Nigeria has the 4th largest defense budget in Africa. The military budget of Nigeria is $4.53 billion.
Nigeria has the 3rd strongest military in Africa
Nigeria has approximately 230,000 active military personnel, making it one of the largest militaries in Africa. This number includes personnel from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force and is sometimes cited alongside paramilitary forces.
The Nigerian military uses a wide array of weapons, including modern aircraft like the JF-17 Thunder and A-29 Super Tucano, armored vehicles such as the VT-4 main battle tank and Ezugwu MRAPs, and various infantry weapons from domestically produced rifles like the DG 103 to imported machine guns like the FN MAG and sniper rifles such as the Barrett M82A1.
The country also has a significant arsenal of artillery, like the Palmaria 155mm self-propelled howitzer, and naval assets like the NNS Aradu frigate.
Algeria has the second strongest military in Africa
Algeria is Africa’s largest defense spender. Algeria has a defense budget of about $25 billion more than the GDD of some African countries
Algeria has approximately 325,000 active military personnel. In addition to the active force, Algeria has a large reserve of around 135,000 personnel and significant paramilitary forces, which increases its total military strength to over 610,000 soldiers, according to the Global Firepower Index.
The Algerian military uses a diverse range of weapons, primarily sourced from Russia and China, including Russian T-90S and T-72 tanks, Su-30MKA and MiG-29 fighter jets, and Iskander-E ballistic missiles.
For infantry, they use licensed AK-series rifles, while their navy is equipped with Kilo-class submarines, MEKO A200 frigates, and C-28A corvettes.
South Africa is the 4th strongest military in Africa. The country is one of the continent’s strongest military powers, with diverse strengths.
South Africa is ranked 6th in Africa in terms of defense spending. It has a defense budget of $2.3 billion .
South Africa has approximately 71,235 active military personnel, according to 2025 data from sources like Global Firepower and BusinessTech.
The South African military uses a wide variety of weapons, including locally manufactured Vektor R4 assault rifles and SS-77 machine guns, as well as a range of other small arms, artillery, and armored vehicles.
Their arsenal also includes pistols like the Vektor SP1 and Glock 17, and heavier weapons such as the M2 Browning machine gun and G6 Rhino self-propelled howitzer.
Ethiopia is the 5th strongest military in Africa.It is a key military player in the Horn of Africa with substantial personnel and resources.
Ethiopia is ranked 7th in Africa in terms of defense spending with a budget of about $2.1 billion .
Ethiopia has approximately 162,000 active military personnel.
Some sources from 2025 cite a much higher figure of around 503,000 active personnel, but Global Firepower and other recent reports specify 162,000 active personnel, making it one of the largest militaries in Africa. The military also has a reserve force, though figures vary, with some sources stating 138,000 reservists
The Ethiopian military uses a diverse range of weapons, including modern systems from countries like Russia and China, as well as a significant amount of Soviet-era equipment from its past.
This mix includes tanks, fighter jets (such as Su-25s and MiG-23s), advanced drones, artillery, and electronic warfare systems like the Pantsir S-2 and Krasukha. The military also produces some of its own small arms and ammunition.
Morocco is taking a big leap toward sustainable transport with a massive $7.8 billion clean mobility plan set to overhaul public transportation by 2029.
Casablanca-Settat is leading the transformation with major investments in modern buses, expanded tram networks, and new rail links.
Authorities say air quality has already improved between 2023 and 2025 thanks to reduced private car use — a sign that cleaner mobility is already making an impact.
The project fits into Morocco’s national climate strategy and positions the country as one of Africa’s leaders in sustainable mobility.
Unjustified Absence from Osimhen and Salah … While Hakimi Shows Real Respect!
It’s disappointing that top players like Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah chose not to attend the CAF Ballon d’Or ceremony, despite being nominees and major stars of African football. Their absence sends a negative message, as if African awards don’t hold the same value they give to European ones.
On the other hand, Achraf Hakimi has shown an exceptional level of commitment and respect.
He attended the ceremony in 2023 and 2024, even though he didn’t win in those years. Yet he never skipped the event, never complained, and never undervalued it. Instead, he proved that he sees African football as a source of pride, not just a formality. ✨
Here’s the contrast:
Stars like Osimhen and Salah didn’t show up, even in years they were strong contenders.
A world-class player like Hakimi kept showing up two years in a row, without winning, simply out of respect for Africa and its football community.
This makes Hakimi a true role model — professionalism isn’t only about what happens on the pitch, but also about respecting the continent that shaped these players.
Do some stars lower the value of the event by not attending? Maybe. But Hakimi’s presence alone raises the value of the award and the entire continent. ⭐
Opposition Patriotic Front PF Member Emmanuel Mwamba Apologizes For Posting An Artificial Intelligence AI Generated Picture Of Given Lubinda In The Hospital
He Writes
Family I apologize for the still picture of Hon. Given Lubinda allegedly being in hospital..I was live and the pic was sent to me live on the forum. I uploaded it. Perils of live broadcast..I should have verified.
It was sent to me by a member from Kabwe and I was online…my lapse. That photo is not that of Hon Given Lubinda. I apologize..
But thank you for your concerns and calls. Let’s focus on the attack and abduction.
MUMBI PHIRI CALLS FOR END TO SELECTION OF FEMALE RUNNING MATES IN ELECTIONS
Former Patriotic Front –PF- Deputy Secretary General Mumbi Phiri has called for an end to the trend of selecting women as running mates in general elections, citing the poor conduct and inadequate performance of some female leaders.
Mrs. Phiri believes the confidence that once surrounded women’s participation in top leadership roles has diminished due to the behavior of some women currently occupying high offices.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mrs. Phiri points to the contrast between current office-bearers and earlier generations of women who she considers to have carried themselves with stronger integrity, education, and professionalism.
She has cited examples of current female leaders in influential positions whose behavior has undermined the standard previously set by women who held senior roles in government, the judiciary, and public institutions.
Mrs. Phiri argues that the failure to uphold dignity and responsibility in high office has reversed the gains made toward achieving gender parity in political leadership and has advised political parties to prioritize competence and integrity over gender when selecting running mates in next year’s elections.
EDITORIAL | The UPND Cadre Crisis Now a Governance Problem
The United Party for National Development entered government on the promise of ending cadre lawlessness. It was central to its message. It was central to its legitimacy. It was central to the social contract President Hakainde Hichilema made with ordinary citizens who had grown tired of fear, disorder and political intimidation. Four years later, that promise is collapsing under the weight of the party’s own indiscipline, fractured communication and alarming tolerance for violent behaviour carried out in its name.
The attack on former Justice Minister Given Lubinda in Kabwe has exposed a deeper crisis inside the ruling party. The first official reaction came from Kabwe UPND Acting Youth Chairperson Kelvin Mwangala who confirmed in a video that the cadres who brutalised Lubinda were UPND youths who felt “provoked” by his internal meeting. He stated that police intervened and rescued Lubinda. In that moment, the ruling party’s defence line collapsed. The first ruling party official to speak, Kabwata MP Andrew Tayengwa, tried to shift blame by saying criminals use UPND regalia to commit crimes. But the video circulating shows at least one man in a UPND shirt among those dragging and assaulting Lubinda.
There was no coherent response from the party afterwards. Instead, UPND descended into disarray. Mwangala issued an AI generated statement overnight claiming he had been misquoted. Don Mwenda released a long internal memo condemning UPND youths for attacking Lubinda and demanding public arrests.
UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe went on television disowning Mwangala and saying the party does not know him. Now the public must believe that a man who has held mobilisation meetings for months, wearing party fabric and appearing on camera as “Acting Youth Chairman Kabwe”, is a stranger to the party.
The contradictions do not stop there. Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu says the police will investigate and there will be no sacred cows. The same police are still “investigating” the PF Secretariat violence. They are still “investigating” the Chingola stoning of the President.
Every major outbreak of violence linked to UPND youths ends in the same holding pattern. No arrests. No court appearances. No clarity.
Even within the ruling party, truth has become dependent on factional convenience. When the PF Secretariat was attacked last week, Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said the violence had nothing to do with UPND. He said it was PF fighting PF. Hours later, UPND National Youth Chairman Gilbert Liswaniso contradicted him, admitting that the attackers were UPND youths from Kanyama and George compounds.
