unifying replacement for Ramaphosa. The party is deeply divided into factions. Any attempt to remove him before elections will trigger an internal war for power, weaken government, collapse investor confidence, and paralyse service delivery. Instead of focusing on jobs, electricity, crime, and the economy, the country will be dragged into leadership battles.
Secondly, Ramaphosa is under pressure because of:
The Phala Phala scandal and questions around accountability.
The collapse of public services and the energy crisis.
Growing public anger over corruption and unemployment.
Declining support for the ANC in opinion polls.
These issues are real, but they must be resolved through constitutional and democratic processes, not political shortcuts driven by factional interests.
Thirdly, removing a sitting president before elections sends a dangerous message of instability to the world. Investors, trading partners, and ordinary citizens lose confidence when leadership changes are done through internal party fights instead of the ballot box. This weakens the rand, slows economic growth, and costs jobs.
What South Africans and ANC members need to do now:
Put the country first, not factional agendas.
Allow the democratic process to take its course.
Prepare for elections, where the people will decide.
Focus on unity, rebuilding the economy, and restoring trust.
The elections are the rightful platform for change. That is where leadership must be judged and renewed. Creating confusion now by forcing out Ramaphosa will only deepen instability and delay recovery.
South Africa needs calm, unity, and a clear path forward – not another internal political earthquake.
MWEETWA LABELS ZULU, MUNDUBILE AND MWAMBA “BA CHIMBWI”, UNFIT TO GOVERN
Information Minister Cornelius Mweetwa ignited national political debate in Choma after publicly branding Makebi Zulu, Brian Mundubile and Emmanuel Mwamba as “ba Chimbwi”, Tonga for hyenas, and declaring that such figures must never be allowed to govern Zambia again.
Speaking moments after President Hakainde Hichilema addressed the rally, Mweetwa abandoned coded political language and chose direct confrontation. He told the crowd that while the President had referred to “hyenas” in general terms, he would go further by naming the individuals he said symbolised corruption and abuse of public office under the former Patriotic Front administration.
“Mr President, you spoke about ba Chimbwi but you did not give them names,” Mweetwa said. “I will name them because I know them and I know who you were talking about.” He then named Zulu, Mundubile and Mwamba, drawing loud reactions from the crowd.
Mweetwa accused the trio of presiding over a period marked by the diversion of public resources meant for development. He contrasted that era with what he described as tangible progress under the current administration, citing the increase in Constituency Development Fund allocations to Chasefu from K1.6 million under PF to K156 million today.
Independent MP Misheck Nyambose reinforced the message with a vivid analogy, asking whether any farmer would allow a hyena to guard goats simply because it claimed to have changed its habits. His remarks framed the election choice as one of memory and judgment, rather than rhetoric.
The comments have divided opinion across the country. Supporters argue the blunt language reflects public frustration and long-standing grievances, while critics say it risks deepening political polarisation. Regardless, the remarks signal a deliberate strategy by the ruling party to personalise accountability as the 2026 elections approach.
PF AT A CROSSROADS: UNITY, LEGITIMACY AND THE COST OF WAITING
By Brian Matambo | Lusaka, Zambia
Yesterday’s Emmanuel Mwamba Verified Show (9 January 2026) host, Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba, who is also a Patriotic Front Member of the Central Committee and Chairperson for Publicity and Communication, offered one of the clearest windows yet into the internal condition of the Patriotic Front and, by extension, the state of Zambia’s opposition politics. What unfolded was a candid and at times uncomfortable examination of a party that remains nationally significant yet increasingly paralysed by indecision, overlapping authority, and shrinking political time.
The central question running through the programme was not whether the Patriotic Front still matters. By every measure of structure, reach and residual loyalty, it does. The question, instead, was whether PF can still act like a party preparing for power rather than one trapped in an extended post-defeat transition.
Callers from across Zambia and the diaspora repeatedly returned to the same concern: leadership uncertainty is now PF’s single greatest liability. The party has not failed for lack of organisational presence or national footprint, but for its inability to settle the most basic issue ahead of an election year, who leads the party and under what authority.
That anxiety was expressed most sharply in the critique that the party is attempting to manage a leadership process in which authority and ambition are concentrated in the same hands. One caller framed it bluntly: “You can never be a player and a referee at the same time.” The concern was not legalistic but political. Even where the constitution may allow such an arrangement, perception, fairness and internal confidence are already under strain. In a fragile political environment, legitimacy is shaped as much by trust as by procedure.
Trust emerged as a recurring theme, particularly in relation to the period following the death of former President Edgar Lungu. While contributors differed on whether understandings existed regarding succession and party stewardship, the debate itself revealed a deeper problem: PF has not clearly resolved how authority was meant to transition in practice. That unresolved space has allowed suspicion to take root, turning internal disagreement into public uncertainty.
Equally prominent was the pressure of time. January, callers warned, is already slipping away. Nomination deadlines are fixed, campaign calendars unforgiving. One caller summed up the concern succinctly: “Time is not with us.” The longer leadership questions remain unsettled, the greater the risk that PF enters the election season divided, distracted or legally constrained.
Beyond strategy and procedure, the programme captured a growing emotional fatigue among supporters. One caller admitted feeling lost, uncertain where to place political hope. Another warned that continued confusion only benefits the ruling party, because disarray in the opposition is itself a political advantage. These were not hostile voices, but supporters expressing anxiety that the party is failing to read the urgency of the moment.
The discussion also exposed a widening gap between internal party processes and voter expectations. Several callers argued that the growing number of presidential aspirants has slowed decision-making and complicated consensus. Some insisted that the political ground already recognises a limited number of viable contenders, and that leadership must listen to that reality rather than assume time remains for prolonged internal negotiation. As one caller put it, the party risks “holding the people at ransom” if it prioritises internal comfort over electoral readiness.
At the same time, the programme resisted simplistic shortcuts. Contributors challenged the idea that age, region or factional arithmetic alone could deliver victory. Zambia’s electoral history, they argued, does not reward demographic formulas, but clarity of message, organisational seriousness and visible readiness to govern.
Throughout the broadcast, Ambassador Mwamba maintained a consistent line: PF’s strength lies in its national footprint, but that strength is being steadily eroded by hesitation and internal contestation. Disciplinary threats and expulsions, he cautioned, would only deepen fractures at a moment when restraint and unity are strategic necessities, not rhetorical choices.
The programme did not resolve PF’s leadership question, nor was it intended to. What it did was strip away the illusion that delay carries no cost. The Patriotic Front is approaching a point where indecision itself becomes a decision, one that may shape the outcome of 2026 as decisively as any campaign message.
In that sense, the broadcast functioned less as a political performance and more as an audit. It confronted the reality that PF cannot indefinitely rely on its history, its structures or its inherited loyalty. In an election year, relevance is no longer measured by legacy, but by readiness.
