Tennis legend Serena Williams has reportedly taken the first step in a potential comeback to the tennis court.
According to Matthew Futterman of The Athletic, Williams has informed the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that she is pursuing reentry into tennis’ International Registered Testing Pool.
Williams’ name was among others on an ITIA player pool list from Oct. 6.
“She has notified us that she wants to be reinstated into the testing pool,” an ITIA spokesperson told The Athletic. “I do not know if this means she is coming back, or just giving herself the option. All I can say is she’s back in the pool and therefore subject to whereabouts.”
Players listed have to be in the pool for six months before being eligible to return to play.
The 44-year-old Williams last played a competitive match during the third round of the 2022 U.S. Open. The day after her defeat, she applied for official retirement with the ITIA, which meant she was exempt from random drug testing.
The 23-time Grand Slam tournament winner told Porter magazine in a recent interview that she’s still adjusting to no longer being on the court.
“Not as much as this time last year,” Williams said about missing the sport. “No matter how prepared you are to retire, and particularly from doing something every day at such a high level, it’s hard. I really prepped myself the best way I could, but it’s something that’s still a little difficult.”
Williams has kept busy in her post-tennis life as a mom, with her foundation and as part of the Angel City FC ownership group along with her husband Alexis Ohanian, among numerous other ventures.
US President Donald Trump has pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was serving a 45-year sentence after being convicted of conspiring to import tons of cocaine into the United States.
Hernandez was released from prison in Hazelton, West Virginia, on Monday night, following the pardon signed by Trump.
Trump’s move is an extraordinary act that critics warn could strain US credibility in Latin America and embolden corrupt actors. However, Trump has previously stated that he believes Hernandez was treated unfairly by the administration of his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden.
Hernandez was convicted by a Manhattan jury in March 2024 and sentenced in June of that year. During the Biden administration, the US Justice Department asserted that Hernandez had abused his power by accepting millions of dollars in bribes from drug traffickers to protect their US-bound cocaine shipments and fuel his rise in Honduran politics.
After his sentencing, the Justice Department stated that he helped to facilitate the importation into the US “of an almost unfathomable 400 tons of cocaine” and was “at the center of one of the largest and most violent drug-trafficking conspiracies in the world.”
At his sentencing, Hernandez maintained his innocence, claiming he was the victim of drug dealers who testified against him after he helped extradite them to the United States. He portrayed himself as a scourge of drug traffickers, stating, “This was a political persecution by drug traffickers and politicians.”
Hernandez’s wife, Ana Garcia de Hernandez, praised Trump in a social media post, writing, “After nearly four years of pain, waiting, and difficult trials, my husband Juan Orlando Hernandez RETURNED to being a free man, thanks to the presidential pardon granted by President Donald Trump.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt publicly supported the pardon, claiming Hernandez had been the victim of a “setup.”
“This was a clear Biden over-prosecution. He was the president of this country. He was in the opposition party. He was opposed to the values of the previous administration, and they charged him because he was president of Honduras,” Leavitt said.
The pardon was also vocally supported by conservative commentator and longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone, who confirmed on his radio show that he had given Trump a long letter from Hernandez.
In that letter, Hernandez reportedly called himself a political target of the Biden-Harris administration, drawing parallels between his prosecution and the legal challenges faced by Trump.
Barcelona defender, Ronald Araujo, has reportedly been granted indefinite leave from football, a week after he received a red card in their 3-0 Champions League defeat against Chelsea.
According to Mail Online, the club permitted the 26-year-old Uruguay international time away as he attempts to address mental health issues that have affected his performances this season.
Araujo has made 15 appearances for Barca in all competitions this campaign, with his last game ending in a red card before half-time for a reckless challenge on Marc Cucurella at Stamford Bridge.
Barcelona star, Ronald Araujo granted indefinite break from football after defeat at Chelsea left him Barcelona initially attributed his absence from their weekend LaLiga win over Alaves to a stomach bug.
However, head coach Hansi Flick has now revealed that Araujo has been dealing with private issues, with reports claiming that since his sending-off against Chelsea, and even some time before, he has felt he is ‘not at his best mentally and psychologically’.
‘Ronald is not ready at the moment,’ the German coach said ahead of Barcelona’s league game against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.
https://youtu.be/kn_4bDT4zT4?si=lKzs9iICLzFRgrRr
‘It’s a private situation. I don’t want to say more. Please also respect it. This is what I can say and what I want to say.’
Flick’s comments follow remarks from Barca president Joan Laporta, who said on Friday that he wanted to ‘support and defend’ Araujo.
‘He has been heavily criticised, and I don’t think that’s fair,’ Laporta said at an event in Andorra.
‘He gives his all on the pitch, he’s our captain, and now he needs to get through this difficult period because he’s a very emotional person with strong feelings.
‘He’s had a tough time, and I want to tell him that we’re behind him, that he needs to turn the page because here we all win and we all lose, and no one person is responsible for defeats or victories.’
NBA star Klay Thompson is making everyone know that he has nothing but love for his girlfriend Megan Thee Stallion, as he named his boat after the Houston rapper.
Per TMZ, the photo of the Dallas Mavericks star and four-time NBA champion’s “S.S. Stallion” boat was among a carousel of images that he posted on his Instagram account. The other images included Thompson, 35, suiting up for the Mavericks for their games against the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Thompson also added a photo of their Thanksgiving meal and him walking hand in hand with Megan, 30. The Houston rapper prepared the meal for Thompson and his family, and the 35-year-old, in a different video, gave his girlfriend props for her effort, rating her cooking ten over ten.
Besides naming the boat after the Savage rapper, Thompson also had Houston, TX, listed under “S.S. Stallion,” which is where Megan grew up. The photo of the boat also shows a woman, likely Megan, aboard and with her back against the camera.
In July, Megan showered praises on her beau at her inaugural Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala at Gotham Hall in New York City, saying that Thompson was the kindest person she had ever dated.
“I have never dated somebody so kind,” Megan told Page Six. “This is my first relationship where I’ve ever been with somebody who’s genuinely a nice person, and he makes me genuinely happy.”
She added: “I just never dated somebody like him before and I’m just grateful that he’s here by my side and he feels the same way about me.”
Megan gushing about Thompson came after she initially dropped a subtle hint about their relationship in a previous photo that she posted on Instagram. In the photo taken at a pool, Megan is seen posing in a bikini while an individual appearing to be Thompson is spotted sitting in the background.
SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO PRESENTER AMONG FIVE CHARGED OVER RUSSIA RECRUITMENT PLOT
NONKULULEKO Patricia Mantula is among five people who prosecutors say are facing charges for contravening a law which prohibits South Africans from joining a foreign army without official permission. They have not yet been asked to plead.
The arrests are the first since the South African government said in November that 17 citizens had “seemingly” been lured to join mercenary forces in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Police told the BBC that at this stage, they are not linking the two cases.
Mantula, 39, is a presenter of The Morning Bliss, a show on the SABC’s SAFM radio station.
In a statement emailed to the BBC, the SABC said that she was a freelance presenter.
“As this is a personal issue before the courts, the corporation will allow due processes to unfold and has no further comment at this stage,” it added.
Mantula has not commented.
Her arrest, along with four others, follows the dramatic resignation from parliament last Friday of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma, who has been accused of duping the 17 South African men – including some of her relatives – into fighting for Russia, an allegation she denies.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said that Mantula had been arrested with four men, aged between 21 and 46.
They each face a charge of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.
The NPA said the arrests followed a tip-off from police at South Africa’s main international airport in Johannesburg.
They were “intercepted” as they attempted to travel to Russia via the United Arab Emirates, and “were removed from the boarding gate after being deemed suspicious”, it added.
The NPA said it was further alleged that Mantula “had been facilitating the travel and recruitment of her co-accused into the Russian Federation military”.
Mantula and her co-accused appeared briefly at the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court near Johannesburg on Monday, and were remanded in custody.
NPA Nonkululeko Patricia Mantula, wearing a headwrap, large beaded orange, red earrings and a leather jacket look on as she sits at the end of a row in court next to her four other accused all men who have their heads bowed.NPA The five accused are due back in court on 8 December for a bail hearing The NPA said it was “committed to ensuring that individuals who violate the laws of the country are held accountable and will continue to work with other law-enforcement partners to protect the integrity and security” of South Africa.
