Cornell University has agreed to pay $60 million in a deal with the Trump administration that would restore millions in federal funding and end federal investigations into the school.
According to The New York Times, Cornell will pay $30 million in fines and invest an additional $30 million in agriculture and farming programs.
President Donald Trump’s government abruptly froze funding to Cornell in April amid accusations of racial discrimination and antisemitism.
In June, the university warned that it must “immediately address our significant financial shortfalls by reducing costs and enacting permanent change to our operational model.”
“This agreement revives that partnership, while affirming the university’s commitment to the principles of academic freedom, independence, and institutional autonomy that, from our founding, have been integral to our excellence,” Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff said in a statement on Friday.
Prophet Walter Magaya, the embattled leader of PHD Ministries, has celebrated his 42nd birthday from within the confines of Harare Remand Prison. The occasion marks a stark departure from the opulent celebrations of years past, coming during what is arguably the most challenging period of his ministry.
The spiritual leader has been detained since his arrest last Saturday during a police raid on his Waterfalls prayer mountain, where he was engaged in a period of prayer and fasting. He is confronting a series of grave charges, including five counts of rape and thirteen counts of fraud connected to the sale of residential stands. He was arrested together with his bodyguard and wife.
Church Members Gather For Walter Magaya Birthday Outside Prison Gates Scores of devoted followers and family members congregated outside the remand prison to mark the prophet’s birthday, transforming the car park into a sea of luxury vehicles and solemn prayer. The atmosphere was one of defiant support rather than festive joy, as visitors took turns to offer their leader messages of hope and comfort.
https://youtu.be/Q9dIUyc9uEA?si=Mdp25rbQ0b7aUh2n
The day’s events were later continued at a gathering hosted by his wife, Tendai, who was recently granted bail following her simultaneous arrest. She was accompanied by their son, Walter Junior, who has stepped in to lead church services in his father’s absence.
Support for the prophet also poured in from the artistic community. Musician Seh Calaz took to social media to laud Magaya, writing,
“Today, we celebrate the life of a true servant of God – a man whose wisdom, humility and unshakable faith have transformed countless lives. Prophet, you are not just a leader but a father, mentor and inspiration to many across Zimbabwe and beyond.”
President Trump confirms he’s spoken with President Xi and President Putin about global denuclearization — to save humanity. ☮️
“Well, look, we had a tremendous meeting, as you know, with President Xi in China. And my doctrine would be denuclearization because we have enough nuclear—we’re number one, Russia’s number two, China’s number three, way behind but they’ll be even in four or five years—they’re, you know, working overtime on nuclear weapons.
I think that denuclearization would be a great thing. We could blow up the world 150 times. There’s no need for this. So I really think we’re going to have—I’ve spoken to President Putin about it, I’ve spoken to President Xi about it, and everybody would like to spend all of that money on other things, people that really, you know, things that can benefit people now. So I think something like that could happen, the denuclearization.
It’s really—I want peace, I want peace through strength, but we want peace all over the world. We’re very close to getting it. We had a lot of wars raging that people didn’t know about. Now they’re not raging anymore. We have one left and we’re going to hopefully get that taken care of.”
The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a policy blocking transgender and nonbinary people from choosing passport s£x markers that align with their gender identity.
The justices granted an emergency request filed by the administration, which is seeking to reverse a policy introduced during the Biden administration that allowed people to put “X” as a gender marker or self-select male or female.
“Displaying passport holders’ sex at birth no more offends equal protection principles than displaying their country of birth—in both cases, the Government is merely attesting to a historical fact without subjecting anyone to differential treatment,” the court said in the unsigned order.
The three liberal justices on the conservative-majority court dissented.
“The Government seeks to enforce a questionably legal new policy immediately, but it offers no evidence that it will suffer any harm if it is temporarily enjoined from doing so, while the plaintiffs will be subject to imminent, concrete injury if the policy goes into effect,” Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in a dissenting opinion.
Since 1992, the State Department has, in certain circumstances, allowed people to choose a male or female marker that does not correspond to their genders at birth. The Biden administration introduced the “X” option in 2021 and made it easier for transgender applicants by removing the need for medical proof of gender transition.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X that the decision reflects the administration’s view that “there are two sexes, and our attorneys will continue fighting for that simple truth.”
The Trump policy effectively means that transgender people, even those who have fully transitioned and have medical records to prove it, will not be able to have gender markers that correspond with their identities.
“This is a heartbreaking setback for the freedom of all people to be themselves, and fuel on the fire the Trump administration is stoking against transgender people and their constitutional rights,” Jon Davidson, a lawyer at the American Civil Liberties Union representing transgender people who challenged the policy, said in a statement.
President Donald Trump announced on his first day in office, Jan. 20, a rollback of the Biden rule and also said people must have passports that reflect their genders at birth.
The Trump policy was challenged by several transgender people, who alleged that it violated their right to equal protection under the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment, as well as a federal law called the Administrative Procedure Act.
Ashton Orr, a transgender man from West Virginia, is the named plaintiff in the case. He applied for a passport with a male sex marker in January and, in February, was told by the State Department that he could have only a female sex marker.
A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled against the administration, saying people should be able to choose their own markers or “X” as an alternative. The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to put the ruling on hold while litigation continued.
The diplomatic war between Peru and Mexico reached a new peak this week after Peru’s Congress voted to declare Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum “persona non grata,” essentially deeming her unwelcome in the country.
The decision marks the latest, and most aggressive, escalation following Mexico’s decision to grant political asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez.
The diplomatic crisis stems from the tumultuous removal of Peruvian President Pedro Castillo in December 2022. Castillo, a leftist former rural schoolteacher, was swiftly ousted by Congress after he attempted to dissolve the legislative body in what was widely condemned as a coup attempt.
Betssy Chávez, who served as Castillo’s prime minister, was charged alongside him for rebellion and abuse of authority. While Castillo remains in preventive custody facing a 34-year sentence request, Chávez was released on bail and recently sought refuge in the Mexican embassy in Lima.
Mexico, defending its long-standing humanitarian tradition, granted Chávez political asylum. Peru, however, sees this as an “unfriendly act” and unacceptable interference in its internal affairs, leading interim President José Jerí to formally break off diplomatic relations with Mexico and give its top diplomat a strict deadline to leave.
The Peruvian Congress, in a decisive 63-33 vote, passed the measure against Sheinbaum on Thursday. Right-wing acting Congress President Fernando Rospigliosi stated that Sheinbaum had “clearly established” interference in Peru’s affairs, “not only in words” but also through the granting of asylum.
Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has rejected the declaration as based on “false assertions,” maintaining that the asylum offer to Chávez—who denies the charges and claims political persecution—was made in strict accordance with the 1954 Caracas Convention on diplomatic asylum, which is recognized by both nations.
The Peruvian Foreign Ministry is currently reviewing this international law as it evaluates Mexico’s request for a safe passage document that would allow Chávez to leave the embassy for Mexico without being arrested.
Meanwhile, Socialist lawmaker Jaime Quito criticized the measure, saying Congress was “once again, making an international embarrassment by breaking relations with our sister country Mexico.”
The escalating tensions underscore the political divide in the region and bring the historically strained ties between Lima and Mexico to their worst point in decades.
Cristiano Ronaldo has stated that he has a bettter chiseled body than his fellow football legend David Beckham.
On Piers Morgan Uncensored, the controversial host asked Ronaldo if he thinks he’s better looking than Beckham, and the Portuguese star didn’t disappoint, declaring himself to have the ‘whole package’.
‘You are compared to Beckham a lot, not least your looks, do you think you are better looking than David Beckham,’ Morgan asked.
‘Depends,’ Ronaldo initially responded. ‘For me [good] looking is not only the face but the whole package.
‘Imagine Cristiano and a normal guy with red speedos on the Copacabana, you think I am not going to have a chance with nobody.’
Morgan pressed Ronaldo again on the comparison to Beckham, eventually drawing a boastful answer from the 40-year-old.
‘You’re walking across the Copacabana for, say, ten minutes. Who gets the most attention?,’ Morgan asked.
‘Me, 100 per cent,’ Ronaldo responded, prompting laughter from Morgan. ‘I knew it, I was just trying to tease it out of you,’ Morgan added.