Three days later, UPND cadres in Kabwe again appeared in videos attacking an opposition leader. The public no longer has to guess where the violence is coming from.
The larger problem is not Lubinda. It is not Chingola. It is not the PF Secretariat. The larger problem is a ruling party that has lost control of its own youth structures. The President issued a clear warning against cadre behaviour two months ago. That warning has been ignored. Cadres now believe they can regulate meetings, police gatherings and punish opponents. They have taken the law into their own hands because there is no disciplined communication chain inside the party.
Every member with a phone now speaks for UPND. Every branch has its own microphone. Every statement contradicts the next one.
This crisis has arrived at a politically dangerous time. The cost of living is high. Load shedding is intense. The patience of ordinary supporters is thin. President Hichilema acknowledged recently that his leadership has failed to stabilise the energy sector. Citizens accepted the honesty but expected course correction. Instead, they are now being confronted with a surge in cadre violence that looks like a return to the same culture they rejected in 2021.
Many UPND supporters who are not cadres are embarrassed. They joined the ruling party because they wanted decency, discipline and a break from the criminality of the PF era. Today, they are watching their own youths behave like a parallel police force. They are watching leaders contradict each other on national television. They are watching a pattern of violence followed by excuses, denial, silence and confused press statements. Their disappointment is real.
The UPND government must now understand that this is no longer a communication problem. It is a governance problem. The longer the party hides behind “investigations,” the more the public will believe that cadres are being protected. The longer it takes to arrest violent members, the more the public will conclude that cadre violence has official blessing. And the longer the party keeps denying obvious facts caught on camera, the more credibility it will lose heading into 2026.
The President promised a disciplined party and a disciplined country. That promise is being undermined by the silence of those who know the truth and the recklessness of those who act with impunity. If the ruling party does not enforce discipline now, it will face consequences not from the opposition but from its own supporters who expected better.
This is the moment for decisive action, not contradictions. Zambia cannot afford another era where cadres decide who meets, who speaks and who gets beaten. The country voted for change. The UPND must prove it still remembers why.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY JAMES GRACIOUS NTALASHA, CENTRAL PROVINCE UPND YOUTH CHAIRMAN
As the UPND Youth Wing in Central Province, we wish to categorically clarify that we have not identified any individual or political affiliation from the circulating videos and photos. The footage does not clearly show whether those involved belong to the UPND, the PF, or any other political organization. Therefore, any attempt to attribute the incident to our party is misleading and unfounded.
We strongly condemn all forms of violence, no matter who is involved. Violence has no place in our society or our political space. As a party in government, our responsibility is to maintain peace, protect all citizens, and uphold the values of democracy. His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia and leader of the UPND, has also condemned this behaviour. As Zambians, we must all respect the President’s guidance and stand firmly against any acts that threaten the peace and unity of our nation.
Regarding the matter involving our senior opposition leader, we acknowledge and respect his long-standing service to the country. However, protocol must always be followed. If he felt he did not require a police permit for his activities, he should have, at the very least, notified the District Commissioner about his programme. Many of us were not aware of his presence in the area until information began circulating about what had transpired. Following established procedures is necessary to maintain order and ensure the safety of all citizens.
We value life, coexistence, and democratic expression. A government without a functioning opposition is a weak one, and we embrace the norms of democracy that allow divergent views to thrive. Zambia is a democratic nation, and we must all uphold the principles that protect our peace and unity.
As we move forward, we want to see a Zambia where peace and unity are strengthened, not undermined. We urge all citizens, especially political actors, to refrain from inflammatory statements and actions that endanger our country’s stability.
Finally, we wish to clarify the misinformation circulating online. The individual by the name Don Mwenda is not a UPND Youth Leader at the provincial level and does not hold any position within our youth structures. Any statement he has issued was done purely in his individual capacity and does not represent the position of the UPND. We urge the public and the media to treat his remarks accordingly.
No one should rush to issue statements to the media without clearance from the relevant authorities. Proper communication channels must always be respected to avoid misleading the public.
Issued by: James Gracious Ntalasha Central Province Youth Chairman United Party for National Development (UPND) Date: 19th November 2025
RESPONSE TO HON. JACK MWIIMBU’S STATEMENT ON THE ABDUCTION AND BRUTALISING OF HON. LUBINDA BY UPND CADRES IN KABWE
By Thandiwe Ketiš Ngoma
A Hollow Call for an Investigation: Zambians Are Not Fooled by Performative Outrage
It is difficult for Zambians to take Hon. Mwiimbu’s announcement seriously. Calling for an “urgent investigation” is meaningless when the events that unfolded in Kabwe appear to have happened under the full watch, and possibly even the silent approval, of those in authority.
How can the same system that allegedly allowed cadres to drag, beat, and abduct a national leader suddenly pretend to be shocked? How can the same leadership that has tolerated the rise of cadreship now act as though they are surprised by its consequences?
This feels less like a genuine search for truth and more like political damage control. Zambians are not blind. We have seen the pattern. We have witnessed the growing boldness of cadres. We have heard senior leaders declare that cadreship is back.
Claiming urgency only after public outrage rings hollow.
If this violence was truly condemned by those in power, it would never have been allowed to escalate to this level. What happened in Kabwe does not look like a failure of intelligence. It looks like the result of a toxic political environment that has been allowed, tolerated, and even encouraged.
Until there is real accountability, and not performative statements, Zambians will continue to believe that these investigations are nothing more than a waste of time, because the violence we saw today did not happen without someone’s blessing.
The United States has announced the delivery of the first doses of Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug developed by American pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, to Zambia and Eswatini.
The milestone marks a major step in a global health initiative aimed at curbing the spread of HIV in high-burden countries.
The delivery is part of a market-shaping initiative under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, Gilead Sciences, and the Global Fund to Fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The initiative, first announced on September 4, 2025, aims to distribute at least 2 million doses of Lenacapavir, at cost, to targeted populations across ten countries with high HIV prevalence.
U.S. officials were on the ground in Zambia and Eswatini to oversee the arrival of the first shipments. With strong demand and rapid progress in manufacturing, the partners expect to exceed the 2 million–dose commitment by the 2028 target date.
Lenacapavir, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 18, 2025, is a twice-yearly injectable drug that demonstrated over 99% efficacy in clinical trials.
Jeremy Lewin, Senior Official for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom, said the drug is a standard for global access to innovative therapies.
Meanwhile, Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, emphasized the importance of community-centered delivery, adding that real results will come from rapidly reaching individuals at high risk for new HIV acquisition and at scale.
Further, Daniel O’Day, Chairman and CEO of Gilead Sciences, hailed the moment as historic, as it reflects commitment to supporting those with the greatest need.
With Zambia among the first recipients, the country is poised to play a leading role in the rollout of Lenacapavir across the region — offering renewed hope in the fight against HIV/AIDS. #SunFmTvNews
EXPLAINER | Lubinda Abduction Fallout: What We Know, What is Conflicting & the Explosion
The scenes from Kabwe have plunged the ruling UPND into its most damaging public-relations crisis since the Chingola stoning incident. A senior opposition figure, Acting PF President Given Lubinda, was beaten and dragged out of a lodge by a group of men. One of them is visibly wearing a UPND T-shirt. The video is circulating widely. The backlash is immediate, fierce and politically costly.
This is the clearest case in months where competing narratives from UPND leaders, PF officials, Cabinet ministers and MPs have created a storm that can no longer be contained. Our team has tracked the statements, the claims, the counter-claims and the public mood. Here is the state of play.
First Official UPND Reaction: “People Are Using Our Regalia To Commit Crimes.”
Kabwata MP Andrew Tayengwa was the first ruling party figure to comment. His words have added heat rather than control.
He wrote: “PF is a serious criminal organisation. Ba UPND wake up. People are using your regalia to commit serious crimes and you are quiet. These moves are well calculated to discredit this government.”
His defence rests on a single point: UPND regalia does not mean UPND authorship. But the video shows the attackers moving in a coordinated manner, targeting Lubinda with force, not a random provocation. Tayengwa’s tone has angered even pro-UPND accounts who feel the party should have shown restraint, not accusation.
Second UPND Position: “Lubinda Had No Police Permit.”
Kelvin Mwangala, Acting UPND Kabwe District Youth Chairperson, escalated the confusion. He admitted that UPND cadres acted out of anger because Lubinda was holding a meeting “without a police permit.”
