A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber was spotted landing at RAF Fairford in England yesterday following strike missions against targets in Iran.
The heavy bomber, part of ongoing U.S. operations under Operation Epic Fury, completed a long-range round-trip sortie that required extensive aerial refueling support.
Footage captured the aircraft making its approach and touchdown amid overcast conditions, underscoring the reach of American strategic air power from forward bases in Europe.
Multiple B-52s and B-1B Lancers are now staged at the UK facility, enabling sustained strikes on Iranian missile sites, nuclear-related infrastructure, and other military assets.
The deployment highlights the close U.S.-UK military partnership, with British approval allowing these operations from RAF Fairford. Iran has claimed limited damage from recent attacks, while U.S. officials describe the campaign as defensive and aimed at degrading threats.
Tensions remain high as the conflict enters its second week.
Zelensky Jokes Trump Treats Him Like a Son in Awkward Interview Moment
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky laughed off a French journalist’s question about his relationship with President Trump, admitting the age gap makes things tricky and suggesting Trump might expect a “father-son” dynamic.
In a recent France Inter interview with Benjamin Duhamel, Zelensky said: “The situation with Trump is more difficult. Because he is older, perhaps he expects us to establish a father-son dynamic.”
When pressed—”Do you think he sees you as his son?”—Zelensky chuckled and replied: “… I don’t know. Maybe not his most loved son… But why not?”
The lighthearted deflection highlights the uneven power balance in U.S.-Ukraine relations under Trump, where aid and support come with expectations of deference. Zelensky quickly added that both sides enjoy meetings and talks, but insisted he remains focused on defending Ukraine’s interests first.
Conservatives see the exchange as a revealing glimpse: Ukraine’s leader playing the grateful junior partner while America foots the bill. No illusions of equals here—just one side holding the leverage.
Iran Threatens Ukraine: Entire Country Now a “Legitimate Target” Over Alleged Drone Aid to Israel
Iran’s parliamentary national security chief, Ibrahim Azizi, has declared Ukraine’s whole territory a legitimate military target. He accuses Kyiv of supplying drone support to Israel amid Tehran’s escalating conflict with the Jewish state.
Citing Article 51 of the UN Charter on self-defense, Azizi claims Ukraine has inserted itself into the war by helping Israel counter Iranian drones. “Failed Ukraine” has crossed the line, he posted on X, making the country fair game for retaliation.
The warning comes as irony runs thick: Iran has long furnished Russia with Shahed drones used to pound Ukrainian cities and infrastructure since 2022. Now Tehran flips the script, branding Ukraine the aggressor for reportedly sharing counter-drone know-how with Israel’s defenders.
https://youtu.be/_A0Ej_2RQqs?si=T_Pgv5f-j3TQvdYT
Western reports, including from Kyiv Post, confirm Azizi’s statement drew quick attention, though no immediate Iranian military move has followed. The threat underscores how Middle East flashpoints increasingly bleed into Europe’s ongoing war, pulling distant battlefields closer together.
Ukraine has stayed largely silent on the specifics, but the episode highlights the tangled web of alliances and proxy fights defining global tensions in 2026.
Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa says political divisions within the opposition make it difficult for rival parties to mount a serious challenge against President Hakainde Hichilema, arguing that unity among opponents would be necessary before any meaningful political contest could emerge.
Mweetwa made the remarks while responding to political criticism directed at the government, saying that fragmented opposition structures limit the ability of rival groups to present a coordinated political alternative.
The minister said Zambia’s political environment requires organised and disciplined political movements capable of articulating clear policies and leadership direction. According to Mweetwa, opposition groups remain divided over leadership questions and strategic approaches.
He argued that political competition functions most effectively when parties are able to organise themselves into cohesive structures capable of engaging voters with defined policy positions.
The Patriotic Front and other opposition parties have faced internal disagreements in recent years as different leaders attempt to establish authority within their organisations. These disputes have sometimes produced rival factions within the same political parties.
Mweetwa said such divisions can weaken political mobilisation efforts because supporters may become uncertain about which leaders represent the official direction of a party.
He also emphasised the importance of political stability in maintaining national progress. According to the minister, political organisations seeking to challenge governing parties must demonstrate organisational discipline and policy clarity.
The minister said effective political competition depends on the ability of parties to engage citizens with ideas and programmes that address national challenges. Political organisations that remain divided, he said, may struggle to build consistent support among voters.
Opposition alliances have periodically been discussed within Zambia’s political environment as parties explore ways to strengthen their electoral competitiveness. However, forming unified political platforms often requires resolving internal disagreements among participating groups.
Mweetwa said political parties must first establish internal unity before attempting to build broader alliances capable of challenging governing parties.
The minister also emphasised the role of democratic processes in determining leadership outcomes. Elections provide the mechanism through which citizens express their preferences regarding governance and political leadership.
Political discussions about leadership and governance have intensified as different parties interact with communities across the country. Political actors often use such engagements to present their policy proposals and mobilise supporters.
Mweetwa said political organisations should focus on presenting clear programmes that respond to citizens’ needs. According to him, policy ideas and organisational discipline remain important elements of effective political participation.
The minister’s remarks also reflected broader discussions about the structure and organisation of political parties in Zambia. Leadership disputes and internal factionalism have occasionally affected several political organisations across different electoral cycles.
Political analysts often note that party unity can play an important role in determining electoral competitiveness. Parties that maintain coherent leadership structures are generally better positioned to mobilise supporters.
Mweetwa maintained that opposition groups seeking to challenge the government must first address internal disagreements and develop unified strategies before attempting to mobilise national support.
He said political competition should ultimately revolve around ideas, leadership and the ability of parties to present credible programmes to the electorate.
Mweetwa said divisions within opposition parties continue to weaken their ability to mount a coordinated political challenge against President Hakainde Hichilema.
…Abandoning ‘Bally will pay’ slogan sign of failure – Silumbe
By George Zulu
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has abandoned the “Bally will pay” political campaign slogan to ‘salt sana’ after realising that the first one failed to produce jobs and business opportunities for women and young people in Zambia, Leadership Movement president Dr Richard Silumbe has said.
In an interview with The Mast yesterday, Dr Silumbe said Hichilema was now running away from the youths he had promised jobs and business opportunities in places like the Copperbelt and Lusaka preferring to celebrate the international Youth Day in Solwezi District, North-western Province.
“The Bally will pay” political slogan has failed. It was a total deception from the start, and young people in Zambia have realised that it was a cheating slogan. Now, he has embarked on a new slogan called “salt sana” to save his face,” he said.
Dr Silumbe said instead of addressing a huge number of youths in Lusaka and the Copperbelt Province, where he got more votes in 2021, about their plight and other concerns, Hichilema had abandoned them in preference for Solwezi.
He said Zambians should realise that a populist approach to governance and economic development would not improve the lives of the people.
“Our youths want jobs. They want equal business opportunities and not that fake and deceptive slogan of ‘Bally will pay’. It is a disappointing slogan as it has left many youths in a quandary. Our youths cannot demand any respect as they have been made beggars. Our youths have no future under>>read more>> https://mastmediazm.com/2026/03/salt-sana-is-poison-silumbe/
Patriotic Front presidential aspirant Makebi Zulu has placed himself firmly within the PF Pamodzi Alliance, while signalling that the bigger political objective ahead of the August elections remains broader opposition cooperation, including the possibility of working with Brian Mundubile and other rival formations once internal PF processes are concluded.
In an interview on Radio Christian Voice, Zulu set out a position that was at once combative on principle and flexible on political strategy. He rejected suggestions that he was preparing to abandon the Patriotic Front for a quicker route to the ballot, but also made it clear that he does not see the opposition fight against the ruling UPND as a contest any single party or alliance can win alone.
That balancing act sits at the heart of the current opposition moment. The PF remains locked in disputes over leadership, legitimacy and the route to its long-awaited general conference. At the same time, rival opposition centres have continued to emerge, with Brian Mundubile taking the lead in the Tonse Alliance, while senior PF figures aligned to Given Lubinda and other contenders have moved into the PF Pamodzi Alliance.
Zulu’s intervention matters because it attempts to define where he belongs in that fluid landscape and how he believes the opposition should approach the election.
He confirmed that he is not in Tonse, and that his current political home is the PF Pamodzi Alliance, which he described as a product of a Patriotic Front Central Committee resolution aimed at creating a vehicle capable of drawing in like-minded parties while the PF settles its own internal leadership question.
For Zulu, the move into PF Pamodzi is not a rejection of unity. He framed it instead as a temporary political arrangement born out of what he sees as the mishandling of the Tonse project after the death of former president Edgar Lungu. He argued that the original understanding around Tonse recognised the PF as the anchor party and envisaged the alliance leadership emerging from within PF structures. In his telling, that arrangement was later altered, leaving the PF outside the very framework it had been expected to anchor.
That is where Brian Mundubile enters the equation. Zulu was careful not to turn the interview into a direct personal attack on Mundubile, even when pushed to do so. He declined to personalise the dispute, but plainly said the current shape of Tonse is not one he accepts as having followed the original script. He said the problem was less the personality involved than the process that led to the present outcome.
Still, his position was not one of total rupture. On the contrary, one of the clearest messages from the interview was that he remains willing to work with Mundubile and others, provided that engagement happens at the right stage, on agreed terms, and in a way that does not further fracture the PF.
Zulu said that, as things stand now, he cannot simply walk into Tonse as an individual. In his view, that would amount to abandoning a movement he says still has to choose its own leader and stabilise its own structures. But he also said that once the PF settles its internal process, there is every chance of cooperation with Tonse and other opposition formations. At that point, he argued, the engagement would not be one politician crossing the floor to join another politician, but an organised political structure negotiating from a position of legitimacy.
