ZCLU APPEALS FOR PROTECTION AND PEACEFUL ESCORT AS ARCHBISHOP BANDA APPEARS FOR QUESTIONING
By Patricia Mbewe
The Zambian Civil Liberties Union –ZCLU- is appealing to law enforcement agencies to provide protection to individuals peacefully escorting Archbishop Alick Banda to the Drug Enforcement Commission –DEC- today.
ZCLU Executive Director Isaac Mwanza has emphasized the importance of respecting the rights of those escorting the Archbishop while maintaining public order.
Mr. Mwanza has also urged the Church to minimize the number of people escorting the Archbishop to avoid potential chaos and roadblocks.
He has further called for calm and respect for due process as the investigation unfolds, stating that it is essential to allow the law to take its course without unnecessary tension.
Mr. Mwanza has also highlighted concerns about the short notice given for the summons, which he says might make it difficult to control crowds.
The Drug Enforcement Commission has summoned Archbishop Banda for questioning in connection with a vehicle allegedly obtained irregularly from the Zambia Revenue Authority –ZRA-.
#2026BUDGET —Understanding the 2026 National Budget Theme
“Consolidating Economic and Social Gains Towards a Prosperous, Resilient and Equitable Zambia”
What does this theme really mean for you?
At its heart, the 2026 National Budget theme is a promise to citizens. It says this: Zambia has come through a difficult period. We have stabilised the economy, restored credibility, and reopened pathways to growth. The task now is to protect those gains and make sure they are felt in everyday life.
This Budget is about moving from recovery to lasting improvement in incomes, services, opportunities, and dignity.
—Where are we coming from?
Over the past four years, Government has taken difficult but necessary decisions to stabilise the economy and restore confidence. These included:
– Restructuring public debt to stop the country from sinking deeper into crisis;
– Reintroducing free education so that no child is left behind;
– Strengthening health services;
– Expanding social protection for the most vulnerable; and,
– Increasing Constituency Development Fund (CDF) resources so development reaches every constituency.
These reforms were not easy. But they were essential to put Zambia back on a stable path.
—What is different about the 2026 Budget?
The 2026 Budget is not starting from scratch. It is about consolidation—building firmly on what has already been achieved.
In practical terms, this means:
– Making sure free education delivers quality learning outcomes;
– Ensuring clinics are stocked, staffed, and accessible;
– Turning CDF allocations into visible projects and jobs in communities;
– Protecting social protection programmes so the most vulnerable are not left behind; and,
– Managing public debt responsibly so future generations are not burdened
The focus is no longer just on reform for its own sake, but on results that citizens can see and feel.
—Is the Budget already in effect?
Yes. The 2026 Budget took effect on 1 January 2026.
To keep citizens informed and involved, Government will hold a National Townhall Meeting on 29 January 2026, bringing together:
– Citizens; – The private sector; – Civil society; and, – Public institutions.
This is part of a broader commitment to transparency, inclusion, and dialogue.
—What challenges does Government acknowledge?
The Government is clear-eyed and honest. Many households are still under pressure.
The cost of living remains a concern. Climate shocks have affected electricity supply, disrupting homes and businesses. Many small businesses struggle to access affordable financing. Young people are still searching for decent jobs.
These are real, lived challenges not abstract statistics. The 2026 Budget is framed with empathy and urgency to respond to them.
—What does this Budget mean for ordinary citizens?
For citizens, this Budget is about everyday dignity, including:
– Affordable food and stable prices;
– Reliable electricity and water;
– Functioning clinics and quality schools;
– Jobs and economic opportunities, especially for youth and women; and,
– Fair development that reaches rural and peri-urban communities.
It is also about resilience—making sure that droughts, global price shocks, or supply disruptions do not wipe away hard-won progress.
—What does it mean for businesses and investors?
The theme sends a clear signal of policy consistency and predictability.
The Government remains committed to:
– Fiscal discipline;
– Stable macroeconomic management;
– Transparent public finances; and,
– An enabling investment climate.
Zambia remains open for business, in a sustainable and credible manner.
—How big is the 2026 Budget?
Total estimated expenditure is K253.09 billion, equivalent to 27.4% of GDP.
The Budget will be financed mainly through domestic revenue, supported by grants and carefully managed borrowing from already contracted loans. This approach supports debt sustainability and aligns with the Eighth National Development Plan.
—What are the key economic targets for 2026?
The Government is aiming for:
– Sustained economic growth;
– Inflation within the 6–8% target range;
– A reduced fiscal deficit of 2.1% of GDP;
– Controlled domestic borrowing; and,
– International reserves of more than four months of import cover.
These targets keep Zambia on track towards Vision 2030.
—What role do citizens play?
The success of the 2026 Budget depends on collective effort. Citizens are encouraged to:
– Participate actively in CDF processes;
– Support local businesses;
– Take advantage of skills and empowerment programmes; and,
– Engage constructively and share ideas that strengthen development.
Economic reform works best when it is understood, owned, and seen as fair.
—Sustaining dialogue beyond the Townhall
The Townhall Meeting on 29 January, 2026, is not a one-off event.
The Government will continue to provide weekly, monthly, and quarterly updates on:
– The 2026 Budget;
– Wider developmental programmes;
– Ongoing reforms; and,
– Key policy choices.
Our sustained communication on economic affairs is about building trust through openness and clarity—explaining not just what decisions are made, but why they are made and what they mean for households and businesses.
—A shared national journey
Zambia moves forward best when we move together—with discipline, unity, and shared purpose.
The 2026 Budget season is an opportunity for all of us to contribute to building a prosperous, resilient, and equitable Zambia, where the gains of reform endure and shared prosperity becomes a lived reality for present and future generations.
6) Eighth National Development Plan – 8NDP: https://www.mofnp.gov.zm/?wpdmpro=8ndp-2022-2026
Anti- Corruption Commission Zambia Transparency International IMF Africa Richclass Connections Ministry of Finance and National Planning, #mofnp, Lusaka-Zambia Pensions and Insurance Authority Zambia Revenue Authority Bank of Zambia World Bank State House – Zambia
RUSSIA SAYS IT CAN KIDNAP GERMANY CHANCELLOR AND PROSECUTE HIM RIGHT THERE IN BERLIN OR ZELENSKY AFTER ALL HIS TERM ENDED LONG TIME AGO.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he could imagine abduction operations targeting foreign leaders similar to the recent U.S. action in Venezuela, singling out German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as a possible example.
“The kidnapping of the neo-Nazi Merz could be an excellent twist in this carnival of events,” Medvedev, who is now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, was quoted as saying by the state news agency today. Such a scenario was not unrealistic, he added.
“There are even grounds for prosecuting him in Germany, so it would be no loss, especially since the citizens are suffering needlessly,” Medvedev said.
Medvedev, who served as Russian president from 2008 to 2012, has in recent years emerged as one of the Kremlin’s most outspoken hardliners, frequently delivering aggressive rhetorical attacks against Ukraine and the West.
He also said claims by the Trump administration that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was arrested in a U.S. military operation over the weekend and taken to New York, was illegitimate and did not withstand scrutiny.
Medvedev then turned to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying that his term in office had long expired he could too be captured and flown to Moscow for trial. The former Kremlin boss says the menu is big even British Prime Minister can be an easy one for that matter due to his careless mouth we can easily pick him.
He said Russia has everything at it’s disposal the only thing standing in the way was the respect for international law and rules of war which no longer exists thanks to Us president Donald Trump. It’s not clear why Medvedev is speaking like this but as deputy chair of the security council he is a full fledged Kremlin member who’s words can not be taken as a joke.
Moscow has consistently claimed Zelenskyy is an illegitimate leader because elections have not been held. Zelenskyy, however, remains in office under Ukraine’s constitution, which allows for the extension of presidential terms during wartime.
LET US BUILD THE COUNTRY BASED ON LOVE – PRESIDENT HICHILEMA
January 4, 2026
Kasama – President Hakainde Hichilema has called on Zambians to build the country on love, peace, unity, and hard work, saying these values are essential for sustainable national development.
Addressing the congregation, Mr. Ngoma said the President of the republic of zambia desires a peaceful and united Zambia where citizens are committed to productivity and shared responsibility.
He emphasized that national development can only be achieved through hard work and a positive mental shift, adding that unity among citizens remains key to the country’s stability.
The message was delivered on his behalf by the Special Advisor for Political Affairs, Mr. Levy Ngoma, when he worshipped with Christians at the Pentecostal Holiness Church, Transformation Christian Center, in Kasama.
The church service was presided over by guest Bishop William Omolo from Kenya, who preached on hard work and mental transformation.
Quoting Genesis 2:15, Bishop Omolo reminded believers that God gave mankind work before suffering and sin, stressing that diligence is a fundamental biblical principle. He encouraged Christians to embrace hard work as a pathway to self-reliance and progress.
Mr. Ngoma also thanked the Church for its active role during the Bill 7 consultation process, noting that prayers and constructive submissions from faith-based institutions helped guide national dialogue amid misinformation which could have set the country ablaze.
