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PF Reconciliation and Theft Define Zambia’s Mood Ahead of National Day of Prayer

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PF Reconciliation and Theft Define Zambia’s Mood Ahead of National Day of Prayer

 MORNING WIRE | PF Reconciliation and Theft Define Zambia’s Mood Ahead of National Day of Prayer


As Zambia prepares to mark the National Day of Prayer, Peace and Reconciliation on October 18, political and civic scenes unfolded in sharp contrast late Thursday, one marked by forgiveness, the other by frustration.



Former State House Political Advisor Dr. Chris Zumani Zimba reconciled with Acting Patriotic Front (PF) President Given Lubinda after weeks of public tension that had strained relations within the former ruling party. The meeting, attended by PF Secretary General Raphael Nakachinda and MCC Dr. Canicius Banda, was described as warm, sincere, and reflective of the spirit of the upcoming national observance.



According to insiders, the dialogue focused on restoring unity within the PF and reviving cooperation across the Tonse Alliance ahead of the 2026 elections. Both Lubinda and Zumani pledged to work together to strengthen party structures and preserve the legacy of the late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. The reconciliation follows a period of friction that saw Lubinda report Zumani to police for alleged identity theft and online harassment.



The tone of Thursday’s meeting contrasted sharply with events elsewhere in Lusaka, where thieves dismantled the entire electrical network from the newly built Kamwala South Health Post Maternity Wing, just weeks before its official launch.



Area Councillor Mainda Simataa confirmed that the theft occurred Wednesday night when intruders stripped the facility of wiring, sockets, circuit breakers, and two industrial geysers. The maternity wing, built under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), had been in the final stages of equipment procurement.



Simataa said this was the third major theft since the project began seven years ago, following earlier losses of doors and window frames. He criticised the lack of security provisions under the current CDF Act, saying that government agencies have repeatedly declined to deploy guards until the facility is officially handed over to the Ministry of Health.



“This happened just when we secured funds for equipment and furniture,” Simataa said. “We will not deliver anything until security is in place.”



The twin : one of political reconciliation, the other of civic , capture Zambia’s delicate balance between rebuilding trust and confronting dysfunction. As the nation prepares to bow its head in prayer, the question lingers whether the same spirit of reconciliation shown in Lusaka’s political corridors can be extended to the broader challenge of governance and accountability across the country.

© The People’s Brief | Ollus R. Ndomu

CCZ DESCRIBES 2025 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER PREPARATIONS AS AWKWARD AMID EDGAR LUNGU BURIAL IMPASSE

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CCZ DESCRIBES 2025 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER PREPARATIONS AS AWKWARD AMID EDGAR LUNGU BURIAL IMPASSE

CCZ DESCRIBES 2025 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER PREPARATIONS AS AWKWARD AMID ECL BURIAL IMPASSE



By Chamuka Shalubala

Council of Churches in Zambia -CCZ General Secretary, Bishop Emmanuel Chikoya, has described as awkward the country’s preparations to commemorate the national day of prayer while the impasse surrounding the burial of former President Edgar Lungu remains unresolved.



Zambia will on Saturday observe the national day of prayer, which falls annually on October 18.



Speaking to Phoenix News, Bishop Chikoya has emphasized the importance of integrity and consistency, urging both leaders and citizens to “walk the talk” by living out the values they proclaim during the day of prayer.



He has stressed that the messages delivered on such an occasion should not be treated as one-off declarations, but as guiding principles to be practiced throughout the year.



And when asked whether the national day of prayer still serves its intended purpose despite the prevailing political tensions, Bishop Chikoya responded in the affirmative.

PHOENIX NEWS

CIVIL SOCIETY CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY AS GOVERNMENT FAILS TO AVAIL TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

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CIVIL SOCIETY CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY AS GOVERNMENT FAILS TO AVAIL TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

In what appears to be a growing wave of concern over Zambia’s constitutional reform process, a coalition of 37 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has raised alarm over the government’s failure to release the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the newly constituted Constitutional Technical Committee.

The CSOs argue that the absence of clearly defined ToR not only undermines transparency but also risks derailing the credibility and inclusiveness of the entire constitutional review process—one that the UPND administration hopes to conclude before the 2026 general elections.

According to the group, government’s silence on the ToR has left stakeholders and citizens in the dark regarding the committee’s actual mandate, scope of work, timelines, and guiding principles. This, they say, contradicts the government’s own pledge to promote public participation and build a people-driven Constitution.

“We cannot meaningfully engage in a process whose rules of engagement are unknown,” the statement from the 37 CSOs reads. “Unless the Terms of Reference align with the people’s expectations, this will be yet another roadblock to the UPND government’s desire to amend the Constitution before the 2026 elections.”

The organizations have since taken a proactive stance drafting and presenting what they describe as the “bare minimum acceptable expectations” to guide the process. These include:

Full transparency of the committee’s composition, mandate, and funding.

Wider citizen participation in consultations across all provinces.

Guarantees against political interference, ensuring the committee operates independently.

Clear timelines and deliverables, communicated publicly.

A rights-based approach, ensuring the final draft protects democratic institutions and individual freedoms.

They further warned that any attempt to rush or manipulate the process could reignite public mistrust similar to that seen during previous constitutional reform attempts.

Political analysts have also weighed in, noting that the government’s handling of the process could either reinforce or damage its democratic credentials ahead of the next polls. “Constitutional reform is one of the most sensitive undertakings in any democracy,” said one governance expert. “Without openness and inclusivity, the process risks being viewed as politically motivated.”

The Ministry of Justice has yet to respond to the concerns raised by the CSOs. Meanwhile, public calls are growing for the government to immediately publish the ToR and outline the roadmap for the constitutional review process.

As the clock ticks toward 2026, the coming weeks could determine whether Zambia’s long-awaited constitutional reform becomes a unifying national project or yet another contentious political battlefield.

©️ KUMWESU | October 16, 2025

ZAMBIA IS OUT OF ICU WE FOUND HER IN 2021 – Mark Simuuwe

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ZAMBIA IS OUT OF ICU WE FOUND HER IN 2021 – Mark Simuuwe

By Mark Simuuwe

ZAMBIA IS OUT OF ICU WE FOUND HER IN 2021

SOME OF THE KWENYUs UPND GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IN OFFICE SINCE 2021 TO DATE.



1.Free Education ✔️
2. No torture chambers like kamugodi ✔️
3. No Ritual killings & gassing ✔️
4. Meal 菱 allowances in schools ✔️
5. Bursaries & student loans ✔️
6. Salary increments and NAPSA partial withdraw ✔️


7. 36.1 million CDF Countrywide ✔️
8. Scrapping off Death penalty ✔️
9. Introduction of ZNS training
10. 48,000 + Teacher recruitment ✔️
11.16,000+ Healthy workers recruitment ✔️


12. Defense  recruitment ✔️
13. Police Recruitment ✔️
14. ZAF recruitment ✔️
15. ZNS Recruitment ✔️
16. Prisons Recruitment ✔️
17. Fire officers Recruitment ✔️


18. ZAWA officers Recruitment ✔️
19.Green economy officers Recruitment ✔️
20. Imigration officers Recruitment ✔️
21. OP officers recruitment ✔️
22. Council police officers recruitment ✔️
23. Council workers recruitment ✔️
24.10% Civil Servants Salary Increment ✔️
25. 2025 Minimum wage inacted ✔️
26. expiration of licence from 2 to 5 years ✔️


27. SAF Loans for farmers ✔️
28. Resettlement scheme for youths ✔️
29.Skills training in all 156 constituencies ✔️
30. Social cash transfer ✔️
31. Introduction of Eagle Milling ✔️
32. Kalonga milling Revamped ✔️
33. Cash for work ✔️
34. CEEC Loans ✔️


35.Over 5000 Motor bikes scheme for youths ✔️
36. Constitution Amendment ✔️
37. FISP Farmer input support program ✔️
38. Amendment of Cyber Security crime bill✔️


39. Introduction of fast track court on GBV
40. Lusaka Ndola Duo carriage road project ✔️
41. Nitrogen chemicals of Zambia revamped ✔️
41. DEBT RESTRUCTURING ✔️
42. KCM REVAMPED ✔️


43. Police vehicles in all the districts ✔️
44. Chisamba solar plant ✔️
45. Issuance of artisanal mining licenses ✔️


46. Introduction of New bank notes✔️
47. TAZAMA oil pipeline project ✔️
48. REDUCTION OF FUEL PRICE ✔️
49. Reduction of Meali meal prices ✔️


50. Zambia/Tanzania electricity deal ✔️
51. China producing medicines locally ✔️
52. FREE MEDICINES IN HOSPITALS ✔️
53.Apprenticeship & paid attachments by govt ✔️
54. $1.4bn Fertilizer and thermal power plant with 5000 workers ✅

ZAMBIA’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY ON TRACK AS DEBT RESTRUCTURING EFFORTS BEAR FRUIT

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ZAMBIA’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY ON TRACK AS DEBT RESTRUCTURING EFFORTS BEAR FRUIT

ZAMBIA’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY ON TRACK AS DEBT RESTRUCTURING EFFORTS BEAR FRUIT



In a recent address at the District Development Coordinating Committee meeting, Kabwe District Commissioner Mr Lennox Shimwambwa Jr. reflected on the significant progress Zambia has made over the past four years under the stewardship of President Hakainde Hichilema, following the country’s unprecedented economic challenges, including a debt default in 2020. This marked Zambia as the first African nation to default, unable as it was to meet its coupon payment, causing a nationwide standstill.



Despite the dire financial situation, Mr Shimwambwa acknowledged that borrowing continued to fund essential resources like fuel and medicines, leading to an artificial economic state. “It was easy to burn money,” he noted, emphasizing how the influx of easy cash obscured deeper financial issues. However, as Zambia embarks on debt restructuring, with 92% of its debt now restructured, the outlook is beginning to improve.



Reflecting on the failures of 2020, the District Commissioner highlighted that the country could not conduct its constitutionally mandated census due to financial constraints. The census, a vital tool for equitable resource distribution, was successfully carried out by the current government under President Hakainde Hichilema in 2022, allowing for accurate demographic data such as Kabwe’s population of 300,000 essential for planning and development.



