Blac Chyna has confirmed that she is no longer romantically involved with Rob Kardashian, putting an end to months of speculation that the former couple might be heading back together.
The rapper and reality star, who now goes by her birth name Angela White, shared the update via Instagram on Tuesday. Posting a short video, she wrote: “Guess who’s ending the year single,” before adding a telling caption: “You knew it. You and I.”
The post immediately signalled that whatever hopes fans had of a reunion between Angela and Rob were officially off the table, Daily Mail reported.
This comes just weeks after Angela publicly described Rob as her “person” and hinted that they were on a path toward reconciliation. In October, during an appearance at the Los Angeles Women’s Expo where she was a keynote speaker, Angela openly spoke about their relationship while responding to questions from a moderator.
At the time, she admitted that she and Rob were healing, communicating, and “going with the flow.”
“We’re healing and we’re communicating and we’re just going with the flow. And if God be, then it will be something,” she said.
When the moderator pointed out how close and happy the pair seemed during a recent outing at Universal Studios, Angela agreed, describing Rob as “actually hilarious.” She even playfully acknowledged that they were “on the path” to getting back together, forming a heart shape with her hands and jokingly calling out to Rob.
Angela also revealed then that she would love to have another child and said she would prefer to expand her family with Rob rather than her other ex, rapper Tyga. She shares a nine-year-old daughter, Dream, with Rob, and a 13-year-old son, King Cairo, with Tyga.
Just days before confirming the split, Angela had reignited reconciliation rumours with a cryptic Instagram post. She shared photos of herself dressed in white beside a white Ferrari, captioned: “This love is forever ♾️ @robkardashianofficial.” Rob further fueled speculation by liking the post.
The development raised eyebrows, especially given the couple’s explosive past, which included public accusations, legal battles, and Rob posting explicit images of Angela during their bitter breakup.
Despite the recent warmth between them, Angela’s latest post makes it clear that the chapter is now closed — at least romantically.
For now, she’s ending the year single, and fans are left watching to see what 2026 holds for the former couple.
🇿🇲 EDITOR’S NOTE | The Electoral Math the Opposition Keeps Dodging
When Dr. Fred M’membe appeared on Prime TV’s Oxygen of Democracy on Monday night, he spoke with unusual candour. His diagnosis of the opposition was blunt, unsparing, and revealing. In his own words, opposition alliances collapsed because of “personal ambition” and an inability to agree on who should lead. What he described was not sabotage from outside, but implosion from within.
“That formation has disintegrated,” M’membe said of the United Opposition Front. “Primarily, it’s even how to choose a flag bearer, when to choose a flag bearer, how to choose that flag bearer… those disagreements became nasty.” This admission matters. It confirms what has been evident for months.
Zambia’s opposition does not suffer from a lack of ideas or platforms. It suffers from a presidency complex. Too many leaders. Too many presidential ambitions. Too little willingness to subordinate personal projects to a collective strategy.
The geography of this ambition is not accidental. A large proportion of opposition presidential hopefuls emerge from the northern circuit, areas where the Patriotic Front performed strongly in 2021. This concentration alone guarantees vote fragmentation before the ruling party even enters the race.
Multiple opposition candidates fishing in the same electoral waters inevitably dilute each other’s support.
Against this backdrop stands an uncomfortable arithmetic the opposition rarely confronts honestly. The UPND enters the 2026 race with a solid, loyal base that does not fluctuate with coalitions or press conferences. Electoral Commission of Zambia data from past elections and current parliamentary representation show consistent UPND dominance in Southern Province, Western Province, North-Western Province, and large parts of Central Province.
These regions have remained reliably RED across election cycles.
Based on the updated voters’ roll projections nearing eight million registered voters, traditional UPND strongholds account for close to 2.5 million voters. This figure represents a minimum floor, not a ceiling. It excludes Lusaka, the Copperbelt, and urban swing constituencies where UPND continues to compete aggressively and where incumbency provides organisational and logistical advantages.
This is the structural reality Dr. M’membe gestures toward but does not fully interrogate. A fragmented opposition facing a ruling party with a consolidated base is not an even contest. It is asymmetrical politics.
M’membe himself explains why unity keeps failing. “Personal ambition, personal agenda is driven much to the background,” he said, before correcting himself: in practice, ambition is placed at the forefront. He likened opposition negotiations to a casino, where every entrant believes they can leave with more than they brought in.
https://youtu.be/DgnJAuFX_cE?si=4EZaPUMOj5mpGByy
“Whoever stands, even if it’s a frog, will win,” he said, describing a dangerous illusion that elections are automatic rather than earned.
This illusion is costly. It encourages maximalism instead of compromise. It delays difficult conversations about flag bearers, structures, and ground strength. It produces what M’membe accurately calls “happenstance unity” rather than a strategic alliance anchored in numbers, regions, and voter behaviour.
The contrast with the ruling party is stark. UPND has its alliance intact and seemingly with oiled financial machinery. It relies on arithmetic and voter loyalty built over two decades. President Hakainde Hichilema understands fragmentation because he survived it for fifteen years in opposition. He knows that unity is not declared. It is enforced through structure.
None of this absolves the government of scrutiny. Opposition criticism remains essential in a democracy. But elections are not won on critique alone. They are won by coalitions that reduce internal competition, not multiply it. Unfortunately, the opposition doesn’t have this for now.
Fred M’membe’s interview was valuable precisely because it stripped away comforting myths. Unity is desired, yes. But desire without surrender of ego produces nothing. Until opposition leaders confront the presidency complex head-on and align ambition with electoral math, 2026 will not be decided by slogans or studio interviews.
It will be decided by numbers the opposition keeps postponing and a voting bloc the ruling party already owns.
🇿🇲 VIEWPOINT | Makebi, Grief Politics & Record Reinvention
Makebi Zulu appeared on Prime TV last night and used the hour to construct a reverent portrait of late President Edgar Chagwa Chagwa Lungu. The interview leaned heavily on memory, faith language, and moral framing. Lungu was presented as a caring steward, a defender of rights, a pragmatic manager of crises, and a leader whose legacy deserved protection.
The tone was affectionate. The message was clear. Zambia, viewers were told, lost a servant of the people whose record stands in contrast to the present.
This framing deserves scrutiny, not out of disrespect to the dead, but out of respect for history. Public memory does not begin at death. It rests on records. In August 2021, Lungu lost the presidency by the widest margin since Zambia returned to multiparty politics. Hakainde Sammy Hichilema won with about 59 percent of the vote to Lungu’s 38 percent.
The loss cut across provinces and urban centres. It was decisive. Voters did not remove a saint. They rejected an administration.
Makebi cited the pandemic period to argue competence and care. He said Lungu “refused to close the borders” and chose vigilance to protect trade. This is broadly accurate. Zambia kept borders open for cargo and regional transit. But the same period was marked by public anxiety over transparency, procurement, and enforcement. Decisions taken during a crisis are not judged only by intent. They are judged by trust.
By 2021, that trust had eroded.
Makebi also claimed that during a power crisis Lungu “docked a ship in Mozambique” to import electricity, limiting loadshedding to four hours. This claim is harder to verify. Zambia relied on emergency power purchases and regional interconnections at various times, including short-term contracts. Public records do not show a clear, documented instance of a power ship being docked specifically to supply Zambia as described. We understand, this is a political metaphor. The broader point is that power shortages persisted through Lungu’s final years and became a political liability.
Voters remembered darkness, not docking.
The interview went further. Makebi said Lungu, “even in his death,” wanted rights respected and costs lowered. He linked delayed burial to “stubbornness of the government” and alleged a South African poisoning inquest was a tactic to gain access to the body. These are serious claims. What is verifiable is this: the burial has been delayed for months amid legal and diplomatic processes. What remains unproven is the allegation of a state plot to seize the body. Assertions without evidence harden emotion, not truth.
What stood out most was the sanctification of legacy. Makebi spoke of Lungu as a Christian servant and cast current leaders as violators of faith and unity. Religion featured prominently. However, the record of Lungu’s tenure includes worst corruption, televised tribal campaigns by Chishimba Kambwili, police killings, shuttered media houses, selective enforcement of the Public Order Act, and deep political polarisation.
https://youtu.be/DgnJAuFX_cE?si=4EZaPUMOj5mpGByy
Courts and civil society documented these issues while Lungu was alive. Death does not make someone a saint.
Grief politics works by smoothing edges. It invites the public to remember only warmth and intention, not outcomes. It is powerful. It is also risky. Zambia’s electorate already adjudicated Lungu’s record while he lived. They did so at the ballot box. To suggest that a leader so rejected represents an uncontested ideal requires more than sentiment.
Makebi also framed Lungu and his base as a Christian reformers wronged by power. But forgiveness, a core Christian ethic he invoked, was absent from his language. The conflict with President Hichilema is personalised. The subtext has always been clear: defeat in 2021 remains the central grievance. This grievance now fuels a politics of remembrance rather than a politics of renewal.
Opposition unity featured briefly. Makebi acknowledged fragmentation and hinted at a secret vehicle for 2026. That admission aligns with what Fred M’membe conceded earlier this week on the same network: ego and presidential ambition have weakened the opposition. What Makebi did not address is capacity.
Moral clarity does not replace organisation. Reverence does not build structures. Elections are won by coalitions that reach beyond studios and personalised anger against one man. The major goal of the current opposition is unseating Hichilema. This is however unachievable without alternative economic plans.
Whatever the case, Zambia can honour the dead without rewriting the past. We can mourn without myth-making. The country’s politics will not be rescued by canonising a record voters already judged. The harder task is forward-looking credibility: clear policy, verifiable claims, and a message that speaks to lived experience rather than nostalgia.
Grief may mobilise emotion. It does not substitute for consent.
Sean Tembo vows to call Hichilema daily at 9 hours
PEP president Sean Tembo has vowed that he will be calling President Hakainde Hichilema every day at 09:00 hours until the Head of State answers his call.
Tembo made the pledge yesterday while broadcasting live on his Facebook page, where he claimed to call President Hichilema but failed to get through.
During the live broadcast, Tembo dialled the number he claimed to be for the President twice, but both calls were cut.
“If he doesn’t call back then will call back the president tomorrow at 9 hours. We will try by all means to talk to the president. If he doesn’t pick up tomorrow at 9 hours, I will still call back the next day. I will keep calling the president every day at 9 hours until he picks the call,” he vowed.
Tembo said the daily calls would be broadcast live on his social media platforms at 09:00 hours.
