Love can be found in any place at any time, but a 32-year-old Japanese woman decided to go a different tangent by marrying a character she generated with Artificial Intelligence.
In this modern era, people take a lot of advice from Artificial intelligence, and others use the software for research and fact-checking.
The software was recently updated by the manufacturers to enable inserting images for editing or prompts for image generation.
Yurina Noguchi, a Japanese national, used ChatGPT to generate a man of her choice whom she named Klaus. The 2 used to speak from time to time, and Yurina started feeling comfortable around Klaus, so they started a romantic relationship.
Some people have married trees, their pets, and other unthinkable personalities, but Yurina and his AI-generated lover’s affair is the first of its kind.
After breaking up with her human boyfriend, Yurina was in search of comfort, and according to ABC News’ report, that is where she started talking to ChatGPT.
A woman in Japan tied the knot after finding lifelong companionship with an AI-generated partner she named Klaus. Yurina Noguchi, 32, said she fell in love with the ChatGPT persona after breaking off an engagement to her human ex-fiance. The bride donned a traditional white dress to walk down the aisle and augmented reality smart glasses to exchange vows with Klaus, who appeared on a smartphone screen, in October. Although the marriage isn’t legally recognized in Japan, Noguchi said her new “spouse” has given her peace of mind and happiness.
That’s how she found Klaus, by generating him with her prompts.
On October 27, 2025, Yurina walked down the aisle in Okayama, Japan, with augmented glasses to exchange vows with the persona on a phone.
Even though the marriage is not recognised by the Japanese Constitution, Yurina claims Kllaus gives her peace of mind and comfort, hence the unwarranted marriage.
Her move has confused some people because there are men on earth to marry, but she chose to be with an intangible creature from her imagination.
If you’re a fan of anime and/or adult movies, it’s high time you ask yourself, what have you gained all these years?
A man in China says he achieved conversational fluency in Japanese by watching more than 4,000 Japanese adult videos over several years — a claim that went viral in Chinese media around 2020.
According to interviews the man gave at the time, he originally started watching the videos out of curiosity.
Over time, his focus shifted from the visuals to the dialogue, pronunciation, and repeated phrases. He paid attention to how people spoke, the rhythm of sentences and everyday expressions.
Without formal lessons, textbooks, or travel experience, he picked up vocabulary, sentence structure, and listening comprehension through repetition alone.
By repeatedly exposing himself to spoken Japanese, he says he gradually built up a working vocabulary, picked up common sentence patterns, and improved his listening comprehension.
He credits his progress to the extensive exposure to adult films over several years and the consistent practice he maintained throughout that period.
Linguists described the method as unusual but not impossible, noting that immersion and repeated listening are fundamental aspects of how people learn language naturally.
The former manager of the Harvard Medical School morgue has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the theft and interstate sale and transport of human body parts, taken from cadavers that had been donated for medical research.
Cedric Lodge, who managed the morgue for more than two decades before being arrested in 2023, was given an eight-year sentence by a US District Judge in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
“He caused deep emotional harm to an untold number of family members left to wonder about the mistreatment of their loved ones’ bodies,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing.
The 58-year-old Lodge pleaded guilty to transporting stolen goods across state lines in May, with prosecutors stating that he had taken heads, faces, brains, skin, and hands from cadavers in the morgue to his home in Goffstown, New Hampshire, before selling them to several individuals.
From 2018 until at least March 2020, Lodge stole body parts — including organs, brains, and faces — from donated cadavers that had already been used for teaching and research, but had not yet been disposed of. He transported the remains to his house in New Hampshire and sold them for a profit to buyers in states including Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
In one case, Mr Lodge provided skin to a buyer so it could be tanned into leather and bound into a book.
Lodge also sold other stolen property from HMS (Harvard Medical School), such as “specimen cases bearing an ‘HMS’ logo,” according to sentencing documents.
Prosecutors had sought the maximum 10-year sentence, arguing in a Dec. 9 sentencing memorandum that the crime’s severity stemmed not only from its scope, but also from Lodge’s abuse of trust.
“He abused a position of trust. He undermined the confidence that individuals have in choosing to donate their bodies for medical training and scientific research. He caused deep emotional harm to an untold number of family members left to wonder about the mistreatment of their loved ones’ bodies,” prosecutors wrote.
An HMS spokesperson wrote in a statement that the sentencing affirmed the “abhorrent” nature of the crimes that were “inconsistent” with Harvard’s values.
Lodge’s wife, Denise Lodge, was sentenced to just over one year in prison for assisting in the sale and transport of the remains after pleading guilty to the charges in April 2024.
Harvard Morgue manager jailed after he auctioned off body parts to sick customers wanting to bind books with human skin Lodge’s wife Denise
The Lodges were indicted in 2023, and Cedric Lodge was subsequently fired from HMS.
He initially pleaded not guilty to conspiring to sell body parts with co-defendants, but later pleaded guilty in May to illegally transporting stolen human remains.
Denise Lodge pleaded guilty in February 2024. In a separate sentencing document on Dec. 9, prosecutors sought a non-custodial sentence for her — which does not include jail time — citing her “genuine remorse” and battle with Stage IV breast cancer.
“As their income dwindled and Denise’s medical needs increased, Cedric came up with a plan to sell human remains. Denise initially refused,” prosecutors wrote. “He persisted, and she simply did not have the strength — while battling metastatic cancer, multiple other illnesses, and the overwhelming fear of financial ruin — to stand up to him.”
Other defendants connected to the scheme have also been sentenced.
Matthew Lampi and Angelo Pereyra received 15- and 18-month prison terms, respectively, in January. Joshua Taylor has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
Several of the Lodges’ buyers have yet to be sentenced. Massachusetts resident Katrina Maclean, who purchased human remains from the couple with the intent to resell them, pleaded guilty on Dec. 8.
Pennsylvania buyer Joshua Taylor similarly pleaded guilty in May to the interstate transport of stolen goods. Both Taylor and Maclean face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, along with additional fines.
Trump Announces Immediate Suspension of Green Card Lottery
U.S.🇺🇸 President Donald Trump has announced the immediate suspension of the U.S. Green Card Lottery, officially known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program.
The decision follows recent security concerns, with the administration linking the move to a violent incident involving an individual who reportedly entered the U.S. through the lottery system. Authorities say the suspension is aimed at reviewing and tightening immigration vetting procedures.
The Green Card Lottery, created by Congress, allows about 50,000 people annually from underrepresented countries to apply for permanent residency in the United States.
While the suspension takes effect immediately, legal debates are expected since the program is backed by U.S. law.
It remains unclear how long the pause will last or how it will affect current applicants and selected winners. The announcement has already sparked strong reactions globally, especially in countries that rely heavily on the program as a legal pathway to the U.S.
SOVEREIGNTY VS HUMAN RIGHTS: ANC UNDER FIKILE MBALULA ACCUSES AFRIFORUM OF DESTABILISING SOUTH AFRICA AS KALLIE KRIEL HITS BACK, BLAMES ANC CORRUPTION, INTIMIDATION, FAILED POLICIES AND WARNS OF A ZIMBABWE-STYLE COLLAPSE
South Africa is witnessing an explosive political confrontation as the African National Congress (ANC), led by Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, launches an all-out attack on AfriForum and its CEO Kallie Kriel, accusing the organisation of racism, foreign lobbying, and deliberately working to weaken the South African state.
The ANC claims AfriForum is no longer acting as a civil society organisation but as a political pressure group waging an international campaign to portray South Africa as lawless, unsafe and ungovernable. According to the ANC, this strategy undermines national sovereignty, discredits democratic institutions, scares investors, and fuels racial paranoia for political gain.
Mbalula and the ANC leadership argue that AfriForum’s conduct is dangerous and irresponsible, warning that spreading fear-based narratives about land, race and crime threatens social cohesion and risks pushing the country toward instability. The ANC insists that this is not innocent criticism, but a calculated attempt to destabilise democracy and invite foreign interference in South Africa’s internal affairs.
Kallie Kriel has responded with equal force, accusing the ANC of authoritarian behaviour, intimidation and deliberate misinformation. He says the ANC’s public statements place his personal safety at risk and expose a governing party that is increasingly hostile to free speech, media freedom and constitutional dissent.
AfriForum argues that the real threat to South Africa is not civil society activism, but ANC corruption, state collapse and policy recklessness. Kriel points to failing municipalities, broken infrastructure, rising violent crime, rolling blackouts, and entrenched corruption as proof that the ANC has lost moral and administrative authority.
At the centre of AfriForum’s attack is the ANC’s push for expropriation without compensation, which Kriel warns could destroy property rights, collapse food security and replicate the catastrophic economic suffering seen in Zimbabwe. He argues that refusing to challenge such policies would be a betrayal of the country and future generations.