The accused are due to make their next court appearance on 8 December for a bail application.
In November, South Africa’s government said it had received distress calls from 17 citizens who were trapped in Ukraine’s war-torn Donbas region after joining mercenary forces.
It added that it was working through “diplomatic channels” to bring them back, but this has not yet happened.
The men were lured to join the mercenary forces under the pretext of lucrative contracts, the government said, adding that it condemned “the exploitation of young vulnerable people by individuals working with foreign military entities”.
South Africa has an unemployment rate of more than 30%, which is even higher among young people.
Zuma-Sambudla’s resignation as an MP came after her half-sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, filed a complaint with police, accusing her of tricking the 17 men to fight for Russia as mercenaries.
Zuma-Mncube said that eight of them were members of her family, and they had been “handed to a Russian mercenary group to fight in the Ukraine war without their knowledge or consent”.
South Africa’s elite police unit, the Hawks, said the case was being investigated by its officers who focus on “crime against the state”.
Zuma-Sambudla, who became a member of parliament for the largest opposition party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), last year, has said in an affidavit that she thought the men were going to Russia for “lawful” training.
MK says it was her decision to resign as she wants to focus her efforts on ensuring the return of those trapped in a war zone.
In September, Kenyan police said they had rescued more than 20 people from a suspected trafficking ring that had lured them with job offers in Russia but intended to send them to fight in Ukraine.
Ukraine has previously said that it was holding citizens of various countries – Somalia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Cuba and Sri Lanka – at prisoner-of-war camps.
It has also previously come in for criticism for trying to recruit foreign nationals, including Africans, to fight on its side.
In 2022, Senegal’s foreign ministry said it had summoned Kyiv’s ambassador to demand the withdrawal of an embassy post on Facebook urging foreigners to enlist for its war effort.
At the time, Nigeria also warned that it would not tolerate Ukraine’s recruitment drive, forcing it to back-pedal.
A wedding that had been planned for months fell apart in a matter of minutes after reaching the groom’s house. The man, identified as Vishal Madhesia, who helped his father run a general store in Bhaluani, had married Pooja from Salempur on November 25. The groom’s procession had reached the bride’s place by 7 PM that evening, and all the wedding rituals were completed by that night.
After this bride’s bidaai took place. She arrived at her new home with the groom’s family and was then escorted to her new room. But 20 minutes later, she stepped out of the room and announced that she did not want to live with her husband. She revealed the same in the courtyard of Vishal’s home, which was filled with relatives and guests at that moment.
Bride Refused To Answer Why She Was Leaving
At first, people thought she was joking. They asked her what had happened and why she had suddenly changed her mind, but she kept silent. Pooja did not disclose why she insisted on returning to her parents’ house. The groom’s family tried to convince her, but she kept repeating, as quoted by Bhaskar English, “Call my parents. I will not live here.”
Vishal’s family then informed Pooja’s family of her decision. Even though they tried to sort things out, she was still not ready to change her decision or share a reason behind her sudden change of mind. Following this, a panchayat was called in the village, where both families and local residents discussed the matter for nearly five hours on November 26.
Panchayat Allowed Both Parties To Remarry
With no resolution possible, the panchayat advised the families to separate the couple. A written agreement was prepared, stating that the marriage was ended by mutual consent. Both parties were free to remarry. It also asked both sides to return all gifts and money exchanged during the wedding. At 6 PM that day, Pooja finally returned to her parents’ house.
Vishal, as quoted by the above-mentioned outlet, said that she never showed any unwillingness to marry him before the wedding and even spoke normally. He added that her refusal to stay caused embarrassment for both families. He did not file any police complaint against Pooja.
Internet Calls It “Blinkit Wedding“
Once it went viral on the Internet, people shared their reactions. One user said, “This is better than ruining so many lives after doing ‘adjustments’ for a few years.”
“She and her family should be fined heavily and punished. People have made marriage a joke and an escape route. Where was this courage when it was just talks of marriage,” another asked.
“20 minutes trial period, and she clicked unsubscribe,” a different person joked.
Someone else added, “That’s a wise decision by the couple. That Suhaagraat may have made one more life miserable and awkward. Both did a great job.”
UP Deoria: Bride Pooja spent just 20 mins at in-laws' house, refused to stay, demanded divorce. After 5-hr talks, groom Vishal signed divorce papers same night instead of suhaagraat. pic.twitter.com/Kg73Xqie7C
OF ILLEGAL APPOINTMENTS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS BY SOME PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR.
When the Republican President makes some appointments which require ratification by Parliament, the appointees do not take up office and are only sworn in after the due process of ratification of Parliament takes Course!
But here we are are again, Some Penguins of Madagascar seat and plan every evening under the influence of some intoxicating liquids; scheme of how to prolong their stay in their acting positions instead of setting a date for the elective General Assembly of the Party!
One of the regular conveners of these meetings is actually the cause of all the troubles the Party is going through, this particular Penguin is the Principal, Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, Leader of Opposition in Parliament and one of the Presidential Contenders at the forth coming elections.
Their scheme lately has been to remove those who do not support them and replace with their stooges. But even as they do this without a mandate they fear to call the Central Committee to legitimize their purported appointments because they do not have the numbers in Central Committee to back them.
The Patriotic Front has a Constitution which must be followed to the later, anything done without following the Constitution is null and void and remains illegal.
My advice to those who have been appointed and are excited like my young Brother Ukandila, simply ask your appointing authority to have you ratified by Central Committee before you continue embarrassing yourself by making official communication on behalf of the Party yet no Central Committee has sat to ratify your illegal Appointment et al.
Otherwise , we are all able to see through the cheap game the Penguins are playing of wanting to destroy the same organization you are currently eating from because of your incumbent acting positions. The more reason you do not want to go to the convention because you are comfortable to feed your families from the crumbs you get by virtue of being in these acting positions perpetually.
Penguins of Madagascar are warned to stop making illegal appointments 2 weeks from the suggested date of the Convention.
All appointments and disappointments remain illegal and all Party Members are advised to ignore them!
Going forward we shall not deal with matters by going to court or through formal letters but the same casual way you have decided to deal with Matters!
Hon. Christopher Shakafuswa MP, MCC( Willie Nsanda Jr) Provincial Chairman Lusaka Province
Dear Chawama and PF Family, Friends, and Supporters,
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT TO PF MCC:
I wish to thank PF Acting President Hon. Given Lubinda and the PF Central Committee for the opportunity to serve.
The spirit of the PF’s Founding Father, H.E. Michael Chilufya Sata and his successor H.E. President Edgar Chagwa Lungu remain strong, and we shall endeavour to work in accordance with the desire of Zambians who continue to yearn for a better life.
It is an honour and a privilege to be recognized and entrusted with such an important role as that of a member of the Patriotic Front’s Central Committee by our Leaders.
It is with great humility that I accept this new function on behalf of our wonderful Chawama Family and the wider Party nationwide. I also wish to congratulate all the new Central Committee members appointed. I receive the responsibility with immense gratitude and promise to work diligently in my new role.
The First Deputy Speaker Malungo Chisangano announced the revival of Bill 7 in Parliament, mere hours before its statutory lapse.
The prerequisite for passing Bill 7 is clearly established: a two-thirds majority of the 165 Members of Parliament (MPs). Mathematically, this translates to a required vote count of 111 MPs.
President Hakainde Hichilema, currently holding 97 seats, faces a deficit that must be overcome to ensure the Bill’s successful enactment.
This shortfall of 14 votes (111 minus 97) represents the immediate political hurdle. This deficit necessitates cross-party negotiation, coalition building, or, in less transparent scenarios, inducements designed to sway allegiance temporarily or permanently.
To cover the deficit of 14 votes, and assuming each required MP is offered a sum of K3 million, the calculation becomes straightforward: 14 MPs multiplied by K3 million per MP yields a total financial inducement required. The total inducement required in this scenario would amount to K42 million.