He explained that the purpose of the call is to seek clarity from President Hichilema on the delayed payments to farmers who supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
He also said he wants confirmation on claims by the Ministers of Finance and Information and Media that the delay in payments is being caused by commercial banks.
Tembo further revealed that he has not spoken to President Hichilema in more than four years but the two were in contact before the 2021 election results.
When Zambia transitioned from Kenneth Kaunda’s 27-year rule to Frederick Chiluba’s new multiparty era, the change appeared peaceful on the surface.
However, beneath the handshake diplomacy, one of Southern Africa’s most psychologically brutal political confrontations was unfolding.
On Christmas Day, 1997, Kaunda was arrested, a moment chosen for maximum symbolic impact.
Christmas, traditionally a day of presidential addresses and national unity, became the backdrop for Kaunda being bundled into a vehicle by armed officers.
The timing led many senior diplomats to conclude that the arrest was meant to break Kaunda psychologically, rather than simply pursue legal action.
The government accused Kaunda of involvement in a failed coup in October 1997, led by junior soldiers.
Yet Zambian intelligence insiders later admitted that there was no concrete evidence linking Kaunda to the mutiny.
Kaunda had been out of power for six years, had no military command, and was leading a peaceful political movement under UNIP.
Despite this, he became the central figure blamed for a coup he did not participate in.
At the time, Kaunda was experiencing an unexpected political resurgence, drawing large crowds to his rallies and maintaining widespread respect across rural districts.
Inside State House, Chiluba’s camp feared that Kaunda could potentially win the 1998 elections if allowed to run.
Kaunda’s moral authority still overshadowed other political figures and remained a unifying force across tribal lines, unlike the fragmented new elite.
For many observers, his arrest was interpreted as a pre-emptive political strike rather than a measure of national security.
During the same period, Kaunda was shot in the neck by government forces while leading a peaceful protest.
This injury left him physically vulnerable at the time of his detention.
For many Zambians, this act reinforced the perception that the state was willing to use lethal force against a national symbol.
Kaunda was subsequently held in Mukobeko Maximum Security Prison, a facility typically reserved for murderers, armed robbers, and political radicals.
This was not merely imprisonment but an attempt to erode his legacy by equating him with dangerous criminals.
Some prison officials later revealed they were instructed to treat Kaunda “as an ordinary dangerous suspect,” delivering a psychological blow aimed at undermining his stature.
The international community, including the Commonwealth, the United Nations, and African heads of state, intervened behind the scenes to pressure Chiluba to release Kaunda.
Even Nelson Mandela reportedly sent private messages condemning the treatment of the former president.
Diplomats feared that Zambia was descending into personal vendetta politics, with the potential to trigger ethnic tensions or civil unrest.
Chiluba’s own cabinet was divided on the matter, with some ministers warning that humiliating Kaunda could backfire politically.
Nevertheless, hardline security advisors convinced Chiluba that neutralising Kaunda was essential to consolidating power.
Ironically, the detention had the opposite effect of what Chiluba intended.
Kaunda emerged from prison more respected, seen as a statesman, and admired internationally as a martyr of democratic abuse.
The attempted political witch hunt, while meant to cripple Kaunda’s comeback, ultimately strengthened his legacy.
Historians agree that there was no direct evidence linking Kaunda to the coup, the arrest’s timing and style were deeply political, and Chiluba had strong incentives to remove a key rival.
Official statements cited national security, but the methods, symbolism, and sequence of events pointed clearly to a targeted political campaign.
The detention of Kaunda remains a powerful reminder of how political power struggles can shape the destiny of nations and the enduring respect commanded by principled leadership.
Shipungu writes:
PRESIDENT KAUNDA GETS A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE-former president KK was arrested on Christmas Day in 1997 and held under emergency powers invested in FTJ; after the coup attempt.
Post independence, KK strategically banned a number of political parties from challenging his leadership. To consolidate his power, in 1972 he called for a constitutional amendment; abolishing the multiparty political system, establishing a one-party state.
Nonetheless, after the reintroduction of the multiparty political system in 1991, KK lost elections to Frederick Chiluba (FTJ), who became Zambia’s second president.
Aside from that, in the November 1996 elections, FTJ was re-elected, and his party won 131 of 150 seats in the National Assembly. Poetic justice is real, constitutional amendments enacted in May 1996 disqualified KK from participating in any future elections ( Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, January 30, 1998).
This is were the story hits the climax though.
Four days after Zambia celebrated it’s 33 years of independence, the country woke up on the morning of 28 October 1997 to hear what many later described as a slurred, drunken-sounding voice announcing the overthrow of the Government of Zambia over the national radio station (ZNBC).
Identifying himself as “Captain Solo”, Captain Steven Lungu claimed to speak on behalf of a “national redemption council” whose intention was “saving our nation from total collapse”.
In his radio broadcasts that began shortly after 6 a.m, Captain Solo declared the constitution suspended, political activity banned, and all airports closed. Demanding that President Frederick Chiluba surrender by 9 a.m, he claimed to have troops surrounding State House and criticised the government for corruption and criminal activities.
The coup attempt, described by Captain Steven Lungu as “Operation Born Again”, saw a group of soldiers drive armoured cars to capture the radio station, while another band of soldiers at the Arakan army barracks in Lusaka planned to take hostage Zambian army commander Lieutenant General Nobby Simbeye. That second group, allegedly led by Captain Jackson Chiti, failed to find the commander and instead took hostage his family members and other officers, later breaking into a private bar and looting a refrigerator full of beer.
The escaped lieutenant general raised an alarm, rousing troops loyal to the government.
Contrary to Captain Solo’s increasingly jittery broadcast statements, there were no rebel troops surrounding State House. By 8 a.m, there was silence on the airwaves. Some of the mutinous soldiers at the radio station stripped off their army fatigues and ran away. Others barricaded themselves in the radio station’s offices. A few tried to resist a commando unit, wearing red berets, but were quickly overwhelmed.
A reported total of 15 were immediately arrested, and at least one of the rebel soldiers was fatally shot in the fighting as the troops loyal to FTJ regained control of the radio station.
By 8:36 a.m, a lieutenant colonel announced to the nation over the radio that the government was in control and that all culprits would be arrested. ZNBC TV crew later filmed and broadcast the image of Captain Solo lying on the ground as soldiers stamped on his chest.
Actually, it had taken about three hours to suppress the poorly organized, bumbling coup attempt. The Zambian security forces began a sweep of those who had fled, nabbing four soldiers who drove off in Lt. Gen. Nobby Simbeye’s car. Two others were soon discovered near the radio station after school children spotted them in their hiding place (The Post (Zambia), 29 October 1997/Amnesty International – 2 March 1998).
After the coup attempt, marches and rallies supporting the government were staged across the country. The opposition political parties like, UNIP, the Liberal Progressive Front (LPF) party, and the Zambia Democratic Congress (ZDC) party, condemned the coup attempt. Religious groups and human rights organizations like LAZ, AFRONET, FODEP and others decried the coup attempt (Times of Zambia (Zambia), 30 October 1997/Reuters, wire service report, 26 December 1997)
This coup attempt led to a special cabinet meeting on the following day, on 29 October, 1997. The cabinet reportedly discussed how best to handle the investigation of the coup attempt. Later, on the very day; President Chiluba declared a state of emergency (Times of Zambia (Zambia), 30 October 1997).
According to the publication by Amnesty International on 2 March, 1998; Captain Solo, never mentioned KK, nor other opposition politicians in his address.
Equally, the Government never suspected the opposition to have been involved in the coup attempt.
“The government is not suspicious that the opposition was behind the attempted coup,” presidential spokesman Richard Sakala told reporters at a 29th October news briefing that was held while President Chiluba met with his cabinet (Agence France Presse, wire service report, 29 October 1997).
Though, on October 27, 1997; the day before the coup attempt, The Post newspaper had printed an article by journalist Dickson Jere that quoted KK warning of “an explosion soon” unless there was genuine dialogue between the ruling Movement for a Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) and opposition parties.
“Something big will come and of course MMD will blame UNIP for that,” warned KK, who was interviewed by telephone in South Africa. He added: “But it won’t be UNIP. It will be the people of Zambia who are going to act.”
Asked by Dickson Jere when and how a possible political insurrection would occur, Kaunda said he didn’tknow, but “…I just know that it will involve the people. (Reuters, wire service report, 26 December 1997).”
Because of this interview with KK, journalist Dickson Jere (currently, a prominent Zambian lawyer) was detained.
In fact, after declaring the state of emergency, many were arrested.
At the rally, MMD National Chairman Sikota Wina said that the “big fish” in the coup attempt were still in hiding. President Chiluba agreed that there were many people who could have been involved. “They usually use fools to stage this sort of thing,” the President said. “So far, a lot of information has come through from those arrested. They have started telling the truth. I am enjoying this situation because everything is unfolding.” He added.
KK’s statement in The Post newspaper later became central in justifying his arrest without charge on 25 December 1997. More than 100 heavily armed police, some of them in a troop carrier, surrounded his house just three days after he returned to Zambia from two months’travel to the United States, India and the United Kingdom (Reuters, wire service report, 27 December 1997).
Kenneth Kaunda appeared on 29 December in court closely guarded by almost 20 police officers. Afterwards, a police helicopter whisked Kenneth Kaunda off to Mukobeko Maximum Security Prison in Kabwe, about 120 kilometres to the north, without informing his lawyers. Kenneth Kaunda began a hunger strike that ended five days later, after former Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere intervened, visiting him in prison and persuading him to eat.
On 31 December 1997, President Chiluba ordered the then 73-year-old opposition leader transferred to house arrest as a “restricted person”, under Section 3.3(a) of the Preservation of Public Security Act and Regulations 16(1) of the Preservation of Public Security Regulations (Statutory Instrument No. 151 of 1997, Supplement to Government Gazette, 31 December 1997).
These Regulations also banned Kenneth Kaunda from political activity, prohibited him giving interviews to the press, and restricted his access to visitors. Armed paramilitary policemen set up camp around his house, putting up barbed wire and disconnecting telephone lines to the house. Initially, his lawyers were prevented from seeing him, contrary to the provisions of Article 26(1)(d) of the Constitution.
UNIP National Chairman, retired general Malimba Masheke was also barred. Four UNIP activists also claimed security force officers prevented them from visiting Kenneth Kaunda on 24 February 1998. Frank Musonda, Barry Mwape, Danny Zimba and Dr. Kaunda’s photographer, Sunday Musonda, allege that police told them they would not be allowed to see their political party leader (Times of Zambia (Zambia), 27 February 1998).