AfriForum has also doubled down on its opposition to the BELA Act, accusing the ANC of using legislation to erode Afrikaans schools, cultural institutions and minority language rights under the guise of transformation. Kriel insists that the Constitution guarantees these rights and that their erosion sets a dangerous precedent.
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Another explosive issue is the ANC leadership’s continued refusal to clearly condemn the “Kill the Boer” chant. AfriForum argues that this silence normalises ethnic hostility and deepens fear among Afrikaners, while the ANC dismisses these concerns as political manipulation.
The ANC, in turn, accuses AfriForum of weaponising race, exploiting historical trauma and acting in bad faith to protect privilege. It insists that it remains committed to non-racialism and transformation, and rejects any suggestion that it tolerates violence or hate speech.
This standoff exposes a brutal truth: South Africa is trapped in a dangerous cycle where corruption, mistrust, racial tension and political intolerance are colliding head-on. With neither side backing down, the country faces a critical test — whether democratic debate can survive, or whether political warfare will continue to tear at an already fragile nation
HR EXECUTIVE IN VIRAL COLDPLAY CLIP SPEAKS OF ABUSE, THREATS AND TRYING TO FIND NEW JOB
AN HR Executive caught on the big screen at a Coldplay concert embracing her boss has described how “the harassment has never ended” following the viral moment.
Kristin Cabot has spoken publicly for the first time about the video in which she was seen hugging Andy Byron, then-CEO of tech company Astronomer, at the show in July, before they abruptly ducked and hid from the camera.
Ms Cabot, 53, who was the company’s Chief People Officer, stepped down following Mr Byron’s resignation after the firm announced he would be placed on leave and investigated.
Speaking to the Times, Ms Cabot said she is looking for another job but has been told she is “unemployable”.
The video, which showed the pair swaying to music at the concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts, before trying to hide, quickly went viral after Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin said to the crowd: “Either they’re having an affair, or they’re just very shy.”
It was watched millions of times, shared widely across platforms, and they became the butt of many jokes. Within a few days, the internet had moved on, but for Ms Cabot, her ordeal had only just begun.
“I became a meme, I was the most maligned HR manager in HR history,” Ms Cabot told The Times.
Ms Cabot was separated from her husband, who was also at the concert.
In a separate interview with the New York Times, she explained she was not in a sexual relationship with Mr Byron and the pair had never kissed before that night – although she admitted to having had a “crush” on her boss.
“I made a bad decision and had a couple of High Noons and danced and acted inappropriately with my boss,” she said, adding she “took accountability and I gave up my career for that”.
As to why she chose to speak out now, Ms Cabot told the Times “…it’s not over for me, and it’s not over for my kids. The harassment never ended”.
Her two children are too embarrassed to be picked up from school by their mother, she said, or to go to sports games.
“They’re mad at me. And they can be mad at me for the rest of their lives, I have to take that.”
Ms Cabot wondered whether Mr Byron had received the same level of abuse in the wake of the scandal, the Times reported.
“I think as a woman, as women always do, I took the bulk of the abuse. People would say things like I was a ‘gold-digger’ or I ‘slept my way to the top’, which just couldn’t be further from reality,” she said.
“I worked so hard to dispel that all my life and here I was being accused of it.”
At the peak of the scandal, her appearance, body, face and clothes were scrutinised and picked apart, with many high-profile celebrities including Whoopi Golderg piling on. Gwyneth Paltrow, who was once married to Chris Martin, even took part in a tongue-in-cheek promotional video for Astronomer.
Ms Cabot told the New York Times she received threatening messages after the incident, including from a person who said they knew where she shopped and wrote: “I’m coming for you”.
She said “my kids were afraid that I was going to die and they were going to die”, and that her family began to dread public spaces and social events.
Women were the cruellest critics, she told the New York Times, with all of the in-person bullying, plus most of the phone calls and messages coming from women.
Her private details were put online (known as doxxing) and for weeks she was bombarded with up to 600 calls a day, the New York Times reported. The paparazzi outside her house was like a “parade” and there were 50 or 60 death threats, she said.
Things are starting to improve, though. Ms Cabot has found therapists for her children and she has started leaving the house to play tennis.
While she and Mr Byron kept in touch for a short while, exchanging “crisis management advice”, Ms Cabot said they decided that “speaking with each other was going to make it too hard for everyone to move on and heal,” and have not spoken since.
For his part, Mr Byron has not spoken publicly.
A fake statement purporting to be from him, complete with Coldplay lyrics, went viral after the concert and Astronomer had to release its own to say that he had not made any comment.
“Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding,” the statement read. “Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability.”
The company later said: “Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted.”
A mother has called out her daughter for choosing a man’s comfort over hers. The mother, who goes by Nikki Fox on Facebook, took to the platform to share how her daughter bought her a car back in April, only to send a text this December that she’s coming to take the car because her boyfriend needs it.
Sharing a photo of her and her daughter posing in front of the car in question, the mother wrote: “My daughter bought me a car back in April. Yesterday she texted me saying she was coming to pick it up, so of course I called her confused.
“She proceeds to tell me her man’s motor went out and he needs a car. I reminded her that the car was bought for me and that I’ve been paying the note every single month since April.
“She told me none of that matters because she put the $5,000 down payment and the car is in her name, so technically it’s her car. Then she said if I don’t hand over the keys, she’ll report it stolen.
“This is the same daughter who knows how badly I needed that car just to get to and from work.
“I never thought the lesson I’d learn this year would be that sometimes the people you sacrificed the most for are the ones who will take from you without flinching. I can replace a car, but I don’t know how you replace the moment you realize your own child would rather see you stranded than disappoint a man.”
An erratic Alaska Airlines passenger reportedly attempted to open a cabin door mid-flight, prompting fellow passengers to intervene and restrain him quickly.
Kassian William Fredericks was on board Alaska Airlines flight 87 en route to Anchorage last Wednesday when he allegedly ran to the cabin door and tried to pry it open, according to an FBI probable cause affidavit obtained by The Post.
A passenger sitting a few seats behind him left to use the bathroom, and when he returned, found Fredericks “aggressively trying to open the rear cabin door,” the affidavit said.
The passenger bolted over to Fredericks, who had already managed to lift the arm of the cabin door upward, and grabbed him.
Fredericks kept trying to stand up and repeatedly told the passenger, “I need to call my mom,” and also asked for a cigarette, documents alleged.
“How do I break the window? I don’t know how to break it,” Fredericks allegedly told the passenger, who then stated he tried to open the cabin door because he “need[ed] air and to get out of here,” the filing alleged.
Fredericks was shaking during the interaction, the affidavit said.
Before the incident, another passenger who helped restrain him had heard Fredericks yell out, “Stop the plane, stop the plane,” while repeatedly turning his head to the aircraft.
When the passenger asked him if he was okay, Fredericks said, “They’re flying the plane from back here,” clarifying, “No, they’re invisible. They’re trying to take over the plane. You got to stop them.”
The passenger then saw Fredericks “pop a pill in his mouth” and take a sip of Gatorade. The passenger thought the pill could calm him down, but then he proceeded to act more off the wall, the document said.
Flight crew told law enforcement that they did not believe Fredericks was drunk, but had noticed him acting “weird and off” and assumed his shaking was from a possible medical condition.
After becoming aware he had allegedly tried to open the cabin door, the flight crew “wanted to restrain [Fredericks] with zip ties,” but decided it “might make [him] act worse and escalate the situation,” the filing stated.
The pilot contacted ground controllers, which brought in the FBI, and escorted Fredericks off the plane upon landing in Anchorage.
Fredericks “apologized to the crew and seemed to have calmed down when he was being escorted off the plane,” the document said.
While at the hospital, a police officer overheard Fredericks telling a doctor he “had been drinking alcohol for the last nine to 10 days,” was seeing and hearing things, and “could not remember the last two years of his life,” according to the affidavit.
He also allegedly told doctors he was taking the prescription Trazodone, which is used to treat depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
In a statement to The Post, Alaska Airlines said Fredericks has been banned from flying with the airline.
“A passenger onboard Alaska Airlines Flight 87 from Deadhorse, AK (SCC) to Anchorage (ANC) displayed erratic behavior and attempted to open one of the emergency doors,” an Alaska Airlines spokesperson said.
“The passenger was intercepted and restrained until the aircraft landed safely in Anchorage, where it was met by law enforcement and EMTs,” the statement continued.
“The passenger who caused the incident has been banned from flying with us. We thank our crew for their professionalism in handling this situation, and we apologize to our guests for any concern this incident caused.”
Fredericks was later arrested and charged with interference with flight crew members. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Donald Trump has added plaques to the portraits of all U.S. commanders in chief, himself included, on his “Presidential Walk of Fame” at the White House.