Ronaldo sought to justify his claim by claiming Beckham’s body is ‘normal’. ‘He knows that. His face is beautiful, yeah, handsome face,’ Ronaldo continued.
‘The rest is normal, like it’s normal. I’m not normal. I’m perfecto.’
He’s looking good,’ Ronaldo said. ‘I like him, he is a guy who speaks good, I like him.’
The Portugal star also suggested he is the most famous person on the planet, saying: ‘We’ll do a debate for the world, who’s the most famous? Me or President Donald Trump? I think, in the world, even in small islands, they know me more than him.’
Spanish football club, Barcelona, has been ‘hit by Tuberculosis outbreak’ among workers at Nou Camp stadium.
A public health investigation has now been launched at the Nou Camp after a worker at Barcelona’s stadium was diagnosed with the disease.
The Barcelona based newspaper El Pais reported that the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB) is investigating a potential outbreak.
The investigation comes after an employee working on the renovation of the 105,000-capacity venue had experienced symptoms consistent with tuberculosis.
Symptoms of the infection typically include a persistent cough, fever, weight loss , and fatigue.
The worker underwent medical tests which confirmed the illness.
According to El Pais, the ASPB has completed contact tracing on the employee with 23 people having been tested.
Three workers are reportedly awaiting test results to confirm whether they have the illness.
The ASPB will only confirm an outbreak if two related cases of the illness are confirmed.
The bacterial infection is spread through inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person.
The investigation comes just days before Barcelona plan to hold an open training session at the Nou Camp in preparation for their long-awaited return to the stadium.
Barcelona announced on Wednesday that tickets have been sold out for the training session, with capacity having been capped at 23,000.
The Catalan giants stated that the session will help serve as a technical and operational test to ensure the proper functioning of systems, access points, and various aspects of the facility, as part of the stadium’s gradual reopening process.
Former Republican lawmaker George Santos is under fire Friday as MAGA loyalists are accusing him of betraying President Donald Trump by making an early endorsement for 2028.
“If [Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)] runs in 2028 I will crawl through glass to vote for her and campaign for her just like I did for President Trump,” wrote Santos, who was recently released from prison after his sentence was commuted by Trump, in a social media post on X Friday.
Santos was quickly dog-piled online by those who characterized the endorsement as a betrayal to Trump, who commuted his sentence last month and has already endorsed the idea of Vice President JD Vance running for president in 2028.
“You really said that? Over the VP of the person that pardoned you?” wrote Chris Brooks, a Texas political commentator who’s frequently posted pro-Trump content to his more than 3,000 followers on X.
“She is undermining President Trump and MAGA,” wrote another X user who describes themselves as “MAGA” and has amassed more than 43,000 followers.
Santos, however, did not take the criticism kindly, and fired back at his critics’ suggestions as “silly.”
“To suggest my support of MTG as a betrayal of [Trump] is silly!” Santos wrote in a subsequent social media post. “I always was and always will be a strong Supporter of President Trump. Unless he runs again in 2028 which I would obviously support him. Unless that happens I am not a person who goes with mob rule and MTG will have my support if she chooses to run.”
Santos was released from prison last month after serving less than three months of his 87-month sentence for wire fraud and identity theft. Greene may have played a role in Santos’ release after sounding the alarm over Santos’ treatment in prison, which she described as “torture.”
Santos was first elected to Congress in 2022, but was soon expelled by the House after being federally indicted on fraud charges. It would later be revealed that Santos had fabricated much of his history leading up to his election, including falsely claiming that he was Jewish, and insisting he attended schools that had no record of his enrollment.
To suggest my support of MTG as a betrayal of @POTUS is silly! I always was and always will be a strong Supporter of President Trump. Unless he runs again in 2028 which I would obviously support him. Unless that happens I am not a person who goes with mob rule and MTG will have…
Market Watch attributed the flop to the tech industry and the government shutdown. Yahoo Finance cited “seesaw stretches for ‘Magnificent Seven’ stalwarts Nvidia (NVDA) and Tesla (TSLA). The S&P 500 and the Dow also closed out the bumpy week in the red as persistent worries about an AI bubble and Big Tech valuations run high.”
MSNBC VP of editorial and bookings, Jesse Rodriguez, wrote on X, “US stock indexes are on track for their worst five-day start to November since 2008.”
“The Warren Buffett Indicator (market cap to GDP), the Shiller CAPE ratio (stock prices to earnings), and my Dr. X bubble detector are at record highs. WHEN WILL THE BUBBLE BURST?” asked Steve Hanke, professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University.
“You can get people to believe a lot of things, but I guarantee you can’t get them to believe grocery prices are down,” said chief economist Tim Duy at SGH Macro Advisors, referring to President Donald Trump’s argument that prices for everything are better.
Stock associate Mike Bostic flagged concerns over the labor market, shutdown and AI bubble as the possible cause.
“Ping! Is that the bubble bursting?! Bad day for American AI and tech stocks today…” said academic researcher Dr. Ian McCormick. He later added, “The selloff seems to be driven by anxiety over the ongoing US government shutdown, the resulting dearth of economic data, and warnings that an AI bubble might burst soon.”
In the background, “Elon will be a trillionaire. Wild,” said Certified Financial Education Instructor Kalu Aja.
“Thanks, Donald!” blamed media executive John Goodman.
MAKEBI ZULU VISITS INCARCERATED PF LEADERS, MEETS FORMER VICE PRESIDENT INONGE WINA
Prominent lawyer and Patriotic Front (PF) presidential hopeful, Makebi Zulu, has visited several incarcerated PF leaders shortly after returning from South Africa, where his name has gained growing traction among supporters calling for him to contest the Republican Presidency.
Upon arrival in Lusaka, Mr. Zulu headed straight to Chimbokaila Correctional Facility, where he met with detained PF figures including Party Secretary General Raphael Nakacinda, former Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji, former Lumezi MP Munir Zulu, former Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba, and former Zambia Revenue Authority Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda, among others.
During the visit, Mr. Zulu expressed solidarity with the incarcerated leaders, pledging to continue standing with them through what he described as a “trying moment” for the party.
“We stand with all our brothers and sisters who have been incarcerated. Freedom is coming soon,” he declared.
Later in the evening, Mr. Zulu paid a courtesy call on former Republican Vice President Mrs. Inonge Mutukwa Wina at her Lusaka residence. The two are said to have discussed matters of national unity, leadership, and the future of the Patriotic Front.
Mr. Zulu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage with Mrs. Wina, describing her as a “mother of wisdom” and a pillar of counsel within the party’s senior ranks.
“We thank God for her wisdom,” he noted following the meeting.
Mundubile will take us back to State House next year, declare 29 PF MPs
TWENTY-nine Patriotic Front (PF) members of parliament have thrown their weight behind Mporokoso MP Brian Mundubile, endorsing him as their choice of party president and declaring him the leader capable of reclaiming power for the former ruling party.
The endorsement
was announced during a press briefing in Lusaka today, where the MPs presented a united front ahead of the PF’s long-awaited elective conference scheduled for later this month.
This follows five months of the Patriotic Front operating without a presidential candidate after the death of its former leader, Edgar Lungu.
The period was marked by persistent internal wrangles and growing uncertainty over the party’s direction, leadership, and future, as different factions jostled to shape the PF’s next chapter.
Leading the announcement, Fiera MP Emmanuel Tembo said the group’s decision was based on Mundubile’s leadership record, integrity and ability to reconnect the PF with ordinary citizens.
“Mundubile has the vision, discipline, and heart to rebuild the PF. We believe he has what it takes to guide the party back to State House and restore confidence among Zambians,” stated Tembo.
Tembo added that Mundubile has consistently demonstrated maturity, teamwork and loyalty, qualities the MPs believe are essential for rebuilding a strong, people-centered opposition.
“Mundubile has proven that leadership is about service, not self-interest. We believe that he will bring stability and unity to a party that has endured months of division,” he said.
Those who declared support for Mundubile include Francis Kapyanga (Mpika), Mulenga Fube (Chilubi), Jean Chisenga (Mambilima), Sydney Mushanga (Bwacha), Pavyuma Kalobo (Wusakile), Golden Mwila (Mufulira), Kalalwe Mukosa (Chinsali), Christopher Shakafuswa (Mandevu), among others.