It’s very important to always remember that when you are a president, you become an inspiration to those aspiring to hold the office you’re holding. So, when you are in the office, make sure you set the right inspiration. While in office, you can choose how you would want to be treated after you leave that office. Never ignore being fair to your opponents’ and making peace with the present for a peaceful future: because, even people you don’t like can become presidents ❤
DON’T BE INTIMIDATED TO RUN FOR THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT
The late Ben Mwila once told the story of how Frederick Chiluba reacted when results came in and confirmed he was going to become the second President of Zambia.
Several senior MMD officials were in the living room celebrating when they noticed that Chiluba had disappeared.
“I found him in the kitchen crying”, BY narrated.
Asked why he was crying when he was supposed to be celebrating, BY reported Chiluba as saying, “How am I going to be President? When we campaigned, it was like a joke but now it’s real”.
BY said he comforted him assuring him that he was not alone as there were men of vast experience to help him run the country.
As BY told this story, the room was eerily quiet. It was as if everyone was processing the awesome nature of the office of the President.
Undoubtedly, the office represents awesome responsibilities.
And understandably, when the dust of campaigns and rhetoric has settled down, the cold hard truth revealing the depth and breadth of the office hits the new President real hard.
But intimidating though it might be, it’s an office meant for ordinary mortal men and women.
It may be presented in mystery and mythology but it’s not any of these things.
It’s a leadership, administrative and management position like any other.
It has a physical office and members of staff who carry the orders of the office holder.
It doesn’t take long before the office holder realizes that all the mysterious talk associated with the office were lies.
How do I know this? Because they begin to enjoy the office so much so that they fight tooth and nail to remain there.
If the job were as hard as they make it out to be, why would anyone even seek to amend the constitution and seek a third term?
“Power is sweet” is the honest truth revealed to us by a man who, ironically, cried in fear of assuming it’s awesome duties in the first place!
It’s in the interest of those in power to exaggerate the qualities required to hold the office of President.
It is intended to scare off contenders, narrow the competitive field and increase chances of retaining power.
https://youtu.be/DgnJAuFX_cE?si=4EZaPUMOj5mpGByy
The privileges of being President easily get to the head of the office holder.
From mundane things such as the fancy title itself, fellow adults opening doors for you, saluting you, carrying everything and anything for you to substantive stuff like hiring and firing people and deciding public policy and laws, being President is literally being the alpha and omega on earth.
And the temptation to use these powers and privileges to fix opponents and those that abused the now incumbent is almost impossible to resist.
So, don’t be lied to and don’t be intimidated. There is nothing special about the brothers that have occupied the office of President.
There are no special skills that are available to only a select few to become President.
All you need is to step forward and announce your availability for office.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has commenced his month-long vacation, handing over executive authority to the country’s two vice presidents under a rotating acting presidency that has sparked renewed debate about succession within the ruling Zanu-PF party.
The leave began on December 23, with Vice President Kembo Mohadi acting as president until the end of the year. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga will assume the role from January 1 to January 13, before Mohadi resumes acting duties until Mnangagwa returns in early February 2026.
The carefully structured rotation has attracted political attention, particularly the limited period assigned to Chiwenga, who is widely regarded as a key contender to succeed Mnangagwa when his constitutional term ends in 2026.
Analysts say the arrangement reflects internal balancing within Zanu-PF, which remains divided between factions backing Chiwenga and those pushing for an extension of Mnangagwa’s rule.
In October 2025, Zanu-PF endorsed a resolution to begin processes that could extend Mnangagwa’s presidency to 2030, arguing it would allow him to fully implement the government’s Vision 2030 development agenda.
As the acting presidents take turns at the helm, observers say the period will be closely watched for signals about Zimbabwe’s political direction beyond 2026.
CHINA MAKES 95% OF YOUR “CHRISTMAS SPIRIT” – AND SHIPPED IT IN JULY
China exported $5.97 billion in Christmas decorations in 2024.
The Netherlands came 2nd with $249 million.
That’s a solid 24:1 ratio.
China doesn’t dominate the Christmas decoration market – it IS the freaking market.
Your “authentic Victorian ornament”? Made in Yiwu. Your “traditional Bavarian nutcracker”? Guangdong province.
That “handcrafted” nativity scene celebrating the birth of Jesus? Assembly line in Shenzhen, shipped 6 months before December.
The irony nobody mentions:
The world’s most aggressively secular state manufactures the physical infrastructure of Christianity’s biggest holiday for countries that claim religious heritage as cultural bedrock.
Europe’s trying.
Germany, Poland, France, Denmark all export “premium” decorations.
Translation: higher prices for the same supply chain, just assembled domestically.
The Netherlands moves $249 million as a logistics hub – repackaging Chinese goods with European labels.
The diversification story:
India hit $117 million, Cambodia $103 million.
These aren’t competitors, they’re overflow valves for when Western retailers want to claim they’re “reducing China dependency” without actually changing anything fundamental.
Mexico and the US crack the top 10 by serving regional markets.
Meaning: slightly less shipping time, same factories, different hemisphere.
Here’s what the data doesn’t say but everyone knows:
Those decorations were manufactured in July.
Quality-checked in August.
Containerized in September.
Arrived at warehouses in October.
Sat on store shelves in November.
By the time you’re debating which inflatable Santa to buy, that product has already traveled 8,000 miles and passed through four countries’ customs systems.
The entire “spirit of Christmas” supply chain runs on six-month advance planning, bulk manufacturing, and the fact that nobody wants to pay what European artisan ornaments actually cost.
Every year someone publishes this data.
Every year people briefly care.
Every year China’s market share grows anyway because nobody’s built an alternative that works at scale.
THE SPIRITUAL FACTORS BEHIND THE BATTLE FOR EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU’S BODY
By CHARLES KACHIKOTI
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, and you are praying for a resolution to the standoff between the UPND Government and the bereaved family, begin to think beyond the politics.
Take note of several spiritual realities that have made ECL’s remains a treasure that forces in high places are competing for. These salient matters, controversial as they may be, have become the deciding factors of the Covenant Nation’s destiny:
1 – CHRISTIAN NATION
ECL declared that Zambia will remain a Christian Nation and took landmark steps to consolidate that. He categorically rejected LGBTQI in a widely televised BBC interview of 2019. Notably, every head of state after Frederick Titus Jacob Chiluba, fondly known as FTJ, has upheld the Christian Nation covenant, and ECL went kilometres further. Occult networks including the Freemasons have long laboured to reverse and uproot the covenant which is seen as an impediment to the establishment of liberal democracy (which promotes ‘minority rights’ including LGBTQI) across Africa.
2 – NATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER
In October 2015, the project in Woodlands, Lusaka began with a groundbreaking ceremony. ECL is reported to have said FTJ, who in December 1991 declared Zambia a Christian Nation, was supposed to build this structure. ECL at a UCZ service in Kafue on Sunday November 10, 2024 pledged to complete the construction on returning to presidency. The project awaits completion by a Covenant President.
3 – NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
October 18, 2015 estabished by ECL was the first of the annually observed National Day of Prayer. For all the controversy around it, the occasion continues to unify believers in Christ to seek God’s favour on the Republic of Zambia.
4 – MINISTRY OF NATIONAL GUIDANCE AND RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS ECL established the ministry to promote national values and principles, and consolidate the Christian Nation Declaration. It was established in 2016 and dissolved in 2021 after the general elections, later becoming a department under the Office of the Vice-President.
5 – NATIONAL ALTAR AT STATE HOUSE ECL was concerned that there was no chapel at State House. Eventually prayer programmes took off, from 0500 to 0700hrs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and 1400hrs on Sundays. Prior to that, believers working at State House conducted prayers during lunch hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the time of Rupiah Bwezani Banda. That tradition goes back to the time of FTJ though not as consistently then.
DEEPER MEANINGS If you are believer in Jesus Christ, see the deeper meanings behind the five spiritual benchmarks ECL left behind.
Remember too that the Covenant Nation does not begin with FTJ. At Independence in 1964, Bishop Filemon Mataka led prayers over the new flag of the Republic of Zambia at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross. The flag was laid on the altar and prayed over, after which it was hanged on the wall at the back of the auditorium.
No matter your opinions about ECL or FTJ, remember that the Ruler of the kings of the earth is Jesus Christ, which is stated in Revelation 1:5. In His hand is the heart of every king, and He directs the kings as He wills, which we see in Proverbs 21:1.
Remember the dispute over the body of Moses, who led Israel for 40 years after the Exodus from Egypt. The Book of Jude records that the archangel Michael clashed with Satan over the remains, which dispute was closed when God Himself buried Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5-6). For more than sixty days since June 5, 2025 when ECL died, Zambia has been locked in this dispute.
Are we headed for the biblical 70 days before this matter is settled? Zambia being a Christian Nation means God rules, and God intervenes. Pray that God steps in and that Edgar Chagwa Lungu is laid to rest without any satanic and occult works performed on or around his remains.
Remember that ECL said in ciBemba: “You shall look for me with a torch in broad daylight, but you will not find me.” We need eyes to see and ears to hear.
Pray that in all this, Zambia finds grace in the eyes of the Living God.
Makebi Zulu has argued that Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 was fundamentally tainted by criminality and that its later enactment as Act No. 13 of 2025 does not, and cannot, cure that illegality. Drawing directly from his recent public remarks, Makebi Zulu said a law born through corruption, coercion and procedural abuse remains unlawful regardless of the stage at which it is signed or renamed.
According to Makebi Zulu, the problem with Bill 7 is not political disagreement but character and legality. He said the bill was pushed through Parliament using bribery, threats and inducements, making it a “proceed of crime” from inception. In that context, he argued, Act 13 is merely an extension of the same illegality, not a fresh or lawful instrument.
Makebi Zulu anchored his position on the judgment in Celestine Mukandila and Munir Zulu versus the Attorney General, where the court found that Bill 7 was born in a cradle of illegality and failed to comply with constitutional requirements that amendments must originate from the people. He said once that finding was made, the process should have stopped entirely.
Instead, Makebi Zulu said the executive compounded the problem by appointing a technical committee using the wrong law. Even more damaging, he noted, was the fact that the committee’s report was never properly considered or adopted through the correct parliamentary channels, rendering the exercise procedurally meaningless.
He further questioned the integrity of the parliamentary vote itself, pointing to persistent allegations of bribery that have not been dispelled. Makebi Zulu argued that comparative international practice is clear: receiving money or inducements to vote in a particular way is a criminal offence, regardless of the outcome of the vote.