The constitutional requirement for delimitation, a process necessary for fair electoral representation is now being emphasized again. He stated that, like the census, delimitation should not be postponed, as it is crucial for addressing the needs of various wards, including under-resourced areas like Chinyanja and Bwacha in the District.



In recent budgetary developments, an impressive 82% of Zambia’s budget is now financed locally, marking a significant shift from the previous reliance on international aid. The earlier breakdown of the budget indicated a stark contrast where only 10% was allocated to social sector needs, such as education and health. With the current focus, more resources are being channelled into these critical areas, leading to mass recruitment and improved public services.



Today, he said,  healthcare facilities in Kabwe District, such as the Central Hospital, are witnessing vital improvements, with new medical equipment like dialysis machines and CT scanners coming online. An oxygen plant has also been established, facilitating better patient care.



In terms of education,the District Commissioner emphasized the importance of access to schooling as the most effective means of reducing poverty. Initiatives are now in place to support all levels of education, with investments in skills development programs aimed at providing vocational training opportunities through the Constituency Development Fund CDF.



With these transformative efforts, Zambia is set on a path toward recovery and progress, fostering a brighter future for its citizens.

UPND MT

Nkana Aspiring Member of Parliament Kostandinos Marianos Mwape Urges Constituents to Register as Voters

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Nkana Aspiring Member of Parliament Kostandinos Marianos Mwape Urges Constituents to Register as Voters

PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release

Nkana Aspiring Member of Parliament Kostandinos Marianos Mwape Urges Constituents to Register as Voters



Nkana aspiring Member of Parliament, Kostandinos Morianos Mwape, has called on all eligible residents of Nkana Constituency to take part in the ongoing voter registration exercise.



Mr. Mwape emphasized that registering as a voter is the first and most important step toward meaningful participation in the democratic process.



He further appealed to community leaders, youth groups, and civil society organizations to help mobilize residents and create awareness on the importance of voter registration.

https://youtu.be/Hm1tCwDv_jI?si=_2CQ_-sRgVY3g28t



Mr. Mwape reiterated his commitment to promoting civic engagement and ensuring that the people of Nkana have a strong and united voice in national development.



Issued by:
Office of Kostandinos Moranos Mwape
Aspiring Member of Parliament – Nkana Constituency

https://www.facebook.com/share/1C9kc7pVBG/

When Survival Becomes a Crime – ZRA’s War on the Struggling Poor

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When Survival Becomes a Crime – ZRA’s War on the Struggling Poor

When Survival Becomes a Crime – ZRA’s War on the Struggling Poor

The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has recently urged citizens to report their neighbours who run small home shops, kantembas, or side businesses suspected of tax evasion. On paper, it sounds like a noble call for compliance. But in practice, it reeks of economic insensitivity and misplaced priorities.



At a time when the cost of living has hit unbearable levels, with basic goods and services slipping beyond the reach of ordinary citizens, this move feels like a crackdown on survival rather than on corruption. Zambians have been pushed by economic realities to start small backyard businesses, selling tomatoes, cooking oil, talk time, vegetables, and household essentials just to make ends meet. And now, the taxman wants the neighbour to become a snitch?



Let’s be clear: taxation is essential. It fuels hospitals, schools, and public infrastructure. But when the tax net starts hovering over struggling families who barely earn enough to buy a 25kg bag of mealie meal, we have a moral and policy problem. ZRA should not be the bulldog at the gates of poverty; it should be a bridge to economic empowerment.



Instead of weaponizing communities against each other, why not help these small businesses formalize through simplified tax education and incentives? Why not make compliance appealing rather than fear-driven? A mother selling fritters from her veranda is not the enemy of the state, she is a citizen responding to economic hardship.


What Zambia needs now is not intimidation, but inclusion. The informal sector is vast and full of potential. It can become a genuine source of national revenue but only if ZRA learns to nurture it, not suffocate it.


Encouraging citizens to spy on each other for a loaf of bread’s worth of earnings breeds mistrust in communities already under strain. It is not taxation; it is desperation disguised as policy.



If ZRA truly wants to expand the tax base, it must look upwards to those with real, taxable capacity. The luxury SUVs, the big tenders, the mines and the multimillion kwacha contracts that often escape proper scrutiny.

https://youtu.be/Hm1tCwDv_jI?si=_2CQ_-sRgVY3g28t



Targeting home kantembas won’t fix the national revenue shortfall. It will only make the poor poorer and the economy colder.



In a country where innovation and hustle are now acts of survival, the taxman should be a partner, not a predator.

©️ KUMWESU OPINION | October 17, 2025

Coup Not Sustainable, We Need a Culture of Accountability

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Coup Not Sustainable, We Need a Culture of Accountability

⬆️ EDITORIAL | Coup Not Sustainable, We Need a Culture of Accountability

The images coming out of Madagascar: military trucks on the streets of Antananarivo, a colonel declaring himself president, and crowds cheering in apparent relief, have sparked a troubling fascination across parts of Africa, including here in Zambia. Since our Regional Desk reported on the Malagasy coup, we have received messages from readers and even some political figures expressing hope that a similar “reset” could happen at home.



We reject that view entirely.

It is one thing to be frustrated with governance; it is another to wish away democracy for the false thrill of military power. Zambia’s politics may be loud, divided, and imperfect, but it remains anchored in constitutional order, a privilege that many nations on this continent have lost and fought hard to regain.



Let us be clear: a coup is not reform; it is regression.

Those who call for one, even in jest, are not only misreading history but also betraying the sacrifices that built Zambia’s democratic identity. We have never experienced military rule since independence in 1964. That record is not accidental. It is the result of a deep national belief that political power belongs to citizens, not soldiers.



Yes, the current administration has shortcomings. The power crisis is biting. The cost of living remains high. Corruption allegations persist. But these are not conditions for surrendering democracy; they are reasons to strengthen accountability within it. Change in Zambia must continue to come from ballots, not bayonets.



Those who cheer the Malagasy coup should reflect on what usually follows. History shows that coups rarely bring prosperity or justice. They bring censorship, curfews, and fear. They replace one elite with another, one kind of silence with a deeper one. Citizens lose their voice, and institutions collapse under command. The romanticism of “starting afresh” quickly fades when the guns stop pointing outward and begin to point inward.



Zambia’s challenge is not that democracy has failed, it is that citizens often abandon it between elections. We vote, then retreat into silence, leaving politicians to define public life. We need not a coup, but a renewal of civic responsibility. Democracy is strongest when citizens remain watchful, informed, and engaged beyond the polling booth.

https://youtu.be/Hm1tCwDv_jI?si=_2CQ_-sRgVY3g28t



The opposition too must rise above populist anger. Leadership is not measured by how loudly one condemns government, but by how clearly one offers alternatives. Those aspiring to govern must show they can operate within the rules of democracy, not flirt with its destruction.



As a publication, we will continue to hold power to account: firmly, fairly, and factually. But we will not amplify reckless fantasies that undermine Zambia’s peace. Our founders gave us a nation free from the scars of military intervention. It would be an unforgivable mistake to invite that darkness in the name of change.



The ballot remains our greatest weapon, not the bullet. Let us use it wisely, and keep Zambia the stable democracy the region still looks up to.

© The People’s Brief | Editors

CONVICTED EX-PRESIDENT KABILA RALLIES OPPOSITION TO ‘SAVE’ DR CONGO FROM CRISIS

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CONVICTED EX-PRESIDENT KABILA RALLIES OPPOSITION TO ‘SAVE’ DR CONGO FROM CRISIS

CONVICTED EX-PRESIDENT KABILA RALLIES OPPOSITION TO ‘SAVE’ DR CONGO FROM CRISIS



FORMER Congolese President Joseph Kabila has announced a movement to “save” his country, after a meeting with other opposition leaders in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.


The meeting, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, resolved to rally Congolese to oppose the “dictatorship” of President Félix Tshisekedi, according to a document seen by the BBC.

Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya dismissed it as a “non-event”, and a meeting of “fugitives and convicts”. Kenya’s foreign ministry has not responded to the BBC’s request for comment.



Kabila was recently sentenced to death back home for war crimes and treason. He rejected the charges as “arbitrary” but did not appear in court to defend himself.

Since May, his whereabouts have not been known until earlier this week when images of him in Nairobi surfaced on social media.


The meeting in Nairobi included former DR Congo Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo, who was sentenced to a decade in prison for corruption in May.

Participants warned that DR Congo was facing a deepening crisis due to the government’s rejection of inclusive dialogue and poor economic governance.



They criticised Tshisekedi’s failure to enact policies to address urgent public needs, despite his full control of state power.

“From every corner and crevice of Congo, let us unite and take daily actions to save the DR Congo. Every gesture matters and will count toward victory and dignity,” they said in the 14-point declaration bearing the signatures of the leaders of 12 opposition and civil society groups.



They also denounced the “arbitrary detention of political leaders… [and] all the unfair judgments handed down by courts and tribunals against opposition leaders” and critics of the government.



They vowed to launch a diplomatic offensive to alert the international community to DR Congo’s crisis.

The Congolese government has previously expressed concerns over Kenya hosting opposition figures linked to the M23 rebels, who have seized large parts of eastern DR Congo, sparking a diplomatic row.


In 2023, opposition figure Corneille Nangaa announced the formation of the opposition Alliance Fleuve Congo from Nairobi. The group includes opposition figures and the M23.



Kabila ruled DR Congo from 2001 until 2019, after succeeding his father Laurent, who was shot dead in 2001.

Kabila backed Tshisekedi in the disputed elections of 2019, but they later fell out and Kabila went into self-imposed exile in 2023.



Tshisekedi accused Kabila of being the brains behind the M23 rebel group in eastern DR Congo and senators stripped him of his legal immunity, paving the way for his prosecution in a military court that led to the death sentence two weeks ago.



In April this year, the former president said he wanted to help find a solution to the deadly fighting in the east and arrived in the M23-held city of Goma the following month. He had not been seen in public since then until this week.



The meeting in Nairobi came as the Congolese government signed an agreement with the M23 in Doha to set up a way of monitoring their ceasefire.

Both sides have accused the other of breaking the deal.

