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IMINGALATO THREATS FROM GOV’T ARE MISPLACED – KUNDA

IMINGALATO THREATS FROM GOV’T ARE MISPLACED – KUNDA

OPPOSITION Zambia Wake-Up Party ( ZAWAPA ) President, Howard Kunda, has dismissed suggestions that there is no strong opposition in the country, describing such assertions as misleading at a time when many Zambians are preparing to cast their votes in the August general elections.



Mr. Kunda was responding to Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, who yesterday said that there is no credible opposition ahead of the polls.



Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka today, Mr. Kunda wondered why government officials are raising concerns over alleged “unknown manoeuvres” and claims of possible imingalato when they insist there is no strong opposition.



Mr. Kunda said government should instead focus on delivering its promises in the remaining months before Zambians go to the polls.



“This issue of claiming that there will be imingalato when government still has a mandate to deliver and work for the Zambian people is misplaced,” said Mr. Kunda.



He further advised opposition political parties not to be shaken by what he termed as manoeuvres from the Chief Government Spokesperson, urging them to remain united and present shared ideas that offer Zambians a credible alternative.

RCV

STAKEHOLDERS AWAIT ECZ DELIMITATION REPORT AHEAD OF 2026 POLLS

STAKEHOLDERS AWAIT ECZ DELIMITATION REPORT AHEAD OF 2026 POLLS



By Constance Shilengwe

GOVERNANCE and human rights advocate Dr. Noel Chisebe says stakeholders are keen to understand the level of preparedness for the 2026 general elections.



Dr. Chisebe speaking to RoanFM ahead of the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s (ECZ) launch of the delimitation exercise report later today.



The delimitation exercise is aimed at creating seventy additional constituencies, a move that will take effect upon the dissolution of Parliament on May 15, 2026.


Dr. Chisebe says he expects the ECZ to ensure that the process and the final report are fair, transparent, and free from bias. He adds that the commission must address concerns surrounding constituency boundaries, chiefdom demarcations, and possible voter disenfranchisement.

He notes that three key areas require close attention from stakeholders: transparency, voter education, and timeliness.



He notes that three key areas require close attention from stakeholders: transparency, voter education, and timeliness.



Dr. Chisebe emphasises that the delimitation process must remain open and inclusive, with citizens adequately informed about boundary changes and polling stations. He further stresses that the exercise should be concluded on time to avoid any delays to the 2026 general elections.

RoanFM Newsroom

A State Visit ‘struggled’ to dim ECL’s light
…as he clocked eight months frozen in Pretoria

A State Visit ‘struggled’ to dim ECL’s light
…as he clocked eight months frozen in Pretoria

Amb. AM 6th Jan. 26

From The Daily Nation Zambia

💫
Eight months have passed since the death of Zambia’s sixth President, H.E Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on 5 February, and yet the soil of his homeland has not embraced him.



His widow, Esther Lungu, has endured what is now the longest mourning window on the continent.



Her tears have dried, but her sorrow has deepened, not because grief fades but because the Attorney General of Zambia saw fit to take out a court order stopping her from burying the man, she shared more than four decades with.
Their children and grandchildren remain suspended in mourning, unable to close the chapter, unable to lay their father and grandfather to rest.
As an author, I took time to retrace the steps for those that are not familiar with the saga that has now gained continental attraction.



WHERE DO THINGS STAND?

On the eighth month of mourning without burial, even the high-level three-day state visit of Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, who addressed Zambia’s Parliament with the gravitas of a seasoned statesman, could not eclipse the ghost in the air:
Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Almost every ‘mourning’ show on radio and television in Zambia discussed nothing but ECL’s non-burial on 5 February.



Yet the administration of Zambia or the government remained quiet, as if nothing had happened, business as usual.

Smart Eagles

Voices from abroad and within asked, “Is this what Zambia wants to be remembered for, as a nation that ‘punished’ the family of a dead president by refusing them the honour to bury him without government engagement?



How hard can it be to let the family bury the man?” The whispers grew darker, some invoking spiritualism, others suspecting that H.E John Dramani Mahama, who had a close working relationship with the late Lungu—the father of infrastructure in Zambia—was combining his diplomatic state visit with a mission to seek an ‘amicable solution’ to the burial impasse with colleague, H.E Hichilema, I hope so.



AND AHEAD LIES THE POLLS IN ZAMBIA

Zambia now marches toward a crucial general election on 13 August, where President Hakainde Hichilema seeks re-election.



Daily Revelation Newspaper
Observers wonder: how does a nation conduct a successful election when it cannot even conduct a burial ceremony without national fiasco and drama that has gone viral?

Where will the spirit of Edgar Chagwa Lungu be during the polls, in Pretoria, frozen in a refrigerator, or in Lusaka, observing elections at each and every polling station?



As a Christian, I invoke the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and I beg those with the keys to his final resting house to hand them over to Mrs. Lungu.

Let the man rest before the polls, at least after failing to meet his birthday on 11 November, Christmas, and New Year. Others ironically say, “So what are they telling President John Dramani Mahama? Let’s go and lay some wreaths at Embassy Park and oh, by the way, that empty one is for the President…President Edgar Lungu.”


The situation evokes Shakespearean tragedy. Lady Macbeth, tormented by guilt, could not wash the blood from her hands.
Hamlet, haunted by the ghost of his father, demanded justice in a kingdom that preferred silence.



Zambia now finds itself in a Hamlet-like drama, with Edgar Lungu’s ghost circling between Pretoria and Lusaka, demanding burial, demanding closure.

How do authorities sleep as the ECL ghost circles in the air, restless, between Pretoria and Lusaka?
History offers analogues. Alexander the Great, after conquering empires, was himself denied immediate burial, his body transported across lands as his generals squabbled.



Ghana too faced an impasse when a president died in exile and his burial became a matter of national contention. Could H.E John Dramani Mahama be using this analogue to quietly counsel his Zambian colleague, President Hakainde Hichilema, that no nation gains dignity by denying burial to its leaders?


Even Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s founding father, died in exile, and his remains were initially buried in Cornacky Guinea before finally being repatriated to Ghana.
The lesson is clear: the dead must be allowed to rest, lest their spirits haunt the living.


And yet Zambia, a nation known for peace and unity, risks being remembered for this grotesque theatre of non-burial.
The irony is sharp: a country that prides itself on democracy and stability cannot find consensus on laying one of its presidents to rest. The silence of the administration is deafening, the indifference chilling.


The parallels to Rwanda’s genocide and South Africa’s apartheid are not in scale but in principle: when a nation allows injustice to fester, when it punishes families in their most vulnerable hour, it risks staining its legacy.


This must never happen again. Zambia must not be remembered as the nation that denied a widow the right to bury her husband, denied children the right to bury their father, denied grandchildren the right to bury their grandfather.


As the election looms, the ghost of Edgar Chagwa Lungu will not be silenced. He will hover over polling stations, over campaign rallies, over the speeches of politicians who pretend nothing is amiss. His absence from the soil will be a presence in the air.
But let us end with hope. One day, Edgar Chagwa Lungu shall be given his long-withheld rest. His spirit shall rest in peace as God intended.


Zambia shall remember itself as a nation of peace and unity, not of punishment and denial. And Mrs. Esther Lungu, who has borne the longest mourning window on the continent, shall finally lay her husband to rest, closing the chapter with dignity.
For now, the question remains: how do those responsible for denying him burial sleep as the ECL ghost circles in the air between Pretoria and Lusaka?

Ambassador Anthony Mukwita, Author & International Relations Analyst

Source: The Daily Nation-Mukwita on Point.

A State Visit ‘struggled’ to dim ECL’s light
…as he clocked eight months frozen in Pretoria

A State Visit ‘struggled’ to dim ECL’s light
…as he clocked eight months frozen in Pretoria

Amb. AM 6th Jan. 26

From The Daily Nation Zambia

💫
Eight months have passed since the death of Zambia’s sixth President, H.E Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on 5 February, and yet the soil of his homeland has not embraced him.

His widow, Esther Lungu, has endured what is now the longest mourning window on the continent.

Her tears have dried, but her sorrow has deepened, not because grief fades but because the Attorney General of Zambia saw fit to take out a court order stopping her from burying the man, she shared more than four decades with.
Their children and grandchildren remain suspended in mourning, unable to close the chapter, unable to lay their father and grandfather to rest.
As an author, I took time to retrace the steps for those that are not familiar with the saga that has now gained continental attraction.

WHERE DO THINGS STAND?