PF condemns Hichilema for posting tribute to fallen Zambian soldier
ONE of the Patriotic Front (PF) factions is not impressed with the commander in chief of Zambia’s armed forces, President Hakainde Hichilema, over his tribute to a Zambian peacekeeper who recently died.
Yesterday, President Hichilema joined the nation in mourning the death of one of his troops, staff sergeant Alick Banda of the Zambia Army, who died from illness while serving under the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic.
In a message posted on his official Facebook page, President Hichilema wrote that the late soldier had made the “ultimate sacrifice” and carried Zambia’s name with honour, adding that the country would remember him.
However, PF faction deputy secretary general in charge of administration Celestine Mukandila later took a screenshot of the presidential post and shared it on his own Facebook page, where he launched a scathing attack on the Head of State.
“Whoever is managing this page Hakainde Hichilema is very insensitive and very disrespectful. I hope you understand what you are doing?” Mukandila wrote.
But instead of rallying support, Mukandila’s post triggered a backlash from his own followers, many of whom questioned his criticism and defended the President’s message.
One follower challenged him to explain his position, saying:“Sir kindly point out where the issue is so we can understand you.”
Another said they had spent hours trying to see what was wrong with the message that was posted in the President’s page.
“I have spent the whole night trying to force my eyes see what you saw wrong. I only saw where he wrote, ‘Zambia will remember’. I think the president has just forgotten to put the word ‘you’. So it was supposed to be ‘Zambia will remember you’. That’s the only mistake I have spotted in the whole write up. I don’t know how disrespectful this phrase is,” a user commented.
Yet another user openly questioned Mukandila’s stance, asking “I don’t get the insensitive part counsel, the page should not have posted about the fallen soldier or how?”
Mukandila did not clarify what exactly he found insensitive in the President’s message, while the comment section remained flooded with users accusing the PF official of politicising the death of a soldier who died in the line of duty while serving the nation.
Staff sergeant Banda died on December 29 and his body was recently repatriated to this country, ahead of burial.
🇿🇲 ANALYSIS | Mundubile’s Exit From the PF Conclave: What is Said, and What is Carefully Avoided
Brian Mundubile’s has withdrawn from the Patriotic Front conclave, framing his decision as a principled stand against bad faith. “A conclave such as the one underway must be based on the highest exhibition of good faith, trust and confidence,” he wrote last night, before announcing that he could no longer participate in a process he believed had been “soiled.”
On the surface, his move reads as an objection to procedure. Beneath it lies a more complex political calculation.
What Mundubile says is important. He acknowledges that the Expanded Council of Elders acted with “noble and well-intentioned” motives. He affirms loyalty to the PF constitution and insists that a general conference before the end of January 2026 remains the proper path. He positions himself as reasonable, conciliatory, and constitutional.
This framing matters. It casts him not as a rebel, but as a victim of internal manipulation. What he does not say is equally telling.
Mundubile does not deny sustained engagement with the Tonse Alliance, even as that alliance this week formally ejected the PF as an anchor party and retained only Lungu loyalists under a redefined political movement. He does not address growing reports that his political future may lie outside the PF’s formal structures. Silence, in this context, functions as strategic ambiguity.
The timing sharpens the ANALYSIS | Mundubile’s Exit From the PF Conclave: What is Said, and What is Carefully Avoided. Just days before Mundubile’s statement, Tonse Alliance leadership moved to sever institutional ties with the Patriotic Front, citing paralysis, court battles, and factionalism. In the same week, the alliance reportedly barred the use of Edgar Lungu regalia and imagery in Chawama and Kasama by-elections. That decision directly weakens PF symbolism while protecting Tonse’s repositioning.
Mundubile’s withdrawal lands squarely in that window.
The legal reality also looms. Even if the PF were to miraculously unite behind a single leader, the party’s operational control remains entangled in court processes. The Chabinga faction holds the formal instruments of the party. Mundubile understands this. His statement’s emphasis on being “listed for purported discipline and eventual expulsion” reads less like surprise and more like preparation. Victimhood, once established, becomes political currency.
By stepping away from the conclave rather than being expelled from the party, Mundubile preserves dual legitimacy. Inside the PF base, he can claim persecution and bad faith. Outside it, particularly among Lungu-aligned networks now embedded within Tonse Alliance structures, he carries sympathy capital without the stigma of open defection. The language of “availability to participate in any credible process” keeps every door open.
His invocation of Tonse Alliance is also precise. He references the meeting that provisionally removed PF as anchor party not as betrayal, but as a legitimate political engagement. That framing aligns him subtly with the alliance’s reformist narrative while avoiding an explicit break with PF identity. It is politics by footnote rather than declaration. None of this negates the factual dysfunction inside the Patriotic Front.
Mundubile’s account of disciplinary threats during a unity process reinforces a pattern seen repeatedly since 2021. The party has struggled to separate reconciliation from retribution. Processes meant to unify often become arenas for score-settling. In that sense, his critique stands on observable ground.
However, neutrality requires acknowledging agency. Mundubile is not a passive casualty of PF chaos. He is an experienced political actor reading a narrowing field. Aligning too early with a new platform risks alienating core PF supporters. Leaving too late risks being trapped in a party without legal or organisational capacity. His current posture manages that tension.
The broader picture is one of accelerated fragmentation. The PF is losing not just time, but narrative control. Tonse Alliance is moving to rebrand without it. Courts continue to define who holds the keys. By-elections are being fought with new rules of symbolism. In that environment, Mundubile’s statement is less an endpoint than a staging post.
What remains clear is that the conclave is not failiing because of one withdrawal. It is failing because the conditions for trust have never existed. Mundubile’s exit has simply made this visible.
Whether he ultimately contests on a PF ticket, an alliance platform, or another vehicle altogether, his statement has already done its work: it places him on the record as aggrieved rather than rejected, principled rather than sidelined.
MWILA SAYS OPPOSITION RISKS BEING OVERTAKEN AS POLITICAL CLIMATE SHIFTS
Aspiring Lusaka Mayor Simon Mulenga Mwila has warned that the opposition risks being overtaken by events if it fails to adapt to a changing political and economic environment, arguing that time is no longer on its side.
Mr. Mwila observed that while opposition parties continued to be consumed by internal divisions, President Hakainde Hichilema had “managed to change the tone of the national conversation,” pointing to improvements in power supply and a strengthening Kwacha as key developments.
He said, “Load shedding, once a daily source of anger and political mobilisation, has been largely stabilised,” adding that “the lights are back in many homes and businesses.”
He noted that these developments were significant because, in his view, “politics is not won on press statements alone, it is won on lived reality.”
