MACKY 2 HAS DECLARED PEACE AND LOVE IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY – RICH BIZZY ON “DEAR SLAPDEE” SONG
Singer and dancer Rich Bizzy shared his thoughts on Macky 2’s bromance song “Dear Slapdee” move when he answered a question from his host Suecey while on POWER TV’s Zaye Zahala.
“You know what Macky 2 has done? What Macky 2 has done is declaring peace and love in the music industry, that’s why I said this is good for the industry,” said the singer, adding to his earlier Facebook remarks.
Rich Bizzy told Suecey that there was huge tension between the two rappers such that fights could ensue when they met but they realised that despite it being beneficial for their brands, they were dividing the country as people took sides to the extent of harming each other.
He continued saying that the harm that came with their beef made them realize that they needed to declare peace so that love could reign in their camps.
Rich Bizzy further said post declaring peace. The two rappers showed love by tuning up at each other’s events, hugging and doing songs together, but he felt that was not enough.
“With this one(Dear Slapdee song), it’s different because Macky 2 comes up and says, let me appreciate this guy before anyone else does and nobody saw this coming,” said the singer.
Rich Bizzy commended Macky 2 for his act and said music is just business, and there shouldn’t be enmity but collaborations and recommendations for the industry to grow.
“By trying to kill your friend, you’re not just killing your friend. You are killing the industry because the industry will never grow with just one person or two or three.It needs everyonce,” he concluded.
ROTATE ARTISTS AT EVENTS IF YOU WANT THE INDUSTRY TO GROW – JUDY YO TELLS EVENT ORGANIZERS
Singer Judy Yo took to her socials, sharing advice and warnings to event organisers whom she accused of hiring the same artists over and over to desist from the act or risk having an industry that doesn’t grow.
“If your interest is to expand the industry, then do not force feed people with the same artists or performers,” her post addressed to event organisers said in part.
Judy Yo stressed that variety is very necessary for the industry to grow or they risk limiting their revenue and options.
“Variety is important. If not, then continue as you are! And (you) wonder why your revenue and options are limited?” She said.
Singer Roberto shared similar sentiments a few days ago when he featured on Diamond TV’s ON THE TABLE with Chimweka.
Roberto strongly argued that the top events in the country hire the same artists year in year out as he challenged Chimweka to name artists who have not missed those events’ stage in the past 5 years, and he mentioned a few.
“Do most of these guys book the same artists? Well, the answer is definitely yes,” said Roberto.
Roberto stressed that he does not have a problem with the artists but questioned the criteria used to choose them, stating that the choice should be based on merit and not entirely who knows who.
The singer who revealed that he has had conversations with some of the event organisers stressed that it is also important for artists to avail themselves and approach the organisers in order to sought issues and see how they can work together.
One thing is true, Judy Yo and Roberto agree that artists are recycled at events, and they would like to see change.
The question remains, is this issue going to be resolved as they aren’t the first to raise these concerns?
…The Speaker cannot conduct an illegal referendum, says Lubinda By Mast Reporter
NELLY Mutti is the worst Speaker of the National Assembly in the history of Zambia, Given Lubinda has said.
Lubinda, the acting opposition Patriotic Front (PF) president, said in an interview with The Mast the Speaker of the National Assembly could not conduct public hearings, assemble or speak on behalf of chiefs as she recently did in Muchinga Province. -The Mast
CSOS URGE HH TO ASSURE NATION OF INCLUSIVE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS AHEAD OF PARLIAMENT REOPENING
A consortium of Civil Society Organizations has urged President Hakainde Hichilema to use the reopening of Parliament tomorrow to assure citizens of broad-based constitutional reforms in line with the pronouncements of the Constitutional Court ruling on Constitution Amendment Bill no. 7 of 2025.
On 27th June, 2025, the Constitutional Court declared Bill 7 unconstitutional due to inadequate public consultation, a day after President Hichilema directed Justice Minister Princess Kasune to have the controversial bill deferred for wider stakeholder consultation.
But the CSOs are concerned after Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti and Parliamentary Chief Whip Stafford Mulusa have been quoted suggesting that Bill 7 will be introduced in the upcoming session of parliament.
The concerned CSOs include ActionAid, LAZ, Chapter One Foundation, Alliance for Community Action, AAAZ, Zambia Council for Social Development, CSPR, TI-Z, ADEG, FPI, OYV, PANOS, NGOCC and PAAGGZ.
Speaking on behalf of the consortium, Chapter One Foundation Executive Director Mwamba Milambo said any efforts to revive the bill without remedying the defects identified by the court goes against the law and Zambia’s democratic foundation.
Mrs Milambo has therefore urged the Executive and the Legislature to publicly commit to implementing the ConCourt judgement and to desist from any action that would override or neutralize judicial authority.
She notes that a stakeholders meeting at State House and the ConCourt judgement gave society the view that a healthy environment had been created for wider and inclusive citizen participation in the constitutional amendment process to include transparency and genuine consultation.
Mrs Milambo says any approach perceived as circumventing proper procedure or lacking broad-based engagement may undermine the trust of the people.
She has warned that fast tracking constitutional change when the country has already entered the competitive electoral season results in partisan interests in forming constitutional change and public trust being corroded.
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Mrs Milambo says the CSOs are also concerned with the multiple provisions that the government suggests as non-contentious which when interrogated are so complicated that they require sober consensus building.
She further notes that the proposed amendments are being made in such a manner that they do not make any substantive change to the problem they seek to resolve hence the CSOs are opposed to any efforts to introduce Bill 7 in its current form.
Ghana has started accepting West African nationals deported from the United States, President John Dramani Mahama said on Wednesday, September 10.
According to Reuters, Mahama disclosed that a first batch of 14 deportees, made up of Nigerians, a Gambian and others, had already arrived in Accra, with the Ghanaian authorities facilitating their return to their respective countries.
“We were approached by the US to accept third-party nationals who were being removed from the US, and we agreed with them that West African nationals were acceptable because all our fellow West Africans don’t need a visa to come to our country,” he said.
He justified the decision by saying West Africans “don’t need a visa anyway” to come to Ghana.
The arrangement comes after Washington’s intensified deportation drive under President Donald Trump, who has pushed for removals to “third countries” as part of his hardline immigration policy.
Trump has previously overseen deportations of migrants to Eswatini, South Sudan and Rwanda despite safety concerns raised by rights groups. Nigeria, however, has rejected similar overtures from Washington.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said in July that the Federal Government would not accept deportees from outside Nigeria, citing national security and economic concerns.