On the eighth month of mourning without burial, even the high-level three-day state visit of Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, who addressed Zambia’s Parliament with the gravitas of a seasoned statesman, could not eclipse the ghost in the air:
Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Almost every ‘mourning’ show on radio and television in Zambia discussed nothing but ECL’s non-burial on 5 February.

Yet the administration of Zambia or the government remained quiet, as if nothing had happened, business as usual.

Smart Eagles

Voices from abroad and within asked, “Is this what Zambia wants to be remembered for, as a nation that ‘punished’ the family of a dead president by refusing them the honour to bury him without government engagement?

How hard can it be to let the family bury the man?” The whispers grew darker, some invoking spiritualism, others suspecting that H.E John Dramani Mahama, who had a close working relationship with the late Lungu—the father of infrastructure in Zambia—was combining his diplomatic state visit with a mission to seek an ‘amicable solution’ to the burial impasse with colleague, H.E Hichilema, I hope so.

AND AHEAD LIES THE POLLS IN ZAMBIA

Zambia now marches toward a crucial general election on 13 August, where President Hakainde Hichilema seeks re-election.

Daily Revelation Newspaper
Observers wonder: how does a nation conduct a successful election when it cannot even conduct a burial ceremony without national fiasco and drama that has gone viral?

Where will the spirit of Edgar Chagwa Lungu be during the polls, in Pretoria, frozen in a refrigerator, or in Lusaka, observing elections at each and every polling station?

As a Christian, I invoke the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and I beg those with the keys to his final resting house to hand them over to Mrs. Lungu.

Let the man rest before the polls, at least after failing to meet his birthday on 11 November, Christmas, and New Year. Others ironically say, “So what are they telling President John Dramani Mahama? Let’s go and lay some wreaths at Embassy Park and oh, by the way, that empty one is for the President…President Edgar Lungu.”

The situation evokes Shakespearean tragedy. Lady Macbeth, tormented by guilt, could not wash the blood from her hands.
Hamlet, haunted by the ghost of his father, demanded justice in a kingdom that preferred silence.

Zambia now finds itself in a Hamlet-like drama, with Edgar Lungu’s ghost circling between Pretoria and Lusaka, demanding burial, demanding closure.

How do authorities sleep as the ECL ghost circles in the air, restless, between Pretoria and Lusaka?
History offers analogues. Alexander the Great, after conquering empires, was himself denied immediate burial, his body transported across lands as his generals squabbled.

Ghana too faced an impasse when a president died in exile and his burial became a matter of national contention. Could H.E John Dramani Mahama be using this analogue to quietly counsel his Zambian colleague, President Hakainde Hichilema, that no nation gains dignity by denying burial to its leaders?
Even Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s founding father, died in exile, and his remains were initially buried in Cornacky Guinea before finally being repatriated to Ghana.
The lesson is clear: the dead must be allowed to rest, lest their spirits haunt the living.
And yet Zambia, a nation known for peace and unity, risks being remembered for this grotesque theatre of non-burial.
The irony is sharp: a country that prides itself on democracy and stability cannot find consensus on laying one of its presidents to rest. The silence of the administration is deafening, the indifference chilling.
The parallels to Rwanda’s genocide and South Africa’s apartheid are not in scale but in principle: when a nation allows injustice to fester, when it punishes families in their most vulnerable hour, it risks staining its legacy.
This must never happen again. Zambia must not be remembered as the nation that denied a widow the right to bury her husband, denied children the right to bury their father, denied grandchildren the right to bury their grandfather.
As the election looms, the ghost of Edgar Chagwa Lungu will not be silenced. He will hover over polling stations, over campaign rallies, over the speeches of politicians who pretend nothing is amiss. His absence from the soil will be a presence in the air.
But let us end with hope. One day, Edgar Chagwa Lungu shall be given his long-withheld rest. His spirit shall rest in peace as God intended.
Zambia shall remember itself as a nation of peace and unity, not of punishment and denial. And Mrs. Esther Lungu, who has borne the longest mourning window on the continent, shall finally lay her husband to rest, closing the chapter with dignity.
For now, the question remains: how do those responsible for denying him burial sleep as the ECL ghost circles in the air between Pretoria and Lusaka?

Ambassador Anthony Mukwita, Author & International Relations Analyst

Source: The Daily Nation-Mukwita on Point.

A State Visit ‘struggled’ to dim ECL’s light
…as he clocked eight months frozen in Pretoria

A State Visit ‘struggled’ to dim ECL’s light
…as he clocked eight months frozen in Pretoria

Amb. AM 6th Jan. 26

From The Daily Nation Zambia


Eight months have passed since the death of Zambia’s sixth President, H.E Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on 5 February, and yet the soil of his homeland has not embraced him.



His widow, Esther Lungu, has endured what is now the longest mourning window on the continent.

Her tears have dried, but her sorrow has deepened, not because grief fades but because the Attorney General of Zambia saw fit to take out a court order stopping her from burying the man, she shared more than four decades with.
Their children and grandchildren remain suspended in mourning, unable to close the chapter, unable to lay their father and grandfather to rest.
As an author, I took time to retrace the steps for those that are not familiar with the saga that has now gained continental attraction.



WHERE DO THINGS STAND?

On the eighth month of mourning without burial, even the high-level three-day state visit of Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, who addressed Zambia’s Parliament with the gravitas of a seasoned statesman, could not eclipse the ghost in the air:


Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Almost every ‘mourning’ show on radio and television in Zambia discussed nothing but ECL’s non-burial on 5 February.

Yet the administration of Zambia or the government remained quiet, as if nothing had happened, business as usual.



Voices from abroad and within asked, “Is this what Zambia wants to be remembered for, as a nation that ‘punished’ the family of a dead president by refusing them the honour to bury him without government engagement?



How hard can it be to let the family bury the man?” The whispers grew darker, some invoking spiritualism, others suspecting that H.E John Dramani Mahama, who had a close working relationship with the late Lungu—the father of infrastructure in Zambia—was combining his diplomatic state visit with a mission to seek an ‘amicable solution’ to the burial impasse with colleague, H.E Hichilema, I hope so.



AND AHEAD LIES THE POLLS IN ZAMBIA

Zambia now marches toward a crucial general election on 13 August, where President Hakainde Hichilema seeks re-election.

Observers wonder: how does a nation conduct a successful election when it cannot even conduct a burial ceremony without national fiasco and drama that has gone viral?



Where will the spirit of Edgar Chagwa Lungu be during the polls, in Pretoria, frozen in a refrigerator, or in Lusaka, observing elections at each and every polling station?

As a Christian, I invoke the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and I beg those with the keys to his final resting house to hand them over to Mrs. Lungu.

Let the man rest before the polls, at least after failing to meet his birthday on 11 November, Christmas, and New Year. Others ironically say, “So what are they telling President John Dramani Mahama? Let’s go and lay some wreaths at Embassy Park and oh, by the way, that empty one is for the President…President Edgar Lungu.”

The situation evokes Shakespearean tragedy. Lady Macbeth, tormented by guilt, could not wash the blood from her hands.
Hamlet, haunted by the ghost of his father, demanded justice in a kingdom that preferred silence.

Zambia now finds itself in a Hamlet-like drama, with Edgar Lungu’s ghost circling between Pretoria and Lusaka, demanding burial, demanding closure.

How do authorities sleep as the ECL ghost circles in the air, restless, between Pretoria and Lusaka?
History offers analogues. Alexander the Great, after conquering empires, was himself denied immediate burial, his body transported across lands as his generals squabbled.

Ghana too faced an impasse when a president died in exile and his burial became a matter of national contention. Could H.E John Dramani Mahama be using this analogue to quietly counsel his Zambian colleague, President Hakainde Hichilema, that no nation gains dignity by denying burial to its leaders?
Even Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s founding father, died in exile, and his remains were initially buried in Cornacky Guinea before finally being repatriated to Ghana.
The lesson is clear: the dead must be allowed to rest, lest their spirits haunt the living.
And yet Zambia, a nation known for peace and unity, risks being remembered for this grotesque theatre of non-burial.
The irony is sharp: a country that prides itself on democracy and stability cannot find consensus on laying one of its presidents to rest. The silence of the administration is deafening, the indifference chilling.
The parallels to Rwanda’s genocide and South Africa’s apartheid are not in scale but in principle: when a nation allows injustice to fester, when it punishes families in their most vulnerable hour, it risks staining its legacy.
This must never happen again. Zambia must not be remembered as the nation that denied a widow the right to bury her husband, denied children the right to bury their father, denied grandchildren the right to bury their grandfather.
As the election looms, the ghost of Edgar Chagwa Lungu will not be silenced. He will hover over polling stations, over campaign rallies, over the speeches of politicians who pretend nothing is amiss. His absence from the soil will be a presence in the air.
But let us end with hope. One day, Edgar Chagwa Lungu shall be given his long-withheld rest. His spirit shall rest in peace as God intended.
Zambia shall remember itself as a nation of peace and unity, not of punishment and denial. And Mrs. Esther Lungu, who has borne the longest mourning window on the continent, shall finally lay her husband to rest, closing the chapter with dignity.
For now, the question remains: how do those responsible for denying him burial sleep as the ECL ghost circles in the air between Pretoria and Lusaka?