BBC

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA TO HOLD CABINET MEETING AT UCF FACILITY AS $1.4 BILLION TRIPLE INVESTMENT USHERS IN NEW INDUSTRIAL ERA

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PRESIDENT HICHILEMA TO HOLD CABINET MEETING AT UCF FACILITY AS $1.4 BILLION TRIPLE INVESTMENT USHERS IN NEW INDUSTRIAL ERA

PRESIDENT HICHILEMA TO HOLD CABINET MEETING AT UCF FACILITY AS $1.4 BILLION TRIPLE INVESTMENT USHERS IN NEW INDUSTRIAL ERA



CHILANGA, Zambia, October 16, 2025 — President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that he will convene his next Cabinet meeting at the United Capital Fertilizer (UCF) facility in Chilanga, to give ministers firsthand appreciation of the plant’s role in Zambia’s industrial transformation.



“I want my Cabinet to have a shared vision of how this plant came to be, a symbol of what is possible when government and investors align,” the President said, quoting scripture: “Two can only walk together if they agree.”


The Head of State made the announcement while commissioning a landmark US$1.4 billion triple investment packageby UCF, describing it as a defining moment in Zambia’s industrial and economic transformation.



The commissioning ceremony marked three major milestones:

• The switching on of UCF’s 85-megawatt (MW) thermal power plant,
• The signing of the US$1.4 billion second-phase Urea Fertilizer Plant, and
• The launch of the Wonderful Group Industrial Park, operated by UCF’s parent company, the Wonderful Group of Companies Limited.



“This triple investment is more than infrastructure. It is fertilizer for our farms, acid and explosives for our mines, energy for our grid, and jobs for our people. This is the kind of economic transformation we must all rally behind,” President Hichilema said.



The newly commissioned 85MW power plant will supply 45MW to the national grid, while 40MW will be used for UCF’s fertilizer production. A 300MW expansion phase is also planned to strengthen Zambia’s energy supply network.



The second-phase Urea Fertilizer Plant, already under construction, will enhance Zambia’s food security, reduce fertilizer imports, and position the nation as a regional agricultural hub.

President Hichilema commended UCF for its integrated industrial model that spans fertilizer production, mining-grade acid, industrial explosives, power generation, and education. He particularly praised the company’s plans to train chemical engineering graduates and promote research partnerships.



“The youth, especially chemical engineering students, will find opportunities here. This is how we integrate education with industry to achieve national development,” he said.

Reaffirming his government’s productivity-driven ethos, President Hichilema called on citizens and investors to adopt a results-oriented work culture.
“My policy is work, work after work, not party after party. We cannot allow laziness to be part of us,” he said.


In a show of decisive leadership, the President directed that all outstanding land issues related to the investment be resolved “by midnight tonight.”

The Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, His Excellency Han Jing, hailed the commissioning as a reflection of the strong bilateral ties between the two nations.



Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga, praised UCF for complementing the New Dawn Government’s inclusive development agenda, noting ongoing community investments such as a secondary school for 300 pupils, a health facility, 1,000 housing units for employees, and a concrete access road to improve logistics.

https://youtu.be/Hm1tCwDv_jI?si=_2CQ_-sRgVY3g28t



The commissioning of the UCF Urea Plant, the 85MW power station, and the Wonderful Group Industrial Parkmarks one of the most significant milestones under President Hichilema’s economic transformation agenda, positioning Zambia as a regional leader in fertilizer production, power generation, and industrial innovation.

© Falcon News | 2025

ZESCO ADDS 300,000 NEW CUSTOMERS AMID RISING POWER DEMAND AND REDUCED HYDRO GENERATION

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ZESCO ADDS 300,000 NEW CUSTOMERS AMID RISING POWER DEMAND AND REDUCED HYDRO GENERATION

ZESCO ADDS 300,000 NEW CUSTOMERS AMID RISING POWER DEMAND AND REDUCED HYDRO GENERATION



Zesco Managing Director, Justin Loongo, says the utility company has added nearly 300,000 new electricity customers over the past three years, resulting in a significant rise in national power demand.



Speaking to Phoenix News, Mr. Loongo notes that this increase in demand comes at a time when the country is experiencing reduced hydro generation due to poor rainfall, particularly in key catchment areas such as the Kafue basin.


He has explained that while the growth in electricity connections reflects progress in expanding access, it has not been matched by a corresponding increase in generation capacity or investment.

https://youtu.be/Hm1tCwDv_jI?si=_2CQ_-sRgVY3g28t



To ease pressure on the grid, Mr. Loongo says Zesco is fast-tracking the development of solar projects and promoting rooftop solar adoption among households and businesses through net metering.



He adds that it remains within Zesco’s mandate to continue connecting new customers to the national grid, regardless of ongoing energy challenges.

PN

NAMIBIA SPEAKS: “WHEN WE WERE FIGHTING IN THE JUNGLES OF ANGOLA, THE RUSSIANS WERE WITH US.”

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NAMIBIA SPEAKS: “WHEN WE WERE FIGHTING IN THE JUNGLES OF ANGOLA, THE RUSSIANS WERE WITH US.”

NAMIBIA SPEAKS: “WHEN WE WERE FIGHTING IN THE JUNGLES OF ANGOLA, THE RUSSIANS WERE WITH US.”

Namibia’s President Nandi-Ndaitwah recently told RT that “Moscow always had our back.”
Those words echo far beyond Windhoek — they reverberate across the African continent.



For many African nations, Russia is not a new ally. Decades before today’s headlines, the Soviet Union trained freedom fighters, armed liberation movements, and offered political sanctuary to leaders resisting colonial and apartheid rule. From Angola to Mozambique, Ethiopia to South Africa, the hand of Moscow reached not for conquest — but for solidarity.



While the world debates geopolitics and power blocs, Africa remembers who stood by it when the fight for freedom was not fashionable.


Today, as global tensions rise and economic pressures mount, it’s no surprise that many African leaders still look to Moscow — not as a new partner, but as an old friend who never turned away.



The story of Africa and Russia is not one of convenience; it is one of shared struggle and mutual respect — a bond forged in the fires of liberation.



✊ Africa Remembers. Africa Chooses. Africa Stands.

 What are your thoughts on Africa’s enduring ties with Russi?

MY EXISTENCE IS TO GIVE AFRICA A CHOICE AND HOPE- Vladmir Putin

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MY EXISTENCE IS TO GIVE AFRICA A CHOICE AND HOPE- Vladmir Putin

MY EXISTENCE IS TO GIVE AFRICA A CHOICE AND HOPE

“Russia is renowned for its stand against oppression, as we proved by halting the Nazis when they sought to dominate those yearning for freedom.



Western media often portrays Russia as the antagonist to Africans, while subtly undermining their educational systems to limit access to truthful information, perpetuating the notion that to hide something from an African, one need only write it in a book.


Africans must read between the lines, delve into history, and discern who their true allies are in the pursuit of knowledge and liberation!”



-Russian President and King of the North Vladmir Putin

“Why is Kanye West paying Kim Kardashian $200,000 every month in child support?. $200,000 is way too much.”-Gilbert Arenas

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“Why is Kanye West paying Kim Kardashian $200,000 every month in child support?. $200,000 is way too much.”-Gilbert Arenas

“Why is Kanye West paying Kim Kardashian $200,000 every month in child support?. $200,000 is way too much.” __ Gilbert Arenas



“The dîvorce and child support system is old and c•rrùpted. It’s actually built to d3strõy men. Why should a man have to lõõse half of his wealth to his wîfe after dîvorce? Why should a man be paying money that is way off what his children need as child support?



Take Kanye West for example — he pays Kim Kardashian $200,000 a month in child support. What exactly do those kids need $200,000 for every month? Kim’s a millionaire herself, but somehow Kanye’s the one footing all the bills for their kids. Honestly, our div0rce and child support system is m3ssd up. If things don’t change, a lot of men like me might just think twice before getting married.

___ Gilbert Arena

Mutsvangwa Accuses VP Chiwenga Of Plotting, Claims 2018 White City Bombing Was an Inside Job

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Mutsvangwa Accuses VP Chiwenga Of Plotting, Claims 2018 White City Bombing Was an Inside Job

Mutsvangwa Takes Shocking Shots At Chiwenga, Claims 2018 White City Bombing Was an Inside Job
Zanu PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa has reignited controversy over the 2018 White City Stadium grenade attack, claiming it was an “inside job” plotted by insiders linked to Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga. He made the explosive remarks during a press briefing in Harare on 16 October 2025, just one day before President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to open the Zanu PF annual conference in Mutare.

The White City Stadium Bombing
On 23 June 2018, a grenade exploded at White City Stadium in Bulawayo shortly after Mnangagwa addressed a campaign rally.

Two people were killed and dozens were injured, including Vice-Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, as well as senior party official Oppah Muchinguri. Mnangagwa himself escaped unscathed, later telling reporters:

“It is not my time.”

Initial investigations produced conflicting accounts. Suspects were arrested and later released, while internal security agencies appeared divided. In 2024, detectives revisited the scene with Chinese investigators, but no conclusive findings were made public.

Blame Shifts Over The Years
In the immediate aftermath, Mnangagwa suggested the blast may have been linked to Grace Mugabe’s G40 faction, which had been sidelined after the 2017 coup. He told international media the attack could have been staged by those “still bitter” about Mugabe’s ouster.

Years later, in 2025, Mutsvangwa presented a very different version.

According to TheNewsHawks, he claimed:

“That was an inside job. They wanted to assassinate President Mnangagwa on 23 June 2018 at White City Stadium.”

He did not provide evidence, and the allegation remains unverified.

The shift from blaming G40 in 2018 to accusing Chiwenga’s allies in 2025 underscores how the bombing has been repeatedly weaponised in Zanu PF’s succession wars.

Mutsvangwa’s Verbal Assault On Chiwenga
In his press conference, Mutsvangwa also launched personal attacks on Chiwenga, branding him a “mucheka dzafa” (an opportunist).

He said:

“Chiwenga behaves as if he is the only one who went to war. Yet he only joined the Zanla front deep and late in 1978 in Mozambique.”

Mutsvangwa alleged that Chiwenga was plotting to topple Mnangagwa using proxies such as war veterans’ leader Blessed Geza, and accused him of mobilising for a “one million man march” set for 17 October 2025 in Mutare.

“Kangaroo Court” And Succession Fight
Mutsvangwa also condemned a document written by Chiwenga, which criticised corruption and succession issues.

He said:

“Chiwenga wanted to turn the presidium into a Kangaroo Court. His plan boomeranged. He is now isolated in a sideshow.”