Tembo clarified that the endorsement was not a divisive moved but rather a show of faith in leadership that can reposition PF as a credible alternative ahead of the 2026 general elections.
He further called on other presidential aspirants to focus on issue based campaigns, saying PF’s renewal depends on collective effort rather than internal rivalry.
Information reaching our news desk suggests that former First Lady Esther Lungu has expressed deep disappointment and feelings of betrayal toward lawyer and politician Makebi Zulu, who has recently returned to Zambia from South Africa.
Sources close to the Lungu family reveal that Mrs. Lungu is upset that Mr. Zulu, a close confidant and spokesperson for the family, has abandoned her in South Africa to pursue his own political ambitions back home.
According to those familiar with the situation, Mrs. Lungu has confided that she feels “used and betrayed” by Mr. Zulu, who she says has shifted focus from supporting the Lungu family during their time of mourning to advancing his political career amid growing calls for him to contest the 2026 presidential election.
“She feels her trust was misplaced,” said a family associate who requested anonymity. “She depended on Makebi during a very difficult time, but now she feels left behind and forgotten.”
Mrs. Lungu is said to be grappling with a heavy heart, reportedly lamenting that the nation has slowly begun to move on while the burial of her late husband, former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, remains unresolved.
“She says her burden is too heavy to carry now,” a source shared. “Esther regrets not listening to the wise counsel of family members, friends, and church elders who had earlier warned her about placing too much trust in politicians with their own agendas.”
Makebi Zulu, who has in recent weeks made headlines for his political re-emergence following his return from Johannesburg, has not publicly responded to the reported sentiments from the former First Lady.
Political observers note that the alleged fallout between Mrs. Lungu and Mr. Zulu could further strain relations within the Patriotic Front (PF), as the party continues to grapple with internal divisions following the passing of its leader and former Head of State.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Lungu has reportedly withdrawn from public appearances as she continues to mourn privately while managing the emotional weight of what insiders describe as a deep personal and political betrayal.
This development may signal a widening rift between those once united around the Lungu family’s political legacy — and could reshape the dynamics of the PF’s ongoing leadership and succession debates.
ECL’S FAMILY SUPPORTED NCP’S DECISION TO LEAVE TONSE – CHANDA
NEW Congress Party President Peter Chanda says former president Edgar Lungu’s family commended his decision to leave the Tonse Alliance following wrangles in the grouping, because Lungu’s legacy would have been ruined.
Chanda also says his decision to cut ties with the PF and Tonse Alliance was motivated by PF acting president Given Lubinda, who allegedly gave him an ultimatum to appear before him within 24 hours or have his top party members take over the NCP leadership.
Speaking on Diamond TV, Wednesday, Chanda explained that he decided to leave the Tonse Alliance because the internal wrangles were making it difficult to achieve the purpose for which the alliance was formed.
“On the night of Monday, I received a text message from comrade Zumani Zimba telling me to go before them: ‘You have 24 hours in which to appear before us or six top leaders of NCP will take over leadership in the next 24 hours.’ Belonging to an alliance is not by force, it is by choice. We are in a democratic space, we are in a country where democracy is a constitutional right and freedom of association and freedom of assembly is a constitutional right. My address, I think when I said I’ve taken a back step, the first address I’m sure all of you and all the Zambian people saw my first address where I requested the PF leadership as well as the Tonse Alliance to put their house in order,” Chanda said.
“When you look at NCP being considered as a Special Purpose Vehicle for the Tonse Alliance, at the moment, we have two factions of the Tonse Alliance: we have Sean Tembo pulling the other way, we have Honourable Lubinda pulling the other way, so if I was to remain steadfast, which Tonse Alliance was the special purpose vehicle going to belong to? The decision I made, and many of the members of the New Congress Party, as well as the general populace, including the former First Family, when I made the first decision, including the second decision itself, they said, ‘well, you did well to preserve, because ECL’s legacy would have been in the mud’”.
Asked what Zumani’s text message said would happen if he didn’t appear before Lubinda, Chanda said, “six top NCP leaders will take over NCP leadership and a named lawyer will be acting president”.
He added that there had been no prior discussions within the alliance that other people would at any point take over the leadership of NCP, except with Lungu.
“My decision to make a final call was necessitated as a result of the threat that came out. The following day, after I got that message from comrade Zumani, the same night, I think there are few names of people that were alleged to have been recommended by the former president but I think before he died, he had told me to say, ‘no, don’t go ahead and make changes at the Registrar of Societies of anybody, stop all the appointments’, including those appointments that were published and appointments that were purported to have been made seconded to…’ There was no such discussion.
You can imagine, this is an alliance, an alliance where we all willingly subscribe, and I had clearly stated to say, ‘I’ve taken a back step, I’m not going to participate,’ and my call was very simple: ‘Put your house in order, we can’t have two Tonse Alliances,’” Chanda explained.
“We can’t have the PF that is claiming to be united when there’s the former leader of opposition Honourable Brian Mundubile going this way, they can’t sit on one table. I urged both parties to put their house in order and stated to say when everything is done, when they do their own general conference, when they go to the general congress as Tonse Alliance, they select a special purpose vehicle, if it is NCP, because the matter of NCP was a subject matter as the matter that they’ll go and deliberate on at the general congress. That’s the reason why we took a back step and wanted to focus on organising the party”.
Chanda expressed disappointment in Lubinda’s behaviour, whom he accused of trying to take over his party.
“After receiving a text message, I immediately called the Secretary General, we deliberated. I called a few other national executive committee leaders of the New Congress Party, told them about the development, and sent them the message that came from comrade Zumani.
We immediately resolved to say, ‘look, those names that were recommended to be part of the office bearers or part of the leadership to be blended into NCP, their names were not even effected at the Registrar of Societies, the six of them.’ So, immediately, using Article 4.1 of the constitution that mandates me to appoint and dismiss leaders, I revoked all the appointments in accordance with the NCP constitution. I had appointed those six that comrade Zumani was trying to use,” said Chanda.
“The following day, I tried to call Honourable Lubinda in trying to explain to say I got this text message, but before I could say anything, Honourable Lubinda himself told me to say, ‘where are you, ba president? You were supposed to be brought before me today.’ I said, ‘brought before you by whom?’ ‘You didn’t receive a message yesterday that you are supposed to come here? If you delay, your 24 hours ultimatum will be too late.’ That’s when I engaged him in a talk.
I said, ‘look sir, I trusted you. I never anticipated that you’d want to take over NCP. I’m serving my term, and my term is ending in May, and then the leaders that I entrusted with my future in the Tonse Alliance, the acting chairman himself of the Tonse Alliance, is instructing his people to try and take over leadership’”.
⬆️ SPOTLIGHT | Alex Musiwa: Bodyguard from Beijing; Hichilema’s Personal Sentinel
Alex Musiwa has occupied the edges of Zambia’s political story for more than two decades. His presence has been constant, yet his name has rarely entered public discourse. He is seen behind presidential convoys, state ceremonies and high-security moments, but almost never heard. That restraint has shaped the mystery around him, and also the respect within political circles that understand the demands of his work.
The roots of Musiwa’s role stretch back to the era of Anderson Mazoka, the founding leader of the UPND. He served in Mazoka’s security detail at a time when opposition politics carried real physical risk. The assignment demanded vigilance, patience and the ability to move quietly through volatile spaces. Those who recall that period describe a man who never chased visibility and never asked for space at the centre of events.
His Beijing training remains a fundamental detail in his profile. China’s security schools are known for concentrated discipline and advanced protective drills grounded in rigid routines. Musiwa completed that programme and carried the skills into the UPND’s hardest years. The training sharpened his judgement and deepened the competence that is visible in his conduct around the Head of State today.
The long opposition stretch tested UPND structures, and Musiwa stayed within that pressure without wavering. He moved with the leadership through repeated election losses, public doubt and internal fatigue. His role continued during the years when the party was labelled unelectable and mocked for attempting the same path each cycle. He remained steady as the political terrain shifted under the party’s feet.
The 127 days of Hichilema’s detention marked a defining period for the UPND’s security ring. Tension was high, uncertainty was constant and the party’s senior members operated under surveillance. Musiwa stayed close to the core team, contributing to a culture of calm at a moment when leadership faced its most difficult test. His composure under pressure strengthened the trust that later shaped the presidential security structure.
