A political cartoon from nearly two decades ago seemingly predicted the US military operation against Venezuela. The cartoon has been going viral after the US strikes on the South American nation.
What happened in Venezuela? The United States attacked Venezuela and captured its long-serving President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, 2026. As part of a dramatic overnight operation that knocked out electricity in parts of Caracas, US Special Forces captured Maduro in or near one of his safe houses.
“We will run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” US President Donald Trump said. “We can’t take a chance that someone else takes over Venezuela who doesn’t have the interests of Venezuelans in mind.”
Old cartoon goes viral According to US officials, the operation-, dubbed “Absolute Resolve”, had been planned and rehearsed for months. However, the US operation against Venezuela had seemingly been predicted not months but years ago.
Brazilian political cartoonist Carlos Latuff re-posted his 2007 cartoon in wake of the US strike against Venezuela. The cartoon, titled “Crimes in Progress”, features a sketch of Uncle Sam on the phone in the White House, with a list of countries that the US has invaded.
A box labelled “To Do” contains a list of four countries — Bolivia, Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran.
Latuff, 57, is a well known cartoonist whose work deals with anti-Western sentiment and opposition to US military intervention in foreign countries. His 2007 cartoon has been going viral this morning, having racked up over 30,000 views in a matter of hours.
Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro arrives in New York A plane carrying Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, landed in upstate New York on Saturday evening, multiple news outlets reported. (Also read: 150 planes, 30 minutes: How the US captured Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro in his ‘fortress’)
Video showed a plane arriving at Stewart International Airport about 60 miles (97 km) northwest of New York City, with several U.S. personnel in FBI and other apparel boarding the aircraft after it landed. TV news networks, including CNN, Fox News and MS Now, identified a person who disembarked from the plane as Maduro.
“From National Hero to Heartbreak: Nakamba Says He’s ‘Sliding Into Depression’ After Costly AFCON Error — Can Zimbabwe Forgive?”
Zimbabwean midfielder Marvelous Nakamba has opened up emotionally after the painful moment that changed the course of Zimbabwe’s AFCON campaign — admitting that he is struggling mentally and feels he has let the nation down.
Nakamba, who captained the Warriors, was involved in the incident that gifted South Africa a crucial penalty during the final AFCON group-stage match, a moment that proved decisive and crushed Zimbabwe’s hopes of progressing further in the tournament.
Speaking from the heart, Nakamba said the incident has deeply affected him, explaining that everything he does in football — whether at club level or international duty — is driven by one goal: making Zimbabweans proud. Instead, he now feels he has disappointed the very people he plays for.
He described himself as heartbroken, apologising to fans and the nation, and revealed that the backlash and guilt are taking a serious toll on his mental health. According to Nakamba, the weight of the mistake has left him “slowly sliding into depression.”
This is not just about football anymore. It is about the human cost of pressure, expectations, and national disappointment placed on players who already carry the hopes of millions on their shoulders.
Nakamba has been one of Zimbabwe’s most consistent and disciplined professionals abroad — a player who has always represented the country with pride. One mistake, however costly, has now turned into a personal battle far beyond the pitch.
❓ Should one moment define a player’s entire contribution to the nation? ❓ Are fans doing enough to support players when they break down emotionally? ❓ Where does accountability end and compassion begin?
As emotions continue to run high, many are now calling for support, understanding, and unity, reminding the nation that players are human too — and that mental health matters just as much as results.
WHY VENEZUELA MATTERS: TRUMP’S MOVE MAY HAVE SHAKEN CHINA’S GLOBAL STRATEGY
Trump’s action in Venezuela is not regional politics, it directly targets China’s most critical vulnerability: energy dependence.
China buys 60-90% of Venezuelan oil and 85-90% of Iranian crude, together accounting for roughly 30-35% of its total oil imports.
Another 35% of China’s oil comes from Middle Eastern suppliers vulnerable to U.S. pressure, giving Washington potential influence over up to 70% of China’s energy supply.
Under those conditions, Beijing’s ability to launch a high-risk operation against Taiwan becomes severely constrained.
This weakens China’s military planning in the Indo-Pacific and disrupts its long-term strategy to project power beyond Asia..
It also forces China to squeeze Russia harder on oil prices, increasing the economic strain on Moscow’s war effort.
The U.S. gains strategic breathing room globally, strengthening its ability to meet commitments in Europe and elsewhere.
Meanwhile, China suffers a major setback in Latin America, a loss of leverage abroad, and a blow to Xi’s image of control and inevitability.
A post-Maduro Venezuela could open access to years’ worth of information on corruption networks, covert financing, sanctions evasion, and foreign influence operations, not just regionally, but globally.
That intelligence windfall may reshape how power is understood, exercised, and constrained in the years ahead.
In short, Venezuela is not a side story.
It is a pressure point in a global system defined by energy, leverage, and timing.
If Trump’s move achieves even part of its strategic promise, historians may one day view it not as a regional intervention, but as a pivotal moment in the great power competition of the 21st century.
ARCHDIOCESE OF LUSAKA ORGANIZES SOLIDARITY MASS ON MONDAY IN SUPPORT OF SUMMONED ARCHBISHOP ALICK BANDA.
Memo
To: The Faithful, Clergy and Religious
From: Archdiocese of Lusaka – Vicar General’s Office
UFC: Archbishop of Lusaka
Status:Very Urgent
Date:Saturday 3rd January, 2026
Ref: ZCCB Press Statement of Solidarity with Archbishop Alick Banda and Mass of Solidarity on 5th January, 2026 at 08:00hrs
The above subject matter refers.
This serves to inform all the Faithful, Clergy, Religious and all Parish Priests in the Archdiocese of Lusaka that;
1. The ZCCB Statement of Solidarity with Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. Alick Banda, and the Catholic Faithful in Zambia MUST be read by the Presiding Priest at All Masses during the Announcements on Sunday January 4th 2026, The Solemnity of the Epiphany of The LORD.
2. That you are all invited to a solidarity Mass on Monday 5th January, 2026 at the Cathedral of the Child of Jesus, Lusaka at 08:00hrs. After which, in compliance with the law of our republic, dutifully report to DEC Offices.
Accordingly, we shall be most obliged if this is complied with. And May the Light of Christ continue to illuminate our hearts, minds and the soul of our nation of the Republic of Zambia.
Devotedly yours in Christ,
Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Simpasa, SJ Vicar General – Archdiocese of Lusaka
12 PF COUNCILLORS ENDORSE HICHILEMA, BACK UPND MAYORAL CANDIDATE SIMPOSYA IN KASAMA
January 03, 2026
Kasama – Twelve Patriotic Front (PF) councillors from Kasama and Lukashya constituencies have endorsed President Hakainde Hichilema ahead of the 2026 General Elections, citing the government’s ongoing development agenda in the area.
The councillors announced their decision at a media briefing in Kasama, where they pledged to work with the government of the day in order to accelerate service delivery and development for local communities.
They said their endorsement was motivated by visible improvements in infrastructure and social programmes under the current administration.
The councillors further revealed that they have resolved to rally behind the UPND-adopted aspiring candidate, Bywell Simposya, for the Kasama mayoral position, saying unity and cooperation are key to unlocking the city’s full development potential.
Kaituule Peter Mubanga, the former immediate Deputy Mayor of Kasama and longtime PF Kapongolo Ward Councillor since 2016, said this is the first time he has witnessed development that truly serves the people.
He pledged to rally behind President Hakainde Hichilema in 2026 to ensure the continued development of his ward.
Welcoming the endorsement, UPND Vice Chairperson for Elections, Mr Likando Mufalali, described the move as a positive step towards inclusive governance. “This gesture shows that development transcends party lines,” Mr Mufalali said.
He added that the party would work closely with all stakeholders to ensure Kasama benefits fully from national development programmes.