The conduct surrounding the passage of Bill 7 also came under sharp criticism. Makebi Zulu described the public celebration and dancing by the Chief Justice, whom he referred to as an umpire of the National Assembly, as shocking and without precedent in serious constitutional democracies. He said such conduct undermines confidence in Parliament, the judiciary and the separation of powers.
At the core of Makebi Zulu’s argument is a simple legal principle: an Act cannot be separated from the Bill that gave birth to it. If the Bill was unlawful, he said, everything flowing from it is equally tainted.
Beyond Bill 7, Makebi Zulu framed the episode as part of a wider governance crisis, where institutions are weakened, dissent is silenced and laws are used to entrench power rather than serve citizens. He warned that normalising such practices ahead of the 2026 general election poses a serious threat to Zambia’s constitutional order.
“This is not about name-calling,” Makebi Zulu said in his remarks. “It is about law, governance and the kind of country we are choosing to become.”
Busta Rhymes reveals his retirement plan to settle in Nigeria. While performing at Detty December Fest at Ilubirin, Ikoyi (Lagos) on December 19, 2025—his first time back in Nigeria since his 2010 visit—he paused mid-show and made a heartfelt speech.
🗣️ Busta Rhymes: “Even though it took 15 years, we are home. This trip was memorable to me because it wasn’t just about a show. I’m looking for a home here, I’m looking for property.
I’m thinking about looking for a wife so that when I stop working, I can settle down here. I need a few Nigerian slash Jamaican grandchildren.”
ZAMBIA POLICE SAYS THEY ARRESTED MAJ. SUWILANJI MUSAMBA- POLICE SPOKESPERSON
…But Major Suwilanji Musamba is not related to the Inspector General of Police. Any claims suggesting otherwise are false and based solely on a similarity of names…..
…matter currently being processed for submission to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA)…
CLARIFICATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA ALLEGATIONS REGARDING THE ARREST OF MAJOR SUWILANJI MUSAMBA
December 24, 2025 – The Zambia Police Service wishes to clarify allegations circulating on social media, particularly on a Facebook account operating under the name Emmanuel Mwamba, claiming that the police failed to charge and arrest Major Suwilanji Musamba.
The Zambia Police Service confirms that on November 28, 2025, around 12:06 hours, a report was received at Makeni Police Station alleging that Major Suwilanji Musamba assaulted Mr. Omar Hassan and Mr. Edward Tembo, both of Makeni.
Following investigations, police formally charged and arrested Major Musamba for Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. He was later released on police bond.
In a related matter, Major Musamba also reported a case of Threatening Violence at Embassy Police Post, under Chawama Police Station, against Mr. Omar Hassan Fada, who was formally charged, arrested, and later released on police bond.
Both cases are currently being processed for submission to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA).
The Zambia Police Service further clarifies that Major Suwilanji Musamba is not related to the Inspector General of Police. Any claims suggesting otherwise are false and based solely on a similarity of names.
We urge members of the public to verify facts with the police before making or circulating allegations, as failing to do so may mislead the public and could lead to criminal liability.
Issued by: Godfrey Chilabi Public Relations Officer
ZP, FORMER SERVICE CHIEFS, CELEBRATES FORMER IG NDHLOVU
By Police News Reporter
As part of the festival season celebrations, Former Service Chiefs accompanied by representatives of the current Service Chiefs, visited Mr. Francis Ndhlovu, former Inspector General of Police, who served from the year 1994 to 2000, at his residence in Woodlands area.
The Former Service Chiefs committee Chairperson, General Kinglesy Chinkuli, led a team of retired Service Chiefs from the Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, Zambia National Service, Zambia Police Service and the Zambia Correctional Service to celebrate and wish Mr Ndhlovu good health.
Speaking during the visit, General Chinkuli expressed his admiration at the remarkable accomplishment Mr. Ndhlovu recorded in transforming the Zambia Police Service into an institution it is today.
“We are here today to share a smile and create an experience that brings hope and good health. Your dedication to duty and your curriculum vitae inspires both the serving and the retired Service Chiefs. ” Said Gen Chinkuli.
Mr.Ndhlovu joined the Zambia Police Service in 1969 at Zambia Police Training College in Lilayi and was appointed Inspector General of Police in 1994.
He led the Zambia Police Service with dignity and fostered reforms that shaped the Zambia Police Service into a modern service focused on enhancing collaboration and strengthening transparency.
https://youtu.be/DgnJAuFX_cE?si=4EZaPUMOj5mpGByy
His guiding principles to officers included never victimise without evidence, never accept unaccountable gifts or money, never depend on corruption for survival, and serve the people as service to God.
Mr.Ndhlovu expressed his joy at the gesture extended to him, adding that it brings life and renewity.
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Graphel Musamba was represented by the Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations Mr. Edwin Kaluba.
The Zambia Police Service, Former Service Chiefs and the representative of the current Service Chiefs conveyed the message of good health and Prosperous 2026 to the Former Inspector General of Police Mr.Francis Ndhlovu.
GOVERNMENT says it is aware that some Members of Parliament have been receiving death threats following their vote in support of the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 in the National Assembly.
Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa has called on traditional leaders to offer support to the Members of Parliament who voted for the amendment.
Mr. Mweetwa said this when Senior Chief Puta of Chienge District in Luapula Province paid a courtesy call on him at his office today.
Mr. Mweetwa said Government remains committed to serving the people with humility and accountability.
He said President Hakainde Hichilema continually reminds Cabinet Ministers that leadership is a privilege bestowed by the people and must be exercised in their best interests.
Meanwhile, Senior Chief Puta of Chienge District said the introduction of free education has helped bring many young girls out of early marriages.
He said prior to the policy, traditional leaders’ often encountered resistance from parents when attempting to remove girls from early marriages due to the high cost of schooling.
The traditional leader commended President Hichilema for prioritising education, saying the policy has restored hope among vulnerable children and strengthened efforts to end child marriages.
President HH, at this point I want to appeal to your conscious in the Spirit of Ubuntu…
Kindly instruct the Attorney General to discontinue that court case in South Africa to pave way for a dignified burial for our former President ECL.
This Standoff between Govt and family clearly shows that there’s not been closure to this matter and neither party can claim to have moved on.
The current status doesn’t project a good image of Zambia and it has the potential to undermine our rich cultural Values, on which our nation is anchored. If this case is left to drag in South Africa, it will further divide our people and we can’t downplay that.
https://youtu.be/DgnJAuFX_cE?si=LOcfNt5RuExUpU9D
We can’t leave a former Head of State in the Morgue for over 6 months and pretend all is well. This is not normal and we can’t go on like this. The Abnormal is seemingly looking normal, I doubt this is the kind of society and Legacy you want to build.
If not for anything else, this is a Man that led us and obviously made a contribution to the advancement of this great Nation.
US TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON ZAMBIANS DUE TO POOR CIVIL REGISTRATION PROCESSES – KAMPYONGO
FORMER Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo says the country cannot blame the US for imposing travel restrictions, stating that the sanctions are as a result of Zambia’s poor civil registration processes.
Last week, the United States government announced that effective January 1, 2026, entry into the United States for Zambian citizens on B1/B2 visitor visas will be suspended.
The travel restrictions were imposed following an Overstay Report, which revealed that Zambia had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 10.73 percent and an F, M and J visa overstay rate of 21.02 percent.
Kampyongo argues that many foreign nationals obtain Zambian documents, travel to the US and commit crimes which then paints a bad light on the country.
In an interview, Monday, Kampyongo said the country’s manual civil registration process, especially for NRCs was flawed.
“The challenge we have is that, we [as a] country have poor civil registration processes, which have been largely manual. Now we embarked on a process to digitalize civil registration, one of the programmes was supported by UNICEF, by the UN agencies and another agency which supported the devolution of birth registration and the computerizing of the same processes. The whole idea was to document citizens from the point of birth up to the point of death. So, capturing all the vital statistics, about our citizens and this would have now culminated into what we called Integrated National Information Registration System, INRIS. So, we did that. By this time we would have even migrated. If you meet me, I can even show you what could have been your national registration card now, automatically generated and all the systems were put in place. All the institutions that have suffered, matters of identity fraud were brought on board, ZRA, financial institutions, banks, pension schemes, because people have been defrauded using the porous identity cards,” he said.
“So, where we have been experiencing problems, I just don’t know why the Minister of Home Affairs and his team have spent all the last five years without concluding that programme because it was almost done. It was launched and like I am telling you, I can even show you a demo of how your NRC should have been looking, because we had to migrate all the manual files, all the manual data, into a digital format. So, we have had cases where people would have come from some countries within Africa, come into Zambia way back when we were issuing manual passports, come and get an ID, and get a passport, those old, manually issued passports, travel to the US, commit a crime there, and when those people were caught, they were deemed to be Zambian citizens. Until we went into the records and back, to get to understand that no, actually this person was not a Zambian national and when they are deported, he would be deported here, then you would get back and deal with them to go back to their countries. So, that’s a danger of not moving speedily in implementing some of the systems”.
He said the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship is supposed to be a reservoir of biometric data of all citizens.
“Whilst we had automated the processes of passports, then the mother of all identities, which is an NRC, which should be linked to the birth registration and certification remained manual, that is why you hear people say, ‘chimutengo NRC’ and what not, because people can even make an NRC, go and get someone’s benefits and vanish. So, you can’t blame the US for those measures, because it is our own… it is our own processes, and that is why, we had done so much before I left office. There was so much progress and we had already started, that we had gotten at the last phase of the programme. You will recall that, by the time I was leaving the ministry, I was chairing the EU. The team of ministers responsible for civil registration and vital statistics. So, that is where we are and you can’t blame it for that, and many other countries will be worried to do with our systems,” said Kampyongo.
“But it is one very vital area of which people don’t look into, the Department of National Registration, Passport, and Citizenship is supposed to be a reservoir of biometric data of all citizens, where you or anyone would go and click using your NRC, chip it in, everything about you can be found in the system.
So, if there are no linkages and someone gets an NRC, saying to be a civilian, goes to another country [such as the] US, that person will be identified as Zambian, that is because of the poor nature of our statistics. A person who has used manual files and registration, it is easy to manipulate such systems and the intent is identity fraud of citizens. So, someone works for many years, gain their dues, pay and someone frauds, gets the fraudulent identity to go and access that money and makes the legitimate owner of the money to start fighting battles”.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré Takes Over AES Presidency, Vows Strong Action Against T*rror!sm
Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has officially taken over the rotating presidency of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a regional bloc uniting Burkina Faso, Mali , and Niger .