That distinction was central to his case. He said the issue is not whether the opposition should work together. It must. The issue is how they work together, and from what political footing.
Zulu also used the interview to rule out another route that has hovered around his candidacy: the National Congress Party endorsement. He acknowledged that the NCP had offered him a presidential ticket, but he made it clear he has not taken it up. His reasoning was blunt. A “free ticket,” he said, is not the point if it comes at the cost of worsening opposition fragmentation. In his view, stepping out alone under another party banner would contradict the very unity message opposition leaders have been preaching to the public.
That line sharpened his broader appeal. He said Zambians are not asking for more breakaways, more logos or more parallel ambitions. They are asking for a credible alternative to the UPND. He argued that voters want opposition parties to prove that they can subordinate personal calculations to a national objective.
In that context, Zulu cast himself less as a man chasing any available ballot slot and more as a contender willing to submit to a wider process. He maintained that he wants to be Republican President and believes he is qualified to lead, but he also said that if another opposition candidate is shown to command stronger numbers and broader support, it would be wrong to ignore that reality. The same logic, he suggested, would apply to cooperation with forces now outside PF Pamodzi, including Mundubile’s camp.
That does not mean the divisions are resolved. Far from it. The opposition remains split among multiple alliances, multiple egos and multiple theories of how to defeat the UPND. But Zulu’s interview offered a political signal worth noting: he is planting his flag in PF Pamodzi for now, while keeping the door open to a later convergence with Mundubile and the rest of the opposition.
With presidential filing drawing closer, that question may soon become unavoidable. The opposition can continue operating as competing centres of mobilisation, or it can try to turn those centres into a single electoral force. Zulu’s answer, at least for now, is that the PF must first choose its leader, hold its line through PF Pamodzi, and then negotiate unity from there. The argument is not that Mundubile and the others must be shut out. It is that they must eventually be brought in through a process the broader opposition can defend before voters.
EXAMINE WHAT YOUR MOTHER TOLD YOU ABOUT YOUR FATHER
By Dr Aaron Mujajati
There are stories that live in a family long after the people who started them have stopped telling them. In many homes across Zambia those stories shape how boys see their fathers, how young men carry themselves, and how families heal or stay broken. When a mother’s version of events becomes the only version a son hears, it can harden into a narrative that leaves little room for nuance. The father becomes a single note in a long song , the mistakes amplified, the good forgotten, the context erased. That is how resentment grows, quiet and steady, until it becomes a way of life.
This is not about excusing poor behaviour. Fathers make mistakes; they abandon, they shout, they fail to show up. Those wounds are real and deserve to be named. But so do the ways mothers shape the story. Omissions, exaggerations, and protective instincts can all tilt a child’s view.
A mother who paints the father as the villain without acknowledging her own choices or the complexity of the relationship is often trying to protect a child from pain. The unintended consequence is that the child grows up with a single-sided map of manhood, one that teaches dependence on the mother’s approval, fear of male authority, or an inability to form healthy relationships with other men.
The result shows up in different ways. Some young men become overly attached to their mothers, seeking permission for decisions that should be theirs to make. Others avoid men altogether, missing out on mentorship, discipline, and the quiet lessons that come from watching a father or uncle navigate life.
In communities where rites of passage and male mentorship have been weakened by urban migration and changing family structures, the absence of balanced parental narratives leaves a vacuum. That vacuum is often filled by resentment, confusion, and a fragile sense of identity.
Healing begins with truth and humility. Families must be brave enough to tell fuller stories, not to punish, but to teach. Mothers can protect their children and still acknowledge the ways they contributed to conflict. Fathers can own their mistakes and show, through consistent action, that they are more than the worst thing they have done. Sons can listen to both sides without becoming the judge. When a family allows complexity, it creates space for repair.
Communities have a role too. Churches, neighbourhood elders, extended family and mentors can offer the steadying presence that some fathers could not. A young man who spends time with an uncle who works with his hands, a coach who demands discipline, or a pastor who models integrity learns different ways of being a man than the ones he hears at home. These relationships do not replace parents, but they widen the map of what manhood can look like, responsibility, tenderness, accountability, and courage.
Practical steps matter. Families can start with conversations that are short, honest, and regular. A mother might say, “I was hurt and I reacted this way,” and a father might say, “I failed here and I want to do better.” Sons should be encouraged to ask for examples, not accusations: “What did you mean when you said…?” Community groups can create spaces where men and boys learn life skills together, fixing a roof, managing money, resolving conflict without violence. Schools and youth clubs can invite fathers and male mentors to participate, making male presence visible and varied.
This is not a call to blame mothers or to romanticize absent fathers. It is a call to refuse simple stories. It is a call to build households where truth is shared with care, where accountability is practiced without humiliation, and where young men are given models of strength that include tenderness. In Zambia, where family and community ties remain powerful, we have the tools to do this work if we choose to use them.
Resentment will not vanish overnight. It takes time, repeated acts of honesty, and the willingness of more than one person to change. But when families tell fuller stories, when mothers and fathers both claim their parts, and when communities step in to mentor and guide, young men can grow into whole adults, men who know how to stand on their own, how to love without fear, and how to pass on a better story to the next generation. You have heard.
KALABA WELCOMES BISHOP EDDIE CHOMBA TO CITIZENS FIRST
The Harry Kalaba-led Citizens First Party has continued to attract political heavyweights who are hoping to become party of the next administration after the August 13 elections.
Today, Bishop Eddie Chomba, becomes the latest figure to officially join CF.
Bishop Chomba, a clergyman and politician, who served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection under the former ruling party, Patriotic Front, brings both experience and charisma to the CF team.
In welcoming the new team member, President Kalaba said “we are on our way to forming government after the August 13th elections and we are happy to work with nationalists who are serious about liberating Zambia from 5 years of backwardness and politics of regression under the UPND.”
Mr. Kalaba urged more citizens across the length and breadth of the nation to quickly jump on board to be part of the next government this August.
Former higher education minister Professor Nkandu Luo says many Zambians are reluctant to express their political preferences openly, claiming that some citizens are instead quietly signalling their voting intentions by showing voters’ cards during interactions with opposition figures.
Luo made the remarks while addressing supporters, where she reflected on what she described as growing fear among citizens when discussing political choices in public. According to Luo, the reluctance to speak openly about politics has created a situation in which many people prefer to communicate their views privately.
She said that during engagements with citizens, some individuals have been showing their voters’ cards rather than openly declaring their political positions. Luo described the gesture as a sign that certain voters prefer to express support quietly rather than through public statements.
The former minister said such behaviour reflects a wider atmosphere in which some citizens feel uncomfortable discussing politics openly. She told supporters that political expression should allow individuals to state their views freely without hesitation.
Luo argued that fear or hesitation in public political discussions can distort perceptions about voter sentiment. When people remain silent in public spaces, she said, it may create the impression that certain political views are not widely shared.
According to Luo, private interactions with citizens often reveal opinions that differ from what is expressed publicly. She said individuals sometimes feel more comfortable sharing political preferences in informal settings rather than at public gatherings.
The remarks form part of a broader political conversation about how citizens express their views during periods of active political competition. Political figures across Zambia frequently engage with communities to gauge public sentiment and mobilise supporters.
Luo said interactions with citizens in different areas have revealed what she described as quiet expressions of political support. She told supporters that the act of showing voters’ cards during such encounters demonstrates that some individuals prefer symbolic gestures over verbal declarations.
Political communication often takes different forms depending on social and political circumstances. In many settings, individuals may choose indirect ways of expressing their opinions, particularly when they are uncertain about how their views will be received.
Luo said the phenomenon highlights the importance of engaging voters directly within communities. She encouraged supporters to continue interacting with citizens and listening to their concerns during political activities.
The former minister also reflected on the role of political participation in shaping national leadership. She said the voting process allows citizens to express their preferences and influence the direction of the country.
Discussions about voter behaviour frequently arise during periods of political mobilisation. Political actors often attempt to interpret signals from communities as they prepare for electoral contests.
Luo said that despite reluctance among some citizens to speak openly about politics, the voting process ultimately provides a platform through which individuals can express their choices.
She urged supporters to remain engaged with communities and to encourage citizens to participate actively in political processes.
The remarks come at a time when political activity across the country continues to intensify as parties and leaders interact with communities to build support.
Luo told supporters that the gesture of voters showing their cards during interactions should be interpreted as a sign of quiet political expression among citizens.
Did you know that Justice Essau Chulu is a Twin? Can you see his twin brother in the pics?
US$2.8 Million Raised for ED-UNZA Scholarship by Zimbabwean President Mnangagwa: Justice Esau Chulu of Zambia and Zimbabwean President reunited to raise UNZA Scholarship Funds.
Harare – It was an emotional trip down memory lane for retired Justice Esau Chulu, who reunited with his former University of Zambia law school roommate, now Zimbabwean President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, at a fundraising dinner in Harare on Thursday night.
Justice Chulu, who shared a room with Mnangagwa in the UNZA Class of 1975, brought guests to laughter as he recounted their student days, including how his former roommate would sneak out of bed as early as 4 a.m. The President was moved to “joyful tears” as the two reminisced about their time in Lusaka, highlighting the deep personal bonds between the two neighboring nations.
The occasion was the ED-UNZA Scholarship Fundraising Dinner, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The event brought together government officials, business leaders, and Mnangagwa’s former UNZA classmates—including Justice Chulu and his twin brother—all in support of educational advancement.
In his address, President Mnangagwa emphasized that Zimbabwe and Zambia are connected by more than just a shared border. He noted that the two nations are united by a common history, deep cultural ties, enduring relations, shared aspirations, and a collective responsibility to create a brighter future for their young people.