Meanwhile, the UPND-adopted mayoral candidate thanked the PF councillors for their support and pledged to serve all residents without discrimination. “I will work with everyone for the good of Kasama,” he said.
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Mr Chipoka Mulenga, also assured the councillors that their decision was justified, noting that government policies are focused on improving livelihoods.
The Kasama mayoral position fell vacant following the death of Mayor Theresa Kolala.
Saturday has closed with Zambia’s social media ecosystem on fire. Not over policy. Not over budgets. But over faith, power and suspicion.
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has now formally entered the fray, issuing a strongly worded statement declaring solidarity with Archbishop Alick Banda and framing his summons by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) as persecution and an attempt to silence the Church’s prophetic voice.
“This action is an attempt to suppress his voice as a Shepherd,” the Bishops said, adding that they now “recognize state-sponsored persecution” and calling it “an abuse of authority for the ruling party to utilize state machinery against an individual due to his stance on national governance.”
This is not neutral language. It is political language. And it marks a decisive escalation. Facts and framing matter.
Fact one: Archbishop Alick Banda has been summoned by the DEC’s Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit to appear on Monday, 5 January 2026. The summons is issued under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. It is not a charge. It is not a conviction.
Fact two: The DEC has publicly explained the basis of the summons. According to its Director General, Nason Banda, the matter relates to motor vehicles seized during investigations into irregularly disposed Zambia Revenue Authority assets, with Archbishop Banda’s name appearing in court records as a recipient. The vehicles are in DEC custody and verifiable.
“This has nothing to do with politics or the Catholic Church,” the DEC chief said. “We want him to give us his side of the story. Nobody is above the law.”
Fact three: This is not the first time Archbishop Banda has been linked, by investigators and courts, to questions surrounding irregularly disposed state assets. A ZRA-linked Toyota Hilux previously gifted to him was seized in 2023. His name later appeared in court proceedings involving former ZRA officials.
These facts exist independently of sermons, elections or church-state tensions.
The conflict is not really about a summons. It is about interpretation. The Catholic Bishops have chosen to interpret the summons as persecution. They say it is retaliation for criticism of government over cost of living, fuel prices, load shedding and farmers’ payments. But that framing raises hard questions Zambia cannot avoid.
If a cleric speaks forcefully on governance, does that place them beyond scrutiny under financial crime laws?
If a religious leader publicly mobilises citizens around elections, voter cards and regime accountability, does the state still have an obligation to treat them strictly as a private individual when their name appears in financial investigations?
And most critically: when does prophetic speech cross into overt political mobilisation? The ZCCB statement does not merely defend Archbishop Banda’s rights. It asserts motive. It declares intent. It accuses the ruling party of persecution without presenting evidence beyond timing and context.
This is a powerful claim. It demands an equally high burden of proof. There is also a dangerous conflation happening online and now, implicitly, in official church messaging. Archbishop Alick Banda is not the Catholic Church.
Globally, Catholic priests, bishops and even cardinals have been arrested, prosecuted and jailed for financial crimes, sexual abuse and corruption. The Vatican itself convicted Cardinal Angelo Becciu in 2023 for financial crimes. The Church did not collapse. Faith did not end. Accountability proceeded.
To suggest that questioning an Archbishop automatically equals “war on the Catholic Church” stretches logic and history. If a Pentecostal pastor, an SDA elder or a UCZ bishop were summoned over alleged financial irregularities, would Zambia declare persecution of Christianity as a whole? Or is Catholic institutional power now being positioned as untouchable?
There is also an electoral undertone that cannot be ignored. The ZCCB statement explicitly references the 2026 general elections. Clergy statements circulating online urge believers to “protect voters’ cards” and “defend democracy.”
Opposition leaders have openly called for Catholics to escort the Archbishop to the DEC in numbers.
This is political mobilisation.
Once religious leadership enters that terrain, the state will inevitably view actions through a political lens. Not because it hates faith, but because elections sharpen every institution’s sensitivity.
This does not justify abuse of power. But it does explain why neutrality collapses on both sides.
The DEC must remain clinical, lawful and restrained. No theatrics. No intimidation. No selective enforcement. Due process only. The Church, equally, must resist the temptation to sanctify an individual case into a civilisational battle. Moral authority is strongest when it is careful with facts and cautious with accusations.
Truth is not defended by slogans. Justice is not served by crowds. And accountability is not persecution simply because the person questioned wears a collar. If Archbishop Banda has nothing to hide, the law will clear him. If questions exist, they must be answered, not spiritualised.
This is the uncomfortable but necessary line in a constitutional democracy.
BISHOP BANDA WON’T APPEAR ALONE, WE’LL JOIN HIM AT DEC – M’MEMBE
SOCIALIST Party leader Dr Fred M’membe has vowed to walk with Archbishop Alick Banda when he appears for questioning at the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) this Monday.
On Thursday, DEC Director General Nason Banda urged Archbishop Banda to avoid bringing “unnecessary people” when he appears for questioning.
However, in a statement yesterday, Dr M’membe, who is a member of the Catholic Men’s League at St Peter’s Parish in Garden Compound, questioned why the Bishop should be expected to appear alone.
He noted that President Hakainde Hichilema was always accompanied by huge crowds whenever he was summoned by law enforcement agencies in the past.
“His Grace Archbishop Alick Banda will not walk alone to the Drug Enforcement Commission on Monday. We will accompany our Shepherd to Hakainde Hichilema’s Calvary and help him carry his cross. He will not carry Hichilema’s cross alone. If every time Hichilema was summoned to appear before law enforcement agencies, he was accompanied by huge numbers of UPND cadres, why shouldn’t His Grace be accompanied by his flock? It is said that what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. This means that rules, treatment, or benefits should apply equally to everyone, regardless of gender or individual differences,” Dr M’membe said.
“The phrase comes from an older version, ‘what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander,’ highlighting that if a certain treatment (like being served the same sauce) is acceptable for one, it must be for the other (male/female). Haven’t these people heard of ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you?’
The core ‘do unto others’ verse, also known as the Golden Rule, is found in Matthew 7:12: ‘So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets’. A similar teaching is in Luke 6:31: ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’. Both emphasise treating people with the same kindness and respect you desire for yourself, forming the basis of ethical conduct in Christianity”.
Dr M’membe said it was an insult for the Commission to refer to the Archbishop’s flock as “cadres” and called on all Catholics and Zambians of goodwill to turn out in large numbers.
“Matthew 7:12: ‘In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets’. Luke 6:31: ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’. This principle encourages empathy, kindness, and reciprocity, guiding believers to act in ways that benefit others as they would wish to be treated.
It is an insult for Drug Enforcement Commission Director General Nason Banda to refer to the Archbishop’s flock as ‘cadres.’ When did the faithful become cadres? We therefore make a clarion call to all Catholics and Zambians of goodwill, to turn out in huge numbers and accompany the Archbishop to the Drug Enforcement Commission. Come in your various Catholic lay groups, uniforms. Come rain, come sunshine we will be there,” said Dr M’membe.
Chawama is voting again. On January 15, residents of the densely populated Lusaka constituency return to the polls following the vacancy left by former MP Tasila Lungu. While the by-election is procedurally routine, its political meaning is not. It is unfolding as a test of expectation, credibility, and how far political language can stretch in a community shaped by deep poverty and long-standing neglect.
On the campaign trail, UPND candidate Morgan Muunda has dominated attention with a highly emotive style. His engagements are intimate and dramatic. At different moments he sits among residents, recounts his personal journey, becomes visibly emotional, and presents himself as the embodiment of possibility.
The message is simple and direct: Chawama can be transformed if it places its trust in him and the governing party.
“I am a big machine,” Muunda told supporters. “The one who built Apex University, isn’t it me? Believe me, I will change Chawama.”