Speaking during the latest AES summit, Captain Traoré called for large-scale, coordinated military operations against terrorist and extremist groups operating across the Sahel.
He stressed that the alliance must move beyond declarations and translate its joint security structures into real action on the ground.
The alliance, formed after the three countries exited ECOWAS, continues to position itself as a new security and political force in West Africa amid persistent instability in the Sahel.
MK Party gives Speaker Boyce deadline of 31 December to reverse suspension of 35 MPLs in KwaZulu‑Natal
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has formally demanded that KwaZulu‑Natal Legislature Speaker Nontembeko Boyce withdraw her decision to suspend 35 of its members of the provincial legislature (MPLs) by 31 December 2025, threatening legal action if the deadline lapses.
In a letter of demand dated 23 December and sent by legal representatives, the party described the suspensions issued on 18 December as “unlawful, irrational and procedurally flawed.”
The lawyers argued that the affected MPLs were denied a fair hearing and that the Speaker’s actions were tainted by bias and failed to follow the legislature’s standing rules.
Boyce suspended the members along with one Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MPL for what she termed “gross disorderly, violent and unlawful conduct” during a chaotic sitting on 15 December where an attempt to remove KwaZulu‑Natal Premier Thami Ntuli in a motion of no confidence collapsed amid disruptions.
The MKP’s legal challenge asserts that key procedural requirements were ignored, including the failure to specifically name members affected and to allow them to respond before sanctions were imposed.
The party also condemned the involvement of police during the session as a breach of the separation of powers.
If Boyce does not rescind the suspensions by the specified deadline, the MKP has indicated it will pursue all legal remedies, including urgent court action to protect its members’ rights and representation.D
Hooked on marijuana at 13, dropped out of medical school, now back at UNZA
IMAGINE sending your child to university, only to later discover that they secretly dropped out while you continued paying tuition fees, groceries and upkeep.
You are a mother, father or guardian, proudly telling people that your child is in school, only for them to repay you with marijuana and alcohol addiction. Painful, right?
This was the reality faced by the family of 20 year old Chisengamulela Machamanda, fondly known by his peers as Macha.
Macha was just 13 in Grade 10 at Chassa Secondary School in Eastern Province when he smoked his first joint.
When he was later enrolled at the country’s number one highest learning institution, the University of Zambia (UNZA), to study medicine, he secretly dropped out for two years while his parents believed he was still attending classes.
Growing up, Macha was a bright child who often topped his class and completed secondary school at the age of 15.
However, as he entered his teenage years, he was introduced to marijuana and alcohol, a turning point that dented his image.
From being the intelligent child everyone admired in the neighbourhood, he became a junkie who could even sell his own mathematical calculator for the unchangeable 50 ngwee just to satisfy his craving for a joint.
“It was peer pressure mixed with curiosity. I was perceived as ‘a master of many trades’ and held on a certain pedestal because I seemed to know a lot. People assumed I had done it all, and because I didn’t want to tarnish that image, I participated even in the most unethical activities,” he told Kalemba.
“At that age, it seemed harmless and fun, like something everyone was experimenting with. In hindsight, there were no signs that I was using substances to cope with stress or low self-esteem. It was just for fun. Things started changing when I moved from occasional weekend use to daily use.”
For five years, Macha prioritised the ‘feeling, thrill and chill’ over responsibility. Addiction did not feel like a serious problem until the day he realised he was firmly in its grip.
“Addiction caught me unaware. I didn’t know I was addicted at first. Everything felt normal because every time I consumed marijuana, I felt better. For me, that became normal, and I wanted to feel that way every hour,” he said.
He explained that his marijuana addiction later escalated into dependency on prescription pills just to feel sane.
“It disrupted everything. I unofficially dropped out of university, strained family relationships and finances, and isolated myself from healthy friendships. My daily life became chaotic, focused on obtaining and using substances rather than building a future,” he said.
“Yes, many times I promised myself and others that I would stop. I even tried briefly, but the cravings and withdrawal made it feel impossible to do it alone. That’s when I learned that addiction is a disease that requires real help.”
After five years of substance dependence, Macha said his fear of God and fear of losing his life pushed him to seek change through deep self reflection.
“I never went to rehab. I wanted to be healthy, present and proud of myself again. So I sat myself down and scrutinised my life, how I was living, what was working for me and what was working against me. I became honest with myself and chose long-term healing over short-term pleasure, even when it meant sacrificing relationships,” he said.
Macha realised he had to let go of many things for his life to turn out the way he desired.
“Once I committed to that journey, it felt like the world started working in my favour. Earlier this year, I met a fellow former addict through a mutual friend. One conversation led to another, and eventually to productive engagements that helped strengthen my decision,” he said.
Today, Macha is six months sober and part of a group called Reclaimed Lives, where he helps peers struggling with addiction, recovery and mental health.
https://youtu.be/DgnJAuFX_cE?si=4EZaPUMOj5mpGByy
He is also back at UNZA in his second year, studying his dream programme, Medicine.
“My advice to anyone struggling is this: you are not alone, and recovery is possible — one day at a time. You cannot do it alone; reach out for help. Be honest with yourself. Don’t care about what people say. Do it for you. Admitting that you need help is the bravest step. There is a fulfilling life waiting, and Reclaimed Lives is the safe space you need,” he said.
To parents and guardians, Macha advised open communication, education and early intervention.
“Talk openly about underlying issues, educate children on the risks and intervene early. Model healthy coping mechanisms, watch for warning signs, and always approach with love, not shame.”
Macha is the second born in a family of five and was born in Kitwe on June 10, 2005.
He thanked his family for remaining supportive throughout his recovery journey.
DJ Warras Murder: South African Suspect Victor Mthethwa Majola Appears in Court
One of the men arrested for the murder of well-known media personality Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras, appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court today.
The suspect has been identified as Victor Mthethwa Majola, a South African national. He is facing serious charges, including premeditated murder, following the fatal shooting of DJ Warras last week in the Johannesburg city centre.
DJ Warras was gunned down in broad daylight outside a building in the CBD, an attack that shocked the entertainment industry and raised serious concerns about safety in the inner city. Despite efforts by emergency services, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Police arrested two suspects in connection with the killing. Majola is the first to formally appear in court, while the case against the second suspect has not yet progressed due to ongoing investigations.
The State has opposed bail, and the matter has been postponed as detectives continue gathering evidence. Authorities have indicated that more arrests are not ruled out.
DJ Warras was laid to rest yesterday in Rosebank, where emotional scenes unfolded as family, friends, colleagues, and fans said their final goodbyes. He was remembered as a vibrant personality, a dedicated professional, and a voice that resonated with many South Africans.
This case has once again sparked national debate about violent crime and responsibility. Time and again, brutal crimes in South Africa are blamed on foreign nationals — yet in this case, the accused is South African.
Violence in this country cannot be explained away by scapegoating outsiders. We must confront the reality that South Africans are killing South Africans, and accountability must start at home.
🕯️ Justice for DJ Warras. Truth before blame. Accountability above excuses.
Macron Hits Back at US Visa Ban: “Europe’s Digital Rules Will Not Be Dictated from Outside”
French President Emmanuel Macron has strongly condemned the United States’ decision to impose visa restrictions on former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and four other European figures, describing the move as intimidation aimed at weakening Europe’s digital sovereignty.
According to France, the US measures are a direct response to the European Union’s tough new digital regulations, which place strict obligations on powerful technology platforms operating within Europe. These laws — including rules on competition, data protection, and online content — were adopted democratically by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, reflecting the sovereign will of European citizens.
Macron stressed that EU digital laws apply only within Europe, are not designed to target the United States or any other country, and are meant to ensure fair competition, protect users, and guarantee that illegal activities offline are also illegal online.
“The rules governing Europe’s digital space will not be decided outside Europe,” France said, warning that visa bans and political pressure would not force the EU to abandon its regulatory autonomy.
The dispute comes amid growing tension between Washington and Brussels over Europe’s crackdown on major global tech companies, many of which are US-based. European regulators argue that these platforms have grown too powerful, threatening fair markets, democracy, and user rights.
France confirmed that it is working closely with the European Commission and EU partners to respond collectively and to defend Europe’s digital sovereignty, making it clear that external pressure will not reverse laws passed through legitimate democratic processes.
The message from Paris is firm: Europe will regulate its own digital space — and it will not be bullied into submission.
Migrants Leaving Gambia Die in Boat Tragedy as Baby Survives
At least 12 people have died after a wooden boat carrying more than 200 migrants departed from the Gambian coast and reached the shores of Joal in Senegal in the early hours of today.
The boat was heading towards the Canary Islands in Spain and came ashore in distress after several days at sea. Most of those on board were foreign nationals, along with two Senegalese. Authorities said 18 women and a six month old baby were among the survivors, all in a state of severe exhaustion.
The incident occurred in Joal, a coastal town on Senegal’s Petite Côte, a stretch of shoreline south of Dakar. Senegalese security forces, including the gendarmerie (the country’s national military police), secured the area and assisted the survivors, while the bodies of 12 victims were recovered.
An investigation has been opened to determine the exact circumstances of the tragedy and to identify those who organised the illegal journey.
TRUMP TO MADURO: STEP DOWN OR FACE “MASSIVE ARMADA”
Trump’s basically telling Venezuela’s president Maduro to quit while he’s ahead.
Speaking from Mar-a-Lago, he said it would be “smart” for Maduro to step down, then pointedly warned him about the biggest armada the U.S. ever had in South America.
15,000 U.S. troops and multiple warships are parked in the Caribbean right now.
Trump already ordered a “complete blockade” of Venezuelan oil tankers to choke off the country’s money supply. But he’s not stopping there.
Since September, the U.S. has launched strikes on drug-carrying vessels that killed over 100 people.
Now Trump says he’s “starting the same program on land” and not just in Venezuela but “anywhere drugs are pouring in.”
Maduro’s response? Regime change will “never, never, never” happen.
So we’ve got an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object, except one has nuclear weapons.
LIBYA’S TOP GENERAL DIES IN TURKEY PLANE CRASH – AND THE TIMING RAISES QUESTIONS
Libya’s army chief, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Al-Haddad, is dead after his jet crashed in Turkey hours after an official military visit in Ankara.
The Falcon 50 business jet lost contact shortly after takeoff, sent an emergency landing alert near Haymana, then vanished.
Turkish officials say the aircraft reported an electrical failure. Wreckage and the black box were recovered Wednesday. Five senior Libyan military figures were killed.
On paper, it’s an accident.
In reality, it’s a geopolitical shock.