A self-described witch who was paid to place a curse on conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in the days before he was fatally shot at Utah Valley University has said her magic is “effective,” though she stopped short of claiming responsibility for his death.
The shooting, which occurred during a Turning Point USA event, has sparked widespread condemnation of political violence across the United States. Authorities continue to search for the suspect.
The incident follows a Jezebel article published days before Kirk’s death, titled “We Paid Some Etsy Witches to Curse Charlie Kirk,” which detailed the author’s purchase of spells from self-described witches on the online marketplace Etsy. The spells ranged from a “MAKE EVERYONE HATE HIM” hex to a “POWERFUL HEX SPELL,” including one by a witch known as Priestess Lilin, who sent a video showing Kirk’s photo being burned.
Priestess Lilin, who co-runs the Etsy shop StrixSisters, told Metro that while she practices both white and black magic, she does not celebrate the loss of life but believes her magic is effective when aligned with collective energy. The shop has received 45 five-star reviews for its services.
Jezebel added an editor’s note to the original article following Kirk’s death, condemning the shooting and clarifying that it does not endorse political violence. Josh Jackson, president of Jezebel’s parent company Paste Media Group, described the original piece as satirical and intended as a response to Kirk’s controversial rhetoric.
Kirk, a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, was shot during a campus appearance on September 10, 2025. Investigators continue to pursue leads in the ongoing manhunt for the gunman.
Nandipha Magudumana paid for Netflix docuseries she now seeks to block, court reveals
Dr Nandipha Magudumana, alleged accomplice of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester, was reportedly paid by the Netflix documentary production company she now seeks to block, the Pretoria High Court heard on Thursday.
Magudumana and Bester are attempting to halt the release of the three-part docuseries Beauty and the Bester, which explores Bester’s 2022 escape from Mangaung Correctional Centre, allegedly facilitated by Magudumana.
The couple, arrested in Tanzania in April 2023, claim the series infringes on their constitutional rights and is defamatory.
Advocate Lerato Moela, representing Magudumana, revealed she signed a contract with production company Storyscope allowing the use of her archive material for payment.
Moela argued the agreement is unenforceable, citing an invalid power of attorney at the time and alleged denial of her right to review the final product.
Netflix’s lawyer, Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, countered that Magudumana was properly represented and accused her of trying to “distort” the contract after being paid. He added that the documentary contains no new information beyond public records.
Bester’s legal team warned the documentary could prejudice his ongoing trial by portraying him as guilty to Netflix’s 300 million subscribers worldwide.
The court is expected to deliver its ruling tomorrow morning at 08h30, just 30 minutes before the series’ scheduled release at 9AM, leaving the fate of Beauty and the Bester uncertain.
Trump to posthumously award Charlie Kirk Presidential Medal of Freedom
US President Donald Trump has announced that conservative activist Charlie Kirk will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University during his “American Comeback Tour.” Federal authorities have since recovered a rifle believed to have been used in the attack and released images of a suspect.
Speaking during a 9/11 memorial ceremony at the Pentagon, Trump described Kirk as “a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty, and an inspiration to millions.” He extended condolences to Kirk’s wife, Erika, and their children, and said details of the medal ceremony will be announced soon.
Kirk, founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was a prominent figure in American politics, praised by supporters for energizing young conservatives but often criticized for his polarizing rhetoric.
The investigation into his killing remains ongoing.
EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas has warned that the war in Ukraine could last at least another two years, according to El País.
Kallas, pictured above with Ukraine’s Zelensky said the conflict has reached a deadlock, with Russia becoming increasingly aggressive — a trend underscored by the recent attack on Poland.
Analysts cited in the report believe the war is unlikely to stabilize until there is a change in leadership on both sides.
Speaking to a group of media outlets, Kallas outlined what she sees as potential scenarios for the war’s development, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.
“I think a realistic scenario is that the war will continue for another couple of years,” she said. “Unfortunately, efforts to achieve peace, including those by President Trump, have yielded no results.”
Under a more pessimistic scenario, Kallas suggested that Ukraine might be forced to cede some of its territory.
On China, she highlighted two main challenges it poses for the EU: support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict and “coercive economic practices.”
“We are not ready to act as a global player when it comes to China, because we lack a unified vision on what needs to be done,” Kallas added.
On September 9, Kallas told the European Parliament that Russian President Vladimir Putin is uninterested in peace in Ukraine.
“Putin has zero interest in peace and will not stop the war unless he is forced to,” Kallas said.
She stressed Europe’s resolve to support Ukraine:
“Russia has not broken the resolve of Ukraine. It is not breaking ours either.”
On the night of September 10, 2025, Russia launched a large-scale strike on Poland using 19 drones. Polish air defences shot down only four, while fragments were found across 11 towns and three voivodeships, suggesting careful planning.
Some of the drones were identified as the Gerbera model, which Russia reportedly uses to mimic Shahed drones and confuse enemy air defences.
In response, Poland appealed to NATO for additional air defence systems, including Patriot batteries, and raised the idea of a “drone wall” to guard against future strikes.
In the past 24 hours, Ukrainian officials reported more than 200 clashes along the front. Russia carried out dozens of missile and air strikes and deployed nearly 6,000 kamikaze drones.
Ukrainian forces held their positions, repelling attacks across all directions. Russian military losses over the same period were estimated at around 900 personnel.
A married consultant anaesthetist has admitted leaving a patient under anaesthetic mid-surgery to have s3x with a nurse in another operating theatre, a medical tribunal has heard.
Dr Suhail Anjum, 44, was working at Tameside Hospital in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, when he was discovered in a “compromising position” with an unnamed nurse by a colleague in September 2013. The tribunal heard that Dr Anjum had asked another nurse to monitor the patient while he took a short break, but instead went to another theatre where he engaged in s3xual activity with the nurse, identified only as Nurse C.
A colleague, referred to as Nurse NT, told the General Medical Council (GMC) she was shocked to find Nurse C with her trousers down while Dr Anjum was tying up his. The patient remained stable throughout the operation, and no harm was caused. However, Dr Anjum was absent from the theatre for around eight minutes before returning.
The incident was later reported to hospital management. Representing the GMC, Andrew Molloy said Dr Anjum did not dispute the facts and admitted his actions could have put the patient at risk. He has since left Tameside Hospital and moved back to Pakistan but told the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) he hopes to resume his career in the UK.