The 2021 transition pushed Musiwa onto a stage he never sought. He stood beside Hichilema when instruments of power were handed over by the outgoing administration. That moment captured the arc of a man who had worked through years of defeat, fear and exhaustion without losing discipline. It also underlined continuity from opposition struggle to state authority, a continuity few people embodied as fully as he did.
Caricatures and online mockery have attempted to recast him as a comic figure, yet those narratives collapse under the weight of his record. Musiwa operates with technical seriousness, formal training and an instinct for silence that suits the demands of presidential protection. He is not a creation of memes. He is a professional moulded by years of hardship, not publicity.
His story speaks to the fact that political revolutions always have undercover men and women who don’t receive much credit. Loyalty carried him through difficult years. Discipline sustained him when victory felt distant. Patience kept him committed to a party many had written off. Today he serves at the centre of state power with the same quiet manner that defined his time in the shadows.
Our Spotlight exists to add insight to public discourse and sharpen understanding.
Title: Njobvu Warns Load-Shedding Could Turn Zambians Into “Drunkards” as Power Crisis Deepens
Democratic Union President Ackim Njobvu has sounded the alarm over Zambia’s worsening electricity crisis, warning that the prolonged power outages are pushing more citizens toward alcohol consumption as bars become makeshift “offices” for power access.
Zesco’s reduced power supply now averaging three hours of electricity per day has crippled both businesses and households. In Lusaka, residents report experiencing over 24 hours of continuous blackouts, with some areas enduring as long as 72 hours without power despite the utility’s stated three-hour daily supply schedule.
Speaking to journalists, Njobvu said the situation has driven many people to frequent bars, not necessarily for leisure but to access electricity to charge their phones and other devices.
“If you take a drive around the community, you will discover that people are drinking as early as 10 hours whilst charging their phones or laptops. Bars have now become offices for our people. We don’t blame them, but government, for failing to address the electricity challenges,” Njobvu stated.
He further cautioned that this new trend could fuel higher levels of alcohol dependency in the country, especially among unemployed youths and small business owners whose livelihoods depend on consistent power supply.
The opposition leader also linked the ongoing load-shedding to growing frustration among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), noting that many have been forced to shut down operations, resulting in financial losses and rising crime in some communities.
“The current state of affairs has left many households and businesses helpless. People are losing money every day because they cannot operate without electricity. It’s disheartening,” he added.
Njobvu reiterated his party’s position on the need for Zambia to pursue nuclear energy as a long-term solution to the country’s recurring power deficits.
“As clearly enshrined in our party constitution, the Democratic Union is emphasizing the need to build a nuclear power plant as an alternative source of energy. This solar investment the government has been pushing has not yielded tangible results. Zambia needs a sustainable source of energy,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Njobvu extended sympathy to ordinary Zambians bearing the brunt of the load-shedding crisis, describing the situation as “an everyday struggle” that has disrupted normal life across the country.
He concluded by urging citizens to register as voters and make an informed choice in the 2026 general elections, saying the country needs visionary leadership capable of delivering sustainable energy solutions.
Former Zimbabwean opposition MP Job Sikhala has been arrested in South Africa after authorities allegedly discovered explosives in his vehicle. The 53-year-old politician is currently being held at Pretoria Central Police Station as investigations continue.
South African police have yet to issue an official statement regarding the circumstances surrounding Sikhala’s arrest. However, several of his associates insist that the incident was part of a politically motivated plot orchestrated by Zimbabwean intelligence operatives to silence one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s most outspoken critics.
One source reported that Sikhala had received a call from individuals claiming to be members of Joseph Kabila’s rebel movement in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They reportedly offered to assist him in his campaign to “restore democracy” in Zimbabwe. According to the source, Sikhala travelled to meet them, unaware that the meeting would lead to his arrest after South African police were tipped off about alleged explosives.
Photographs circulating online appear to show Sikhala handcuffed by a plainclothes police officer and later sitting by a roadside barrier beside an elderly man believed to have been travelling with him. Another image appears to show explosives wrapped in a yellow plastic bag.
Sikhala’s wife told local media that her husband had been attending a meeting the night before the arrest. She said one of his hosts asked to “check something” in his car, took his keys, and returned about 30 minutes later. Soon after they left the venue, police stopped their vehicle, searched it, and allegedly discovered the explosives.
Lawyers from both Zimbabwe and South Africa are said to be working on Sikhala’s defence. His supporters claim the arrest demonstrates increasing regional efforts to suppress opposition voices linked to criticism of Zimbabwe’s “Vision 2030” political agenda.
Sikhala, a long-time opposition figure and former lawmaker for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has faced numerous arrests in Zimbabwe over the years. He is expected to appear in a South African court in the coming days
HON. SUNDAY CHANDA, MP, TO MOVE MOTION SEEKING OPTIONAL ACCESS TO LUMP SUM RETIREMENT BENEFITS UNDER NAPSA
7th November 2025, Lusaka
Hon. Sunday Chanda, Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya Constituency, will on Wednesday 12th November 2025 move a Motion in the National Assembly calling for the introduction of Optional Access to Lump Sum Retirement Benefits under the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA).
The Motion seeks to allow eligible contributors to have a choice in how they access their retirement benefits, either through the current monthly pension or through a partial lump-sum withdrawal, accompanied by protective safeguards to secure future income streams.
“A pension is not a favour, it is a right. Workers deserve to decide how their contributions will shape their future,” Hon. Chanda said.
For decades, Zambian workers have contributed to NAPSA with the expectation that their savings will empower them to build, invest and transition into retirement with dignity. However, under the current framework, individuals have limited flexibility in accessing their accumulated contributions upon retirement.
Hon. Chanda stressed the need for reform that puts contributors at the centre of the pension system.
“For too long, workers have been told that their own money is ‘not theirs yet.’ Our Motion restores freedom of choice and trust in the Zambian worker,” he said.
KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE MOTION
The Motion calls for:
Optional access to a lump-sum withdrawal for eligible contributors upon retirement;
Preservation of retirement security through safeguards to prevent vulnerabilities associated with full withdrawals;
Greater autonomy and financial dignity, allowing retirees to invest or start income-generating activities using their own contributions.
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS
The proposal is expected to:
Inject capital into communities and local enterprise development,
Support household financial resilience, and
Promote investment, home ownership and entrepreneurship.
Hon. Chanda emphasised that the Motion is not political but grounded in economic empowerment and respect for contributors.
“This is about economic freedom and the dignity that comes with having control over one’s retirement savings. We carry the voices of millions of contributors who have worked, contributed and waited,” he said.
ENDS
For media inquiries, please contact:
Office of the Member of Parliament, Kanchibiya Constituency +260 971885689
TRUMP WANTS SOUTH AFRICA OUT OF THE G20 AS IT GEARS UP FOR WORLD SUMMIT
THE relationship between US President Donald Trump and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa has gone from bad to worse this year South Africa has skated over the latest criticism from US President Donald Trump, who has said he does not think the country should be part of the G20 any longer.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told the BBC his country was confident it would host a very successful G20 summit when leaders from the world’s largest economies gather in Johannesburg later this month.
Trump, who has repeatedly accused South Africa of discriminating against its white minority, will not be attending – sending Vice-President JD Vance instead.
Every year, a different member state holds the presidency of the G20 and sets the agenda for the leaders’ summit – with the US due to take over after South Africa.
“South Africa shouldn’t even be in the Gs any more, because what’s happened there is bad. I’m not going to represent our country there. It shouldn’t be there,” Trump said at a conference in Miami on Wednesday.
South Africa’s government declined to make a full statement in response to these comments, though last week it hit back at the US’s decision to prioritise refugee applications from white South African Afrikaners, who are mostly descendants of Dutch and French settlers.
It said claims of a white genocide had been widely discredited and lacked reliable evidence.
South Africa’s latest crime statistics do not indicate that more white people have fallen victim to violent crime than other racial groups.
The G20 was founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis. The nations involved have more than 85% of the world’s wealth and its aim was to restore economic stability.
The first leaders’ summit was held in 2008 in response to that year’s global financial turmoil, to promote international co-operation.