At the same briefing, Mutsvangwa praised Mnangagwa for steady leadership and hailed the late Zanu chairman Herbert Chitepo, assassinated in Lusaka in 1975, for building early ties with China.

His words came just before Mnangagwa’s keynote speech at the party conference, where factional battles and the President’s push to extend his rule beyond a second term are set to dominate proceedings.

Watch: Kuda Tagwirei’s dance moves celebrating Zanu-PF appointment goes viral

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Watch: Kuda Tagwirei’s dance moves celebrating Zanu-PF appointment goes viral

Kuda Tagwirei’s journey from the corporate boardroom to the political stage continues to turn heads across Zimbabwe. Known as one of the country’s wealthiest businessmen, Tagwirei built his fortune through smart investments in energy, agriculture, and banking.

His entrepreneurial vision earned him both influence and admiration within business circles. Recently, however, Tagwirei has turned his attention to politics, marking a new chapter in his remarkable career.

His appointment to the ZANU–PF Central Committee signifies not only recognition of his growing political stature but also his determination to contribute directly to shaping Zimbabwe’s future.

Tagwirei’s Joyful Dance Marks a New Chapter in Politics
Celebrations erupted as Kuda Tagwirei took to the stage, dancing with contagious energy and joy. Surrounded by cheering ZANU–PF members, he showed off playful dance moves that mirrored President Mnangagwa’s famous celebratory style. The crowd roared with excitement, chanting his name as cameras captured the moment.

Tagwirei’s smile said it all—he was elated, humbled, and proud. For him, this appointment is more than just a title; it is a symbol of trust, loyalty, and national recognition. As his supporters celebrated online, @shumbakadzi_zim wrote on X: “A true moment of joy and pride for Zimbabwe!” Indeed, Tagwirei’s dance embodied his gratitude and ambition.

His appointment to the Central Committee signals a deepening role in national affairs and hints at greater political ambitions ahead. With both business acumen and charisma, Tagwirei continues to stride confidently toward Zimbabwe’s political spotlight.

https://twitter.com/shumbakadzi_zim/status/1978555029062627428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1978555029062627428%7Ctwgr%5E5d556fed559c8f1244c5a21032e503283759142f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fiharare.com%2Fwatch-kuda-tagwireis-dance-moves-celebrating-zanu-pf-appointment-goes-viral%2F

Fans react
After @shumbakadzi_zim shared Kuda Tagwirei’s dance moves celebrating his appointment, people had a lot to say.

@fansokT “We appreciate you Dr KT”

@nkosinathi_1991 “This is the man who will giv bck the land to the whites….he will destroy zanu from wthin once he becomes a presidnt”

@ossymassy23 “Kkkk wakukopa nema dhanzi aED fut hah mirai izvozvo vakomana”

@RetiredPundit “Are the people in the room with you right now… have never heard anyone celebrating a central committee appointment why should they start now…”

Zimbabwe Announces Special Presidential Bonus For Civil Servants In Addition To Regular Annual Bonus

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Zimbabwe Announces Special Presidential Bonus For Civil Servants In Addition To Regular Annual Bonus

Special Presidential Bonus For Zimbabwe Civil Servants In Addition To Regular Annual Bonus

In a major pre-festive season announcement, the Zimbabwean government has revealed a new package of benefits for its civil servants. The deal includes a special bonus directly from the president, a restored car import rebate, and promises to fix a critical medical aid society.

The offer was detailed in a press statement from the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Edgar Moyo, on 16 October 2025. According to the statement, the government remains committed to improving the welfare of civil servants, with the new interventions following “ongoing engagements” between the government and its employees.

The package includes a US$150 “Special Presidential Bonus,” a car import rebate, recapitalisation of PSMAS, and housing stands.

Cash Bonus And Car Rebates Announced
Introducing the package, Minister Moyo said the bonus is a once-off intervention to ease year-end pressures. In the press statement, he is quoted as saying:

“To provide festive season relief and recognise dedicated service, Government will pay a once off Special Presidential Bonus of US$150 for all civil servants which will be disbursed in two equal instalments of US$75 in November and December 2025. This will be in addition to the regular annual bonus and salaries.”

Civil servants are set to receive US$150 (R2,850) in total, split into US$75 (R1,425) per month. On vehicles, the statement confirms the restoration of the civil servants’ vehicle rebate. Minister Moyo noted:

“The civil servants’ vehicle rebate is being fully restored to 2022 benefit levels, as reflected in Statutory Instrument 124 of 2022, with effect from 1 December 2025.”

According to the newZWire post, this rebate forms part of a wider package aimed at long-serving staff.

Promises To Fix Healthcare And Housing
The government also addressed the breakdown in medical cover that has affected many workers. In the statement, Minister Moyo explained:

“Government is recapitalising Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) to ensure sustainable access to quality healthcare for public servants.”

On housing, the statement sets out targeted allocations and future plans:

“As part of the non-monetary incentives, Government is promoting home ownership through the identified 26,000 housing stands — 20,000 in Harare and 6,000 in Bulawayo — with further allocations planned across the country.”

A “Motivated And Productive” Public Service
Looking ahead to structural pay matters, the statement confirms timelines for job evaluation:

“The Job Evaluation Remuneration Framework will be implemented in the first quarter of 2026.”

Minister Moyo framed the interventions as a signal of continuity and commitment:

“These measures reaffirm Government’s dedication to uplifting the welfare of workers and pensioners, ensuring their continued contribution to efficient and responsive public service delivery.”

With the first US$75 (R1,425) instalment due in November 2025, civil servants now have a clearer picture of the festive-season relief and the non-monetary incentives expected to follow.

Will Zimbabweans March and follow Geza Today?

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Will Zimbabweans March and follow Geza Today?

Will Zimbabweans March and follow Geza Today?
In a stunning escalation im Zimbabwe , war veteran and Vice President Chiwenga ally, Blessed Geza, has called on Zimbabweans across the country to rise up in protest this Friday, 17 October 2025.



Geza urged citizens in Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, and other cities who cannot travel to Harare for the planned One Million March to hold demonstrations in their own towns instead. He said Zimbabweans must “march to the residences of ZANU–PF leaders” on Friday and then on Saturday, 18 October, converge at State House in Harare to demand President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation.



“No one should leave State House until ED steps down,” Geza declared in what many are calling his boldest challenge yet to Mnangagwa’s rule.



The fiery statement has sent shockwaves through the ruling party and security circles, as the nation braces for a potentially explosive weekend of confrontation.

Here Is Why FIFA May Move 2026 World Cup Games from US Cities

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Here Is Why FIFA May Move 2026 World Cup Games from US Cities

Here Is Why FIFA May Move 2026 World Cup Games from US Cities

United States President Donald Trump has suggested that matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be moved from certain American cities if security becomes a concern.

Trump said FIFA President Gianni Infantino would be willing to back such decisions if the situation demanded it.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump remarked that safety would take precedence over all other considerations during the global tournament.

“If somebody is doing a bad job and if I feel there’s unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni, the head of FIFA, who’s phenomenal, and I would say, let’s move it to another location. And he would do that. Very easily he would do it,” Trump said.

Follows Recent Meeting in Egypt
Trump’s comments come just a day after he met Infantino in Egypt during a summit focused on securing a Gaza ceasefire. The FIFA chief was among more than two dozen world leaders in attendance at the gathering, which aimed to advance peace talks in the Middle East.

The two leaders, who share a close personal friendship, reportedly discussed a range of topics including sports diplomacy and the logistics surrounding the upcoming World Cup.

Possible Impact on 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
In addition to the World Cup, Trump hinted that similar steps could be taken for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if he believed preparations were inadequate.

“I could say the same thing for the Olympics. If I thought LA was not going to be prepared properly, I would move it to another location,” Trump said.

The remarks underscore Trump’s willingness to intervene in major international sporting events, echoing his administration’s broader approach to law enforcement in Democratic-run cities.

World Cup Cities and Hosting Details
The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature an expanded lineup of 48 teams. However, the majority of matches are scheduled to take place in the U.S.

Boston is set to host seven games, while San Francisco and Seattle will each stage six matches. Los Angeles, meanwhile, is preparing to host eight fixtures — the highest among the American venues.

Earlier this year, Trump named himself chairman of the White House task force responsible for overseeing preparations for the World Cup, which he says will showcase America’s readiness to host major international events.

Nigeria Must Not Go To Fifa World Cup: SA Sports Minister Declares He Wants Them To Lose

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Nigeria Must Not Go To Fifa World Cup: SA Sports Minister Declares He Wants Them To Lose

South Africa’s Sports Minister Declares Nigeria Must Not Go To Fifa World Cup
Nigeria Must Not Go To Fifa World Cup: SA Sports Minister Declares He Wants Them To Lose

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, has intensified the rivalry with Nigeria with explosive remarks about their 2026 World Cup campaign. In a live interview on 15 October 2025, he celebrated Bafana Bafana’s return to the global stage and dismissed suggestions that Nigeria “did South Africa a favour” on the decisive final day.

His comments followed South Africa’s 3–0 win over Rwanda on 14 October 2025, a victory that sealed top spot in Group C and automatic qualification, while Nigeria’s 4–0 win over Benin left the Super Eagles in the runners-up play-off lane.

The Nigeria flashpoint
McKenzie made his views unmistakably clear during his appearance on Marawa Sports Worldwide:

“I hear people say Nigeria did us a favour. Don’t they want to go to the World Cup themselves? No, man… everybody for himself.”

The minister then went further, declaring:

“We must support Nigeria to lose. I don’t want them to go to the World Cup.”

His remarks underscored the fierce rivalry between the two nations and echoed the relief that South Africa had qualified through competition for the first time since 2002.

“We’re going to the World Cup”
The minister’s comments came in the middle of a jubilant atmosphere across the country. Reflecting on the achievement, he said:

“I love this team… what Bafana have done — we’re going to the World Cup. 2002 was the last time we qualified through the competitive route. We mustn’t talk about 2010 because that was automatic.”

His words captured the pride of South Africans who had waited over two decades for such a moment.

Accountability for the admin blunder
While celebrating, McKenzie also confronted the controversy that almost derailed the campaign — an administrative error over yellow card suspensions that led to a points deduction earlier in the qualifiers. He pledged firm action:

“This matter will not be swept under the carpet. Whoever is responsible must face the full might of the law. I need to be firm. I need to be decisive. Indecision is the worst thing I can do to the soccer loving nation.”