Appearing before the panel in Manchester, Dr Anjum described the incident as “quite shameful” and accepted full responsibility. “I let down everybody, not just my patient and myself but the trust and how it would look. I let down my colleagues who gave me a lot of respect,” he said. “If my doctor had gone away without telling me… this breaks me to pieces every day when I think about it.”
He added that he wished he could reverse his actions, calling it a “one-off error of judgment,” and apologised to everyone affected. He explained the incident took place during a stressful period in his personal life, following the traumatic premature birth of his youngest child earlier that year, which had taken a toll on his marriage, mental health, and work.
The hearing will continue on Friday, September 12, when the panel is expected to consider whether Dr Anjum’s fitness to practise was impaired by misconduct.
A young prison officer is facing a possible 10-year jail term after admitting to an illicit affair with a violent inmate at HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire.
Charlotte Winstanley, 27, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court in UK on Thursday, September 11, where she pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office for engaging in a romantic relationship with convicted offender Jabhari Blair, 29. The offences took place between August and November 2022, during which she also smuggled contraband, including a mobile phone and SD cards, into the Category C prison.
Winstanley, from Stainforth, South Yorkshire, further admitted to sending a photograph from inside the prison in April last year. She was granted bail until sentencing on December 3.
Blair, who was jailed for more than 12 years in 2014 for his involvement in a violent street brawl, appeared at the hearing via video link from Lowdham Grange prison in Nottinghamshire. He admitted possession of cannabis, a mobile phone and a USB stick. When told he would be sentenced on his 30th birthday, Blair remarked to the judge: “Thanks for the birthday present.”
Winstanley’s barrister, Khadim Al-Hassan, said she had made “a full and frank disclosure” and accepted responsibility without seeking to minimise her role.
Judge Megan Rhys warned both defendants they would face sentencing in December, telling Winstanley she must return to court on time or face arrest.
The case adds to a growing number of similar scandals, with at least 30 female prison officers dismissed in the past three years in UK for inappropriate relationships with inmates.
As a military man Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro had a reputation for disobeying orders. As head of state from 2019 to 2022, he thumbed his nose at institutions.
Now he faces nearly three decades in prison for what prosecutors described as his most egregious act of defiance yet: plotting to cling on to power after losing elections to leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The former army captain, who has the political backing of US President Donald Trump, was convicted Thursday of having led a criminal organization that aimed to prevent Lula taking office in early 2023.
The plot envisaged the assassination of Lula, his vice president Geraldo Alckmin, and Alexandre de Moraes — one of the five Supreme Court judges in his trial.
Moraes and three other judges voted over several days to convict him for a final verdict of 4-1, then pronounced a sentence of 27 years and three months.
Bolsonaro, 70, who has repeatedly voiced nostalgia for Brazil’s 1964-1985 dictatorship, protests his innocence and claims to be the victim of political persecution.
Bibles, bullets and beef –
Bolsonaro enjoys the support of Brazil’s powerful “Bibles, bullets and beef” coalition — Evangelical Christians, security hardliners and the agribusiness industry.
He shot to prominence after the 2016 impeachment of former president Dilma Rousseff, with diatribes about corruption, violence, economic mismanagement and Brazil’s “rotten” left.
On the campaign trail in 2018, he survived a knife attack that left him with severe abdominal wounds that continue to plague him to this day.
Bolsonaro’s survival fueled followers’ belief in their “Messiah” — his middle name in Portuguese. Some have likened the attack to the 2024 attempt on Trump’s life.
Nicknamed the “Trump of the Tropics,” Bolsonaro’s presidency was marked by Covid-19 denialism and rampant Amazon deforestation but also some early economic successes.
The pandemic, which Bolsonaro dismissed as a “little flu,” claimed more than 700,000 lives in Brazil, second only to the United States.
Smarting from his failure to win a second presidential term, he left Brazil for Florida two days before the end of his mandate, snubbing Lula’s inauguration.
A week later, on January 8, 2023, rampaging Bolsonaro supporters calling for the army to oust Lula stormed the presidential palace, Congress and Supreme Court.
Prosecutors accuse Bolsonaro, under house arrest since last month, of having incited the violence.
History of controversy –
Born in 1955 to a Catholic family with Italian roots, Bolsonaro served in the army before launching his political career in the late 1980s as a Rio de Janeiro city councilor.
In 1991, he was elected to Congress.
He has a long history of homophobic, misogynistic and racist comments delivered in a belligerent, everyman style which endeared him to many.
In 2011, he told Playboy magazine he would rather his sons be killed in an accident than come out as gay.
Three years later, he said a left-wing lawmaker was “not worth raping” because she was “too ugly.”
The fact that one of his children is a daughter, Bolsonaro has said, was the result of a moment of “weakness” on his part.
His third wife, Michelle, is 27 years his junior.
Bolsonaro’s son Eduardo moved to the United States in February, where he successfully lobbied the Trump administration to impose sanctions on Moraes.
Trump also imposed a 50 percent tariff on a range of Brazilian imports.
Before the trial, Bolsonaro had hoped to overturn a ruling that barred him from holding public office until 2030 for spreading misinformation about Brazil’s electoral system.
But his guilty verdict on five coup-related charges will likely scupper his hopes for a Trump-style return to the highest office after an election loss and criminal conviction.
People think Donald Trump’s finger ‘goes missing’ during a video message about the death of Charlie Kirk.
Authorities say the right-wing activist, 31, was subject to a ‘political assassination’ at a Utah Valley University event on Wednesday (11 September)
Kirk suffered a single shot to the neck while answering a question from one of the 3,000 people in attendance, and was later pronounced dead in hospital.
In a video message recorded in the White House, the US president hit out against the ‘radical left’ while police are still searching for the individual who fired the weapon.
Officials arrested two individuals on Wednesday who ended up being released because they had ‘no ties’ to the crime.
The Department of Public Safety has said it is actively working at ‘multiple crime scenes’ identified based on where Kirk was shot, ‘as well as the locations where the suspect and victim travelled’.
Trump reflected on the ‘shock and horror’ in the video message which was shared on social media.
Some viewers, however, think the footage is AI-generated after claiming that his pinkie finger ‘vanishes’ for less than a second, around 19 seconds into the clip.
While a second penned: “Seeing it correctly, zoom in slow, pinky disappears and regrows from thin air.”