The US President describes past ans preswnr Presidents on the plaque. He described Joe Biden as “sleepy,” Barack Obama as “divisive” and Ronald Reagan as a fan of a young Trump.
The additions were first seen publicly on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
“The plaques are eloquently written descriptions of each President and the legacy they left behind,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement describing the installation in the colonnade that runs from the West Wing to the residence. “As a student of history, many were written directly by the President himself.”
The descriptions highlight Trump’s fraught relationships with his more recent predecessors.
An introductory plaque tells passersby that the exhibit was “conceived, built, and dedicated by President Donald J. Trump as a tribute to past Presidents, good, bad, and somewhere in the middle.”
Besides the Walk of Fame and its new plaques, Trump has adorned the Oval Office in gold and razed the East Wing in preparation for a massive ballroom.
Separately, his administration has pushed for an examination of how Smithsonian exhibits present the nation’s history, and he is playing a strong role in how the federal government will recognize the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
Joe Biden is still the only president in the display not to be recognized with a gilded portrait. Instead, Trump chose an autopen, to mock Biden’s age and assert that Biden was not up to the job.
Biden, who defeated Trump in the 2020 election and dropped out of the 2024 election before their pending rematch, is introduced as “Sleepy Joe” and “by far, the worst President in American History.”
Two plaques blast Biden for inflation and his energy and immigration policy, among other things.
The plaques for Biden says that Biden took office in the White House “as a result of the most corrupt Election ever seen in the United States,” alluding to the 2020 presidential election whose results Trump sought to overturn.
It accuses Biden of overseeing “a series of unprecedented disasters that brought our Nation to the brink of destruction,” noting the inflation that developed during his presidency, denouncing the Inflation Reduction Act as the “Green New Scam” and blasting his administration’s immigration policies.
“His Afghanistan Disaster was among the most humiliating events in American History,” the plaque says, noting the deaths of 13 U.S. service members during the 2021 withdrawal.
“Seeing Biden’s devastating weakness, Russia invaded Ukraine, and Hamas terrorists launched the heinous October 7th attack on Israel,” it says.
It also references Biden’s poor performance in the 2024 presidential debate, saying, “Following his humiliating debate loss to President Trump in the big June 2024 debate, he was forced to withdraw from his campaign for re-election in disgrace.”
For Barack Obama, the plaques name him as “Barack Hussein Obama” — the 44th president’s full name, which is often used derisively in right-wing circles.
Calling him “one of the most divisive figures in American history,” the plaque details what the Trump administration paints as his failures, including Obamacare, which it calls “the highly ineffective ‘Unaffordable’ Care Act.”
“He presided over a stagnant Economy, approved the terrible Iran Nuclear Deal, and signed the one-sided Paris Climate Accords, both of which were later terminated by President Donald J. Trump,” the plaque says about Obama.
Obama’s plaque also repeats Trump’s conspiracy theory that Obama “spied” on his 2016 presidential campaign and says he “presided over the creation of the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, the worst political scandal in American History.”
With two presidencies, Trump gets two plaques. Each is full of praise and for himself, including claiming responsibility for “the Greatest Economy in the History of the World.”
Trump calls his 2016 Electoral College margin of 304-227 a “landslide.”
Trump’s second-term plaque notes his popular vote victory — something he did not achieve in 2016 — and concludes with “THE BEST IS YET TO COME.”[
Reaction quickly poured in after the plaques were unveiled.
“I spent so much time in the White House,” former vice-president Kamala Harris told Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday night, Dec. 17. “The idea that those plaques would have been placed by a president of the United States to talk about former presidents of the United States — the American people deserve better.”
The United States Africa Command has dismissed reports claiming that the US military took over the airspaces of Nigeria and the Benin Republic, describing the claims as false.
AFRICOM made the clarification on Thursday, December 18, while responding to an email inquiry seeking its official reaction to the reports. In a response signed by its spokesperson, Kelly Cahalan, the command denied that US forces carried out airstrikes or bombarded terrorists in the region.
“Reports that the U.S. military took over airspace and bombarded terrorists are not true. The U.S. military has not conducted any direct action or airstrikes in the region,” she said.
AFRICOM, however, confirmed that it is working with Nigeria and other regional partners to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation, following directives from President Donald Trump and the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth.
“While we won’t discuss specific details on planning efforts or specific missions, our goal is to assist the Nigerian government in efforts to improve their operations against violent extremist organizations including ISIS, JNIM, and Boko Haram,” Cahalan said.
She added that all US military activities in the region are carried out in collaboration with partner nations. “We work closely with all of our partners in the region and conduct all activities with their knowledge and cooperation,” she said.
The clarification followed a report published by an online news platform on December 13, which claimed that the US Air Force had occupied the airspace of Nigeria and Benin Republic and destroyed terrorists’ armouries.
The report, quoting an American security expert, alleged that US aircraft were operating above the Babana crossing, an area said to be used by armed groups to smuggle supplies.
It further claimed that US troops had increased reconnaissance activities and carried out major attacks against militants without using Nigerian airports, alleging that operations were launched from outside the country.
AFRICOM’s response refuted those claims, stressing that no such airspace takeover or bombing campaign had taken place.
A Brazilian blogger has d!ed after allegedly being thrown from a 10th-floor balcony by her husband.
Maria Katiane Gomes da Silva, 25, is believed to have been killed by her 40-year-old husband, Alex Leandro Bispo dos Santos, at their apartment in São Paulo, Brazil.
The incident reportedly occurred after a heated argument between the couple.
Brazilian influencer d!es after being ?thrown from 10th-floor balcony by husband Emergency services arrived to find Bispo dos Santos cradling his wife’s body on the ground floor of the building. He later claimed she had taken her own life.
However, the police say CCTV footage contradicts this version of events.
Investigators state that the footage shows a series of physical ass@ults in the minutes leading up to Gomes da Silva’s de@th.
The suspect is allegedly seen hitting his wife in the car park. This continues inside the lift, where he appears to grab her by the neck.
Brazilian influencer d!es after being ?thrown from 10th-floor balcony by husband
Bispo dos Santos can reportedly be seen dragging his wife from the lift as she desperately clings to the door. About a minute later, he returns to the lift by himself and collapses to the floor with his head in his hands.
Moments later, Gomes da Silva fell to her de@th.
Nine days after the incident, he was arrested on suspicion of femicide.
Originally from Ceará state, Maria had moved to São Paulo in search of new opportunities.
She built a following online, creating makeup, travel , and wellness content.
….Zambia Must Prosper Reportedly Withdraws from Tonse Alliance Amid Internal Frictions.
Lusaka — Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP) is reported to have withdrawn from the Tonse Alliance, amid growing concerns over internal coordination and leadership practices within the opposition grouping, according to sources said to be close to the matter.
While no official statement had been publicly issued at the time of reporting, individuals familiar with internal deliberations allege that the decision was influenced by what has been described as persistent organisational dysfunction within the alliance. These sources suggest that leadership structures dominated by the Patriotic Front (PF) have allegedly limited meaningful participation by smaller political parties.
It is further claimed that Zambia Must Prosper raised concerns over what insiders describe as a “bulldozing approach” to leadership, in which strategic decisions were allegedly imposed without adequate consultation. According to these accounts, alternative viewpoints from alliance partners were reportedly disregarded, undermining the collective character the alliance was originally intended to embody.
Sources also allege that confusion within the Patriotic Front has contributed to a broader lack of political direction, a development that, according to those close to ZMP, has left many Zambians uncertain about the alliance’s policy coherence and future trajectory.
Political observers, speaking informally, suggest that ZMP’s reported withdrawal reflects unease over what they describe as an erosion of internal democracy within opposition alliances. Although these claims remain unconfirmed, analysts note that such dynamics, if accurate, tend to weaken coalition politics by privileging hierarchy over consensus.
Individuals said to be aligned with Zambia Must Prosper maintain that the party views itself as a principles-driven political organisation and was increasingly uncomfortable remaining in an alliance allegedly characterised by unilateral decision-making. The reported move is therefore being interpreted in some quarters as an attempt by ZMP to reassert its ideological autonomy and institutional credibility.
As of now, neither the Tonse Alliance leadership nor the Patriotic Front has publicly responded to the reported development. Meanwhile, Zambia Must Prosper is said to be considering alternative political strategies, including direct engagement with the electorate outside alliance structures.
Until official confirmation is issued, these developments remain subject to clarification. However, the reports underscore ongoing tensions within opposition formations and highlight the challenges of maintaining cohesion in politically diverse alliances.
The Alliance has collapsed. Kelvin Fube Bwalya – KBF has walked out of the Alliance.
I am incoming PF president, no one has expelled me – Chilufya
MANSA Central lawmaker Dr Chitalu Chilufya has rubbished a PF faction trying to expel him for voting yes to Bill 7 against their wish.