Ambassador Anthony Mukwita, Author & International Relations Analyst

Source: The Daily Nation-Mukwita on Point.

Republican cashed in on Trump’s Venezuela raid while publicly cheering it on

North Carolina Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley was a hugely vocal supporter of President Donald Trump’s operation to capture Venezuelan authoritarian Nicolas Maduro — but it turns out he may have had a financial stake in it, Politico reported on Thursday.

Whatley, an ex-energy lobbyist and Republican National Committee leader, proclaimed that the operation was an “important step” and he was “proud” of the troops who executed it.

“What Whatley didn’t mention is that he and his family have up to a million plus dollars invested in three major oil companies that saw spikes in their shares after President Donald Trump said he would increase oil production in Venezuela, according to his personal financial disclosure filed in late November,” said the report.

“Whatley … and his immediate family own between $321,000 and $890,000 in stock in Chevron, which is the only American oil major operating in Venezuela. The company is their largest individual holding, according to a PI analysis of the disclosure,” the report continued. Additionally, the family owns “between $83,000 and $245,000 in stock in Exxon Mobil and between $3,000 and $45,000 in shares of ConocoPhillips” — all of which saw their stock prices go up sharply in response to the Venezuela operation.

In response to the article, Whatley spokesman Jonathan Felts slammed the insinuation, saying, “The idea that Michael would support Maduro’s arrest to boost his stocks is completely false and absurd — the sort of genius-level scheme dreamed up by liberal media. Michael Whatley has spent decades supporting energy policies that ensure affordable, reliable energy for all Americans.”

Maduro has spent years oppressing the Venezuelan people to the point of starvation. However, experts are suspicious of Trump’s motives for military action in the country, with some suggesting he is simply after a new stream of oil or even that he could give Maduro leniency in exchange for validating conspiracy theories that the 2020 election was stolen.

Whatley is set to face off against former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis, who in recent months has grown more openly critical of the Trump administration.

RFK Jr. brutally fact-checked after claiming keto diets ‘cure’ schizophrenia

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was brutally fact-checked on Thursday after he made a wild claim about the benefits of the keto diet.

Kennedy was speaking to a crowd in Tennessee as part of a nationwide tour to get Americans to eat healthier foods when he claimed that scientists at Harvard University had cured schizophrenia in a patient using the keto diet, The New York Times reported.

He also claimed that the food Americans eat is “driving mental illness in this country,” a claim that experts have said ignores environmental and social factors.

The Times spoke to multiple experts about Kennedy’s claim, one of whom described it as “simply misleading.”

“Some small short-term studies, including one at Stanford University, ‘offer very preliminary evidence’ that the diet ‘might be helpful’ in patients with schizophrenia, said Dr. Paul S. Appelbaum, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and past president of the American Psychiatric Association,” the Times reported. “But it is ‘simply misleading to suggest that we know that ketogenic diets can improve schizophrenia symptoms, much less that they can ‘cure’ the condition,’ he said.'”

Columbia psychiatry professor Dr. Mark Olfson was more direct with The Times.

“There is currently no credible evidence that ketogenic diets cure schizophrenia,” he said.

MAHAMA LAUDS NEW DAWN ECONOMIC PUSH

MAHAMA LAUDS NEW DAWN ECONOMIC PUSH

GHANAIAN President John Mahama has commended the Zambian government’s efforts to stabilise the economy.



Addressing Parliament yesterday, President Mahama said the improved performance of the Kwacha and the ongoing reforms send positive signals to investors and cooperating partners.



The Kwacha has continued its bullish run against the United States dollar, closing on Thursday at K18.49 on the buying side and K18.86 on the selling side, according to Zanaco’s money market.



“I commend the effort of the Zambian government and the people of Zambia to stabilise your microeconomic environment. Ghana looks forward to deepening trade, investment and financial cooperation with Zambia to reinforce resilience and share prosperity,” President Mahama said.



He said Zambia and Ghana are natural partners with opportunities to forge joint ventures in value chain development and expanded bilateral trade.



To achieve economic transformation, President Mahama said Africa must not be ashamed to leverage its comparative advantage in its natural resource endowment.



“Africa must exercise greater sovereignty over its natural resources if it is to create prosperity for its people. The era where we pass on our large-scale concessions to speculators, who then turn around and flip them for huge profits, must end.”

Zambia Daily Mail

REPUBLIC OF CONGO PRESIDENT NGUESSO (82), ANNOUNCES BID FOR ANOTHER TERM

REPUBLIC OF CONGO PRESIDENT NGUESSO (82), ANNOUNCES BID FOR ANOTHER TERM



By Anele Dlamini

#SDN, 6 February 2026

BRAZAVILLE: President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) has confirmed he will seek re-election in presidential polls scheduled for March 15, extending a grip on power that has spanned more than four decades.



In a statement released by his office on Thursday, the 82-year-old leader said he would contest the vote, an announcement he also made publicly before thousands of supporters gathered in the southern district of Ignie.



Sassou Nguesso first came to power in 1979, ruling under a single-party system until 1992, when he lost the country’s first multiparty election to former prime minister Pascal Lissouba. He returned to office in 1997 after overthrowing Lissouba during a civil war and has remained president ever since..



His continued rule was enabled by a 2015 constitutional change that removed the two-term and age limit, allowing him to stand again. In December, his party, the Congolese Labour Party (PCT), formally endorsed him as its presidential candidate, describing him as the party’s “natural” choice.



The announcement comes as opposition forces seek to mount a stronger challenge, with three opposition parties forming an alliance aimed at unseating the long-serving leader in next year’s election.

Russian military intelligence (GRU) First Deputy Head Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev was shot multiple times this morning in an apparent assassination attempt in Moscow

0

[BREAKING]
Russian military intelligence (GRU) First Deputy Head Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev was shot multiple times this morning in an apparent assassination attempt in Moscow.



By Flava Digital Analysis Team

According to reports from Sky News, Reuters and the state-run TASS News Agency, an unidentified assailant opened fire on the General near his residence on Volokolamsk Highway before fleeing the scene.



Key Details:
Condition: General Alexeyev survived the shooting and is currently hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds to his back.



The Target: Alexeyev is a high-profile figure who played a critical role in negotiating the end of the Wagner Group mutiny in June 2023.


Official Response: Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched a criminal probe into “attempted murder” and is currently searching for the gunman.



This attack follows a pattern of high-stakes violence targeting top military officials in the capital, coming just weeks after the assassination of Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov in a Moscow car bombing.

Jeffrey Epstein had ‘very low’ t3st0ster0ne and l!b!do, sought info on p£n!s enlargement p!lls

Notorious pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein had “very low” testosterone and complained about having “low libido” before he was sent info on enlargement drugs for his apparent egg-shaped microp£nis, newly released medical records show.

The late financier also had a lengthy history of contracting STDs, including gonorrhoea, according to the records included in the latest Epstein document dump.

Various tests over the years came back showing that the late financier had well-below-normal levels of testosterone, something Epstein noted had been the “same for ten years.”

In one email from 2014, his doctor wrote that results showed “testosterone still low 142.” Another email from the same doc informed Epstein in 2017 that his lab results had dropped to 125.

For context, the American Urological Association says anything below 300 is considered a testosterone deficiency.

Epstein also complained to docs about his libido, but was hesitant about taking hormones.

“As you can see from the time stamp my sleep pattern is not wonderful. I am hesitant to start a regimen of hormones. my low testosterone has been there for 15 years. mechanic view is that it has caught up to me?” he wrote in an email to one doctor at 3 a.m. April 24, 2015.

After one doctor suggested taking testosterone-related drugs like Clomid, Epstein shot back in 2016, saying he’d stopped taking it — claiming it was a “giant mistake” to go on it in the first place.