Mr. Mwila explained that as electricity supply improved and economic indicators showed signs of stability, “excuses shrink and expectations rise,” placing new pressure on the opposition to respond with seriousness.
However, he criticised the continued political theatrics, citing events at the Cathedral following the summoning of Archbishop Alick Banda by the Drug Enforcement Commission.
Mr. Mwila said that although the public display by politicians appeared dignified, “many Zambians saw it for what it was: an opportunity to score political mileage disguised as solidarity.”
https://youtu.be/oyyyrt4egKQ?si=k2uZWdzeAIrg2j-g
He added that “the smiles looked rehearsed and the hugs felt strategic.”
Mr. Mwila further argued that the public gestures masked deep divisions among opposition leaders, noting that “the egos remain intact, the mistrust remains unresolved, and the exaggerated belief in individual political muscle remains unchecked.”
He stressed that the public was aware of these contradictions, saying, “And the public knows it.”
Calling for genuine change, Mr. Mwila said he wished the unity displayed in public could be real, stating that opposition leaders needed to accept “a simple truth: there can only be one President at a time.”
He added that leadership required “patience, compromise, and sometimes the courage to support another rather than sabotage them.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Mwila warned that Zambians were “tired of unity that lasts only as long as the cameras are rolling,” and cautioned that if opposition leaders failed to turn “fake smiles into genuine unity,” they risked being overtaken by events.
He emphasised that “time does not wait,” adding that voters were closely watching developments on the political stage.
🇿🇲 FACTS 1ST | Yuan Mining Taxes, the Kwacha, and a Misread of Monetary Reality
Zambia’s decision to allow mining tax payments in Chinese yuan has triggered sharp political reactions, particularly from opposition figures who argue that the move weakens the kwacha and strengthens China’s currency. One of the loudest claims came from Miles Sampa, who wrote: “Quoting or receiving Chinese Yuan payments for our high price Copper is not a wise decision… We will come make payment for our Copper ONLY in Kwacha. It will then appreciate to 1:1 with the Yuan & to K9 per US Dollar.”
Sampa’s statement has gained traction online. It is also economically inaccurate.
First, the facts. Zambia has not replaced the kwacha as its unit of account. The policy allows a portion of mining tax obligations to be settled in yuan, reflecting the currency in which some mining firms earn revenues and settle transactions. This is a settlement mechanism, not currency substitution. The kwacha remains legal tender, the tax base remains domestic, and the central bank retains full control of monetary policy.
Second, the claim that paying taxes in yuan “strengthens the yuan” misunderstands how currencies gain or lose value. Currency strength is driven by trade balances, capital flows, interest rates, reserves, and confidence, not by isolated tax settlement arrangements in one country. China’s yuan is influenced by the scale of its economy and global trade, not Zambia’s mining taxes. Zambia, on the other hand, benefits by reducing dollar demand, diversifying inflows, and easing pressure on foreign exchange markets.
Third, the suggestion that forcing all payments into kwacha would automatically push the exchange rate to “1:1 with the yuan” or “K9 per dollar” has no grounding in macroeconomics. Exchange rates do not move by decree. They respond to productivity, exports, reserves, fiscal discipline, and credibility. Even the strongest currencies in the world do not achieve parity through administrative instruction.
Fourth, Zambia’s current currency stability must be understood in context. Between 2011 and 2021, the country accumulated unsustainable debt, ran persistent fiscal deficits, and relied heavily on external commercial borrowing. That period ended with default, collapsed investor confidence, and a sharply weakened kwacha. The reforms being implemented now are corrective, not experimental. They are designed to stabilise what was destabilised.
Fifth, allowing yuan-denominated settlements aligns with Zambia’s export structure. China is Zambia’s largest copper buyer. When exporters and tax-paying firms already transact in yuan, permitting tax payments in that currency reduces conversion costs, limits speculative demand for dollars, and improves liquidity management at the central bank. This is standard practice in countries seeking to diversify reserve inflows.
Sixth, the policy does not exclude the kwacha. The Bank of Zambia can convert yuan inflows into kwacha or other reserve currencies as needed. What matters is reserve accumulation and stability, not the symbolic purity of insisting on one currency at every transaction point.
Finally, the reaction from parts of the Patriotic Front reflects a deeper issue: weak economic literacy during its time in office. Decisions taken between 2011 and 2021 left Zambia exposed, indebted, and vulnerable to shocks. The current administration’s policies, including currency diversification and disciplined fiscal management, are responses to that legacy.
The truth is simple. The yuan tax settlement does not weaken Zambia. It reflects pragmatism in a multi-currency global economy. Strong currencies are built through production, exports, confidence, and fiscal discipline.
THIS afternoon, Friday, 9th January 2026, representatives from participating political parties witnessed the arrival of ballot papers for the Chawama Constituency parliamentary by-election.
The ballot papers arrived in Lusaka aboard an Emirates flight at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Officers from the Electoral Commission of Zambia, along with representatives from participating political parties, including the New Congress Party and the United Party for National Development and the media were present to witness the arrival.
Verification of the ballot papers with stakeholders is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Saturday, 10th January, 2026 at 10:00 hours at the ECZ Head Office.
SIMUUWE COMMENDS PRESIDENT HICHILEMA FOR ECONOMIC TURNAROUND IN 2025
Lusaka – United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Director Mark Simuuwe has praised President Hakainde Hichilema for implementing sound policy frameworks that have driven Zambia’s economic recovery and growth in 2025, citing achievements across key sectors of the economy.
MACROECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
Mr. Simuuwe said Zambia’s economic turnaround is reflected in the growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 5.8 percent to 6 percent, positioning the country as the fastest-growing economy in Southern Africa. He attributed this performance to deliberate policy reforms under the New Dawn Administration.
MINING SECTOR
He highlighted the revitalisation of the mining industry as a major driver of growth, pointing to the commissioning of the Sentinel 3 (S3) expansion project at Kansanshi Mine, which is expected to produce 150,000 tonnes of copper annually. Mr. Simuuwe said this development is critical to Zambia’s target of producing three million tonnes of copper by 2031.
He further cited the revamping of Shaft 28 in Luanshya and other mining projects, noting that these initiatives have boosted output, created jobs and restored investor confidence in the sector.
ENERGY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Mr. Simuuwe acknowledged that 2025 was a difficult year due to a severe drought that affected electricity generation and disrupted business operations. However, he said government interventions have stabilised the situation and set the country on a path towards improved energy security.
MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRIALISATION
The UPND Media Director said the revival of the manufacturing sector has repositioned Zambia as a producer rather than an importer. He noted that the country is now manufacturing its own fertiliser, compared to the past when up to 90 percent was imported. He also revealed that Zambia has begun producing batteries, which are now being exported to eight countries.