Now the leaders get together each year – along with representatives of the European Union and African Union – to talk about the world’s economies and the issues countries are facing.
There is no formal procedure laid down for kicking a country out of the G20 as it is not a treaty-based organisation like the UN and does not have a legal charter or constitution. It is an informal forum that operates by consensus.
“If a country was going to be kicked out, it would basically mean that it was excluded from the meetings – it wasn’t invited to the meetings by whoever was hosting the G20 that year,” Dr Andrew Gawthorpe from UK-based think-tank the Foreign Policy Centre told the BBC.
“But the host country would be unlikely to take the decision to not invite another country unless there was agreement amongst the rest of the members to do that,” he said.
Chris Vandome, senior research fellow at Chatham House’s Africa programme, agrees such a consensus would be unlikely and historically the US’s participation in the G20 had been regarded as disruptive.
“A number of the working groups and ministerial meetings have not led to declarations… because the Americans have been disrupting things,” he told the BBC.
In fact he noted that other countries had doubled down and seen the US’s position as an opportunity.
“In particular the European Union, with large financial commitments made to South Africa and Africa,” Mr Vandrome said.
“Also, on the Asian side, there’s no way that I think that China would accept a sort of rejection of South Africa.”
The obvious historical precedent is Russia’s expulsion from what was then the G8 a grouping of the world’s most advanced economies after the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Russia remains in the G20, which includes countries from around the world. There were calls for Russia to be expelled from the G20 after the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but in a larger grouping of countries with their own alliances, consensus could not be reached.
This year South Africa has adopted the theme of solidarity, equality and sustainability – something the country’s foreign ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri emphasised following Trump’s criticism.
“Drawing on our own journey from racial and ethnic division to democracy, South Africa is uniquely positioned to champion within the G20 a future of genuine solidarity, where shared prosperity bridges deep inequalities,” Mr Phiri said in a statement to the BBC.
“And collective action for sustainability that centres the development to address the impact of colonialism of the African continent.”
Trump offered refugee status to Afrikaners earlier this year after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a law allowing the government to seize land without compensation in rare instances.
Most private farmland is owned by white South Africans, who make up just over 7% of the population.
South Africa made efforts to soothe tensions, with Ramaphosa going to the White House in May with a large delegation that included white members of his coalition government and also famous white South African golfers.
But Trump ambushed the Oval Office meeting with claims that white South African farmers were being killed and “persecuted” producing unsubstantiated evidence that has been widely discredited.
Further efforts by South Africa to mend the relationship failed, with Africa’s largest economy being hit in August with 30% tariffs on goods being exported to the US – the highest rate in sub-Saharan Africa.
️ BREAKING NEWS: Kennedy Mweene Faces Tough Choice Between Zambia and South Africa
Zambian legend Kennedy Mweene finds himself at the center of a major coaching tug-of-war between Zambia and South Africa.
Recently appointed as the goalkeeper coach for the Zambia national team, Mweene continues to serve as the goalkeeper coach at Mamelodi Sundowns a position he has held with distinction.
However, new reports emerging from South Africa reveal that the South African Football Association (SAFA) is strongly considering Mweene for a goalkeeping trainer role with Bafana Bafana.
Sources indicate that SAFA has been pursuing the Zambian icon for the past two years, with renewed efforts underway to finally bring him on board.
With both nations keen on his expertise, Mweene now faces a career-defining decision remain loyal to his homeland Zambia , or take up a high profile coaching role in South Africa .
African football Giants
Where do you think Mweene should go Zambia or South Africa?
Donald Trump skipped the global climate summit — again. So Gavin Newsom took his seat.
While Trump stays home to court oil billionaires and post rants on Truth Social, California’s governor will fly to Brazil to represent the United States at COP30 — the world’s most important climate summit. And in that single move, Newsom did what Trump refuses to do: show up for the planet.
Newsom isn’t just showing up. He’s calling out the vacuum of moral leadership left behind by an administration that treats climate science like a personal insult. “If Washington won’t lead,” he said this week, “California will.”
And he’s bringing proof that action works. California just announced another drop in greenhouse gas emissions — down 3% in 2023 — while its economy grew faster than the national average. Clean energy jobs are booming. Air is getting cleaner. The data demolishes Trump’s fossil-fueled fantasy that prosperity depends on pollution.
Meanwhile, Trump’s team has been busy giving away public lands for oil drilling, dismantling clean energy programs, and gutting environmental protections that took decades to build. It’s a climate policy written by ExxonMobil and blessed by Mar-a-Lago.
That’s what makes Newsom’s trip more than symbolic. It’s a declaration that America’s fight for the planet isn’t over — even if the federal government has surrendered it. He’s going to Brazil to remind the world that millions of Americans still believe in science, still care about clean air and water, still understand that the climate crisis is a matter of justice, not politics.
Because this isn’t just about polar bears or melting ice caps. It’s about every worker rebuilding after wildfires. Every parent watching their child cough through smog. Every community drowning in floods while billionaires build bunkers.
Trump’s absence at COP30 is a statement of priorities. Newsom’s presence is one too.Leadership isn’t about who sits in the Oval Office — it’s about who shows up when it counts.
Next week, the world will see two Americas: one that hides from responsibility, and one that still believes in a livable future.
And only one of them is boarding the plane to Brazil.
The Israel army has has said they have begun withdrawing Chinese -made vehicles from officers, citing espionage concerns, according to Israel Hayom.
The decision was initiated by Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir following warnings from Israeli security agencies about potential data leaks from Chinese car systems.
Officials said the process will be completed in two stages, first targeting officers working in sensitive locations, then expanding to all. The move affects roughly 700 vehicles, mainly CHERY models, some of which are reportedly equipped with cameras and communication technologies that could transmit data externally.
Security experts noted that Israel’s action mirrors similar bans in the United States and Britain, where Chinese vehicles have been barred from military or high-security areas due to fears of digital espionage.
South Africa’s Operation Dudula has said they successfully appealed the Johannesburg High Court ruling that barred it from checking the nationalities of people at schools and hospitals.
Leader Zandile Dabula, the leader of Dudula, a vigilante group that focuses on chasing African migrants out of South Africa confirmed that the appeal automatically suspends the court order — allowing the group to resume its operations in Gauteng.
“We are free to protect South African resources,” Dabula said.
The earlier court interdict, obtained by human rights group Kopanang Africa, had declared Dudula’s actions unconstitutional and warned against intimidation of foreign nationals.
Now, with the legal barrier lifted, Operation Dudula says it will proceed with its school inspections and continue what it calls the “protection of public services for South Africa”
The United Nations has demanded that Trump STOP striking drug boats IMMEDIATELY.
The UN says that Trump’s U.S. airstrikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean violate international human rights law and must stop.
“These attacks – and their mounting human cost – are unacceptable. The U.S. must halt such attacks and take all measures necessary to prevent the extrajudicial killing of people aboard these boats, whatever the criminal conduct alleged against them,” U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said in a statement.
Lusaka lawyer and Edgar Lungu Family Spokesperson, Makebi Zulu arrives in Lusaka ahead of the deadline by the Patriotic Front for members filing in nominations for President and other positions.
Makebi Zulu was accompanied by former Minister of Mines Hon Richard Musukwa and prominent Lusaka lawyer Jonas Zimba among others.
Makebi Zulu was accompanied by former Minister of Mines Hon Richard Musukwa and prominent Lusaka lawyer Jonas Zimba among others.
KAUNDA RESIGNS FROM SP, PROMISES NEW BEGINNING IN POLITICS
Lusaka… Friday November 7, 2025 – Politician Kelvin Kaunda has announced his resignation from the Socialist Party (SP), marking the end of his association with the party and its structures.
In a statement issued to the public, Mr. Kaunda said his decision followed a period of careful reflection and consultation.
He explained that his resignation was not made lightly but stemmed from deep introspection about his convictions, aspirations, and guiding values.
Mr. Kaunda expressed gratitude for the opportunity he had to serve under the Socialist Party, engage with communities, and contribute to national discourse.
He acknowledged the support he received from party colleagues, community members, and Zambians across the country during his time in the party.