“Uhhhhhhh guys why are they deepfaking the president?” another questioned.
As someone else said: “Seee I knew it was AI.”
Despite the uproar online, people claiming to be video editors say that ‘it could also be a transform cut’.
“I’ve used that before when I need to cut out an um or a cough, and the shots on either side of that are so almost identical that they can be spliced together. It can look wonky like that.”
Offering another explanation, one person commented: “It’s just highly color corrected.
Another suggested: “They made a cut for some reason, something in the background reflecting off the window changed and caused them to look different.”
“How is it AI generated? Watch well. It isn’t AI generated,” a third added.
Back to his actual speech, the Republican leader called it ‘a dark moment for America’, pledging to crack down on ‘political violence’.
“I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk,” Trump said.
“He inspired millions and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror.”
An American influencer’s videos of him wrestling wild crocodiles are being investigated by Australian authorities, with some animal welfare groups calling for his deportation.
Mike Holston, who is known online as ‘Real Tarzan’, has built up millions of followers on social media thanks to his encounters with snakes, alligators and crocodiles in Australia.
However, the influencer is facing severe backlash for two videos in particular, in which he is seen manhandling a freshwater and saltwater crocodile on two separate occasions.
In one of the videos posted on his Instagram, Holston can be seen jumping into the water to chase the freshwater crocodile, with the animal drawing some blood before being secured.
Meanwhile, the second video shows him in the marshlands with a young saltwater crocodile; both videos show the animals being released.
While he has said the videos were made for ‘educational purposes’, Australian authorities and wildlife experts have stated otherwise.
According to the BBC, Queensland officials, where the videos were filmed, have called Holston’s actions ‘extremely dangerous and illegal’, adding that such behaviour can end up in fines of up to A$37,500 (£18,300).
Meanwhile, animal activist group PETA have called his videos ‘incredibly cruel’ and ‘unfathomably stupid’, and called for him to be ‘deported and banned from entering Australia again’.
And even Steve Irwin’s father, Bob Irwin, has spoken out against Holston, saying on Wednesday (10 September): “People visiting our country need to respect our wildlife, or they need to be booted out the door.”
Another animal welfare group, called the Community Representation of Crocodiles (CROC), also claimed that they’ve had numerous people reach out regarding the videos, adding: “It has been reported to the Queensland Government many times,”
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli also had some choice words for the influencer, including calling him a ‘goose’.
He said that anyone thinking of making content like this was likely to ‘meet their maker’.
“If you think that is a sustainable business model to go wrestling with saltwater crocodiles, I think it’s probably not going to end the way that he thinks it’s going to,” Crisafulli said (via Australian Broadcasting Network).
He further clarified that immigration concerns and any immigration requests are up to the federal government to decide, however.
Holston has defended his videos, according to the BBC, as he wrote in a comment on the video of him with the saltwater crocodile that it was released ‘after a few up-close looks and photos’. He also said that he didn’t ‘encourage anyone to try to recreate’ his videos.
A spokesperson for the Queensland Environment Department has confirmed that they are investigating the videos, saying in a statement: “Let us be clear: people should not attempt to capture freshwater or saltwater crocodiles in Queensland, unless they are trained and licensed to do so.”
The FBI says it has recovered what is believed to be the weapon used in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
A high-powered bolt-action rifle was discovered in a wooded area near the scene of the attack, according to Salt Lake City FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls. Officials believe it was the weapon used in the shooting.
The suspect, described as college-aged, remains at large as investigators work “around the clock” to track him down. Authorities said they have good video footage of the shooter but will not release it at this time.
According to Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason, the suspect arrived on campus at 11:52 a.m., moved through stairwells to the roof of a building overlooking the event, and fired down at Kirk. Afterward, the gunman fled into a nearby neighborhood.
Investigators have also recovered a footwear impression, palm print, and forearm imprints from the area. Mason emphasized the shooting was a targeted attack: “We are investing everything we have into this and we will catch this individual.”
Utah Valley University will remain closed until September 14. As the manhunt continued, tributes poured in. US President Donald Trump announced Kirk will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously, calling him “a giant of his generation.” Trump also ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff through Sunday.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox described the killing as a “political assassination” and grew emotional while addressing the nation’s growing divisions. Vice President JD Vance called Kirk “a genuinely good guy and a young father.”
Leaders from both parties condemned the attack. Former President Joe Biden said, “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now,” while California Gov. Gavin Newsom called it “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.”
Charlie Kirk, 31, founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at age 18 and was considered one of the most influential figures in the conservative youth movement. He was a father of two and a close ally of President Trump.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Qatar to expel Hamas leaders or prosecute them, declaring that if Doha fails to act, Israel will. His remarks came a day after an Israeli strike targeted Hamas leadership in Qatar, though none of the group’s top officials were killed.
In a defiant video message, Netanyahu compared the Hamas-led assault of October 7, 2023, to the September 11 attacks in the United States, vowing that Israel will pursue Hamas leaders anywhere they are found. “Governments cannot give harbor to terrorists,” he said, accusing Qatar of financing Hamas and providing its leaders with mansions.
“We did exactly what America did when it went after the al-Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan and killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan,” Netanyahu argued, insisting that countries which praised the US then should not condemn Israel now.
Qatar rejected the remarks, calling them “Islamophobic” and “reckless,” and accused Netanyahu of issuing “explicit threats of future violations of state sovereignty.” Doha stressed that its hosting of Hamas officials was part of mediation efforts carried out transparently with the knowledge of both Israel and the United States.
I say to Qatar and all nations who harbor terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice. Because if you don’t, we will pic.twitter.com/nlYa7r1OPi
The Israeli strike on Tuesday targeted a Hamas leadership meeting in Doha reportedly attended by Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin, Muhammad Darwish, Nizar Awadallah, and Khaled Mashaal. Hamas claimed none of its top leaders were killed, though five others — including al-Hayya’s son, three bodyguards, and the head of his office — died.
Saudi outlet Asharq Al-Awsat reported that two senior Hamas officials were wounded, one critically, and were hospitalized under heavy security. Sources suggested Israel’s reliance on phone geolocation may have undermined the strike, as Hamas leaders reportedly leave their phones behind during sensitive meetings.
Senior Hamas figure Husam Badran condemned the attack, saying Israel’s “crimes will not affect the decisions of the leadership nor our coordination with the other factions.”