AGRICULTURE AND MARKET ACCESS
Mr. Simuuwe said President Hichilema has signed market access agreements that have opened international markets for Zambian beef. He added that maize production has shifted to a year-round activity due to the expansion of irrigation farming, enhancing food security and farmer incomes.
SOCIAL SECTORS, EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
He stated that revenue from the revitalised manufacturing and mining sectors is being invested in education, job creation and skills development. This, he said, has enabled the employment of thousands of young people, while many others are benefiting from skills training programmes supported by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) across the country.
GOVERNANCE AND CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
Mr. Simuuwe also defended the enactment of the Constitution Amendment Act No. 13 of 2025, explaining that the reforms will promote fairer parliamentary representation through delimitation and enhance the inclusion of women and persons with disabilities in decision-making processes.
He reaffirmed the UPND’s commitment to sustaining economic growth, inclusive development and improved livelihoods for all Zambians.
💔 Terrible news: Lamisha Musonda has announced on his social media that he has only a few days left to live.
He has been battling a serious illness for two years.
“Life is made up of highs and lows, and no one can truly understand the pain you endure.
These past two years have been particularly difficult and exhausting for me. It is with great sadness that I inform you that I am fighting to regain my health, which explains my absence from social media.
I have had to face the reality: my health is critical and I am now fighting to survive. Your help and your prayers would mean a great deal to me during this time. My family and I are fighting, and I will not give up until my final breath.
As you can see, I was fortunate enough to experience such a beautiful youth… and I still have so much to give. But there are so many wonderful people I would have liked to thank in person. The thought that I may not have the chance to do so saddens me.
IRAN ERUPTS! SECRET STARLINK FOOTAGE SHOWS PROTESTS SWEEP MAJOR CITIES
Dramatic footage emerging from inside Iran is revealing a wave of anti-government protests spreading across the country, despite strict internet controls. Shared via Starlink, the videos show angry crowds taking to the streets in Tehran, Mashhad, Tabriz, Shiraz and several other major cities.
The rare clips capture scenes the Iranian authorities are accused of trying to hide, with demonstrators chanting slogans against the government and defying heavy security presence. Observers say the use of Starlink has allowed protesters to bypass state censorship and show the world what is happening on the ground.
As tensions rise, the images are fuelling speculation about the scale of unrest and the government’s ability to contain it. With multiple cities now affected, the footage suggests the protests are not isolated incidents but part of a wider national backlash, sending shockwaves far beyond Iran’s borders.
Seven men accused of the brutal killing of award-winning rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and his close friend Tebello Motsoane have been quietly moved to one of South Africa’s most feared prisons.
The suspects have reportedly been transferred to Ebhongweni Maximum Correctional Centre, better known as C-Max, in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, a facility reserved for the country’s most dangerous inmates.
Sources have confirmed that brothers Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande, two of the accused, are expected to return to the Durban Magistrates Court today. Their court appearance may take place behind closed doors, sparking further intrigue around the high-profile case.
Authorities have not explained the reason for the sudden transfer, but C-Max is notorious for housing hardened criminals and high-risk detainees.
Inmates at the prison include suspects linked to the Lusikisiki massacre and controversial figures such as Cartel kingpin Vusi “Cat” Matlala. The move has fuelled speculation about serious security concerns surrounding the accused as the case continues to grip the nation.
American billionaire businessman Bill Gates, has paid $8 billion to his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates’ charity, five years after their split over his affairs with other women.
Gates made the $7.88 billion donation to Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation in 2024, The New York Times revealed.
The sum, one of the largest public donations ever recorded, was revealed in a new tax filing, which shows the first specific financial terms of the couple’s high-profile split in 2021.
Melinda resigned from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in May 2024. Despite leaving the charity, she suggested her ex donate $12.5 billion to a new charitable foundation she intended to create.
A representative for Pivotal told the Times the $12.5 billion agreement has been fulfilled, and the nearly $8 billion donation was part of that agreement.
Melinda set up her Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation in 2022, the year after the divorce. At the end of 2023, it had $604 million on hand.
The billionaire pair split after 27 years together in 2021, embarking on what is considered the most expensive divorce settlement in the world. Melinda later received approximately $76 billion in assets.
Months later, details of Gates’ affair with a Microsoft employee were exposed.
The woman penned a letter to the company’s board in 2019, divulging details about the fling which began in 2000 and demanded that his wife, Melinda “read it”.
Microsoft’s board investigated the women’s claims and deemed the relationship “inappropriate”, the Wall Street Journal reported at the time.
Gates suddenly quit the board in March 2020 while the investigation was still in progress – and before the board could make a formal decision on the matter.
Two further bombshell reports were then revealed, alleging Gates had routinely hit on staffers at Microsoft and at the philanthropic foundation he founded alongside his wife.
A separate shocking report claimed that Gates had sought marriage advice from Jeffrey Epstein, with whom he reportedly shared a “close” relationship, having first met the convicted sex offender in 2011.
Gates’ and Epstein’s friendship first came to light in 2019, months after Epstein killed himself in his Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on charges of child sex trafficking.
The two men reportedly spent time together on multiple occasions, flying on Epstein’s private jet – dubbed the “Lolita Express” – and attending late-night gatherings at his Manhattan home.
Authorities in the UK Crown Dependency of Jersey will repatriate more than $9.5 million (£7 million) in funds linked to corruption to the Nigerian government.
The funds, described as proceeds of “tainted property”, are believed to have been stolen by the late former military head of state, Sani Abacha, who ruled Nigeria between 1993 and 1998.
The money was held in a bank account on the island of Jersey and had been the subject of prolonged legal proceedings.
The sum was recovered under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan but legal proceedings stalled the return to Nigeria.
Mark Temple, attorney-general of Jersey, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nigeria in December to facilitate the return of the funds, which were held in a bank account on the island.
The BBC reports that the agreement builds on two earlier arrangements between Jersey and Nigeria that led to the repatriation of over $300 million (£230 million) in recovered assets.
In a ruling delivered in January 2024, the Royal Court in Jersey held that the funds were “more likely than not” proceeds of corruption, finding that third-party contractors diverted public funds “for the benefit of senior Nigerian officials and their associates”.
Lateef Fagbemi, Nigeria’s attorney-general and minister of justice, said the recovered assets would be utilised strictly in line with the terms of the MoU.
“The successful recovery and repatriation of the forfeited assets underscores the effectiveness of Nigeria’s collaborative efforts with its international partners in ensuring that there is no safe haven for illicitly acquired wealth or assets moved to foreign jurisdictions,” Fagbemi said.
He added that the funds would be channelled towards the final stages of a major highway project that serves as a “vital link” between Abuja and Nigeria’s second-largest city.