Dr Chilufya insisted that no one has shown him the exit door and that his political boots are still firmly planted in PF colours.
Like a striker refusing to be substituted at a crucial moment, Dr Chilufya burst through the fog of rumours to declare that he remains a fully paid-up PF member, a Central Committee member and very much in the race for the party presidency.
Yesterday, Given Lubinda, a figurehead of one of the PF factions, announced what many have called an empty decision to expel all party lawmakers who had supported Bill 7.
Not stopping there, the only surviving former PF president now serving as deputy secretary general Miles ‘Mbappe’ Sampa immediately directed party members in the affected constituencies to start interviews to identify replacement candidates for the allegedly expelled MPs.
The implication of these twin moves, had they succeeded, was that Chilufya and other targeted lawmakers would have been sidelined leading to mass Parliamentary by-election a few months before the general elections.
“I have not withdrawn from the PF presidential race, nor have I been expelled from the party,” Chilufya said.
But this was not to be, as the former Health minister accused the Lugwaloless duo of circulating misinformation in a desperate attempt to derail his ambitions.
saying such tactics only expose fear among those unsettled by his growing influence within the former ruling party.
With the confidence of a man reading the political game several moves ahead, Chilufya described his path to the PF presidency as irreversible, openly declaring himself the incoming party president and challenging his critics to stop hiding behind rumours and face him through the ballot.
He further dismissed talk of the PF’s extinction as premature, arguing that the party is merely going through labour pains and requires credible, visionary and performance-driven leadership to reclaim lost glory.
“The Patriotic Front Party will not be extinct,” Dr Chilufya stated.
UPND MAY HAVE WON BILL 7, BUT THEY WILL LOSE THE WAR IN 2026
SOCIALIST Party President, Dr Fred M’membe, has charged that while the UPND may have won the battle through the passage of Bill 7, they will ultimately lose the war in the 2026 general elections.
Dr M’membe said 2026 presents a historic opportunity for the people of Zambia to liberate themselves by voting for real and genuine change that puts the interests of the majority first. He emphasized that political power must return to the people and be used to serve the common good, not narrow political or personal interests.
He urged all well-meaning opposition political parties to rise above personal ambitions and place the national agenda at the centre of their political engagement. According to Dr M’membe, Zambians are looking to the opposition for unity of purpose and a shared commitment to national interests, not fragmented efforts driven by individual egos.
Dr M’membe noted that history shows that removing the UNIP government was easier than the task that lies ahead in removing the UPND in 2026, making unity, discipline, and strategic cooperation among opposition forces more critical than ever before.
He concluded by stressing the importance of national unity as the country moves towards the 2026 general elections, calling on all progressive forces to work together in the interest of Zambia and its people.
🇿🇲 EDITORIAL | PF’s Bill 7 Fallout: A Party Eating Itself Before the Whistle Blows
The Patriotic Front is not facing a temporary crisis. It is experiencing structural collapse, exposed brutally by the Bill 7 vote and worsened by a reaction that reveals how little institutional control the party still possesses.
Yesterday’s announcement by Given Lubinda expelling PF MPs who voted for Bill 7 may sound decisive to an angry base, but in legal and political terms it is hollow. Lubinda does not enjoy formal recognition as party president. That recognition sits elsewhere. Expulsions issued without legal authority do not bind Parliament, do not trigger vacancies, and do not restore discipline. They merely deepen confusion. In effect, PF has declared war on itself without the means to enforce the outcome.
This is the central PF problem. Authority is fragmented. Commands are issued without consequence. Directives are ignored without cost. MPs voted against party instructions, walked out of Parliament, stopped answering calls, and returned to their constituencies knowing there would be no enforceable sanction.
The Bill 7 vote did not create this disorder. It revealed it. PF entered this week without a recognised leader, without a convention, without a settled presidential candidate, and without a binding decision-making structure. It is exiting the week with expulsions issued by a faction, counter-claims by rival camps, presidential hopefuls demanding refunds for nomination fees, and MPs openly distancing themselves from party control.
This is not opposition politics. This is organisational failure.
The internal blame game now unfolding only sharpens the damage. The Makebi Zulu camp is turning its fire on Brian Mundubile, arguing that MPs who endorsed his presidential bid were among those who voted for Bill 7. Mundubile, in turn, has been issuing statements distancing himself from the vote. None of this addresses the real issue.
PF did not lose control because of one man. It lost control because it no longer has a centre.
This vacuum is dangerous as Parliament moves toward dissolution in May 2026. Once MPs lose the immediate shelter of parliamentary tenure, survival instincts take over. Bill 7 has already expanded the political map. More constituencies mean more seats. More seats mean more incentives. MPs with no party protection, no legal leadership, and no credible electoral machine will not gamble their future on slogans. They will migrate toward power.
This is where the UPND advantage becomes visible. The ruling party is not manufacturing PF’s crisis. It is exploiting it. There is a difference. PF insiders like Davies Mwila have already said openly that after 2026 there may be no PF left, only memories of violence, cadres, and chaos. This assessment did not come from State House. It came from within.
Lubinda’s expulsions do not halt defections. They accelerate them. An MP expelled by a factional leader with no legal standing loses nothing by crossing over. In fact, the expulsion provides political cover. It allows the MP to argue victimhood while negotiating relevance elsewhere. This is how parties die, not through defeat at the ballot, but through erosion before the contest begins.
The deeper failure is strategic. PF misread Bill 7 entirely. It fought a constitutional amendment using moral outrage, spiritual rhetoric, court filings, and press statements. It never built a numbers strategy. It never secured its caucus. It never answered the development argument that delimitation protects MPs as much as it serves voters. When the vote came, MPs voted with geography, survival, and future access to power.
Parties that ignore these realities do not survive elections.
As Parliament prepares to dissolve, PF faces a brutal truth. Without a recognised leader, without a convention, without internal legitimacy, and without discipline, it is not an opposition-in-waiting. It is a holding space for political orphans. Bill 7 did not destroy PF. It exposed how far the party had already fallen.
Unless PF confronts this diagnosis honestly, not emotionally, the next months will bring more exits, louder accusations, and shrinking relevance.
By the time the 2026 campaign begins, the PF risks entering the race not as a challenger to power, but as a warning story of how not to manage opposition politics in a constitutional democracy.
Chanoda wonders what powers Lubinda used to expel MPs
LONG-TIME PF member Chanoda Ngwira has wondered where Given Lubinda is getting the audacity to announce expulsions from the party when he has no such authority.
Cheered on by his friends and loyalists, Lubinda has over the last 36 months insisted that he is PF acting president although he has no power to make any consequential decisions for the party.
Lubinda remains largely a figurehead with no real power while Mafinga lawmaker Robert Chabinga who serves as leader of opposition in Parliament is the legally recognised leader of the PF.
Due to his ceremonial role, Lubinda has been unable to give PF adoption certificates to candidates during by-elections, resulting in them contesting on the tickets of other political parties.
And so yesterday, Lubinda rounded up journalists and told them that he had expelled all PF members who voted the Constitutional amendment Bill 7 of 2025.
But rather than create panic among citizens over the potential of having costly by-elections, Zambians reacted with laughter and used Facebook to remind Lubinda that his decision amounted to nothing because he was not party president.
Joining in counselling the former justice minister was Chanoda Ngwira, a long-time PF faithful.
“Manje you have expelled these MPs as who in the first place,” Ngwira wrote on Facebook.
“I thought the first step to take was to unite these MPs through convincing them that you are leaders enough to be listened to as and when you issue directives.”
Ngwira pointed out that Lubinda “lost it” when he failed to win the loyalty of the lawmakers he was now “expelling”.
“If anything, this is an academic exercise because the one with a certificate, Chabinga has assured these MPs that they are safe. Just call for a convention!” Ngwira charged.
Lubinda served as Kabwata member of parliament from 2006 to 2021 but in the last few months of his tenure, his own party members resorted to beating him as way of dealing with what they believed was poor leadership.
THE LUBINDA-LED PF FACTION EXPELS MPS WHO VOTED FOR BILL 7 – DON’T SINK AN ALREADY SINKING BOAT
The plot thickens. Things can’t get any more complicated.
UPND must be having a good laugh.
It’s like an elephant trying to extricate itself from the mud it is stuck in.
Every time it tries to move one leg up, the rest of the body sinks further down.
PF is in a political and legal entanglement that calls for only one action: closing ranks.
The party has no luxury of expelling its members especially MPs.
These are actions for political parties in a healthy situation.
Yes, under normal circumstances, expulsion from the party would be the most ideal for what the MPs did.
But there’s nothing normal about the state of the party now.
PF is in no position to punish anyone when it cannot fix its own house which is in such a mess, anyone is free to walk in and out as they desire.
It has lost the moral authority to punish the few individuals that have given it the semblance of an opposition in parliament.