He highlighted that both rural and urban communities are home to brilliant young men and women with the potential to transform society, but lamented that many of these talented individuals are unable to access higher education. It is this reality, he said, that inspired the establishment of the ED-UNZA Scholarship, which currently targets beneficiaries in both Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Mnangagwa stressed that the scholarship should outlive his presidency and called on the committee to work hard to empower the fund, which currently has a reserve of US$3 million.
The fundraising drive saw a monumental contribution when Zimbabwean businessman Dr. Kudakwashe Tagwireyi purchased Mnangagwa’s first car—a vehicle he owned during his law studies at UNZA—for US$1.8 million. In a gesture of remarkable generosity, Tagwireyi immediately donated the historic vehicle back to the scholarship fund.
In total, the evening successfully raised approximately US$2.8 million. The proceeds will go toward sponsoring underprivileged but academically gifted students pursuing higher education at the University of Zambia as well as at various universities in Zimbabwe.
President Mnangagwa expressed pride in the ten graduates who have already benefited from the fund and thanked the Government of Zambia for its continued support in hosting Zimbabwean students.
“This scholarship is a strategic investment in skills development, laying the foundation for modernization across the SADC region and the African continent,” Mnangagwa said. “I call upon the private sector and philanthropic individuals to join us in forming stronger partnerships. Through this investment, we guarantee a future defined by excellence and honest hard work.”
He concluded with a unified vision for the region: “Together, let us strive to ensure that the doors of higher education remain open to the next generation of Africans.”
BREAKING: stunning new report showed Trump IGNORED warnings from his generals and went to war anyway
Donald Trump repeatedly brushed off urgent warnings from Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine that Iran would disrupt the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S. attacks. In multiple briefings, Caine said that Iran would likely send missiles and drones to the area, but Trump pushed ahead anyway, convinced Iran would “quickly bend” and capitulate.
Trump told his team he believed the U.S. military could handle any threat to the strait if it came, even as he acknowledged the risks.
Now, three weeks into his illegal “excursion,” Iran has done exactly what the generals predicted: blocked and attacked shipping in the Strait, choking 20% of the world’s oil supply. Tankers have been hit, oil prices have spiked, and the International Energy Agency has ordered the largest-ever release from emergency reserves.
The war has already killed at least 13 U.S. troops and more than 1,300 Iranians, including a school full of girls, and set the region aflame with tit-for-tat strikes and counterstrikes that Trump can’t order stopped, however hard he may try starting soon.
Critics like Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) called the lack of planning “pretty shocking”: “They had no plan to address the crisis in the strait … they still didn’t have a plan.”
Trump’s timelines have absurdly shifted, first saying strikes could last four to five weeks, then claiming “we’ve already won in many ways, but we haven’t won enough,” and now saying he’ll pull out when he feels it “in his bones.” His own advisors outside the White House are reportedly looking for an exit, but Trump has no idea of whether he should stop this madness or not.
Asked by the press if this will be a long or short war, Trump bizarrely answered, “Both.” But he can’t have it both ways, and if he thinks he can, the men in white coats are waiting outside ready to take him away.
In a rare public plea to its main backer, Hamas urged Iran on March 14, 2026, to halt strikes on Gulf countries while still defending Tehran’s right to hit back at US and Israeli attacks.
The statement from the Palestinian group condemned American-Israeli aggression against Iran as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.
It backed Iran’s self-defense options “by all available means” but added a clear line: “We call upon our brothers in Iran not to target neighboring countries” and urged everyone in the region to cooperate, preserve brotherhood, and end the war.
The appeal lands amid escalating Iranian missile and drone attacks on US bases and energy sites across the Gulf, following major US strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island oil hub. Reports of fires at ports like in the UAE have already sparked worries about oil supply chaos, higher global prices, and wider fallout.
Hamas’s move highlights the strain: the group relies heavily on Gulf funding and Arab diaspora support, while its fighters and political wing stay tied to Iran’s “Axis of Resistance.” Some see Qatar’s influence behind the statement, with threats to cut aid if Hamas doesn’t distance itself from Tehran’s escalation.
When even Hamas is telling Iran to dial it back, the Middle East conflict has clearly entered dangerous new territory.
Cuba’s Communist Regime Faces Fury as Protesters Torch Party Headquarters
Cubans have had enough. After months without fuel and blackouts stretching up to 18 hours a day, enraged residents in Morón, Ciego de Ávila province, stormed a local Communist Party headquarters, dragged out furniture and propaganda, and set them ablaze in the streets.
The regime’s lifeline—Venezuelan oil—dried up following Nicolás Maduro’s ouster by U.S. forces in January. No shipments have arrived since December, leaving the island paralyzed and everyday life impossible.
Nationwide protests have erupted for eight straight days. What began as cries over power outages has turned into open demands to end 67 years of communist rule.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel admitted Friday that his government has opened preliminary talks with the Trump administration to address the crisis. The White House has warned Havana to negotiate or face the same fate as Maduro’s regime.
The message from the streets is clear: no more excuses, no more darkness. Freedom is non-negotiable.
Israeli Airstrike Eliminates IRGC Missile Commander and Family in Western Iran
Early this morning at 05:30 local time, the Israeli Air Force struck a residential building in Eyvan County, Ilam Province, killing an IRGC Aerospace Force ballistic missile battalion commander along with his entire family. The targeted commander had just returned home from his base when the precision strike hit.
Video from the scene shows Iranian Red Crescent teams searching through the rubble and smoke of the collapsed two-story home.
The operation forms part of Day 14 in the ongoing US-Israel campaign—Operation Epic Fury—aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities and regime infrastructure. Over 200 strikes have hit missile sites and targets in Tehran and beyond, even as Iranian proxies continue retaliatory launches.
This latest action underscores Israel’s focus on degrading the IRGC’s ballistic missile command structure at its source.
These are the words Donald Trump spoke during a FOX interview. He added: “We know more about drones than anybody. We actually have the best drones in the world.”
This is, of course, a false claim, given that the United States is currently using $4 million Patriot missiles to shoot down $50,000 Iranian/russian drones. Meanwhile, highly effective Ukrainian drone interceptors cost about $2,000.
But Trump’s arrogance could actually be beneficial for Ukraine.
Here is an analysis from the Executive Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Igor Semyvolos:
Trump’s statement that the United States does not need Ukrainian drones paradoxically strengthens Ukraine’s position in the Middle East. Given the well-known attitude of regional elites toward this “old man,” his arrogance may actually become a strategic springboard for Ukraine. I clearly remember how dramatically the attitude of Arab experts toward Ukraine changed after the conversation about the “trump card in the White House” in 2025.
In Arab political culture, agency and the ability to withstand pressure are valued far more than formal agreements. The behavior of the Ukrainian leadership at that time made a real impression. Until 2025, many Arab elites perceived Ukraine merely as a U.S. “client,” fully dependent on Washington’s will. But the situation changed when Ukraine clearly demonstrated its own position — and comparisons with several Arab leaders who had sat in that same chair in the White House did not work in their favor. In the East, they saw a leader who did not falter under pressure and did not turn into an obedient petitioner waiting for instructions.
Having secured its status as a player capable of acting independently, Ukraine then moved to concrete proposals — offering unique defense solutions. Interceptor drones became the real argument that reinforced the political stance with technological advantage. It turned out that Ukraine possesses expertise that even the United States, with its multi-billion-dollar budgets, currently does not have. Ukraine changed roles: from a “consumer of Western aid” to a “supplier of critical technologies.”
Trump’s recent statement on Brian Kilmeade’s show — where he brushed off Ukrainian assistance in defending bases in Jordan, saying that “we know more about drones than anyone” — is perceived in the region not as a display of strength but as ordinary arrogance. Experts in Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia know the reality very well. It is enough to read the regular reviews of the Arab press.
The issue is not whether Americans have their own drones. The issue is that, for the Arab world, Ukrainian interceptor drones today represent the only working, relatively inexpensive, and — most importantly — battle-tested solution.
The perception of Trump among Arab experts as an unpredictable figure who is often dismissive of regional nuances creates a perfect emotional bridge for Ukraine. Against the backdrop of American isolationism, Ukraine’s readiness to share technology “here and now” looks like a new kind of strategic partnership.
This is not simply trade — it is the emergence of direct security cooperation, which significantly strengthens Ukrainian and European agency in the region.
Somalia warns it will strike any plan to establish an Israeli military base in Somaliland
Somali officials, including the foreign affairs minister and the president, say they won’t allow their territory to be used as a launchpad for foreign operations or to drag the region into outside conflicts.
This follows reports that Israel is exploring a base near Berbera to monitor threats like Yemen’s Houthis.
Somaliland has built closer ties with Israel after its recognition.
Somalia sees it as a threat to its sovereignty and regional stability.
North Korea Fires Multiple Ballistic Missiles into Sea of Japan
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command confirmed that North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles on March 14, 2026. The launches, detected from near Pyongyang toward the East Sea (Sea of Japan), drew no immediate threat to U.S. personnel, territory, or allies, per current assessments.
INDOPACOM stated it is consulting closely with allies and partners. The United States reaffirmed its ironclad commitment to defending the homeland and regional allies.
The provocation coincided with ongoing U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises, which Pyongyang has condemned as invasion rehearsals. South Korean authorities reported around 10 missiles fired, traveling roughly 350 km before splashing down.
This marks another escalation in North Korea’s pattern of missile tests amid heightened tensions on the peninsula. Allies continue close monitoring and coordination to maintain stability and deterrence.
TWO SISTERS DEFILED BY MOTHER’S BOYFRIEND IN LIVINGSTONE, SUSPECT ON THE RUN
Police statement
March 14, 2026 – The Zambia Police Service in Livingstone District is investigating two cases of defilement involving two female juveniles aged 8 and 3 years.