“Stopped the clomid the water retention and fat around the waist made it as if i was pregnant,” Epstein wrote.

An email also landed in Epstein’s inbox in 2012 from a “Dr. Maxman” offering the sex pest “max p£nis enlarger pills.”

One of his victims previously disclosed that Epstein had an “extremely deformed” penis that was shaped like a lemon or an egg.

“Parasites showed whipworm [a parasitic roundworm] and histolytica [a parasite], some blood in urine, history of bladder polyps. semen showed some gc. so took 1 gram ceftriaxon and 2 g azithromycin [both antibiotics],” he fired off in an email to a New York doctor in 2016.

“Urine stream diminished, testosterone levels very low. ie. 125 same for ten years. Never smoked or drink, no drugs. Sherlock? how can we work together?”

The medical records also showed Epstein had sought out details on freezing his sperm.

Russia expels German diplomat in tit-for-tat move

Russia has expelled a German diplomat in a tit-for-tat move, escalating tensions between Moscow and Berlin following a similar action taken by Germany last month.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, February 5, that it summoned the head of the German Embassy in Moscow to lodge a formal protest and inform Berlin that a member of the embassy staff had been declared persona non grata. The decision, Moscow said, was a direct response to Germany’s expulsion of a Russian diplomat over alleged espionage. The ministry rejected Germany’s accusations, describing them as fabricated and politically motivated.

“It was emphasised that the unsubstantiated accusations of espionage brought against him by the official Berlin authorities are completely groundless and fabricated in the spirit of the ‘spy mania’ being whipped up in Germany by the German authorities,” the ministry said.

Germany’s Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, criticised the move while speaking during a visit to Brunei, calling Russia’s action unjustified and unacceptable.

“The expulsion of a German diplomat from Russia is completely unfounded and totally unacceptable,” he said, adding that Germany “reserves the right to take further action.”

Wadephul confirmed that the expelled diplomat was part of the German embassy’s military attaché staff in Moscow and accused Russia of responding with escalation rather than diplomacy.

“While our diplomats adhere to the law, Russia relies on escalation and espionage under the guise of diplomacy,” he said.

Moscow, however, described its decision as a “symmetrical response” to Germany’s earlier move on January 22, when Berlin expelled an employee of the Russian embassy over alleged spying. Russian authorities denied the allegation and said Germany bears “full responsibility for the new escalation in bilateral relations.”

Germany’s Foreign Office had previously summoned the Russian ambassador in Berlin and declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata with immediate effect, stating that espionage activities would not be tolerated. According to German media sources, the expelled Russian official was the deputy military attaché.

The dispute comes amid heightened security concerns across Europe, where intelligence agencies have warned of increased Russian espionage and sabotage activities linked to the war in Ukraine. Britain also expelled a Russian diplomat earlier this week in a separate but similar reciprocal action.

Moscow has denied accusations that it is conducting a coordinated espionage or sabotage campaign across Europe.

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un ‘ex3cutes schoolchildren for watching Squid Game’

People caught consuming South Korean entertainment in North Korea are facing extreme punishment, including public execution, according to new findings by Amnesty International.

A new Amnesty report says North Korean authorities are executing citizens for watching popular South Korean dramas such as Squid Game, listening to K-pop artists like BTS, or engaging with any foreign media deemed “reactionary”. Even children are reportedly subjected to harsh penalties.

According to testimonies from people who escaped the country, schoolchildren are sometimes forced to witness executions as a warning against consuming banned content. While wealthier families or those with political connections may bribe officials to avoid the harshest penalties, poorer citizens reportedly face the most severe consequences.

Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director, described the situation as deeply repressive, saying: “Watching a South Korean TV show can cost you your life, unless you can afford to pay.”

She added that the system effectively criminalises access to information while allowing corruption to flourish: “The authorities criminalise access to information in violation of international law, then allow officials to profit off those fearing punishment. This is repression layered with corruption, and it most devastates those without wealth or connections.”

Despite the risks, South Korean media continues to circulate inside the country. Dramas such as Crash Landing on You, which itself is partly set in North Korea, are said to be widely watched in secret.

Amnesty cited interviews claiming that people caught watching Squid Game or listening to K-pop had been executed. One particularly severe case dates to 2021, when a student who smuggled Squid Game into North Korea from China was sentenced to death by firing squad.

That case was also reported by Radio Free Asia, which said the student had sold copies to fellow pupils. According to the report, one buyer received a life sentence, while others who watched the show were sent to hard labour camps for several years.

Observers say the themes of Squid Game, extreme inequality, debt and survival under brutal rules, resonate strongly with people living under the rule of Kim Jong Un.

The crackdown is enforced under North Korea’s “Law on the Elimination of Reactionary Thought and Culture”, introduced in 2020, which targets foreign books, films and music, with particular focus on content from South Korea.

Amnesty warns that the law has turned the country into what it describes as an “ideological cage”, where access to outside information is treated as a capital crime rather than a basic human right.

ANC RALLIES BEHIND DIDIZA: “ATTACKS ARE MISDIRECTED,” SAYS NTULI

ANC RALLIES BEHIND DIDIZA: “ATTACKS ARE MISDIRECTED,” SAYS NTULI

ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli has come out swinging in defence of National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, dismissing criticism over her refusal to subpoena forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan and businessman Brown Mogotsi as “unjustified and misdirected.”



In a virtual interview with SABC News, Ntuli said Didiza is not blocking Parliament’s work but protecting it. He insisted the Speaker is ensuring that due process is followed so that decisions of Parliament are not later overturned in court.



Ntuli, who sits on the Ad Hoc Committee probing alleged misconduct and infiltration in the criminal justice system, said serious security concerns must first be resolved. O’Sullivan is reportedly in the UK citing death threats, while Mogotsi has demanded state-funded protection before appearing.



He rejected claims of deliberate delays, noting that engagements with the Speaker began late last year and that responses were received in December and January.

Ntuli warned that rushing subpoenas could legally embarrass Parliament, stressing that accountability must come without cutting corners.

LETITIA JAMES TAKES ON ICE: NY AG Sends Legal Watchdogs to Immigration Raids

JAMES TAKES ON ICE: NY AG Sends Legal Watchdogs to Immigration Raids



New York Attorney General Letitia James has vowed to keep a close eye on federal immigration crackdowns, announcing that her office will dispatch legal observers to monitor raids across the state.

The move, revealed on Tuesday, is aimed at documenting enforcement actions carried out by federal immigration authorities as they happen.



According to reports, the observers will record conduct on the ground, gathering evidence and ensuring that the rights of New Yorkers are not violated during immigration operations.

The announcement signals a clear warning to federal agents that their actions will not go unscrutinised.



James’s office says the deployment is about accountability and transparency, as immigration enforcement continues to spark fear and controversy in communities statewide.

By placing legal eyes at raid locations, the Attorney General is drawing a firm line New York is watching, and it intends to hold federal authorities to account if the law is crossed.

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT ORDERS AMERICANS OUT OF IRAN NOW!
Security alert confirmed, dramatic warning follows escalating unrest

BREAKING: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT ORDERS AMERICANS OUT OF IRAN NOW!
Security alert confirmed, dramatic warning follows escalating unrest



The U.S. State Department has issued an urgent security alert telling all American citizens in Iran to leave the country immediately, marking a serious escalation in travel warnings amid growing turmoil.

The advisory, issued on February 5, 2026, urges U.S. nationals to depart without waiting for government help, citing widespread internet outages, chaotic flight disruptions, and mounting security risks as key reasons for the dire warning.



The alert reflects deepening instability in Iran as nationwide unrest keeps authorities tightening controls, often cutting communications and disrupting transport links.

With airlines cancelling or limiting services, the department even suggests that Americans consider leaving via land routes to neighbouring countries like Turkey or Armenia if air travel isn’t possible. 



Officials emphasised that the U.S. government’s ability to assist citizens on the ground remains extremely limited

TRUMP’S BIG NAME GAME: PRESIDENT EYES AIRPORT AND ICONIC STATION RENAME

TRUMP’S BIG NAME GAME: PRESIDENT EYES AIRPORT AND ICONIC STATION RENAME



Donald Trump is reportedly floating a headline-grabbing idea, putting his own name on two of America’s most famous transport hubs. According to political insiders, the former president wants Washington Dulles International Airport and New York’s Penn Station renamed in his honour.



The bold proposal allegedly came with a high-stakes political twist. Trump is said to have sought backing from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, dangling the release of long-stalled funding for the massive Gateway infrastructure project as part of the deal.