Al-Haddad wasn’t just a general. He was the connective tissue between Libya’s fractured military, a key interlocutor with Turkey, and a stabilizing figure for the UN-backed government in Tripoli.
His visit included formal military honors and talks with Turkey’s chief of staff – then he never made it home.
Libya doesn’t do clean power transitions. It does vacuums.
🇨🇳 PENTAGON: CHINA PREPPING “NATIONAL TOTAL WAR” – WITH 1,000 NUKES BY 2030
China’s nuclear arsenal hit low 600s through 2024, on track for 1,000+ warheads by 2030. That’s five times the 200 warheads Pentagon counted in 2020.
The buildup temporarily slowed but trajectory unchanged, according to DOD’s 2025 China Military Power Report released this week.
Not just more warheads: China’s building early-warning counterstrike capability – moving toward launch-on-warning posture that’s defined US-Russia nuclear standoffs since Cold War.
Space-based infrared sensors, detection systems designed to shorten decision timelines in crisis. Pentagon: “China probably made progress on its attempts to achieve an early warning counterstrike capability.”
September 2024: China launched intercontinental ballistic missile into Pacific Ocean – first test since 1980. Message received.
But here’s what Pentagon actually buried in the report: “China’s top military strategy focuses squarely on overcoming the United States through a whole-of-nation mobilization effort that Beijing terms ‘national total war.'”
Meaning: not planning discrete military engagements. Planning sustained, high-intensity conflict mobilizing entire national systems – economy, industry, information, civilian-military integration.
Pentagon: “The PLA views conflict not simply as a clash of militaries, but as a clash of national systems.”
What they learned: Russia-Ukraine war proved modern conflict requires industrial depth, domestic stability management, sustained operations over time while managing international pressure.
China’s studying the lesson plan: you don’t win quick, you win long.
The nuclear piece fits this. Pentagon says China sees nukes, cyber, space, conventional long-range strikes as integrated tools – not separate domains. Nuclear force provides “strategic depth” to deter external intervention while prosecuting prolonged campaign.
What Pentagon won’t say but report screams: this is Taiwan prep. The whole framework – survivable nuclear deterrent reducing likelihood U.S./allies escalate regional conflict into wider war, sustained conflict planning, national mobilization systems – maps perfectly onto cross-strait scenario.
The uncomfortable specifics: China believes credible nuclear force lets them take Taiwan while deterring US intervention.
If Washington can’t credibly threaten escalation without risking nuclear exchange, Beijing’s calculation shifts. That’s the point of going from 200 to 1,000 warheads while building launch-on-warning systems.
Pentagon’s warning: China’s “combined nuclear expansion and whole-of-nation war planning pose growing challenge to U.S. deterrence strategies.”
Beijing positioning for “sustained competition and potential conflict against technologically advanced adversary.”
Pentagon stops short of predicting imminent conflict. But also notes: “the scale and integration of China’s nuclear and conventional modernization efforts are fundamentally changing the risk landscape in the Indo-Pacific.”
What happens next? China hits 1,000 warheads by 2030 as promised, continues building early-warning systems, keeps integrating nuclear forces into broader war-fighting doctrine.
Taiwan remains unresolved. US continues “strategic ambiguity” about defense commitments. Nuclear parity between China and US shifts from impossible to inevitable to achieved – somewhere in that timeline, somebody’s calculations change.
The quiet part Pentagon included anyway: China’s not building 1,000 warheads to deter invasion of Chinese mainland.
They’re building 1,000 warheads to prosecute “national total war” while deterring outside intervention.
There’s exactly one scenario that fits that description, and everybody in Washington, Beijing, and Taipei knows which one.
FINLAND TO RUSSIA: WE’RE READY – YOU DON’T WANT TO REPEAT 1939, DO YOU?
Finland is no longer just watching the war in Ukraine from afar, it’s preparing for its own worst-case scenario.
Finnish border guards are now conducting military drills north of the Arctic Circle, just miles from the Russian frontier. The focus: Arctic warfare, rapid mobilization, and defending NATO’s newest front line.
This is not symbolic.
Since joining NATO in 2023, Finland has transformed a once-neutral northern border into a 1,300-kilometer military frontier with Russia. These latest exercises show Helsinki is not waiting for conflict to come to them, it’s preparing to meet it head-on.
Geopolitically, this shifts the center of gravity in Europe. Finland brings not only proximity to Russia, but a long tradition of territorial defense, winter warfare, and public resilience. If tensions escalate in the Baltics or Arctic, Finland will no longer be a buffer, it will be a combat-ready ally.
And for Moscow, that’s a serious problem.
What’s unfolding in the snowy forests of Lapland is a clear message: The era of Finnish neutrality is over. The line has moved north, and it’s hardened.
Turkish–Israeli Rivalry: Syria, Gas, and the Struggle for Eastern Mediterranean Supremacy
📌 A New Phase of Tension
Turkish–Israeli relations have entered one of their most strained periods in decades, moving beyond episodic diplomatic crises into a sustained strategic rivalry. Once defined by pragmatic cooperation interrupted by political clashes, the relationship is now unsettled by competing visions for Syria’s future, regional security architecture, and control over Eastern Mediterranean energy resources. The trajectory of this rivalry is likely to shape Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern geopolitics in the coming decade, with Syria and energy emerging as its central fault lines
📌 Netanyahu’s Message to Erdogan: “Forget Imperial Dreams”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a pointed message to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a summit with Greek and Cypriot leaders.
He warned that those who “dream of establishing empires and dominating our lands” should abandon such ambitions, stressing that Israel and its partners are both willing and able to defend their strategic interests.
The remark, directed at Ankara’s expanding regional role, reflects growing Israeli unease over Turkey’s political, military, and maritime assertiveness.
📌 Erdogan’s Counterattack: Israel as a Source of Regional Instability
Erdogan responded by sharply criticizing Israel’s actions in Syria as destabilizing and a threat to regional security, cautioning that they risk triggering wider confrontation.
Framing the dispute in terms of sovereignty and maritime rights, he declared: “We will not commit injustice, but we will not give up our rights, whether in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean Sea, or elsewhere.”
This rhetoric positions Turkey as defending legitimate national interests against exclusionary alliances and expanding Israeli influence.
📌 Syria as the Strategic Flashpoint
Syria has become the principal arena of Turkish–Israeli competition. Following the erosion of central authority in Damascus and the emergence of new political arrangements on the ground, Turkey has expanded its military presence and political engagement in Syria. This has alarmed Israel, which fears that Ankara’s growing footprint, including the prospect of permanent bases and aligned local forces, could constrain Israel’s freedom of action on its northern front and alter the regional security balance. Israel portrays Turkish entrenchment in Syria not merely as a diplomatic concern, but as a potential long-term strategic challenge.
📌 The Eastern Mediterranean Gas Factor
Beyond Syria lies another decisive theater of competition: Eastern Mediterranean natural gas. The discovery of major offshore fields such as Tamar, Leviathan, and Karish has transformed energy into a core geopolitical asset.
Israel seeks to leverage these resources to become a key energy supplier to Europe through pipelines and LNG infrastructure, in coordination with Cyprus and Greece, embedding itself within Europe’s long-term energy security architecture.
Turkey, however, rejects energy frameworks that exclude it from regional decision-making and transit routes. Ankara’s ambition to position itself as a central energy corridor between East and West directly challenges Israeli and Greek–Cypriot designs, turning energy from a potential area of cooperation into a driver of rivalry.
📌 Broader Implications: Alliances and the Regional Balance
This rivalry is reshaping the region’s alliance structure. Israel’s deepening strategic coordination with Greece and Cyprus signals a containment logic aimed at counterbalancing Turkey’s reach. Turkey, meanwhile, is constructing its own web of influence through engagement with Syria’s evolving leadership, outreach across the Gulf, and an expanding footprint in North Africa, seeking to anchor its power in energy routes, military presence, and political partnerships.
🇿🇲🇲🇼 BARBRA BANDA, TEMWA, AND TABITHA CHAWINGA REPRESENTING AFRICA WELL.
Zambian women national team captain Barbra Banda is one of the three African female footballers to be ranked on the ESPN top 50 best footballers in the world.
The Chawinga sisters Temwa and Tabitha are the other two African players on the list.This is huge for Zambia and Malawian football.
LUBINDA’S FAILURE TO HOLD CONVENTION HAS LOWERED MORALE IN PF – STARDY .
STARDY Mwale says Given Lubinda’s failure to hold a convention has disadvantaged him from looking as the party leader and lowered the morale of the party’s supporters.
Recently, Mwale, who was PF Copperbelt Chairman, resigned from the party after Lubinda expelled some members of parliament who voted in favour of Bill 7.
In an interview, Tuesday, Mwale said he was saddened by the state of the PF, adding that the party had not gone to the convention because its leaders feared losing their positions.
“No, I am not happy but now I am not happy, but it is really sad, because that is my former party, that is the party we have known for more than 24 years. So, when it is being run properly, I will be happy. If it is not being run properly, I am definitely not happy. But now that I am on my own, probably I just wish them all the best, but definitely, the management of the party is very bad and [it is] very sad [sic]. That thing of ba Lubinda failing to go for the convention, it has actually disadvantaged him in looking as a party leader. Two; it has finished the morale of so many Zambians, so many PF supporters and it is by law, a party should go to a convention. But people are scared to lose positions, I am sure and [for] their portfolios, so that is why they are denying, because it is like that, definitely it has not caused any morale to the supporters,” he said. When asked whether he had defected to another party, Mwale said he had not yet made a decision.
“I have not yet made a move; my move is not yet known. I am just at the farm here with my family, with my workers. That is where I am. When I say I will make a move, then I will make my move,” he said.
Meanwhile, asked about a viral audio where he was heard calling some women prostitutes, Mwale said he was merely singing a song from Congo.
“I was just singing a song, how they interpreted it, that is their problem, me I was just singing a song, it is a rumba song. So, how they interpret it, that is not the meaning of that song, them they are taking it into their own meaning, I was going into the song. So, I cannot call anybody that, I just sang a song, so, they found me in the midst of morale boosting, I was just singing that song from Congo,” said Mwale.
EXPLAINER | Makebi’s Economic Argument, in His Own Words
During his Prime TV interview last night, Makebi Zulu presented a sharp critique of Zambia’s current economic direction and outlined what he considers a fundamentally different approach to governance, growth, and public welfare. His argument rests on the belief that Zambia’s economic challenges are not technical failures but political choices driven by what he describes as a misreading of the role of the state.