Kelvin said: “The cadres were provoked. Police rescued Lubinda.”
This is the closest UPND has come to indirect admission of cadre involvement. Instead of distancing the party, Kelvin’s explanation has reinforced the narrative of ruling party vigilantism, raising the question: Who gave UPND youths authority to enforce the Public Order Act?
Third UPND Voice With Backlash
UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe posted a sarcastic line suggesting that Lubinda “has been beaten before,” referring to an older PF-on-PF assault when Lubinda was still in government. It has backfired heavily.
Simuuwe wrote: “This is not the first time cadres are beating Lubinda.”
At a time when visuals show real violence, this tone has fed anger and made UPND appear insensitive.
⚖️ The Minister’s Position: Damage Control
Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu has issued the most credible ruling-party response, calling for investigations and warning against political violence.
He said: “There will be no sacred cows. Anyone found to have broken the law will face the full force of justice. Honourable Given Lubinda is safe and was rescued by police.”
This statement acknowledges the incident and calms the temperature. But it does not resolve the contradictions between the minister’s position and the earlier statements from Tayengwa, Kelvin and Simuuwe.
Opposition Voices Strike Back Hard
Citizens First leader Harry Kalaba condemned the attack, calling it a national threat. He posted: “If you allow this thuggery and political abductions to continue, soon there will be no Zambia left for any of us to live in.”
Antonio Mwanza of the DPP added: “This reflects a climate of impunity fuelled by the President’s own inflammatory rhetoric.”
PF MPs have added more pressure. Bwacha MP Sydney Mushanga said: “Kabwe represents peace and unity. To see our own brothers armed to attack fellow citizens is shameful.”
Brian Mundubile, another PF heavyweight, told the media: “Lubinda has been abducted by suspected UPND cadres.”
Social Media Split Down the Middle
The reaction online shows two dominant positions:
• UPND supporters claim the incident is either staged or part of a PF faction war, noting that Lubinda has been under internal pressure for weeks. • PF supporters call it evidence of a ruling party sliding into lawlessness.
This split is worsened by the fact that only one attacker wore UPND regalia, allowing both sides to push their preferred version.
Key Question: Who Benefits Politically?
The PF convention is days away. Lubinda is under criticism for appointing Dr Chitalu Chilufya and Chanda Katotombwe to the Central Committee. Davies Mwila and the Mundubile camp have rejected these appointments as illegal. There are claims Lubinda is trying to tilt the convention in his favour.
Those pushing the “staged” angle argue that the attack distracts from PF’s internal chaos. Those pushing the “UPND thuggery” angle argue that ruling party cadres wanted to disrupt PF political activity in Kabwe.
At this stage, both theories remain unproven. What is confirmed is this: violence occurred, Lubinda was dragged and beaten, police intervened, and UPND leaders are contradicting each other.
Where the Police Stand: The Zambia Police Service has not yet released an official incident report. But the Minister’s confirmation that police saved Lubinda indicates action was taken on the ground.
The public is watching whether arrests will follow. Failure to act will deepen the perception that ruling party cadres operate with immunity.
Bottom Line
This incident has done more damage to UPND’s image than any PF press conference could achieve. It has revived the spectre of caderism. It has created confusion within UPND messaging. It has given oxygen to PF factions. It has set up a dangerous precedent of political vigilantism.
This developing story will shift quickly. The People’s Brief will continue tracking police statements, UPND clarifications and eyewitness accounts as they emerge.
NEWS UPDATE | CHINESE PREMIER LI QIANG ARRIVES IN LUSAKA
China’s Premier Li Qiang landed in Lusaka this evening, opening a rare high-level visit that underscores Beijing’s intention to reinforce its economic and strategic footprint in Zambia.
It is the first visit by a Chinese premier in nearly 28 years and comes at a moment when Zambia is emerging from a major debt restructuring and drawing renewed global attention.
Vice President W.K. Mutale-Nalumango received Premier Li at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and issued a brief statement highlighting the weight of the visit.
“It gives me great honour and profound satisfaction to announce the arrival of His Excellency Mr. Li Qiang,” she said.
“His presence is a testament to the enduring friendship between Zambia and China and our commitment to strengthening cooperation and advancing the prosperity of our peoples.”
She noted that the relationship remains one of Zambia’s most consequential partnerships.
“As we welcome Premier Li Qiang, we recognise the deep historical ties that bind our nations and the opportunities ahead in trade, investment, infrastructure and cultural exchange.”
Her remarks closed with a nod to long-term cooperation.
“May this visit serve as a beacon of partnership and a reminder that when nations walk together in solidarity, they pave the way for peace, progress and sustainable development.”
Premier Li’s visit is expected to produce new agreements across mining, energy, logistics and industrial development, with both governments framing the mission as a reset for the next decade of Zambia-China relations.
More details are expected as formal talks begin tomorrow.
CLEMENT TEMBO CONDEMNS VIOLENT ATTACK AGAINST PF TONSE ALLIANCE ACTING CHAIRMAN, HON. GIVEN LUBINDA
I, cLEMENT TEMBO* , Kabwata Constituency Aspiring Member Of Parliament Candidate, condemn in the strongest terms the violent attack and beating of PF Tonse Alliance Acting Chairman, Hon. Given Lubinda, by suspected UPND cadres.
This shameful act is an assault on democracy, an attack on political freedoms, and a dangerous threat to Zambia’s long-standing culture of peace and coexistence. No citizen, regardless of political affiliation, should ever be subjected to violence for participating in the democratic process. Zambia’s democracy thrives when ideas compete not fists.
Our Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, association and political participation. These rights must be respected and protected by all, including those in power.
Political violence has no place in our society. Political intimidation has no justification. And political differences must never translate into physical harm.
I call upon Law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and bring the perpetrators to justice without fear or favour.
The UPND leadership to strongly denounce this behaviour and discipline violent elements within their ranks.
All political parties to recommit to peaceful, issue-based politics as we safeguard the integrity of our democratic space.
The Opposition must be allowed to operate freely, safely and with dignity. A democracy where violence is normalised is a democracy in danger.
Let this unfortunate incident remind us that Zambia is bigger than partisan interests. We owe future generations a peaceful, tolerant, and democratic nation. I stand firmly against any form of political violence.
I stand for democracy. And I stand for a peaceful Zambia.
CHARLES CHANDA CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY FROM UPND GOVERNMENT AFTER ABDUCTION OF PF LEADER
United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) leader Charles Chanda is demanding that the UPND-led government takes responsibility for the reckless behavior of its cadres.
His comments come after the abduction of opposition Patriotic Front (PF) acting President Given Lubinda by UPND cadres in Kabwe on Wednesday. Lubinda was later rescued by the police.
Chanda expressed his deep concern over the incident, saying, “This is not just an attack on one person; it is an attack on democracy in Zambia. The government must be held accountable for the actions of their cadres.”
He criticized the UPND for making excuses instead of addressing the issue. “Words from those in power are heard as instructions. What these leaders say matters, and when they do not condemn violence, it can encourage such behavior,” he added.
The UPPZ leader emphasized the need for a peaceful political environment. “We all have a right to express our views without fear. It is the duty of the government to ensure safety for everyone, including those in the opposition,” Chanda stated.
He also called for unity among political parties, urging them to work towards a common goal. “Zambia needs peace and stability for development. We cannot allow the actions of a few to threaten our future,” he said.
My Speech to the 5th Pan-African Congress in Accra, Ghana.
Greetings dear Comrades!
Following the footsteps of the apostles of our independence struggles, making the journey made by Kenneth Kaunda, Julius Nyerere, Jomo Kenyatta, Patrice Lumumba, and other leaders of our national liberation struggles, we are today here in Accra, Ghana on a pilgrimage to come and renew our faith in an idea that has refused to die, that will never die since it was born in the early 1900s. This is the idea of Pan Africanism.
This is the idea of uniting our struggles and our peoples against colonialism and neocolonialism, imperialism, discrimination, and marginalisation of Africans wherever they may be, and for political, economic, and social self-determination – sovereignty. Kwame Nkrumah is with us here today. He is very much present here today. He lives in us, and he will always be with us in these struggles.