In Israel, opinions were divided. President Isaac Herzog defended the strike, calling Khalil al-Hayya the main obstacle to a ceasefire and hostage release. “He has the blood of thousands of Israelis on his hands,” Herzog said during his visit to London.
However, Channel 12 reported that Mossad chief David Barnea had advised delaying the strike until after Hamas responded to a US-backed proposal, warning that the timing could undermine ongoing negotiations
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani has strongly condemned Israel’s attempted assassination of Hamas leaders in Doha, calling it a “barbaric action” that destroyed hopes of securing the release of hostages in Gaza.
“We were thinking that we are dealing with civilized people. The action that Netanyahu took – I cannot describe it, but it’s a barbaric action,” Al-Thani told CNN.
He said the Israeli strike on Tuesday “killed any hope” for families counting on mediation efforts. “I was meeting one of the hostage’s families the morning of the attack. They have no other hope but this process. Netanyahu killed it yesterday,” he added.
Al-Thani described the attack in Doha as “state terror,” repeating remarks he made during a tense news conference where he accused Israel of betraying Qatar’s trust.
The prime minister confirmed that a 22-year-old Qatari security officer was killed in the strike and said others may still be missing. Hamas reported that five of its members were killed, though its negotiators survived.
He said Qatar is reassessing its mediation role, accusing Netanyahu of wasting time and undermining peace efforts. “He wasn’t serious about anything. We are rethinking everything,” Al-Thani said, adding that Doha is in detailed discussions with the United States on how to proceed.
Qatar, a close US ally and host of the largest American base in the region, was informed of the strike only shortly before it began — not by Israel, but by US military officials.
The prime minister also revealed that regional leaders are consulting on a “collective response” to Israel’s actions. An Arab-Islamic summit is expected to take place in Doha in the coming days.
“We are hoping for something meaningful that deters Israel from continuing this bullying,” Al-Thani said.
Football fans have called for the United States to be stripped of its World Cup hosting duties next summer after conservative activist and influential Donald Trump ally, Charlie Kirk, was sh0t de@d.
Kirk, 31, was hosting an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10, when he was sh0t in the neck while speaking onstage.
He was rushed to a local hospital as doctors tried to save him, but President Trump later announced that the influential MAGA commentator had passed away.
With the World Cup set to kick off next summer, many soccer fans expressed concern at the tournament going ahead in America.
‘With the broad day light shooting and killing of Charlie Kirk, America should not be allowed by FIFA to co-host the World Cup,’ one fan wrote on X.
‘How will the World Cup be held in an unsafe country after the scenes of Charlie Kirk’s murder?,’ a second asked.
‘The World Cup cannot go ahead in America, for everyone’s safety,’ a third added.
A fourth said: ‘After seeing the Charlie Kirk video, I don’t think America hosting the world cup is a nice and wise idea,’
While the 2026 World Cup will see games staged in Mexico, Canada, and the USA, the vast majority of the games will be held in the United States.
Of the 16 host cities, 11 are in the United States, while all of the games from the quarterfinals onward will be in the USA. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Kirk was a close ally of President Trump, who honored the Turning Point USA founder following his de@th.
‘The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
‘No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!’
A 16-hour hostage drama in South Africa, took a devastating turn when a police officer, Constable Thapelo Mashigo, gunned down his 18-year-old nephew before fatally turning the weapon on himself.
The deadly m8rder-suicide was sparked off on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 in Mamelodi, Gauteng, by allegations around family secrets on infidelity and the true paternity of a child.
It was gathered that the police constable reportedly found out that the child he had with his girlfriend was not his, but was in fact his brother’s.
The immense stress of this alleged discovery, combined with the constable’s claim that his mother knew about the affair and the paternity secret, is believed to have triggered the rampage.
The shocking details were revealed by the constable’s uncle, Steve Mphela, who had a conversation with the police officer during the lengthy standoff.
The tragedy unfolded after 15 hours of tense negotiations, during which hostage negotiators persuaded the constable to release his family to which he released his elderly mother around 11pm. She was treated on the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital for further care.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said officers were called to the scene of a family dispute at around 8am on Tuesday.
Muridili said witnesses reported hearing two gunshots before police arrived, after which the constable refused to release his 69-year-old mother and 18-year-old nephew. She added that it was later confirmed only three people were inside the house, including the officer.
She further revealed that the hostage situation was resolved just before midnight, when the Special Task Force (STF) members were about to tactically penetrate the house.
“At this stage hostage negotiators were still negotiating with the police constable to surrender when two gunshot sounds were heard coming from the house. Upon entering the house, the STF members found the body of the constable. As they searched the house further, they discovered the body of the constable’s 18-year-old nephew with gunshot wounds.”
Muridili added that the SAPS Employee Health and Wellness was also called to the scene and will continue to provide the family and the constable’s colleagues with psychosocial support.
A case of m8rder, kidnapping as well as an inquest will be registered at the Mamelodi East Police Station. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate will be informed.
Constable Thapelo Mashigo, aged 32 years, was based at Boschkop police station and he was currently deployed at the regional Essential Infrastructure Task Team. He joined the Service in 2019.
Meanwhile, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said the SAPS remains committed to prioritising the mental health and wellbeing of its members.
He stressed that the organisation’s Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) programme is available 24/7, all year round, to support both officers and their families.
“I encourage all our SAPS members across the country to prioritise their health and mental wellbeing by undergoing health screenings and check-ups regularly as well as attending debriefing sessions. This is vital for early detection of potential health issues, allowing for timely intervention and avoiding complications by managing conditions more effectively, resulting in better overall health and well-being. As management we are here to support you,” said Masemola.
Meanwhile, Hoërskool Silverton has issued a formal statement following the tragic loss of 18-year-old Keitumetse Mashego, a Grade 12 student.
The school’s statement remembered Keitumetse as a good leader. Headmaster Patrick Medupe has requested privacy for the family during this difficult time.
TMZ has tendered an apology after staffers were caught laughing the moment conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s de@th was announced during an unflattering livestream.
The entertainment news outlet found itself in hot water while reporting on the shocking de@th of the influential Donald Trump ally on Wednesday, September 10.
While Harvey Levin and Charles Latibeaudiere were discussing the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder’s assassination, laughter erupted in the background.
The laughter left viewers sickened by what they heard.
‘During today’s TMZ livestream, employees were heard cheering, clapping and celebrating just 30 seconds before announcing Charlie Kirk’s death,’ one X user wrote.