At the centre of his economic thinking is the claim that the Presidency has adopted a business mindset that is incompatible with national governance. “A country is not a business enterprise,” Makebi said, arguing that statecraft requires social responsibility rather than profit logic. He maintained that focusing on macro indicators without direct household impact disconnects growth from lived reality.
Makebi questioned the emphasis on GDP growth and copper output figures, insisting that headline numbers conceal distributional weaknesses.
“President Hakainde Hichilema will tell you of these numbers,” he said, “but he’s not telling you what benefit there’s going to be to the Zambians.” According to Makebi, economic reporting should be judged by affordability, income stability, and access to public goods rather than export volumes alone.
On mining, Makebi argued that tax incentives offered to investors undermine domestic benefit. He stated that incentives allow profits to be externalised, leaving the state with insufficient revenue for electricity generation, medicine procurement, and social support. His position is that mineral wealth must translate into fiscal capacity, not only foreign exchange inflows.
Energy featured prominently in his economic narrative. Makebi criticised loadshedding not as a technical failure but as a governance failure linked to revenue shortfalls and planning gaps. He argued that an economy without reliable power cannot sustain productivity, , or small enterprise growth.
He linked power shortages to broader fiscal decisions, including what he sees as misplaced priorities in expenditure and concessions.
On agriculture, Makebi framed the farmer as the foundation of economic stability. He stated that Zambia’s economy cannot function when farmers face delayed payments, rising input costs, and weak market protection. His economic vision places agriculture at the centre of income security, food pricing, and rural employment rather than treating it as a seasonal support sector.
Makebi also addressed public employment, particularly in health and education. He criticised what he described as bureaucratic barriers that delay recruitment of trained professionals. While he did not present numerical targets, his position was that existing capacity should be absorbed faster to strengthen service delivery and household income circulation.
Inflation and cost of living formed a recurring theme. Makebi cited past public price expectations for fertiliser, fuel, and mealie meal to illustrate what he called a widening gap between promise and outcome. He argued that price stability should be treated as an economic objective equal to growth, given its direct effect on household welfare.
On public finance, Makebi argued that government revenue is constrained not by scarcity of resources but by structural leakage. He suggested that incentives, exemptions, and externalised profits shrink the state’s ability to fund essentials, forcing austerity in areas that affect ordinary citizens first.
Throughout the interview, Makebi framed his economic thinking as people-centred rather than numbers-centred. His emphasis was not on policy sequencing or fiscal frameworks, but on outcomes that reduce household pressure, restore purchasing power, and expand access to basic services.
In summary, Makebi’s economic position rests on five core ideas expressed during the interview. The state must not be run as a business. Growth figures must translate into household benefit. Mining wealth must strengthen public revenue. Agriculture must anchor economic planning. Power, employment, and affordability must be treated as governance priorities rather than market by-products.
This framing reflects an economic argument rooted in redistribution, state responsibility, and direct welfare outcomes, as articulated by Makebi Zulu during his Prime TV appearance.
Following my recent statements concerning the stand off on the burial of late President ECL, I decided to respond to a gentleman called Daniel Daka, whose inbox captured some questions and concerns that I have seen being repeated over and over in the comments section of the two statements.I hope this sheds some light.
CORRECTING THE NARRATIVE ON MY RELATIONSHIP, STATEMENTS OF CONCERN, AND MY COUNSEL REGARDING LATE PRESIDENT ECL.
Dear Daniel Daka,
I have read your message, and I must state, with respect but also with clarity, that the concerns you have raised are misplaced and not grounded in the true history of events in our country.
At no point did I dishonour the late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, either in his lifetime or in his death. I did not persecute him, manipulate him, mock his family, or act with hypocrisy toward him. Those accusations are factually incorrect.
Let us speak plainly, as Zambians who value truth.
The public and recorded history is that, during President Lungu’s tenure, I was arrested, persecuted, and harassed by state institutions under his administration. These events are not opinions. They are part of Zambia’s recent political record. Despite this, I did not call for vengeance, violence, or hatred. I chose restraint and prayer.
In fact, I made a deliberate decision to treat separately the political persecution I suffered at the hands of President Lungu and his government, on the one hand, and my patriotic duty as a senior citizen, former Republican Vice President, and leader of a political party, on the other. Despite the pain I endured, I continued to honour my civic responsibility to counsel and to attend national events, national prayers, and national funerals. I did so consistently, regardless of who occupied the Office of President at any given time.
Unfortunately, there are some among you who have chosen to forget these facts, and who now maliciously misuse photographs taken at state functions where the former President and I were both present, to falsely suggest that I worked hand in hand with his government or personally benefited from his administration. This is untrue. Attendance at national events is not collaboration. It is a civic duty I have upheld throughout my public life, irrespective of personal relationships or political differences.
No
After President Lungu left office, I made several public interventions, as a former Vice President, party president, and pastor, addressing him directly and indirectly. These statements were not personal attacks, but warnings drawn from Zambia’s political history and my own experience leading the MMD.
I cautioned President Lungu against returning to active partisan politics, because Zambia has seen this pattern before.
Former Presidents who re-enter party politics often become centres of power struggles. Their parties experience factionalism, expulsions, court injunctions, and parallel leadership structures. Eventually, these parties become consumed by legal battles rather than national service.
This is exactly what happened to the MMD, a process that was aggressively accelerated during the PF’s time in government, with the involvement of collaborators and planted elements that weakened and ultimately fractured the party.
When I warned that the same fate would befall the PF if wisdom did not prevail, I was insulted, ridiculed, and attacked. My message was dismissed without serious engagement on its merit. Yet today, the PF is facing competing leadership claims, endless court processes, deep internal divisions, and paralysis as a political organisation.
These are not celebrations on my part. They are painful confirmations of a warning that was ignored.
As for the widow and the children of the late President, I have never insulted them, mocked them, or taken pleasure in their suffering. Zambian culture, Christian values, and my lifelong ministry forbid such conduct. To suggest otherwise is to bear false witness.
We must also be careful, as a nation, not to weaponise death to rewrite history or silence legitimate voices. Mourning demands sobriety, dignity, and truth.
Yes, God is the ultimate Judge, and because of that, we must speak truthfully, not emotionally or politically.
I stand by this. I opposed abuse of power, not a man’s humanity. I warned against political recklessness, based on lived experience. I spoke as a Zambian who has seen parties rise, fall, and destroy themselves from within.
Let us mourn with dignity. Let us disagree without distortion. And let us remember that truth does not become false because it is unpopular.
Finally, we continue to urge the two sides currently locked in this dispute to choose dialogue as the only constructive path forward, so that this impasse can be resolved and the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu can be laid to rest in his homeland, Zambia, with the dignity befitting his office and our nation.
May God comfort the bereaved, heal our politics, and grant wisdom to Zambia.
THE Lusaka High Court has halted proceedings in a case ex-Chawama lawmaker Tasila Lungu seeks to challenge the Speaker’s decision to declare her seat vacant.
Judge Sharon Newa stayed proceedings before her pending determination of a matter before the Constitutional Court whose facts are similar to the ones before her.
Ms Lungu has applied to commence judicial review proceedings against Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti’s decision to declare the Chawama seat vacant.
Ms Mutti declared the seat vacant because of Ms Lungu’s prolonged absence following the death of her father, ex-President Edgar Lungu, who died on June 5, 2025, and is yet to be buried.
But Judge Newa ruled that the matter before her should be stayed pending determination of a petition filed by lawyer Tresford Chali which has the same facts.
She notes that on December 4, 2025, the ConCourt, through a single judge, refused to stay the Speaker’s decision to declare the Chawama seat vacant pending determination of a petition before it started by Mr Chali.
“…if I were to proceed with this matter, whose facts are the same as those on which the Constitutional Court will make determination, in light of the reliefs sought, I would in effect be allowing a multiplicity of actions.”
Judge Newa said proceeding to hear the application risks resulting in different courts making conflicting decisions over the same subject matter.
“This has been frowned upon in a plethora of authorities, some of which have been cited in this matter,” Judge Newa said.
Zambia Daily Mail
She notes that on December 4, 2025, the ConCourt, through a single judge, refused to stay the Speaker’s decision to declare the Chawama seat vacant pending determination of a petition before it started by Mr Chali.
“…if I were to proceed with this matter, whose facts are the same as those on which the Constitutional Court will make determination, in light of the reliefs sought, I would in effect be allowing a multiplicity of actions.”
Judge Newa said proceeding to hear the application risks resulting in different courts making conflicting decisions over the same subject matter.
“This has been frowned upon in a plethora of authorities, some of which have been cited in this matter,” Judge Newa said.
FRANK MUTUBILA WEIGHS-IN ON THE OPPOSITION CHALLENGES
He writes….
The recent revelation by Socialist Party President Fred M’membe, that the opposition failed to unite behind a single candidate for the Chawama by-election, is a reminder of the challenges facing our opposition. As we look toward the 2026 Presidential and General Elections, it is clear that diversity of thought is vital, yet unity and cooperation are equally important. The enactment of the controversial Bill 7 should have been a rallying point for opposition unity.
For a healthy democracy, all political groups, whether WOZA, TONSE, UKA, or others, must engage in genuine collaboration. This spirit of unity must extend to all parties, recognizing that a strong opposition is crucial for good governance. It ensures accountability, provides checks and balances, and strengthens democracy.
It is important for the ruling party to understand that a vibrant opposition is not a threat but a vital part of a well functioning democracy. When the opposition is strong, the government is encouraged to be more accountable and transparent.
Leaders like Chishala Kateka, Fred M’membe, SG Muhabi Lungu, Makebi Zulu, Brian Mundubile, and many others have shown a commitment to unity and dialogue. Their efforts are key to building a more cohesive political landscape.
Please note that I am not aligned with any political party. My perspective is that a strong and united opposition is essential for a healthy democracy. This balance ensures that governance remains transparent, accountable, and responsive to all citizens.
ZED FARMER REJECTS K21.9 MILLION COMPENSATION CLAIM AGAINST FAMILY IN ALLEGEDLY MANSLAUGHTER CASE.
The 17-year-old boy at the centre of a high-profile manslaughter case involving businesswoman, Maria Zaloumis, popularly known as Zed Farmer, was never tortured and was handed over to police in good health, the defence has told the Lusaka High Court.
Zaloumis and her Nigerian partner, Nathaniel Barthram, have rejected demands to compensate the family of the late Enock Simfukwe Kasengele, arguing that they bore no responsibility for his death and that no unlawful force was used against him while he was on their farm.