He has pointed to the increase in Constituency Development Fund allocations to K40 million as a decisive tool for rapid development, assuring voters that with full backing from President Hakainde Hichilema, the constituency would become “the envy of the country.”
He has also spoken of employment opportunities for local youths in public institutions, framing his potential election as a gateway to jobs and visibility.
The reception to this message has been enthusiastic. In a constituency where unemployment is high, housing is fragile, drainage is poor, and flooding is recurrent, the language of immediacy resonates. Chawama’s politics is not abstract. It is lived daily in overcrowded homes, informal trading spaces, and disrupted livelihoods.
But the distance between campaign promise and institutional authority remains significant. Members of Parliament do not control recruitment into public broadcasters or the defence forces. CDF, while expanded and more decentralised than before, operates under guidelines that prioritise community infrastructure and social projects rather than individual employment guarantees.
These realities do not negate the appeal of Muunda’s message, but they place it within a narrower operational frame than the rallies suggest.
Beyond the theatre, the by-election is also taking place against a backdrop of policy shifts that have altered the ground in low-income constituencies. Free education has reduced household pressure. Expanded social cash transfers have provided limited but vital support to the poorest families. Increased CDF allocations have brought decision-making closer to communities that were previously peripheral to national development planning.
These changes are incremental, often invisible on campaign stages, but they shape daily life more consistently than slogans.
Chawama’s contest therefore becomes less about personality and more about expectations. Voters are weighing emotional connection against practical delivery, aspiration against institutional constraint. In a community long accustomed to being promised transformation, credibility carries its own weight.
As the January 15 poll approaches, the crowds, chants, and imagery will continue. The campaign language will remain expansive. But once the ballots are cast, the work of governance begins, measured not by the scale of promises but by the slow, unglamorous mechanics of delivery.
The Mines Pay Pittance, Nothing to Celebrate About
Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa
For Zambia, the problem is not and has never been the currency in which mining taxes are paid, so there is absolutely nothing to get excited about here. The real problem, one that cuts across successive governments since 2008 when the windfall tax was abolished, is the notoriously low public earnings from the mining sector resulting from the infectiveness of the Zambia Revenue Authority, low taxes, transfer pricing and poorly negotiated development agreements between mining companies and the government. Our very own patriot @joseph_kalimbwe has repeatedly made this important point, but the mining companies pay more attention to him (obviously for self-serving reasons) than the government!
One of the major downsides of the current extractive industry ownership structure is that it is made for corruption and for as long as the State does not have a decisive ownership stake in the strategic mining industry, (i.e. more than 50% as is the case in countries like Botswana, Norway, Sweden, China etc.), Zambians will also have limited means to public accountability for stolen resources. This is because a limited ownership structure (even with greater taxation) gives leverage for the majority shareholders to hide profits and obscure minority shareholders. In effect, accountability is increased where a publicly owned state enterprise exists.
So please reject the diversion on “Zambia to accept Chinese currency for mining taxes” (in fact, Zambia has been doing this since October 2025) and focus instead on the real issue: the paltry revenue collected from Zambia’s jewel and the lopsided ownership structure in the industry. Think of it this way: If Zambia gets 2 percent in mineral royalty rates from the mines, another 2 per cent import duty on copper concentrates and a 4 per cent export duty on precious metals, it does not matter whether this money is paid in dollars or yuan. It is still negligible.
The truth is that in real terms, Zambia gets far less from the mines today than it did in the early years of independence, particularly following the Mulungushi economic reforms of 1968 that increased the national stake in the sector. Zambian miners also get far less today in purchasing power parity and social benefits from the industry. The mining companies have devised various methods for ensuring that most of the value of the copper is collected by their shareholders and the company management, and very little goes to local workers or the Zambian government. There are various tricks for maintaining this system, such as giving kickbacks to government officials, employing foreign companies as contractors, using expensive expatriates for management positions (despite Zambia having had a School of Mines for over fifty years!), and by transfer pricing.
But perhaps the main method for expropriation of value is to keep local taxation low, both as profits tax and mineral royalty tax. The main strategy that mining companies deploy to maintain low taxes is to threaten government that they will reduce mining operations, or even move out of Zambia altogether if taxes are increased. These are credible threats for two main reasons. First, any pulling out, or even reduction of expansion programmes, will affect employment in Zambia and reduce tax revenue, thus the government may be ‘cutting its nose to spite its face’ if it tries to increase taxes.
Secondly, the threats are credible because the mining giants are truly global multinational corporations, and they can fairly easily move their operations in the direction of a country where production costs are cheaper, taxation rates are lower, and bribing of government officials is even easier (the Democratic of Republic Congo, for instance, would arguably fit all three of these criteria).
In other words, a large rich multinational is in a strong position to bully a weak African state such as Zambia, and has a large influence over government policies to support the mines by tax holidays, lower taxation rates, providing subsidies (such as cheap electricity), degrading the trade unions, overlooking environmental degradation, and so on.
That said, our consistent national problem since the days of Levy Mwanawasa and Ng’andu Magande is the tragic lack of an incorruptible, patriotic, visionary, courageous, and enlightened leadership. It is a scandal what is happening in Zambia’s mining industry. The collusion between mining companies and our political elites continues to produce shadowy deals that produce terrible policies and sustain a subject that is at the heart of the activism of @FMwenge: our extreme national poverty.
The truth is that the benefit of keeping minerals in the ground, or banking them for the future, far exceeds the economic, environmental and social costs of a bad deal. So if mining companies threaten to leave because of the proposed small tax increments, Zambia would do well to pave the road for them. It is time we looked to longer-term strategies rather than short-term expediency. Banking our resources until such a time that we are in strong negotiating position or there is broader scarcity for metals that would enable us set improved terms for ourselves is better than emptying our underground wealth to mostly benefit foreign commercial interests.
It is worth noting that the basic economic position is that, for almost a hundred years, mining companies in Zambia have been milking our riches and engendering poverty and destitution. Our feet walk on copper, yet we remain absolutely poor, thanks to inept leadership from a succession of corruptible political leaders who pawn off the country for a few trinkets at a time, accumulate through brazen theft of public resources and the massive sale of Zambian assets to so-called investors, and strut around with self-importance when they are nothing but the disposable playthings of even bigger global kleptocrats.
Our mineral wealth has been and continues to be taken from us, and when they have taken the whole lot, we shall remain with nothing and probably be the poorest country on Earth, with all our wealth transported to Geneva, Beijing, New Delhi, Ottawa, London and New York.
Evangelical Youth Alliance Executive Director MOSES LUNGU has urged PF Information and Publicity Chairperson EMMANUEL MWAMBA and other stakeholders to refrain from sensationalising the Drug Enforcement Commission –DEC- summons issued to Catholic Archbishop ALICK BANDA.
Reverend LUNGU warns that Zambia’s peace and stability should not be put at risk by careless or provocative statements.
He says exaggerating a lawful investigative procedure is misleading and irresponsible, as it distorts public understanding of due process, weakens confidence in investigative institutions, and diverts attention from facts to unfounded speculation.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today, Reverend LUNGU said public figures must exercise restraint and accuracy when addressing sensitive matters that affect faith communities and the national interest.
He added that Archbishop BANDA should honour the investigators’ request, noting that compliance with lawful summons upholds the rule of law and allows issues to be addressed through established legal channels rather than in the court of public opinion.
Meanwhile, Reverend LUNGU cautioned church leaders against accepting gifts, advising them to carefully examine such gestures to avoid compromising their integrity or becoming entangled in corrupt practices.
He said church leaders must remain focused on their spiritual mission and resist personal gain.
President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration has initiated pragmatic economic shifts to stabilize Zambia’s fiscal situation. Key measures include permitting mining companies to remit tax obligations and service certain debts in Chinese Yuan (CNY), reflecting Zambia’s reliance on Chinese investments, especially in the copper mining sector, and the need to restructure significant external debt.