We told Edgar Lungu to be careful with the treacherous people who sorrounded him pretending to be loyal and promising never to desert him. We told him plainly though in solo voices that those people shall make him lose Elections. Unfortunately, Lungu was covered by a dark veil and next thing he saw was a huge and embarrassing electoral defeat. We were not surprised as we saw it coming.
The lumpens who showed him fake loyalty (ivory), deserted him and shifted their political loyalty to Hakainde. Today check the people singing the loudest bass, tennor, surprano in the Holy Angels Choir, those are the people who lied and pretended to be loyal to Lungu. Enter Frank Bwalya, Samwimbila, Chileshe, Mutale, Sampa,Chabinga, and some PF MPs etc. Those are the people Lungu gave jobs but turned out to betray him after he lost power. I doubt if they can even genuinely pay their lat respect to Lungu when that time comes to lay him rest!
Hakainde is re walking the same rout, the rout of sorrounding himself with treacherous and pretenders. He seems to like self Kwenyulaling!
The reason why he can comfortably sit, give 3 hours media coverage and listen to hired souls and axis of evil peddle hate Speech against other churches, all he does is to smile and clap.
The same hate speech that landed Kambwili in prison. When it is uttered by his host of angels it’s not hate speech, unless it comes from the regions that hate him by virtue of his tribe and birth place!
If it was Mwanawasa, he could have there and then rebuked that self proclaimed bishop for hate speech and trying to discriminate and marginalize a population of Zambians without children, others by choice and others by circumstances beyond them.
I presume Fr Frank Bwalya was there, a Catholic Priest, how did that statement sit with him? I’m aware that Ba Patrick Kangwa the Secretary to Cabinet is a devout Catholic from St Ignitious parish and shares the Holy Eucharist concecrated by our Priests, how was his conscience when such hate and venom was direct deliberately orchestrated and targeted at his Priests?
Like we precisely predicted in the morning yesterday, even before that Ngoma stage managed solidarity with bussed weak souls, that we have been around and seen this dangerous path deleting the legacy of good people. We cited the 3rd term bid by FJT, the Bill 10 by ELC which Hakainde brutally opposed.
Weaker souls succumbed to a dangling carrot with 3 pieces of silver, sold their souls to Lucifer and betrayed the aspirations of the people. The ending of 3rd term was a huge embarrassment to its proponents. Bill 10 was embarrassingly defeated by the UPND MPs and well meaning MPs with solidarity from genuine patriots.
It’s sad that today Hakainde has shown us that he is the most inconsistent leader, he has flip flopped not only on his campaign promises, even on things that he himself detested so much. He has decided to walk the same dangerous path that is injurous to his legacy.
Everyday The Digital Social Space is full of his statements then and his changed position today.
To those who have elected to be recruited as agents against the People’s aspirations, social media too shall remind you about the treacherous rout you have taken and Posterity shall judge you.
Below is the self Ordained bishop rubbing shoulders with Lungu then, Today is a guest to Hakainde at State House and an aspiring MP for Lufwanyama I’m told.
“THE MINISTER HAS NOT FIRED ME” — Marc Brys Reacts After FECAFOOT Dismissal
Just a day after FECAFOOT announced his dismissal, Marc Brys says he hasn’t been fired by the person who hired him
Speaking to VTMNIEUWS, the former Indomitable Lions coach insisted he has not been fired by the Minister, and revealed the toxic environment he says he faced from day one.
“I have other ambitions than always being in a fighting position. It’s too aggressive, too dishonest. I’ve had enough. Too much negativity to work well.”
Brys directly pointed fingers at FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o, accusing him of undermining him from the start:
“Eto’o’s goal was always to get me out as soon as possible. From minute one, he insulted me, and I reacted. I was too much competition for him.”.
Despite FECAFOOT terminating his contract, Brys insists he still has a valid mandate:
“Becoming coach of Cameroon was a challenge for me. We’ll see the consequences. My contract runs until September, and the minister hasn’t fired me.”
He added that the chaotic atmosphere surrounding the national team made the job nearly impossible:
“All this drama, pressure, and sabotage can’t be the goal.”
MILES SAMPA’S RESIGNATION AS LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION AN ACT OF COWARDICE
The sudden resignation of Hon. Miles Sampa as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament has sparked national debate, particularly because it comes at a time of heightened political pressure. Many are questioning why he chose to hold onto the position, and enjoy its associated benefits during quieter moments, only to step aside when firm leadership is needed most.
Hon. Sampa has cited his reasons for stepping down, but the timing raises serious concerns about courage, conviction, and responsibility in political leadership. With Bill No. 7 looming large in Parliament, his departure appears less like a principled decision and more like an attempt to avoid accountability at a critical moment. The fear of failing to block the Bill, which his party has heavily politicised, seems to have pushed him to retreat
This episode also exposes a deeper issue within the Patriotic Front (PF): the party’s diminishing capacity to field strong, united, and decisive leaders. If the PF cannot demonstrate cohesion on major national matters, it raises doubts about its readiness to contest the 2026 general elections with a credible presidential candidate.
Instead of fixating on Bill 7 for political gain, the PF would do well to urgently resolve its internal divisions. Only through genuine unity and clarity of purpose can it re-establish itself as a serious political force capable of offering alternative leadership to the Zambian people.
BEFORE YOU INSULT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA AND ACCUSE HIM OF MANIPULATION
The problem in this country is that we have more masqueraders than genuine advocates for Zambia. The reality is simple: certain individuals are failing to understand even the most basic provisions of the law provisions that don’t require anyone to attend law school to comprehend because of enrolment and selfishness.
People like Bishop Alick Banda and others hiding behind NGOs must be reminded that these processes are backed by legal precedent and the laws of Zambia.
So, what illegality was Mrs Katebe talking about?you people be Honest!
The ECZ conducted delimitation under the PF government, and no one raised any objections then. Why now, simply because it is President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration? Could it be that PF and their surrogates fear being exposed because they deliberately sidelined other deserving regions in the past?
For instance, are Zambians aware that Sichifulo was earmarked for a new constituency but was conveniently left behind by PF when they introduced new Constituencies for reasons best known to themselves?
Tasila Lungu has lost her seat based on a constitutional amendment that was signed by her own government and her own father. When this amendment was signed, I said, “President Edgar Lungu has signed this amendment with closed eyes,” because I knew a day would come when these same people would turn around and cry foul.
They authored laws they never imagined would come back to haunt them. I therefore advise the so-called “learned” lawyers, such as Makebi Zulu, to explain to their members what these simple legal facts mean.
Let Bill 7 proceed to Parliament and if it fails we shall move on.
Sikaile C. Sikaile Independent Aspiring MP, Katombola Constituency, 2026
GLOBAL OUTRAGE AS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ACCUSED OF TURNING THE 2026 G20 INTO HIS PERSONAL SHOW
The world is reacting sharply after current U.S. President Donald Trump was hit with heavy criticism, with many accusing him of trying to make the upcoming 2026 G20 Summit all about himself instead of global cooperation.
The controversy erupted after early design leaks circulating online appeared to show a G20 Summit banner for next year featuring a large portrait of President Trump, overshadowing the official G20 logo and other neutral global symbols.
Even though the White House has not confirmed any finalized branding, the leaked design has already set the world on fire.
WHY PEOPLE SAY TRUMP IS MAKING THE G20 ABOUT HIMSELF • Critics say the branding looks more like a political poster than an international summit.
• Many believe Trump wants to dominate the global stage and push the “America First” tone into the G20 identity. • World commentators argue that the summit’s focus could shift from global unity to Trump’s personal brand. • Some civil-society groups warn this could weaken trust among other G20 nations.
GLOBAL REACTION IS INTENSE Diplomats, analysts, and activists across the world say the G20 must remain neutral — representing all nations equally, not centered around the host president.
They fear that if the leaked banner becomes official, it will send a message that the summit is less about world progress and more about Trump’s image.
As America prepares to host from December 2025 to November 2026, the world is watching closely.
CATHOLIC PRIEST OF MPIKA DIOCESE BLASTS PENTECOSTAL BISHOP KALESHA’S STANCE ON BILL 7
Tuesday, 2nd December, 2025
Mpika Diocese Catholic Priest Fr. Adrian Mofya Blasts Bishop Kalesha’s stance on bill 7.