Temple said the repatriation demonstrates the effectiveness of Jersey’s legal framework in tackling corruption.
“The return demonstrates the strength of our civil forfeiture legislation as a powerful tool in the fight against corruption,” he said
A Pennsylvania man who had about 100 sets of human remains in his possession is charged with stealing from a graveyard near Philadelphia, police say.
Jonathan Gerlach, 34, was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania, Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said in a statement.
On Tuesday, Jan. 6, around 8 p.m., Yeadon Police Department Detective Leah Cesanek and Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Detective Chris Karr were surveilling the Mt. Moriah Cemetery. While there, the pair discovered “numerous bones and skulls” in “plain view” in the backseat of Gerlach’s car.
“Gerlach was then seen exiting the cemetery holding a burlap bag, crow bar and other assorted items,” Rouse alleged in the statement.
Gerlach was then taken into custody, and police say he admitted to stealing approximately 30 sets of human remains.
According to Rouse, authorities then executed a search of Gerlach’s Ephrata, Pennsylvania, home, where they allegedly found hundreds of skeletal remains.
Officers also uncovered numerous other long bones, mummified hands and feet, decomposing torsos and skeletal items at the home of Jonathan Gerlach, 34, and a storage unit he owned.
“They were in various states. Some of them were hanging, as it were. Some of them were pieced together, some were just skulls on a shelf,” Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said.
“Detectives walked into a horror movie come to life the other night. This is an unbelievable scene,” Rouse said, according to the news release.
Rouse further alleged that some of the human remains were those of children, including remains belonging to months-old infants, according to ABC 6. He also claimed that some of the remains were 200 years old, while others were “much newer.”
Rouse alleged that the detectives recovered “an awful lot of bones,” and are still working “to piece together who they are, where they are from, and how many we are looking at,” per the outlet. “It’s going to be quite some time before we have a final answer.”
It follows an investigation into break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery, Yeadon, in a suburb of Philadelphia.
Police allege that Gerlach targeted mausoleums and underground vaults at the 160-acre site, which is home to an estimated 150,000 graves.
Authorities said they also recovered jewellery believed to be linked to the graves. In one case, a pacemaker was still attached.
It is unclear what Gerlach is alleged to have been doing with the remains, Mr Rouse added, noting that some of them were hundreds of years old.
On Thursday, Jan. 8, Gerlach was subsequently charged with 496 counts, including 100 counts of abuse of corpse, 100 counts of theft by unlawful taking and 100 counts of receiving stolen property.
The remaining 196 counts include 26 counts of burglary, 26 counts of criminal trespass, 26 counts of intentional desecration of a public monument, 26 counts of intentional desecration of a venerated object, 26 counts of intentional desecration of historical lots and burial places, and 26 counts of criminal mischief.
Gerlach also faces 7 counts of “defiant trespasser — fenced/enclosed,” and 7 counts of “defiant trespasser — posted.”
President Donald Trump called up Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in a fury to shout at her over the war powers vote on Venezuela earlier this week, The Hill reported on Friday.
“According to two sources familiar, a fuming Trump dialed up Collins, the foremost Senate GOP centrist, during the vote aimed at blocking the White House from using military force against Venezuela,” reported Al Weaver. One of her GOP colleagues told The Hill, “he called her and then basically read her the riot act” in a “profanity-laced” shouting session. Trump reportedly told her he is undermining his authority over the military and national security.
“He was very mad about the vote,” said another source. “Very mad. Very hot.”
Collins is notorious as a Republican who sometimes defies Trump on key votes, including his tax cut megabill last year, although many voters have never forgiven her for helping Trump get Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh confirmed amid accusations he committed sexual assault in his college years.
Nonetheless, Collins, who was one of five Senate Republicans to back the resolution, has enraged Trump. He publicly condemned her and the other four Republicans on his Truth Social platform, writing, “Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again.”
Defeating Collins, who represents the bluest Senate seat to be held by a Republican, is a requirement for Democrats to have any shot at winning a majority in the midterms, a tall order as they will also have to win the open seat in North Carolina and at least one of the GOP-leaning seats in Texas, Ohio, Iowa, or Alaska, while holding every seat currently in Democratic control.
The two principal Democratic candidates for Senate in Maine are Janet Mills, the incumbent governor, and Graham Platner, a harbormaster and oyster farmer running a progressive outsider campaign.
“WE’D RATHER DIE STANDING!” Iran Roars Defiance at US and Israel as Tensions Boil Over
Iran has doubled down on its defiance as Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi delivered a fiery warning to Washington and Tel Aviv, declaring that the Iranian people will never submit to foreign pressure. In stark language fit for a battlefield, Araqchi vowed that Iran would choose an “honourable death” over living in humiliation.
His comments come as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei unleashed fresh attacks on Donald Trump, accusing the US of interference and stoking unrest, while protests continue to simmer on the streets of Tehran. Iranian officials claim the chaos is being fuelled from abroad.
The rhetoric is vintage Tehran: resistance, sacrifice and outright rejection of sanctions, threats or any push for regime change. But with Trump reviving his “maximum pressure” campaign and Iran parading new military capabilities, the stakes are rising fast.
🚨🇨🇲💥BREAKING! SAMUEL ETO’O lifts the spirits of the Indomitable Lions in the dressing room with this speech:
“Seeing you sad I have tears in my eyes but I’ll make an effort not to cry. I want to tell you to be proud of yourselves for what you did during this competition. Be proud! You’ll go out soon; there is a lot of emotion, a lot has been happening; we stay dignified as Cameroonians. Don’t make smashing declarations. We stay worthy as Cameroonians. Bravo to you! I hope you remain friends that you are.
Our primary strength is you, is your group. I really hope you remain this group we have seen which made us dream. For me personally, I say a big Thank You! I know millions of Cameroonians are proud of you. They are proud of what you have done. Irrespective of the result today, we saw a team of men. We saw a team of Cameroonians.
Prepare yourselves because here we are done but it’s a new start. Now you’ll be awaited and now we will not do less than what we have shown during this championship. We won’t do less, guys, not less! Be proud of yourselves. It’s a sad moment sure; we all wanted to go a bit further but football is like this. That’s how football is. That’s how it is. We accept, our emotions get down again and we stay worthy. The only thing: stay worthy.
I repeat, no declarations, no declarations! As for the coaches, I conclude with you, thank you! You know the day I called you in my office Mr coach, I told you go as coach. You know what we said. I want to tell you thank you for accepting this difficult but beautiful mission. You accomplished it like the Cameroonians you are. I can only be proud of you.
I know my small person represents nothing in front of the 30 to 35 million Cameroonians who are proud of you… I tell you all thank you for all your contributions. This is our first victory, guys, believe me. The next AFCON , we are coming to win it. Hear me well, boys, and start preparing from today. We will take our revenge.