Accepting CNY for commercial transactions, especially in mining, provides several advantages. Zambia’s copper, the mainstay of its foreign exchange earnings, is predominantly sold to China. By enabling payments in CNY, the government mitigates currency conversion risks and transaction costs linked to USD transactions. Mining companies like Konkola Copper Mines benefit from streamlined tax compliance and reduced demand for US dollars, preserving hard currency for essential imports priced in USD or Euros.
Additionally, utilizing CNY is strategically aimed at fostering economic integration with China, potentially unlocking further investments or favorable loan conditions amid ongoing debt restructuring with China, Zambia’s largest bilateral creditor. Committing to repay part of the external debt in the lender’s currency signals a willingness to fulfill obligations while easing tensions in negotiations overseen by international bodies like the Paris Club and G20 Common Framework. This approach might stabilize repayment schedules by alleviating exchange rate risks associated with CNY purchases using converted USD earnings.
Despite these transactional merits, the policy necessitates careful management. Key risks include potential depreciation of the Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) and depletion of foreign exchange reserves if CNY is poorly managed. If the government accepts Yuan only to sell them for USD needed for imports or non-Chinese debt servicing, it merely shifts currency risks.
Therefore, establishing a transparent mechanism for utilizing or hedging CNY reserves is critical. The government must disclose the volume of CNY accepted and its intended uses while enhancing its capacity to trade CNY internationally, ideally through increased bilateral trade in ZMW or barter arrangements. Without effective management, accumulating Yuan may lead to hidden liabilities.
Long-term, Zambia must safeguard its economic sovereignty and avoid over-reliance on a single trading partner’s currency beyond transactional necessities. The decision should maintain transactional flexibility, ensuring it does not signify a structural shift from the US dollar as the principal international reserve currency for emerging markets, while pursuing broader strategies to diversify exports and reduce dependence on Chinese financial support.
A public war of words has erupted between Chipolopolo captain Fashion Sakala and former Zambia national team striker Clifford Mulenga, following controversial remarks linked to Zambia’s poor showing at the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The exchange began after Mulenga alleged that Sakala’s preparation before Zambia’s crucial match against Morocco was questionable, claiming the forward suffered a reaction after eating caterpillars.
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“Apparently he ate caterpillars and had a huge reaction. A delicacy he’s never ever had in his entire life. He chose to eat them before the biggest game of the tournament for his country,” Mulenga wrote in a social media post, which was accompanied by clown emojis.
Mulenga further criticised the technical bench, stating that the biggest downfall for Zambia national team coach, Moses Sichone and his technical bench, was their failure to read game proceedings and opponents’ strategy.
The comments triggered a response from Sakala, who defended himself and accusing Mulenga of acting out of personal resentment rather than football analysis.
Sakala went on to accuse Mulenga of harbouring bitterness after allegedly being denied financial assistance.
“I am not surprised by the allegations you continue to make against me. You came to me several times asking for financial help, and I assisted you to the best of my ability. When I later explained that I could no longer help financially, you became my worst enemy, angry, and from that moment you chose to portray me as a bad person and a bad player,” Sakala said.
Sakala insisted that Mulenga’s accusations had nothing to do with football.
“These accusations are not about football; they are driven by your personal anger and resentment toward me over money. Own your personal reasons for hating me and stop misleading the public,” Sakala said.
The Chipolopolo captain added that while he normally avoids public confrontations, he felt compelled to respond to Mulenga’s attacks.
“I will not accept disrespect, especially from a former football player known for disciplinary issues and commitment to tearing people down,” Sakala said.
“Just accept that you never used your time nicely and I shouldn’t be blamed for your own mistakes bro. My time will definitely pass and let the next generation enjoy, and I will be there to support them, not looking down on them because of jealousy and envy”.
Sakala demanded for mutual respect while urging Mulenga to stay in his lane.
“I’m not a perfect football player and remember I’m just a normal human being who wants to contribute to our country like any other Zambian. What belongs to other people belongs to them, and what belongs to me belongs to me without downgrading other people’s accomplishments in life. Stay in your lane man,” said Sakala.
Meanwhile, Mulenga dismissed Sakala’s claims, questioning the authenticity of the statement and denying ever receiving financial assistance from the Saudi Arabia based Chipolopolo striker.
“I refuse to believe that Fashion Sakala Jr wrote this statement. I will treat this as a misguided statement and an attempt to embarrass, humiliate, discredit and intimidate me,” Mulenga said.
He challenged Sakala to provide proof for his allegations.
“If we went to court today, Fashion Sakala Jr would never produce any records, bank statements or messages of him assisting me or refusing to assist me financially,” Mulenga said.
He maintained that his comments were purely football-related and vowed to continue his analysis.
“My match analysis will not end here. If people can’t take criticism for poor performances, then let them quit the game. Fashion Sakala Jnr, Happy New Year young bro. Hope you come back stronger and become a better footballer than I was. Jealousy is something I have never known,” Mulenga said.
He reiterated that Sakala was lying about the financial assistance he claimed to have provided to him.
“Please be honest because you are lying. Otherwise, hope you come back stronger from your terrible showing at AFCON 2025,” said Mulenga.
The public fallout between the two prominent figures in Zambian football has sparked widespread debate among fans, with opinions divided over criticism, professionalism and respect within the Zambian football family.
“They Stole His Phone” – Anthony Joshua’s Uncle Condemns Bystanders and Emergency Response
Adedamola Joshua, an uncle to the heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, has expressed the family’s deep distress following the tragic accident that claimed the lives of the boxer’s two friends. He criticized the behavior of onlookers at the scene, revealing that instead of offering help, some bystanders recorded videos and even stole from the victims.
The Family’s Shock
Adedamola revealed that the family did not initially learn of the crash through social media. Instead, the devastating news came via a phone call from a retired police officer, plunging the family into confusion and grief.
He recounted:
“Well, some of us are not really used to social media, so we didn’t get to hear of it on time. But around 1 pm, one of my church members, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, called to inform me of the accident and it was like I had never in my life heard that people were involved in an accident.
“How can Anthony Joshua be involved in an accident? It sounded so impossible, but it actually happened; it is unfortunate,”
A Visit Cut Short
The uncle clarified that Joshua’s trip was a routine family visit during the festive season, not a public appearance. He noted that the boxer had arrived in Nigeria only six hours prior to the crash and had chosen to prioritize visiting his family in Sagamu over meeting dignitaries.
He stated:
“It has really left us in shock because this is not the first, the second, or the third time he has been coming home, so what happened? Why now?
“He just arrived in the country six hours ago on that day, and was eager to see his family in Sagamu, only for things to go the way they went,”
“He could have decided to say that he wanted to spend some time with the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, or other influential Nigerians, but he said that he wanted to be with his family in Sagamu. It is really painful that such an incident happened,”
System Failure and Theft
Adedamola expressed anger at the poor emergency response, noting how distressing it was to see an injured Joshua walking across the road instead of being on a stretcher. He compared the situation to standards abroad, where air ambulances would have been deployed.
He also condemned the insensitive actions of the crowd, confirming that the boxer’s phone was stolen amidst the chaos.
He lamented:
“I want to condemn the lackadaisical attitude of our government towards anything emergency. To see Joshua crossing the median after the accident when he was supposed to be on a stretcher was distressing,”
“If it had been abroad, a helicopter would have arrived at the scene within five minutes for the evacuation of the victims of the accident.”
“It is not enough to have the officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps checking vehicle documents; let there be ambulances too, stationed along this road,”
“Some Nigerians act badly at accident scenes. When they are supposed to help, you will see them bringing out their phones to make videos and even steal from the victims. That is not right,”
President Donald Trump said Saturday the United States military could have killed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro during its overnight operation if necessary.