Fr. Adrian Mofya, a Catholic priest from the Mpika Diocese, has expressed strong disapproval of Bishop Victor Kalesha’s comments on the Catholic Church’s involvement in Zambian politics. Bishop Kalesha had stated that Catholic priests and bishops should not speak on behalf of Zambians, citing that they don’t have children.
Fr. Mofya finds this statement hypocritical, given the Church’s extensive contributions to Zambian society, including hospitals, schools, and orphanages that serve people of all faiths and backgrounds. He questions Bishop Kalesha’s motives, suggesting he’s more interested in uplifting his biological family than serving the people of God.
This controversy surrounds Bill 7, a constitutional amendment bill opposed by the Catholic Church and civil society groups, who argue it consolidates power and undermines democratic institutions. The Church has been vocal in its opposition, with Archbishop Ignatius Chama emphasizing that constitutional reform should reflect the people’s will, not serve political expediency
Fr. Mofya wrote ✍️:
“I am disheartened by Mr. Kalesha’s actions, as he claims to be a bishop but prioritizes his biological family’s interests over serving the people of Zambia and God. This raises questions about the nature of his service. The Catholic Church has built institutions like hospitals, schools, and orphanages to serve all people, regardless of their faith or background. I urge people to reflect on Mr. Kalesha’s motives and the true meaning of service.
The president and government may change, but the Church and its people will endure. Those in ministry should serve the Lord and His people, not personal interests. We stand firm against Bill 7, believing it’s not in the best interest of Zambians. – Fr. Adrian”
📸 Credit – Lutanda RADIO Station – ✍️ Credit – Mpika Diocese Catholic Christians
HE IS ONE OF THE MOST QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT IN THE WORLD-GEORGE N MTONGA DEFENDS PROF JONES KASONSO
What happens with men like Professor Kansoso in the diaspora is this…
They achieve success for themselves in America so much and some Zambians here working petty jobs and having no success are jealous. So whenever he gets into arguments in politics, its the Zambians in America that send those he is fighting with in Zambia lies. And they try to discredit him.
Say what you may about professors politics, but he is one of the most educated accounting professionals in the United States having obtained all accounting qualifications anyone can obtain in this country.
He is actually Dr. Jones Kansoso CPA, MBA. PhD.
He is a Phd Holder, and a Certified Public Accoutant, and a full time professor
CPA CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT IS THE HIGHEST CERTIFICATION IN ACCOUNTING IN THE USA.
The claim: “His PhD was obtained from an institution widely regarded as a diploma mill.”
The facts:
1. Dr. Jones K. Kasonso earned his PhD from Northcentral University (NCU), USA
Northcentral University is a regionally accredited institution in the United States.
Regional accreditation is the highest level of academic accreditation in the U.S. higher-education system.
NCU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)—the same body that accredits major universities like Stanford and UC Berkeley.
https://youtu.be/8lv1q1Wp0zk?si=5qIcLm0zX8x_uW9S
2. Regionally accredited universities CANNOT be diploma mills
A diploma mill is an unaccredited institution that awards degrees with little or no academic work. NCU does not fit this category because:
It met federal and regional academic standards.
It offered structured doctoral programs with research requirements.
Its accreditation allowed graduates to qualify for employment, professional certifications, and further post-graduate study in accredited U.S. institutions.
3. His earlier qualifications also come from recognized institutions
Based on publicly available information, he holds:
An MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, which is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), another U.S. regional accreditor.
A BSc in Applied Accounting affiliated with Oxford Brookes University (UK) in partnership with ACCA, one of the world’s leading professional accounting bodies.
These are all legitimate, recognized institutions, not diploma mills.
✅ Summary
The statement that Dr. Jones K. Kasonso obtained his PhD from a “diploma mill” is factually incorrect. His doctorate comes from a fully accredited U.S. university, and his other degrees are from reputable, internationally recognized institutions.
…..“YOU ARE BEING CARELESS WITH THE PEACE AND SECURITY OF THE NATION”
CONCERNED CITIZENS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema President of the Republic of Zambia State House Independence Avenue Lusaka,Zambia
02 December 2025
REF: AN URGENT CALL FOR NATIONAL UNITY, DIALOGUE, AND RESPONSIBILITY
Your Excellency,
We write to you today not as adversaries, but as concerned Opposition Leaders who hold a profound love for our nation, Zambia. Our message is motivated by an alarming and growing national sentiment, echoed by faith leaders and the civil society, that “something is wrong in the way we are living as a nation,” where division and anger are slowly replacing our cherished unity and oneness.
Mr. President, we are particularly disturbed by your reckless claim that those opposed to this non-inclusive, rushed and politically-engineered constitution amendment process hate you because of your tribe.
Such a statement is unfortunate, dangerous and unbecoming of one who holds the highest office in the land. It is an attempt to weaponize regional sentiment and sow seeds of tribal mistrust for personal political gain. Zambia does not belong to any tribe or region, it belongs to all of us.
This letter therefore serves as a formal reprimand and an urgent appeal regarding your administration’s conduct in pursuing constitutional amendments and exercising executive authority. We are compelled to remind you of the foundational principles upon which our peaceful nation was built and to alert you to the dangerous path of division you are currently navigating. At every turn when you speak to the people regarding the constitution, you have opted to use the language that is divisive rather than that which seeks to unite the nation.
1. Seek Unity not Division: A true leader seeks to unite, not divide. The process surrounding the proposed constitutional amendments Bill No. 7 has been characterized by language and actions that are deeply divisive. Leadership demands rising above partisan rhetoric to apply fairness, compassion, and common sense. We urge you to immediately cease any communication that funs the flames of ethnic or political discord and to embrace a language of national cohesion, love and reconciliation.
Your posture thus far is to perceive anyone opposed to the amendment as your enemy. In essence, your actions surrounding Bill 7 constitute a real and immediate threat to national peace, security, unity and social cohesion. Instead of healing the country, you have opted to divide it. Instead of building consensus, you are seeking to bulldoze and beat everyone into submission. Instead of strengthening democracy, you are eroding it.
2. Disregard of OASIS Forum:
In your selfish pursuit to see Bill 7 through by any means possible, you have exposed yourself to the point of having your hypocrisy laid bare for all to see.
The Oasis Forum you seek to demonize and humiliate through your surrogate institutions and gutter media outfits is the very Oasis Forum you walked shoulder to shoulder with in fighting Bill 10 that was a much better crafted Bill and was not meant to give the PF a lifeline as is the case with Bill 7.
The conduct displayed by your guests on Monday December, 1 2025 during the so-called Courtesy Call Meeting on Consultations for the Constitutional Review at State House is a clear manifestation of your mindset over this matter: chaotic, patronizing, divisive and insulting to say the least. You clearly gave your guests enough protection to use State House to insult the wisdom and integrity of the Oasis Forum, its membership and the Catholic Bishops.
We would like to remind you that it is the same Oasis Forum you are insulting today that stood by you in rejecting Bill 10 in 2021 and at that time you showered them with praises as it suited your intentions.
Your inconsistency has revealed to us a leadership that is more interested in convenient alliances than principled governance.
3. Respect for the Church:
The Church in Zambia is a cornerstone of our moral and social fabric. It is not a political opponent to be vanquished. The collective voice of church leaders from the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), the Council of Churches in Zambia, and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia has unequivocally called for the withdrawal of Bill 7, citing the outcome of the ConCourt that ruled against the said bill as lacking consensus and the very spirit of constitution making. They have equally questioned the urgency of seeking to tie this constitution to the 2026 election cycle opting instead to allow for a more inclusive people driven process. Demeaning these institutions and dismissing their concerns—as some of your supporters have done by labeling bishops as “tribalists”—is an affront to a vast section of the Zambian populace and risks creating a painful and unnecessary rift within the body of Christ. The Church must remain a beacon of hope and dialogue.
Let it be placed on record that it is the same Catholic Church that stood by you when you were incarcerated and charged with treason.