He revealed that he would instruct the South African Football Association (SAFA) to drop its appeal, arguing that the focus must be on integrity and preparation:

“I’m writing a letter to SAFA to say withdraw your appeal. I’m writing them tonight… Let it go. Let this thing go. And so if they let it go, then they must let somebody else go.”

Players to be rewarded
Amid the rivalry talk and accountability promises, McKenzie underlined his commitment to supporting the squad on their World Cup journey. He promised that the players would be rewarded financially and backed with sponsorships to ensure they are fully supported.

“I can’t remember when last in my life I was that happy. Everyone in the World Cup is going to get a new contract. All the players that have never played in a World Cup… this would have been the one opportunity.”

He praised coach Hugo Broos for restoring pride to South African football and shared how overwhelmed he was, even spontaneously video-calling the President of South Africa to share the celebrations with the team live on air.

Africa’s Longest Serving Presidents: A Legacy of Power and Politics

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Africa’s Longest Serving Presidents: A Legacy of Power and Politics

Africa’s Longest Serving Presidents: A Legacy of Power and Politics

Africa has witnessed the rise and reign of numerous leaders who have left an indelible mark on the continent’s history. Here’s a look at some of Africa’s longest-serving presidents, who have ruled for decades, shaping the course of their nations.



The Top 5 Longest Serving Presidents:

– Teodoro Obiang (46 years) – Equatorial Guinea : The longest-serving president in Africa, Obiang has been in power since 1979, with a tenure marked by allegations of human rights abuses and corruption.



– Paul Biya (43 years) – Cameroon : The second-longest serving president, Biya has been at the helm since 1982, with his rule characterized by criticism over electoral fraud and governance issues.



– Omar Bongo (42 years) – Gabon : Bongo’s presidency was marked by stability, but also allegations of corruption and authoritarianism.



– Muammar Gaddafi (42 years) – Libya : Gaddafi’s rule was characterized by a mix of socialism and Islamic fundamentalism, ending with his ousting and death in 2011.

– Denis Sassou Nguesso (41 years) – Congo : Sassou Nguesso’s presidency has been marked by periods of economic growth and political unrest.



Other Notable Leaders:

– Yoweri Museveni (39 years) – Uganda : Museveni’s rule has been characterized by efforts to stabilize Uganda, but also allegations of election rigging and suppression of dissent.



– José Eduardo dos Santos (38 years) – Angola : Dos Santos’s presidency was marked by allegations of corruption and human rights abuses.



– Robert Mugabe (37 years) – Zimbabwe : Mugabe’s rule was characterized by a mix of socialism and authoritarianism, ending with his ousting in 2017.



These leaders have shaped Africa’s history, with their legacies continuing to impact the continent’s politics and economies.

‘Don’t raise his BP’: Bafana coach Hugo Broos’ top of the table dance goes viral (video)

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‘Don’t raise his BP’: Bafana coach Hugo Broos’ top of the table dance goes viral (video)

Bafana Bafana’s road to FIFA World Cup qualification was anything but smooth. Drawn into a tough group, they faced fierce competition from seasoned opponents. Every match tested their grit, determination, and tactical strength.

Yet, when it mattered most, South Africa delivered with heart and precision. The final game was a nail-biter, filled with passion, pressure, and pride. In the dying minutes, Bafana snatched victory and secured their World Cup spot.

The result sent the nation into wild celebration. From Johannesburg to Cape Town, cheers echoed. Bafana had done it — defying the odds and reigniting hope across South Africa.

Bafana coach Hugo Broos’s top of the table dance
Coach Hugo Broos could not contain his joy after the historic win. The 72-year-old Belgian, full of energy, climbed onto a table and pulled off some top dance moves. Laughter and cheers filled the dressing room as players joined the fun. His dance, captured on video, quickly went viral on social media.

FCBModels shared the clip on Instagram, joking, “Don’t raise his BP lapho 🤣🤣.” Broos’s moves symbolised more than celebration — they reflected unity and shared triumph. The moment showed his deep connection with the team and his pride in their success.

For Broos, this qualification marked a major milestone in his coaching journey. For South Africa, it rekindled dreams of global football glory. The dance on the table became the perfect metaphor for rising above challenges — with rhythm, resilience, and undeniable joy.

Fans loved his dance.
After Bafana coach Hugo Broos pulled off top dance moves on top of the table in the dressing room, fans loved it.

@S’bongiseni S’boniso Mokwena “We love to see it ❤️❤️❤️🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦”

@Luyanda Lusiki “I hope they helped him to get down from that table😂😂”

@Gloria Mtshali “Kanti makthiwa umuntu udansa phezu kwamatafula ksuke kshiwo intenje”

@Mdox Myeni “I know there is a handful of guys who will want to take this video and post it on their profiles, claiming it as their own.

Just consider using the “share” Button instead.. 😉😅“

Zvigananda 5 – General 0: Mliswa Mocks VP Chiwenga As Mnangagwa Makes Changes

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Zvigananda 5 – General 0: Mliswa Mocks VP Chiwenga As Mnangagwa Makes Changes

Temba Mliswa Mocks VP Chiwenga Over Humiliating Defeats
Firebrand former MP Temba Mliswa has openly mocked Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, claiming a series of political miscalculations have left him isolated and overruled within the ruling ZANU-PF party. This comes after a wave of high-level reshuffles and dismissals, which the former MP has framed as a humiliating defeat for the Vice President.

Mliswa made the dramatic claims on his X account on Thursday, 16 October 2025, where he presented a “scoreline” of recent events. He listed five key allies of the Vice President who have been removed from their positions or seen their influence wane, suggesting a systematic erosion of Chiwenga’s power base.

A Lopsided Political Scoreline
In his social media post, Mliswa presented a stark tally of losses for the Vice President. He claimed that Chiwenga had suffered a series of setbacks, culminating in a score of “Zvigananda 5 – General 0.”

Here is Mliswa’s post in full as published on X.

I have spoken about political miscalculations by the VP and him getting misleading advice. Now lately he has lost it on so many fronts:

Obert Mpofu his right hand man – (Reshuffled) 0–1
Sanyatwe another ally – (Reshuffled) 0–2
Central Committee Vehicles (Given Against His Opinion) 0–3
ZANU PF Director General, Brigadier Gen (Rtd) Ezekiel Zabanyana (Fired) 0–4
Kuda Tagwirei (CC Co-Option Done) 0–5

He reportedly even tried to stop Party Commissar Machacha from reading about co-options but was overruled by ED!

Unomira wega muZANU PF! (You will stand alone in ZANU PF!)

SCORELINE
Zvigananda 5 – General 0

A History Of Explosive Allegations
This is not the first time Mliswa has publicly targeted Vice President Chiwenga. In a series of posts throughout September 2025, the former MP made several damning allegations. On 29 September 2025, Mliswa alleged that Chiwenga had made extensive financial demands on businessman Wicknell Chivayo.

He claimed:

“First of all the VP allegedly asked for 6 Rolls Royces for his wedding plus US$250,000 (about R4.6 million) for his wedding preparations. During the wedding itself he received US$250,000 (about R4.6 million) as a wedding gift. Of that amount only US$50,000 (about R930,000) was announced publicly at the wedding per his request.”

Mliswa further alleged that the Vice President and his wife received an additional US$250,000 (R4.6 million) for a honeymoon and millions of Rands for shopping. He framed the subsequent fallout and anti-corruption drive as a direct result of Chivayo’s failure to meet further financial demands. Mliswa stated:

“A failure to promptly fulfil a financial promise is what irretrievably broke the relationship and has resulted in the sly move coined as an anti-corruption effort.”

“Army Power Does Not Translate To Politics”
Earlier in September 2025, Mliswa also cautioned the Vice President against relying too heavily on his military background in the political arena. According to iHarare, he warned that Chiwenga was being misled by advisers who failed to understand the difference between the barracks and the ballot box.

He said:

“Power from the Army does not seamlessly translate to the political sphere where mass appeal is fundamental.”

Mliswa argued that advisers pushing Chiwenga in this direction were creating a “perilous path of misinformation” that risked destabilising the party and undermining its leadership.

A Clash Of Titans At The Top
The current tensions appear to be the public manifestation of a deep-seated rift between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy. ZimLive reports that on 17 September 2025, Vice President Chiwenga presented a searing 17-page dossier to the ZANU-PF politburo, accusing Mnangagwa of presiding over “corruption, capture and betrayal” of the ideals of the 2017 coup.

The President’s camp hit back fiercely. During a politburo meeting on 14 October 2025, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, presenting Mnangagwa’s response, branded Chiwenga’s document “fundamentally flawed, treasonous, and lacking appreciation of party procedures and the national constitution.” The response stated:

“At its core, the document advocates for the unlawful removal of a constitutionally elected President.”

According to the ZimLive report, Chiwenga was left isolated after his presentation, with senior party figures rallying behind the President. The Vice President was reportedly told there was “nothing special about coming from the barracks.” In a brief response, Chiwenga allegedly stated:

“I’ve listened to all your presentations and I’m convinced that all of you support zvigananda. It’s okay. I acknowledge it.“

At the time of writing, Vice President Chiwenga has not publicly responded to Temba Mliswa’s latest comments or the detailed allegations made against him in September.

Free Electricity Turns Costly As Rusape Man Jailed 10 Years For Bypassing ZESA Meter

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Rusape Man Jailed Ten Years For Bypassing ZESA Meter
A Rusape man has been handed a ten-year prison sentence after being found guilty of bypassing his electricity meter to get free power. The lengthy sentence delivered at the Rusape Magistrates’ Court is a powerful warning to the public about the severe consequences of tampering with ZESA infrastructure, which, under the law, carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years.

The Shocking Discovery In Vhengere Suburb
The scheme collapsed when a Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) loss control officer conducted a routine inspection in Vhengere suburb.

According to Diamond FM Zim, the officer discovered the 55-year-old’s property had been deliberately rewired.

The court heard that the man had disconnected the 16 mm² red cable linking the miniature circuit breaker to the meter and replaced it with a 2.5 mm² cable. This illegal modification allowed electricity to flow directly into his home, bypassing the meter.

It meant no consumption was recorded, enabling him to use electricity for free.