“It could have happened,” Trump told reporters at a news conference at his Florida estate. “He was trying to get into a safe place. You know, the safe place’s all steel, and he wasn’t able to make it to the door because our guys were so fast.”
Trump reiterated how the US military “went through the opposition so fast,” while also noting that “there was a lot of opposition.”
“People were wondering, do we get them by surprise? Sort of surprised, but they were waiting for something. It was a lot of opposition. There was a lot of gunfire,” he said.
Maduro is aboard the USS Iwo Jima ship, and Trump posted an image of him in US custody shortly before the news conference began.
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the US is “going to run” Venezuela indefinitely in the aftermath of the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” he said during a press conference from his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. “We don’t want to be involved with having someone else get in, and we have the same situation that we had for the last long period of years. So we are going to run the country.”
Trump added that he determined the US should take charge of Venezuela to ensure that the eventual next leader has the “good of the Venezuelan people in mind. But he offered no timeline for how long such a transition of power was expected to take.
“We’re going to stay until such time as the proper transition can take place,” he said.
Trump also said he planned to authorize US oil companies to take over Venezuela’s energy infrastructure, asserting that the corporations would “spend billions of dollars” on the project.
“We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country,” he said.
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the lights in Caracas were shut off as the Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was captured overnight, praising those involved for executing the mission.
“No nation in the world could achieve what America achieved yesterday, or frankly, in just a short period of time, all Venezuelan military capacities were rendered powerless as the men and women of our military, working with us, law enforcement, successfully captured Maduro in the dead of night. It was dark, the lights of Caracas were largely turned off due to a certain expertise that we have,” Trump said in a news conference moments ago.
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States was prepared to mount a second attack on Venezuela if need be — though he suggested it was no longer necessary after military personnel were able to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in an overnight raid.
“We were prepared to do a second wave if we needed to do so — we actually assumed that a second wave would be necessary, but now it’s probably not,” Trump said in remarks from Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday as he recounted the operation.
“The first wave, if you’d like to call it that, the first attack was so successful, we probably don’t have to do a second, but we’re prepared to do a second wave, a much bigger wave, actually,” he continued.
The president reiterated comments that the operation conducted in the early hours of Saturday morning, which saw elite US forces drag Maduro and his wife from their bedroom, was as “pinpoint” operation.
And he added that subsequent military operations in Venezuela were in the planning phase but that the administration “probably won’t have to do” them.
President Donald Trump on Saturday praised the US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, calling it a success and emphasizing that no American service members were killed and no US military equipment was lost.
Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago club in South Florida, Trump described the operation as highly effective and said it involved extensive US military assets.
“If you would have seen what I saw last night, you would have been very impressed. I’m not sure that you’ll ever get to see it, but it was an incredible thing to see not a single American service member was killed and not a single piece of American equipment was lost,” he said.
“We had many helicopters, many planes, many, many people involved in that fight,” the president added.
President Donald Trump posted an image of US-captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima moments ago.
Maduro, in a gray Nike sweatsuit, clutches a water bottle.
Maduro’s eyes are covered with an blacked out covering and what looks like large headphones are over his ears. It is unclear if Maduro is near his wife Cilia Flores, given she is not pictured in the photograph.
This photo posted by US President Donald Trump to the social platform Truth Social appears to show Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima. From President Donald Trump/Truth Social
“Captured and Flown Out” – Trump Announces Arrest of Venezuelan President Maduro
United States President Donald Trump has announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been successfully captured following a major US operation.
The Announcement
Breaking the news via his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump revealed that the mission involved a “large-scale strike” coordinated with US law enforcement. He confirmed that the Venezuelan leader and his wife have already been transported out of the country.
He wrote:
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country.
“This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Background: The $50 Million Bounty
This dramatic development follows a recent escalation by the US government, which had just months ago doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million. The bounty was predicated on his alleged role in international drug trafficking.
It is worth noting that Maduro, along with several senior Venezuelan officials, was originally indicted by the United States in 2020 during Trump’s first administration.
12 PF COUNCILLORS ENDORSE HICHILEMA, BACK UPND MAYORAL CANDIDATE SIMPOSYA IN KASAMA
January 03, 2026
Kasama – Twelve Patriotic Front (PF) councillors from Kasama and Lukashya constituencies have endorsed President Hakainde Hichilema ahead of the 2026 General Elections, citing the government’s ongoing development agenda in the area.
The councillors announced their decision at a media briefing in Kasama, where they pledged to work with the government of the day in order to accelerate service delivery and development for local communities.
They said their endorsement was motivated by visible improvements in infrastructure and social programmes under the current administration.
The councillors further revealed that they have resolved to rally behind the UPND-adopted aspiring candidate, Bywell Simposya, for the Kasama mayoral position, saying unity and cooperation are key to unlocking the city’s full development potential.
Kaituule Peter Mubanga, the former immediate Deputy Mayor of Kasama and longtime PF Kapongolo Ward Councillor since 2016, said this is the first time he has witnessed development that truly serves the people.
He pledged to rally behind President Hakainde Hichilema in 2026 to ensure the continued development of his ward.
Welcoming the endorsement, UPND Vice Chairperson for Elections, Mr Likando Mufalali, described the move as a positive step towards inclusive governance. “This gesture shows that development transcends party lines,” Mr Mufalali said.
He added that the party would work closely with all stakeholders to ensure Kasama benefits fully from national development programmes.
Meanwhile, the UPND-adopted mayoral candidate thanked the PF councillors for their support and pledged to serve all residents without discrimination. “I will work with everyone for the good of Kasama,” he said.
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Mr Chipoka Mulenga, also assured the councillors that their decision was justified, noting that government policies are focused on improving livelihoods.
The Kasama mayoral position fell vacant following the death of Mayor Theresa Kolala.
AG BONDI: MADURO AND HIS WIFE INDICTED IN NEW YORK, “AMERICAN JUSTICE” NEXT
AG Pam Bondi says Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.
She frames the operation as a major move to bring them to trial in the U.S.
“Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.
Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States.
They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.
On behalf of the entire U.S. DOJ, I would like to thank President Trump for having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American People, and a huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the UK was not “involved in any way” in the US operation in Venezuela, but he is seeking more information before commenting on it.
Starmer says he has not spoken to President Trump about the US’s capturing of President Nicolas Maduro.
“No I haven’t and it is obviously a fast moving situation and we need to establish all the facts”, he said in remarks recorded for UK broadcasters.
The prime minister added “what I can say is that the UK was not involved in any way in this operation”.
Asked if he would condemn the action as number of UK MPs, some from Labour’s left and some independents, already have, Starmer said “I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump. I want to speak to allies. As I say I can be absolutely clear we were not involved in that”.
He went on “as you know, I always say and believe we should uphold international law.
But I think at this stage, fast moving situation, let’s establish the facts and take it from there”.
Commenting on the implications for UK citizens in the South American country Starmer said “there’s about five hundred there in Venezuela, and we are working with the embassy to make sure they are well looked-after, safeguarded and get appropriate advice, and we are working at pace with the embassy on that. It is a small number, but it is an important number, so that is what we are doing there”.
STATEMENT CONDEMNING U.S. MILITARY AGGRESSION AGAINST VENEZUELA
At 2:00 a.m. local time on 3 January 2026, the United States launched military strikes against multiple sites in and around Caracas and the adjoining states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. These attacks targeted military installations and civilian areas alike, resulting in a direct assault on Venezuelan sovereignty and the lives of innocent people.
The Socialist Party unequivocally condemns this act of war, which constitutes a flagrant violation of Article 2 of the United Nations Charter prohibiting the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. This is not merely aggression—it is a war crime under international law.