For you to now permit attacks on the Church is hypocritical, disrespectful, and a betrayal of the moral voice of our nation.
4. National Division: Your actions have reminded us of the prescient words of our founding father, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, who warned the nation of the risk the nation faced if the presidency was to be in your hands. We are sure you recall that he was very emphatic that anyone was better placed to lead this nation except one person who he feared would divide the country, and that’s – You. It is sad to witness that warning fast materialising and becoming a reality before our own eyes. The nation is boiling. The perception that your government is becoming increasingly intolerant to dissent and embracing intimidating tactics against the opposition, and eroding institutional independence is quite widespread.
Actions such as the suspension of Constitutional Court judges and the weaponization of laws like the Public Order Act are not signs of strength but of fragility, and they are tearing our social fabric apart. We would like to call upon you to reflect as to how you would like your legacy to be remembered when you leave office next year – a man who stood against all odds and united the nation or a man who threw everything to the wind and brought about division, tribal intolerance and regionalism.
5. A Call for the International Community: We echo the painful lessons from our own recent history and that of our region: silence in the face of democratic backsliding is complicity. We, therefore, call upon the United Nations, the African Union (AU) Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and all international partners committed to democracy to pay close attention to the deteriorating political and social environment in Zambia. Do not wait until there is bloodletting begore you act. Preventive diplomacy and clear support for inclusive dialogue are required now. The international community played a crucial role in ensuring a peaceful transfer of power in 2021; that vigilance must not wane.
We, therefore, call upon you to take keen interest in Mr. Hichilema’s divisive conduct, which points to a worrying departure from democratic governance towards intolerance and authoritarian tendencies.
This is not the democracy we fought for in 1991 and it is certainly not the unity we pledged to uphold.
Conclusion: The Unifying Truth
Your Excellency, the ultimate power you wield is not to amend a constitution by force of will, but to steward the peace and unity of our nation. The prayer of Zambians today is for a dialogue that promotes “a people who do justice, who love goodness, and who walk humbly with their God”.
We conclude with the solemn and unifying truth that must guide all your actions: We have only one Zambia.
In this regards, we expect your immediate and public commitment to de-escalation, genuine national dialogue, and a leadership style that heals rather than wounds.
We therefore call upon you Mr. President to forthwith:
1. Abandon the divisive and confrontational approach you have taken on this Constitutional amendment process;
2. Withdraw the Bill 7 process until genuine, inclusive national dialogue is secured after the elections;
3. Respect the Church, Civil Society and all stakeholders who speak for the voiceless; and
4. Take responsibility for the rising political and tribal tensions and take steps toward national healing.
As opposition political parties, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with the Oasis Forum as they seek to speak for the Zambian citizens and defend our democracy, our Constitution, and our national unity.
Respectfully,
For and on behalf of the Concerned Citizens of the Republic of Zambia,
Harry Kalaba President, Citizens First (CF)
Dr Fred M’membe President, Socialist Party (SP)
Cc:
The Secretary-General,United Nations The Secretary General – United Nations The Chairperson, African Union Commission The Executive Secretary, Southern African Development Community (SADC) The Executive Director – Oasis Forum The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops(ZCCB) The Council of Churches in Zambia The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia All Media Houses
Call your Member of Parliament individually, ask how they are voting.
We need to find out who is betraying the people of Zambia to enable us name and shame them.
To pass Bill 7, President Hakainde Hichilema requires two-thirds majority votes of 165 MPs (111 MPs).
He doesn’t have those numbers.
He is however very confident that he has bought enough numbers from the Independents and renegade MPs from the Opposition Patriotic Front to meet the 111 threshold and pass the bill.
Below is the current composition of the National Assembly.
1. United Party for National Development (UPND): 97 (89+ 8 nominated),
2. Patriotic Front (PF): 55,
3. Independent: 10, and
4. Party for National Unity and Progress:
5.New Congress Party (NCP)-1
Mporokoso MP (Brian Mundubile) and Matero MP (Miles Sampa) have pledged to lead their colleagues in voting against the proposed amendments, while expelled Mafinga MP, Robert Chabinga has pledged to mobilise renegade MPs to vote for the Bill.
EDITOR’S NOTE | Politics of Memory & The Narrative Battle
The debate over Bill 7 has turned volatile phase. Monday’s State House Livestream, which featured pro-Bill 7 voices ranging from student leaders and rural CSOs to Pentecostal and SDA clergy, has triggered a sharp counterreaction from the PF base and its online allies.
The screenshot now circulating is not a clause from the Bill. It is a tweet from Hakainde Hichilema in 2020, during the Bill 10 debate, warning that “a good piece of legislation does not need to be heavily marketed” and praising the Catholic Church, LAZ and other stakeholders for opposing it.
That post is now being used as political ammunition to ask a simple question: If UPND demonised Bill 10, why should PF support Bill 7?
This is not an unfair question. It is a political one. Zambia’s politics are rarely driven by principle. They are driven by region, tribe, personal interest, and historical memory. The UPND’s failure to frame a convincing narrative around Bill 7 has created a vacuum that is now being filled by old quotes, screenshots, and ideological reminders.
The PF base sees Monday’s Livestream as hypocrisy. The UPND base sees it as overdue correction. Meanwhile, the public is stuck between two blocs that increasingly speak past one another and not to the issues.
The reality is clear. Those supporting Bill 7 appear to support everything in it. Those opposing Bill 7 oppose everything in it. The arguments are no longer clause-based. They are identity-based. They are regional. They are emotional. The ongoing narrative shows that the reform now sits at the intersection of constitutional law and political class antagonism.
The Oasis Forum and Catholic bloc are perceived as Lusaka-centric elites. The pro-Bill 7 clergy and CSOs are perceived as provincial and “grassroots” actors. Each side believes it speaks for “the people.” Neither side has shown the humility to admit they only speak for a constituency.
This reminds us that Zambian political memory is long. When people are presented with public debate, they reach back to older grievances. They pull up tweets. They resurrect past votes. They extract old soundbites.
Hichilema’s 2020 criticism of Bill 10 is now being reinterpreted as a moral contradiction, even though the content of Bill 7 and Bill 10 differ significantly. The political class is no longer debating clauses. It is debating consistency, loyalty, and credibility.
Our task here is simple. We are a nationalist voice. We fact-check and contextualise political claims to protect the public from misinformation. Politicians speak for constituencies, interests, and electoral goals. They do not speak for truth. They do not speak for the whole nation. They speak to survive. And because memory is now part of this fight, we will continue to provide independent, sober, fact-based context so that Zambians can judge not by tribe, crowd size, or noise, but by evidence.
“As Seventh-day Adventists, we express our support for Bill 7- Midlands West Zambia Conference President, Pastor Gabriel Mulambwa”.#SunFmTvNews
One of the guidelines I have been acquainted with regarding the SDA and political questions is to ascertain whether the issue at hand affects religious liberty or a matter of social justice on which the Bible has expressly pronounced itself
Over the course of the church’s history since the mid 1800s, members from around the world have sought guidance on such issues as slavery, racism, combat roles in the military, etc.
Clearly, the church has no answers for every issue but has generally guided that individual persons or individual administrative regions take decisions that they see fit guided by their collective conscience.
This is because the issue in question may not necessarily be one of salvation or universal application.
The co-founder member of the SDA church, Ellen G. White experienced questions of a political nature during her time.
For instance, the church dealt with the question of the prohibition in respect of alcohol importation into the US.
She encouraged church members to go out and vote. The issue was so important that she said, shockingly, if it means voting on the Sabbath, so be it!
This issue meant so much to her, she even addressed some of the meetings organized by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, a non-denominational body which had taken a lead in health issues and urging the enactment of the prohibition act.
She situated the prohibition issue in the context of the health message that she had been instructed by the Lord to disseminate, a message that forms part of the core messaging of the SDA church.
My advice to my fellow Adventists is that you are free to disagree with the position taken by your church on social issues but take comfort in the knowledge that the body of Christ still remains one.
Specifically, you are free to disagree with the church on the question of Bill 7, but move forward together with those you disagree with because the issue doesn’t affect your salvation or the fundamental reason for the existence of the church – to serve as an agency through which God is to save mankind.