Have you ever heard a conversation between a husband, a well-known serial adulterer, and his wife?
The serial adulterer demanding to know why the wife has been gone for too long accusing her of cheating?
Your guess is as good as mine. If there was a time when PF was really humble, forgiving and tolerant, now is the time.
Now is the time when eating a humble pie is a strategy and a strength.
Now is the time to hung the jersey of pride and instead throw open the arms of an embracing father admitting that he has failed the members of his family.
PF must know that its boat has been sinking.
So, don’t take actions that may just take you down to the bottom of the sea.
Right now, the party leaders are acting like they have a death wish.
Do you want to join UNIP down there where it lies since 1991 with no prospects of ever rising again?
GUEST ARTICLE: The psychology of the “prodigal partner”, why Miles overdoes it
By Edmond Miti
THEY say that life after being caught cheating is never the same. Even after you are forgiven, the air is thick with suspicion. You become “watu chawa” because you’re constantly under the microscope.
To survive, a man feels a psychological drive to “over-compensate.” He becomes the most helpful, the most loving, and the loudest defender of the relationship, simply because he is desperate to prove he is worth the second (or third) chance.
Women know this ritual well; they’ve seen us go the extra mile not just out of love, but out of the sheer guilt of being caught.
This is exactly where Miles Sampa is right now. In the world of the Patriotic Front (PF), Miles is a man who has “cheated” on the party not once, but three times. His history of ukupondoka is a long script but let me summarize it;
2014: He held his own convention and declared himself President, only to fail and eventually crawl back to ECL, who appointed him Deputy Minister.
2016: He left again to form his own party and joined an alliance with the UPND. When that didn’t pay off, he returned to the PF, kneeling more than anyone in history just to be granted the Mayor of Lusaka position.
2023: The most dramatic “affair” yet. He staged a “coup” through his own convention AGAIN, ousted ECL, and crowned himself PF President AGAIN!!
But this time, his “infidelity” left behind a child: Robert Chabinga. Chabinga is the constant, living reminder of Miles’ last rebellion. Now that Miles is trying to work his way back into the fold, he finds himself in a desperate competition.
Whenever Chabinga does something that weakens the PF, Miles goes on a “loyalty spree.” He attacks PF MPs with a ferocity that suggests he is the most loyal soldier in the trenches. It is the classic behavior of a man caught cheating: he is over-performing his loyalty to drown out the noise of his past betrayals. He is trying to prove he has changed, but the over-acting only highlights his desperation.
No matter how much Miles tries to “clean the house” or “buy flowers” for the PF, the suspicion remains.
Deep down, PF leaders like Given Lubinda and Celestine Mambula Mukandila know the history, they know the truth, Miles can never be trusted.
They might use him to show a face of unity for now, but they haven’t forgotten the 2014, 2016, or 2023 versions of him.
In politics, as in relationships, stability is everything. You can forgive a man, but it is hard to trust a man who has made a habit of leaving whenever the grass looks greener.
Like many of us watching from the sidelines, I’m not holding my breath for a reformed Miles, I’m simply waiting for ukupondoka number four.
After all, a leopard doesn’t change its spots; it just hides them until the next opportunity arises.
Anyway Good evening ba Zambia, it’s time to watch Bill 7 in action after the President made it a law..
CHARLES CHANDA QUESTIONS ECZ’S PREPAREDNESS FOR 2026 ELECTIONS AFTER BILL 7 SIGNED INTO LAW
Charles Chanda, the leader of the United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ), has raised concerns about the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s (ECZ) readiness to hold the 2026 general elections.
This follows the recent passing and signing of Bill 7 of 2025 into law. Chanda emphasized that the bill includes crucial changes, particularly the delimitation of constituencies.
He explained that this process means the voters’ register must be cleaned and realigned to reflect the new constituencies. “If we are adding more constituencies, how can we ensure that the voters’ register is accurate and ready in time?” he questioned.
He further expressed worry about the timeline for the upcoming elections, stating, “The ECZ has not provided a proper roadmap for the elections.
This leaves citizens anxious about how things will unfold.” Chanda noted that such uncertainty is troubling for a democratic process.
Chanda also mentioned that he and other leaders had previously urged the government to take more time before rushing the passage of Bill 7. “These complications were not properly thought through,” he added.
He insists that careful planning is crucial to avoid potential problems on election day. Chanda called on the ECZ to increase transparency and communicate clearly with the public about the preparations for the elections.
As the nation approaches 2026, citizens and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the ECZ addresses these challenges.
GOVT BEGINS ASSESSMENT FOR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY EXPANSION FOLLOWING ENACTMENT OF BILL 7 INTO LAW
INFRASTRUCTURE and Urban Development Minister Charles Milupi has revealed that an assessment of existing infrastructure is currently underway to prepare for the expansion of the National Assembly following the enactment of Bill 7 into law.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Milupi says a team from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, led by Permanent Secretary Professor Albert Malama visited the National Assembly earlier this week to carry out the review.
He has revealed that the expansion is being planned to cater for 260 Members of Parliament in line with the recent piece of legislation and that construction work is scheduled for completion before August 2026 so the chamber can accommodate all members.
Mr. Milupi says the assessment is examining the assembly’s current layout, structural capacity and services to determine the scope of works, timelines and technical requirements before detailed designs and procurement begin.
He has assured that the ministry is treating the project with urgency to ensure the National Assembly is fully prepared to operate effectively following the enactment of Bill 7.
Ex-envoy, Mwamba, files corruption complaint over Bill 7 vote, alleges govt agents bribed lawmakers to influence outcomes
Former Zambian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Emmanuel Mwamba, has submitted a complaint to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleging corrupt activities during the process of passing the Constitution Amendment Bill 7 in Parliament.
In a letter dated December 16, 2025, Mwamba alleged that agents or representatives of President Hakainde Hichilema offered gifts, cash, and, in some cases, threatened arrests to Members of Parliament to influence the outcome of the vote on the proposed constitutional amendments on December 15, 2025.
“I write to you in your capacity as Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the lead statutory body mandated to spearhead the fight against corruption as governed by the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012,” Mwamba wrote.
He said that if established to be true, these actions violated the Constitution, undermined the constitutional-making process, and interfered with the independence of the National Assembly.
Mwamba also alleged that certain officers at Police Service Headquarters threatened MPs with arrest, which he described as acts of blackmail.
Mwamba recalled that the Bill, proposing changes including an increase in the number of MPs from 165 to 226 (up to 266), was declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court on June 27, 2025.
He said the Bill faced strong opposition from major church bodies, the Law Association of Zambia, and a consortium of civil society organizations.
He further alleged that on December 12, 2025, some PF and Independent MPs were flown to an executive lodge in Lower Zambezi and reportedly received cash gifts of US$150,000 each in two instalments before and after the vote.
Reports indicate State House and other organizations allegedly facilitated the process.
Mwamba also noted that some MPs were allegedly summoned by officers from the Zambia Police CID Unit at Service Headquarters and threatened with arrest on previously investigated cases if they did not vote in favour of Bill 7.
ZAMBIA SET TO SECURE $190 MILLION IMF DISBURSEMENT PENDING BOARD APPROVAL
ZAMBIA is set to receive a disbursement of about 190 million US dollars from the International Monetary Fund following a staff-level agreement on policies to complete the sixth and final review of the country’s 38-month Extended Credit Facility arrangement.
The disbursement, subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board, will bring Zambia’s total receipts under the program to approximately 1.7 billion US dollars since August 2022.
IMF Mission Chief for Zambia, Mercedes Vera-Martin, commended the government for restoring macroeconomic stability and building buffers that have strengthened resilience against shocks. She noted significant progress in eliminating macroeconomic imbalances, rebuilding reserves, and advancing reforms aimed at economic transformation.
Ms. Vera-Martin highlighted that Zambia has reached agreement on most of its external debt restructuring perimeter and has undertaken sustained fiscal consolidation while safeguarding social spending. She added that the economy expanded in the first half of 2025, with real GDP growth projected at 5.2 percent, despite lower-than-expected mining and retail trade performance.
An IMF team led by Ms. Vera-Martin visited Lusaka from October 22 to November 4, 2025, engaging with Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, Bank of Zambia Governor Denny Kalyalya, Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa, Deputy Governor Francis Chipimo, senior government officials, and representatives of the private sector, civil society, and development partners.
Hichilema Assents Bill 7; Regional Clout Rises As Opposition Chaos Frays
Mulungushi International Conference Centre was a hive of gravity in Zambian politics on Thursday as President Hakainde Hichilema formally assented to the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025, closing one of the most divisive constitutional chapters in recent history and opening another that now shifts from debate to implementation.
The ceremony drew hundreds of attendees from across the country, dominated by students, young people, government officials, Members of Parliament, and a scattering of opposition figures. Their presence was politically loaded.