The gravity of this situation has escalated further with the alarming disappearance of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has confirmed that following this brutal attack, the whereabouts of President Maduro and the First Lady are unknown. While the Trump administration claims to have captured and removed them from Venezuela, Vice President Rodríguez has rightly demanded that the United States provide immediate proof of life for both President Maduro and the First Lady. This potential abduction of a sitting head of state represents an unprecedented escalation in imperialist lawlessness.
The United States has made abundantly clear that this war, which it has imposed on Venezuela, is about oil and nothing other than oil. It is a naked exercise in resource plunder, dressed up in the rhetoric of democracy and human rights. Washington cannot tolerate a government in Caracas that insists on using Venezuelan oil wealth for the benefit of the Venezuelan people rather than ExxonMobil and Chevron.
The Trump administration had threatened to carry out land strikes against Venezuela for months and even declared the Venezuelan government a “terrorist organization”—a transparent pretext for bypassing the U.S. Congress to take unilateral military action. This calculated preparation for aggression exposes the lie of American “democracy” and “rule of law.”
The United States will not prevail in Venezuela. It will face determined resistance not only from the Venezuelan people and their Bolivarian Armed Forces, but from the peoples of the world who refuse to return to an era of open colonial warfare.
We call upon progressive governments worldwide, and all peace-loving peoples to:
Condemn this illegal military aggression in the strongest possible terms
Demand the immediate cessation of all U.S. attacks against Venezuela
Demand immediate proof of life for President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores
Support Venezuela’s right to self-determination and sovereignty over its natural resources
Mobilize international solidarity to defend the principles of the UN Charter
Recognize this attack for what it is: an attempt to impose a colonial war and seize Venezuela’s strategic resources
No to violations of the UN Charter.
No to War.
Yes to Peace.
The era of unchallenged imperialist aggression is ending. From Caracas to Kabul, from Baghdad to Bamako, the peoples of the Global South are rising to defend their sovereignty. History is on the side of those who struggle for justice, not those who drop bombs to steal oil and kidnap elected leaders.
Aluta Continua!
Dr. Fred M’membe President, Socialist Party Zambia January 3, 2026
If it is confirmed that Nicholas Maduro has been detained and taken out of the country, attention will turn to who will govern Venezuela next.
Apparently, there will be no further attacks, and Donald Trump would consider himself satisfied with having removed Maduro. But that raises the question: will Chavismo remain in power without Maduro?
If that happens, there are three figures to watch closely: Vice President Delcy Rodríguez; Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello; and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.
All three appeared on television hours after the attack and could assume leadership.
Both Padrino and Cabello wield significant influence within the military, which could remain loyal to either figure. The role of the armed forces will be key in determining who takes the reins.
Rodríguez, by contrast, holds greater civilian and economic power and does not have the same access to the military ranks as Cabello and Padrino.
The other major unknown is what the opposition, led by María Corina Machado, will do. After claiming victory in the July 2024 elections, the opposition is demanding real political change and may not be satisfied with Maduro’s removal from the presidential palace alone.
ZCCB STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY WITH ARCHBISHOP ALICK BANDA AND THE CATHOLIC FAITHFUL IN ZAMBIA.
“In the world you will have hardships, but be courageous: I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)
2nd January 2026
We, members of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), express our unwavering solidarity with Archbishop Alick Banda and all the Catholic faithful in Zambia in the face of ongoing attacks against the Church’s mission and leadership.
We are aware that Most Reverend Alick Banda, Metropolitan Archbishop of Lusaka, has been summonsed to appear before the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit of the Drug Enforcement Commission on Monday, 5th January 2026. This was contained in a letter of summons delivered to him on 31st December 2025.
As ZCCB, we view this action as an attempt to suppress his voice as a Shepherd of the Archdiocese of Lusaka and a member of ZCCB. Archbishop Banda has faced consistent name-calling and what we can now recognize as state-sponsored persecution. We consider it an abuse of authority for the ruling party to utilize state machinery against an individual due to his stance on national governance and his efforts to hold the government accountable.
The Catholic Church has, for many years, stood as a beacon of faith, justice, and service to the people of Zambia. Today, as attempts are made to silence her prophetic voice and undermine her pastoral mission, we affirm that the Church’s role in defending truth, justice, and human dignity cannot be diminished or suppressed.
We therefore condemn all forms of intimidation, harassment, and persecution directed against the Catholic Church and her leaders. Such actions not only wound the “Body of Christ”, the Church, but also threaten the moral fabric and unity of our nation. The Church’s voice must remain free to speak truth to powers that be, to comfort the afflicted, and to guide Zambia toward a future rooted in our motto: One Zambia One Nation!
Once again, the ZCCB expresses full solidarity with Archbishop Banda during this period. We reaffirm that it is morally wrong to use state institutions to persecute those who hold dissent views and/or provide oversight on matters of governance. Dialogue and mutual respect should be the way to go.
We exhort the Catholic faithful and all people of good will to continue praying for calm, peace and unity in our nation, especially as we get closer to this year’s general elections.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Prince of Peace, intercede for us!
Signed for and on behalf of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB),
Most Rev. Ignatius Chama, Archbishop of Kasama and President of ZCCB
The US operation in Venezuela appears to have been carried out with “impressive speed,” likely with the involvement of special operations forces, according to a munitions and intelligence specialist.
N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director of the research company Armament Research Services, told CNN Saturday that the operation “appears at first blush to have been carried out with impressive speed and precision.”
“The mix of visible aircraft, the known presence of certain US vessels, and the nature and volume of the reported strikes in the imagery circulating online immediately suggested that a raid using special operations forces (SOF) was underway,” he said.
“In addition to at least a dozen helicopters, the operation will have been supported by a robust air package comprising both fixed and rotary wing assets, including specialist aircraft,” Jenzen-Jones said.
The operation would have required a large amount of planning, but so far, the “number and nature” of the strikes reported suggests a “limited target set.”
For its part, Venezuela has “robust air defence systems and locally distributed military, paramilitary, and law enforcement forces” in Caracas, Jenzen-Jones said, meaning that a raid such as this should have been “difficult to conduct with the speed and precision exhibited here.”
“In practice, corruption, poor training, lack of maintenance, and other factors significantly reduce this threat,” he said.- CNN
Don’t panic, Bishop Banda will clarify Hilux donation with lawyers – Fr Muyunda
MONGU Diocese Catholic priest Fr Ignazio Muyunda says Catholic faithful must remain calm following the summoning of Lusaka Archbishop Dr Alick Banda by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), stating that the Archbishop is innocent and the matter will soon be resolved.
Fr Muyunda explained that the matter which relates to a Toyota Hilux donated to the Archbishop years ago,can be clarified fully in the presence of lawyers, hence there is no reason for panic.
“Be at peace…! The matter of our Archbishop will be resolved soon. He will explain in the presence of lawyers how the donation was made to him and the matter will be settled. No cause for alarm or panic because he never stole and he is innocent,” Fr Muyunda said.
He described the issue as straightforward and requiring only explanation.
Fr Muyunda also warned politicians against exploiting the matter for political gain, urging them not to turn a legal process into a divisive political or religious debate.
“Please, the politicians don’t try to turn this matter into a political game to fuel tension between the Church and State” he said.
The priest assured that the Zambia Episcopal Conference will provide guidance and updates should any new developments arise.
He called on the faithful to avoid unnecessary drama and trust that Archbishop Banda’s explanation will settle the matter.
The DEC summon of Archbishop Banda in connection with the investigations surrounding a ZRA Toyota Hilux gifted to him, has attracted attention and sparked debate on social media, with some opposition voices urging citizens to accompany the Archbishop in solidarity.
WASHING PF DIRTY LINEN IN PUBLIC IS CHILDISH – MUMBI
FORMER PF Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri says she will not join the “childishness” of discussing internal party matters in public.
Phiri says any party grievances should be discussed internally, as the PF is a family of people who are on speaking terms.