He said even amidst propaganda, the President chose dialogue over confrontation, reinforcing his commitment to peace and inclusiveness in the country.
Reinforcing the President’s message, Mr. Ngoma urged believers to avoid division and selectiveness, calling for unity anchored in love, which he described as the greatest commandment. He said hard work enables citizens to provide for themselves and share with others.
Meanwhile, Resident Pastor Lucky Tembo thanked the President, through Mr. Ngoma, for consistently promoting peace and unity, saying such leadership inspires confidence among citizens and strengthens national cohesion.
He said that based on the information given by Mr. Ngoma, especially on delimitation and inclusivity, one of the clauses in the Constitution Amendment Act No. 7 of 2025 is good.
ZELENSKY BEGS TRUMP TO CAPTURE PUTIN AND END THE WAR QUICKLY JUST LIKE HE HAS DONE TO MADURO.
As the world reels from the U.S. military strikes on Venezuela and the reported capture of President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has seized the moment to call for similar action against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a statement that has sparked global debate, Zelensky suggested that the U.S. should capture Putin next, saying, “If it is possible to deal with dictators like that, then the United States of America knows what to do next.”
For ordinary Ukrainians enduring daily blackouts, high prices, and the grind of a war now in its fourth year, Zelensky’s words bring a mix of hope and frustration, reminding them how far-off events can influence their own fight for freedom. This bold remark comes amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of Maduro’s detention, a move Zelensky sees as a model for handling authoritarian leaders like Putin.
In a conflict that has claimed over 50,000 Ukrainian lives and displaced millions, Zelensky’s call highlights the desperation for decisive action against Russia, which has occupied 18 percent of Ukraine’s territory since 2022.
As South Africans reflect on our own history of international solidarity during apartheid, Zelensky’s suggestion resonates as a plea for global powers to step up against aggression.
With Putin facing an ICC arrest warrant for war crimes since 2023 and a bounty on his head, Zelensky’s words fuel speculation about potential U.S. moves, but they also raise risks of escalation in an already tense Europe.
In 2026, this could shift dynamics in the Ukraine-Russia war, where stalled fronts and economic strains have left people weary but resolute.
Eyewitness accounts from Venezuela’s strikes describe chaos, drawing parallels to Ukraine’s own experiences with Russian bombardments.
Zelensky’s statement, made during a press conference, positions the U.S. as a key player in dealing with dictators, but it also draws criticism for potentially provoking Putin.
As global reactions pour in, let’s explore the context, implications, and what this means for international relations. President Volodymyr Zelensky made his remarks in response to the U.S. capture of Maduro, seeing it as a blueprint for action against other authoritarian leaders.
“If it is possible to deal with dictators like that, then the United States of America knows what to do next,” he said, directly suggesting the U.S. target Putin.
This comes as Zelensky pushes for stronger Western support in Ukraine’s war against Russia, where recent Russian advances in Donbas have raised alarms.
Zelensky’s words echo his frustration with stalled peace talks and what he sees as insufficient action against Putin, who faces an ICC arrest warrant for war crimes since March 2023.
The warrant accuses him of deporting Ukrainian children, a charge Russia denies. Zelensky has long called for Putin’s isolation, and this statement amplifies that in light of Maduro’s fate.
For Ukrainians, this brings hope a quick resolution like Maduro’s could end the war that’s displaced 6 million and caused economic losses of $500 billion. But it also risks escalation, as Putin could see it as a direct threat.
The U.S. operation began in the early hours of January 3, 2026, with airstrikes hitting military sites in Caracas, La Guaira, Miranda, and Aragua states. Residents reported explosions, low-flying aircraft, and blackouts, leaving hospitals struggling and families in fear.
Trump announced Maduro’s capture on social media, sharing a photo aboard the USS Iwo Jima as proof.
He claimed it targeted a “narco-state,” but boasted about tapping Venezuela’s oil reserves. Maduro denied the capture in an address, declaring emergency and mobilising forces.
This hybrid assault avoided full invasion but risked wider war. Venezuela’s defiance, with street fighting reported, shows resistance. Global outcry from Brazil, Colombia, Russia, and China condemns it as imperialism. Leaders worldwide slammed the U.S. actions. Brazil’s Lula condemned it as crossing “an unacceptable line,” urging a summit. Colombia called it “bombing Caracas,” Mexico urged calm. Russia vowed aid, China labelled it aggression. The UN warned of humanitarian woes. Oil jumped 5 percent, hitting importers like SA.
South Africa called for emergency UNSC meeting, viewing it as a peace threat. This backlash isolates U.S., straining Latin ties. Zelensky’s call could boost morale in Ukraine, where war fatigue sets in after 1,000 days.
But it risks provoking Putin, who might escalate attacks on Kyiv. In 2025, Russia advanced in Donbas, displacing 100,000. The ICC warrant on Putin since 2023 for child deportations adds weight, but enforcement is hard. Zelensky’s words draw parallels to Maduro, seeing both as dictators, but ignore differences Venezuela’s internal crisis vs Russia’s invasion.
Venezuela’s reserves 17 percent global make it key. Strikes disrupt production, with oil up 5 percent. Globally, shortages could worsen if fighting grows. Venezuela’s 800,000 barrels daily in 2025 were vital for allies like China.
For Trump, this tests policy, risking war. Maduro’s defiance suggests resistance, drawing allies.
For 2026, this could define relations, with hopes for dialogue. Venezuelans pray for peace, uncertainty looms. In a connected world, this affects all calling for wisdom over force.
ZAMBIA | The Auditor General says the University of Zambia owes more than K10.2 billion to parastatals, suppliers and former staff, with K5.2 billion dating back to 2011. The report also flags failure to submit audited accounts and capacity breaches at UNZA’s Kitwe School of Nursing.
Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa Wrote;
Yes, I worked for the University of Zambia (UNZA) for seven years. At the time of my exit, UNZA owed me over one million Kwacha in unpaid terminal benefits and more money in unpaid gratuity. The Registrar’s office wrote to me stating that
“I would like to request you to kindly bear with the Institution which is behind in the payment of gratuity and other benefits. This means that the University will not be able to pay you immediately, but you will be placed on the list of those yet to be paid. By copy of this letter, the Chief Financial Officer’s office is kindly requested to take note and act accordingly. Finally, on behalf of the University Management, I wish to thank you most sincerely for the invaluable service you have rendered to this institution and wish you every success in your future endeavours.”
Several years later, I have not been paid a cent of what the University of Zambia owes me for what they called my “invaluable service…rendered to this institution”. In addition to the fact that I have been made to wait for my money indefinitely, I have been removed from the payroll. If I decide to sue UNZA one day, I should not be blamed.
Former President of Malawi Hastings Kamuzu Banda was not officially married but he lived with a woman called Mama Cecilia Kadzamira who was fondly known as “official hostess” at State House.
Banda ran a brutal regime and many Malawians fled the country in fear. Elias Zakeyo Banda – who owned huge farmland – fled into Zambia in 1972 and left properties in Malawi. He owned ‘Tichitenji Farm’ which was on title since 1968.
Strangely, after he fled, the farm was given to the President who later surrendered it to Government in 1978. The Minister then offered it to the President “wife” the same year. She developed it and has since lived there for over 40 years.
Suddenly, the family of Banda (he died) who had fled into Zambia appeared on the farm after change of government in 1994. This was after the bank handed them title deeds which showed they owned the Tichitenji farm. Banda had left titles with the bank before he fled.
Mama Kadzamira rushed to Court and filed an application for injunction and claimed the Banda family were trespassers on her farm. She argued that she had been in possession of that farm for over 40 years without anybody claiming ownership.
But the Banda’s claimed the farm was theirs as title deeds were never canceled when their father fled Malawi. Simply, they had superior interest on the land as they acquired it in 1968 while the Madam only came much later.
The High Court heard both sides and ruled that the ‘Madam’ did not acquire good title even if she has lived on that farm for over 40 years. Her title was inferior to the one issued earlier.
“The evidence establishes that the lease held by the estate of the late Elias Zakeyo Banda was registered earlier in time and has never been lawfully canceled, surrendered, or forfeited,” the Court said. “The Court is therefore satisfied that, as between the Claimant and the estate of the defendants, the estate of the late Banda holds superior title to the land commonly referred to as Tichitenji Estate,” the Judge ruled.
The Court observed that no records were presented to Court to show how the former President had acquired this land which was on title and later surrendered it through “Deed of Surrender” the State and only to be given to his Mistress.
“A grant made in violation of an existing registered interest is incapable of conferring valid title. The root of title is tainted by successive violations of settled principles of law,” the Judge said and dismissed the claim of trespass.
He added that the President surrendered land that he legally did not own as no instrument was shown how he acquired it from the registered owner. Therefore, the ‘Madam’ should have done due diligence before accepting the offer from Ministry of Lands.