The matter was reported at Mbita Police Post under Libuyu Police Station on March 13, 2026, at 16:00 hours by a 28‑year‑old female resident of Malota Compound, Livingstone. She reported that her two daughters had allegedly been sexually abused by a male adult resident of the same compound.
The incident allegedly occurred on March 12, 2026, between 10:00 and 15:00 hours at the family’s residence in Malota Compound, Livingstone District.
Brief facts of the matter are that on the stated date and time, the mother left her two children at home in the care of her cohabiting partner, the suspect, while she went to Libuyu Market. Upon returning, she found the children alone and the male adult absent. Later that evening, while bathing the younger child, she observed suspicious discharge on the child’s private parts. The following day, medical personnel confirmed sexual abuse.
Further inquiry revealed that the elder child had also been sexually abused by the same suspect. When confronted, the male adult denied the allegations and discouraged reporting to police. He later fled the residence with his belongings.
The matter was reported to Mbita Police Post, where medical report forms were issued. Police officers visited the scene, which was identified by the elder victim.
No arrest has been made at this stage as the suspect is currently on the run. Investigations are ongoing to bring him to justice.
Issued by: Moono Namalongo Commanding Officer Southern Province Zambia Police Service
Iran threatens to strike Ukraine over drone assistance to Israel, says the country is a “legitimate target.”
In a sharp escalation amid the ongoing regional conflicts, an Iranian official has warned that Ukraine could become a legitimate military target if it continues providing drone-related support to Israel against Iranian attacks.
Ibrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Commission, stated that by aiding Israel in countering Iranian Shahed drones (the same type supplied to Russia for use against Ukraine), Kyiv has “effectively entered the war.” He invoked UN Charter Article 51 (right to self-defense) to justify potential retaliation, declaring Ukraine’s entire territory a “legitimate target” for Iran.
This statement has been widely shared on Iranian state-affiliated channels and social media, with no immediate retraction from Tehran.
The threat comes as Ukraine’s expertise in combating Shahed drones—honed over years of Russian attacks—has drawn interest from multiple nations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently revealed that 11 countries (including neighbors of Iran, European states, and the US) have requested Kyiv’s help in countering Iranian drone swarms launched in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes.
Ukraine’s battle-tested tactics, including cheap interceptors and electronic warfare systems, are now being shared to defend against the very drones Iran produces and exports.
While Iran lacks direct military reach to strike Ukraine (due to distance and Ukraine’s fortified air defenses), the rhetoric appears aimed at pressuring Kyiv, potentially aligning with Russian interests given the deep Iran-Russia military ties.
No official response from Ukraine or Israel has been reported yet on this specific threat, but the development highlights the interconnected web of global drone warfare—from Ukraine’s frontlines to the Middle East.
Breaking News : Intelligence Analysts Suspect Iran May Be Leveraging China’s BeiDou Satellite System to Improve Missile Targeting
Intelligence analysts are increasingly examining the possibility that Iran is using China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system to enhance the targeting accuracy of its missiles and drones, particularly in operations involving Israeli and United States military positions in the Middle East.
The assessment comes amid growing scrutiny of Iran’s strike capabilities after several recent attacks appeared to demonstrate improved precision compared to earlier engagements.
According to defense analysts and intelligence experts, the Chinese BeiDou Navigation Satellite System provides an alternative to the U.S.-controlled Global Positioning System. Unlike GPS, which can potentially be restricted or disrupted by the United States during conflicts, BeiDou offers independent positioning signals that may allow foreign militaries to maintain navigation and targeting capabilities even during intense electronic warfare conditions.
Experts note that modern missiles and long range drones often rely on a combination of inertial navigation and satellite guidance. Access to an additional satellite navigation network such as BeiDou could potentially help Iran maintain accuracy even if GPS signals are degraded or jammed in a contested environment. The system is also believed to provide encrypted services designed to improve resistance against electronic interference.
Analysts stress that there has been no official confirmation from Tehran or Beijing regarding operational military cooperation involving BeiDou guidance for Iranian weapons. However, intelligence observers believe Iran has been exploring alternatives to Western satellite navigation systems for several years as part of a broader effort to strengthen the survivability and reliability of its missile and drone programs.
The discussion has gained renewed attention as regional tensions remain high and as militaries across the Middle East increasingly rely on precision guided weapons.
If confirmed, the use of BeiDou navigation services could represent another step in Iran’s ongoing effort to modernize its strike capabilities and reduce dependence on Western controlled technologies.
Source: Moneycontrol, Intelligence analysis reports on Iran and BeiDou satellite navigation system.
Cuba Caves: Díaz-Canel Admits Secret Talks with Trump Admin as Regime Buckles Under Pressure
Cuban dictator Miguel Díaz-Canel publicly confirmed Friday that his communist regime has been holding discreet talks with the United States government. The admission comes amid crippling energy shortages, nationwide blackouts, and mounting economic collapse fueled by renewed U.S. sanctions and pressure from President Trump.
In a televised address, Díaz-Canel tried to frame the negotiations as routine diplomacy, but the reality is clear: the regime is desperate and on the ropes.
He stated: “Cuban officials have recently held conversations with representatives of the government of the United States to seek, through the path of dialogue, the possible solution to the bilateral differences that exist between our two nations.”
Díaz-Canel referenced past failed thaws, noting: “I believe that the most recent example was the way in which the Army General conducted the conversations with President Obama. It is a very recent stage, and we all know the results that those conversations produced.”
He added that the talks aim “first, to determine which are the bilateral problems that need solution, based on their severity and their impact, and to seek solutions to them. Second, to determine the willingness of both parties to take concrete actions for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.”
These guarded words can’t hide the truth. No fuel has entered Cuba for months due to the effective U.S. oil blockade. Protests are spreading, the economy is in freefall, and the regime is forced to the table. Reports indicate goodwill moves like releasing 51 political prisoners via Vatican mediation, but real change would require dismantling the socialist stranglehold—not more empty promises.
Trump’s maximum pressure is working. Havana is blinking first.
Senior Iranian Official Sets Non-Negotiable Conditions to End the War: Full U.S. Compensation and Complete Withdrawal from the Persian Gulf
In a direct and hardline statement delivered today, Mohsen Rezaee former Commander-in-Chief of the Isl∆mic Revolution∆ry Gu∆rd Corps (I₹GC) and current member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council declared that “the end of the war is in our hands.”
Rezaee stated that Iran will only consider ending the conflict on two conditions:
Receiving full compensation from the United States for all damages suffered.
Obtaining a 100% guarantee for Iran’s future security which, he emphasized, “is not possible without the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Persian Gulf.”
The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and reflect Tehran’s firm negotiating position.
Source: Direct video statement by Mohsen Rezaee, broadcast on Iranian state-affiliated media
Brazil unearths a monster from the past: Meet Dasosaurus tocantinensis, a 20-meter-long sauropod that just rewrote the dinosaur migration map.
Paleontologists in northeastern Brazil have named this new species of somphospondylan sauropod from partial skeletons pulled from the Early Cretaceous Itapecuru Formation (around 120 million years old). Estimated at about 66 feet long—roughly two school buses end-to-end—it ranks among the largest dinosaurs ever found in the country.
What makes it special? Its bones show striking similarities to Garumbatitan morellensis from Spain’s Barremian period, including unique ridges and grooves on the tail vertebrae and a prominent bulge on the femur. This close kinship points to ancient land connections that let these giants trek between South America, Africa, and Europe long after Pangaea started splitting—challenging old ideas about how fast those bridges vanished.
The find, formally described by Elver L. Mayer and team in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology (February 2026), comes from the Grajaú Basin region tied to the Tocantins area—hence the name “forest lizard from Tocantins.”
One of Brazil’s most complete large sauropod specimens yet, it delivers fresh proof that the Early Cretaceous world still had surprising highways for colossal travelers.
“Lugwalo Goes to Miles Sampa, as He Scores Another Major Victory Against Chabinga”
Following the ruling by Lusaka High Court Justice Conceptor Chinyanwa Zulu, the Registrar of Societies has effected the court orders and reinstated Miles Sampa as Patriotic Front President.
The records today show that the Chief Registrar of Societies has sinced removed expelled Mafinga MP, Robert Chabinga as Acting President and Morgan Ng’ona as Secretary General.
When Chabinga’s injunction was dismissed in May 2025, the Registrar refused to amend the records and the “Lugwalo” showed that Chabinga remained Acting President.
But earlier this week, Morgan Ng’ona lost the entire case where he challenged his expulsion and removal as PF Secretary General, when it was dismissed for his failure to prosecute the case since June 2024.
When Ng’ona pushed a Notice of Appeal and sought to stay the high court Judgment, the Judge threw out the application as there was nothing to stay as Ng’ona had lost both the injunction in 2025 and the main case stood dismissed.
Sampa has since assumed the legal powers of the PF President and also of the Secretary General.
Two cases remain on the books; the injunction before the Kabwe High Court and the Judgement scheduled for 27th March 2026 on the Consent Agreement between Brian Mundubile, Raphael Nakacinda and Miles Sampa.
Miles Sampa Wrote;
“Dear PF members & To Whom It May Concern,”
“Please note that following the High Court Ruling by Judge CC Zulu dated 3rd March 2026, I have since notified the Registrar of Societies and effected on their records the removal of Mr Robert Chabinga and Mr Morgan Ngona as office bearers and SG of the party respectively.”
“Any utterances, misrepresentation or actions to the contrary, will be in direct deliberate contempt of a Court Ruling and a case for the attention of the Police be it now or in the future.”