On Wednesday, Given Lubinda reminded members that he has powers of the party presidency, which he can use to create offices or dismiss members he thinks are a threat to the party’s security.
Earlier, some party members, including presidential aspirant Greyford Monde and Christopher Shakafuswa challenged him to provide evidence for his claims that the party had no money and that he had been using his own funds to finance by-elections.
Asked to comment on that in an interview, Phiri said as a cultured woman, she believed in resolving issues through closed-door meetings.
“And as you rightly said, I’m one of the old members of the Patriotic Front and one of the oldest members of the Central Committee. By the way, in case you didn’t know, I was the first national youth chairperson of the Patriotic Front and my secretary was Eric Chanda.
Honourable Chishimba Kambwili took over from me and I was the deputy secretary general when we were ruling. These matters, I don’t want to join a bunch of childishness to be discussing bedroom matters in public. The matters which you have asked me, I have direct access to Honourable Lubinda and if I have any grievances or if I have any concerns, I talk to the people concerned directly,” she said.
“I’m a woman who is cultured. You don’t resolve problems in the public domain, you solve problems in closed-door meetings. So, I will not join the bunch of childishness of those who want to comment, I’m not a kid. I’m a wife, I’m a mother and I’m a grandmother.
Even party matters to me, they are the same. We are a family as Patriotic Front and if there are some grievances, they are not to be discussed in public. We are all on talking terms, I would rather talk to the people concerned than me coming to the newspaper and washing dirty linen in public. I will not be part of that”.
She added that although there were issues within the PF under Michael Sata and Edgar Lungu, there was no washing of dirty linen in public.
“Being a cultured wife, a cultured woman, a cultured mother, a cultured grandmother, I will not join the childishness of those who want to wash dirty linen in public; I refuse. There were so many things which were happening underground, under the leadership of Michael Chilufya Sata.
And most of you know that I was very close to him. Just as much as I was very close to the late Edgar Chagwa Lungu. You never saw us washing dirty linen in public. We can talk about those things privately. And me, I refuse to be part of the people who are discussing sensitive party matters in public. I will not lower myself to that,” Phiri said.
Meanwhile, Phiri advised party members to remain calm and help choose the direction for the party by selecting a leader.
“To the party members, I call upon them to be calm. Where we are now, it’s the party members who should choose the direction we should go. It’s them who should give us a leader whom they want.
Even me, when I was deputy secretary general, it was because of the membership we had. That’s why I was called that. If there is no membership, there is nothing. And in our Bemba saying, we say, for a river to flow, there have to be stones. When a chief is saying, ‘I’m a chief,’ it’s when there are people,” said Phiri.
“When there is nothing, you can never call yourself a chief. You can never call yourself a president; you can never call yourself a king. So where we are, as we start 2026, the people themselves have to decide. It’s not the amount of money; it’s not the amount of wisdom. It’s not about how long somebody has been there, it’s the people’s choice”.
MAKE NO MISTAKE, OPPOSITION WILL UNITE – MAKEBI ZULU
Renowned Constitutional Lawyer and Patriotic Front (PF) Presidential Aspirant Makebi Zulu has reaffirmed that the opposition will unite against those attempting to derail Zambia’s progress.
Mr Zulu stressed that make no mistake, the opposition stands ready to defend the country’s future.
He emphasised that together they will work to restore not only confidence but also the trust of fellow countrymen and women.
Mr Zulu disclosed that they met on Friday evening with Mr Kasonde Mwenda, President of the Economic Freedom Fighters.
He also noted that they engaged with Mrs Mulenga Kapwepwe, one of Zambia’s towering female leaders, whose commitment to national development remains steadfast.
Mr. Zulu said this is part of ongoing efforts to build a stronger and more responsive opposition to the current regime, which he said has brought the country to its knees economically, socially, and politically.
He said these engagements reflect a growing resolve among opposition leaders to work together in the interest of the Zambian people.
KASAMA LAWMAKER ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO RECONTEST, ENDORSES UPND MAYORAL CANDIDATE
PF Kasama Central Member of Parliament, Sibongile Mwamba, has announced her intention to recontest the Kasama Central parliamentary seat in the 2026 General Elections.
However, Ms Mwamba did not specify the political party under which she intends to stand, citing ongoing internal challenges within her current party that have made it difficult for her to make a definitive decision.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker has reaffirmed her commitment to supporting UPND mayoral candidate, Bywell Simposya, in the forthcoming Kasama Central mayoral by-election.
She also urged Kasama residents to vote for Mr Simposya, emphasizing the need for continuity in the district’s development agenda.
Ms Mwamba made these remarks during a radio programme on Kasama Radio yesterday.
In a move that has raised eyebrows across the political landscape, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Antonio “Mourinho” Mwanza has dramatically softened his long-held stance against the ruling UPND government—marking a striking departure from years of relentless and often scathing criticism, even when the UPND was still in opposition.
Now, in a tone that contrasts sharply with his past rhetoric, Mwanza says he is ready to work with the UPND administration “in the national interest,” offering what he describes as practical solutions to ease the hardships facing Zambians.
Speaking on Radio Phoenix’s Let the People Talk program in Lusaka on Friday, Mwanza declared that the DPP is prepared to collaborate with government on issues affecting citizens, setting aside political differences in favor of what he called the greater good.
This shift comes just days after Mwanza openly criticized fellow opposition parties, arguing they lack both the capacity and credibility to defeat the UPND in 2026. He bluntly stated that no opposition party currently has the muscle or organization needed to dislodge the ruling party from power, accusing them of failing to present viable alternative policies.
Mwanza acknowledged the reversal, conceding that the DPP had previously ruled out any cooperation with the UPND.
“We said very clearly as DPP that we could never work with the UPND, and I said it here on Radio Phoenix,” he admitted. “But now we are saying no—we must work together on issues affecting Zambians, and we are ready to do so.”
He added that the DPP has developed what he termed “brilliant and practical” proposals, which the party is willing to submit to government for possible implementation.
“We have solutions, and we are ready to put them forward for the UPND to implement,” Mwanza said.
Beyond politics, Mwanza also turned his attention to governance, urging the government to give the public a clear and unified explanation for the recent reduction in load-shedding hours. He warned that contradictory statements from senior officials have only deepened public confusion.
“When we hear the Chief Government Spokesperson, the Vice President, and the Minister of Energy, each gives a different reason. Then ZESCO comes with another explanation altogether,” he said.
Mwanza called on ZESCO Limited to issue a single, professional, and comprehensive statement explaining the improved power supply. He further urged the utility to urgently address public complaints that electricity units appear to be depleting faster than before, saying transparency is essential to restoring public trust.
For a man once known as one of UPND’s most uncompromising critics, Mwanza’s newfound conciliatory tone has sparked curiosity—and suspicion—about what lies behind this political about-face. Whether it is pragmatism, strategy, or genuine concern for national unity, one thing is clear: Antonio Mwanza has changed his tune, and the country is watching closely.
CELESTINE MUKANDILA URGES GOVT TO HALT CDF PROGRAMMES OVER LEGAL CONCERNS
Patriotic Front faction Deputy Secretary-General and lawyer Celestine Mukandila is urging government to temporarily suspend Constituency Development Fund –CDF– programmes until subsidiary legislations are reviewed.
This follows the passage of Bill 7 into law last year, which may have created inconsistencies between the Constitution and existing statutes.
Speaking to Phoenix News in an interview, Mr. Mukandila explains that recent constitutional changes necessitate a review of laws like the CDF Act and Local Government Act to ensure legality, warning that proceeding without harmonized regulations risks operating in a legal vacuum.
Mr. Mukandila has noted the need for clear commencement dates and role definitions to prevent conflicts of interest and has advised expediting the review process to provide legal certainty for councils and ensure development programmes proceed on a firm statutory footing, avoiding future litigation and governance disputes.