Mandatory Minimum Sentence Handed Down
After his arrest, the man appeared before the magistrate and was convicted of illegally connecting to the power supply.

The court imposed the mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. Under Zimbabwean law, tampering with electricity infrastructure attracts this fixed penalty, leaving no room for fines or suspended sentences.

Section 60A(3)(a) of the Electricity Act [Chapter 13:19] reads:

“Any person who, without lawful excuse, … tampers with an apparatus for generating, transmitting, distributing, or supplying electricity … shall be guilty of an offence, and, if there are no special circumstances peculiar to the case … be liable to imprisonment for a period of not less than ten years.”

The sentence is one of the strictest punishments enforced in Zimbabwe and reflects the government’s crackdown on electricity theft and vandalism.

Community Reaction And Official Warnings
The ruling has triggered widespread debate in Rusape and beyond. While some residents expressed shock at the severity, officials insisted that electricity theft creates massive losses for the power utility.

The ZETDC has urged all customers to use electricity legally and report suspected illegal connections.

“This illegal connection allowed him to use electricity for free at his home. He was subsequently arrested and appeared before the Rusape Magistrates’ Court, where he was sentenced to an effective 10-year jail term,” officials reiterated.

The company confirmed that loss control teams are carrying out inspections nationwide, with more arrests expected as the crackdown continues.

2 shot de@d as Kenyan security forces fire in the air to disperse crowd at viewing of Raila Odinga’s body

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2 shot de@d as Kenyan security forces fire in the air to disperse crowd at viewing of Raila Odinga’s body

At least two people were shot de@d in Nairobi on Thursday, Oct. 16, after Kenyan security forces fired in the air to disperse crowds at a stadium hosting a viewing of deceased opposition leader Raila Odinga’s body.

Odinga, a major figure for decades in Kenyan politics who was once a political prisoner and ran unsuccessfully for president five times, di£d on Wednesday, Oct. 15, aged 80 in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment.

Thousands of his supporters came out to the streets from early morning to view his body when it arrived Kenya.

However, chaos erupted when a huge crowd breached a gate of the Nairobi sports arena, prompting soldiers to fire in the air.

A police source told Reuters that two people were shot de@d at the stadium.

After security forces fired in the air, police lobbed tear gas to disperse thousands of mourners, the two broadcasters showed, leaving the stadium deserted.

Earlier in the day, thousands of mourners briefly stormed Nairobi’s international airport, interrupting a ceremony for President William Ruto and other officials to receive Odinga’s body with military honours.

That prompted a two-hour suspension of airport operations.

Crowds also flooded nearby roads and tried to breach parliament, where the government had originally scheduled the public viewing.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1978815895943233750

Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris received $65 million from singer’s estate

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Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris received $65 million from singer’s estate

A recent court filing by the executors of the late Michael Jackson’s estate disclosed that his daughter, Paris Jackson, has received approximately $65 million in benefits since her father’s passing.

The disclosure was made in an October 9, 2025, court filing as a direct response to a petition Paris, 27, had submitted in June. In her filing, Paris expressed concern and questioned certain payments made by the estate, particularly focusing on the size and justification of legal fees.

In their counter-filing, the executors, John Branca and John McClain, used the $65 million figure to defend their management of the estate.

They argued that “Few have benefited more from the Executors’ business judgment than Petitioner herself,” and asserted that Paris would never have received such an immense sum if they had followed a “typical playbook” for an estate that was more than $500 million in debt at the time of Jackson’s death in 2009.

The executors emphasized their success in turning the assets into a “$2 billion estate” and a “powerhouse.”

Paris’s initial concerns specifically objected to a request for approval of $625,000 in payments to three law firms from 2018, which she alleged were “lavish gratuities bestowed upon already well-compensated counsel” and comprised “premium payments” for unrecorded attorney time.

The executors, however, defended the legal fees, stating the attorneys’ work was instrumental to the estate’s success, and that the bonuses—totaling over $600,000 and subject to court approval were minor compared to the estate’s overall earnings.

In addition to this internal dispute, a separate September court filing by the executors revealed the estate is facing a significant financial threat, as Michael Jackson’s sexual assault accusers, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, are seeking $400 million in damages.

The executors cautioned that failing to pay current legal fees would have “profoundly destabilizing consequences” on the estate’s ability to defend against these substantial lawsuits.

On a non-legal note, Paris and her aunt Janet Jackson publicly embraced and reunited at Paris Fashion Week earlier in the month, despite years of speculation about a strained relationship. Paris is the only daughter of the King of Pop, who also has two sons: Prince, 28, and Bigi, 23.

Grace Mugabe orders son off ‘dirty’ mine wrangle

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Grace Mugabe orders son off ‘dirty’ mine wrangle

First Lady Grace Mugabe has reportedly intervened in the ongoing ownership wrangle at Tolrose Gold Mine in Kadoma, directing her son, Russel Goreraza, to withdraw from the dispute amid escalating tensions and mounting public scrutiny.

Goreraza, Grace’s son from her first marriage before she married the late former President Robert Mugabe, has been embroiled in a bitter fight for control of the mine with businessman Jameson Rushwaya.

According to sources quoted by NewsDay, the First Lady recently dispatched an emissary to engage Rushwaya after learning of the deepening feud and the negative publicity surrounding it.

“About two months ago, the First Family sent an emissary to Rushwaya to find out what was going on. They realised that Goreraza had been drawn into the fight by businessman Patterson Timba after the latter realised he was losing the battle for control of the mine to Rushwaya,” a source said.

“Given the bad publicity the wrangle has attracted, the First Lady has called her son off the feud. She is not as bad as people portray her and, on realising that her son was being used for a dirty deed, she pulled the plug,” the source added.

However, reports suggest that Goreraza has enlisted the support of members of the Affirmative Action Group (AAG), including Mashonaland East regional president Munya Kashambe and Mashonaland West president Mike Chimombe, amid claims that the mine holds a valuable “stockpile of gold ore.”

While Kashambe could not be reached for comment, Chimombe confirmed that he had previously assisted in mediating between the two parties.

“We were involved and helped broker a deal between Goreraza and Rushwaya. Rushwaya, unfortunately, is now changing goalposts and we have adopted a wait-and-see attitude. I last had any involvement in that issue around March this year,” Chimombe said.

“We actually helped Rushwaya return to the mine after he had abandoned it for three years,” he added.

Rushwaya, in a separate interview, confirmed Goreraza’s involvement but sought to downplay the dispute, saying he had no personal issues with the Mugabe family.

“I heard police went to the mine and spoke to my manager as I was not there. I am yet to get full details of what they really wanted. I have no problem with Goreraza or the First Family. But I have a problem with his allies who are abusing their links to those in power and claiming to be representing the First Family,” Rushwaya said.

Tolrose Mine has reportedly struggled to operate effectively since Goreraza’s takeover, following his claim that he had acquired shares from Timba. The protracted ownership dispute has nearly crippled the mine’s operations and drawn in powerful political and business figures, raising questions about the intersection of influence, wealth, and control in Zimbabwe’s lucrative gold mining sector.

Lionel Messi launches International U-16 MESSI CUP

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Football legend Lionel Messi has officially announced the creation of the MESSI CUP, an international Under-16 football tournament that will take place in Miami, USA from December 9th to 14th, 2025.

The inaugural edition of the tournament will bring together some of the world’s most prestigious football academies including Inter Miami, FC Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, River Plate and Newell’s Old Boys the Argentine club where Messi began his football journey.


Speaking during the announcement, Messi said the tournament aims to promote youth development, sportsmanship and global unity through football.

“This tournament is about giving young players the opportunity to compete, learn and dream big. I started playing at a young age with the same passion they have now and I want to give them a platform to showcase their talent,” said Messi.

The MESSI CUP will be hosted at DRV PNK Stadium, home of Inter Miami CF and will feature six days of exciting matches, skill challenges and mentoring sessions led by professional players and coaches.

According to organizers, the event will not only focus on competition but also on education, discipline and community engagement. Players will attend workshops on leadership, teamwork and personal development.

Inter Miami’s academy director welcomed the initiative, describing it as “a milestone event that will inspire the next generation of stars.”

The MESSI CUP is expected to become an annual event, rotating between different host cities in future editions with plans to expand participation to include more clubs from Africa and Asia in the coming years.

Black Girl Found in Plastic Container Had Been Dead for a Year, Never Reported Missing

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Black Girl Found in Plastic Container Had Been Dead for a Year, Never Reported Missing

Jacqueline Torres, a 12-year-old African American girl from Torrington, Connecticut, was found dead in a plastic container behind an abandoned home. Police believe she was killed a year ago, and no one had ever reported her missing.

According to WLBT, investigators believe Jacqueline was killed last fall in Farmington. Her body was allegedly hidden in her family’s basement before being moved to New Britain when they relocated. The remains were found last week after an anonymous tip led police to the abandoned property.

Authorities have charged Jacqueline’s mother, Karla Garcia, and her boyfriend, Jonatan Nanita, with murder. They also face charges of child cruelty, unlawful restraint, and improper disposal of a body. Jacqueline’s aunt, Jackelyn Garcia, was charged with child cruelty and endangerment.

Police believe Jacqueline endured ongoing abuse and malnourishment before her death. Her father, Victor Torres, said he had been living out of state and did not have custody of his daughter.

School records show Jacqueline attended New Britain schools from kindergarten through fifth grade. But her mother withdrew her before sixth grade, telling officials she would be homeschooled after the family moved to Farmington. The decision has sparked concern among advocates over Connecticut’s lack of oversight for homeschooling families.

Christina D. Ghio, the state’s acting Child Advocate, said the case highlights how “Connecticut’s complete lack of oversight” for homeschooled children can let some parents isolate and abuse them without detection.

The Department of Children and Families confirmed Jacqueline’s siblings are safe and now in state custody. Officials said a full review is underway to examine the agency’s prior involvement with the family and what support was provided.

Jacqueline’s autopsy results are still pending. Karla Garcia and Nanita are being held on $5 million bond each, while Jackelyn Garcia’s bond was set at $1 million.

US President Donald Trump details decision to authorize CIA to operate in Venezuela

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US President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday, October 15, that he had authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, stating the decision was made to clamp down on illegal flows of migrants and drugs from the South American nation. He stopped short of saying the CIA had authority to remove President Nicolás Maduro.