‘They laughed and applauded the cold-blooded murder of a husband and father on a public broadcast, like it was some kind of sick joke, before handing it off to Harvey Levin.’
Conservative internet personality Laura Loomer called the incident ‘DISGUSTING.’
‘Shameful and disgusting behavior by TMZ. Shame on them. Charlie is a husband and a father. He was murdered in cold blood,’ she wrote on X.
TMZ has broken its silence on the inappropriately-timed cheering, claiming there was no ill intent.
‘We were livestreaming all day during this tragedy,’ Levin began during an apology video alongside Latibeaudiere.
‘When we were reporting the assassination of Charlie Kirk, there were some people in the back room, away from our news desk here, who were watching a car chase.’
He explained that those individuals were laughing and clapping at the car chase, not Kirk being shot in the neck.
Levin went as far as to say those people ‘would not work here’ if they found Kirk’s death funny in anyway.
‘We acknowledge that it was horrible timing,’ Latibeaudiere chimed in. ‘And for that, we are sorry.
‘We assure you, [the laughter] was not about that.’
Political analyst, Matthew Dowd has been fired from MSNBC after appearing to blame conservative activist Charlie Kirk for his own de@th.
Kirk, 31, was hosting an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10, when he was sh0t in the neck while speaking onstage.
He was rushed to a local hospital as doctors tried to save him, but President Trump later announced that the influential MAGA commentator had passed away.
Calls were made for Dowd to be sacked after he implied that Kirk’s “hateful thoughts” and “awful words” led someone to shoot him during an event at a college in Utah on Wednesday. The high-profile Donald Trump supporter, aged 31, died shortly afterwards.
Asked by anchor Katy Tur about the “environment in which a shooting like this happens”, Dowd said Kirk has been “one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures in this country, who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups”.
“And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. You can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and not expect awful actions to take place. And that’s the unfortunate environment we are in.”
MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler issued an apology on Wednesday, describing Dowd’s comments as “inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable”.
“We apologize for his statements, as has he. There is no place for violence in America, political or otherwise,” the statement added.
Fox News host Jesse Watters demanded that Dowd be “fired immediately” and that he expected him to be “terminated within 24 hours.”
“You can’t say Charlie deserved to die. Just can’t say that, and I hope he loses his job. It’s dangerous, Greg. That’s the message. It’s dangerous to open your mouth, so shut it.”
Kirk’s killer remains on the loose, and a person who was taken into custody was released a short time later after being found not to have been involved in the shooting, FBI Director Kash Patel said.
“The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency,” Patel stated on social media
US Donald Trump has been served with legal papers at his Scottish businesses in a battle with a former British spy.
According to Mail Online, Sheriff officers were sent to Trump Turnberry in Ayrshire and the U.S. President’s Menie golf course in Aberdeenshire.
The dispute relates to ex-MI6 agent Christopher Steele, who claimed in an incendiary dossier that Russia possessed compromising sexual material relating to the President, which Mr Trump denies.
Mr Steele was awarded more than £600,000 in costs against Mr Trump after the tycoon’s unsuccessful attempt to sue him over what he insisted were ‘shocking and scandalous’ false claims.
The costs, which were awarded to Mr Steele’s company, Orbis Business Intelligence, at a High Court hearing in April, have yet to be paid – and are rising daily.
They will have increased by a further £2,000 by the time Mr Trump touches down in London for his State visit later this month.
The legal papers were served on Mr Trump on Tuesday, while John Swinney was in the U.S. to meet Mr Trump for talks on Scotch whisky tariffs.
Commenting on the move, an Orbis spokesman told the Mail: ‘The British legal system has demonstrated that, in this country at least, no-one is above the law.
‘We are nevertheless concerned that Donald Trump continues to be in breach of the English High Court and are alarmed by the outrageous costs of this vexatious case in wasted time and money, both for Orbis Business Intelligence and the UK courts.’
It is understood Orbis is seeking an ‘arrestment’ order from the courts which would prevent Mr Trump’s company in Scotland paying out dividends to shareholders.
While Mr Trump may argue that he enjoys Presidential immunity, Orbis will claim that he was not President when the dispute over Mr Steele’s allegations happened.
The President’s lawyers now have a month to respond to the papers served on Tuesday.
Nepal’s army is in talks with protesters to pick an interim leader for the Himalayan nation, after violence that removed the government of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, according to an army spokesperson.
Soldiers were patrolling the quiet streets of the capital Kathmandu for a second day on Thursday following the worst protests in decades, triggered by a social media ban that authorities rolled back after deadly protests this week.
Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel has said he is seeking an end to the crisis engulfing the country.
“I am consulting and making every effort to find a way out of the current difficult situation in the country within the constitutional framework,” Paudel said in a statement. “I appeal to all parties to be confident that a solution to the problem is being sought as soon as possible to address the demands of the protesting citizens.”
Paudel also urged Nepalis to “practice restraint and cooperate to maintain peace and order in the country”.
Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet told the Reuters news agency earlier on Thursday that “initial talks are on and would continue today,” referring to the discussions on an interim leader. “We are trying to normalise the situation slowly.”
Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride, reporting from Kathmandu, said “there is an uneasy calm here on the streets.
“It does feel like an uneasy standoff at times because things are still extremely tense” as crowds gather routinely in front of the military headquarters before being pushed back by soldiers, he added.
Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, who was Nepal’s first woman appointed to the job in 2016, is reportedly the frontrunner for interim leader, with her name suggested by many of those leading the protests.
“We see Sushila Karki for who she truly is – honest, fearless, and unshaken,” said Sujit Kumar Jha, 34, a supporter of the agitation. “She’s the right choice. When truth speaks, it sounds like Karki.”
Karki, 73, has given her consent, but efforts are being made to find a constitutional route to appoint her, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Chelsea have been hit with a total of 74 charges by the Football Association (FA) with the governing body alleging breaches of their regulations on working with football agents, intermediaries and third party investment in players.
The charges range from 2009 to 2022 and primarily between the 2010/11 and 2015/16 seasons. Chelsea have until September 19 to respond.
A statement from the FA read: “The Football Association has today charged Chelsea FC with breaches of Regulations J1 and C2 of The FA Football Agents Regulations, Regulations A2 and A3 of The FA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries, and Regulations A1 and B3 of The FA Third Party Investment in Players Regulations. In total, 74 charges have been brought against Chelsea FC.