43 KATIMBA HEADMEN REAFFIRM SUPPORT FOR JACK MWIIMBU AHEAD OF 2026 ELECTIONS
Forty-three traditional leaders in Katimba Ward of Monze Central Constituency have reaffirmed their endorsement of Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu for the 2026 elections, praising his consistent leadership and development record.
The Headmen, led by Chief Moonze’s Representative Terry Shiloka, said there was “no need to change leadership from the Presidency down to the ward level” because the current office-bearers have delivered tangible results for the people of Monze.
Speaking during a developmental meeting in Katimba on Sunday, Mr. Shiloka described Mr. Mwiimbu as a dependable and visionary leader who has kept the constituency united even during challenging political times.
He noted that the Monze strongman has continued to stand with the people “even when it was neither fashionable nor easy,” especially during the years in opposition, demonstrating loyalty and genuine commitment to the community.
The traditional leaders cited improved development projects, strengthened government-community engagement and increased access to services as key indicators of Mr. Mwiimbu’s effective leadership.
Mr. Shiloka further cautioned residents against being misled by those who may not bring meaningful change, urging the community to remain focused and continue supporting the leadership that has consistently delivered.
He advised the people of Katimba and Monze Central at large “not to look elsewhere but to stick with tested and proven leaders who have the interest of the community at heart.”
SAMIA DEFENDS USE OF FORCE ON PROTESTERS IN TANZANIA’S RECENT GENERAL ELECTION, CITING “ATTEMPTED COUP” THREAT
By: The Citizen
Tanzania’s government has defended the use of force during post-election unrest, describing it as a necessary measure to prevent what it says was an “attempted coup.”
Addressing Dar es Salaam elders on Tuesday at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC), President Samia Suluhu Hassan said security forces were deployed to stop protesters from trying to topple her administration. She dismissed criticism from neighbouring countries as hypocritical, arguing that those condemning Tanzania had dealt with similar unrest within their own borders.
“I heard people saying that we used a lot of force. What, then, is little force?” she asked. “Should we have just stood by and watched protesters overthrow our government instead of taking action?”
President Samia argued that regional critics had themselves used heavy force during recent domestic protests.
“These protests have not happened in Tanzania alone,” she said. “We have also witnessed such protests in our neighbouring countries. Many protesters took to the streets, but their governments used a lot of force.”
She accused sections of the international community of applying double standards, questioning why those “quick to lecture Tanzania” had failed to issue comparable criticism elsewhere. The president vowed that security agencies would continue to track individuals suspected of orchestrating the violence, saying the country’s peace and stability must be preserved.
Her remarks come amid growing pressure from opposition groups and international human rights organisations demanding accountability for deaths reported during the election-related clashes. Several organisations, including the Madrid Bar Association and partner groups, have filed a petition at the International Criminal Court (ICC) seeking investigations into alleged state-linked abuses, including killings, torture, and forced disappearances.
The October 29 elections were marked by violent clashes that left several people dead, among them a Kenyan teacher.
President Samia suggested that foreign actors had fuelled the unrest, claiming Tanzania’s stability “has irritated outsiders” who sought to destabilise the country. She expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, saying, “When one Tanzanian sheds blood, we all feel the pain.”
She noted that the destruction of property and business disruptions pointed to “the magnitude of the plot” behind the violence. Referring to videos circulated online, she claimed that many young protesters appeared to have been coached, echoing events seen in Madagascar—an indication, she said, of a coordinated plan to undermine the government.
The president questioned whether the incidents qualified as genuine demonstrations.
“Why on the day of the election?” she asked, describing the unrest as “orchestrated violence with specific objectives.”
A bizarre civil dispute has reportedly emerged from Stuttgart, where a man is said to be suing his neighbor for breach of contract after a highly unusual arrangement failed to produce a pregnancy.
A 29 year old German man Demetrius Soupolos is suing his neighbour 34 year old Frank Maus for breach of contract after the latter failed to impregnate his wife in 72 different attempts to do so.
Demetrius is reportedly unable to father a child due to sterility, allegedly paid his neighbor paid his neighbor to help him out.
Soupolos paid Maus $2,500 for the job and for three evenings a week for the next six months, Maus tried desperately to impregnate Traute.
However, after a total of 72 unsuccessful attempts over a six-month period, Mr. Soupolos decided to take a legal action.
When no pregnancy resulted, Soupolos demanded Maus undergo medical testing, only to learn that Maus, too, was sterile.
The case took another twist when Maus’s wife admitted their two children were fathered by his cousin.
The lawsuit reportedly accuses Maus of failing to fulfill the terms of the agreement, demanding the return of the $2,500 payment.
He is also seeking compensation for the emotional distress and wasted time resulting from the neighbor’s repeated failures.
Maus, however, insists he never guaranteed conception, only that he would make an honest effort.
A shocking incident occurred in Nigeria after a Church Wedding was canceled because the groom refused to shave his beard.
An internet user described this bizarre moment on their X (formerly known as Twitter) account, and it has stirred many reactions.
According to the account, the Presiding Pastor, who was to join the two lovers, prompted the groom to cut off his beard before the ceremony, and that did not sit well with him.
Some men take pride in having a beard as they assume it makes them more handsome, especially the bald ones.
His supposed wife-to-be tried all she could to convince him to cut it for the event to commence, but he did not adhere, suggesting that they head to the court to sign because he had already met her family and provided the requirements.
The lady refused to go to the court because she had yearned for this Church Wedding for a long time, but a mere beard was about to crash everything.
Most people who saw this post suggested he cut it off just for that day because it will surely grow back, but some people claim it might’ve taken him a long time to get that beard, so they see reason why it must be a hindrance.
With trans surgeries out there, the possibility of dating someone who was once the same sex exists and might be traumatizing, especially for straight males.
A man found out his girlfriend for the last three years was a ma who had surgery just because she wanted to be a woman.
After being together for three (3) years, a man’s trans girlfriend finally decided to unveil the truth she had been keeping from him.
In a video which has since gone viral, the girlfriend confronted the guy claiming she felt it was time she told her because she didn’t want to hide anything from him.
In a semi-heated argument, she threatened to break up with him if he did not give her the opportunity to explain herself.
“I was born a man and I had surgery because I wanted to be a girl. Technically I am a girl since I got surgery but I was born a man,” she defended
“Ain’t nothing technical about it. It crazy to think about because it put me in a headspace of what I always thought about you.”
“Ain’t nothing technical about it. It crazy to think about because it put me in a headspace of what I always thought about you.”
“There was always something off about you. You always had these manly features about you, you’re overly strong,” the young man explained.
The boyfriend, who was not ready to have any of it told her God has blessed him with an amazing day and he was too worried about his life to deal with her.
Foreign Affairs has laid out a blunt assessment of Trump’s China policy and it paints a picture of Washington celebrating victories that Beijing quietly turns into its own strategic gains.
Trump may have described his meeting with Xi as a “12/10” success, but the substance behind the images tells a very different story. What appeared publicly as a diplomatic win was, in practical terms, a retreat disguised as progress.
China offered only limited and symbolic concessions, modest soybean purchases, continued mineral exports at reduced levels, yet walked away with significant advantages. In exchange for these superficial gestures, Trump paused port fees on Chinese vessels, weakened export controls and allowed subsidiaries of blacklisted Chinese firms continued access to advanced American technologies.
He even approved sales of high-performance AI chips that directly enhance China’s technological and military capabilities. Now, with consideration being given to loosening restrictions on Nvidia’s Blackwell chips, it raises a serious question about how US national security is being valued in these negotiations.
Regional confidence in the United States has also been shaken. Referring to Taiwan’s security as an “insurance policy”, something to be paid for rather than defended and delaying arms shipments did not deter China. Instead, it signalled to Taipei and the region that US commitments fluctuate with political convenience. Beijing gained leverage not through pressure, but through Washington’s own mixed messages.
At the same time, institutions designed to hold Beijing accountable, human rights offices, independent oversight bodies and media channels, have been weakened or dismantled. The very mechanisms that highlight authoritarian abuses were reduced just as Trump publicly praised Xi as a “friend” and “great leader.” Beijing benefits simply by Washington choosing to mute itself.