Trump cited two main reasons for the authorization, which reportedly expands the CIA’s authority for lethal targeting and covert action in the region: the alleged influx of drugs from Venezuela, particularly by sea, and his claim that Venezuela’s leaders have emptied their prisons and mental institutions to send people to the United States.

He defended the move, saying previous, less aggressive efforts to stop drug traffickers over the past 30 years had been “totally ineffective” and “never worked” when done in a “politically correct manner.” He also indicated his administration was considering expanding strikes to land targets in the country.

The authorization is part of an intensifying pressure campaign that includes a secret directive ordering the military to begin striking Latin American drug cartels.

The President’s remarks came a day after the US military conducted another strike on a boat off the Venezuelan coast, which Trump alleged was trafficking drugs and resulted in six deaths. This marked at least the fifth such strike by the US, which has escalated tensions with the Maduro government.

Neither Trump nor his administration has offered public evidence for the claims that these were drug-trafficking vessels, though they have produced a classified legal opinion justifying lethal strikes against an expansive list of suspected drug traffickers.

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil immediately rejected Trump’s “warmongering and extravagant statements,” calling the use of the CIA and the military deployments a “grave violation of international law” and a policy of “aggression, threat, and harassment against Venezuela.” President Nicolás Maduro further condemned the US for “discriminatory and xenophobic statements,” and ordered military exercises in response to the perceived threat, urging “Not war, yes peace.”

The legality and scope of the actions have drawn criticism in the US Congress. Democratic Senator Peter Welch expressed concern about the lack of oversight and legal justification, stating that the president was acting without accountability on who gets killed.

Other Democrats and Republican Senator Rand Paul have questioned the move. However, Republican Senator Jim Risch defended the President, saying he was “doing exactly what he should be doing.”

Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize, called for greater US support to stop what she described as a “war” on her country by Maduro, echoing the Trump administration’s language by calling Maduro the leader of a “criminal narco-terrorism structure.”

The new authorities for the CIA action, described in a highly classified presidential “finding,” could allow for a range of covert actions, from clandestine information operations to lethal strikes. The escalation of military operations in the region is wider than previously known, with at least one US military strike in the Caribbean also targeting Colombian nationals on a boat that left from Colombia.

Kevin Federline accuses Britney Spears of using cocaine while breastfeeding their sons

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Kevin Federline accuses Britney Spears of using cocaine while breastfeeding their sons

Britney Spears’ ex-husband, Kevin Federline, has made a shocking claim that the pop star used cocaine while she was still breastfeeding their two children — a moment he says marked the end of their relationship.

The 47-year-old former dancer made the allegations in his upcoming memoir You Thought You Knew, where he detailed an alleged incident from 2006 during a release party for his album Playing With Fire.

According to Federline, Britney had told him she would be home with their sons — Sean Preston (now 19) and Jayden (now 18) — but he was shocked when his father-in-law, Jamie Spears, hinted that she was actually at the venue.

Inside his dressing room, he claims he found Britney sitting around a coffee table with her brother, Bryan Spears, her agent, Jason Trawick, and an unnamed actress. Federline alleges that he saw Britney and her “young starlet friend” snorting a fat line of coke off the table, Daily Mail reported.

“Both were wearing these outrageous wigs. Britney’s was electric blue. It was surreal. They didn’t even try to hide it,” he wrote.

Federline said he was stunned, especially because Britney was still breastfeeding their children at the time — one just a month old, the other 13 months.

He claims he later confronted her and pleaded:

“Please don’t go home and breast-feed the kids like this. Call your mom or someone. We need to get formula. You can’t do this.”

But according to him, Britney reacted by throwing a drink in his face in front of guests before storming off — an outburst he says ended their marriage.

“That was the proverbial final straw, the breast-feeding thing. Her reaction. That’s what ended us,” he wrote.

Federline says he immediately contacted his lawyer to demand that Britney stop breastfeeding, and days later, the pop star’s attorney, Laura Wasser, drafted her divorce papers.

The new claims come just days after Britney fired back at Federline for “gaslighting” her in an emotional Instagram post, saying she’s “had enough” and feels “demoralized” about her strained relationship with their sons — revealing she’s only seen one of them for 45 minutes in the last five years.

Uruguay has legalized assisted dying

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Uruguay has legalized euthanasia, becoming the first country in Latin America to pass a law that allows terminally ill people to opt for assisted death.

The Uruguayan Senate approved the so-called “Dignified Death” bill, which received 20 votes in favor out of a total of 31. The lower house had already passed the bill in August with a large majority.

The bill allows an adult Uruguayan citizen who is mentally sound and in the terminal stage of an irreversible disease to choose euthanasia to be performed by a healthcare professional.

It does not allow assisted suicide involving a patient self-administering a lethal dose of prescribed medication.

“We all believe and feel that life is a right, both in health and in sickness, but it should never be an obligation because others don’t understand such unbearable suffering,” Senator Daniel Borbonet said after quoting testimony from Uruguayan patients with irreversible medical conditions.

Uruguay stands out for its long history of socially liberal laws in a predominantly Catholic Latin America.

It has been a pioneer in the region to pass laws allowing legalized cannabis, same-sex marriages, and abortion.

More than 60% of Uruguayans support legal euthanasia, with only 24% opposed, according to a recent poll.

In Latin America, Colombia and Ecuador have decriminalized the euthanasia, albeit without passing laws to legalize the practice. Meanwhile, Cuba allows for terminal patients to refuse being kept alive artificially.

Sweden to begin stockpiling food as it prepares for war with Russia

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Sweden is set to begin stockpiling food as it prepares for war amid mounting fears of a potential war with Russia.

The move comes after the country broke from its long-held tradition of military neutrality and officially joined NATO in 2024. Now, Stockholm is pushing ahead with plans to strengthen what it calls is its “total defence” strategy.

According to Mail Online, the NATO member is set to invest 575 million krona (£45millon) in grain reserves, as part of the country’s next budget.

Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin admitted: ‘We are well aware that the risk of Sweden becoming completely cut off is very low, but the risk of complex supply chains being disrupted with major and unpredictable consequences in the event of war and conflict is unfortunately more likely’.

He said the first stockpiles will be established in northern Sweden in the counties of Norrbotten, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland, and Jämtland.

These counties are currently entirely dependent on grain transported from southern Sweden, the oblong country is roughly 1,000 miles from north to south – which could be problematic in the event of a crisis or war.

Bohlin said: ‘Northern Sweden is strategically important for the military and is a particular priority for (the country’s) total defence.

‘It is no coincidence that it is here the first steps are being taken towards establishing emergency grain stocks, which essentially is about ensuring that the population can put food on the table even in times of crisis.’

Sweden revived its ‘total defence’ strategy in 2015 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, and more measures were introduced after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The idea is to mobilise all of society, from authorities to citizens and businesses, to collectively resist armed aggression while maintaining essential functions.

The Board of Agriculture said that 90 to 95 percent of the population could survive on grains for three months without suffering any nutrient deficiencies.

Dietary needs change in times of war, it noted, saying that the average number of calories required per person rises to 3,000 a day.

Earlier this year, Sweden announced it was spending 100million krona (£7.86million) on checking and renovating its civil defence bunkers, amid rising fears of a war with Russia.

Muslim prayer room has been set up in the heart of the Vatican City’s 500-year-old library

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A Muslim prayer room has been set up in the heart of the Vatican City’s 500-year-old library.

Islamic scholars visiting the Vatican Apostolic Library had requested a “room with a carpet to pray on” and staff heeded their request.

The Vatican Apostolic Library was founded in the 15th century and is thought of as the intellectual epicentre of the Catholic Church.

It boasts around 80,000 manuscripts, 50,000 archival items and almost two million books.

The library’s Vice Prefect, Giacomo Cardinali, told Italian outlet La Repubblica: “Muslim scholars asked us for a room with a carpet to pray on, and we gave it to them: we have incredible ancient Korans.

“We are a universal library, with Arabic, Jewish and Ethiopian collections, as well as unique Chinese pieces.

“Years ago, we discovered that we had the oldest medieval Japanese archive outside of Japan.”

In addition to the enormous number of texts, the library also contains hundreds of thousands of coins, medals, engravings, and prints.

This is in contrast to the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia takes a much harder stance on inter-faith acceptance.

Islam’s holy city receives nine million visitors each year – none of whom are non-Muslims.

Those of other or no faith are strictly prohibited from entering the city under Saudi law.

Non-Muslims found inside the city are subject to heavy fines, imprisonment and deportation.

Prince Louis has turned down the chance to take up his first official role as a working royal

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Prince Louis has turned down the chance to take up his first official role as a working royal as a patron of the World Conker Championships.

The offer was made to the seven-year-old prince after organisers heard about his habit of stashing conkers around Kensington Palace.

While Palace staff were amused at the invitation, Louis’ parents declined the offer as the young Prince is still some years away from starting work.

A palace spokesperson said: ‘We really appreciate the invite but currently Prince Louis is “conker-trating” on his studies.’

St John Burkett, spokesperson for the World Conker Championships told The Telegraph earlier this week that they had invited Prince Louis to the event as a patron and were ‘excitedly awaiting a response’.

He said: ‘Like the many other organisations for which members of the Royal Family are patrons, we have charitable aims and have raised approaching £450,000 to help people living with sight loss.

‘We were so heartened to hear that Prince Louis is such a conkers fan and he would be the perfect honorary patron for our organisation. We would be delighted were his parents to accept our offer.’

He added that Prince Louis would be welcome to attend an event in the future.

St John Burkett, spokesperson for the World Conker Championships told The Telegraph earlier this week that they had invited Prince Louis to the event as a patron and were ‘excitedly awaiting a response’.

He said: ‘Like the many other organisations for which members of the Royal Family are patrons, we have charitable aims and have raised approaching £450,000 to help people living with sight loss.

‘We were so heartened to hear that Prince Louis is such a conkers fan and he would be the perfect honorary patron for our organisation. We would be delighted were his parents to accept our offer.’

He added that Prince Louis would be welcome to attend an event in the future.

Scandal has rocked a Brazilian parish after a Priest caught hiding parishioner’s fiancée in his bathroom parishioners

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A scandal has rocked a Brazilian parish after a priest was allegedly caught hiding the fiancée of one of his parishioners inside his home.