“If the surrender was null and void, the land never reverted to Government. In those circumstances, the Minister acted without legal capacity when purporting to issue a lease to her,” the Court said.
Case citation – Mama Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira v Subject Traditional Authority Kawere & Others – Civil Cause No. 373 of 2020 and Judgement delivered last week on 30th December, 2025.
Lecture notes;
1. The legal principle in this case of Malawi are similar to Zambia. Where there are two competing titles, the earlier registered one takes precedence unless it was legally canceled or surrendered. In Zambia, cancellations is usually through re-entry and then it reverts back to the state.
2. Like in Zambia, Malawi also does not recognize adverse possession of land. Even though Mama lived on that farm for over 40 years, she did not acquire any rights because her title deeds was defective.
Outspoken opposition politician Job Sikhala says he will expose individuals he claims are plotting to assassinate him when his case goes to trial in South Africa later this month.
Sikhala is currently out on bail after explosives were allegedly discovered in a vehicle he was travelling in last November while in South Africa. He has remained in the neighbouring country since his arrest and says he will return to Zimbabwe playa the matter is concluded.
The former Chitungwiza legislator has consistently denied the charges, insisting that the explosives were planted in his uncle’s car by people intent on eliminating him.
“In their relentless desperation, they followed me from Botswana, where I had addressed the Botswana Patriotic Front congress as an invited international guest, to South Africa to assassinate me,” Sikhala said.
“They ended up planting explosives in the car of my uncle, Alexander Thema, to blow me up. After realising their plan had failed, they tried to recruit rogue elements within the South African intelligence system to incriminate me — an antic that has horribly exposed them,” he added.
Sikhala said the trial would reveal evidence pointing to what he described as desperate efforts by individuals based in Harare to silence political opponents.
“Much of the evidence will come out at trial. I will expose how the people in Harare have become so desperate that they resort to trying to assassinate opponents,” he said.
The founder and chief facilitator of the National Democratic Working Group claimed that those targeting him were panicking and had resorted to extreme measures.
“It shows they are panicking and have resorted to terrorism against the masses,” Sikhala said, adding that Zimbabweans would not be deterred from demanding political change.
“Zimbabweans know what they want and will not be stopped from demanding their country back from dictatorship and tyranny. All efforts to subdue the masses will fail. It has failed before, and it will fail forever,” he said.
Sikhala further claimed that 2026 would mark the resurgence of people power, as citizens push back against what he described as oppression.
“No oppressor will defeat the united force of our people,” he said.
He also alleged that he was poisoned by a waiter at a South African hotel in October last year, an incident he said he survived “by the grace of God”.
“The poisoning bore all the footprints of the evil regime,” Sikhala claimed.
Last year, Sikhala’s house in Chitungwiza was damaged by an explosion while he was in South Africa launching his book, Footprints in the Chains: The Life of Job Sikhala.
South African authorities have not publicly commented on Sikhala’s latest claims.
ZAMBIA SHOULD EMBRACE IT’S OWN PEOPLE – HOWARD KUNDA.
President Kunda the hope for Zambians says, Zambia should look outside the box and provide answers to it’s people. He said as Zambia Wake-up Party (ZAWAPA) form Government come August, His Government will look at open door Policies as well as restore the dignity of Zambians.
Zambia is not for the Rich alone but for every Zambian of which His leadership acknowledges that every Zambian is important, He indicated that His Government will work with everyone including opposition leaders.
Commenting on the Development of Drug Enforcement calling on Bishop Alick Banda, Kunda just asked if receiving a gift is now a crime and which law is being used? ZRA knows who bought the vehicle and if they is any issue then it’s wise for the Law Enforcement Agency to check first with ZRA and the purchaser, we can do better as Zambia and let’s not use the Law Enforcement Agency as a way of Installing fear on Zambians as they have already decided who will be President come August 2026.
Zambia Wake-up Party (ZAWAPA) will always provide guidance once called up and we assure our people of an inclusive Government and people driven with Policy revolution Kunda said.
“You Threatened Me with an Axe” – Portable Flees Police After Assaulting Baby Mama
Controversial Nigerian musician Portable has reportedly evaded police custody following allegations of assault against actress Ashabi Simple, the mother of his fourth child. The physical altercation took place on New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1, 2026, when Ashabi visited the singer’s bar in Ogun State.
The Fight for the Title of ‘Wife’
Video footage of the incident shows a heated confrontation sparked by Ashabi’s demand to be recognized as a wife rather than a “baby mama.” In the clip, the actress is seen gripping the singer’s clothing, insisting that he change how he addresses her.
She stated:
“Oya Pami baby, I’m also your wife, you’ve to stop calling me your baby mama.”
In response, Portable shoved her away and firmly reiterated his stance that his only lawful spouse is Bewaji, relegating his other partners to the status of baby mamas.
He said:
“I only have one wife, the rest of you are just baby mamas,”
The rejection escalated the tension, leading Ashabi to respond emotionally:
“Then you will have to kill me, baby.”
Allegations of Assault with a Weapon
Following the chaos, Ashabi and her siblings filed a report with the police for abuse and assault. In an Instagram video, she alleged that the dispute turned violent when she arrived at the bar to bring him food at his request. She claimed the singer slapped her, seized their phones, and even threatened them with a weapon.
She recounted:
“I celebrated the new year in a happy mood with my family. You are the one that called me that you’re in a bad mood, and I told you that I went to my dad’s house for the new year. And you asked me to bring new year food for you and I said ok.
“I called you when I got to your bar, and you asked me to meet you outside. When I got there, we had a minor disagreement and you slapped me, beat me up, seized our phones and threatened my siblings and I with axe,”
Portable escapes Arrest
Ashabi revealed that when law enforcement officers arrived at the singer’s residence to effect an arrest, Portable had already fled the scene. The police met only his pregnant wife, Bewaji, at the house.
Public Reaction
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the public. Many social media users have berated Ashabi, accusing her of having low self-esteem and forcing herself on a man who publicly disrespects her.
A prominent psychologist revealed on Sunday some of the reasons why President Donald Trump rages at reports of his failing physical and mental health.
Trump has recently lashed out at The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times for reporting on his health. After The Journal published its report, Trump posted on Truth Social that he “aced” multiple cognitive exams. He has also called the NYT the “enemy of the people” and called for the outlet to be investigated for reporting on his health.
Dr. John Gartner, a psychologist and former professor, discussed why Trump has such extreme reactions to these reports on a new episode of “The Daily Beast Podcast.”
“No story enrages Donald Trump more than the stories about his physical and cognitive health,” Gartner said. “And there’s a reason for that. One, he knows that he’s covering something up, but two, as a malignant narcissist, the one thing you need to project is strength. It’s okay to be hated and feared, but you have to appear strong. And so this is really it.”
“Donald Trump’s Achilles heel is his brain and now, I guess, a whole bunch of other organs,” he continued. “His ankles, his heart, his his hands. His psychomotor performance is getting worse.”
Gartner noted Trump’s difficulty using the right side of his body, like when he was unable to perform a coinflip during the Army and Navy game, and his struggle saluting with his right hand. Gartner has also noted the right side of Trump’s face drooping when he’s fallen asleep, a sign that he may have recently had a stroke.
“He knows it’s showing his Achilles heel and yet he can’t stop the behavior because it’s involuntary,” Gartner said.
President Donald Trump authorized the unprecedented attack on Venezuela and kidnapping of President Nicholas Maduro Friday night after having escalated military threats against the South American nation for months, but according to two insiders who spoke with the New York Times, it was the “Maduro’s regular public dancing” that was Trump’s breaking point.
“It was one dance move too many for Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro,” the New York Times reported Sunday.
“Mr. Maduro’s regular public dancing and other displays of nonchalance in recent weeks helped persuade some on the Trump team that the Venezuelan president was mocking them and trying to call what he believed to be a bluff, according to two of the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk about the confidential discussions.”
Maduro has been filmed dancing in public multiple times in the lead up to his capture on Saturday, with several instances being documented in the last two months. He was seen dancing onstage during a student rally to a song championing peace in Caracas in late November, and he was filmed dancing with a robot operat
ing with artificial intelligence at the Expo Motores Productivos event on Dec. 22, less than three weeks from his eventual capture.
Some critics, including Dylan Goforth, executive editor of the investigative news outlet The Frontier, perhaps in jest argued that Trump – known to frequently dance at his own rallies – was upset with Maduro for having stolen Trump’s “swag.”
“He was stealing Trump’s swag and had to go,” Goforth wrote Sunday in a social media post on X.
Maduro is currently in New York awaiting trial on drug-trafficking and weapons charges, and Trump announced that the United States would be “running” Venezuela until a transfer of power can be facilitated.
Since Nicolás Maduro’s removal yesterday, I have come across numerous statements on social media accusing anyone who questions the United States’ intervention of effectively sympathising with a tyrant.
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According to this view, raising concerns about the manner of his removal is treated as moral betrayal, as though one must either celebrate foreign-imposed regime change or be branded an apologist for dictatorship.