Earlier in the day, the Patriotic Front leadership had issued instructions barring its mayors and councillors from attending the event. Several defied the directive and showed up anyway, a visible sign of internal disobedience that mirrored the party’s parliamentary split during the Bill 7 vote.
President Hichilema used the occasion to draw a firm line under the constitutional fight. He framed the amendments not as a partisan victory but as an intergenerational project.
“These reforms are for you, your children, your grandchildren and those yet to be born. They are the true owners,” the President said, urging Zambians to see the law as a national asset rather than a political trophy.
Hichilema acknowledged resistance to the Bill but insisted the country could not remain trapped in permanent contestation.
“I am also aware that some people have not moved on since the 2021 General Elections. They still think this is a dream. No, it is real. It is real. It is real. Let us move on,” he said.
The President declared the constitutional debate closed and redirected national attention to economic pressures that have dominated public conversation, particularly electricity shortages.
He cited small businesses in high-density areas such as Mandevu, Chipulukusu and Manyinga, and the need for reliable power in health centres where lives depend on electricity.
“They want electricity in all health centres so that a premature child on oxygen can survive,” he said, adding that government was accelerating diversification into solar and other sources.
Justice Minister Princess Kasune, speaking earlier, underlined the parliamentary scale of the Bill’s approval, noting that 135 MPs voted in favour, representing more than 82 percent of the House.
She described the outcome as unprecedented in Zambia’s constitutional history.
Beyond Lusaka, the political reverberations widened. On Wednesday night, the Southern African Development Community elected President Hichilema as its interim chairperson until August 2026, elevating Zambia’s regional standing at a moment when domestic opposition forces were pressing claims of democratic backsliding.
This development landed as a sharp counterpoint to earlier correspondence by PF-linked figures to SADC, alleging human rights abuses and political repression in Zambia.
Within the last 48 hours, the opposition narrative continued to fracture. The Oasis Forum’s last-minute legal attempt to halt the Bill collapsed at the Constitutional Court, which ruled there was “nothing to conserve” after the Technical Committee had already submitted its report to the President. This ruling effectively ended judicial avenues to block the law before assent.
Inside the PF, the aftershocks intensified. Several MPs who voted in favour of Bill 7 publicly defended their positions. Kanchibiya MP Sunday Chanda and Mulenga Kampamba both said their votes were anchored in constituency interests rather than party instructions, a stance that cut directly against PF leadership claims of betrayal.
Their statements sharpened an uncomfortable reality for the party: a significant bloc of its lawmakers chose policy calculus over party discipline.
Meanwhile, PF presidential aspirant Makebi Zulu held a press briefing reiterating that he would reverse the constitutional amendments if elected in 2026. His remarks kept the legitimacy argument alive, even as the legal and legislative processes moved decisively beyond contestation.
Constitutional lawyer John Sangwa added further fuel during a Diamond TV appearance, describing the parliamentary handling of Bill 7 as “abnormal” and warning that Zambia’s constitutional order had suffered damage.
His critique reinforced concerns among sections of civil society that procedure, not just substance, would remain a live fault line.
President Hichilema, however, struck a tone of finality. In a message released after the ceremony, he framed the assent as the start of a new constitutional era centred on inclusion of women, youth and persons with disabilities, and called for unity over recrimination.
“This landmark document belongs to you, the people of Zambia. It is not the property of any single group,” he said, urging the country to replace division with collective purpose.
As night fell over Lusaka, the political map looked altered. The UPND base was visibly energised by the passage and assent of Bill 7 and by the President’s growing regional profile. The PF base, by contrast, showed signs of strain, marked by public accusations, internal defiance and unresolved leadership questions.
Bill 7 is now law. The argument has shifted from whether it should pass to how it will reshape representation, governance and the 2026 electoral battlefield.
The noise has not disappeared, but the centre of action has moved decisively from resistance to consequence.
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DISMISSES PETITION ON MOPANI MINE SALE
THE Constitutional Court has, through a majority judgment, dismissed a petition seeking to reverse the sale of Mopani Copper Mine to Delta Mining of Dubai.
The petition was filed by Patriotic Front Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa, who argued that the sale of a 51 percent stake in Mopani required parliamentary approval under Article 210 of the Republican Constitution.
Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha countered that the transaction was not subject to Article 210, stating that the sale did not require parliamentary approval.
In its ruling, the majority judges held that Article 210 is not yet enforceable, as it requires an enabling Act of Parliament. The majority judgment was delivered by Deputy Constitutional Court President Arnold Shilimi, Judge Mudford Mwandenga, Judge Martin Musaluke, and Judge Kenneth Mulife.
However, Constitutional Court President Professor Margaret Munalula, Judge Judy Mulongoti, and Judge Mathews Chisunka dissented, arguing that the enforcement of Article 210 should not depend entirely on an enabling Act, since the Constitution is supreme and superior to ordinary legislation.
The ruling highlights ongoing debates around constitutional interpretation, parliamentary oversight, and governance of Zambia’s strategic mining assets.
HH JOINS THE LIST OF BAD STUDENTS OF HISTORY – HE HAS SCORED 0/10!
By Saviour Chishimba – UPP
Now that the August 2026 outgoing President Hakainde Hichilema has sectionally amended the foreign UK law, wrongly referred to as the Constitution, he has made it very easy for his own prosecution when UPND loses the elections next year.
Make no mistake, the 2006 elections will be a classical political case of The People vs UPND Economic Hitmen. Don’t mind the New Dawn sponsored confusion in opposition – A leader will emerge. Zambia is a covenant nation! The Word shall prevail!
The Bally dance they danced today will be forgotten and a new dance will come for the people. A new energetic dance will come because people will have plenty to eat. The founder of the current hunger and darkness in Zambia is certainly going! Remember that the President of Zambia appoints the following, but not limited to: Judges, Ministers, Service Commissioners, Commanders for Defense and Security, Statutory boards and investigative agencies (IDC and “subsidiaries”, DEC, ACC, etc).
Added to these immense powers, he/she has the newly acquired powers to control delimitation and get the numbers he/she wants in the National Assembly. This will make it very easy for any president to abuse these powers and get the numbers to remove the immunity of a predecessor. HH has proved himself to be a bad student of history who has not learned any lessons from those before him.
The people of Zambia have seen the arrogance and abuse of the process. The new law will visit the outgoing UNPD regime as the first victims. In the people’s Main Street, they will judge the UPND based on the weak kwacha (low purchasing power), high cost of living, high price of food, electricity (not the expected elections targetted supply), high taxes, high housing (with poor regulations on rental pricing), high and unstable price of fuel, high youth unemployment, etc. This is an era of the people!
Some of the Catholic bishops the HH party calls Lucifers today will speak for him in the day of his weakness and there will be headlines like “Lucifers are now angels? former president HH turns to the Church for help” “President Saviour Chishimba canes HH for abuse of power” “Archbishop Dr. Banda rebukes President Saviour Chishimba for applying Act No. 7 on HH”.
Sale of Mopani Copper Mine Was Illegal, Unconstitutional and Must Be Reversed-Minority Judgment
Constitutional Court Judge President, Hon. Madam Justice Prof.Margaret Munalula leads in Declaring that Mopani Copper Mine Sale Was Illegal
But Hichilema’s Former lawyer, Hon. Mr. Justice Arnold Mweetwa Shilimi – Deputy President of the Constitutional Court Group leads and saves the Day
Councourt Ruling Today 18.12.2025
Miles B. Sampa, MP Vs Mopani Mine, ZCCM IH & IH Holding on the petition to reverse the sale by the UPND government of a public asset Mopani mine to IH of Dubai. MBS contended that the sale breached Article 210 of the Constitution of Zambia which states that sale of public assets should first seek Parliament approval.
– Lawyer for Petitioner: was Counsel Phillip Chibundi (Mosho & Co) – Lawyers for Defendants: Mopani Mine /ZCCM-HH : AG Mulilo Kabesha, SG Muchende, SC Eric Silwamba, SC Mutembo Nchito and others.
*Ruling : Split Judgement of 4:3*
A. MAJORITY RULING ( No Reversal of the Transactions)
B. Dissenting (Transaction Should be Reversed as it breached the Constitution of Zambia) 1. Justice Prof Margaret Munalula (Concourt President) 2. Justice Judy Mulongoti 3. Justice Mathew Chisunka
My Reaction: 4 to 3 Judges split benchdecision was close. Hearing the 3 Justices each read their own dissenting judgements in my favour; leaves me very happy that I was on firm grounds to have petitioned the case to the Concourt. I leave the rest to posterity & jurisprudence.