The Gateway project, vital to rail travel between New York and New Jersey, has long been caught in political gridlock. Trump’s reported offer has sparked chatter in Washington, with critics calling it self-promotion taken too far, while supporters hail it as classic Trump deal-making.



Neither location has officially responded, but the claim has already ignited controversy — and reminded Americans that when Trump negotiates, he aims big, personal, and loud.

Court Rejects Anele Mda’s Final Appeal in Mbalula Defamation Case

Breaking news

Court Rejects Anele Mda’s Final Appeal in Mbalula Defamation Case

The Gauteng High Court has dismissed political commentator Anele Mda’s application for leave to appeal a defamation ruling in favour of ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, effectively bringing the matter closer to an end.



The ruling follows an August 2025 judgment in which the court found Mda’s social media posts linking Mbalula to the 2015 murder of businessman Wandile Bozwana to be defamatory and false.



Mda was ordered to remove the posts, issue a public retraction and apology, and refrain from repeating the allegations.



In rejecting her latest bid to appeal, the court held that there were no reasonable prospects that another court would overturn the original decision.



The judge found that Mda’s reliance on the defence of fair comment failed, noting her admission that she had no factual basis to support the serious allegations.



Attempts to introduce new material were also dismissed as hearsay and irrelevant.

While the decision closes the appeal process at this level, Mda may still petition the Supreme Court of Appeal directly for special leave to appeal.

Trump has praised President Félix Tshisekedi of the DR Congo (DRC) during the National Prayer Breakfast

BREAKING: WASHINGTON

U.S. President Donald Trump has praised President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the National Prayer Breakfast, describing him as “a true president, a courageous and wonderful man.” Trump also highlighted what he referred to as a historic peace agreement and the largest U.S.–Africa mining deal.


These remarks come in the context of a well-known statement by the late Pan-Africanist and former president of Mozambique, Samora Machel, who once warned: “If one day you hear Europeans and the West praising me, then just know that I have betrayed you.”


President Trump’s praise of the Congolese leader has sparked widespread debate on social media. Many Africans across the continent have accused Congo President Tshisekedi of betraying his people and Africa as a whole, alleging that he is acting as a Western puppet by granting the West access to exploit Africa’s natural resources.

Analysts monitoring the situation argue that Trump’s praise on the Congo president is because the Congo President has agreed to protect U.S. interests and grant the United States access to Congo’s mineral resources.

They further claim that if the Congolese president was to oppose, disagree or challenge U.S. interests in Congo to better the lives of the Congolese people, he would quickly be labeled a dictator, a human rights violator, and an undemocratically elected leader by the same US president Trump who is praising him now.


According to the same analysts this will now lead to outcomes similar to those faced by leaders such as Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, Patrice Lumumba the first president of the Congo and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana.



Your take:
On America president Trump praising an African president. Do you think the Congo president is working for the interest of the Congo people or to protect America interest instead?

Ukraine Reports 770 Russian Personnel and 60 Artillery Systems Lost in 24 Hours

Ukraine Reports 770 Russian Personnel and 60 Artillery Systems Lost in 24 Hour



The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has released its latest operational update for February 5, 2026, estimating that Russian forces suffered approximately 770 personnel losses over the past day.

This brings the reported total of Russian casualties—killed and wounded—to over 1,243,840 since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.



In addition to manpower, Ukraine claimed significant equipment destruction during the same period, most notably 60 artillery systems, 5 tanks, and 4 armored fighting vehicles. Air defense units also reported neutralizing over 1,350 unmanned aerial vehicles, highlighting the continued intensity of drone warfare across the front lines. Ukrainian officials noted that combat remains particularly heavy in the Pokrovsk sector, with over 110 engagements recorded in a single day.



While these figures are provided by the Ukrainian military and cannot be independently verified, they reflect a sustained high rate of attrition as the conflict enters its fourth year.



ℹ️ War Update remains always committed to accuracy; this event is corroborated by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine daily briefings.

While these figures regarding personnel and equipment losses are official Ukrainian estimates, they remain difficult to independently verify due to the intensity of active hostilities.

Sources: RBC-Ukraine (February 5, 2026), Ukrinform (February 5, 2026), United24 Media (February 5, 2026)

I’I’LL CONTINUE AS PRESIDENT IF MAKEBI DECLINES NCP ENDORSEMENT – Peter Chanda

I’I’LL CONTINUE AS PRESIDENT IF MAKEBI DECLINES NCP ENDORSEMENT – CHANDA

NEW Congress Party leader Peter Chanda says should Makebi Zulu decide not to take up the party presidency, he will continue leading as the duly elected president.

Chanda has also justified his endorsement of Zulu for the party presidency, saying they share a common commitment to defending former president Edgar Lungu’s legacy in life and death.

Last week, Chanda endorsed Zulu as his party’s presidential candidate for the forthcoming general elections.

Asked on Crown TV how much he wants Zulu to become party president, Chanda said Zulu was still considering and digesting the endorsement.

“Let me say that very soon he will be making an announcement, he is digesting. We’ve done the endorsement and we have given him a letter of invitation. Should he decide that he is not ready, I’m the substantive duly elected president of New Congress Party and I’ll continue with our journey. It’s like this, I was the youngest or the humblest amongst the political parties that were in Tonse Alliance as compared to others who were allowed. No wonder I never claimed a position in Tonse and all those things.

I’ve got the humility within me, I’ve got patience within me but I’m a very decisive leader and that’s one thing that the Zambian people should know. I’m able to adjust depending on the tones and what people are saying. From the time that I took a stance to say okay we are standing alone, many called saying, ‘no work with your brothers’. And for me to a

nnounce Honourable Makebi Zulu, it’s many things to demonstrate that I’m a political leader that has got a preference,” he said.

“So, if the people in the Tonse Alliance that is led by Honourable Given Lubinda want to work with me, they need to know that at the centre of my heart, I believe on building on ECL’s legacy. If there is one man that has not deviated by the focus of upholding or standing to defend ECL both in life and in death, it’s Makebi Zulu and we share a common ground on that. So, we have one common denominator with Honourable Makebi Zulu and that’s the reason why we made that endorsement. If there are people that were close even to the family, even now it is Honourable Makebi Zulu, seconded by myself and a few others”.

Asked to comment on the ‘ECL PF Movement’, Chanda said Given Lubinda deserved respect.

“Let me tell you, you cannot disown Honourable Lubinda who was left as acting president. Can you be able to say Honourable Lubinda appointed himself as acting president of the PF? He has got a letter of appointment as vice-president and you expel him? When he was getting that letter being appointed as acting president, when he was moving together with ECL and being referred to as acting president wasn’t the issue of Miles Sampa and Robert Chabinga there? They were there and this is the more reason why on the day of our appointment, you saw me, one thing that I said was that go sit down with Honourable Lubinda because he deserves respect,” said Chanda.

News Diggers

I SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH CALLING HH’S APPOINTMENTS REGIONAL – DAN PULE

I SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH CALLING HH’S APPOINTMENTS REGIONAL – PULE

CHRISTIAN Democratic Party President Dan Pule has told the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court that it did not occur to him that there was anything wrong with his remarks concerning perceived regional appointments by President Hakainde Hichilema.



Pule has further told the court that his remarks were intended to point out errors which, according to the Constitution, need to be corrected by President Hichilema.



In this matter, Pule is charged with seditious practices.

When the matter came up for continued defence before Magistrate Sylvia Munyinya, Pule was asked if it had not occurred to him that there was anything wrong with his statement, and he replied in the negative.



Pule further indicated that he made the remarks because he believed President Hichilema was instrumental in dividing the nation due to appointments that were regional in nature.



“I mentioned as recorded in the video that President HH was instrumental in dividing the nation. What I meant was as indicated, [that] the appointments to the government were being done for example; in Cabinet, key ministries such as one Ministry of Finance, he appointed Honourable [[Dr] Situmbeko Musokotwane from Western Province. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, [he] appointed Mr Kakubo from North-Western Province. So, the statement was all about the appointments by the President from one region. I did mention in foreign service, parastatals, [the appointees] were coming from one province,” he said.



“I was pointing out the errors which according to the Constitution of Zambia needed to be corrected, that the President of Zambia has the obligation to consider ethnic diversity. When I testified before this court that I had forgotten the name of the Second Deputy Secretary to Cabinet, [but] he is from Southern Province. I also forgot the name of the Minister of Education, his name is Douglas Syakalima from Southern Province”.