He stated that his decision to step away was driven by a desire to serve the nation more effectively and honestly, adding that leadership sometimes required the courage to make difficult choices and to follow one’s convictions even at a personal cost.
“This is not the end of my commitment to national service,” Mr. Kaunda said, describing his resignation as a new beginning anchored in clarity, purpose, and a renewed focus on the Zambian people.
He announced that he would issue a more detailed statement in the coming days to outline his future direction and plans for continued contribution to the country’s development and democratic space.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kaunda thanked his supporters for their prayers, understanding, and continued encouragement, and wished blessings upon the nation.
He writes:
JUST IN: SUSPENDED SOCIALIST PARTY MEMBER KELVIN KAUNDA RESIGNS
Dr Fred M’membe President, Socialist Party
Dear President M’membe, Re: Notification of Resignation from the Socialist Party
I, Kelvin Kaunda, hereby tender my resignation as a member of the Socialist Party, with immediate effect. This decision has been necessitated by the manner in which I was unceremoniously dismissed from my position without being afforded the opportunity to respond to the allegations leveled against me.
On 1st November 2025, I learnt of my dismissal from the Politburo through a Facebook post which for me is deeply unfortunate and disrespectful way to communicate such a serious decision. As you are aware, a fake press statement was leaked to social media, which subsequently led to my dismissal. I take issue with the process that was followed, as it denied me the basic right to defend myself against false accusations. The haste with which the party leadership rushed to the media to announce my dismissal, without verifying the facts, is regrettable.
I wish to state that I have served the party with dedication and commitment, and I had expected a more dignified and fair process. My integrity and reputation, which I have worked hard to build, have been compromised by the actions of the party leadership.
As I move on from the Socialist Party, I wish the party well in its future endeavors. I hope that it will reflect on its processes and ensure that fairness and justice are upheld in the treatment of its members.
I will soon be announcing my next step. Yours sincerely, Kelvin Kaunda
PF IS LIKE A DOBO PARTY – CF’S DR BOTA … Zambians can’t go back to the PF and UPND ‘vomit’
By Mubanga Mubanga
Opposition Citizens First (CF) party has described as “worse than a dream” the PF’s announcement to hold a convention this monthend, likening the former ruling party to a “Dobo Chamba Party” (Marijuana Smokers’ Party).
And Dr Bota charged that the UPND is the exact mirror image of the defeated PF, saying “you vomit something, you can’t go back and eat it.”
In an interview with Daily Revelation yesterday, CF deputy secretary general Dr Mwaba-Kasese Bota charged that Zambians could never contemplate voting for the PF and UPND again as their failure
Dr Nevers Sekwila Mumba has once again shown the kind of poor politics that has kept him politically irrelevant for decades. He mistakes ego for leadership, drama for strategy, and name changes for vision.
The decision to rename MMD is not “rebranding” its historical vandalism.
MMD is not just a political party; it’s a symbol of Zambia’s democratic rebirth. It’s the movement that ended one-party rule and gave citizens back their voice. You don’t erase that legacy because you have run out of ideas.
MMD carried the dreams of a generation of those who fought for freedom, free expression, and democracy itself. To rename it is to insult those who built it.
Ba Nevers and his minions must understand that; • Rebranding means renewal, not erasure. • Rebranding means new ideas, not new names. • Rebranding means restoring credibility, not rewriting history.
Ba Nevers has always struggled to understand timing and strategy. Every political step he takes seems to alienate rather than unite. Instead of using MMD’s rich legacy as a foundation for revival, he’s chosen to bury it in personal ambition.
Even if MMD no longer shakes the political scene today, it should remain untouched as a monument of Zambia’s democratic journey. The party’s name belongs to the people and to history, not to one man’s fragile political project.
You can’t fix a broken house by destroying its foundation. And you can’t revive MMD by erasing its name.
MMD deserves to live on even just as a symbol of where Zambia’s democracy began.
Bartholomew Kalambalala Member of the Central Committee & Vice Chairperson for Elections (National Management Council Member)
November 7th, 2025
To:
The General Secretary Socialist Party Lusaka, Zambia
Subject: Resignation from the Socialist Party Dear General Secretary,
I hereby tender my resignation from the Socialist Party, and consequently from my positions as Member of the Central Committee, Vice Chairperson for Elections, and Member of the National Management Council, with immediate effect.
This decision comes after deep reflection on the state of internal discipline and governance within the Party. I have observed that established disciplinary procedures are not being consistently upheld, and that critical decisions are increasingly made at the discretion of a few rather than through collective consultation. Guided by my principles, I feel compelled to pursue new avenues of service where inclusivity and accountability remain central.
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Party leadership and membership for the trust, cooperation, and camaraderie extended to me during my tenure. I remain hopeful that the Socialist Party will continue to advance its founding ideals and contribute meaningfully to Zambia’s democratic development.
Yours faithfully,
Bartholomew Kalambalala, Former Member of the Central Committee & Vice Chairperson for Elections.
Ignore Nevers – Sichilima Warns Registrar …as that would attract Contempt of Court…
LUSAKA, Friday, November 7, 2025 – Operation Save MMD Leader, Hon. Gaston Sichilima, has issued a stern warning to the Registrar of Societies against entertaining any attempts by Dr. Nevers Mumba and his faction to alter or replace the registered name of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) with the New Nation Party, describing such a move as “an assault on Zambia’s democratic heritage.”
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Registrar of Societies and copied to the Minister of Home Affairs, the Permanent Secretary, and the Attorney General, Sichilima urged the government to uphold the rule of law and preserve the integrity and legacy of the MMD, pending the outcome of ongoing court proceedings regarding the party’s leadership dispute.
Sichilima revealed that on November 6, 2025, the faction calling itself the “New Hope MMD” held what he termed a purported extraordinary convention that failed to meet the MMD’s constitutional requirements. Among other irregularities, he said no legitimate elections were conducted, yet participants allegedly resolved to form a new political party under the name “New Nation Party” and approved a proposed logo.
“It has come to our attention that this faction may attempt to submit this new name to the Registrar of Societies with the intention of replacing the registered name Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) with New Nation Party,” Sichilima warned.
He stressed that any such attempt would not only be legally improper, given the active court case, but would also represent a grave injustice to Zambia’s democratic history.
“Changing the name of the MMD would effectively kill democracy in our country’s historical context and erase the enormous contributions that the MMD has made to national development—including producing three Republican Presidents and steering Zambia through critical phases of democratic and economic reform,” he emphasized.
Sichilima, who leads Operation Save MMD, said his movement has no objection to Dr. Mumba forming a new political party independently but insisted that the MMD name and identity must remain intact as registered with the Registrar of Societies.
“The MMD is not just a political party—it is a national institution that embodies Zambia’s return to multiparty democracy. Any move to tamper with its name would be tantamount to erasing part of our country’s democratic DNA,” Sichilima said.
He further urged the Registrar of Societies to resist political manipulation and act strictly within the law, warning that any interference with the MMD’s registration at this stage would amount to contempt of court.
“We trust that the Registrar will safeguard the rule of law and ensure that the MMD’s identity—as one of Zambia’s most important democratic movements—is preserved for future generations,” he concluded.
The Operation Save MMD group has vowed to continue defending the party’s legacy and ensuring that it regains its rightful place in Zambia’s political landscape.
I am on record saying these words and since some don’t get it, shall say it once again…
When it comes to Dr Mumba, I am deeply biased and support him regardless of his decisions. As far as Doc goes, I do disagree with many of the things he does and the decisions he makes—but I do so privately and never in public because? I will present this part of myself as a supporter in public.
So, it is what it is. No matter how many ask me, when it comes to Doc, my stance is — public support.
Chapwa.
My views on other men of God? Well, if they are wrong, I will call them out. It is what it is. I support Dr Nevers Mumba unreservedly because I love the man. I am a human and when it comes to him, he has my total support.
So, if you have issues with him, you are welcome to write on your platforms and put him on blast, but my record stands. Ife ndife ba front public support!
Take it or leave it!
PS: If the day comes—God forbid—that Doc is named in a sexual scandal or scamming of believers with fake prophecies, I will publicly speak against it. Thankfully the man has a spotless record. The only “sin” the public have against him is that he purportedly left the pulpit—according to them—for politics.
I have no qualms or issues with this one. I support his decision even today.