While US politics remains consumed by short-term disputes and shifting priorities, China continues to follow a long-term national strategy. Its leadership is stable, its diplomacy consistent and measured, its negotiating posture disciplined. There are no theatrics, no sudden shifts, no self-inflicted contradictions. China negotiates with patience, the US negotiates with urgency.
And while Washington debates budgets and partisan talking points, Beijing invests heavily in the future. China now produces twice as many STEM PhDs as the US, expands manufacturing capacity year after year, dominates critical mineral supply chains, accelerates clean energy and EV development and strengthens global supply networks. These gains are not accidental. They are the product of planning, investment and continuity.
The United States, despite its immense potential, keeps reacting instead of leading. It alienates allies, rewrites strategy with every election cycle, cuts essential research funding and treats a generational challenge as a series of transactional exchanges. No nation can outpace a population of 1.4 billion by resetting its approach every four years.
This is the core issue: China is not advancing because it is inherently stronger. It is advancing because it remains consistent while the US continues to undermine its own position through political volatility and strategic short-termism. One side plays the long game, the other performs for the moment.
Trump can declare every meeting a “12 out of 10” triumph, but if the results leave Beijing strengthened and Washington diminished, the conclusions speak for themselves.
If the US hopes to compete meaningfully, it does not need louder rhetoric. It needs stability, long-term investment, coherent strategy and leadership that understands geopolitics is not about personal relationships or public praise. At present, China is not defeating the United States.
PAKISTAN–CHINA LAUNCH JOINT DRILL WITH A MESSAGE: THEY’RE BRACING FOR THE SAME STORM
Pakistan and China just opened their annual counterterrorism drill in Punjab – and if you think this is just another handshake-and-photo-op military exercise, you’re not paying attention.
This is the 9th round of “Warrior-IX,” hosted at Pakistan’s National Counter Terrorism Centre.
Which means: Both sides aren’t practicing for if something goes wrong – they’re preparing for the world they already think they’re living in.
The vibe on the ground? Chinese Western Theatre Command brass in attendance, Pakistani officers front and center, and a curriculum focused on “clearance and strike operations.”
That’s basically saying ‘we expect insurgents, surprises, and maybe some proxy fireworks.’
And the drills run until mid-December – long enough to iron out tactics, swap intel styles, and rehearse the kind of joint response Beijing likes to keep quiet until it isn’t.
China’s reportedly got infrastructure and personnel all over Pakistan under the CPEC banner – prime targets for militants who love symbolism as much as sabotage.
Pakistan’s battling a resurgence of attacks along its western flank. Both need a partner who won’t flinch.
This exercise looks less about training, and more about alignment.
And next? Expect tighter operational fusion – think shared surveillance, synchronized response units, and maybe even a more permanent Chinese security footprint near strategic corridors.
If Warrior-IX goes smoothly, Warrior-X may not look like an exercise at all.
Beijing and Islamabad aren’t just allies. They’re rehearsing for the same storm…
BREAKING: HE IS UNWELL! Donald Trump pushes insane Michelle Obama conspiracy while posting on Truth Social for FOUR HOURS straight.
Yes, the President of the United States spent his entire evening posting non-stop on his personal echo chamber — over 160 posts — hitting a slew of his favorite targets, including a post from Alex Jones accusing Michelle Obama of having stolen President Biden’s autopen to pardon “key individuals.”
This, of course, is a beyond ridiculous and completely baseless accusation that would only be believable to the kind of person who would sign up for Truth Social, but it’s another reminder of how much real estate the Obama family takes up in Donald Trump’s failing Big Mac-clogged brain.
Other posts included attacks on his other favorite targets of the day, like Sen. Mark Kelly, who he declared a “traitor” for demanding US military members disobey the illegal orders we now know are being issued to them by Pete Hegseth. Trump wrote “Mark Kelly and the group of Unpatriotic Politicians were WRONG to do what they did, and they know it…I hope the people looking at them are not duped into thinking that it’s OK to openly and freely get others to disobey the President of the United States!”
During his posting spree, Trump shared videos of himself explaining “reverse migration,” which is a white supremacist concept for forcing immigrants to self-deport through the threat of violence, and even videos of his cameo in Home Alone 2, calls to release convicted Republican felon Tina Peters, and the video of him cruelly insulting a reporter to her face.
This is not the behavior of a mentally well man. This is the behavior of a demented old racist who has a very unhealthy parasocial relationship with the people in his Truth Social feed, constantly praising and celebrating him, and he should not be anywhere near the presidency of anything, except perhaps his wing in a nursing home.- Occupy Democrats
Claims circulating that a bridge built by the Congo’s President’s construction company collapsed on its opening day.
A newly constructed bridge in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) dramatically collapsed during its official inauguration ceremony on Saturday.
A viral footage circulating widely on social media shows dignitaries, including local officials, cutting the ceremonial ribbon.
However, the structured gave away after officials decided to test its strength by walking on it. It buckled under the weight of the crowd, sending attendees scrambling in panic.
Miraculously, no serious injuries were reported, but the incident has exposed deep fissures in the country’s infrastructure projects.
The bridge, described in viral posts as a modest footbridge spanning a local waterway, was built by a company allegedly tied to the president’s family.
According to multiple reports, the project was completed at a staggering cost of £1.66 million (approximately $2.2 million).
Mauro Morandi was an Italian island hermit resident of the Italian island Budelli from 198 was nicknamed “Robinson Crusoe”.
In 1989, shortly after setting off on a sailing trip to Polynesia he shipwrecked on Budelli, a tiny (1.6km²) island in the Strait of Bonifacio between Sardinia and Corsica, well-known for its pink-sanded beach.
Fascinated by the beauty of the island, he decided to leave his old life behind and settle permanently on the island.
This came after he discovered the island’s caretaker was retiring, Morandi sold his boat and took over the role.
He would live on the island for 32 years, before being evicted by Italian authorities in 2021, and died in 2025, aged 85.
He lived for 32 years alone on the island, in a house made of coral, shells and granite that he heated with a simple fireplace.
https://youtu.be/Geel8uxga0E?si=kHRV9HBomqRTR3hi
He took care of the flora and fauna on the island, cleaned the beaches, and educated tourists about the island’s ecosystem.
In 2021, he was forced to leave the place by the Italian authorities because he had made “some changes to his residence without a permit.”
A petition to let him stay on the island garnered over 7000 signatures, but the authorities’ decision stood.
In 1989, Morandi had been sailing his catamaran to the South Pacific when he broke down and stumbled upon the tiny island of Budelli, just off Sardinia in the Mediterranean.
In an interview with The Guardian, he said: “I became so used to the silence. Now it’s continuous noise.”
In 2024, Morandi went to a nursing home in Sassari, and later moved to his hometown Modena. He died in January 2025 after suffering from illness. He was 85.
A heart surgeon based in Georgia, US, Dr Jeremy London, has shared a video to explain some lifestyle changes recommended for those 40 and above.
In a video shared by the doctor on his TikTok page, the doctor engaged his son in the conversation after he asked, “Dad, what things would you avoid after the age of 40?”
The doctor took his time and explained four activities that should be avoided by that year gap. He also added that the first two should be avoided by everyone.
1. Alcohol
Alcohol was the first thing on the list. Funny enough, it is the most accessible thing that destroys life.
“The top two on the list go for any age… the first one would be alcohol,” Dr. London began to explain.
“If you really want to set the stage for yourself long term, limit or remove alcohol, it’s toxic to every cell in the body.”
“I realize this can be hard because alcohol is everywhere. It is a personal choice but just be thoughtful,” he explained.
2. Smoking/Vaping
Smoking is one of the world’s biggest health problems, and millions live in poor health as a result of the habit.
“Next is smoking and vaping. I don’t think anyone would disagree that it’s bad for you. It increases your risk of lung cancer, heart attack and stroke – don’t vape, don’t smoke,” Dr Jeremy continued.
Sleep Number three on the list was sleep and why it should never be procrastinated.
Sleep is a hugely important part of maintaining both physical and mental health as it is essential in restoring our brain and crucial to our overall health.