Pule claimed that the vice-chancellors of higher learning institutions in the country were from the Zambezi region.



“I would like to mention the appointments of vice chancellors at higher education institutions. Most of the vice chancellors are coming from the same region that I referred to as the Zambezi region. For example, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Zambia is from Western Province. The Vice Chancellor for the Copperbelt University is Professor Nyambe. Vice Chancellor for Mulungushi University is from the same region,” he said.



“I also want to mention that the Executive Director for the Food Reserve Agency and the Managing Director for Zambia Railways are both from Southern Province”.



Meanwhile, in cross-examination, asked to confirm if the words he spoke were the same words on the indictment and in exhibit P5, Pule replied in the affirmative.



Asked if he was the only person who spoke during the press briefing, Pule said no.

Further asked if he found it odd that he was the only person arrested in connection to this offence, Pule replied in the affirmative.



Magistrate Munyinya adjourned the matter to February 6, 2026, for continued defence.

News Diggers

PF ELECTORAL COMMISSION FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE APPOINTED

ELECTORAL COMMISSION FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE APPOINTED



4th February 2026

The Patriotic Front has appointed the Party Electoral Commission to prepare and host the General Conference due this month-end of February 2026.



Article 64 of the Patriotic Front Constitution provides that;

“For the purpose of Party elections, there shall be an Electoral Commission which shall be responsible for laying down the regulations, rules and procedures relating to Party elections and shall be responsible for orderly conduct and supervision of the Party elections.”



Article 65 further provides;

“No person shall be appointed as member to the Electoral Commission if he holds an office or intends to stand for election to an office in the Party”.



The Central Committee held a meeting on Saturday,31st January 2026 and committed to holding the Conference in February 2026.



The Party has also directed the former Acting Secretary General, Hon. Brenda Nyirenda MP to surrender the preparatory minutes, documents and funds related to the preparations of the Conference.



Details related to the conference will be communicated later.



Issued by;

Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
Chairperson for Information and Publicity
Member of the Central Committee
PATRIOTIC FRONT

GOVERNMENT AWARDS K700 SALARY INCREMENT TO PUBLIC WORKERS

GOVERNMENT AWARDS K700 SALARY INCREMENT TO PUBLIC WORKERS

By Prudence Chota

The Zambian Government and public service unions have concluded negotiations for the 2026 conditions of service, signing a collective agreement aimed at improving worker welfare while safeguarding fiscal sustainability.



The negotiations, which began in November 2025 and extended into January 2026 has resulted in a K700 across-the-board salary increment for all unionized public service workers, effective January 1, 2026.



Allowances have also been adjusted, with transport, housing and responsibility allowances increased by 20 percent.



Rural allowances will rise by 20 percent, while remote area allowances increase by 25 percent.



Government has further reaffirmed its commitment to recruiting essential workers and ensuring timely payment of pension benefits.



The talks involved 27 public service unions and were held in Chilanga District.

PRESIDENT HH, LET YOUR PREDECESSOR REST: EIGHT MONTHS OF PAIN, EIGHT MONTHS WITHOUT BURIAL- Thandiwe Ketiš Ngoma

PRESIDENT HH, LET YOUR PREDECESSOR REST: EIGHT MONTHS OF PAIN, EIGHT MONTHS WITHOUT BURIAL
By Thandiwe Ketiš Ngoma
Today marks exactly eight months since the death of Zambia’s Sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and still, eight months later, his body has not been laid to rest.


Eight months of waiting. Eight months of suspended grief. Eight months of a family denied the most basic and sacred human right to bury their loved one in peace and dignity. What should have been a solemn period of mourning has instead become a prolonged season of pain, distress, and national discomfort.


The Lungu family continues to endure unimaginable emotional suffering as they are prevented from giving their father, husband, and grandfather a final farewell. No family anywhere should have to plead for permission to bury their own. No grieving household should be dragged into courtrooms simply to perform the last rites of love and respect for the departed.


In our culture and in our shared humanity, burial is sacred. It is not political theatre. It is not a contest of authority or control. It is a solemn responsibility carried out with humility, compassion, and reverence for the dead. When a person dies, whether a common citizen or a former Head of State, their dignity in death must be protected above all else.


Yet today, eight months after his passing, the body of a former Republican President remains unburied. Not because the family has refused to bury him, but because they have been prevented from doing so. Mourning has been turned into litigation. Closure has been replaced with legal arguments. Compassion has been overshadowed by insistence.


At the centre of this painful and unprecedented situation stands President Hakainde Hichilema, whose continued insistence on presiding over the funeral of his predecessor, reportedly against the wishes of the deceased and those of his family, has left many citizens shocked, hurt, and deeply troubled.


Serious questions now weigh heavily on the hearts of many. What is in the body of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu that he cannot be buried peacefully without the personal presence of President Hakainde Hichilema? Why must it be President Hichilema who presides over the funeral and no one else? Why not allow another agreed and respected national figure, to preside over the burial? Why this insistence, Mr President?


To many ordinary citizens, this unyielding determination to preside over the funeral, despite the reported wishes of both the deceased and his family, has created growing discomfort and suspicion. It has raised deeply unsettling perceptions and whispers among the public. Some have even begun to question whether this insistence carries undertones that go beyond normal state protocol, with others openly wondering whether it suggests motives that feel unnatural or even suggestive of supernatural rituals or activities.


Whether such fears are justified or not, they arise because a grieving family has been denied the simple dignity of burying their loved one in peace. Leadership must not only be lawful; it must be compassionate, sensitive, and beyond reproach. When actions create fear, suspicion, and prolonged pain, it is time for reflection.


Mr President, death humbles every human being. It reminds us that power is temporary and humanity is permanent. There is no honour in presiding over a funeral where your presence is not welcomed. There is no dignity in forcing authority over a grieving family. True leadership listens. True leadership shows compassion. True leadership allows healing.


No government owns a human body. No political office is greater than human dignity. No authority should stand between a family and the burial of their loved one.


Eight months is too long. Eight months of waiting is too painful. Eight months without burial is a burden no family should ever be forced to carry.


Withdraw the legal proceedings. Respect the wishes of the deceased and his family. Allow President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to be laid to rest peacefully, with dignity and without conditions.
Zambia is watching. History is watching. The nation waits for compassion to prevail.
Why this insistence, Mr President?

STATEMENT ON THE FAILED BURIAL OF LATE PRESIDENT EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU

STATEMENT ON THE FAILED BURIAL OF LATE PRESIDENT EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU



By Dr. Sebastian C. Kopulande

5 February 2026

Today marks eight months since the passing of Zambia’s Sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, in South Africa. Yet, to the shock and sorrow of the See, our former Head of State still remains unburied following the Government of Zambia’s decision, through the Attorney General, to halt his burial by obtaing an injunction from the South African High Court on 25th June 2025, the very day the late President was to be buried in South Africa.



Let me declare interest here, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu was a personal friend from our time together at the University of Zambia. This as it may be, the failure to put put him to rest eight months after his passing, is an unprecedented and deeply painful chapter in our national history.

Regardless of political differences, the death of a former President should unite the nation in dignity, compassion, and respect.

Denying a timely and dignified burial to a former Head of State and blaming his family for it when you had acted to stop the planned burial, raises serious ethical and moral questions about our values as a people and as a Government.



We must ask: what moral justification can there be for prolonging the grief of a bereaved family and a mourning nation? In whose interest is the Government doing all this and for whose benefit? What message are we sending about our respect for leadership, humanity, and African cultural traditions that honour the dead?



Zambia is bigger than any political contest. Our humanity must never be sacrificed at the altar of political disputes.

I therefore urge the Government to reflect deeply on the moral implications of its actions and to act in a manner that restores dignity, compassion, and national unity, so that our Sixth Republican President may finally be laid to rest with the honour befitting the office he held.



May we remember that the way we treat our departed leaders is a mirror of who we are as a nation.

I thank you.
Signed
Sebastian C. Kopulande

MRS HICHILEMA ENGAGES GHANA’s FIRST LADY ON WOMEN AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES

MRS HICHILEMA ENGAGES GHANA’s FIRST LADY ON WOMEN AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES



Earlier today, Zambia’s First Lady Mrs. Mutinta Hichilema held cordial discussions with Ghana’s First Lady, Madam Lordina Mahama, focused on strengthening cooperation in advancing social development programmes benefiting women, children, and young people.