“The conduct that is the subject of the charges ranges from 2009 to 2022 and primarily relates to events which occurred between the 2010/11 to 2015/16 playing seasons. Chelsea FC has until 19 September 2025 to respond.”
These alleged breaches occurred when Roman Abramovich was owner of the club, with Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital taking over in May 2022. Chelsea have released a statement in response, reading: “Chelsea FC is pleased to confirm that its engagement with The FA concerning matters that were self-reported by the club is now reaching a conclusion.
“The club’s ownership group completed its purchase of the club on 30 May 2022. During a thorough due diligence process prior to completion of the purchase, the ownership group became aware of potentially incomplete financial reporting concerning historical transactions and other potential breaches of FA rules.
“Immediately upon the completion of the purchase, the club self-reported these matters to all relevant regulators, including The FA.
“The club has demonstrated unprecedented transparency during this process, including by giving comprehensive access to the club’s files and historical data. We will continue working collaboratively with The FA to conclude this matter as swiftly as possible.
“We wish to place on record our gratitude to The FA for their engagement with the club on this complex case, the focus of which has been on matters that took place over a decade ago.”
On Wednesday, Portuguese magazine TV Guia wrote an article focusing on the close relationship Neves has with Rute and the rest of Jota’s family.
However, the article, which was given the headline, ‘After death: How Diogo Jota’s widow leans on his best friend’, was accompanied by an image of Neves and Rute appearing to kiss.
Furious at the magazine for sparking romantic links between them, Neves took to social media on Wednesday and said in a lengthy statement:
‘Good afternoon. I always believe in the good in people, I’ve been warned not to, I’ve already been deceived, and I never wish bad on anyone.
‘The person who put this picture on the magazine cover, does not deserve to be happy, just like the choice of it was not happy. Me and my wife, @deboralourenco23, been together for over 11 years, happy, with a family that makes me proud, never in 11 years have we been involved in any controversy.
‘We have done our best to help Rute and her family in the best way we can. The choice of this photo is as unhappy as the person who chose it, and the person who posted it.
‘I respect that everyone has their job, I respect that everyone wants to do their best, I don’t respect those who don’t respect others.
‘Again I say, I’m proud of the woman I have, the family I have. We’re proud of Rute, for the strength she’s had, we’re here for whatever it takes, she knows. Thank you.’
Neves, who now plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal following his exit from Wolves in 2023, began dating his wife Deborah in 2014 before getting engaged four years later.
Jota and Neves played together for Porto, Wolves, and Portugal, featuring on the pitch at the same time a total of 164 times.
Neves is also now set to wear Jota’s shirt number for Portugal – 21 – in a decision he hopes will carry on his friend’s legacy. Liverpool have retired Jota’s No 20 shirt too.
The news was confirmed by Portugal boss Roberto Martinez, who said earlier this month: ‘The No 21 jersey will go to Ruben Neves because, that way, that number will remain on the field and with all of us.
‘He had a very close relationship with Diogo and is the ideal person to represent him.’
The FBI has released photos of a person of interest they are seeking in the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk was f@tally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10 and a manhunt for the shooter is underway.
The suspect is believed to have jumped off a roof and fled into a neighborhood after firing one shot and has not been identified, authorities said Thursday, September 11.
They also disclosed they have recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle they believe was used in the attack and are reviewing video footage of the person they believe was responsible.
The photos of the suspect released by the FBI shows a person walking upstairs, wearing dark jeans, a black long-sleeve shirt, a black hat, and black sunglasses.
Authorities describe the shooter as of college age and said a footprint was also recovered.
The FBI asked for the public’s help in identifying person in the photo.
Legendary Super Eagles captain, Austin Okocha has denied rumours that he is seeking to become president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Following Tuesday’s disappointing 1-1 draw between the Super Eagles and South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, calls emerged for the Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF board to resign. Rumours then circulated that Okocha had expressed interest in running for the top position.
However, the 1994 AFCON winner dismissed the speculation, urging those behind it to stop.
“Hello everyone, I just want to use this opportunity to say that the news and post that have been circulating is false,” Okocha said. “I have not said or spoken to anyone about Nigerian football or any interest in becoming NFF president. I’m currently in Kigali attending SPORTSBIZAFRICA.
“So, I’m pleading with the people spreading false information to stop.
“I appreciate my people and understand the frustration we’re going through, but be rest assured that better days are ahead. Let’s keep believing. I know it is not easy, but we are all in it together. God bless and please let’s stay strong.”
The Super Eagles are now in danger of missing another FIFA World Cup following the draw against Group C leaders South Africa. Nigeria sit on 11 points, six adrift of Bafana Bafana, with only two matches left to play.
The team will return in October for their matchday 9 and 10 fixtures against Lesotho and Benin Republic.
The European Union (EU) has disbursed €1 billion (about $1.17 billion) in additional financial aid to Ukraine, the European Commission announced on Thursday, September 11.
The money is being provided as a loan, to be repaid using interest income generated from frozen Russian state assets held within the EU.
With this payment, the EU reaffirmed its position as the largest donor to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. According to EU figures, total support to Ukraine now exceeds €170 billion.
The latest disbursement forms part of a broader initiative by the G7 group of industrialised nations, which aims to provide around €45 billion in new aid to Ukraine by 2027. The EU’s share of this package amounts to €18.1 billion.
Thursday’s release brings the total G7-backed loan disbursements to Ukraine to €10 billion since the beginning of 2025, the Commission noted.
Former NBA player Jason Collins, the league’s first openly gay athlete, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and is currently receiving treatment, the NBA announced on Thursday. The league, speaking on behalf of Collins and his family, asked fans for support and prayers while requesting privacy as Collins focuses on his health and recovery.
Collins, 46, was selected 18th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft and played for the New Jersey Nets, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Hawks, Celtics, and Wizards over a career spanning more than a decade. He returned to the Nets when the team relocated to Brooklyn and retired in November 2014.
During his playing career, Collins made history as the first active NBA player to come out as gay, receiving widespread support from teammates, fans, and league figures, including Kobe Bryant and then-commissioner David Stern. He famously wore jersey No. 98 with the Brooklyn Nets in honor of Matthew Shepard, a young man murdered in 1998 because of his sexuality, describing it as a personal statement of pride and solidarity.
Collins recently married his long-time partner, film producer Brunson Green, in May. The NBA did not provide further details about his medical condition.
Officials have confirmed that the ammunition used to kill Charlie Kirk had messages engraved on them.