GOVERNMENT ASSURES RESIDENT DOCTORS OF PHASED RECRUITMENT AS TOOLS-DOWN ACTION LOOMS
By: Thomas Afroman Mwale
Government has assured resident doctors that their recruitment will be conducted in phases ahead of a planned tools-down action scheduled for Friday, 19 December 2025.
Health Minister Dr. Elijah Muchima said fiscal constraints have limited the government’s ability to recruit all health professionals at once.
However, he noted that more than 11,000 health workers have been employed in recent years, reflecting the government’s continued efforts to strengthen the health sector.
Dr. Muchima added that the ministry remains committed to addressing challenges affecting health care providers, including those currently serving as volunteers in various facilities across the country.
During a courtesy call by the Resident Doctors Association of Zambia (RDAZ), the minister said the government is monitoring progress made following earlier resolutions on doctor recruitment and will continue assessing the situation.
Meanwhile, RDAZ President Dr. Paul Chibwe raised concerns over what he described as inadequate accountability, transparency, and unclear criteria in previous recruitment processes.
He pointed to the recruitment database as a major source of frustration, noting that many doctors are not captured in the system.
Dr. Chibwe acknowledged the government’s efforts to address staffing gaps but expressed concern over alleged recruitment based on personal connections and the manner in which replacement positions are being handled.
He clarified that the planned tools-down action is driven by widespread dissatisfaction among doctors whose voluntary service has gone unrecognized, stressing that the action should not be interpreted as a strike but as an effort to highlight gaps currently filled by volunteers.
At the same event, Zambia Medical Association executive and UPND Health Committee Chairperson Bob Sakahilu expressed concern about the potential impact of the planned action. He emphasized the need for continued dialogue, transparency, and accountability in the recruitment process. #SunFmTvNews
CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT MARKS HISTORIC DAY FOR ZAMBIA – PRESIDENT HICHILEMA
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has described the enactment of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025 as a historic milestone, saying the day will forever be etched in the annals of the country’s history as a process that belongs not to individuals or political parties, but to all Zambians.
Speaking during the Presidential Assent Ceremony, President Hichilema said the law he signed now belongs to every citizen of Zambia.
“Today is a special and great day in the history of our country. An indelible mark has been printed in the annals of our history as we have completed a process that belongs not to one person or one party, but to all citizens of Zambia,” President Hichilema said.
The Head of State emphasized that the occasion was not about any political party, leader, ethnicity or church, but about the nation of Zambia as a whole.
“Today is not for any political party or leader. It is for the nation we love called Zambia. It is not for a particular ethnicity, but for all Zambians. It is not for a particular church, but for the body of Christ, which is one. It is for all religious leaders who call on God, despite the different names we give our Creator,” he said.
President Hichilema acknowledged that the constitutional amendment process was marked by intense debate, and in some instances, misinformation and threats. He cited claims that the amendments sought to remove the running mate clause, alter the 50-plus-one threshold, or extend presidential terms.
He clarified that Government’s intention was to focus on non-contentious issues and to promote inclusion by bringing on board groups that have historically been excluded from decision-making processes.
“The intention was never to exclude anyone, but to include those who have been excluded from time immemorial and bring them to the decision-making table,” he said.
The President commended various stakeholders for their contributions to the enactment process, including Parliament management, the Judiciary, Members of Parliament, the UPND leadership and party structures, alliance partners, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, the labour movement, faith-based organisations, the Technical Committee, and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
He noted that the process began in 2023 and welcomed the diverse views expressed, while urging the nation to reflect on how public debates are conducted.
“Debate should not turn into animosity or hatred. It should enrich the process so that the outcome has higher value than where it started. Debates must remain within the confines of civility, without resorting to violence or protests,” President Hichilema said.
He also stressed the importance of peace and forgiveness, drawing from biblical teachings that encourage reconciliation before making offerings or sacrifices, and called on the nation to uphold peace in line with spiritual values.
President Hichilema disclosed that the signing of the Bill had initially been planned for August but was delayed to allow for broader public consultations.
He thanked the Justice Mushabati-led Technical Committee for its work, noting that the process was lawful and guided by three principles: the right cost, quality outcomes, and timely delivery.
The President said that while he personally supported the removal of by-elections to save resources and redirect funds towards free education and job creation, Government accepted the Technical Committee’s position that democracy is costly and that the will of the people was for by-elections to remain.
He announced that under the amended Constitution, Parliament will have reserved seats, including 15 for youths and 20 for women, as part of broader inclusivity reforms.
President Hichilema further revealed that the Bill was passed with historic support, with 135 Members of Parliament voting in favour, despite the ruling UPND not having an outright majority in the National Assembly.
With the constitutional debate concluded, the President said the country must now shift focus to addressing key development challenges, including energy security and economic growth.
He disclosed plans to invest heavily in solar power generation, noting that his recent visit to Zimbabwe unlocked additional power generation opportunities. He assured citizens that improvements in electricity supply were already being felt and that load shedding would soon be a thing of the past.
“Rain or no rain, we will invest in irrigation and grow more food,” President Hichilema said, while also commending the resumption of the revised Cash for Work Programme across all 116 districts.
The President stressed that the constitutional amendments are about long-term reforms and inclusivity that will benefit future generations, not individuals.
He observed that some critics were yet to come to terms with the outcome of the 2021 general elections, but said the changes taking place in the country are real and transformative.
“Now that the debate is over and the Bill has been signed into law, it is time to move on. All ten provinces together, we must deliver the Zambia our citizens deserve,” President Hichilema said.
He cited progress made in debt restructuring, reviving the mining sector, boosting tourism, increasing foreign reserves, and establishing pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, calling on Zambians to unite and build the nation.
“Let love conquer hatred. Let us teach our children the value of hard work,” the President said, adding that he remains fully aware of the expectations of the Zambian people and is determined to honour the mandate of economic development entrusted to him.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Set To Introduce A New Single Currency to Replace the CFA Franc
Bye-bye France. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are moving forward with creating a single currency to replace the CFA Franc.
Presidents of the AES; Assimi Goïta of Mali, Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, and General Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger have confirmed that plans for a single currency are under consideration.
The proposed currency would eventually replace the franc used in West and Central Africa.
France created the CFA in 1945 for its former African colonies to primarily continue its economic influence over Africa, even after independence.
ZAMBIA national football team Head Coach Moses Sichone is deemed ineligible to lead the Chipolopolo at the CAF 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations under the newly introduced Confederation of African Football coaching requirements despite being one of the most highly qualified coaches in the country.
Sichone, who holds a UEFA A coaching licence falls short of the latest CAF regulations which guide that all coaches involved in CAF national team competitions and CAF club tournaments must possess either a CAF A or a Pro licence.
According to CAF, the revised coaching rules which were introduced in May this year are part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening the technical and professional standards of football across the continent.
CAF explained that the decision was driven by the central role coaches play in shaping football development in Africa.
CAF indicated during the introduction of the new coaching requirements that the role of coaches in the development of football, particularly in the African football landscape is of paramount importance which is why it introduced new coaching requirements to regulate the activities of coaches involved in official CAF matches.
The continental football governing body further revealed that the new measures had received formal approval late last year.
CAF said as part of the ongoing efforts to elevate the standards of African football the CAF Executive Committee approved the new coaching requirements at its meeting on December 16, 2024.
CAF clarified that the scope of the regulations goes beyond club competitions and applies equally to national teams.
“The new requirements apply not only to the CAF Inter-clubs and the Women’s Champions League competitions, but also to all National Teams of CAF Member Associations. The purpose of the update is to ensure that coaches across all CAF competitions meet the professional standards set by CAF,” CAF stated.
In light of the new rules, the continental soccer governing body urged all coaches who do not possess the requisite certification to fully comply with the new coaching requirements.
However, CAF provided a transitional grace period for coaches who were already under contract before the regulations came into force.
“Coaches with valid contracts who do not possess the required license and who were contracted before the introduction of the new CAF coaching requirements would have two football seasons (2025/2026 and 2026/2027) to meet the certification requirements. Clubs and national associations intending to hire coaches after the implementation of the new coaching requirements must ensure that these coaches meet the specified qualifications outlined in the new requirements,” CAF stated.
CAF also issued a warning regarding sanctions for non-compliance which could directly affect match-day operations and team management.
CAF warned that in a case of non-fulfilment of the requirements, the affected coaches would be prohibited from accessing Zones 1 and 2 of the stadiums during CAF matches.
“Coaches will not be registered as team officials or permitted to participate in any official team activities. Other sporting sanctions including a referral to the CAF Judicial Bodies may apply,” warned CAF.
The coaching regulations raised uncertainty over Sichone’s eligibility to lead Zambia at the 2025 AFCON after he took over the head coach position from Israelite Avram Grant who mutually separated with FAZ two months ago.
Nigeria’s apology to Burkina Faso highlights serious breaches of its constitution and international law and reveals two critical strategic errors.