FINAL PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY TO REOPEN MULUNGUSHI TEXTILES AFTER US$140 MILLION INVESTMENT
By Nelson Zulu
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga says final preparations are underway to bring Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe back into operation after securing a US$140 million investment in new machinery.
Mr. Mulenga has confirmed to Phoenix News that government and Mulungushi Textiles management have procured and installed brand-new equipment and plan to auction outdated machines currently on site, with test runs to validate technical readiness before a formal re-opening is underway.
He has cited the lack of cotton as the reason for failure to re-open the facility by 23rd December 2025, as earlier announced, and revealed that about 3,000 cotton farmers have been contracted to supply the raw material.
Mr. Mulenga added that an initial harvest has been encouraging, however noting that further crops are needed to ensure adequate stock once production starts.
He is hopeful that the company will re-open soon after the completion of technical and logistical issues is resolved and projects the plant to create between 400 and 500 direct jobs, with further indirect employment across the value chain once functional.
PROTESTS IN IRAN SPREAD RAPIDLY AS CLERIC REGIME WARNS US AND ISRAEL TO BE LEGITIMATE TARGETS.
As nationwide protests continues to spread across Iran on Friday, the regime’s hardline Parliament speaker warned the U.S. and Israel that American forces and bases in the region would be considered “legitimate targets” if Washington intervenes in the country’s ongoing political unrest.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf made the comments after President Donald Trump said earlier Friday that the U.S. would take action if Iran uses force against demonstrators. It comes as protests entered a sixth day and appear to be spreading, with Iranian opposition groups claiming at least eight deaths.
“The disrespectful President of America should also know that with this official admission, all American centers and forces across the entire region together with his puppet dog Netanyahu a Zionist will be legitimate targets for us in response to any potential adventurism,” Qalibaf wrote in Persian on X.
“Iranians have always been united and determined to act in the face of an aggressor enemy,” he added.
Qalibaf’s threat emerges as the United States maintains a substantial military presence in the region.
Roughly 40,000 active-duty U.S. troops and War Department civilians are deployed across the Middle East, according to Military Times , citing Pentagon officials. Forces are stationed in countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Syria, according to Reuters .
Trump said earlier Friday that the United States is “locked and loaded and ready to go” if Iranian authorities violently suppress demonstrators.
“If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The Iranian opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) claimed Friday that protests have spread to at least 44 cities across 19 provinces, with at least eight people killed in clashes with security forces over the past two days. The group said the youngest victim was 15 years old. The claims could not be independently verified.
According to the NCRI, demonstrations and street fighting intensified overnight, with protesters blocking roads, throwing stones and setting fire to police vehicles in multiple cities, including Marvdasht, Semirom, Darreh-Shahr, Ramhormoz and Azna.
The group also claimed demonstrators burned a statue of slain Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Lali, in Iran’s Khuzestan province.
Funerals of those killed in the uprising turned into angry demonstrations against the clerical dictatorship, NCRI reported.
In Zahedan, in Iran’s southeast near the borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, demonstrators rallied after Friday prayers, chanting slogans including “Death to the dictator” and “Death to Khamenei.”
The unrest marks Iran’s most significant protests since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody sparked nationwide demonstrations. Iranian officials say the current unrest has not reached the same scale or intensity.
In recent demonstrations, some of the most severe violence has been reported in western Iran, where videos circulating online appear to show fires burning in streets and the sound of gunfire during nighttime protests.
In a message to the protesters, the President-elect of the NCRI, Maryam Rajavi, said that the protesters have “struck fear into a weakened enemy.”
“Scenes of your courage, valor, and steadfast resistance captivate the conscience of the world,” Rajavi said. “Therefore, from here, I say to the clerics, the Revolutionary Guards, the Basij forces, and their intelligence agents: whatever measures you take, you will not be able to silence people who have resolved to overthrow the clerical regime.”
“You may kill, you may wound, you may arrest and imprison, but you will not escape the relentless wrath of this nation. And let this stand as an explicit warning to all those who order and carry out these crimes and killings: the courts of a free Iran are awaiting you.”
Meanwhile, exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of Iran’s former shah, praised Trump’s “decisive leadership” and tough stance against Iran’s ruling clerics.
Pahlavi said Iranians are risking their lives to end 46 years of rule by the Islamic Republic.
“[The people] have entrusted me with a message along with a great responsibility: to strive for the revival of the relationship that Iran once had with America; a relationship that brought peace and prosperity to the Middle East,” Pahlavi wrote on X.
“I have a clear plan for a stable transition in Iran and enjoy the support of my people to achieve it. With your leadership in the free world, we can leave behind a lasting legacy of enduring peace.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry has condemned what it called an “act of armed aggression against Venezuela” by the United States, calling any “excuses” given to justify such actions “untenable.”
“We reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan people and our support for the Bolivarian leadership’s course of action aimed at protecting the country’s national interests and sovereignty,” a statement from the foreign ministry said.
The ministry added that Latin America must “remain a zone of peace.”
“In the current situation, it is important, first and foremost, to prevent further escalation and to focus on finding a way out of the situation through dialogue,” the statement said. “Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own destiny without any destructive, let alone military, interference from outside.”
The Russian Embassy in capital city Caracas is operating as usual, according to the ministry, which added: “At present, there is no information about any Russian citizens who have been affected.”
The US arrested Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to stand trial in the US, according to a Republican senator who says he spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“He informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant,” Utah Sen. Mike Lee posted on X early Saturday.
“This action likely falls within the president’s inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack,” Lee added.
Earlier Saturday morning, Lee had raised concerns about the strike, writing on X: “I look forward to learning what, if anything, might constitutionally justify this action in the absence of a declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force.”-CNN
The Trump administration has for years said that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was a criminal and has looked to prosecute him through the US legal system.
In 2020, during President Donald Trump’s first term, Maduro was charged in the Southern District of New York for “narco-terrorism,” conspiracy to import cocaine, and related charges.
The Trump administration offered a $15 million bounty for the arrest of the Venezuelan leader. That bounty was increased to $25 million in the waning days of the Biden administration, in early January 2025, and was increased to $50 million in August 2025 after Trump took office for a second term and designated Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. The administration has claimed that Maduro is the leader of that group, which it describes as a criminal organization.
“This allegation, this claim, that the Maduro regime is a narcoterrorist organization is not on the basis of political talk or speculation. It is on the basis of evidence provided to a grand jury in the Southern District of New York that returned an indictment,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a press conference last month.
Trump said in a social media post early Saturday that Maduro had been captured “in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement” and promised more details later in the day.
Republican US Sen. Mike Lee of Utah said he spoke with Rubio on Saturday morning and the top US diplomat told him “that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by US personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant.”
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said in a post on X that the administration’s operation brought “a new dawn for Venezuela.”
“The tyrant is gone. He will now — finally — face justice for his crimes,” Landau wrote.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US army’s Delta Force. Delta Force is the US military’s top counter terrorism unit.
President Donald Trump announced early Saturday morning that the US carried out a “large scale strike against Venezuela” and that President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and removed from the country.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” he wrote on Truth Social.
“This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago,” he added.
In a brief phone interview with The New York Times shortly after his announcement, Trump hailed what he called a “brilliant operation.”
“A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people,” Trump told the Times. “It was a brilliant operation, actually.”
According to the Times, Trump declined to answer questions about whether he’d sought congressional authority for the strike, saying he’d address it at his upcoming news conference.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez says the government doesn’t know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.
US President Donald Trump announced early Saturday morning that the US carried out a “large scale strike against Venezuela” and that Maduro and his wife had been captured and removed from the country.
“We demand immediate proof of life from the government of President Donald Trump regarding the lives of President Maduro and the first lady,” Rodríguez said in an audio call to state-run VTV Venezuela.
She added the US attack has cost the lives of officials, military personnel and civilians across the country.