The next AFCON, we won’t hide. Every match we play we win. You’ve understood? Thank you all! The doctors, the nutritionists, the DGSN, and what more. Thank you! We didn’t see s group with scandal. It’s thanks to you too. Thank you, security! …I end with my collaborator, head of mission, big brother, thank you! Thank you, boys! I leave you now. Be proud of yourselves! We sing our best song in the world, the national anthem…” (Everyone stands and sings)
[Transcribed from French to English by Ade Divine]
Moroccan head Coach Walid Regragui addresses the refereeing controversy:
“Since the start of the competition, some people have tried to make others believe that Morocco benefits from refereeing decisions. That is not true. I never speak about referees, even though penalties were not given to us, including in Côte d’Ivoire.
We win our matches on the pitch. The statistics show we create more chances and deserve our victories. No goal has ever been unfairly disallowed for us. Morocco is the team to beat, and when you are the team to beat, people look for excuses.
https://youtu.be/HOOfpa7uzuQ?si=PyxRXD1pyoTkawMl
Our only advantage is playing at home, in front of 65,000 supporters. Everything else is decided on the field. Today, we deserved our victory. The best team will win, Inshallah.” he said.
“We deserved our win. When you want to kill your dog, you accuse it of rabies. Cameroon didn’t score a goal and the referee denied it. People want to make it seem like we’re favored by the referees. We win our matches on the field.”
A Spanish streamer d!ed on a livestream after allegedly taking drugs on camera for money.
According to reports by Spanish outlets El País and El Periódico, Jiménez, who was known on streaming platforms Kick and Twitch as “Sancho” or “Sssanchopanza” was broadcasting on a private video call, completing extreme challenges that included consuming alcohol and coc@ine in exchange for money.
In a YouTube livestream over the weekend, Jiménez consumed six grams of cocaine on the night of his de@th, El País reported. He also consumed whiskey during his final livestream, per the outlet.
Mossos d’Esquadra, the police force for Catalonia, Spain, has launched an investigation into Jiménez’s death and has ordered an autopsy on his body, according to El País.
https://twitter.com/i/status/2009389687345987867
Jiménez’s death comes just over four months after the de@th of another streamer, French internet personality Jean Pormanove, in August.
Pormanove, 46, was also known online for completing extreme challenges on livestreams, and his death drew public scrutiny and an investigation by French authorities into the streaming platform Kick for allowing creators to share videos that include depictions of physical and verbal abuse.
An autopsy later found that Pormanove’s death “was not traumatic in origin and was not linked to the intervention of a third party,” according to the Nice prosecutor’s office.
Brian Mundubile’s withdrawal from the Patriotic Front conclave has been presented as an act of principle. In truth, it reads more like a calculated attempt to hold the process hostage.
Zambia’s politics has suffered enough from leaders who confuse personal ambition with party survival. At this delicate moment in PF’s history, what is required is maturity, courage, and openness. What Mundubile has offered instead is strategic sulking disguised as constitutional loyalty.
His statement is carefully written to offend no one while unsettling everyone. He praises the elders yet undermines their process. He condemns misconduct yet refuses to name those responsible. He claims commitment to unity while walking away from the very platform designed to restore it. This is not leadership. It is political hedging.
If Mundubile truly believes the conclave has been corrupted, then honesty demands that he says by whom and how. Zambians are tired of leaders who speak in shadows. Vague references to “some underhand methods” only protect wrongdoing and weaken accountability. Silence in the face of alleged injustice is not dignity. It is complicity.
More troubling is the political intention behind the withdrawal. Mundubile knows that a conclave without him appears incomplete. He knows his absence creates uncertainty. He knows others will now be forced to negotiate around him. That is not sacrifice. That is leverage.
In Zambia, we must stop celebrating this behaviour as clever politics. It is precisely this style of leadership that has kept political parties in permanent conflict and citizens in permanent disappointment. Mature leaders do not walk away to be begged back. They stay, confront, argue, persuade, and build.
Mundubile wants to be seen as a constitutionalist, yet he destabilises the very process meant to enforce constitutional order. He wants to be seen as a unifier, yet he weakens unity at its most fragile moment. He wants to be seen as principled, yet his actions serve his positioning more than the party’s healing.
PF does not need hostages. It needs adults.
If Mundubile believes he is wronged, he must fight his case openly within the process. If he believes the conclave is compromised, he must expose the compromise with evidence. If he believes he is essential to PF’s future, he must prove it by leadership, not by absence.
Zambia is watching. PF members are watching. And history will not be impressed by political cleverness dressed as restraint.
This is a moment for Brian Mundubile to rise above tactics and step into responsibility. Not as a contender protecting his relevance, but as a leader protecting his party.
Until he does so, his withdrawal will not be remembered as principled. It will be remembered as political hostage-taking at a time when PF could least afford it.
PUBLIC STATEMENT ISSUED BY HON. BRIAN MUNDUBILE, MP
I have lately been an active participant in the announced Conclave which had at its core the quest of resolving the prolonged leadership disputes in the Patriotic Front (PF) which have been characterized by avoidable misunderstandings among some of the candidates and by extension among supporters of the affected candidates.
Having participated in the initial stages, I can certify that the intents and purposes of the Expanded Council of Elders at whose instigation the conclave was initiated are noble and well intentioned. It was for this very reason that I was readily able to set aside the stress and disadvantage to which I was occasioned by the leadership of the PF when people who supported my bid for Presidency were victimized and in extreme cases removed from high Offices of our Central Commitee I had hoped that with this dignified initiative, we would all put our differences and injustices aside in order to come up with a negotiated settlement which would win us respect among the PF membership and inspire confidence in all the stakeholders who have interest in the forthcoming General and Presidential Elections of August 2026.
However, I was surprised to learn that while the conclave was progressing, some underhand methods were still being employed to oust me and my supporters from participating in the PF Conference being considered to elect its new President. More specifically, I learnt that I was being listed for purported discipline and eventual expulsion from the party for participating in a properly convened Tonse Alliance meeting which resolved among other things to provisionally remove PF from its position of Anchor Party until it resolves its leadership problem.
In addition, I also learnt that members of my campaign team were being targeted for disciplinary action simply for putting up Provincial Campaign teams as we are gearing up for the important PF Conference.
These actions being contemplated as they were at the time of the conclave are not only unfortunate but they also save to negatively impact on the intended outcome of the conclave.
It must be borne in mind that a conclave such as the one underway must be based on the highest exhibition of good faith trust and confidence among the participants. Any actions or words targeted at one or more participants only serve to undermine such an important process.
In order to respond to this misfortune, I have consulted all the stakeholders in our campaign for Presidency and based on these consultations I, regret to announce to the public that I have elected to withdraw my participation from this conclave.