This framing is not only intellectually dishonest, but it dangerously oversimplifies a far more complex and consequential debate – one that history warns us to approach with caution.
The removal of a dictator often triggers understandable celebration, especially among citizens who have endured years of repression, poverty, and fear.
Few people in their right mind would mourn the fall of a corrupt, heartless authoritarian such as Nicolás Maduro.
His record of economic mismanagement, political repression, and disregard for human rights is well documented.
However, history teaches us that the central question is not simply whether a dictator deserved to fall, but how that fall occurred – and what replaces him thereafter.
Maduro’s removal through foreign intervention raises serious legal, moral, and practical concerns.
Under international law, the forcible removal of a sitting government by an external power shows blatant disregard for state sovereignty and sets a dangerous precedent.
It signals that powerful states may feel entitled to depose any leader they oppose, even one genuinely supported and loved by their own people, as seen when the United States supported coups or regime change in Chile in 1973, ousting democratically elected President Salvador Allende.
More importantly, two wrongs have never made a right.
A brutal ruler does not justify an unlawful process, especially when that process is imposed without the consent of the governed or the establishment of legitimate, inclusive transitional mechanisms.
Removing a man without dismantling the system that sustained him is not liberation; it is political theatre that often ends in deeper suffering.
Those celebrating Maduro’s downfall today may yet find themselves disillusioned tomorrow.
History is replete with examples where externally driven regime change promised democracy but delivered chaos, instability, and prolonged misery.
Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan stand as grim reminders.
Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi, and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan were all forcibly removed through foreign intervention, yet these actions plunged their countries into prolonged violence, fragmentation, and human catastrophe.
Massive jubilation was witnessed across these countries when these leaders were ousted from power, but ordinary citizens soon paid the highest price, while foreign interests quietly secured strategic and economic advantages.
It would be naïve to believe that the United States removed Maduro primarily out of concern for Venezuelan citizens.
Geopolitics is rarely altruistic.
The sidelining of Venezuela’s opposition in favour of working with figures from within the old power structure already signals that this intervention was about control, not democracy.
President Donald Trump has already signaled that his administration is in talks with Maduro’s deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, who has now been installed as the new president, stating that prominent opposition figures like Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado “do not have the support or the respect within the country” necessary to influence the transition.
When the same forces that claim to be liberators ignore credible democratic actors and instead consolidate power through expedient alliances, it becomes evident that the well-being of ordinary citizens is secondary to the strategic interests of external powers.
Acknowledging these realities does not amount to sympathising with Maduro.
On the contrary, it reflects a deeper commitment to genuine democracy and human dignity.
Critiquing the method of his removal is not the same as defending his rule.
This distinction is often deliberately blurred to silence legitimate concerns.
Anyone who questions foreign intervention is hastily labelled an apologist for dictatorship, when in fact they may be among its fiercest critics.
This debate is painfully familiar to Zimbabweans.
In November 2017, after nearly two decades of openly criticising Robert Mugabe’s brutal and destructive rule, I found myself speaking out against his removal through a military coup.
Like millions of Zimbabweans, I understood the joy, relief, and catharsis that accompanied Mugabe’s fall.
He had presided over economic collapse, political violence, and mass suffering.
Celebrations were inevitable, and emotionally justified.
Yet even in that moment of national euphoria, it was clear that something was deeply wrong.
Mugabe was not removed through a constitutional process or a democratic transition, but through a military intervention dressed up as a “non-coup.”
One man was replaced, but the system of repression, militarised politics, and elite corruption remained intact. Worse still, it was reinforced.
I warned then that removing Mugabe without dismantling the architecture of authoritarianism would lead Zimbabwe down an even darker path.
That warning was not popular.
Many accused me of being ungrateful, negative, or even sympathetic to Mugabe.
Yet time has vindicated those concerns.
Today, Zimbabwe is economically weaker, politically more repressive, and institutionally more compromised than it was in 2017.
The promise of “a new Zimbabwe” was an illusion.
The coup did not bring reform; it merely rearranged power within the same predatory elite.
This is precisely the danger facing Venezuela.
Desperation can be blinding.
When people are crushed for too long, any change feels like salvation.
But not all change is progress.
When repression is replaced by externally imposed authority, or by recycled elites serving foreign interests, the cycle of suffering continues – often in more complex and less visible forms.
True liberation is not achieved by force from outside, but through legitimate, accountable, and inclusive processes rooted in the will of the people.
Democracy cannot be airlifted in by foreign troops, nor can it be sustained by proxy rulers lacking popular legitimacy.
Without strong institutions, respect for human rights, and genuine political participation, regime change becomes little more than regime replacement.
The lesson from Zimbabwe, Libya, Iraq, and countless other cases is stark: removing a repressor is not the same as building freedom.
In fact, when removal is driven by foreign interests rather than domestic democratic struggle, the outcome is often worse than what existed before.
Sovereignty may be violated, institutions weakened, and societies fractured beyond repair.
We must therefore guard against allowing our justified hatred of dictators to push us into supporting processes that ultimately harm the very people we claim to stand with.
Moral clarity requires consistency.
If we oppose oppression, we must also oppose unlawful and destabilising methods that masquerade as liberation.
Anything less is intellectual dishonesty.
The fall of a tyrant should mark the beginning of justice, accountability, and renewal – not the opening of a new chapter of exploitation and despair.
If history teaches us anything, it is that the manner in which change occurs matters just as much as the change itself.
And when we ignore that lesson, we condemn future generations to repeat the same painful cycle.
Local businessman Wicknell Chivayo spent New Year’s Day with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the Head of State’s rural home in Zvishavane, a visit that underscored what Chivayo described as his close relationship with the presidency.
The meeting took place while President Mnangagwa was on official leave, but he nonetheless received Chivayo alongside local traditional leaders and villagers from the Mapanzure area.
In a social media post following the visit, Chivayo said he had paid a courtesy call to congratulate the President on his leadership, praising Mnangagwa’s work ethic and describing him as a “servant leader” who remains engaged with national issues even while on vacation.
Chivayo said the President shared reflections from his time during the liberation struggle, including his involvement with the Crocodile Gang, and reiterated his long-standing philosophy of “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo,” a principle that emphasizes national development driven by Zimbabweans themselves.
He also expressed confidence in the forthcoming second phase of the National Development Strategy (NDS2), saying it would build on gains made under the first phase. Chivayo reaffirmed his support for President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
Concluding his remarks, Chivayo pledged the loyalty of the youth to the values of the ruling Zanu-PF party and wished the President continued success in steering the country’s development agenda.
Amid the chaos sparked by the Trump administration’s unprecedented attack on Venezuela Saturday, a key deadline for the Justice Department regarding files on Jeffrey Epstein came and went, and House Democrats were happy to put the administration on notice.
“We are sure it’s just a coincidence, but today is the statutory date for the DOJ to explain its redactions in the Epstein file productions,” reads a statement from Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee shared on social media. “We have not forgotten, and we won’t let up – regardless of the President’s new unconstitutional actions.”
Saturday saw the administration pressed on its unprecedented attack and subsequent capturing of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro, but amid all the chaos, the administration had failed to meet the Jan. 3 deadline to explain its redactions to the trove of Epstein files it had published the month prior.
The DOJ was required to release all of its files on Epstein by Dec. 19, but instead, released only a small fraction of its files on Epstein, and with redactions that critics have called unlawful. While the DOJ continued to release additional files on Epstein beyond its Dec. 19 deadline, the agency continued to withhold hundreds of thousands of files, and continued to release them with redactions outside the scope of what law permits.
Additionally, the DOJ stunned critics after announcing on Christmas Eve that it had discovered a “million more” documents related to Epstein.
We are sure it’s just a coincidence, but today is the statuatory date for the DOJ to explain its redactions in the Epstein file productions.
We have not forgotten, and we won’t let up – regardless of the President’s new unconstitutional actions.
A handful of lawmakers have now moved to take matters into their own hands , such as Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY), the sponsors of the legislation that forced the Trump administration to release its files on Epstein. Khanna plans to make an announcement with Massie this week as to how they plan to force the administration to release all of the remaining files.
The Trump administration’s repeated justification for capturing Venezuela’s president has been that he was facing criminal charges from the United States, but one political commentator noted that by that same logic, President Donald Trump had just given countries the world over the “green light” to launch their own military invasions.
“If [Chinese President] Xi Jinping invaded Taiwan right now, and toppled the president there, on what grounds would the United States object?” wrote former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan in a social media post on X. “Or have any credibility to say anything?”
Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro was captured Saturday as part of a large-scale military operation greenlit by Trump, and transferred to New York to face trial on charges of narco-terrorism and possession of machine guns.
The operation saw the administration struggle to reconcile the aggressive maneuver with Trump’s purported commitment to non-interventionism, with Vice President JD Vance in particular scrambling to legally justify the attack on social media.