According to reports, Reverend Luciano Braga Simplicio, a priest at Our Lady of Aparecida Parish, was confronted earlier this week by a group of angry men who stormed the parish house after suspecting wrongdoing.

A video from the incident shows the shirtless priest being confronted as one of the men forcefully broke down a bathroom door, only to find a woman hiding under the sink. The visibly shaken woman was dragged out and lay on the floor, seemingly too stunned to speak.

Local blog Pelo Bem de São José reported that Simplicio had allegedly snuck the woman into the parish house earlier that morning, while her fiancé, one of his parishioners, was out of town.

However, the priest reportedly defended himself, claiming that he had allowed the woman to use the bathroom to shower after work, insisting it was an innocent act of kindness.

The exact length of time the woman spent inside the house remains unclear, but the confrontation suggests she had been there for much longer than a simple shower would require.

Indian doctor arrested for allegedly k!lling his wife months after wedding

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Indian doctor arrested for allegedly k!lling his wife months after wedding

A surgeon in Bengaluru, India, has been charged with m8rdering his newlywed wife, a dermatologist, by allegedly administering repeated overdoses of anaesthesia under the pretext of treatment.

Though the alleged murder took place in April this year, police arrested the accused doctor on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 after forensic science laboratory (FSL) reports confirmed the presence of anaesthesia in the viscera samples of the deceased woman.

Marathahalli police from the Whitefield division announced Wednesday the arrest of Dr Mahendra Reddy GS, 31, a surgical resident at the Institute of Gastroenterology Sciences and Organ Transplant (IGOT), on the premises of Victoria Hospital.

He is accused of m8rdering his wife, Kritika M Reddy, 28, whom he had married in March 2024.

Announcing the arrest, city police commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh stated that FSL reports confirmed the presence of Propofol, an intravenous anaesthetic used to induce and maintain unconsciousness for surgery, procedural sedation, or intensive care sedation.

“Soon after Kritika Reddy’s d3ath, we had registered a case of unnatural d8ath,” Singh said.

“Now, her father, based on the FSL report, has filed a fresh complaint accusing his son-in-law of administering an overdose of anaesthesia and k!lling the victim.”

Police investigations revealed that Mahendra Reddy had shifted Kritika to Cauvery Hospital in Marathahalli on April 24, claiming she had fallen unconscious at their Munnekolal residence in Whitefield.

However, doctors declared her brought d3ad. Since the doctors issued a d3ath memo, an autopsy became imperative.

Mahendra Reddy reportedly argued extensively with the Cauvery Hospital doctors and police, asking them to refrain from carrying out the autopsy.

He also persuaded his father-in-law, K Muni Reddy, to request the police not to perform it.

“I cannot think of doctors cutting my daughter’s body into pieces and examining it. Please don’t do it,” Muni Reddy repeatedly told the authorities.

Additional Commissioner of Police, East Division, Ramesh Banoth, said that despite the requests and objections from the father and husband, the body was subjected to an autopsy.

“It was mandatory since a death memo had been issued. Meanwhile, the Scene of Crime Officer’s (SOCO) team visited the residence and collected all evidence, including medical materials such as injections and liquids used in treating the victim. According to the doctor husband, his wife had long-standing gastrointestinal (GI) issues, which he was treating,” Banoth said.

After the post-mortem, Kritika’s body was handed over to her family.

The ‘Reason for d3ath’ column in the autopsy report was left blank, pending the FSL report.

However, the FSL report, received by police on Tuesday, changed the course of the case from an unnatural d3ath to a cold-blooded murder.

Investigators traced Mahendra Reddy to Manipal in Udupi district and detained him.

According to police sources, Reddy was attending a conference at the time.

“Accused has taken a defensive stand, stating that he had treated his wife for gastrointestinal issues and that administering anaesthesia was part of it. However, he has no explanation for the overdose,” an investigating officer said.

Police sources said Kritika’s long-term ill health disturbed Mahendra.

“Soon after the marriage, Mahendra Reddy discovered that Kritika had multiple health issues, including low blood pressure and gastrointestinal problems. He was angry with Kritika’s parents for allegedly hiding this information before the marriage. This could be one of the reasons,” an officer said.

Meanwhile, Muni Reddy’s complaint to Marathahalli police states that Mahendra Reddy often demanded money from Kritika.

“He wanted me to build a private hospital for Kritika, and I refused, stating I did not have that much money. Meanwhile, Mahendra was ignoring my daughter while growing close to another woman. He treated her gastrointestinal issues by administering liquids intravenously. After her death, Mahendra and his family objected to the autopsy. However, my elder daughter Nikita, also a doctor, insisted on it. Based on her insistence, an unnatural death report was registered. Now, the FSL report confirms the presence of anaesthesia in her viscera samples. I seek legal action against Mahendra for murdering my daughter,” Muni Reddy’s complaint read.

Pro-Hamas hackers take over announcements at 4 US and Canadian airports

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An apparent cyber-vandalism attack has targeted four North American airports, where pro-Hamas messages and slurs against political figures were broadcast over public address (PA) systems and displayed on flight screens, causing delays and alarming passengers on Wednesday.

The breaches were confirmed at Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania in the U.S., and three Canadian airports: Kelowna International Airport and Victoria International Airport (both in British Columbia), and Windsor International Airport (in Ontario).

The unauthorized broadcasts played over PA systems included political recordings, with messages at Kelowna and Harrisburg praising Hamas, featuring “Free Palestine” chants, and containing expletive-laden remarks critical of President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The visual displays at Kelowna were also compromised, flashing messages such as “Israel lost the war, Hamas won” and slurs directed at the U.S. President. A group calling itself “Siberislam” claimed responsibility for the on-screen messages.

These incidents, which did not compromise flight safety, still caused disruptions, including flight delays at Kelowna, where staff had to use megaphones to communicate. At Harrisburg, one boarding flight was searched “out of an abundance of caution” before it departed safely.

The attacks highlight vulnerabilities in airport networks, particularly those relying on cloud-based audio and display systems. Victoria airport specifically attributed the breach to an “unauthorized audio message” stemming from a “cloud-based software issue”

Airport authorities quickly shut off the compromised systems, and investigations are underway .

https://twitter.com/i/status/1978634576298930569

FIFA has issued a statement after Trump threatened to change the host cities for next summer’s World Cup.

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FIFA has issued a statement after US President Donald Trump threatened to change the host cities for next summer’s World Cup.

The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with the final set to take place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19

However, despite the competition being just nine months away, Trump has warned that he could intervene and change the host cities.

He claims he could contact FIFA President Gianni Infantino to pressure Democrat-run cities to take a tougher stance on crime.

At a cabinet meeting on Sunday, October 12, he said: “If somebody is doing a bad job and I feel there are unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni, who’s phenomenal, and I would say, ‘Let’s move it to another location.

“He wouldn’t love to do it, but he would do it very easily.”

In response, a FIFA spokesperson told POLITICO: “Safety and security are of the utmost importance at all FIFA events worldwide.

“And it is ultimately the government’s responsibility to decide what’s in the best interest of public safety.

“We hope every one of our 16 host cities will be ready to fulfill all necessary requirements for a successful 2026 World Cup.”

The United States are set to host two of the world’s biggest sporting events in the coming years.

After next summer’s World Cup, Los Angeles will stage the Summer Olympics in 2028.

Prince Andrew told Virginia Giuffre ‘my daughters are a little younger than you’ before having s33x

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Prince Andrew told Virginia Giuffre ‘my daughters are a little younger than you’ before having s33x

Prince Andrew told Virginia Giuffre that Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were ‘just a little younger than you’ on the night they allegedly had s£x, the Epstein victim has claimed in her posthumous autobiography.

Ms Giuffre, who took her life six months ago, said she felt ‘like Cinderella’ when she was introduced to the Duke of York at Ghislaine Maxwell’s London townhouse in March 2001.

In her memoir, Nobody’s Girl, Andrew and guests alleged they broke the ice and played ‘a game’: trying to judge Virginia’s age.

Ms Giuffre, who was 17 at the time, alleged that Andrew, then 41, then ‘guessed correctly’.

She wrote in her memoir: ‘”My daughters are just a little younger than you,” he [Andrew] told me, explaining his accuracy. As usual, Maxwell was quick with a joke: “I guess we will have to trade her in soon”.’

Virginia alleged that after dinner and then partying at Tramp nightclub they slept together that night. Prince Andrew has always denied this, claiming he never met her and the famous photo of them together was faked.

Ms Giuffre wrote: ‘On the way back, Maxwell told me, “When we get home, you are to do for him what you do for Jeffrey [Epstein]”.’

She went on: ‘He [Andrew] was friendly enough, but still entitled – as if he believed having sex with me was his birthright’ and claimed that during intercourse he was ‘particularly attentive to my feet, caressing my toes and licking my arches’.

Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson famously had her feet kissed by Texan financier John Bryan at a villa in France in August 1992 – an intimate moment caught on camera.

Virginia claimed the Duke of York said ‘thank you’ in a ‘clipped British accent’ after their alleged sexual encounter when she was 17.

Virginia said that later Jeffrey Epstein gave her $15,000 for her night with Andrew.

The 400-page autobiography, Ms Giuffre gives her own detailed account of that infamous night.

In extracts published by The Guardian, she also recalled how Ghislaine Maxwell heaped praise on her after the encounter, saying ‘You did well, the Prince had fun’.

The explosive book is revolved around Ms Giuffre’s years spent as a sex slave to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and his British madam Maxwell.

Prince Andrew denied having sex with Ms Giuffre, but forked out millions in an out of court settlement in February 2022.

In an extract, Ms Giuffre will give a detailed account of her claimed first meeting with Andrew, which she said happened on March 10, 2001.
She claimed the encounter came after she got on a flight from Tangiers, Morocco to London with Epstein and Maxwell.

They allegedly headed to Maxwell’s house in Belgravia before she was due to meet Prince Andrew.

The teenager had allegedly been told by Maxwell it was going to be a ‘special day’.

‘Just like Cinderella, I was going to meet a handsome prince’, she said.

More than three years after Prince Andrew finalised the civil case brought against him in New York for a reported £12million, the allegations harking back to 2001 continue to dog him.

Ms Giuffre sued Andrew, claiming he sexually assaulted her when she was 17 and under the spell of Epstein. The Duke settled out of court but has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

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