PPS: Papa followership? Aikona man. Doc Mumba does not carry himself like some demigod who thinks all his words are from God Almighty. Nope. Further, we differ on many decisions and he doesn’t pull any of that “Respect the anointing or else you’ll die” rubbish. Doc is not that kind of man.
So the difference between a papa follower and myself is that Papa followers are blind and gullible, being fleeced for everything they have, including their very bodies in some instances, Doc isn’t that way!! ☺️
Picture credit: Dr Mumba and Madam Wina at the recent Prayer Day on the 18th October.
NKANA Independent Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu has pledged to moderate his language and avoid using expressions that may be deemed insulting during parliamentary debates.
Mpundu, who was recently suspended from Parliament for 14 days over unparliamentary remarks directed at Mongu Central MP Oliver Amutike, made the promise when he featured on KBN’s The Big Hour programme on Wednesday.
He said he would endeavour to remain calm in the face of provocation but complained that ruling UPND MPs often treated opposition members unfairly.
“Ba Moses, I am going to promise you, because you have said we need to moderate our language. I will avoid certain statements that would be labelled insulting. I want to promise on a public national broadcast, on a public platform, that if statements said in my language, which I believe are not insulting, would be labelled as such by other people, I promise you I will desist from using such statements. But I want you to know there are certain words I have used with conviction that they do not mean insults. However, because you have complained that the language sometimes goes overboard, I will try. I will ensure that I moderate my reaction to provocation. But you must know that the ruling MPs don’t treat us right,” Mpundu said.
The outspoken lawmaker accused the UPND of discriminating against opposition members both inside and outside Parliament, saying they were being treated like “second-class citizens.”
“We are treated like second-class citizens by the UPND in Parliament and outside. Are we protected? No. In fact, we even weep more for complaining. We are suspended for doing nothing. Sadly, we in the opposition are being taken to jail even for not committing a crime. Munir, for example, Munir Zulu, was taken to jail without committing a crime. You know MPs have immunities for any statements they make, provided those statements are made within what they call the precincts of Parliament. The precincts of Parliament include the main parliamentary building, the Chamber, and the perimeter, including where we sleep in the motel. Munir Zulu is in jail for a statement he made within the precincts. We took the magistrate to Parliament so that he could see where Munir made the statement, but he went ahead and handed the sentence to Munir Zulu,” he said.
Mpundu said he was aware of “secret meetings” allegedly being held to plan his arrest but insisted that he was not afraid of being jailed or persecuted for his political stance.
“Jail was meant for people. The people that fought for the independence of this country, some died. But it took sacrifices. Some of us have staked our necks. Be it that we are killed today, be it that we are taken to jail, it will be worth it because this country and the people of Zambia are worth fighting for. I know there are secret meetings being held where they are saying, ‘Why didn’t you take him to jail? What is happening?’ I know that’s what they are planning. Am I scared? No! Is it worth it? Yes, it is. Don’t I need to safeguard myself and my family? I do. But who is going to stand for the country if I am a coward?” he asked.
“Imagine if our forefathers were cowardly, where would we be today? We would still be under colonial rule. So please, Ba Joseph, continue to pray for me, but don’t just pray for me, continue to pray for my family because I am ready. I am ready to be persecuted. Am I being persecuted for committing wrongs or am I being dragged to court for committing crimes? Certainly not. I think you Zambians know what is happening. What wrong have I done to be taken to jail? Does that bother me? No! If the Son of Man could be killed, who am I? So be it.”
He added that he had no regrets over some of the controversial words he had used in Parliament, such as “Yateke Panshi” and “Ichimutwe”, but acknowledged that there was room for adjustment.
“No, sir, I don’t regret ever saying Yateke Panshi. I will never regret it. I don’t regret calling someone Ichimutwe and I will never regret it. But is there room for us to adjust? That is the commitment I have made. We can adjust, and I can only adjust because it is not sitting well with some people, like what Mr Moses has said. Otherwise, these statements are made with conviction, because even you, I can tell you that Ichimutwe, you also joke about these things. These are normal day-to-day conversations,” said Mpundu.
“It must be stated on national television now that Parliament does not prohibit the use of foreign languages. That is the rule. In Parliament, we have agreed that the language of communication is English, that’s agreed. But Parliament does not prohibit the use of other languages, except there is a general rule: when you use any word that is not in English, you are expected to translate it. And many times, it has happened where somebody will use a Bemba or Tonga adage, and they are expected to explain it at the insistence of the Speaker. The Speaker will say, ‘Meaning?’ and you are expected to translate or explain what that statement means. The statement ‘Yateke Panshi’ is a Bemba phrase which means ‘Can you sit down or relax.’”
FORMER Ambassador to Germany Anthony Mukwita has called on Zambians to use late President Edgar Lungu’s birthday which falls on the November 11, to give him the gift of burial but not for pomp or politics.
And Mukwita stated that Lungu resented tribalism and wanted unity, but now, in death, he was being denied the very peace he preached.
Mukwita also said Zambia had no law on burying dead presidents and Lungu’s pain should birth policy.
In a write-up yesterday, Mukwita stated that on November 11, Lungu would have turned 68.
“But instead of hymns, flowers, and tea, Zambia will mark his birthday with silence and frost,” he stated. “Frozen in time since 5 June, the sixth president of Zambia lies unburied, caught in a diplomatic and legal rut that mocks the humility he lived by.
STATE DENIES BOWMAN LUSAMBO’S BAIL APPLICATION CITING LACK OF EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES
By Nelson Zulu
The state has opposed the bail application of jailed former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo on the basis that the application has no exceptional circumstances to warrant bail, pending hearing of his appeal.
During the bail hearing this morning before Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Davies Chibwili, Anti-Corruption Commission-ACC- Prosecutor Tendai Shumba submitted that the grounds of appeal lack merit and that no exceptional circumstances have been shown to justify release pending determination.
Ms. Shumba argued that the relevant appellate forum operates as an Economic and Financial Crimes fast-track court, making it likely the appeal will be heard before any custodial sentence lapses.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lusambo’s lawyer Maluza Chongola submitted that his client is entitled to bail as there is a likelihood that his appeal hearing may prolong, having already served almost a year in prison and current non-action on his appeal at the Lusaka High Court.
He added that with an interested party claiming ownership of the property Mr. Lusambo was convicted and sentenced for, makes it clear of prospects of success of the appeal.
Mr. Lusambo is serving a three-year sentence for corruption-related charges and is simultaneously challenging the state’s application to forfeit the disputed Chamba valley property, which is alleged to be co-owned with businessman Mukuka Munkonge and requesting for bail.
Magistrate Chibwili will rule on the bail and forfeiture application on 10th November 2025.
El Hadji Diou is facing the prospect of jail time after claims that he abandoned his family. The former Liverpool striker has been in trouble with the law before, and looks to have landed himself in it yet again
According to reports in The Sun, Diouf has been accused by his ex-wife of not paying her £14,000 in child maintenance fees. The 44-year-old was due to appear at a court hearing in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, on Tuesday, but failed to show up.
After divorcing his wife, Valerie Bishop, in 2023, Diouf was ordered to pay £670 in monthly child support for their daughter Keyla, as well as school fees and medical bills for the 17-year-old. However, the Bishop claims that Diouf failed to pay up since March 2024 and now owes a sum that’s around £14,000.
El Hadji Diouf Risks Prison Time
The severity of Diouf’s conduct could land him in serious trouble. Laws in Senegal mean that a refusal to pay maintenance can result in a prison sentence under Article 351 of the West African country’s penal code.
Valerie’s lawyer, Mame Adama Gueye, said: “El Hadji Diouf is fully solvent. He has the means to pay, but refuses to do so. He leads a comfortable existence and divides his time between Dakar and Saly Portudal.”
MMD Rebrands as New Nation Party, Endorses President Hichilema for 2026
Rosemary Kamanga
The Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) has officially rebranded as the New Nation Party (NNP), marking a new chapter in its political journey. The announcement was made by NNP President Dr. Nevers Mumba during the party’s Extraordinary Convention held in Lusaka.
Dr. Mumba stated that the party will continue its working relationship with the United Party for National Development (UPND) and will not field a presidential candidate in the 2026 general elections. He explained that the decision to support President Hakainde Hichilema’s re-election bid stems from a desire for national unity and his longstanding alliance with the President.