SELLABILITY: MAKEBI ZULU VS GIVEN LUBINDA – AND THE FUTURE OF THE PATRIOTIC FRONT
By Brian Matambo – Friday the 13th, March, 2026
The Patriotic Front is approaching one of the most consequential decisions in its history. This is not merely a leadership contest. It is not a ceremonial internal exercise. It is not a family gathering to reward loyalty, familiarity, or seniority. It is a moment of political survival.
At this hour, the party stands before a hard and unforgiving truth. It must choose between comfort and conquest. Between internal familiarity and national appeal. Between the politics of sentiment and the politics of victory.
At the centre of this choice stand two men amongst others: Given Lubinda and Makebi Zulu. One is known within the structures. The other is rising in the imagination of the people. One may be available. The other is sellable. And in politics, especially for an opposition party trying to return to power, sellability is not a luxury. It is oxygen.
That is why Emmanuel Mwamba Verified polls matter. They are not mere social media decorations. They are not idle talk from political spectators. They are a public signal. They are a market test. They are an X-ray of political appetite. And what they have revealed is not ambiguous. They have revealed that Makebi Zulu is the product the market is responding to.
In the second poll of the series, Makebi Zulu secured 40.96%, while Given Lubinda trailed with a humiliating 0.60%. In the final EMV poll, Makebi dominated the online vote with 43.5% and then proved the depth of that support again in the live phone-in segment with 40.1%. That matters. A click is easy. A phone call demands effort. It demands intention. It demands interest. It demands belief. And people made that effort for Makebi.
Those numbers are not a side note. They are the loudest thing in the room. A party that ignores such numbers is not being wise. It is being reckless. It is walking blindfolded toward defeat. It is mistaking internal applause for public support. And that, in the cruel mathematics of politics, is how parties die.
The endgame is not to win a convention hall. The endgame is to win the country. That means the PF must stop behaving like a club choosing a chairman and start behaving like a machine preparing to sell a presidential brand to millions of Zambians.
Politics is a sales project. Elections are a marketplace. Leadership is a product decision. And that is where the supermarket analogy becomes not just useful, but devastatingly accurate.
Walk into any supermarket and look carefully at the shelves. You will find products that have been there for a long time. Some are familiar. Some are backed by respected names. Some have a history. Some were once powerful. But many of them gather dust. They are present, but they do not move. They are available, yes, but nobody is reaching for them.
Why? Because availability is not the same as demand.
A product can be on the shelf and still be unwanted. A product can be respectable and still be unsellable. A product can have a history and still fail in the market. If the packaging is tired, if the promise is weak, if the branding no longer excites, if the consumer does not believe it will improve their condition, they walk past it without apology.
Then next to it sits another product. Fresh. Distinct. Attractive. Compelling. It speaks the language of the consumer. It looks like change. It feels like possibility. It carries the promise of results. It commands attention. People do not merely notice it. They reach for it. They talk about it. They recommend it. They want it.
That is the difference between an available product and a sellable product. This is the exact political dilemma facing the Patriotic Front.
Given Lubinda may be available. He may be familiar. He may be appreciated by many within the party. He may be regarded as a decent man with years of service behind him. All that may be true. But none of that answers the only question that matters in a presidential election: can the people out there buy him? Can he move the market? Can he inspire appetite beyond the walls of the party?
Can he pull undecided voters, energise the base, attract young people, draw public excitement, and create the sense that something new and forceful is arriving?
The external numbers suggest the answer is no. You cannot force consumers to desire a product they have already rejected. You cannot lecture the market into enthusiasm. You cannot package internal loyalty and expect the nation to mistake it for momentum. You cannot take a weak product to a brutal marketplace and then act shocked when it fails. That would not be strategy. That would be self-harm.
Makebi Zulu, on the other hand, is proving that he can move the market. He is proving that people are buying into his brand, his tone, his discipline, his legal sharpness, his courage, and his national posture. He is not merely another aspiring politician floating around the party. He is emerging as a serious political product with traction.
He has visibility. He has energy. He has an edge. He has the ability to make people believe again. And belief is everything in politics.
Nobody votes for a product they do not believe in. Nobody sacrifices for a product that inspires no excitement. Nobody fights to market a product that even insiders privately know cannot win. That is why this choice must now be stripped of emotional fog and examined with political ruthlessness.
The PF is not choosing a pastor for a prayer meeting. It is choosing a product for the national market. And the national market is merciless. It does not care who appointed whom to the Central Committee. It does not care who has been around longest. It does not care who is owed gratitude. It rewards only what it wants.
That is why Members of the Central Committee and convention delegates must resist the temptation to vote like beneficiaries and instead vote like strategists. They must not vote for a man merely because he elevated them internally. They must not vote from habit. They must not vote from fear. They must not vote as if this is a thank-you ceremony.
They must vote as if the future of the Patriotic Front depends on it. Because it does. A delegate who votes for an internally acceptable but externally rejected candidate is not preserving the party. He is embalming it. A delegate who chooses sentiment over sellability is not being loyal. He is helping bury the movement.
This is why the warning must be blunt. If PF chooses a product the market does not want, PF will lose. If PF chooses a candidate who can only win in the room but not in the country, PF will lose. If PF mistakes internal availability for national desirability, PF will lose. And if PF ignores the evidence already flashing before its eyes, it will deserve the defeat that follows.
Makebi Zulu represents something else. He represents market energy. He represents political freshness without abandoning the roots of the party. He represents continuity with electricity. He represents a bridge between the old guard and the next national battle. He is the product with visible appetite around it.
That does not mean senior figures must be discarded. Far from it. A wise Makebi project must reassure the elders and veterans of the party that their place remains secure. It must assure Given Lubinda, Jean Kapata, Professor Nkandu Luo, and other senior figures that the future need not be built by humiliating the past. A strong leader does not erase foundations. He stands on them and carries them forward.
That is where Makebi’s maturity becomes critical. He must not only be the sellable product. He must also be the unifying salesman of the whole PF shelf. He must make it clear that under his leadership, the party’s historic faces, its senior hands, and its institutional memory will not be discarded. They will be protected, respected, and carried into the future with honour.
That is how great political products are built. Not only through excitement, but through trust. And Makebi Zulu is uniquely positioned to command that trust.
He has already shown fierce loyalty in the defence of the Lungu family. He has already shown discipline in the public square. He has already shown that he can stand in difficult national moments and project seriousness. For many, he is not just a candidate. He is the one figure who appears capable of protecting the dignity of the party’s past while giving it a chance at a future.
That matters.
Because the burden on delegates is now historic. They are no longer merely selecting a leader. They are deciding whether the PF will remain a living political force or become a sentimental museum of its own former power.
They must therefore ask themselves one question with cold honesty: which product can actually win in the national market? Not which product is familiar. Not which product is owed a favour. Not which product is internally convenient.
Which product can sell? Which product can move? Which product can inspire demand? Which product makes the public reach for it?
The evidence points in one direction. Makebi is the product with traction. Makebi is the product with hunger around it. Makebi is the product with visible market pull. Makebi is the product people are already reaching for. And politics, like sales, rewards what moves.
The Patriotic Front must now decide whether it wants to stock the shelf or conquer the market. If it wants to survive, if it wants to return, if it wants to matter again, then the choice is clear.
It must choose sellability. It must choose electability. It must choose the product that people are already buying.
STOP THE HYPOCRISY: ZAMBIA NEEDS ISSUE-BASED POLITICS, NOT POLITICAL GENEALOGY ….reflections of Isaac Mwanza OVER the last few days, leading figures in the Patriotic Front orbit — particularly Brian Mundubile, Given Lubinda, and lawyer Makebi Zulu — have dragged the country into a spectacle that says more about the poverty of our political discourse than about the future of Zambia. Instead of debating policy, governance, or how and on what basis the opposition intends to challenge the government of Hakainde Hichilema, the conversation has been reduced to political genealogy — who belonged to which party in the past and who has the “right” to claim ownership of the Patriotic Front.
That argument is not only tired; it is profoundly hypocritical. Let us be honest about one thing: Zambian politics has never been a monastery of ideological purity. Since the return to multiparty democracy in 1991, political migration has been the rule rather than the exception. Parties have been built, abandoned, revived and recycled by the same pool of political actors.
Very few politicians in Zambia today can claim to be the original custodians of the parties they currently represent. Take the current Vice President, W.K Mutale Nalumango, her political roots, like those of many figures now serving in government, trace back to the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy. That was the political nursery after 1990 of a whole generation of today’s leaders. The same ecosystem also produced Makebi Zulu, former lawyer for former President Rupiah Banda and whose proximity to power in the 2016 PF adoptions is well known.
And what about Given Lubinda? He did not descend from the heavens with a Patriotic Front membership card in his hand. Like many others, he moved through different political formations before eventually joining PF once it had become politically viable. Even Brian Mundubile, who is now being lectured about his political past, also emerged from the same broad MMD political tradition. In truth, the story of Zambia’s political class is one of constant migration. The late Anderson Mazoka, the founding leader of the United Party for National Development, once served as an MMD branch chairman before building what would become one of Zambia’s most significant political movements.
The point is simple: political jackets change. They always have. Which is why the current attempt to weaponise Brian Mundubile’s previous political affiliations is not only dishonest — it is politically lazy. If changing parties disqualifies someone from political leadership, then a large portion of Zambia’s political elite would have to retire immediately.
What is even more disappointing is that these attacks are happening at a time when the opposition should be focused on rebuilding credibility and presenting a coherent national agenda.
If you ask most of these former PF leaders why they want to take over power in August 2026 from Hakainde Hichilema, you will likely discover that many have no compelling national reason beyond a longing to return to the privileges of office. During their time in government as ministers, power came with enormous personal benefits — not just for themselves, but often for their families and political networks.