By its own implicit admission, however, the Trump administration had just offered “the green light Xi needed” to invade Taiwan, according to political commentator Jo Carducci, or the green light for Russian President Vladimir Putin to “kidnap [Ukrainian President Volodmir] Zelenskyy,” according to academic Nader Heshemi.
The United States has officially maintained a position of strategic ambiguity as it relates to Taiwan’s sovereignty, though has an immense economic interest in seeing Taiwan maintain a semblance of independence from mainland China. The People’s Republic of China maintains that Taiwan is part of China, and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification.
And, according to the political commentators, the Trump administration’s unprecedented attack on Venezuela may have permanently eroded Washington’s moral and legal authority to credibly deter comparable military action by China.
“NO SUPERSTARS, JUST LIONS!” CAMEROON ROAR PAST BAFANA
Cameroon coach David Pagou made it clear after his side’s stunning win that this victory was not about individual brilliance, it was about collective power. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Pagou declared: “The star for us is the team. Football is a collective sport.”
And his words rang true on the pitch.
Cameroon produced a disciplined, fearless performance to defeat South Africa 2–1, silencing the home crowd and underlining their growing unity under new leadership. While South Africa showed flashes of quality, it was Cameroon’s organisation, hunger and togetherness that proved decisive.
Pagou revealed that since taking charge, the message has been clear and fully embraced by the squad: no egos, no passengers everyone fights for the badge. Every tackle, every run and every goal reflected that philosophy.
As the final whistle blew, one thing was undeniable: this Cameroon side doesn’t rely on stars they move as one.
Before the 2024 election, Donald Trump made comments about Venezuela that are now being resurfaced after the president announced a successful mission to “capture” the nation’s leader and his wife.
Ret. Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling is among those who have been critical of the Trump administration’s decisions surrounding Venezuela. Trump declared he plans to have the U.S. take control over the country, as opposed to letting the nation’s constitution do its job, and didn’t rule out having U.S. boots on the ground.
Trump’s reasoning for the mission has publicly been connected to drug trafficking allegations, but a video being shared from a GOP convention in North Carolina shows Trump previously had other motives on mind.
“How about we’re buying oil from Venezuela? When I left, Venezuela was ready to collapse,” Trump said in 2023 at the North Carolina Republican Convention. “We would have taken it over. We would have gotten all that oil. It would have been right next door. But now, we’re buying oil from Venezuela. So, we’re making a dictator very rich. Can you believe this? Nobody can believe it.”
A popular influencer known as Not The Torygraph posted the video, and wrote that, “Trump’s admitting that it’s all about capturing Venezuelan oil.”
A “radical centrist” known as Maine actually flagged the pre-election comments in October, when there was a buildup of naval units.
“REMINDER: During the 2024 campaign, Trump told audience in North Carolina that he wants Venezuela to collapse so he can take all of the oil. Now: Trump amassing naval assets and 10,000 troops in Caribbean and recently admitted CIA has been operating on ground in Venezuela.”
Donald Trump speaking at the North Carolina Republican State Convention 10th June 2023 remarks on Venezuela:
"We would have taken it over, we would have gotten all that oil, it would have been right next door…" pic.twitter.com/JC0v9RNzoW
Matthew Capon, formerly a senior video journalist at the Daily Mirror, also flagged the 2023 video this weekend.
“Donald Trump speaking at the North Carolina Republican State Convention 10th June 2023 remarks on Venezuela,” he wrote, quoting Trump as saying, “We would have taken it over, we would have gotten all that oil, it would have been right next door…”
The Founder of The Redeemed Christian Church of God in Nigeria, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, has described how British-Nigerian Boxer, Anthony Joshua, survived a life-ending accident as a Miracle which can only be orchestrated by God.
Joshua recently visited his Fatherland after his bout with Jake Paul to enjoy his holidays until his next fixture, but unfortunately, it didn’t end well for him.
The Professional boxer did not visit home alone; he went with two of his friends who wanted to feel the Nigerian Culture and people.
One day, after a short table tennis game, they decided to move around the city of Lagos, and that’s where Anthony’s friends mysteriously lost their lives after a gory accident.
https://youtu.be/UV96nD1GztE?si=XzfWTURySAahutjA
After the sad incident, it was revealed that Joshua exchanged his seats with one of the deceased because he was blocking the driver’s view, and that’s how he escaped death.
Pastor Adeboye narrated the above rumour and stated that it takes only the Mercy of God to be this lucky because if it were about his instincts alone, he wouldn’t even think about that negative occurrence because Humans are always optimistic.
Calls for President Donald Trump to be impeached following the administration’s arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife grew louder on Sunday.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were arrested by U.S. troops early on Saturday morning in the Venezuelan leader’s palace and flown to the U.S. to face prosecution for narco-terrorism and gun charges. Flores and Maduro’s son, Nicolas, are also named in the indictment, which the administration unveiled following Maduro’s arrest. Following the move, Trump announced that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela for a transition period and didn’t rule out sending U.S. military troops to the country.
The administration’s arrest of the Venezuelan leader set off a firestorm of debate. Republicans mostly celebrated the move while people on the left called for Trump to be removed from office.
“Democrats need to grow a f—— spine and stand up to Trump, along with any Republicans that have a conscience,” progressive congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh posted on Bluesky. “That doesn’t mean strongly worded letters. This man needs to be impeached, convicted, and removed.”
Philosopher and historian Emile Torres argued in his newsletter, “Realtime Technopocalypse,” on Sunday that the arrest of Maduro should set the record straight about whether it’s appropriate to label Trump a fascist. He argued that people have resisted that label because Trump appeared to be an isolationist.
“What a complete joke!” Torres wrote. “Trump has imperialist ambitions just like every other war criminal who’s occupied the Oval Office — though the ambitions of Trump 2.0 seem to be even more flagrant and egregious than those of past presidents.”
“Trump should be impeached a third time for this illegal foreign policy blunder and the blatant corruption that motivated it,” Torres continued. “Unfortunately, I suspect that Trump will get away with this just as he’s evaded justice for his entire adult life.”
Other observers, like lawyer Cathy Gellis, argued that the move may be designed to benefit Trump.
“It seems pretty clear that Trump was trying to extort Maduro – probably in some way that personally benefited him – and when he didn’t pay, Venezuela was attacked,” Gellis posted on Bluesky. “When we do eventually have hearings, they should investigate these conversations. But in the meantime: plenty of basis to impeach now.”
President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday that Venezuela is a “dead” country that needs “big investment” from oil companies to survive.
Trump spoke to reporters on Air Force One as he traveled back to Washington, D.C. from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. His comments come after the Trump administration extracted Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife from Venezuela early on Saturday morning, flying them to the U.S. to stand trial on narco-terrorism and gun charges.
The president was asked about the move during a press gaggle with reporters.
“Venezuela, right now, is a dead country,” Trump said. “We have to bring it back. We’re going to have to have big investments from the oil companies to rebuild the infrastructure.”
“The oil companies are ready to go,” Trump continued. “They’re going to go in. They’re going to build the infrastructure. We built it to start off with many years ago. They took it away. You can’t do that.”
Trump: "Venezuela right now is a dead country. We have to bring it back. We're gonna have to have big investments by the oil companies." pic.twitter.com/2Rs56fgWih
Trump’s decision to arrest Maduro happened at a politically sensitive time for the administration. The Department of Justice recently released files from the FBI’s investigation into disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein that painted Trump’s relationship with the convicted sex criminal in an unscrupulous light.
Trump has also threatened to invade other countries like Mexico and Colombia if their leaders do not reduce the flow of drugs into the U.S.
North Korea’s government has publicly denounced the U.S. military action in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
North Korea’s Foreign Minister, Pyongyang, called it a grave violation of sovereignty and international law.
Pyongyang described the intervention as evidence of the “rogue and brutal nature of the United States,” accusing Washington of overstepping and undermining the UN Charter.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and North Korean foreign ministry spokespeople, the U.S. arrest of Maduro was condemned as a “serious encroachment of sovereignty” and a “flagrant violation” of international law.
Pyongyang said the U.S. action further destabilizes an already fragile regional and international situation and urged criticism from the international community.
North Korea’s response also came amid its own ballistic missile launches as they tried to showcase their strength and power.
President Donald Trump has hinted on a possible attack on Mexico after his recent extradition in Venezuela.
In a weekend interview with Fox & Friends about U.S. military action in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, Trump said that “something’s going to have to be done with Mexico.”
He was arguing that drug cartels, not Mexico’s government, control the country and hinted that more decisive action might be needed to address that situation.
Trump also said he’s “very friendly” with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum but asserted his view that the cartels are effectively running Mexico.
He claimed he has asked Mexico for help and framed his statement as part of broader concerns about drugs crossing the U.S. southern border.
Mexico’s government has strongly condemned the U.S. military action in Venezuela and reaffirmed its foreign policy principles of non-intervention and regional peace.
BREAKING!!! CAMEROON IS INTO THE QUARTERFINALS OF AFCON 2025!!! The Indomitable Lions have eliminated South Africa on a 2-1 scoreline.