Our strategic objective is the eventual unification of Africa and all Africans. But this unification of Africa is impossible without total independence, without total sovereignty of our nations. Colonies or neocolonies, bantustans – nations that are controlled by others, nations led by puppets of imperialism can not give us the unity Pan-Africanism is seeking.
Meaningful regional integration, which truly benefits our people and not just transnational corporations and imperialist nations, is not possible without first regaining our sovereignty and substantially increasing patriotism in our nations. When neocolonial nations unite, that unity only benefits the neocoloniser. We saw how neocolonial states were nearly mobilised and unleashed on the Sahel to fight, and blockade nations struggling regain their sovereignty, national honour, and dignity.
These countries – Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso – need our support and need our solidarity. They are under attack. Again, as it was in the beginning after the triumph of the October 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, we have no alternative but to turn to the Russian people for help in defending our sovereignty, our independence and our right to development. And as it was after the triumph of the Chinese Revolution in 1949, we have no sensible alternative but to seek the support and solidarity of the Chinese people to defend our sovereignty, independence and our right to development.
Let’s also not forget the support and solidarity that has always been extended to us by the Cuban Revolution. Venezuela’s Bolivarian Revolution’s support and solidarity, even these very challenging times, can not be ignored.
Without pause or improvisation, let’s unite to struggle for our sovereignty, national honour, and dignity on our way to a United Africa.
As per the lyrics of the Zambian national anthem,
“Africa is our own motherland, Fashion’d with and blessed by God’s good hand, Let us all her people join as one, Brothers under the sun. All one, strong and free…”
Aluta continua!
Fred M’membe President of the Socialist Party [Zambia]
SATA’S DEATH MADE ECL AN ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT It is and was only true that president Lungu had no vision for Zambia, because even himself never knew that he would be president.
By the time Sata was sick, PF had many Ministers who were more deserving and popular to be presidents than Edgar Chagwa Lungu (ECL). ECL was not even close to them. Even Sata himself knew that ECL would never be president.
Analytically speaking, a sitting president would never appoint someone with presidential aspirations to be Minister of Defense and later acting president. The exact reason why Sata had forced GBM to resign as Minister of Defense and appointed ECL as a replacement. Sata was later, able to let ECL act as president, because he knew that ECL was not a threat to him.
You didn’t get that? God doesn’t use the obvious.
The funny part is that ECL’s political journey is not different from that of HH. Lungu was a very consistent personality. He tried to contest the Chawama MP seat, for a long time without giving up.
In 1996 he stood on the Independent ticket but lost to Christon Tembo who stood on the MMD. 2 years later, in 1998 UPND was formed and ECL joined the party. When Sata formed Patriotic Front (PF) in 2001, ECL left UPND and joined PF. He contested the Chawama seat again in 2001, this time on the PF ticket, but lost; coming out 7th out of the 11 candidates who participated in that election. Fast-forward, in 2011 when Sata won as president, ECL had also won as Chawama Member of Parliament-on the PF ticket. ECL later served as Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Justice and Minister of Defense.
Lungu’s loyalty is seen not only in his appointments but also joining political parties before they were popular. He joined political parties, just when they were formed.
After Sata’s death Miles Sampa tried to play the administrator of the deceased kind of politics, “this is my Uncle’s party, I must be the next PF president.” But, people knew how selfish Sampa was/would be if he were given that chance. So, they made sure to make his way to presidency impossible.
Nonetheless, the 2014 PF conventions were split into two parallel disputed gatherings: each, electing a different leader.
The two were, the Edgar Lungu’s Convention and Miles Sampa’s Convention. The ECL’s convention had the likes of Inonge Wina, who was at the time the PF National Chairperson and Davies Chama was appointed at this very convention as the new Secretary General (SG). The Sampa’s convention had Guy Scott (then vice president and acting president) who officially opened it.
GBM and Robert Sichinga were some of the party presidential hopeful, present. Chishimba Kambwili, Given Lubinda, Wilbur Simuusa and Christine Kaseba were also vying for the party presidency from this end, but were not present. Daniel Munkombwe was the chairperson at this convention.
On the ECL’s side, ECL went unopposed, and was announced legitimate PF party president while on the other hand Sampa was announced winner and legitimate PF party president.
The party was divided. Later, the high court declared ECL as the duly elected PF presidential candidate, nullifying the results of the Miles Sampa convention.
I believe you are following. The real division in PF started here, in 2014.
Anyway, disputes were resolved, PF was once again a complete piece. Because the people of Zambia loved Sata so much, the PF went round campaigning for ECL saying that he was the one Sata had chosen before his demise, to lead the PF party and country. The people of Zambia reciprocated with their emotional votes. In the 2015 elections, ECL won as president, beating HH and the others.
Miles Sampa’s bitterness may be coming from genuine grounds, especially that Sata was his uncle and possibly knew more about his illness. I believe he had even started preparing to take over from Sata earlier than ECL and others. Anyway, after ECL won as president, many political careers ended. Especially, for those whose names were appearing at Miles Sampa’s side of a convention.
One thing one would never take away from ECL is that he courageously continued from where Sata left and saw most of the projects Sata started coming to completion. From visionless to visionary, ECL knew that the people who would come after him would not remember him; so, he built the most expensive technical school in Petauke and named it: EDGAR LUNGU NATIONAL STEM SECONDARY SCHOOL. As if that wasn’t enough, he built the most beautiful shopping mall in Zambia, on the Copperbelt, in Kitwe and named it: EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU MALL. He expanded and upgraded Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. Talk of schools.
President ECL initiated the construction of many district hospitals, 115 mini-hospitals and etc, across the country. He was simply: the king of infrastructure. He kept the Patriotic Front together, too. That’s why when he saw PF dividing, he forced himself back to active politics. He was a father figure. ECL loved his country and it’s people.
I bet when you are scared of making mistakes, you make many and it becomes difficult to develop a country. ECL was calm, but fearless. ECL is actually, the least appreciate president: while alive and in his death, but: with his flaws on, he turns out to be one of the best Presidents, Zambia, has, ever, had.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ children are reportedly lawyering up to seize control of his $400M fortune, from his mother, Janice Combs.
As the National Enquirer reports, family sources says Diddy’s seven children are hiring a lawyer for a bid in his assets.
“This could turn into an all-out war,” warns one insider. “You’ve got massive egos and hundreds of millions on the line. It’s not just going to get ugly, it’s going to get explosive.”
Diddy’s children include Quincy, 34; Justin, 31; Christian, 27; Chance, 19; twins Jessie and D’Lila, 18; and the youngest, Love.
While they children fight to get a piece of the fortune, something they’ve already inherited is his lavish lifestyle.
From son Christian ‘King’ Combs’ wild partying to D’Lila and Jessie’s luxurious vacations and celebrity pals, none of the disgraced rapper’s children have shown any sign of changing their lifestyles since Diddy’s incarceration.
Since his arrest in Sept 2024, Diddy’s private jet has seen California, Hawaii, Texas, Florida and several other states, as well as Mexico, Italy, India, Ireland, Canada and St. Martin.
“Jet fuel ain’t cheap,” a source said per The Post. “Every other day, these kids are getting on Puff’s jet, and every time they do that, it costs him thousands — just for the f–king fuel.”
Quincy also enjoyed some fun in the sun, while Chance rode horses along a sandy beach following a trip to an amusement park.
Diddy To Stay In Jail An Extra Month A source told the outlet that, in addition to the designer clothing and tropical vacations, they’ve been giving away cash to friends.
Last month, Diddy was sentenced to 50 months in prison with credit for approximately 14 months served.
While he’s doing time, Diddy reportedly has not yet given an institution power of attorney over his assets or transferred them into a living trust, says an attorney specializing in trusts and estates.
“That way, it’s less likely you’ll have emotional conflicts and conflicts of interests,” Massachusetts-based lawyer Matthew Erskine told the Enquirer.
Forbes last year estimated Diddy’s net worth at around $400 million, down from the $740 million he was worth in 2019.
One of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims has come out with a brutal statement about the convicted paedophile’s penis.
It’s been something of a common theme in recent weeks that some of the evil men dotted throughout history have had some issues with their genitals.
After extensive DNA tests, Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler was diagnosed with something known as Kallmann’s syndrome, which led historians to speculate that he might have had a micropenis, and may have even been a virgin when he died.