This decision is not in anyway to show disrespect to the initiators of this important process for whom I continue to have massive respect and admiration. It has just been considered however, that it is not appropriate to continue participating in a process which has been soiled by those who don’t see the good that is intended to result from the process.
I must hasten to say that as one of the contenders for the PF Presidency, I remain available to participate in any credible process that is intended to ease tensions even as we seek to properly identify front runners in our contemplated elections while always bearing in mind that the Party Constitution is our primary and ultimate guide to how the planned conference will held.
I remain resolved to fully participate in a process of choosing the next President of the PF that is anchored on the fundamental principles enshrined in the party’s constitution and hold the view that this should be done at the party general conference which must be held before the close of January 2026.
THE Patriotic Front has become an unstoppable movement because it is embedded in the hearts of Zambians but should the January 9 and 12, 2026, court ruling be against the former ruling party in two key matters currently before the High Court in Kabwe and Lusaka, the name PF would have to be foregone and an alternative purpose vehicle identified for the 2026 general elections, Given Lubinda has warned.
Mr Lubinda, the PF acting president said the party would be forced to “say goodbye” to the PF name and seek an alternative political vehicle
Mr Lubinda said the future of the former ruling party was hinged on judgements expected on January 9 and 12, relating to the disputes over the legitimacy of a controversial party convention and injunctions that halted the holding of an elective convention.
He expressed confidence that the rulings would go in PF’s favour, but admitted that an adverse outcome would effectively bury the PF name.
“If the judgements do not go our way, then the PF, as a name, will be dead. But the spirit of the PF cannot die because the PF is not just a piece of paper. It is the members. It is a movement that is unstoppable,” he said.
Mr Lubinda blamed the ruling UPND and state institutions for what he described as deliberate interference that has deepened confusion within the opposition party.
He cited Parliament’s refusal to recognise letters from PF officials notifying the National Assembly of leadership changes following the reconciliation of Miles Sampa with the party, including the appointment of Raphael Nakacinda as secretary general and the decision to replace Brian Mundubile as Leader of the Opposition.
He also accused President Hakainde Hichilema of legitimising factional confusion by publicly associating with and recognising Robert Chabinga as Leader of the Opposition, despite internal PF decisions to the contrary.
Mr Lubinda explained that the core legal dispute in the Lusaka High Court centres on whether the October 24, 2023 convention, which produced rival leaders, was held in line with the PF constitution.
He said PF members of Parliament, represented by Stephen Kampyongo, testified that the meeting did not meet constitutional requirements, while key respondents either did not testify or admitted limited knowledge of how the convention was conducted.
Mr Lubinda said an ex parte injunction obtained by Morgan Ng’ona barred the PF from holding a convention or using party structures and materials.
PF has challenged the injunction on the grounds that the applicants allegedly lack locus standi, arguing that earlier court decisions upheld their expulsion from the party.
Mr Lubinda insisted PF structures remain intact nationwide and that members are already mobilising ahead of a possible elective convention. However, he stressed that time is no longer on the party’s side. “If this last hope fails, we will have no option but to find another umbrella to prepare for the 2026 general elections,” he said.
KHAMENEI TO TRUMP: TYRANTS WERE OVERTHROWN AT THEIR PEAK – “THE SAME FATE AWAITS TRUMP”
Iran’s supreme leader broke his silence as nationwide protests spread, openly threatening Trump and comparing him to toppled tyrants of history.
“Trump must know that tyrants such as Pharaoh, Nimrod, Reza Shah, and Mohammad Reza were overthrown at the height of their arrogance. The same fate awaits Trump.”
By bringing Trump into the conversation, Khamenei is framing the unrest as influenced from abroad, which can help justify a stronger crackdown.
This matters because it signals Tehran is shifting from internal crisis mode to external confrontation, using the U.S. as a rallying enemy to deflect from unrest at home.
Naming Trump allows Khamenei to cast the protests as foreign-linked and respond with heavier security.
Geopolitically, the threat raises the risk of miscalculation as Washington warns it will respond if protesters are killed.
With people being shot in the streets, Iran’s domestic crackdown is now flirting with international escalation.
THE GREAT ZAMBIAN ILLUSION: JOBS STOLEN BY POLITICAL OPTICS
As of January 2026, a massive gap exists between the “Strong Kwacha” headlines and the reality of the Zambian worker. While the Kwacha has appreciated to K19.87, making imports look cheap while siphoned funds are externalized at a discount to places like Dubai, the government sits on a mountain of K 85 billion in unpaid debt to local suppliers—the very people who create real jobs for our youth.
Every day that a government invoice remains unpaid past 5 working days, it is more than just a “delay.” It is a violation of the contract between the state and the citizen. It is an act of economic violence that kills self-esteem and forces the “starving 60%” to beg for political handouts. When a supplier is not paid, a worker is fired. When a worker is fired, a family goes hungry. This is not a “fiscal challenge”; it is a crime against the humanity of the Zambian producer.
While the political class celebrates luxury police vehicles and hands out siphoned CDF “grants” to cadres, the productive sector is being choked by ZRA’s “Advance Tax” trap. The state demands its tax on time, with heavy penalties for a 1-day delay, yet it refuses to refund overpaid taxes or pay its own bills for years.
True Inclusive Righteousness demands that the leadership share the pain of the people. If the state cannot pay its suppliers within 5 days, the President and every MP should not receive a salary. If the people are grounded by poverty, the leadership must be grounded in Lusaka. A leader cannot fly across the world seeking “investors” while they are busy bankrupting the investors they already have at home.
The K85 billion is our money. It is our dignity. It is our future. No more “Fifth-Year” scams. No more lofty speeches. We demand payment, we demand refunds, and we demand accountability now. THE 2026 VOTER’S CHECKLIST: A CHARTER FOR DIGNITY Before any candidate for President or Parliament asks for a vote in the 2026 election, demand they sign their commitment to this “Restitution & Dignity” Charter. If they refuse, they are not a representative; they are an exploiter.
1. THE 5-DAY PAYMENT BOND Will the candidate legislate that any verified government invoice must be paid within 5 working days? If not paid, will they support an automatic interest penalty paid directly to the supplier starting on the 6th day?
2. THE LEADERSHIP SALARY FREEZE If the domestic debt to Zambian suppliers (the K85 billion) is not cleared within 5 days of an invoice, does the candidate agree that all salaries and allowances for the President, MPs, and Political Appointees must be frozen until the debt is settled?
3. THE “GROUNDING” CLAUSE Will the candidate support a law that prohibits the President and Cabinet from international travel as long as any verified debt to local suppliers remains unpaid past 5 days? Leadership must stay home until the home is fixed.