The Bafana Bafana had a strong start but failed to capitalize on sloppy defending by Cameroon. Gradually the Lions grew into the game and in the 34th minute, Tchamadeu got at the end of a deflected shot and curled it past Ronwen!
In the second half, Cameroon only grew stronger into the game. Nagida’s fine cross met the head of Christian Kofane in the 47th minute, who stirred it brilliantly past Ronwen for 2-0.
South Africa got a late goal through Makgopa but Cameroon held on to get the 2-1 win.
Next up for Cameroon are hosts Morocco in the quarterfinals !
Australian cricket legend Damien Martyn has regained consciousness after being placed in an induced coma following a diagnosis of meningitis.
Martyn, 54, reportedly became unwell on Boxing Day after lying down at his home on the Gold Coast and was rushed to a hospital in Brisbane, where doctors placed him in a coma as a precaution while treating the life-threatening infection.
Meningitis causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord and can lead to symptoms such as severe headaches, fever, muscle and joint pain, neck stiffness and sensitivity to light.
Former teammate Adam Gilchrist confirmed that Martyn has since woken up and is responding positively to treatment.
“He is now able to talk and respond to treatment,” Gilchrist said. “He has responded extraordinarily well since coming out of the coma, to the point where his family feels it’s like some sort of miracle.”
He added that the recovery has been so encouraging that doctors are hopeful Martyn could soon be moved out of the intensive care unit. “It has been so positive that they’re hopeful he will be able to move out of the ICU into another part of the hospital, which really shows how quickly things have turned around.”
Gilchrist also relayed a message from Martyn’s family, saying: “On behalf of his family, Amanda his partner, thank you to everyone for the heartfelt love, wishes and care for Damien as he continues to go through a challenging time.”
Martyn played 67 Test matches and 208 one-day internationals for Australia between 1992 and 2006. He scored 4,406 Test runs, including 13 centuries, and amassed 5,346 runs in ODIs.
He is particularly remembered for his performances in the 2001 Ashes series against England, where he scored centuries at Edgbaston and Headingley, and for which he was later named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
Martyn represented Western Australia as well as English counties Leicestershire and Yorkshire during his career. In December 2006, at the age of 35, he stunned the cricket world by announcing his immediate retirement from all forms of the game.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino officially left the agency he helped lead for just under a year, the FBI stated Sunday morning according to CBS reporter Scott MacFarlane.
Bongino’s stint at the FBI had been fraught with controversy, particularly after the agency had attempted to shut down all further investigation into Jeffrey Epstein last summer and concluded that no evidence existed to charge potential co-conspirators.
As a podcaster, Bongino had aggressively promoted theories around Epstein, saying as recently as February that, regarding Epstein, he was “not ever gonna let this story go.” Those remarks came back to haunt Bongino after he signed off on a memo that concluded Epstein did not maintain a client list, and that he did, in fact, die by suicide.
Bongino’s tenure at the FBI had also been tumultuous, with reports suggesting that he had had an aggressive “face-to-face” confrontation with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Justice Department’s botched handling of its investigation into Epstein.
On his last full day at the agency, Bongino released a final message to his supporters on social media.
“It was a busy last day on the job. This will be my last post on this account,” Bongino wrote.
“Tomorrow I return to civilian life. It’s been an incredible year thanks to the leadership and decisiveness of President Trump. It was the honor of a lifetime to work with Director Patel, and to serve you, the American people. See you on the other side.”
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) took to CNN Sunday to defend President Donald Trump’s unprecedented attack and takeover of Venezuela as being “America first,” but was quickly rebuked after floating a debunked claim about the South American nation’s role in drug trafficking.
“[Trump] says he’s running Venezuela, he’s totally open to putting boots back on the ground there, and he’s signaling that Cuba and Colombia could be next,” said CNN’s Dana Bash. “How is that America first?”
Jordan first argued that the Trump administration’s attack on Venezuela and kidnapping of its president was widely supported by “most Americans,” and despite recent polls suggesting the polar opposite. He then leaned into frequent talking points among conservatives that Venezuela played a significant role in the trafficking of fentanyl.
“It’s consistent with keeping drugs off the streets,” Jordan said. “I know folks in the fourth district of Ohio and what fentanyl and other drugs have done to some families that I get the privilege of representing.”
Bash immediately tried to interject, only for Jordan to continue to speak over her about the supposed popularity of the Trump administration’s attack. Bash again moved to rebuke Jordan.
“Fentanyl doesn’t come from Venezuela,” Bash said bluntly.
“Cozying up to China and Iran, which are part of that, certainly does!” Jordan fired back.
According to a 2025 report from Trump’s own Drug Enforcement Administration, Venezuela plays virtually no role in the production or trafficking of fentanyl, which is primarily produced in Mexico.]
Rep. @Jim_Jordan called out on CNN for floating the debunked claim that Venezuela trafficks fentanyl into the U.S.
Mzansi Celebrates as Tyla Breaks Miriam Makeba’s Billboard Record
South Africans are raving over Tyla after the singer broke a 56-year-old US Billboard Hot 100 record previously held by the late Miriam Makeba.
The achievement marks a major milestone for the 23-year-old singer and signals a new chapter for South African artists on the global music stage.
Also Read: Tyla Breaks Records with Water, Lands on Rolling Stone’s Greatest Albums List
‘Chanel’ Debuts on Billboard Hot 100 Tyla’s latest single, Chanel, debuted at number 94 on the final Billboard Hot 100 chart of 2025, securing her third solo appearance on the prestigious US chart.
The new entry extends her growing presence on one of the world’s most influential music rankings and cements her status as South Africa’s most chart-successful solo artist in the United States.
Record Surpasses Makeba’s 1967 Benchmark With her third Hot 100 entry, Tyla has now surpassed a record set by Miriam Makeba in 1967, when Pata Pata peaked at number 12 on the chart.
Makeba’s song went on to become one of the most iconic African tracks in global music history, introducing international audiences to African pop decades before the digital era.
A New Era for South African Music While Makeba’s legacy remains unmatched in cultural impact, Tyla’s chart success reflects the changing dynamics of the global music industry, where streaming platforms and social media have created new pathways for African artists to reach international audiences.
Industry observers say Tyla’s breakthrough highlights the growing global appetite for South African pop and Afrobeats-influenced sounds.
Social Media Reacts Social media erupted with pride and celebration following Tyla’s latest milestone, with many South Africans hailing the achievement as a powerful moment for the country’s music industry. Commentators praised the passing of the torch from one South African icon to another, describing the record-breaking feat as proof of the nation’s enduring musical influence on the global stage.
🔴 EVENING WIRE | Actors Mobilize Ahead of Archbishop Banda DEC Appearance as Govt Speaks
Political and religious tensions rose sharply on Sunday as opposition leaders, senior Patriotic Front figures, and Catholic faithful converged at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus in Lusaka for prayers ahead of Archbishop Alick Banda’s scheduled appearance before the Drug Enforcement Commission on Monday.
The gathering, framed as a prayer service, doubled as a show of solidarity with the Lusaka Archbishop, who has been summoned by the DEC’s Anti–Money Laundering Investigations Unit in connection with a Zambia Revenue Authority Toyota Hilux allegedly irregularly disposed of during the previous PF administration.
The vehicle was reportedly gifted to Archbishop Banda during that period.
Earlier in the day, the Lusaka Archdiocese issued internal guidance calling on Catholics to attend a solidarity mass at 08:00 hours on Monday before “dutifully reporting” to the DEC offices. The directive, signed by Vicar General Fr Andrew Simpasa, also instructed all parishes in Lusaka to read the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops’ statement at Sunday masses.
The bishops’ statement describes the summons as an attempt to “suppress the Church’s prophetic voice.”
Opposition figures, including PF leaders and allied parties, attended the cathedral prayers, signalling political backing for the Archbishop.
Social media messaging from opposition leaders frame the summon as persecution, with calls for Catholics to escort Archbishop Banda to the DEC gaining traction online, raising concerns of a possible procession.
Government moved quickly to draw firm lines.
Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu addressed journalists, stressing that the DEC’s action was “lawful, routine, and not political.”
He said the summons did not imply guilt and applied to Archbishop Banda strictly “in his personal capacity,” not as a representative of the Catholic Church.
“No one is above the law,” Mwiimbu said, warning that any public gathering or procession not notified to police would contravene the Public Order Act.
The Minister cautioned political actors and clerics against mobilising crowds around a law enforcement process, describing such actions as potentially illegal. He emphasised that Zambia has a long tradition of senior public figures, including Presidents and religious leaders, appearing before investigative agencies without claims of persecution.
He added that police would only provide security to maintain peace and order and would not interfere with prayer meetings.
DEC Director General Nason Banda has also previously warned against turning the summons into a public spectacle, stating that a call-out is a private investigative step intended to allow an individual to explain themselves and conclude a matter.
The DEC lead said the Archbishop’s name emerged from court proceedings linked to illegally disposed state assets and that the vehicle in question is in DEC custody.