Mrs. Hichilema said the meeting provided an opportunity to share key initiatives being implemented through her office across Zambia, particularly programmes aimed at empowering women and girls, ending child marriage, and improving maternal and infant health services.


She reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to continued cooperation with Ghana and expressed optimism about future collaboration to uplift communities, especially women and youth.


The First Lady further noted her interest in learning more about the Lordina Foundation and its work supporting underprivileged children and women in Ghana, stating that partnerships between countries could help expand the impact of such social interventions.



Mrs. Hichilema added that through strengthened collaboration, countries could achieve greater progress in improving the welfare of their people.

Hon. Morgan Muunda Strengthens Flood Response and Community Support in Chawama.

Hon. Morgan Muunda Strengthens Flood Response and Community Support in Chawama.



February,  5, 2026

By Wagon Media

Hon Morgan Muunda 1, the aspiring Member of Parliament for Chawama Constituency under the UPND ticket, has continued to demonstrate practical leadership through sustained support to communities affected by recent flooding.



As part of efforts to improve sanitation and promote good hygiene, Hon. Muunda distributed additional tippers of gravel to heavily affected areas, including Chingwelele Market and surrounding communities. This intervention was aimed at improving drainage, reducing stagnant water, and creating a safer environment for residents and marketeers.



Marketeers at Chingwelele Market expressed great appreciation for the gesture, describing it as timely and impactful. They praised Hon. Muunda’s continued commitment to community welfare and encouraged him to maintain the spirit of service that reflects true and people-centered leadership.



In further support to flood-affected households, Hon. Muunda procured and distributed 100 bales of (salaula) to residents whose belongings were damaged by the floods. Many families benefited from this initiative, with residents expressing gratitude for the relief provided during a difficult period.



Additionally, Hon. Muunda created short-term employment opportunities for youths in Chawama by engaging them in drainage cleaning and maintenance works, a move aimed at reducing future flooding while empowering young people economically.



In his remarks, Hon. Morgan Muunda thanked the people of Chawama for their continued support and trust. He reaffirmed his commitment to work tirelessly for the constituency and emphasized the importance of working together to achieve lasting development. He assured residents of his availability and dedication to serving them at all times, while also appreciating the support rendered to him and the UPND leadership.

Alice Rowlands Musukwa Endorses Mundubile

Alice Rowlands Musukwa Endorses Mundubile

“I’m not a partisan, but among these great candidates, choosing someone without a hunger for power, who’s quietly served and led with decency, could give us something truly new.”

“I think Hon, Mundubile would make sense because some of these candidates came from being powerful to pampamina paka fika kane💅💅”

KWACHA GAINS THE HIGHEST IN 32 MONTHS AT K18.41 PER DOLLAR

KWACHA GAINS THE HIGHEST IN 32 MONTHS AT K18.41 PER DOLLAR



By Rachel Mumba

The Zambian Kwacha has strengthened to a record high against major international currencies, signaling continued gains in the local currency’s performance on the foreign exchange market.



The latest exchange rate figures show that the Kwacha is trading at K18.41 ngwee to One United States Dollar on the buying side and K18.78 ngwee on the selling side.



This is the lowest figure since June 2023 when the kwacha last traded at 17. 75 ngwee and averaged 18.72 ngwee against the US dollar



Against the British Pound, the Kwacha is buying at K24.9888 and selling at K25.4860, while it is trading at K21.7115 buying and K22.1436 selling against the Euro.



The local currency has also posted gains against regional and Asian currencies, buying at K1.1411 and selling at K1.1638 against the South African Rand, and buying at K2.6536 and selling at K2.7064 against the Chinese Yuan.



The development reflects increased confidence in the Kwacha’s stability and improved performance on the interbank market, with the local unit continuing to appreciate amid favourable market conditions.

#NewsOnTheGo

CSOS WARN AGAINST BIASED DELIMITATION AHEAD OF ECZ REPORT LAUNCH TOMORROW

CSOS WARN AGAINST BIASED DELIMITATION AHEAD OF ECZ REPORT LAUNCH TOMORROW



AS the Electoral Commission of Zambia launches the delimitation exercise report and brief stakeholders on preparations for the 2026 general election tomorrow, Civil Society Organisations on Decentralisation Alliance Network has urged the commission to present a report that is widely acceptable and free from confusion.



In an interview with Phoenix News, CSO-DAN Executive Director Gabriel Mapulanga says the organisation expects a fair and balanced report that does not favour those in power, but instead ensures that constituency boundaries are reviewed across the country in areas where delimitation is necessary.



Father Mapulanga further says the report should also address chiefdom boundaries, noting that unclear demarcations have been a source of conflict in several areas for many years.



Meanwhile, Historian and former University of Zambia Lecturer Dr. Euston Chiputa expects constituencies to be divided based on both geographical size and population, in line with past practice.

PN

GOLD DISCOVERY PLACES NAKONDE AMONG ZAMBIA’S EMERGING MINING DISTRICTS

GOLD DISCOVERY PLACES NAKONDE AMONG ZAMBIA’S EMERGING MINING DISTRICTS



Nakonde district has become the third area in Zambia to report a significant new mineral discovery, following earlier finds in Mpika and Shiwan’andu districts.



The gold deposit was identified during ongoing exploration activities in the region, confirming the presence of gold-bearing material substantial enough to warrant commercial attention. While specific deposit sizes remain undisclosed, the discovery has been officially categorised as a new gold mine.



This development positions Nakonde alongside Mpika and Shiwan’andu as districts with recently confirmed mineral potential. The finds reflect broader nationwide exploration efforts aimed at mapping Zambia’s geological resources and identifying previously untapped mineral deposits.



The discovery enhances understanding of Nakonde’s geological profile and demonstrates the mineral diversity present across different regions of the country. However, key operational details remain unclear. The original report from the Zambian Daily Mail provides no information on development timelines, mining commencement dates, or licensing status.



No companies involved in the exploration process have been named, and the publication offers no details regarding the types of minerals discovered in Mpika and Shiwan’andu, though it groups all three districts within the same category of recent resource identification.



The report also refrains from commenting on potential economic impacts or employment opportunities that might arise from the discovery. What remains confirmed is that Nakonde now joins a growing list of Zambian districts where mineral exploration has yielded positive results, marking another chapter in the country’s ongoing resource assessment activities.

MALEMA SAYS HE’D ROLL OUT A RED CARPET FOR NDLOZI IF HE RETURNS TO THE EFF — HERE’S WHY THIS STATEMENT IS IMPORTANT

MALEMA SAYS HE’D ROLL OUT A RED CARPET FOR NDLOZI IF HE RETURNS TO THE EFF — HERE’S WHY THIS STATEMENT IS IMPORTANT



Julius Malema has surprised many people with a strong message about former EFF leader Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.



Malema says if Ndlozi came back to the EFF tomorrow, he would welcome him warmly and even “roll out a red carpet” for him. He added that Ndlozi is one of the few people who has carried himself in a respectful and different way.


Why is Malema saying this now?

To understand this, people must remember what has been happening.



Ndlozi was once one of the strongest and most visible EFF leaders — known for his speeches, media presence, and debates in Parliament. But in recent times, his presence in EFF activities became less noticeable, and many supporters started asking questions.



Rumours of internal tensions and disagreements grew, and some people believed he was being pushed aside. Ndlozi, however, never attacked Malema publicly and avoided drama.



What Malema really means

Malema’s message is clear:

Ndlozi is still respected, and the door is not closed.



When Malema praises Ndlozi’s “conduct,” he is pointing out that Ndlozi handled the situation with discipline and dignity — something rare in politics.



Is Malema a forgiving guy?

Malema can be tough, but he also understands unity. In politics, forgiveness is not only about emotions — it can also be about strategy and keeping the party strong.


This statement makes Malema look like a leader who is willing to reconcile, especially with someone the public still respects



The big question

Would Ndlozi ever return to the EFF — or is this the final chapter?

What do you think: should Ndlozi come back or move on?

VIDEO: Man breaks his girlfriend’s phone after she rejected his Marriage Proposal at a supermarket

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A public proposal at a Lagos Supermarket quickly went viral, but not for the reasons the man hoped.

In a video shared widely on X, the man is seen down on one knee in the middle of a crowded supermarket aisle, ring in hand, as shoppers look on. Rather than a joyful “yes,” the woman surprised him and onlookers by saying no and walking away, leaving him momentarily speechless which led him to smash her phone..