One only needs to revisit the annual declarations of assets and liabilities many of them submitted while serving as ministers; in several instances, those declarations raised more questions than answers when compared with their official incomes.
Truth be told, many who once occupied ministerial offices played a role in the debt burden that Zambia later struggled to carry — the very burden the current administration of President Hichilema has had to confront and attempt to restructure.
During those years, the illusion that poverty had disappeared was partly sustained by the free-flowing patronage within the ruling party system: money circulating through cadres, contracts awarded to politically connected individuals who lacked the capacity to execute them, and state resources treated as political spoils.
It is therefore hardly surprising that some opposition Members of Parliament today find it convenient to gravitate toward the ruling establishment — partly because their own past conduct in government continues to cast a long shadow. Among the personalities currently jostling for influence, Brian Mundubile has, perhaps surprisingly, appeared less bitter in tone than some of his competitors. That alone does not make him the inevitable leader of the opposition, nor does it guarantee that he could defeat President Hakainde Hichilema in a national election.
But within the fractured landscape of PF politics, Brian Mundubile remains one of the more formidable contenders. Whether he ultimately leads the opposition, or whether another figure emerges, is not for political commentators to decide. That is the business of their party members and ultimately the Zambian electorate.
What should concern the nation, however, is the quality of the debate. Reducing politics to questions of “who came from where” is the intellectual equivalent of fighting over recycled uniforms. Most of the country’s senior politicians — across both government and opposition — have worn multiple political jackets over the past three decades. They are, in many ways, products of the same political factory.
So instead of pretending to be ideological purists, Zambia’s political leaders should confront the real test before them: who has the ideas, the discipline and the national appeal to lead.
Until that happens, the public will continue to watch the same recycled politicians fighting over recycled narratives while the real issues facing the country remain unanswered. I submit
NO ONE SHOULD EXCEED K20,000 MONTHLY IF CONTRIBUTING – SANGWA … our campaign relies entirely on voluntary contributions from Zambians
Movement for National Renewal (MNR) founder John Sangwa says no one should contribute more than K20,000 towards his political movement in order to preserve broad participation and prevent the concentration of financial influence.
In an interview with Daily Revelation yesterday, Sangwa stated that his campaign relied on the voluntary contributions from Zambians
MWILA WARNS AGAINST UNDERPERFORMING POLITICIANS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF DELIMITATION
Aspiring Lusaka mayor Simon Mulenga Mwila has welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema’s appointment of youthful ministers for Health and Small and Medium Enterprise Development, describing the move as a positive step toward bringing young people closer to national decision-making.
In a statement, Mwila said Zambia’s youthful population makes it important for government to include younger leaders in governance structures.
“Zambia is a very young country, and bringing young people closer to decision-making is a healthy step for our democracy,” he said, adding that fresh perspectives were necessary to address the country’s challenges.
He also acknowledged the President’s decision, stating that it deserved recognition.
“Fresh energy, new perspectives and a different way of looking at national problems are exactly what our governance system needs,” Mwila said.
However, the aspiring mayor clarified that his remarks were made independently, noting that he had never had personal dealings with the President and had previously criticised some decisions by the current administration.
“I do not personally know President Hakainde Hichilema and I have never had any personal dealings with him,” he said, adding that leadership should always remain open to scrutiny.
Mwila further warned that the ruling establishment should not underestimate the political dynamics in Lusaka and the Copperbelt, arguing that many Members of Parliament elected in 2021 benefited largely from the President’s popularity at the time.
He expressed concern that some legislators who have struggled to connect with their constituencies may now be seeking safer political grounds ahead of the 2026 elections.
Mwila cautioned against turning the delimitation process into a political escape route for underperforming leaders.
“Delimitation should never become a tool to rescue political failures,” he said, urging leaders to prioritise accountability and national interest.
Minister of Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development, Charles Lubasi Milupi and Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane have prided themselves that infrastructure development would be done using a modern model that would spare the Treasury commitment of huge resources to long-term infrastructure.
They duo commissioned Public Private Partnership (PPP), a long time provision that has been established
To enhance private sector participation in infrastructure and service delivery, the Public-Private Partnership Act No. 18 of 2023 was passed to repeal the primary legislation governing PPPs, the 2009 Act.
But instead of the private sector bringing resources to the PPP’s as envisioned, we saw the projects being financed by the public pension houses and public road toll.
Take for example, the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriage Way, was primarily financed through the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB).
The Concessionaire, Macro Ocean Investment Consortium (MOIC-LN), which includes Chinese firms like AVIC International, Zhenjiang Communications, and China Railway Seventh Group obtained a 25-year concession to do the 327-kilometer projectproject valued at approximately US$649.97 million using public pension houses and public toll.
Similarly, the Ndola–Sakania–Mufulira Road and Border, a project valued at $76.1 million is a 22-year concession agreement with Jaswin Ports Limited.
Th Chingola–Chililabombwe–Kasumbalesa Road a major Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project designed to modernize a critical 35-kilometer economic corridor connecting the Copperbelt to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border, has been financed by Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board and public toll.
The project is managed by Turbo Kachin Consortium Limited (also referred to as Turbo Ka-chin Investment).
Similarly the height of the power shortage, President Hichilema convened a meeting to support the Maamba Power Second Phase Project.
Following an urgent meeting at State House, the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) announced that it would provide $200million in debt financing for the Phase II expansion of the Maamba Collieries coal power plant.
This project, aimed at increasing capacity by 300MW to ease load shedding, was part of a broader $400 million investment.
Of concern is the quality of the service delivered.
Another PPP project was the 100 MW Chisamba Solar PV project financed through a $100 million deal comprising 70% debt from Stanbic Bank Zambia ($71.5 million) and 30% government equity.
It was developed by a ZESCO subsidiary, Kariba North Bank Extension Power Corporation (KNBEPC) but the Offtaker is a middleman, GreenCo Power Services granted a power purchase agreement for 13 years.
The key feature of the project is dedicated supply of power to the mining giant,First Quantum Minerals.
In this case, ZESCO has borrowed money using its assets, and committed to sell the product to GreenCo for 13 years, who will sell to FQM for the same duration!
Milupi’s and Situmbeko’s PPPs are shoddy and reek corruption.
The new roads are showing rapid deterioration, and great but uncommon were and tear, revealing deep-seated concerns that the roads do not meet the 25-year quality.
The use of public pension funds (if these are profitable ventures, why have the private pension houses and private banks stayed away?) raises concerns as public funds are being used as conduits to fund the private sector to do public projects while all the huge profits and benefits go to the private sector!
Mounting Questions for Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu as Prison Privileges, Escapes, and Security Breaches Become the Norm
Serious questions are increasingly being directed at Jack Mwiimbu, as critics argue that his ministry has become a weak point within the government’s security and corrections system.
The controversy has intensified following claims by opposition figures who have either served time in prison or recently been released, claiming they received special treatment unavailable to ordinary inmates.
One of the most explosive claims came from former lawmaker Munir Zulu, who during an interview with Emmanuel Mwamba on the EMV Podcast, said that whenever he was dissatisfied with conditions in prison, he simply invoked Mwiimbu’s name to secure changes.
Zulu claimed that when he objected to being held at Chimbokaila Prison, prison authorities initially refused to transfer him. However, after speaking directly with the minister, the transfer was approved almost immediately, and he was moved to Mwembeshi Maximum Prison, which many consider a more comfortable facility.
Zulu further said that while incarcerated he enjoyed extraordinary privileges, including access to a private refrigerator stocked with food and soft drinks, a private room, and even access to a cellphone and internet—amenities that critics say are far beyond what ordinary inmates receive.
Questions have also been raised about claims that other opposition detainees linked to the Patriotic Front, including Raphael Nakacinda, has been receiving similar preferential treatment.
But the controversy surrounding Mwiimbu’s tenure extends beyond prison privileges.
One of the most embarrassing security incidents occurred when former Lawmaker, and businessman Emmanuel Jay Jay Banda escaped from custody while under heavy guard during a hospital stay. At the time, authorities confirmed he had fled across the border into Zimbabwe.
Mwiimbu publicly assured the nation that Banda had been located and was in custody, adding that arrangements with Interpol and Zimbabwean authorities were underway to secure his extradition.
Yet more than a year later, Banda remains at large—raising fresh questions about what exactly happened to the government’s earlier assurances.
Critics argue the incident was a major national embarrassment and say the minister should have considered stepping down on moral grounds.
The controversy deepens further with other high-profile cases. Political figures such as Chishimba Kambwili, Chilufya Tayali, Emmanuel Mwamba and others all left the country while facing legal proceedings during the same period. Although Kambwili later returned voluntarily, critics say no clear explanation has been given as to why he was not charged for allegedly leaving while under legal restrictions.
Security concerns also surfaced when Hakainde Hichilema was stoned during a public appearance on the Copperbelt, an incident widely described as a serious breach of presidential security. The conflicting and confusing statements that followed only deepened public concern about the ministry’s preparedness and coordination.
Taken together, these incidents—special prison privileges, high-profile escapes, fugitives still at large, and security lapses—are fueling growing debate about the performance of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, under Mwiimbu’s leadership.
Critics are now asking blunt questions: • Why are some inmates allegedly receiving privileges far beyond prison regulations? • How did a high-profile detainee escape while under heavy guard and remain free more than a year later? • Why have several politically exposed individuals managed to leave the country while facing legal proceedings? • And how did a major security breach involving the President occur under the ministry’s watch?
Whether these incidents represent coincidence, systemic weaknesses, or deeper institutional problems remains a matter of intense public debate.
But one thing is becoming increasingly clear: pressure is mounting on Minister Jack Mwiimbu to provide clear answers.