“Don’t trade sleep for other activities,” Dr London warned.
“This is something that I personally struggle with. Recovery is so important throughout our lives but it’s really important as we get older.”
4. Toxic People
“Finally, avoid toxic people, focus and nurture on your relationships with the people that you care about and love because in the end that’s what truly matters,” he concluded.
Dr Jeremy London has over 25 years of clinical experience as a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon and says his ‘mission is to provide easy-to-understand,
President Donald Trump threatened a foreign country in a new social media post on Monday night over the country’s election results.
“Looks like Honduras is trying to change the results of their Presidential Election. If they do, there will be hell to pay!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump’s comments come at a time when the New York Times described Trump as the “wildcard” in a “razor-thin” election in Honduras. About 48 hours before the polls closed, Trump threatened to withhold federal support from the country if his preferred candidate did not win, according to the outlet.
“The people of Honduras voted in overwhelming numbers on November 30th,” he continued. “The National Electoral Commission, the official body charged with counting the Votes, abruptly stopped counting at midnight on November 30th. Their count showed a close race between Tito Asfura and Salvador Nasralla with Asfura holding a narrow lead of 500 votes.”
“Their tally was stopped when only 47 percent of the Vote was counted,” the post added. “It is imperative that the Commission finish counting the Votes. Hundreds of thousands of Hondurans must have their Votes counted. Democracy must prevail!”
President Donald Trump is facing harsh criticism from Republican senators in solidly red states over his exploding drug policy scandals.
According to Semafor’s Burgess Everett, several GOP senators are upset both over recent reports that Trump’s military command ordered the illegal shooting of shipwreck survivors from a ship targeted as a suspected drug trafficking operation, and his pardoning of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández from a 45-year drug trafficking sentence.
Sen. Jim Justice (R-WV) called the shooting of maritime survivors “not acceptable,” and said that while he still stands behind Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in general, “if he made that decision, I think he’s made a bad decision.” (Hegseth, while still defending the order, has said it was given by Admiral Mitch Bradley and not himself.)
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who has been sounding the alarm on the drug strikes for weeks, had an even harsher message.
“[Hegseth] acted like he didn’t even know it happened,” Paul told Everett. “He said it was fake news yesterday. And today: ‘It happened.’ I would think someone needs to hold someone’s feet to the fire.'”
Meanwhile, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) expressed his fury over the Hernández pardon.
“I’m a doctor,” said Cassidy. “I have worked in a hospital for the uninsured. I have seen people die of cocaine that this guy may have helped bring in.”
All of this comes as a retiring battleground state senator, Thom Tillis (R-NC), has proclaimed that whoever was behind the double-tap order should “get the hell out” of Washington.
Mchunu Isn’t Here To Play: Advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi Leads Mchunu’s Legal Defense at Inquiry.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has officially arrived at the Madlanga Commission to give his long-awaited testimony. He is accompanied by a full legal team, led by one of South Africa’s most prominent advocates, Thembeka Ngcukaitobi SC.
Before proceedings began, Mchunu’s attorneys requested permission to re-examine him once his testimony is complete — and the commission has agreed.
Mchunu is appearing to respond to allegations that he interfered in policing matters, claims that have dominated the inquiry over the past few days.
What do you think his legal team is preparing for?
NIGERIA’S DEFENCE MINISTER RESIGNS AMID SURGE IN MASS KIDNAPPINGS
By: DW Africa
Nigeria’s Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has resigned for health reasons, according to the presidential spokesperson.
His departure comes amid a sharp rise in mass kidnappings, including a church attack in Kogi state where a pastor and several worshipers were abducted, and the kidnapping of about 30 women—among them a bride and wedding guests—in Sakoko.
Around 490 people have been kidnapped across several states in the past two weeks. Former Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa is reportedly set to replace Abubakar.
Esau Daison Kachinga, pastor of Life Changers Church, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for sexually assaulting three women who went to his home to pray.
One victim said she visited Kachinga on September 17, 2025, to pray for her husband, who is imprisoned in Chipata, Zambia.
She was told to bring an unopened bottle of water but was taken to a room and raped under the guise of a prayer session.
Kachinga denied all charges during the trial, but three witnesses testified against him, leading to his conviction.
Justice Godfrey Nyirenda condemned the Victim Support Unit at Mchinji Police Station for attempting to bribe the victim with K150,000, which she refused and reported.
Nyirenda ruled that Kachinga’s actions violated sections 132 and 133 of the Criminal Procedure Code and deserved strict punishment.
The sentence was meant to warn other men and protect women from similar abuse.
Officials at the Mchinji Social Welfare Office welcomed the verdict, praising the role of justice in supporti
The conservative National Review is urging Donald Trump to pump the brakes on a possible invasion of Venezuela.
In an opinion piece from the editors published Tuesday, they wrote that they agree that the regime of Nicolás Maduro needs to be ended — but it has to be done the right way and with the support of American voters and Congress.
As it stands, Trump has been making the case that an invasion of Venezuela is necessary because of the government’s involvement in the drug trade and over accusations of stealing the last election.
Those are all valid points, the editors wrote before adding, “The end of Nicolás Maduro’s regime, and its replacement by a democratically elected alternative, would be an unambiguous boon to the United States.”
But they cautioned the saber-rattling president to be cautious before creating a new foreign entanglement.
“While the Trump administration’s current anti-Maduro policy is highly threatening to the regime, at the same time it is vague and contradictory,” they wrote before recommending, “If President Trump intends to use military force to topple Maduro, or coerce him into exile, he should go to Congress to ask for an authorization for the use of military force.”
The editors said a major hurdle that the president must clear is getting buy-in not only from Congress but also from voters.
“He should do this not only because such a request would place the decision to declare war, in both the spirit and the letter of our Constitution, where it belongs — Congress — but because this administration has made no sustained effort to explain to the American people why Venezuela’s current government warrants removal at the cost of American treasure and, very possibly, American lives,” they explained.
Stating they are “open” to arguments for an invasion, they added, “None of these arguments excuse the president from his duty to fully explain to the American people the reason for his actions, the possible alternatives and why they are insufficient, and his plan to see it all through to the end.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom has once more mocked Donald Trump, this time with a “memorandum” billing him as the “healthiest person alive”.
Newsom made the hilarious claim through an official statement which ripped apart the president’s shorter working days and alleged inability to stay awake during meetings. The statement, posted to the Governor Newsom Press Office account, mocked Trump for standing “like the leaning Tower of Pisa” and used the president’s own rhetoric to jokingly claim Newsom is “the healthiest person alive and ever to live.”
The statement reads, “As part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s annual physical, we conducted advanced imaging of his cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neurological health. I’m pleased to report that nothing about the Governor’s health is merely ‘normal’. Governor Newsom remains the healthiest human currently alive or recorded in medical history.”
Newsom’s statement would go on to hit out at Trump, whose White House press team had released a similar-sounding statement bragging about the “excellent health” of the president. The 79-year-old Commander in Chief recently confirmed he would release his MRI results, though when pressed by reporters for what the test had scanned, Trump couldn’t recall.
He told reporters on Air Force One, “It was just an MRI. What part of the body? It wasn’t the brain because I took a cognitive test and I aced it.”
Newsom’s press office statement adds, “We’ll simply note that Governor Newsom completes full workdays without falling asleep in meetings, does not require ‘executive time’ to lie down and watch TV during work hours, and is able to stand upright without looking like the leaning Tower of Pisa.”
“If a side-by-side health chart were released, we recommend redacting it for the President’s emotional well-being. Governor Newsom remains the healthiest person alive and ever to live. Please direct follow-up questions to my office.”
The office in question would be that of Dr. Dolittle, the fictional character from the children’s book series written by Hugh Lofting. It’s clear that Governor Newsom has little time for Trump’s health claims, making a mockery of repeated statements from the White House over the president’s health.
Newsom’s press team also joked he had such a steady resting heart rate that he was asked “if he was ‘meditating or just naturally enlightened'”. Captain Sean Barbabella released the MRI results earlier today, suggesting Trump “shows excellent health” for a 79-year-old.