First, President Tinubu sent armed forces to Benin without Senate approval, despite strong opposition from many northern senators and MPs to involvement in Benin or AES affairs.
Second, Nigeria violated Burkina Faso’s airspace during an already tense diplomatic period, while AES leaders viewed neighboring states as Trojan horses for France and NATO.
According to Nigerien analyst Issoufou Boubacar Kado Magagi, Tinubu faced misleading advice from Emmanuel Macron. When Burkina Faso and the AES stood firm with their allies, the pressure became too strong.
Under intense public and parliamentary backlash, Tinubu stepped back and apologized. ECOWAS now appears to serve neocolonial powers rather than sovereign African peoples.
ZCCB CLOSES CATHOLIC FORUM, MARKS NATIONAL CLOSURE OF JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE WITH A PASTORAL LETTER CALLING FOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND INCLUSIVE DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION AMONG OTHERS.
THE Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops has officially closed the National Catholic Forum, which commenced on December 16, 2025 under the theme,” Family at Crossroads”, culminating in the national closure of the Jubilee Year of Hope with the launch of a Pastoral Letter.
The closing Mass, which marked the end of the Jubilee Year of Hope at national level, was presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi, His Excellency Archbishop Gian Luca Perici, while ZCCB President, Archbishop Ignatius Chama of the Archdiocese of Kasama, delivered the homily, urging Christians to remain hopeful and steadfast in prayer, especially in safeguarding families in the digital era, which he said is increasingly challenged by issues such as divorce.
In his remarks, H.E. Archbishop Perici called on Catholics to “keep the fire burning” as the Jubilee Year comes to an end by continuing to live as Pilgrims of Hope and fostering a society rooted in kindness.
He noted that the theme of the Jubilee Year was dear to the late Pope Francis and encouraged the faithful to continue living with hope.
The Apostolic Nuncio also thanked the Church at all levels for ensuring that the Jubilee message resonated deeply with the people, and commended the bishops in Zambia for guiding the faithful to respond positively.
Launching the Pastoral Letter during the same Mass, Archbishop Chama called on Catholics and national leaders to sustain the spirit of hope, unity and ethical leadership beyond the Jubilee period.
He described the Jubilee Year, inspired by Pope Francis’ theme “Hope does not disappoint”, as a profound time of grace, renewal and recommitment to the Gospel across the Church in Zambia.
Archbishop Chama said the Jubilee Year was characterized by pilgrimages, retreats, charitable activities for the underprivileged, increased promotion of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, integral formation programmes, and initiatives focused on care for the environment, which strengthened family and youth ministries.
He added that the official diocesan closure of the Jubilee Year will take place on December 28, 2025, in line with the Holy See’s guidance.
Archbishop Chama urged Catholics to sustain the spiritual gains through prayer, strong family life, ethical leadership, defense of human dignity, unity in diversity and support for vocations.
Addressing the nation, the ZCCB President reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to journey with Zambians as “Pilgrims of Hope” and called on political, civic, traditional and religious leaders to govern with integrity, promote political dialogue, protect human dignity, safeguard the environment, and preserve peace and unity.
Archbishop Chama has since appealed for freedom of religion, inclusive democratic participation, reconciliation in national discourse, and collective responsibility in building a just and peaceful society.
TRUCK DRIVERS TO HALT ZAMBIA–DRC BORDER CROSSINGS OVER RISING KILLINGS
By Cecilia Zyambo
The Southern Africa Truck Drivers Association has announced that it will proceed with stopping trucks from crossing the border between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, effective tomorrow, Saturday, the 20th of 2025.
Association Secretary General Jackson Banda has told Phoenix News that the decision is intended to protect truck drivers from the growing security threats they face while operating in the DRC, where reports of violent attacks and killings of drivers have continued to rise.
Mr. Banda cited the latest incident involving a driver identified as Martin Chivanga, who was reportedly killed on 14 december, describing the situation as alarming.
He stated that the Association has been forced to take protective action, alleging that both the Zambian and Congolese governments have failed to put in place adequate measures to guarantee the safety of drivers, leaving them with no choice but to halt cross-border operations until the issue is addressed.
FIFA has rejected Nigeria’s complaint against DR Congo after ruling that there was insufficient evidence to support the case, effectively ending the Super Eagles’ hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The decision confirms Nigeria’s elimination from the qualifiers, closing the door on what had been a last attempt to overturn the outcome through administrative channels rather than on the pitch.
The ruling has sparked frustration among fans and reignited debate about performance, preparation, and accountability within Nigerian football as attention now shifts to rebuilding for future competitions.
GIANT DIPLOMACY! Meloni Meets 6’8” Mozambican President: Photogs Hit the Floor
Rome witnessed an unforgettable diplomatic moment this week when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met Mozambican President Daniel Chapo and it wasn’t just politics that stole the spotlight.
Standing at a towering 6’8”, President Chapo completely dwarfed the 5’2” Italian leader, creating a height gap so dramatic that journalists struggled to fit both leaders into the same camera frame. In a scene straight out of a comedy sketch, some photographers reportedly dropped flat onto their bellies, angling their lenses desperately to capture the historic meeting.
Meloni herself appeared visibly stunned by the difference, with her wide-eyed reactions quickly becoming social media gold. Clips and photos of her expressive facial reactions spread rapidly online, sparking memes, jokes and global chatter.
While talks focused on bilateral cooperation and diplomacy, it was this towering visual contrast that dominated headlines proving once again that in global politics, optics can sometimes steal the show.
🇺🇸🇮🇷 U.S. TREASURY RAMPS UP ON IRAN’S SHADOW FLEET: SANCTIONS HIT 29 VESSELS TO STARVE NUCLEAR AMBITIONS
The US Treasury’s OFAC just dropped fresh sanctions on Iran’s sneaky shadow fleet.
They’re nailing 29 vessels and their shady managers for smuggling out Iranian oil worth hundreds of millions of cash straight fueling Tehran’s military muscle and weapons programs.
These tankers, often flying flags of convenience and dodging trackers, have been Iran’s lifeline to bypass global bans, raking in bucks for nukes and proxies.
Under Trump 2.0, Treasury vows more hits to cut off resources for Iran’s nuclear push.
This builds on November’s round targeting 6 vessels, part of max pressure to hobble the regime’s evasion game.
US-South Africa Tensions Escalate Over Afrikaner Refugee Program
The United States has accused South Africa of harassing and detaining American officials working with Afrikaners, a white minority group granted refugee status by President Donald Trump.
The State Department claims South African authorities leaked passport details of US officials, warning that failure to hold those responsible accountable will lead to severe consequences.
The incident follows South Africa’s expulsion of seven Kenyans accused of working illegally to process Afrikaner refugee applications. The US government views this as obstruction of its refugee program, while South Africa maintains it was enforcing immigration laws.
The Trump administration has been vocal about alleged persecution of Afrikaners, despite South Africa’s denials. This diplomatic spat has led to the US excluding South Africa from the 2026 G20 summit planning meeting.
China has succeeded in producing an ultraviolet lithography machine for the production of advanced chips – Reuters
China built a prototype extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) machine in Shenzhen, the tool needed for the most advanced chipmaking, Reuters reports.
Until now, ASML is the only company that has truly cracked EUV technology.
Its machines cost about $250 million each and are critical for making the most advanced chips designed by Nvidia and AMD, and manufactured by TSMC, Intel, and Samsung.
The result marks the payoff of a 6-year government program focused on semiconductor independence.
People compared it to China’s version of the Manhattan Project, the U.S. wartime program that built the atomic bomb.
China’s prototype reportedly generates EUV light and is being tested, but it has not produced working chips yet, with 2028 and 2030 mentioned as targets.
Sources describe former ASML engineers helping reverse engineer parts of the system, and Huawei coordinating a wider effort across labs and suppliers.
“The aim is for China to eventually be able to make advanced chips on machines that are entirely China-made,” one of the people said. “.
China wants the United States 100% kicked out of its supply chains.”
Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law Thursday, approving record military spending for fiscal 2026.
Key provisions:
-$901 billion in military spending, roughly $8 billion more than requested
-Nearly 4% pay increase for service members
-$400 million in Ukraine aid over two years
-Restrictions on U.S. investments in China
The law includes a provision withholding a portion of War Secretary Hegseth’s travel budget until he provides Congress with unedited footage of U.S. military strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and copies of the execute orders behind the operations.
Members of both parties have raised concerns about the ongoing strikes, which have killed nearly 100 people since September. Sen. Schumer, who has seen the September 2nd footage, said it “turns your stomach.”
The Senate passed the bill 77-20.
The House approved it 312-112.
Trump and Hegseth have spent the past 11 months remaking the Pentagon, eliminating DEI programs, renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, and reinstating a ban on transgender troops.