UPND SAYS STATEMENT BY PRO LUO ON MEAL ALLOWANCE NOT JUSTIFIABLE
United Party for National Development (UPND) deputy Medeia Director Situla Sikwindi says the statement that the Patriotic Front (PF) government abolished meal allowances because they wanted to support more universities is not justifiable.
This follows the statement by Former Higher Education Minister Pro Nkandu Luo that the PF government stripped off meal allowances to help more universities.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka, UPND Deputy Media Director Situla Sikwindi stressed that there is no justifiable reason to cut off a package that students highly depend on for survival.
“What Professor Luo must have done was instead apologize and not justify her actions for the number of lives she destroyed by cutting off the allowance’’, said Mr. Sikwindi.
Mr. Sikwindi however alleged that the previous regime failed to support the program because they did not place value in education, expressing concern that such a statement came from a government that claimed meant well for the people of Zambia.
He stated that had the PF placed value in education, they would have invested more in it just like the UPND government has done.
Mr. Sikwindi has suggested that meal allowance be increased so it is enough to cater for all the needs for students.
🇿🇲 VIEWPOINT | Why ZCCM-IH’s Royalty Model Could Reshape State Returns
Zambia’s mining policy has often been debated through the lens of ownership. How many shares should the state hold? Should government increase equity in mining companies? Should foreign investors be pushed to dilute their holdings? These debates have dominated the national conversation for years. But the more important question is often overlooked: how exactly should Zambia earn from its minerals?
The latest figures from ZCCM–Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH) provide a useful case study. Between 2022 and 2024, the state-owned investment company received US$110.64 million in royalty revenue from Kansanshi Mining Plc after converting its dividend entitlement into a 3.1 percent gross revenue royalty in 2021. At first glance the adjustment appears technical. In practice, it reflects a deeper shift in how the state participates in mining returns.
Historically, Zambia relied heavily on the equity model. Under this system, the state participates as a shareholder and receives income through dividends declared by mining companies. The difficulty with this arrangement is well understood in the mining industry. Dividends depend entirely on profit, and profits fluctuate according to operational costs, expansion cycles, commodity prices and accounting decisions taken at board level.
A mine may produce enormous volumes of copper while reporting modest profits or choosing to reinvest earnings instead of distributing dividends.
Kansanshi illustrates this reality with unusual clarity. The mine paid US$59.6 million in dividends in 2022, but declared no dividends at all in 2023 and 2024. Had ZCCM-IH remained solely dependent on the dividend structure, the state shareholder would have received nothing in those two years despite ongoing production at one of Africa’s largest copper mines.
The royalty model prevented that outcome. Because the 3.1 percent royalty is calculated on gross revenue rather than profit, payments continued regardless of the company’s internal cost structures or dividend decisions. ZCCM-IH received US$17.66 million in 2022, US$38.48 million in 2023, and US$54.51 million in 2024, bringing the three-year total to US$110.64 million.
This pattern is not accidental. In mining economics, revenue-linked royalties provide stability precisely because they are tied to production and sales rather than corporate profitability. A mine must sell minerals to operate. As long as revenue flows, royalty payments follow. Profit-based dividends, by contrast, remain vulnerable to cost inflation, capital expenditure programmes and accounting adjustments.
A longer historical comparison reinforces the point. Between 2012 and 2021, ZCCM-IH received US$244.25 million in dividends from Kansanshi, averaging roughly US$24 million annually. Analysis contained in ZCCM-IH’s Mining Corner 360 publication suggests that under comparable market conditions a royalty structure could have generated close to US$48 million per year.
The difference reflects a fundamental principle recognised across global mining jurisdictions: governments capture more predictable value when they participate directly in revenue streams rather than waiting for profits to be declared.
The timing of this adjustment also coincides with broader structural changes in the mining sector. Zambia’s copper industry is entering a new phase characterised by declining ore grades, rising capital expenditure and increasingly complex processing technologies. Mines must invest heavily simply to maintain output levels. These investments, while necessary for long-term production, tend to suppress short-term profitability.
At the same time, global demand for copper is strengthening as electrification, renewable energy infrastructure and artificial intelligence-driven data centres accelerate the consumption of critical minerals. Zambia therefore sits at the intersection of two forces: increasing strategic demand for its copper and rising operational costs within the mining industry. In such an environment, a revenue-based return mechanism becomes particularly valuable for a state investor.
Kansanshi’s S3 Expansion Project, commissioned in August 2025, illustrates this dynamic. The project aims to expand production capacity even as ore grades decline. Higher volumes of processed ore will sustain revenue generation, even though profitability may fluctuate depending on costs and market conditions. Because the royalty is calculated on revenue, ZCCM-IH stands to benefit directly from increased output regardless of profit cycles.
There is also an institutional implication for the state investment vehicle itself. ZCCM-IH has indicated that the royalty arrangement strengthens its cash flow and enhances its capacity to reinvest in Zambia’s broader mineral economy, including the emerging gold subsector and other strategic projects along the mining value chain.
If managed prudently, this could allow the company to transition from a passive equity holder into a more deliberate investment arm within the country’s resource sector.
For Zambia, the Kansanshi example offers a practical lesson in resource governance. Ownership structures matter, but the architecture of revenue capture matters even more. Equity provides influence and long-term participation in assets. Royalties provide immediate and predictable income linked directly to mineral extraction.
The most effective mining policy does not choose between the two. It balances them.
The state must remain an investor, but it must also secure dependable revenue streams that reflect the reality that Zambia’s minerals are finite national assets. The shift at Kansanshi suggests that policymakers and mining financiers are beginning to refine that balance.
In a sector where production cycles span decades and commodity prices rise and fall with global economic tides, such financial design can shape the national benefit from mining far more than ownership debates alone.
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FIELD RUWE’S SECOND INSTALMENT DOUBLES-DOWN ON HIS EARLIER ARTICLE ON FRANK MUTUBILA
The man makes no apologies. Instead, he justifies whatever he wrote.
He even shares the methodology he employed in classifying those that weighed in on the subject. .
I suspect, as the case was with his first article, this too may receive generous amounts of attention.
Why? Because the subject is Frank Mutubila. And what is it about Frank Mutubila? He’s a public figure.
And public figures receive attention for who and what they are. Members of the public always want to know more about them.
Who has never been curious about television personalities in Zambia? We all have been.
We have been curious about their personal lives – their marital status, educational background, their networth, where they socialize from, who their friends are, and much more.
These questions have been whispered about Frank Mutubila for many years including one pet peeve popular with him, ‘You know ah, you know ah’.
Of all the television personalities, this pet peeve is only unique to him.
A towering figure like Frank Mutubila would naturally be a point of reference by lecturers in media studies because they shape the industry.
Their status has become so prominent even the tools of analysis regarding who they are will be correspondingly incisive.
They are like a PhD thesis being evaluated – it’s never a comfortable experience for candidates.
If the latter were given a ‘Swedish massage’, by those that sit to decide whether they should be granted or not, PhD’s would lose their value.
In other words, society needs individuals like Field Ruwe who will break ranks and refuse political correctness, those that will say in public what others only whisper about in private.
The reaction Frank gave in a few lines recently is very instructive. He said he was going to engage his “friend” when this was over. Nothing more, nothing less.
When you know your public status, you accept that attention will be turned onto you. And this can be very uncomfortable.
Remember Dora Siliya mentioned him in her book linking him to the age group of girls he allegedly liked – something others only whispered about in the corridors of mass media complex.
And to this, he responded graciously. That’s what you do when you have reached the pinnacle of your profession and age.
From your mistakes and from your achievements, the younger generation will learn.
Breaking News | Trump Rejects Putin’s Proposal to Transfer Iran’s Enriched Uranium to Russia
During a phone call on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed moving Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpiles to Russia as part of a broader deal to end the ongoing U.S.-Iran war. President Trump rejected the offer.
According to a U.S. official cited in the report, this was not the first time such a proposal had been made. Russia raised a similar idea during U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations in May 2025, prior to the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, and again in the weeks leading up to the current conflict. Each time, Washington declined.
The uranium in question consists of approximately 450 kilograms enriched to 60% purity, which can be converted to weapons-grade material within weeks and is sufficient for more than 10 nuclear bombs. Securing this stockpile remains one of the primary objectives for the U.S. and Israel in the current conflict.
The U.S. official stated clearly: “The U.S. position is we need to see the uranium secured.”
It is also unclear whether Iran would accept such a transfer. In the final round of pre-war negotiations, Tehran rejected the idea and instead proposed diluting the material inside its own facilities under IAEA supervision.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed Friday that the U.S. has “a range of options” to secure the stockpile, including a voluntary Iranian handover, though he declined to specify further. When asked about a potential special operations mission to seize the uranium, Trump said on Fox News: “We are not focused on that, but at some point we might be.”
Trump also acknowledged for the first time that Russia may be providing assistance to Iran during the conflict.
Source: Axios (Barak Ravid) | Corroborated by Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, Middle East Eye, CGTN, and Xinhua
Breaking News : U.S. Deploys Over a Dozen B-1 Strategic Bombers to the UK, More Than Half of Combat-Ready Fleet Now Forward Positioned
The United States has deployed more than a dozen strategic bombers to the United Kingdom in what analysts describe as one of the largest forward concentrations of B-1 bombers in recent years. The deployment includes at least 12 B-1B Lancer bombers and four B-52 strategic bombers positioned at RAF Fairford, a key U.S. forward operating base in Europe.
Open source aircraft tracking data indicates the buildup occurred in several waves. The first bomber arrived on March 6, followed by four more on March 7, three additional aircraft on March 9, and another four on March 10. In parallel, three B-52 bombers also arrived during the early phase of the deployment, bringing the total number of strategic aircraft at the base to at least fifteen.