Despite his seniority and experience in Zambian politics, Dr. Mumba emphasized that his support is driven by patriotism and a shared vision for the country.
NNP National Secretary Elizabeth Chitika encouraged members to embrace the party’s renewed direction with unity and commitment, while Vice President Winnie Zaloumis hailed the convention as a democratic milestone for the newly elected National Executive Committee and the broader membership.
UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda commended the peaceful nature of the convention and noted the alignment between NNP and UPND in empowering Zambians to own property and resources.
BILL 7 AN ATTEMPT TO TURN ZAMBIA INTO A ONE PARTY STATE – CATHOLIC
By NewsDiggers The Archdiocese of Lusaka (ADL) has described the November 13, 2025 deadline set for submissions to the Technical Committee as grossly inadequate.
The Catholic Church argues that such a timeframe cannot allow for broad and meaningful public participation necessary to craft a truly people-driven Constitution.
In a statement issued through IHD Caritas Lusaka, the Archdiocese emphasized that there is no urgent need to amend the current Constitution, warning that the ongoing process is unlawful and appears to be a veiled attempt to entrench a de facto one-party state.
The ADL further expressed deep concern over the government’s continued disregard for sound legal counsel and established precedent regarding Bill No. 7, stating that the constitutional amendment process seems to be motivated by narrow political interests, with the state machinery seemingly captured to serve partisan ends.
ZAMBIA’S OPPOSITION: ALLIANCES OF CONVENIENCE OR COALITIONS OF CHAOS?
The political theatre in Zambia has once again taken on a familiar rhythm — alliances forming and breaking faster than a game of musical chairs, and armchair critics suddenly auditioning for the presidency. It’s both amusing and exasperating to watch former “observers” now announcing presidential ambitions as if leadership were a hobby.
In truth, the opposition has been behaving like a serpent that devours itself — “icishishi iciilya icine,” as Bemba wisdom goes, or as the Lozi might say, “sikokwani sesiicha isali sona sinosi.” These proverbs capture perfectly the self-consuming tendencies of Zambia’s opposition landscape, where ambition often overshadows unity.
At the heart of this drama lies the endless creation and collapse of political alliances. The latest to make headlines involves constitutional lawyer John Sangwa, who has teamed up with Golden Party of Zambia leader Silavwe Jackson and Dolika Banda — whose claim to leadership seems inspired more by lineage than experience.
Zambians, however, are no fools. They can easily distinguish between genuine contenders and political chancers — and are known to reject the latter with befitting contempt.
When the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) was launched, it arrived with pomp and optimism. The opposition camp even changed its greetings on social media to “Mwa UKA!” But as quickly as it rose, UKA imploded — greed, ego, and ambition tearing it apart. Silavwe, Chishala Kateka of the NHP, and Sakwiba Sikota, in a scene reminiscent of a political soap opera, sidelined former President Edgar Lungu, leaving UKA leaderless.
Meanwhile, Socialist Party leader Dr. Fred M’membe, who once dismissed the idea of alliances, soon reversed course after realizing his political influence was far from what he had imagined. Ironically, he brands himself a “kingmaker” yet has failed to make himself king — but that’s a story for another day.
After UKA’s collapse, came Tonse, and the greetings once again changed — “Tili Tonse!” But the unity proved superficial. Now, the same partners report each other to the police for cybercrimes and identity theft. When law enforcement acts, they cry foul like footballers disputing an offside call.
Today, Tonse exists largely in name. Its anchor party, the Patriotic Front (PF), remains without direction. Who leads it — Robert Chabinga, Brian Mundubile, Miles Sampa, or Given Lubinda? No one seems certain. With elections fast approaching, only those preparing to lose would align themselves with such disarray. Perhaps this explains why Pastor Peter Chanda recently withdrew his NCP after what he described as “deep reflection and prayer.”
Then comes the Opposition United Front, reportedly the brainchild of Dr. M’membe. This is the same man who abandoned PF after Lungu’s rise to form the Rainbow Party with Wynter Kabimba, only for the duo to fall out spectacularly. From Rainbow to the Socialist Party, M’membe has seen a revolving door of allies: Fr. Frank Bwalya, Antonio Mwanza, Trymore Mweenda, and Dr. Lawrence Mwelwa — all came and went.
Most recently, Kelvin Kaunda, a key financier of the Socialist Party and once close ally, was ejected under unclear circumstances. One can’t help but wonder — when he was funding the party, did anyone question his source of wealth? Or is the problem simply that Dr. M’membe feels threatened by his growing influence?
The Opposition United Front, too, is now faltering. M’membe’s new allies — Sakwiba Sikota and Chishala Kateka — are themselves vying for leadership. Meanwhile, the Zambia We Want movement also seeks to steer the alliance. The result? Another coalition on the verge of collapse.
And then there’s the Movement for National Renewal (MNR) — perhaps the most comical of all. A coalition of three visionless opportunists: Sangwa, Banda, and Silavwe. Their alliance, critics say, was “brought in dead.” The only mystery left is who among them imagines they can lead.
As the 2026 General Election draw near, one truth stands out — the opposition’s biggest enemy isn’t the ruling party, but itself. Until ambition yields to discipline and unity, Zambians will continue watching this political circus with bemused detachment — knowing full well that not every alliance is built to last.
WILL ZAMBIANS GIVE THE UPND ANOTHER FIVE YEARS IN 2026?
As Zambia edges closer to the 2026 General Election, a question increasingly occupies the minds of citizens and political observers alike: Will the United Party for National Development (UPND) secure another five years in office?
The ruling party, led by President Hakainde Hichilema, rose to power in 2021 on a wave of public optimism and a promise to restore economic stability, strengthen governance, and promote transparency. Nearly five years later, the nation stands at a crossroads, with mixed opinions on whether the UPND has lived up to its promises — and whether Zambians will reward or punish it at the polls.
Economic Recovery and Stability
One of the UPND’s key achievements has been steering Zambia out of a crippling debt crisis through a series of debt restructuring agreements with creditors. The government’s macroeconomic management has stabilised the exchange rate and reduced inflation, while measures to promote agricultural diversification and mining reform are steadily bearing fruit.
However, many Zambians still feel the pinch of high prices and limited job opportunities. For some, economic recovery has been too slow to touch ordinary lives. This lingering frustration could become a major factor in shaping voter sentiment in 2026.
Governance and Rule of Law
On governance, President Hichilema’s administration has earned praise for upholding the rule of law, restoring media freedom, and maintaining peace and order. Institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) have been given renewed strength to act independently.
Yet critics argue that the fight against corruption has been selective and that some public frustrations remain over the pace of service delivery. The opposition has seized on these concerns to frame the government as “out of touch” with grassroots realities.
CDF and Local Empowerment
The expansion of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has been one of the most visible successes of the UPND government. It has allowed communities to decide their own development priorities, building schools, clinics, and bridges in areas long neglected.
But despite its noble intention, the implementation of CDF has not been without challenges. Delays in disbursement and capacity gaps at local levels have occasionally slowed progress, leaving citizens demanding faster impact.
The Political Equation
The 2026 elections will likely be decided on two fronts — urban perception and rural mobilisation. Urban voters, driven by economic and employment concerns, will weigh the government’s economic record carefully, while rural communities will assess development gains and access to basic services.
Meanwhile, opposition parties are working to rebrand and reorganise. The Patriotic Front (PF), though weakened, remains a factor, while emerging parties seek to tap into public impatience.
The Verdict Ahead
For the UPND, the road to 2026 is both an opportunity and a test. The party’s success will depend on how well it connects its policy achievements to the daily lives of citizens — and how effectively it communicates its message across all provinces.
If Zambians perceive that the UPND has stabilised the nation, restored integrity in governance, and laid a foundation for inclusive growth, they may well grant it another mandate. But if the frustrations of high living costs and slow trickle-down benefits dominate the public mood, the 2026 election could prove to be one of the most competitive in Zambia’s history.
In the end, the decision will rest not in campaign rhetoric but in the lived experiences of ordinary citizens — the farmers, traders, students, and workers who will judge whether five more years of UPND leadership is what Zambia needs.