As night fell, public opinion remain sharply divided. Supporters of the Archbishop view the summon as an attack on the Catholic Church, while others argue that separating faith from personal accountability is essential to the rule of law. The standoff has placed church–state relations under intense scrutiny, with the risk that Monday’s appearance could test both public order and political restraint.
Government, however, signalled an opening for de-escalation. Minister Mwiimbu disclosed that President Hakainde Hichilema has received a request for dialogue from Catholic bishops and has welcomed engagement, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to dialogue on matters of national interest.
Monday morning is now shaping up as a critical moment. Whether events unfold quietly, as authorities insist, or tip into confrontation will depend on how both political actors and church leaders navigate the fine line between prayer, protest, and the law.
Was it okay for Bishop Banda to be found with government vehicle?, Laura asks Catholic Church
GOVERNANCE commentator Laura Miti has asked the Catholic Church to state clearly if it was okay for Lusaka Archdiocese Archbishop Alick Banda to be found in possession of a government vehicle.
Miti said the controversy should not be viewed solely through the lens of the Archbishop’s strained relationship with the current government, but also from the standpoint of moral accountability which the Church itself champions.
Miti questioned whether the Church was comfortable defending the cleric without first clarifying whether such conduct was acceptable.
She observed that by appearing to rally behind the Archbishop without acknowledging the concern over the allegation, the Church risks giving the impression that it is shielding one of its own rather than upholding the ethical standards it expects from others.
At the same time, she said, the Church cannot convincingly occupy the moral high ground if it seems unwilling to interrogate questionable conduct within its leadership.
And, Zambia Council of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) issued a statement condemning the DEC for summoning Bishop Banda, but notably did not address the substantive issue of the Archbishop being found in possession of a government vehicle.
Meanwhile, Miti further noted that public confidence in the independence of law enforcement is already fragile and actions that appear selective only deepen suspicion that justice is influenced by factors beyond the law.
By George Musonda
Kalemba
LAURA MITI WRITES………
ABOUT the controversy around the DEC summoning Archbishop Alick Banda, there are two questions that deserve consideration.
The first is to the DEC.
Now, I ask this question on the premise that, in this case, Director General Nason Banda’s officers are working under no instruction, but his.
I have to be honest and state that it is a premise I don’t believe, but hey!
So, here is the question to the DEC. Why did it take you so long to investigate this matter?
You do understand, don’t you, how murky it looks that a case that has been in the public frame, for years, suddenly comes up for initial conversation?
What has happened now, that was absent before?
Surely, you know that this come and see us feels decidedly motivated by Archbishop Banda’s political stance and choice of friends?
Look, it’s like this we would be very surprised if we heard that, right now, you resurrected a case against former Presidential Spokesperson Amos Chanda, or discovered that Mr Frank Bwalya came back from Australia with a set of solid silver spoons, belonging to the High Commission.
No, I’m not saying these two Bemba men deserve an invitation, but you catch my drift.
Simply, public belief that law enforcement is independent of any extraneous considerations is (in the President’s baritone) very important!
Sadly, in Zambia right now, that belief is all but absent.
I now move on to the Catholic Church.
My question, to you, regards your response to the summons under discussion.
Here it is.
Is the church suggesting that it was alright for the Archbishop to be in possession of a government car, that had no business not being in government hands.
I am saying, let’s forget, for a moment, the acrimonius relationship Archbishop Banda has with the current government. Instead, let us focus, only, on the moral standing of the Archbishop in the matter.
Now, shouldn’t the Catholic Church be a little toned down in its response, considering that what Archbishop Banda is accused is of, is not something the Church can possibly be proud of?
Are we, maybe, to understand that the Zambia Council of Catholic Bishops has censured Archbishop Banda in private, and is choosing to show a united face publicly?
If that’s the case, isn’t the ZCCB worried that it is coming across as defending, to the hilt, someone accused of being unbishoply, without so much as showing concern on the substantive accusation?
Sounding as though Archbishop Banda was quietly carrying out his heavenly calling at the Cathedral praying, hearing confession and speaking truth to power then BOOM! He was summoned to the DEC!
In summary, my sense, in this matter, is that it is highly likely that if the ZRA car was in the hands of anyone useful to current boma, sembe ni nkani water ya under the bridge, flowing to the ocean.
Very problematic when law enforcement and judicial processes smell of influence beyond the requirements of the law.
The other side of this bent coin is that it is undisputedly shocking that the government has such a case, against the Archbishop.
You see, if one chooses to be a moral voice, they MUST ensure that not even DNA testing will find traces of wrong doing in their conduct of office.
In this case, both sides sadly fall way below the ability to place hand on chest/Bible and say – I swear…….
GOVT WARNS AGAINST ILLEGAL GATHERINGS OVER DEC SUMMONS OF ARCHBISHOP BANDA
Lusaka… Sunday January 4, 2026
Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu says the Drug Enforcement Commission’s decision to summon Archbishop Alick Banda is lawful, routine and should not be politicised.
Speaking during a press briefing, Mr. Mwiimbu said the call-out issued to Archbishop Banda was in line with the law and applied equally to all citizens, regardless of their social or religious standing.
He explained that the summons did not imply guilt but was intended to allow the Archbishop to respond to allegations and enable investigators to conclude the matter.
The Minister disclosed that the Archbishop had been summoned to appear before the DEC’s Anti–Money Laundering Unit on January 5, 2026, and stressed that law and order would be maintained.
He cautioned against calls by some political players and church figures urging members of the public to gather at the DEC in solidarity with the Archbishop, warning that such actions could amount to illegal processions
Mr. Mwiimbu said any person summoned by law enforcement agencies appears in their personal capacity and is accountable as an individual.
He dismissed claims that the action amounted to targeting the Catholic Church, describing the matter as strictly between the DEC and Archbishop Banda.
He further warned that any public procession held without notifying the police would be in contravention of the Public Order Act, which remains in force.
He assured the public that while government would ensure law and order, it would also safeguard the rights of all individuals.
The Minister noted that Zambia has a long-standing tradition of senior public figures, including former and sitting Presidents, appearing before law enforcement agencies without such actions being interpreted as persecution.
He added that church leaders, both locally and internationally, had in the past been summoned or prosecuted in their personal capacities.
Mr. Mwiimbu assured Archbishop Banda of due process, stating that police would only provide the necessary security to maintain peace and order.
He also emphasized that government would not interfere with any prayer meetings organised by the church, describing the right to pray as fundamental.
He further revealed that President Hakainde Hichilema had received a request for dialogue from Catholic bishops and had welcomed the engagement, reaffirming government’s commitment to dialogue on matters of national interest.
Mr. Mwiimbu commended members of the public for maintaining peace during the festive season and reiterated government’s resolve to safeguard national security while upholding constitutional rights.
UPND WELCOMES GOVERNMENT DECISION TO ALLOW USE OF CHINESE YUAN FOR MINING TAX PAYMENTS
The United Party for National Development (UPND) warmly welcomes Government’s decision to approve the use of the Chinese Yuan (Renminbi) as an optional currency for the payment of mining taxes and royalties by eligible mining companies.
This policy position is a pragmatic, strategic, and economically driven decision, anchored in Zambia’s trade realities, debt profile, and the structure of its mining sector.
Allowing the use of the Yuan will significantly minimise exchange rate risk and exposure, particularly translation and conversion costs that arise when transactions are routed through the United States Dollar. It will also reduce transaction and clearing costs associated with third-party systems such as the New York Clearing House, thereby enhancing efficiency for both Government and the private sector.
Importantly, this decision has direct benefits in relation to debt service management. China remains Zambia’s largest bilateral creditor, and a significant portion of Zambia’s external debt obligations are denominated in, or linked to, Chinese financing arrangements.
Facilitating Yuan-denominated inflows from mining taxes improves Government’s capacity to match revenues with debt service obligations, reduce currency mismatch risks, and enhance overall debt sustainability.
The mining sector is the backbone of Zambia’s economy, contributing significantly to Government revenue, export earnings, employment, and foreign exchange inflows. Notably, the sector has a strong and growing Chinese presence, with major Chinese investments across copper mining, processing, and related infrastructure. Allowing Yuan payments therefore aligns tax administration with the operational realities of the sector and strengthens compliance efficiency.
UPND believes this framework should go beyond mining taxes and Chinese debt service. It should be extended to broader Zambia–China trade and investment activities, including imports, exports, project financing, and industrial cooperation. This will further deepen bilateral economic relations and enhance Zambia’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
The broader economic benefits of this decision include:
Lower transaction and compliance costs for mining companies and investors;
Reduced pressure on US Dollar demand, supporting foreign exchange market stability;
Improved predictability and efficiency in revenue collection for Government;
Enhanced debt service efficiency, particularly with China as a major creditor;
Greater investor confidence, especially from Chinese and Asian markets;
Diversification of currency risk, strengthening economic resilience;
Closer alignment between Zambia’s revenue streams and its external obligations.