It was also confirmed in a new book by Sacramento district attorney Thien Ho that the Golden State Killer, Joseph James DeAngelo Jr, had a micropenis, and that actually played a huge part in bringing him to justice more than 30 years on from his spate of murders and rapes in the California area.
So, it’s perhaps not all that surprising that Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 as he awaited his federal sex-trafficking trial, was also said to have a ‘deformed’ penis.
Speaking out in an interview published shortly before the US Congress approved a measure to compel the US Justice Department to release all of the Epstein files, former Epstein victim Rina Oh has opened up about her horrifying experiences.
Oh spoke to journalist Tina Brown about what she witnessed after being groomed by the child sex offender, first suggesting that his relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell was ‘very awful’ and ‘very strange’.
She added: “I actually didn’t ever suspect that the two of them were having any type of a romantic relationship. I thought she was an associate of his, especially when I saw them fighting.
“Ghislaine was snickering at him in that British accent and they were throwing insults at each other. He took me and another girl to the tennis court at Mar-a-Lago, where Ghislaine was playing.
“He got her attention…and stood behind me and started humping me through my clothes.…He was shrieking and laughing, making fun of Ghislaine.”
Rina also went on to suggest that she was surprised Epstein could even enjoy penetrative sex, given the small size and odd shape of his seemingly microscopic member.
She said: “He had an extremely deformed penis.
“Some people have described it as the shape of an egg. I think it was more of the shape of a lemon, and it was really small when it was fully erect. It was probably like two inches.”
Donald Trump, who many have suggested could feature in the files given his previous friendship with Epstein, recently said that ‘we have nothing to hide’, while encouraging Republicans in the House of Representatives to vote for their release.
The president was called ‘borderline insane’ by Epstein in some newly-released emails and now hopefully it’s only a matter of time before we hear the truth about everything that is in the infamous files.
Trinidadian-US rapper Nicki Minaj has delivered a powerful speech about the allegations of Christians being persecuted and killed in Nigeria.
The mother of one teamed up with United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz to speak at the United Nations conference in New York on Tuesday, November 18.
Nicki, who rocked a form-fitting black dress to the event, began her speech by confessing that she was “very nervous” before she thanked Mike Waltz and President Donald Trump for prioritizing the issue in Nigeria.
“Thank you, Ambassador Waltz for this invitation. It is an honor to stand on this stage with you and the other speakers here today to shine a spotlight on the deadly threat faced by thousands of Christians in Nigeria, she said
“I would like to thank President Trump for prioritizing this issue and for his leadership on the global stage and calling for urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria to combat extremism and to bring a stop to violence for those who simply want to exercise their natural right to freedom of religion or belief,” she continued.
“Music has taken me around the globe. I have seen how people no matter their language, culture or religion, come alive when they hear a song that touches their soul. Religious freedom means we all can sing our faith regardless of who we are, where we live and what we believe. But today, faith is under attack in way too many places.”
The Queens native explained that the religious persecution “demands urgent action” from the U.S. government, but she also made sure to clarify this isn’t about “taking sides or dividing people,” it’s about “uniting humanity.”
“In Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes, and killed. Churches have been burned, families have been torn apart, and entire communities live in fear constantly simply because of how they pray,” she explained. “Sadly, this problem is not only a growing problem in Nigeria, but so many countries across the world and it demands urgent action. I want to be clear, protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity.”
In between her statement, Nicki praised her fanbase, “The Barbz,” for support, first acknowledging, “Nigeria is a beautiful nation with lots of beautiful Barbz that I can’t wait to see.”
“Barbz, I know you’re somewhere listening. I love you so very much. You’ve been the ultimate light in my life and career for so long,” she continued, before sending a strong message to anyone that has been opposed to her recent support of the Trump administration.
Minaj concluded: “I want to make it clear once again, this isn’t about taking sides. This is about standing up in the face of injustice. It’s about what I’ve always stood for my entire career and I will continue to stand for that for the rest of my life.”
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has once again raised the alarm over what it describes as systematic and sustained genocide against Christian communities across Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.
The organization declared that the evidence of targeted killings, mass displacements, and the destruction of settlements can no longer be ignoredd.
The President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the declaration yesterday in Jos, Plateau State, at the opening ceremony of the Fourth Quarterly National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association.
The event was hosted by the Plateau State government and brought together senior church leaders from across the federation.
Addressing the council, Archbishop Okoh said the Christian body “stands unwaveringly” by its long-held position that a Christian genocide is unfolding in Nigeria.
He stressed that years of coordinated attacks, unpunished massacres, and the forced displacement of indigenous Christian populations fit the pattern of intentional extermination.
“It would be a grave injustice to deny the painful reality of what has transpired. Lives have been brutally cut short, communities uprooted from their ancestral lands, families torn apart, churches razed, and hopes shattered,” Archbishop Okoh stated.
“CAN has spoken clearly and courageously on this matter, and we stand by our position that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria.”
He recalled his recent visit to Bokkos where thousands of Christians remain displaced after waves of violent attacks. The physical and emotional scars observed, he noted, underscored the scale of the tragedy, yet the resilience of the victims reflected the depth of their faith.
“We declare with one united voice: you are not forgotten. The Body of Christ stands firmly with you,” he assured the displaced.
The CAN President lamented that in many communities, entire villages have been levelled without justice. He noted that perpetrators continue to roam free, while victims have neither been compensated nor resettled.
The persistence of killings and kidnappings, he said, is evidence of a failure that demands national soul-searching.
Archbishop Okoh stated that international institutions have begun to take interest in Nigeria’s prolonged religious violence, a development he described as painful but necessary. “If international attention is what is required to spur decisive governmental action, then the Christian community in Nigeria welcomes it,” he said.
He called on the federal government to take immediate steps to stop the “senseless destruction of lives,” restore security, and ensure justice for persecuted communities.
He emphasized that the prolonged stay of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps is a moral indictment on the nation and a ticking humanitarian time bomb.
“No individual should ever be persecuted or killed on account of their faith. This humanitarian crisis must be addressed decisively to prevent further escalation,” the CAN leader said.
He concluded: “CAN will not relent. We will continue to demand justice, call for accountability, defend the vulnerable and advocate for peace and unity.”
The FIFA sanctions against Russia have motivated Putin to think of other ways to participate in entertainment tournaments. For this reason, Russia is working towards organizing an alternative world cup tournament to take place simultaneously with the FIFA world cup.
The new “alternative” competition could take place next summer simultaneously with the real World Cup in the United States.
The goal of this “World Cup” is to put pressure on FIFA to lift sanctions and allow Russia back into the qualification for the 2030 World Cup.
Countries rumoured to participate are Russia, Serbia, Greece, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Nigeria, Cameroon, China, North Korea and others.
Russia has the resources to make this happen considering they successfully hosted the 2018 world cup
aj has lost almost 1000, followers on X after addressing the United Nations on the ongoing gen0cide against Christians in Nigeria.
She left from 27.8M followers to 26.9M in less than 24 hours after her historic speech at the United Nations.
Nigerian Muslim influencers started spreading h8te speech against Nicki Minaj for standing against the k!llings of Christians by Muslim jihadists in Nigeria.
Nicki Minaj had laid emphasis on the need to save humanity regardless of how they pray or worship. She said “Protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people, it’s about uniting humanity”.
Why unfollow someone fighting for the well-being of humanity?
Kim Kardashian’s ex-boyfriend, Ray J sues her for leakîng their S£x-tape with his conscent and giving him just $20k even though the tape made millions of dollars.
Ray J claims that he and Kim filmed the s£x tape together and released it with everyone’s consent to make money and get more famous but she st0le from him.
Ray J is now seeking $1 million in dam@ges because his kids will have to watch that tape even though he made just $20k off it.
Violence has erupted in Zimbabwe as alleged security elements target activists and political leaders opposing moves to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure.
The crackdown has reportedly focused on high-profile figures, including opposition leaders Job Sikhala and Tendai Biti, who have publicly resisted the proposed term extension.
Eyewitnesses and reports indicate that the actions by security personnel have included intimidation, arrests, and physical assaults against those seen as opposing the government’s plan.
Civil society organizations have expressed alarm over the deteriorating political space, warning that such actions undermine democracy and threaten human rights in the country.
Opposition parties have vowed to continue their struggle, despite the increasing risks posed by government-aligned forces.