The scale of the deployment is particularly notable given the current readiness level of the B-1 fleet. The U.S. Air Force operates 44 B-1 bombers after losing one aircraft in a 2024 crash, but the fleet currently has a mission capable rate of roughly 47 percent. This means the United States can realistically count on fewer than 21 combat ready B-1 bombers, and more than half of those operational aircraft are now stationed in Britain.
Military analysts note that the concentration of bombers in the United Kingdom significantly reduces operational distances for missions toward the Middle East. Previously, bomber crews were forced to conduct extremely long round trip flights from the U.S. mainland lasting up to 36 hours, placing heavy strain on both aircraft and personnel. Forward basing in the UK allows for shorter mission profiles, reduced refueling requirements, and a higher sortie rate.
The B-1B Lancer remains one of the most versatile aircraft in the U.S. bomber fleet. The aircraft can carry up to 75,000 pounds of conventional weapons, the largest payload among U.S. bombers, exceeding that of the B-52 and the stealth B-2. Its combination of speed, long endurance, and heavy payload allows it to strike multiple targets across wide operational areas.
Despite earlier plans to retire the aircraft before the arrival of the B-21 Raider next generation bomber, the continued operational demand and payload flexibility of the B-1 are seen as reasons the platform remains heavily utilized. The aircraft is also being upgraded with Load Adaptable Modular pylons, originally developed for testing the ARRW hypersonic missile, which expand the bomber’s potential weapons loadouts.
The unusually large concentration of B-1 bombers at RAF Fairford highlights the strategic importance of forward bomber deployments and signals the central role these aircraft may play in potential strike operations in the wider region.
Source: Defence-UA, citing Air and Space Forces Magazine and open source aircraft tracking data.
President Donald J. Trump has declassified and released stunning infrared footage of U.S. precision strikes on military targets at Kharg Island, Iran’s critical oil export lifeline handling up to 90% of its shipments.
The video shows devastating hits cratering the runway at the airbase, neutralizing IRGC air defenses, and eliminating missile launch sites—securing American air dominance over the Persian Gulf without touching civilian oil infrastructure.
The strategic masterstroke: Trump ignored claims of panic or Israeli pressure, instead delivering calculated pressure on the regime’s economic artery while holding the oil terminals hostage. One sharp comment notes this isn’t chaos—it’s leverage against Iran and its Chinese buyers still loading tankers amid Hormuz threats.
The deliberate sparing of export facilities sends a crystal-clear warning: keep the Strait open, or lose your revenue stream entirely.
B-2 bombers reportedly led the operation, proving overwhelming U.S. superiority. Critics once doubted the plan; the craters tell a different story.
This move escalates deterrence, protects global shipping, and reminds Tehran: America strikes with precision—and holds the cards.
Breaking News : Iranian Strike Reportedly Damages Five U.S. Air Force Refueling Aircraft at Saudi Air Base
Multiple media reports citing U.S. officials say that five U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft were struck and damaged while parked at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia during an Iranian strike.
According to two U.S. officials quoted in reports, the aircraft were on the ground at the time of the attack when the strike hit the base. The affected aircraft are believed to be U.S. Air Force tanker planes used for aerial refueling operations that support combat aircraft across the region.
The officials said the aircraft were damaged but not destroyed, and they are expected to undergo repairs. No c∆sualties among U.S. personnel have been reported so far.
Prince Sultan Air Base hosts U.S. forces and serves as a key hub for American air operations in the Middle East, including surveillance, refueling, and combat support missions.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of high-value support assets such as aerial refueling tankers when stationed on the ground during periods of heightened regional tensions.
At the time of reporting, U.S. Central Command had not issued an official public statement confirming the details, and the information is based on officials speaking to the media.
Source: Reuters, citing Wall Street Journal and U.S. officials
Breaking News : Thousands of Chinese Boats Assemble in Unusual Sea Formations Near Taiwan, Sparking Military Concerns
Thousands of Chinese fishing vessels have been observed forming massive geometric formations in the East China Sea, raising questions among maritime analysts and defense experts about whether the activity could be linked to potential preparations for a regional crisis or conflict.
According to maritime monitoring data and satellite analysis, the unusual activity was first noticed when ship tracking signals revealed large groups of Chinese fishing boats arranging themselves into organized patterns at sea. Analysts observed roughly 2,000 vessels forming two parallel inverted L shaped formations stretching nearly 400 kilometers across the waters about 300 kilometers northeast of Taiwan.
The vessels were detected using Automatic Identification System signals, a GPS like safety tracking system used by ships to prevent collisions. Maritime analysts noted that the boats were positioned as close as 500 meters from each other and maintained the formation for nearly 30 hours despite near gale force winds before suddenly dispersing.
The unusual gathering was first flagged by Jason Wang, chief operating officer of maritime analytics firm ingeniSPACE, who said the straight line formations immediately stood out because such precise patterns rarely occur naturally at sea. Analysts say gatherings of hundreds of boats occasionally occur during fishing seasons, but concentrations exceeding a thousand vessels operating in tightly coordinated formations are extremely rare.
Experts reported that the large scale formations were observed multiple times. A second incident in early January involved around 1,000 vessels forming a rectangular cluster about 400 kilometers long in the same area of the East China Sea. More recently, around 1,200 boats were seen forming two long parallel lines further east, again holding their positions for roughly 30 hours before dispersing.
Maritime and military specialists say the vessels did not appear to be conducting fishing operations. Former Australian naval warfare officer Jennifer Parker stated that fishermen rarely operate in such dense concentrations, noting that in her experience sailing around the world she had never seen fishing fleets operate in that proximity or scale.
Other analysts believe the maneuver may be a demonstration of China’s ability to rapidly mobilize large numbers of civilian vessels in coordinated formations. Such fleets could potentially support military operations during a crisis, including blockades or amphibious operations around Taiwan or other contested areas in the region.
Satellite imagery and independent maritime intelligence analysis confirmed the vessels were physically present at sea and not the result of manipulated tracking signals. Experts also noted that many of the vessels involved appeared in multiple formations across different incidents, indicating a coordinated operation rather than spontaneous fishing activity.
China operates one of the largest fishing fleets in the world, with thousands of vessels regularly operating across the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea, often competing with fishermen from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. However, analysts widely agree the formations observed in these incidents were unlikely to be related to fishing activities.
The Chinese government has not publicly commented on the unusual maritime activity, leaving defense observers and regional analysts debating the strategic purpose behind the large scale vessel mobilizations.
Source: NDTV citing AFP investigation and maritime intelligence analysis.
Breaking News : Missile Strikes U.S. Embassy Compound in Baghdad, Helipad Hit and Air Defense System Reportedly Compromised
A missile struck the helicopter landing pad inside the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone on Saturday, according to the Associated Press citing two Iraqi security officials. AP footage confirmed a column of smoke rising over the compound following the strike.
An Iraqi security source separately told Al Jazeera that the attack resulted in the destruction of the embassy’s air defense system, with reports indicating the C-RAM interceptor system failed to stop the incoming fire.
The Isl∆mic Resist∆nce in Iraq, an umbrella coalition of Iran-backed armed factions, is believed to be responsible for the attack. The U.S. Embassy had already renewed its Level 4 security alert for Iraq just one day prior to the strike.
The attack comes amid heightened regional tensions following U.S. and Israeli coordinated strikes on Iran that began on February 28. The Baghdad embassy, one of the largest American diplomatic facilities in the world, has faced repeated drone and rocket attacks from Iranian-aligned militias in recent months.
Sources: Associated Press, Al Jazeera, Iraqi Security Officials
🚨 Breaking News | U.S. Atacms Ballistic Missile Sinks Iran’s Most Capable Submarine At Bandar Abbas — A Historic First In Modern Warfare
In a landmark moment during Operation Epic Fury, the United States has confirmed the destruction of Iran’s most operationally capable submarine a Russian-built Kilo-class diesel-electric boat struck while docked at its pier at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, the Iranian Navy’s main headquarters on the Strait of Hormuz.
Satellite imagery from Planet Labs, first reviewed and published by The War Zone (TWZ), confirms the submarine was sunk at the pier as of March 4, 2026. The vessel had appeared untouched in an earlier image taken on March 2, placing the strike between those two dates.
The submarine destroyed is assessed by defense analysts and Jane’s Defence to most likely be the IRIS Taregh (S901) — Iran’s only semi-operational Kilo-class boat. Iran’s other two Kilos, the IRIS Nooh and IRIS Yunes, were already undergoing extended repairs and are assessed to have been caught in dry dock.
On March 13, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine confirmed during a Pentagon briefing that U.S. forces used Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) ballistic missiles fired from M142 HIMARS launchers to sink multiple Iranian ships, including a submarine. This marks the first known use of ballistic missiles to sink a submarine in the history of modern warfare.
CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper had previously stated on March 5 that “the most operational Iranian submarine now has a hole in its side.”
Key verified facts:
– The Kilo-class submarine was sunk dockside at Bandar Abbas, confirmed by Planet Labs satellite imagery – ATACMS strike confirmed by Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on March 13 – ATACMS was fired from HIMARS launchers operating out of Bahrain – Iran’s entire submarine fleet all three Kilo-class boats is now assessed to be out of action – Over 50 Iranian naval vessels have been destroyed in the first 10 days of Operation Epic Fury
Iran’s Kilo-class submarines, dubbed “Black Holes” for their low acoustic signature, were considered among the most serious threats to U.S. naval operations in the Gulf capable of covert mine-laying and anti-ship attacks. Their neutralization marks a decisive blow to Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Sources: The War Zone (TWZ) / Planet Labs satellite imagery