This decision is not political in nature. It is a sound economic reform, consistent with global best practice and reflective of the New Dawn Government’s commitment to fiscal prudence, innovation, and economic transformation.
UPND fully supports this initiative and encourages continued stakeholder engagement to ensure smooth implementation and expansion of currency flexibility in key sectors of the economy.
‘My Brother’s Keeper’ — Anthony Joshua Visits Families of Friends Killed in Car Crash
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has spoken publicly for the first time following the fatal car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his closest associates.
The crash, which occurred on December 29 along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, left Joshua with minor injuries but tragically killed two members of his team.
The victims were Kevin Latif Ayodele, popularly known as Latz, Joshua’s longtime personal trainer, and Sina Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach.
On Sunday, the boxer shared his first message since the incident on his social media platforms. Alongside emotional photos of himself with the bereaved families of Sina and Latz, Joshua simply wrote: “My Brother’s Keeper.”
Burkina Faso , Supporters Rally After Alleged Coup Attempt
Burkina Faso’s government has reportedly foiled another attempted coup targeting President Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
In response, thousands of supporters mobilized around 1 a.m. in Ouagadougou, gathering near the presidential palace to protect the head of state and show resistance against alleged internal plotters and external interference
The late-night mobilization also expressed strong support for Commander Oumarou Yabré, President Traoré’s trusted intelligence chief, widely credited with helping neutralize past alleged coup attempts, including those in 2023 and April 2025.
Zimbabwe Begins Collecting 15% Digital Services Tax on Netflix, Starlink and Other Offshore Platforms
Zimbabwean users of foreign-based digital platforms have begun paying a new 15 percent Digital Services Withholding Tax following the enactment of a revised tax framework aimed at capturing revenue from the rapidly expanding digital economy.
The tax, which took effect last week, applies to payments made to offshore digital service providers and is being deducted at the point of payment by banks, mobile money operators and other regulated financial intermediaries.
Finance Act Brings Offshore Platforms Into Tax Net According to the SundayMail, the new levy was introduced through the Finance Act, which was signed into law on Monday.
Authorities say the measure is designed to address long-standing revenue leakages arising from non-resident digital companies that generate substantial income from Zimbabwean users without maintaining a physical presence in the country.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the tax reforms are intended to protect Zimbabwe’s taxing rights and promote fairness within the tax system.
“Payments for digital services are largely remitted offshore without being subjected to value-added tax or income tax,” Ncube said, adding that the new measures help level the playing field between local and foreign service providers.
What Services Are Affected Under the new regime, the withholding tax applies to a wide range of digital services provided by offshore companies.
These include subscription-based streaming platforms, online content services, digital advertising, e-commerce platforms, cloud computing services, online gaming, satellite-based internet access, and commissions charged by e-hailing applications.
The tax is charged in lieu of VAT on imported digital services and applies at the time of payment by local users.
Banks and Mobile Money Operators to Withhold Tax According to the Finance Act, intermediaries such as banks and mobile money operators are legally required to withhold the tax when processing payments to foreign-domiciled digital service providers. The withheld amounts must be remitted to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) within 30 days.
The law further requires intermediaries to issue taxpayers with a certificate detailing the gross payment amount and the tax withheld, in a format approved by the Zimra Commissioner.
Penalties for Non-Compliance Failure to withhold or remit the Digital Services Withholding Tax will attract penalties, including liability for the unpaid tax and a 15 percent surcharge. However, Zimra retains discretion to waive penalties in cases where there is no intention to evade tax.
Rising Digital Consumption Drives Policy Shift The move comes amid the growing use of digital services by Zimbabweans, who spend millions of dollars annually on platforms such as Netflix and other streaming services, Google and Meta advertising products, InDrive and other e-hailing services, online shopping platforms, cloud services, and satellite internet providers such as Starlink.
The funeral prayer service for Anthony Joshua’s friends, Sina Ghami and Abdul Latif Kevin Ayodele, who d!ed in an accident in Nigeria, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
The bodies of Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele were repatriated to the United Kingdom.
The service will begin at 10am at the London Central Mosque, 146 Park Road, London NW8 7RG.
A statement announcing the funeral was shared on Saturday, Jan. 3, by Boxing King Media.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones,” the statement partly read.
Ghami and Ayodele were travelling with boxing star, Anthony Joshua, on Monday December 29, 2025, when the Lexus SUV they were in crashed into a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Joshua escaped with minor injuries. However his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, and personal trainer, Latif “Latz” Ayodele, d!ed at the scene.
The funeral in London will allow family, friends, and the boxing community to pay their final respects.
Operation Absolute Resolve, a massive military action involving over 150 aircraft and months of clandestine preparation, culminated in the apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. General Dan Caine, the highest-ranking military officer of the armed forces, revealed the intricate details of the mission during a press conference on Saturday, December 3, 2026.
The operation was the result of extensive surveillance by agencies including the CIA, NSA, and NCA.
How US forces captured Maduro and his wife while sleeping on bed
These organizations spent months tracking Maduro’s routines and behaviors to find the ideal window for a strike. By early December, forces were positioned and waiting for optimal weather conditions to ensure a surprise entry and minimize civilian risk.
At 10:46 PM Washington time on Friday, President Trump gave the final order to proceed.
The extraction force approached Caracas via helicopters flying just 100 feet above the water to avoid detection. Simultaneously, a massive air component including F-22s, F-35s, and B-1 bombers moved in to dismantle Venezuela’s air defense systems.
The apprehension force descended into Maduro’s compound at 1:01 AM EST. While the helicopters briefly came under fire, the ground teams utilized real-time intelligence to navigate the building.
According to reports, the operation reached its peak when US forces entered the couple’s bedroom and took them into custody.
Following the seizure, the force engaged in several “self-defense engagements” while withdrawing under suppressive fire from drones and fighter jets. By 3:29 AM EST, the team was safely over water.
Maduro and Flores were transported to the USS Iwo Jima, an amphibious assault ship.
Trump later confirmed the success of the mission by sharing a photo of the captive leader on board the vessel, noting that the operation was executed without a single American casualty or loss of equipment.
The U.S. government has released official images showing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in handcuffs and in custody following his capture and transfer to the United States after a military-led operation in Venezuela.
The photographs shared by U.S. authorities show Maduro surrounded by federal agents after his plane landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York.
In the released visuals, Maduro is seen in handcuffs and heavily surrounded by enforcement officers.
Earlier images shared by U.S. President Donald Trump showed Maduro blindfolded and handcuffed aboard the U.S. Navy ship USS Iwo Jima as he was brought toward the United States to face federal charges.
According to officials, after disembarking in New York, Maduro was taken by helicopter to Manhattan and is now expected to be held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as he awaits prosecution on charges including narco-terrorism and conspiracy.
Venezuela 🇻🇪 Rejects U.S. Intervention, Demands Maduro’s Return
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has strongly condemned alleged U.S. military actions, declaring that the country will “never again be a colony of any empire.”
Rodríguez rejected what she described as foreign intervention in Venezuela’s internal affairs and demanded the immediate return of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were reportedly “captured” during a U.S. military operation.
The statement underscores Caracas’ firm stance on sovereignty, self-determination, and resistance to external pressure, as international reactions continue to unfold.
Venezuela insists its future must be decided by its people, not imposed from abroad.
🔥 ELON MUSK HITS VENEZUELA WITH FREE STARLINK INTERNET — MADURO SHOOK, USA & TRUMP CELEBRATE FREEDOM ONLINE! 🌐🇻🇪
In a bold and historic move, Elon Musk’s Starlink has turned on free satellite internet across Venezuela until 3 February 2026, giving millions of citizens a lifeline amid political unrest and widespread communication blackouts under President Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuela has faced repeated internet shutdowns, censorship, and restricted access, leaving citizens isolated from the world. By activating Starlink, Musk aims to ensure freedom of information, communication, and digital connection for the people, bypassing government control.
🔹 Why this is a game-changer:
Citizens regain access to uncensored news, social media, and critical information.
Students, small businesses, and families can stay connected during the crisis.
Humanitarian and emergency communication becomes possible in unstable regions.
🔹 Political impact: The move has shaken Maduro’s regime, which has struggled to control the flow of information. In response, the USA and President Donald Trump publicly praised the initiative, highlighting how technological solutions can empower citizens in countries facing authoritarian control. Musk himself thanked President Trump for his support in enabling these kinds of interventions.
🔹 What’s next: The free service is temporary, lasting until 3 February 2026, but analysts say it sets a precedent for using technology as a tool of freedom in politically unstable countries. Access will depend on Starlink hardware availability and regulatory permissions, but the message is clear — Venezuelans now have a digital lifeline.
Elon Musk is celebrating this as one of Starlink’s most significant humanitarian interventions, showing how satellite internet can become more than a convenience — it can be a force for freedom.
🌍 Venezuela is online, Maduro’s control is challenged, and the world is watching — thanks to Elon Musk, Starlink, and the support of the USA and President Trump.