The United Nations and other international observers have urged restraint, calling on Zimbabwean authorities to uphold the rights of citizens to protest peacefully and participate in political life without fear.
The ongoing tensions highlight deepening divisions within Zimbabwean politics as the nation approaches a critical period regarding presidential succession and democratic governance.
Political analysts warn that continued repression could provoke wider unrest and further erode confidence in state institutions.
The High Court has delivered a landmark ruling declaring parts of Zimbabwe’s abortion law unconstitutional, finding that provisions of the Termination of Pregnancy Act violate several fundamental rights, particularly the rights of mentally ill women and victims of sexual abuse in mental health institutions.
Justice Slyvia Chirawu-Mugomba, handing down judgment, ruled that section 4(a) of the law governing the circumstances under which a pregnancy may be lawfully terminated:
“to the extent that it excludes mental health” fails to meet constitutional standards and unjustifiably limits key rights such as dignity, equality, and the right to health.
The applicants, the Community Working Group on Health and Member of Parliament Nyasha Batisa, challenged the constitutionality of the law, arguing that it discriminates against mentally ill women by permitting pregnancy termination only under narrow physical-health exceptions.
They sought declarations that both s 4(a) and the definition of “unlawful intercourse” in s 2(1) of the Act are unconstitutional.
In a detailed 25-page ruling, Justice Chirawu-Mugomba found that the law’s failure to recognise mental health as a basis for accessing safe and lawful abortion imposes a discriminatory and unconstitutional burden on women with mental health challenges.
The judge noted that the applicants had “well-articulated the impact of the exclusion of mental health as a ground to access safe abortion,” concluding:
“Therefore, s 4(a) in my view, to the extent that it excludes mental health, does not meet the standards enunciated in the constitution…
“It is clear that women with mental health challenges are treated differently when it comes to the permissible health-related grounds for termination.”
Justice Chirawu-Mugomba rejected the argument by the minister of health that mental health risks were already implicitly covered under “life-threatening” physical conditions, holding that such an interpretation would be “not explicit” and left vulnerable women without clear legal protection.
She emphasised that mental health is integral to overall health, citing evidence of “genuine challenges women experience with mental health, including those that may arise after childbirth.”
The judge also held that the definition of “unlawful intercourse” in s 2(1) is unconstitutional because it fails to include sexual abuse defined under s 106 of the Mental Health Act, which criminalises sexual intercourse with mental health patients.
The judge said in the November 11 ruling:
“Excluding mental health in the definition of unlawful intercourse, as proscribed in s 106… denies women in such circumstances access to safe abortion services.”
She found that the omission violates multiple constitutional rights, including the right to life (s 48), dignity (s 51), equality (s 56), and reproductive health (s 76), noting that mentally ill women “face legal and procedural barriers to accessing necessary reproductive healthcare.”
The judgment sharply criticised the inconsistency between the Termination of Pregnancy Act and the Mental Health Act, observing:
“The inconsistency between these legislative frameworks undermines the principle of equality before the law.”
While acknowledging parliament’s primary role in law-making, the judge said that courts are constitutionally required to intervene where rights are unjustifiably limited.
She noted:
“Judicial intervention is necessary to uphold constitutional rights, fill legal gaps, or develop the law in line with evolving social values.”
The court considered whether to “read in” new provisions – a remedy used where a statute is unconstitutional due to an omission – but concluded that the applicants had not framed their requested relief with sufficient precision.
The judge ultimately declared portions of s 4(a) and s 2(1) unconstitutional but suspended the declarations, as required by section 175 of the Constitution, pending confirmation by the Constitutional Court.
The judge ordered:
“The above declarations of constitutional invalidity are suspended until such time as the Constitutional Court has confirmed the same… The above order… is referred to the Constitutional Court for confirmation.”
No order as to costs was made.
Rights lawyer Tendai Biti brought the application on behalf of Batitsa and the Community Working Group on Health.
Lenon Itai Rwizi is a Registered Legal Practitioner of the Superior Courts of Zimbabwe and can be contacted on: +263 774 159 146 or +263 713 967 341, or via email at lenonrwizi@gmail.com.
Please note that the above does not constitute formal legal advice, and neither does it create any type of attorney-client relationship. Please seek legal advice from your own attorney by contacting the writer at Facebook profile link or any other attorney of your choice.
A gold toilet, that was made by the same controversial artist who duct-taped a banana to a wall, sold for a staggering $12.1 million at a Sotheby’s auction on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The 223-pound toilet, dubbed “America” by its provocative maker Maurizio Cattelan, is entirely made up of 18-karat gold and had a starting bid of $10 million.
The art, which functions just like a regular toilet and was even installed in Sotheby’s New York headquarters for public viewing before the auction, is intended to satirize excessive wealth in the US, Cattelan explained.
“Whatever you eat, a $200 lunch or a $2 hot dog, the results are the same, toilet-wise,” he said.
Cattelan added that he wanted to put something priceless in “the least noble and most necessary place” to demonstrate the connection between high form and base functionality.
Sotheby’s referred to the gold toilet as an “incisive commentary on the collision of artistic production and commodity value.”
Visitors weren’t permitted to actually use the toilet while it was on display.
“We don’t want people sitting on the art,” Sotheby’s expert David Galperin said.
Some of Cattelan’s previous works include the “Comedian,” which features a banana duct-taped to a wall. It became a pop culture sensation practically overnight and sold for a whopping $6 million.
The artwork had to be replicated multiple times, though, after the banana either grew moldy and expired or was eaten by passersby.
An endorsement from Donald Trump could be a “kiss of death” for Republican candidates in the midterms next year.
Stanford professor David Brady believes the seal of approval from the president could make no difference or even impede candidates from securing their seat at the elections. Speaking to The Mirror US, Brady said, ” think it’ll have just about as much effect as it did in 2018, which is none. They lost 30 seats. But in 2018, when they lost 30 seats, they lost 30 seats.”
It may also be a lack of “constraint” that affects the party in the 2026 elections, with Brady singling out the former Secretary of War, Jim Mattis, as an example. Brady said that “thre’ll be more Democrats” in the House and Senate if poll predictions are to be believed, and this will be a lot worse for Trump.
He explained, “And the second thing is the first term, Trump did have some people like Mattis and others in there who worked to constrain ’em, and I don’t see that constraint this time.”
“So I suspect there’ll be 25 to 30 seats that shift toward the Democrats in the House. The Senate is more of a toss-up because it’s a lot of Republican safe seats.” The split in the Republican party comes as a Nobel Prize-winning economist believes Trump himself is falling to pieces “on multiple fronts”.
Paul Krugman suggested the series of collapses is only making the subsequent government hiccups worse, and that there is no end in sight to the problems for the GOP. He wrote, “Trump seems to be collapsing on multiple fronts, with the collapse on each front reinforcing the collapse on others.”
“The Epstein affair is coming to a head even as the public loses all faith in his economic policy, and the whole structure of fear on which his regime rests appears to be evaporating. He also seems to be unraveling personally.”
“We always knew that President ‘Piggy’ despised women and admired tyrants, seeing nothing wrong with hacking up your critics with a bone saw. But even a few months ago I think he would have been self-controlled enough to be less obvious about it.”
“I don’t know how this ends, but all of a sudden a rapid implosion looks possible. No, I don’t know what that looks like. But the U.S. political universe looks very different than it did a few weeks ago.”
The Trump administration’s long-running effort to close the U.S. Education Department moved into a new phase this week as the agency began shifting some of its most influential grant programs to other corners of the federal government. The handoff marks one of the most extensive actions taken since President Donald Trump ordered the department’s elimination in March.
On Tuesday, the department revealed six new interagency agreements that will transfer billions in education funding to outside agencies. The largest reshuffling sends major K-12 funding streams, including the $18 billion Title I program for low-income schools, to the Department of Labor. Smaller grant programs tied to teacher development, English instruction and TRIO initiatives will follow the same path.
The scope of the transfers emphasizes the administration’s determination to dismantle the department without waiting for Congress. Many of the Education Department’s offices, especially those overseeing elementary, secondary and postsecondary grants, will see their core responsibilities absorbed elsewhere. What remains in place, for now, is the agency’s student loan portfolio and funding for students with disabilities. The Office for Civil Rights also stays as is.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised the shift as a decisive step toward reducing federal oversight of schools. “The Trump Administration is taking bold action to break up the federal education bureaucracy and return education to the states,” she said. “Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission.”