Watch the video below

“HE WANTED TO JOIN FORCES WITH BRAVE LEADERS LIKE TRAORE IN THE AES, TO GET LIBYA WORKING AGAIN”- -Russian President Vladmir Putin melts heart on revealing the strong moves Late Gadaffi’s son was making to liberate his people again

“HE WANTED TO JOIN FORCES WITH BRAVE LEADERS LIKE TRAORE IN THE AES, TO GET LIBYA WORKING AGAIN”



-Russian President Vladmir Putin melts heart on revealing the strong moves Late Gadaffi’s son was making to liberate his people again💔💔



“I am deeply shocked and saddened by the brutal murder of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi. This is a heavy blow. He carried a strong vision to rebuild Libya, to make it work again as a proud, united nation. He wanted to join forces with brave leaders like Ibrahim Traoré in the AES, to stand together against chaos and outside meddling.



The pain is great—Libya could have risen once more. Those who took his life have stolen hope from the Libyan people. My heart bleeds that Libyan would be dragged to ten steps behind!”

Kenya’s new ambulance for pregnant women goes viral

Citizens across Kenya have reacted with disbelief, sarcasm and anger following the rollout of motorcycle ambulances by the Laikipia County Government, an initiative aimed at improving maternal and child healthcare in remote communities.

The programme, which is intended to bridge long distances and poor road networks, has instead sparked intense public debate online, with many Kenyans questioning safety, dignity and government priorities in healthcare delivery.

The motorcycle ambulances were unveiled in Laikipia North, a region characterised by rugged terrain and limited access to conventional emergency services.

Images of the vehicles, some fitted with patient trailers, circulated widely on X within hours of the launch, drawing thousands of reactions and critical comments.

County officials have defended the initiative, describing it as a practical, life-saving intervention rather than a reduction in healthcare standards.

Speaking at the launch on February 4, 2026, the Laikipia County Executive for Health, Albert Taiti, said the decision was deliberate and driven by urgent healthcare needs.

“Today, we are excited to be launching the pilot for motorcycle ambulances in collaboration with the Eezer Initiative. This comes at a time when the county is working hard to improve maternal and child health outcomes,” he said.

Dr Taiti said the county continues to face challenges reaching some communities during medical emergencies. “There are places where a normal ambulance simply cannot reach in time. These motorcycles are meant to respond quickly and save lives,” he added.

The pilot project is being implemented in partnership with the Eezer Initiative, a Swedish-backed programme focused on improving access to healthcare in rural parts of Africa.

So far, five motorcycle ambulances have been deployed across Laikipia North and parts of Laikipia West.

The Eezer Initiative’s Laikipia coordinator, Alfred Sadera, said the project was designed to address long-standing access issues.

“We understand the challenges women face when they go into labour far from a health facility. Long distances and poor roads have cost lives. We believe this project addresses that gap,” he said.

Despite these assurances, public reaction online has remained largely sceptical. Many Kenyans questioned whether pregnant women and critically ill patients could be safely and humanely transported on motorcycles, even with attached trailers, while others criticised what they described as misplaced priorities in a country still grappling with gaps in basic healthcare infrastructure.

Paul Pogba has reportedly been omitted from Monaco’s Champions League squad

Former United Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba, has reportedly been omitted from Monaco’s Champions League squad for the second half of the season.

Pogba, 32, joined the club last June in an attempt to resurrect his career following an 18-month doping ban.

However, the Frenchman initially struggled with various niggling injuries and his attempts to get back to full fitness, having not played a competitive match in two years.

Pogba did eventually return to action on November 22 for his first appearance in 811 days, coming on late in a 4-1 defeat by Rennes, and he made two more substitute appearances against PSG and Brest.

According to French outlet RMC Sport, Pogba has now been left out of Monaco’s Champions League squad for the second half of the campaign as he continues to struggle with the issue.

Monaco will take on PSG in the knockout round play-offs later this month, and Pogba, alongside Mohammed Salisu and Takumi Minamino, have been taken out of the squad, with UEFA rules allowing clubs to register three new players for the knockout stages.

Woman’s father identified as accused after DNA test was conducted on men following r@pe of disabled woman

A 50-year-old man has been arrested in south Mumbai for the r@pe of his own 20-year-old disabled daughter.

He was exposed as the suspect after DNA testing of 17 different men proved he fathered the child she is carrying.

The victim, who is both hearing and speech impaired, could not speak up to reveal who was responsible for r@ping and impregnating her.

The investigation, led by the Cuffe Parade police in Mumbai, India, began in September 2025 after the young woman complained to her grandmother of severe stomach discomfort. Using hand gestures, she described a sensation akin to “insects crawling” or “worms moving” inside her, according to police accounts.

She was subsequently admitted to Cama & Albless Hospital, where a medical examination revealed a five-month pregnancy.

Hospital authorities immediately alerted the police. Initial progress was slow, however, as officers faced profound communication barriers. The survivor was initially unable and unwilling to give a formal statement.

Her father, when questioned, dismissed any suggestion of s£xual abuse and could offer no explanation for his daughter’s pregnancy. He refused to file a complaint.

The breakthrough came with the assistance of counsellors from the NGO Vidhayak Bharti, Lila Patade and Madhura Kodlekar. Over five days, they conducted therapy-based sessions using drawings and finger-doll communication techniques to help the survivor articulate her experience. This painstaking process enabled her to file a complaint and identify her assailants. During these sessions, she repeatedly indicated the names of certain individuals.

Based on her account, police swiftly arrested a 34-year-old married man and took a 17-year-old boy into custody. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered on September 22, 2025 under stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including r@pe of a woman incapable of giving consent and s£xual assault on a disabled person, alongside provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. The offences were alleged to have occurred between March 21 and September 21, 2025.

To establish the paternity of the foetus, investigators undertook a systematic genetic screening. Blood samples from 17 suspects, including the woman’s father, were collected and sent for forensic analysis alongside the foetal sample.

The conclusive forensic report, received on January 27, 2026, delivered a shocking result: only one DNA profile matched — that of the survivor’s father.

Following this evidence, police summoned the 50-year-old for questioning, established his involvement and placed him under formal arrest.

A senior police official stated that the offence is categorised as heinous and punishable with more than ten years’ imprisonment, making the arrest imperative to prevent any possibility of him absconding.

SÁNCHEZ DECLARES WAR ON BIG TECH: JAIL, BANS AND A CRACKDOWN ON ONLINE HATE

SÁNCHEZ DECLARES WAR ON BIG TECH: JAIL, BANS AND A CRACKDOWN ON ONLINE HATE

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced a sweeping digital crackdown that will shake Silicon Valley to its core. From next week, his government will unleash a tough new package of laws aimed at reining in social media giants and the damage they cause.



At the heart of the plan is a major legal shift: tech executives themselves could be held personally accountable for illegal activity taking place on their platforms. Sánchez also revealed that algorithmic manipulation  the systems accused of boosting lies, abuse and extremism will become a criminal offence.



In a bold first, Spain will introduce a “hate and polarization footprint” to measure and expose how platforms profit from division and online hostility.



Most dramatically, social media will be banned for under-16s, with companies forced to use real age checks, not meaningless tick boxes.

Finally, prosecutors will investigate alleged violations by Grok, TikTok and Instagram signalling that no platform is too powerful to face the law.

Donald Trump Is 2 Votes Away From Impeachment

The President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, is likely to be impeached before March 31, according to reports.

In a democracy, impeachment is the process by which a legislative body or other legally constituted tribunal initiates a process by charging a leader with abuse of office.

This process is basically about the numbers game, so it is always successful when the number is high.

America’s House of Representatives consists of two groups: the Republicans, the majority, and the Democrats, the minority.

The Republicans have 218 members, and the Democrats have 214 members.

All members of the minority group are ready stand against Donald Trump and impeach him, but their number is the challenge.

They will need 3-5 Republicans to betray Donald Trump by adding their voice to theirs to overpower the remaining members of the majority.

One of the primary reasons why the US President risks losing their position is the abuse of power.

According to the Democrats, Mr. Trump has used his office for his selfish interests on numerous occasions, and that is against the Constitution.

In recent reports, they claim, the US President’s involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein Island expose is a disgrace to the country, and to avoid further disgrace, Trump is keeping almost 95,000 photos which directly link him to the Island where lots of unthinkable things happened between minors and different influential people in the world, especially Donald Trump.

The Democrats are expecting a few Republicans to side with them briefly to Impeach Trump before March 31, but it won’t be a smooth journey, as almost all members of the Majority are loyal to him.