4. TAX RECIPROCITY AND OFFSET RIGHTS Will the candidate grant businesses the automatic legal right to offset their taxes against the money the government owes them? If the state owes a company money, that company must have the right to stop paying VAT and PAYE until the debt is settled.
5. THE ADVANCE TAX REFUND MANDATE Will the candidate ensure that ZRA is legally required to refund overpaid “Advance Tax” within 5 days, with the same harsh penalties for the government that are currently applied to the citizen?
Fred M’membe President of the Socialist Party and 2026 Presidential Candidate of the People’s Pact
ZAMBIA MOURNS FALLEN SOLDIER IN UNITED NATIONS MISSION
President Hakainde Hichilema has announced the death of Staff Sergeant Alick Banda of the Zambia Army, who passed away due to illness while serving under the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic.
The President said the late soldier made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace and carried Zambia’s name with honour while on international duty.
He expressed condolences to Staff Sergeant Banda’s family, stating that the nation mourns with them during this difficult time.
President Hichilema added that Zambia will remember the fallen soldier’s dedication and service, and prayed that God grants him eternal peace.
Elon Musk renews claims Starlink denied South African licence over race
Elon Musk, the South African‑born billionaire and CEO of SpaceX, has once again sparked controversy by asserting that his satellite internet business, Starlink, has been denied an operating licence in South Africa “for the sole reason” that he is not Black.
Musk made the claim in a post on X and in excerpts shared from a recent interview, saying the situation was “absurd” given his South African birth and that the restrictions stem from laws he characterised as racially discriminatory.
Musk’s comments revive an ongoing dispute tied to South Africa’s Broad‑Based Black Economic Empowerment (B‑BBEE) rules, which require foreign telecommunications operators seeking licences to include at least 30 % ownership by historically disadvantaged South Africans.
Musk has described the requirements as discriminatory, claiming the country now has more race‑based laws than under apartheid, a description widely rejected by critics and South African officials.
South African authorities, including the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) and government spokespeople, have consistently denied that race is a barrier to Starlink’s entry, noting that the company has not submitted a formal licence application and would be welcome to operate if it complies with existing laws.
Officials emphasise that licensing is governed by standard regulatory requirements, not the founder’s race.
Industry observers point out that Starlink’s bid has previously stalled over how to meet B‑BBEE conditions without ceding equity, with discussions around alternative “equity equivalence” programmes under consideration. The broader debate reflects ongoing tension in South Africa over how to balance economic transformation policies with attracting foreign investment.
The latest exchange has reignited global attention on South Africa’s regulatory environment for foreign tech companies, with Musk’s remarks likely to fuel further discussion on race, investment, and the future of satellite broadband access on the continent.
Erdogan helped Iran massacre Kurdish soldiers supported by Israel and the US who entered Iranian territory last night
Kurdish paramilitary forces backed by Israel and the US have managed to infiltrate Iran last night
Turkey informed Iran of their movements, and the Iranian military massacred them.
Majority of PJAK Kurdish separatists who entered Iran through the Iraqi border in the past few days have been killed in Ilam Province and Kermanshah by IRGC forces, according to Kurdish sources familiar with the clashes.
MIT (Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization) was tracking PJAK separatists in Iraq and into Iran, and sharing intelligence with the IRGC, which would explain how they were able to quickly neutralize the Kurdish separatists.
YOU ARE INVITING WAR : WE ARE PREPARED NO PEACE IN UKRAINE AS PUTIN LAUNCHING SAVAGE BOMBING IN UKRAINE SENDING FEAR IN NATO.
VLADIMIR Putin has launched a terrifying nuclear-capable missile at Ukraine in Russia’s latest savage bombardment that has left NATO stunned with fear. At least four people have been left dead and 19 injured in Kyiv following overnight strikes across the country with the dreaded 8000mph Oreshnik missile targeting Lviv near Poland as heat debris entered NATO member shuttering some houses and fields being set on fire.
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said: “Such a strike near the borders of the EU and Nato poses a serious threat to the security of the European continent and is a test for the transatlantic community.”
The Oreshnik, which translates to “hazelnut tree”, was fired from the Astrakhan region, deep inside Russia , and took less than 15 minutes to explode over Lviv.
Moscow launched 242 drones and 36 missiles in the assault, including the horrifying nuclear-capable weapon.
The missile’s extraordinary speed has fuelled speculation online thatRussiaused an Oreshnik-type ballistic weapon. But Moscow later admitted it was in fact an Oreshnik claiming it was in response to a Ukrainian bid to kill Putin with a strike on his palace at Valdai in Novgorod region.
The Kremlin said: “The Russian Armed Forces launched a massive strike using long-range, land- and sea-based precision weapons, including the Oreshnik medium-range ground-mobile missile system, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), against critical targets inUkraine.”
Chilling footage showed the devastating weapon striking Lviv, lighting up the nightskyas it thundered into the ground. The blast came just hours after the US embassy issued a stark warning to its citizens in Kyiv.
It said they should “prepare to shelter immediately” as a “significant air attack may occur at any time in the next several days”.
Putin claims his Oreshnik missiles can incinerate targets, unleashing a temperature of 4,000 degrees, almost as hot as the surface of the sun.
Russian overnight attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure left the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions nearly without power and created a “national emergency,” Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov said Thursday.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Thursday that it had used the Oreshnik missile to hit energy infrastructure and drone production facilities. The weapon is a Russian intermediate-range ballistic missile that Putin has touted as a new, hard-to-intercept system designed to carry nuclear weapons.
Naledi Pandor appointed chancellor of Nelson Mandela University
Nelson Mandela University has appointed Dr Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor as its new chancellor, with her four‑year term set to begin on 1 April 2026, the university announced.
The appointment was confirmed by the Chairperson of the university’s council, Judge Nambitha Dambuza, who said Pandor’s selection reflects her “lifelong commitment to education, social justice and public service,” values that align with the institution’s mission.
Pandor, a distinguished academic, activist and former senior Cabinet minister, succeeds Dr Geraldine Fraser‑Moleketi, whose tenure as chancellor ends on 31 March.
Dambuza paid tribute to Fraser‑Moleketi’s “dedication, hard work and commitment to advancing Nelson Mandela University, its values and ethos.”
The new chancellor holds a PhD in education from the University of Pretoria and multiple honorary doctorates, and has served South Africa in several high‑profile government roles, including as Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and in portfolios covering education and science.
Nelson Mandela University, a public institution based in Gqeberha, has around 27 000 students and operates across multiple campuses in the Eastern Cape. The role of chancellor is largely ceremonial but key in promoting the university’s profile both locally and internationally.
Dr Pandor’s appointment is expected to strengthen the university’s engagement with educational initiatives and reinforce its commitment to principles of equality, leadership and academic excellence.