But state leaders and education advocates warn that the handoff could jeopardize longstanding programs that require specialized oversight. Rhode Island’s K-12 education chief, Angélica Infante-Green, cautioned that federal staff play a crucial role in guiding states through complex funding needs. “People might think it’s just funding and giving them the money, but it’s not,” she said in an AP report. “It is about how to co-mingle some of the funds to educate a child. So if a child is in special education but is also a multilingual learner and they’re in poverty, how do you use that to educate the child holistically?”
Union leaders expressed similar concerns. AFGE Local 252 President Rachel Gittleman said the move risks fracturing services that schools depend on. “That national mission is weakened when its core functions are scattered across other federal or state agencies that are not equipped or positioned to provide the same support and services as ED staff,” she said.
The restructuring stretches beyond Labor. A separate agreement hands Health and Human Services responsibility for grants aiding college students with children and oversight of foreign medical school accreditation. The State Department will now manage foreign language programs, while Interior assumes control of Native American education programs.
McMahon has defended the push by pointing to decades of uneven student performance and more recent post-pandemic academic declines. She argues the department has grown into an unwieldy agency without delivering the progress Americans expect. Her long-term plan would dissolve the department entirely and let states redirect money that is currently tied to targeted initiatives such as literacy or support for homeless students. That, however, requires approval from Congress.
In the mean time, the administration is relying on bureaucratic agreements to chip away at the department’s footprint. The approach builds on a smaller pilot launched in June, when adult education programs were shifted to Labor. Officials say the latest round of transfers sets the stage for further dismantling.
McMahon plans to continue touring schools nationwide while simultaneously pushing lawmakers to embrace her vision for a post-department education system, one she argues will function better without centralized federal oversight.
Moroccan football star Achraf Hakimi has been named the Best Male Footballer in Africa for 2025 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), in a ceremony held on Wednesday night in Rabat, Morocco.
Hakimi, who plays as a right-back for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in France, secured the prestigious award after an outstanding year for both club and country.
His consistent performances, decisive contributions in big matches and leadership on the pitch helped him outshine two other African giants Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Victor Osimhen of Nigeria, who were also strong contenders.
The win marks a historic moment for Hakimi, who becomes one of the few defenders to claim the top individual honour in African football.
Throughout 2025, Hakimi was instrumental in PSG’s domestic and continental campaigns, often delivering match-winning contributions.
For Morocco, he remained a key figure, helping the Atlas Lions maintain their strong form in international competitions and World Cup qualifiers.
This year’s CAF Awards ceremony attracted top football officials, former players and international dignitaries. The atmosphere in Rabat was electric as Moroccan fans celebrated their star’s achievement on home soil.
Hakimi, in his acceptance speech, dedicated the award to his teammates, his coaches and the Moroccan people, saying the recognition motivates him to push even harder.
He also encouraged young African footballers to continue working hard, reminding them that discipline and determination can take them far.
His victory adds another major milestone to his career, strengthening his legacy as one of Africa’s most accomplished footballers of his generation.
Alice Kessler and Ellen Kessler—German twin sisters who performed as a variety entertainment duo—died by joint assisted suicide at their home in Gruenwald, Germany, on Nov. 17, according to the German Society for Humane Dying (DGHS).
“They had been considering this option for some time,” the association, which advocates for the right to a self-determined death, said in a statement to NBC News. “They had been members of the organization for over a year.”
Explaining that those “who choose this option in Germany must be absolutely clear-headed, meaning free and responsible,” the organization noted that the sisters engaged in thorough discussions with a lawyer and a doctor before setting on this path.
“The decision must be thoughtful and consistent,” the DGHS added, “meaning made over a long period of time and not impulsive.”
Assisted dying is legal in Germany, with the country’s constitutional court ruling in 2020 that an individual has the right to end their life and seek help from a third party under certain circumstances.
Alice and Ellen rose to fame in 1959, when they represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest. They went on to find success performing in Italy, before making their American TV debut 1963.
Last year, the pair—who have never married—expressed their joint wish to die together.
“Our desire is to go away together, on the same day,” they shared in a 2024 interview with German newspaper Corriere della Sera. “The idea of one of us going first is very hard to bear.”
DGHS spokesperson Wega Wetzel told CNN that she is not aware of the precise reasons why Alice and Ellen opted for assisted suicide, though she said the “decisive factor is likely to have been the desire to die together on a specific date.”
The rep added, “Their desire to die was well-considered, long-standing, and free from any psychiatric crisis.”
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Lieutenant General Emmanuel Matatu as the new Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and Major General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi as Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, according to official government statements issued Tuesday.
The appointments follow the retirement of General Philip Valerio Sibanda, who has led the Defence Forces since 2017. Matatu, 72, a former ZIPRA liberation war veteran, was promoted to the rank of General and takes command on Nov 21. Tapfumaneyi, promoted to Lieutenant General, assumes command of the army on Nov 25.
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Martin Rushwaya announced the appointments in separate statements, citing constitutional authority under section 216(2) of Zimbabwe’s Constitution.
The military reshuffle comes as Mnangagwa consolidates control over Zimbabwe’s security establishment ahead of the ruling ZANU-PF party’s 2027 congress. The appointments have drawn scrutiny due to Tapfumaneyi’s controversial background in intelligence and alleged role in Zimbabwe’s disputed 2023 elections.
Tapfumaneyi served as Deputy Director General of Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organisation until March and was appointed Chief of Staff of the Zimbabwe National Army in May. The United States Treasury Department sanctioned him in March 2024 for “leading the campaign to disrupt the 2023 electoral process through his leadership of ruling party-affiliated groups.”
“He is also alleged to have been personally involved in past kidnappings,” the Treasury Department said in its sanctions announcement.
Investigative reports by The Sentry, a policy organisation focused on corruption and human rights abuses, linked Tapfumaneyi to Forever Associates Zimbabwe, a trust that allegedly spent 23 million dollars on ZANU-PF’s 2023 election campaign. The trust’s official deeds showed its trustees and founders included Tapfumaneyi’s family members and business associates, according to The Sentry’s May 2024 report.
Tapfumaneyi has denied any connection to the organisation. “I have nothing to do with Forever Associates Zimbabwe, either personally or officially,” he told The Sentry.
International election observers, including missions from the European Union, Commonwealth and Southern African Development Community, criticised Zimbabwe’s August 2023 elections as falling short of democratic standards.
Matatu previously served as Zimbabwe National Army Commander after his appointment in March. Military analysts describe him as a transitional figure due to his age, which exceeds Zimbabwe’s statutory retirement threshold of 70.
Sibanda, who turns 71 in December, maintained a reputation for professionalism during his eight-year tenure as Defence Forces Commander. His retirement had been anticipated after Mnangagwa extended his contract by one year in December 2024.
The appointments represent a significant shift in Zimbabwe’s military hierarchy. Since the 2017 military intervention that removed longtime leader Robert Mugabe, the armed forces have played a central role in Zimbabwe’s political landscape.
Mnangagwa has overseen sweeping changes across Zimbabwe’s security services this year, replacing long-serving Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga with Stephen Mutamba and appointing Fulton Mangwaya as Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation.
Political analysts say the appointments reflect Mnangagwa’s strategy to neutralise potential rivals within the military ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Neither Mnangagwa’s office nor the Defence Ministry responded to requests for comment on the appointments.
Rwanda has announced that it will conclude its long-standing “Visit Rwanda” partnership with English Premier League club Arsenal, bringing an end to the eight-season sleeve-sponsorship deal in June 2026.
The decision comes as Rwanda seeks to refocus its tourism strategy on rapidly growing markets, particularly in the United States and Spain, aiming to attract more visitors and diversify its global outreach.
This strategic shift follows recent sponsorship agreements with major American sports franchises, including the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA and the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, signaling Rwanda’s intent to strengthen its visibility in key international markets.
Since its launch, the “Visit Rwanda” campaign has been instrumental in promoting Rwanda as a tourism destination to millions of football fans worldwide, combining sport with national branding.
Officials from Rwanda’s tourism board emphasized that the conclusion of the Arsenal partnership does not mark the end of the campaign, but rather a recalibration toward new, high-impact markets that align with Rwanda’s evolving economic and tourism priorities.