Enock’s mother, Grace Nachilima, has instituted civil proceedings in the Lusaka High Court, accusing the couple of negligence and violent acts that allegedly resulted in her son’s death. In a demand letter, Nachilima claimed damages amounting to K21,908,201, stating that her son had been lawfully invited to the farm by a friend who worked there as a security guard.
However, in a defence filed by the Legal Aid Board, the couple disputed this account, contending that the deceased was a trespasser who arrived at the farm after 17:00 hours carrying a substance later confirmed to be acid.
According to the defence, Enock first approached a worker’s house asking where onions were sold before being directed to Zaloumis’ residence.
He allegedly requested to buy 16 pouches of onions, claiming he was acting on behalf of an uncle based in Chingola. The defence stated that his explanation appeared inconsistent and raised suspicion.
Zaloumis alleged that the teenager later became aggressive, moved uncomfortably close to her and lit a cigarette near her face, despite being informed that smoking was prohibited on the farm.
Barthram reportedly emerged during the confrontation and also instructed the boy to stop smoking and leave the premises.
Farm guards intervened after noticing the escalating tension, with the defence stating that Enock became increasingly violent and attempted to flee. The guards allegedly restrained him with the intention of escorting him back to the gate.
“The deceased was not beaten, tortured, mistreated or injured by anyone while in the custody of the defendants,” the defence stated, adding that he later confessed that he had been sent to the farm to pour acid on Zaloumis.
The defendants said the teenager was restrained for about an hour as they waited for police, who allegedly delayed attending the scene due to a diesel shortage.
It was further stated that Enock was able to walk unaided when he was eventually handed over to police.
“He was handed over to the police in good health and without any visible injuries,” the defence stated.
Zaloumis reportedly accompanied police officers to Kabwe, where she formally lodged a complaint against the deceased.
She further maintained that Barthram was her spouse and not her dependant, as alleged in the statement of claim, and argued that Nachilima was not entitled to the damages sought.
The defendants asked the court to dismiss the claim and put the plaintiff to strict proof at trial, as the matter awaits determination in both the civil and criminal proceedings.
A senior member of the Socialist Party, Sam Chilanga, has resigned from all his duties and positions within the party, citing personal business commitments as the reason for his departure.
In a resignation letter dated December 23, 2025, and addressed to the President of the Socialist Party Dr. Fred M’membe, Mr Chilanga informed party leadership that he had stepped down from all responsibilities with immediate effect.
Mr Chilanga stated that his decision was motivated by a desire to concentrate on his business interests.
He also emphasized the importance of appreciating efforts made by individuals serving within the party.
“I have resigned from all my duties and positions in the Socialist Party. The reasons are that I want to concentrate on my business,” he stated in the letter.
IS HH MORE SUITABLE THAN OTHER CONTENDERS FOR THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT?
Increasingly, this is becoming a discussion in the country.
The state of the economy is being described as being in a far better shape than it was under the previous government.
Painting a broad brush, the overall outlook of the governance of the country is also described as far much better than it was under ECL.
The possible replacements for HH include Kalaba, Mundubile, Zulu, Kateka, Mwamba, Chilufya, M’membe, Silavwe, Imboela, Sangwa, Kangombe, Mudolo, Banda, Mawele, etc.
The scrutiny of potential Presidents is influenced by, among other factors, the following: partisan views; personal preferences; incumbency; intellectual skills; practical knowledge of public policies; ambivalence; economic status; etc.
Are candidates or aspirants evaluated for their competencies, and if so, do voters know the competencies required of the position of President?
Or they are evaluated based on their incumbency, influence by other people’s opinions, etc, etc?
For instance, why was Kaunda, Chiluba, Mwanawasa, RB, Sata, ECL and HH voted for?
Lest I come across as projecting my views as the objective answer, my humble opinion is that it was not because there were any special inherent qualities in these men that they became Presidents.
They became Presidents because the voter made that decision for reasons that may be divergent.
In fact, the majority of these men were not even in the immediate “vicinity” of the voter until circumstances shoved aside the most likely heirs to the throne.
Their so-called leadership qualities were socially constructed by their supporters to inform their campaign messaging.
None of the men that have occupied the office of President have been any more suitable to lead this country than their opponents.
There’s nothing special, unique or unprecedented about their record in office to suggest that their opponents couldn’t do that and more.
There’s no objective truth in the suggestion that HH is more qualified or suitable to lead Zambia now and beyond 2026 than his opponents.
Even if he wins 2026, it won’t be a confirmation of his competencies and suitability because, to a large extent, electoral outcomes are very much like gambling.
You don’t win a lottery ticket because of intelligent calculations neither do you win an election because you are the best suited for the job.
For those of you that win elections, Councilors, MPs and Presidents, accept your victory with humility because electoral outcomes are not about you, but largely an outcome of the voter’s choice.
MALAWIANS ANGRY OVER VICE-PRESIDENT’S PLANNED UK TRIP
THERE is growing anger in Malawi over a post-Christmas fortnight trip to the UK that one of the country’s vice-presidents is due to take.
Jane Ansah’s visit will be in a private capacity but the reported size of both her entourage and overall cost of the trip has ignited fierce criticism. The details have been disputed by her office.
The row began after the circulation of an alleged leaked letter to the Malawi High Commission in London, signed by Secretary for Foreign Affairs Chauncy Simwaka, listing 15 individuals set to accompany Ansah.
In power since October, the Vice-President’s government has pledged to manage the economy competently and has already announced a raft of austerity measures.
Malawian media have published further alleged details about the visit, reportedly from leaked documents saying it would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
While the Vice-President’s office has confirmed the trip, it has disputed the information in circulation about how much the state is spending.
“These documents did not originate from any government institution and do not reflect official records or approved government expenditures,” the vice-president’s press secretary Richard Mveriwa said in a statement.
“The Office of the Vice President remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of public resources, and strongly condemns the deliberate spread of false information intended to mislead the public.”
The spokesperson did not, however, say anything about the number of people making the trip, said to include two accountants, four security personnel, three assistants to the vice-president, and other officials.
A Malawian human rights organisation, the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) said it finds the reported size of the delegation “deeply troubling, particularly given that the trip is explicitly described as private yet appears to be financed using public resources”..
Ansah was the running mate to President Peter Mutharika, who soundly beat incumbent Lazarus Chakwera in September’s election.
They promised a “return to proven leadership” that would manage the economy better than the Chakwera administration.
Among the announced cutbacks in government spending are a reduction of both domestic and international travel by senior government officials.
When he was sworn in, Mutharika promised to be prudent. He said his government would not be a “feast” for members of the administration and supporters.
The HRDC said the Vice President’s UK trip, due to start on 26 December, directly contradicted the government’s own rhetoric on austerity and called it a “double standard”.
“While Malawians are continuously urged to tighten their belts, endure hardship and accept reduced public services in the name of fiscal discipline, senior political leaders appear to exempt themselves from these very principles,” the organisation said.
THEY FUNDED BILL 7 AT THE EXPENSE OF PAYING FARMERS – NJOBVU
By Francis Chipalo
Democratic Union president, Ackim Antony Njobvu, has criticized the government for prioritizing the passage of Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 over paying farmers who supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
The government has however attributed the delay in payments to bureaucratic processes by commercial banks, claims refuted by the Bankers Association of Zambia.
And Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) leader, Sean Tembo, has requested clarification from President Hakainde Hichilema on why the government borrowed K5 billion to pay farmers when the total amount owed was K3.7 billion.
Tembo also questions why farmers haven’t been paid despite the maize being sold to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi for cash.
Meanwhile, president Njobvu of the Democratic Union says the lack of priority by the UPND government is saddening.
“This is what happens when you have a government that does not care for its people, except for themselves. I am made to conclude that they used money meant to pay our farmers to fund their Bill 7,” Njobvu said during, an interview on KBN TV.
Njobvu further says farmers are now in panic mode as they do not know when they would get their money for maize supplied to the FRA following inconsistencies in government position by agriculture minister Reuben Mtolo Phiri.
Njobvu has since challenged the minister to tell the nation the truth on why farmers have not yet been paid.
“We cannot be playing politics at the expense of our farmers who are crucial in ensuring that Zambia is food secure. The rains are here and our famers have nothing to plant. This government is not serious at all and should be kicked out sooner than later,” he added.
ZCTU WARNS WORKERS STILL STRUGGLING DESPITE MACROECONOMIC GAINS
Story by Makasa chanda
Lusaka 24 December 2025
The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has expressed concern that the benefits of Zambia’s macroeconomic gains are yet to be felt by ordinary workers, who continue to face mounting economic pressures.
ZCTU President Blake Mulala said that while government has highlighted improvements in key economic indicators, the lived reality for workers remains difficult due to high prices of basic commodities, persistent electricity shortages, and weak collective bargaining outcomes.
Speaking during a press briefing, Mr. Mulala revealed that the Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for a family of five in Lusaka has risen to over ZMW 11,000, a level he said far outstrips prevailing wages and continues to erode workers’ purchasing power.
He urged government to prioritize pro-worker policies in 2026, emphasizing the need for stronger social dialogue, respect for collective bargaining processes, and the protection of workers’ right to organize.
Mr. Mulala further called for urgent pension reforms, decisive measures to stabilize electricity supply, and a more aggressive fight against corruption, which he said undermines economic justice and service delivery..
The trade union federation also raised concern over delayed and constrained collective bargaining in the public service, unresolved pension and NAPSA reforms, governance challenges at the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA), and the negative effects of load shedding on jobs, businesses, and household welfare.
ZCTU has since challenged authorities to ensure that economic recovery translates into meaningful improvements in the living and working conditions of Zambian workers
U.S. POLICY: AMERICAN COMPANIES TO TAKE CONTROL AND REBUILD VENEZUELA’S OIL SECTOR.
Former U.S. Secretary of State and CIA Director Mike Pompeo has repeatedly outlined U.S. plans for Venezuela that involve removing President Nicolás Maduro and restructuring the country’s economy by taking control of its oil sector. Pompeo described socialism as a “disaster” and said Venezuela’s economic collapse resulted from policies that destroyed oil production and national economic capacity.
Pompeo stated that once Maduro is removed, American energy companies, including Schlumberger, Halliburton and Chevron, would take control of rebuilding Venezuela’s oil industry, restoring production and implementing what he called an economic capability model. He said this approach would return Venezuela to what he described as a once-strong economy that had been damaged under the Maduro government.
These statements were made multiple times while Pompeo served as CIA Director and later Secretary of State, and reflect a consistent U.S. policy position in which American corporate control and reconstruction of Venezuela’s oil sector is presented as central to Venezuela’s economic recovery following political change in Caracas.