Analysts say the move reflects a broader trend in global sports sponsorship, where nations increasingly use major league partnerships to reach specific international audiences and stimulate investment and tourism.
Rwanda’s collaboration with Arsenal has been widely regarded as one of the most innovative and high-profile national tourism campaigns in football, and its conclusion will mark the end of a significant chapter in the country’s sports-marketing history.
In what may strike many as unconventional, Tiffany Haddish organized a self-marriage ceremony featured in Episode 5 of the new six-episode docuseries “Tiffany Haddish Goes Off,” which is now streaming on Peacock.
During the ceremony, Haddish, who has Jewish ancestry and had her bat mitzvah at 40, vowed to celebrate her triumphs, persevere, and refuse to settle for less, a habit she admitted to having. She cemented this commitment by kissing a mirror and observing the Jewish custom of stepping on a glass.
“I used to not show up for myself, do everything for everybody else and not take care of me,” Haddish told USA Today. “And ever since I got married to me, baby, them boundaries − I see a difference in the way I wake up in the morning, and how I look in the mirror. When I look at myself, I see somebody who is whole, still fragile, but well taken care of.”
The show follows the 45-year-old comedian-actress and three friends as they embark on a month-long journey across Africa, visiting locations such as Cape Town, Victoria Falls, and Zanzibar.
Beyond adventurous activities like zip-lining and bungee jumping, the trip is also an opportunity for inner reflection. Haddish spoke openly about the difficulties she has faced in recent years.
These challenges included her 2021 breakup with Common, the loss of her grandmother in 2022, a fear of abandonment, eight miscarriages, and the intense media scrutiny that comes with being a celebrity. She also addressed two arrests on suspicion of DUI in 2022 and 2023, confessing that she is “always vulnerable.”
“Does the world think so? Probably not,” Haddish said. “They have no idea I’m on the verge of tears on a regular basis, because I’m just a big baby, and that’s the first form of communication. But I use my jokes or the true joy I feel for even being alive to mask those feelings sometimes.”
The idea of marrying herself, which Haddish first considered in 2018, is a recurring theme in the docuseries. Her original thought came about during a relationship with a man she refers to as a “buckethead.”
She recounted in the series that when he questioned, “’How are you ever going to get you a husband if you don’t do what I tell you to do?’” she responded, “And I was like, ‘I’ll be my husband. I could take care of me better than you could.’”
“I started realizing all these things I want from somebody else, I need to be giving to me,” Haddish told USA Today. “And if I’m able to do that, when that person shows up, it’s going to be so easy for us to come together.”
Haddish explained that she had high standards for a potential partner, saying, “Everything that I’m doing for me − if a man can do that better than me, that’s my man!”
Though she was recently seen with actor Toby Sandeman as the two were being photographed together for Halloween, Haddish said the two are just friends. She remains open to finding love.
In the docuseries, there’s a moving part where Haddish opened up about her multiple miscarriages to a medium. She shared that she believes her endometriosis is the reason she lost eight children. During the session, Haddish wondered if she was even supposed to have kids. She also guessed that all the babies she lost were boys, saying, “I think men, they come in my life, give me hope, [sometimes] a little bit of joy, and then they go away.”
“At this point, I’m really satisfied with where I am,” Haddish continued. “It’s crazy to say it out loud sometimes, but I am actually happy with where God has brought me. The journey that I’ve been on has made me really appreciate life, and really appreciate being a human.”
Still, Haddish admitted that her decision isn’t one that everybody may understand or accept.
“It’s not everybody’s business that I’m in a relationship with me. I mean, first of all, my relationship with me is my relationship…So I haven’t told everybody,” she told The New York Post. “Sometimes I wear my wedding ring and people are like, ‘Oh, my God, where did you get that?’ I’m like ‘Africa. I’m married!’”
Surprisingly, Haddish noted that this has affected her dating life.
“I’m getting more dates now, when I tell [men] I’m married. If you tell a man you’re married, but you’re willing to go out with him, he’s like, ‘Oh, she’s a freak!’”
President Donald Trump revealed a surprising response to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, and has apparently agreed to work toward a peace deal in the country, according to reports on Wednesday
Trump wrote the following on his Truth Social platform
“Tremendous atrocities are taking place in Sudan. It has become the most violent place on Earth and, likewise, the single biggest Humanitarian Crisis. Food, doctors, and everything else are desperately needed. Arab Leaders from all over the World, in particular the highly respected Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, who has just left the United States, have asked me to use the power and influence of the Presidency to bring an immediate halt to what is taking place in Sudan.
It is considered a Great Civilization and Culture, unfortunately gone bad, but one that can be fixed with the cooperation and coordination of Countries, including those in the Region of tremendous Wealth, who want this to happen. We will work with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern partners to get these atrocities to end, while at the same time stabilizing Sudan. Thank you for your attention to this matter. GOD BLESS THE WORLD!”
During the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Wednesday, Trump said he had not planned to focus on the atrocities in Sudan, but was persuaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and sees the situation “differently now than I did just a day ago,” CBS News reports.
“His majesty would like me to do something very powerful having to do with Sudan,” Trump told the audience during the forum.
“It was not on my charts to be involved in that. … But I just see how important that is to you and to a lot of your friends in the room, Sudan, and we’re going to start working on Sudan,” Trump added.
Superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo took a remarkable selfie with some of the world’s most powerful figures at a White House dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump.
The soccer star was joined by his fiancee, Georgina Rodriguez, for the glitzy event to welcome Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington DC.
Tech founder and investor David Sacks posted a selfie from the event, which included himself, Ronaldo, Georgina Rodriguez, Elon Musk, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and US Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick
Rihanna has made history as the first Black woman to establish two billion-dollar companies. Her brands, Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, have individually surpassed a $1 billion valuation, as reported by Parade.
Collectively, these two ventures now boast a valuation exceeding $3 billion, marking a major milestone in Rihanna’s entrepreneurial journey.
Launched in 2017, Fenty Beauty immediately captured the attention of both consumers and industry experts with its foundation range, which was designed to cater to a broad array of skin tones. The immediate sell-out of the deeper tones at Sephora prompted other brands, like Make Up For Ever and L’Oréal, to launch campaigns specifically aimed at women of color.
“Makeup is like a secret weapon. It can go from very subtle to a complete transformation,” Rihanna told Time Magazine in 2017. She said it was “important that every woman felt included” and explained that she remained closely involved in product development with Kendo, the brand’s parent company.
She added, “I love challenges. So I’m going to continue to have fun and push the boundaries in this industry.”
At the time, the magazine recognized the brand for its inclusion in the Best Inventions Hall of Fame. It was acknowledged as one of the 25 most iconic inventions the publication had featured over the previous 25 years.
Fenty Beauty achieved a valuation in the billions within its first year, according to Parade, following its initial performance and worldwide expansion through a partnership with Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH). LVMH has recently considered selling its stake in the brand.
Building on the success of Fenty Beauty, Rihanna launched Savage X Fenty in 2018. This lingerie company quickly gained popularity in the market, driven by its focus on size inclusivity and diverse representation. The brand’s traction was bolstered by its campaigns, product range, and annual fashion shows.
Savage X Fenty achieved a valuation exceeding $1 billion in 2021 following a $115 million Series B funding round. This milestone was accompanied by a reported revenue growth of over 200% and an active VIP member base increase of more than 150%, according to Afrotech. Before securing this funding, Rihanna’s stake in the company was estimated to be worth $85 million.
Savage X Fenty expanded its reach by opening retail stores across the U.S. Furthermore, the brand secured an additional $125 million in funding from Neuberger Berman, bringing its total venture capital funding to $310 million, as reported by Forbes.
In 2023, Rihanna stepped down as the CEO of Savage X Fenty, though she said she was continuing in a leadership role as the executive chair, according to Vogue Business.
Commenting on the brand’s progress, she expressed her pride, stating, “It’s been beautiful to see our vision for Savage X Fenty impact the industry at such an incredible magnitude over the last five years … This is just the beginning for us.”
The mom of three has expanded her successful business empire across beauty, skincare, and fashion, encompassing her two billion-dollar companies, Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty. Her business portfolio also features Fenty Skin and the upcoming Fenty Hair line, as reported by AfroTech in 2024.