It comes after a breakthrough was revealed by the FBI that the weapon used in the deadly shooting had been recovered.
Conservative speaker and Donald Trump ally Kirk had been speaking at the Utah Valley University when he was shot in the neck, while answering a question about gun crime.
It was later confirmed that the father-of-two had died, at the age of 31, and a manhunt for his killer is underway.
Footage has been shared on social media appearing to show a person clad in black lying down on the roof of a nearby building, before jumping up and running away.
The weapon has since been recovered, a .30 caliber hunting rifle, and a law enforcement bulletin reportedly reveals the bullets had messaging on them.
The Wall Street Journal quotes a source as saying the ammunition was engraved with ‘messages of transgender and antifascist ideology.’
According to the Daily Mail, a source claims the rifle was discovered wrapped up in a towel, with a spent cartridge in the chamber.
A magazine was also found containing three unspent rounds, all of which had wording written on them.
Robert Bohls is a special agent in charge of Salt Lake City field office for the FBI, and he said the ‘high-powered bolt action rifle’ was found in a wooded area.
He said the shooter is believed to be male and of college age, and is thought to have fled to the woods after the killing.
The rifle has now been sent to an FBI lab for further analysis, and palm and footwear prints were also discovered on the scene.
More than 130 tips have been received about potential suspects, who the first-responders on the scene described as being dressed all in black with aviator-style sunglasses.
Beau Mason, Utah’s public safety chief, added that they have ‘good video footage’ of the suspect.
Kirk was speaking to students at the university, and had answered questions about transgender individuals who had been involved in mass shootings moments before he was assassinated, after answering a question about gun violence.
He was asked: “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” and Kirk replied: “Too many.”
They then asked: “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?” to which Kirk answered, “Counting or not counting gang violence?” and he was shot seconds later.
Mporokoso Member of Parliament Brian Mundubile has urged President Hakainde Hichilema to use tomorrow’s address to the nation as an opportunity for deep self-assessment, focusing on his government’s four-year performance.
Speaking to the media in Lusaka today, Hon Mundubile said expectations are high because this is likely to be Hichilema’s final address to the nation through Parliament.
He has called upon the President to assess how the application of the rule of law and constitutionalism has been implemented by his government in the last four years.
Hon Mundubile also expressed concern on the growing ethnic divisions in the country stating that citizens are more conscious of their ethnicity now than at any previous time.
He urged the president to reflect on whether Zambia has become more unified or more divided during his term, and to prioritise national unity going forward.
“The president must introspect on the need to unite this country. Is the country more united or more divided since coming into power. Even on the appointment in the civil service. He must introspect, look at how many PSs and directors are there. In Foreign Service, Let him look at that list and look at article 259.
It will be beneficial to look at the Judiciary, legislature, Executive and see if these appointments have been done in accordance with the constitution,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hon Mundubile has questioned the effectiveness of the Budgets that have so far been presented under the UPND regime.
He said over K800 Billion has been proposed but little impact has been seen in terms of development.
The Mporokoso lawmaker has also criticized the government’s reliance on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as a symbol of progress, noting that it accounts for only K20 billion of the overall budget.
He said real development lies outside the CDF and wondered whether the UPND has initiated and completed any major projects independent of the PF’s legacy.
“There has been a 100% increase in terms of budgeting. From K870 billion, CDF is only K20 billion. There is K850 billion outside the CDF. The fact that the UPND think CDF is the solution, that is where we disagree. What was done in K443 billion during the PF was visible. How much more would the UPND have done in that over 800 billion if they were sincere as the PF….,” he said.
And Hon Mundubile called for guaranteed access to a minimum of 20 hours of electricity for Zambians.
He said incentives given to energy traders conflict with citizens’ interests, and demanded reforms to ensure that energy policy directly benefits the public.
Hon Mundubile also urged the president to instruct the Ministry of Finance to allocate funding to key farming blocks across the country and promote industrialization through agriculture.
The only eligible candidate under Tonse Alliance is Chabinga – Kaunda
SOCIALIST Party (SP) national youth chairperson Kelvin Kaunda says Mafinga member of parliament Robert Chabinga is the only candidate who is eligible to lead the Tonse Alliance.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BhEMwGGhb/
Speaking when he appeared on Crown TV yesterday, Kaunda said this is the reason SP is hesitant to join the Alliance.
“This is the same thing that we are managing very consciously so. If we are to look at things from where we stand today, the only eligible candidate under Tonse Alliance is Chabinga,” he said.
“The Tonse Alliance says the PF president shall be the president of the Tonse Alliance. And if we are to follow the texts, forget about the manipulation around.”
He explained that Chabinga is the only legally recognised leader of the PF.
“When you go to the Registrar of Societies today, the ones being recognised as the president of PF is Chabinga. Yes, we have the acting president on the other side, but in terms of the legal record under the Registrar of Societies, we have Chabinga as the president,” he said.
“And if you have the opportunity and the benefit of reading the Tonse Alliance Constitution, it clearly states that the leader of the PF shall automatically become the presidential candidate of the alliance.”
He argued that SP cannot hurry to be part of the Alliance which is going to pick a leader it did not agree with.
Kaunda added that these issues must be resolved before Socialist Party can safely say that they are part of the alliance.
“So, we are not in any way averse to the idea of being part of the alliance. But there are certain things that must be clarified, there are certain records that must be cleaned up so that by the time we are joining the alliance, it must be clear that the PF is in the rightful hands,” added Kaunda…https://kalemba.news/politics/the-only-eligible-candidate-under-tonse-alliance-is-chabinga-kaunda/
Antonio Mwanza promises 200,000 jobs, launches a new party
DEMOCRATIC Progressive Party (DPP) president Antonio Mwanza has pledged to create 200,000 jobs in the finance and insurance sector within five years if his party is elected into government.
Speaking during the official launch of the party in Lusaka today, Mwanza said the DPP would empower citizens by building Zambian-owned banks and financial institutions that directly serve local communities.
“We would like to create 200,000 jobs just from the banking sector, finance and the insurance market alone,” Mwanza said.
“These are things that we can do in the next five years.”
Turning to the country’s power crisis, Mwanza criticised the ongoing load-shedding, saying it is a result of poor leadership rather than drought.
He said ordinary citizens are struggling to survive on three hours of electricity per day while Zambia continues to export power to neighbouring countries.
Mwana added that under a DPP government, Zesco would prioritise domestic supply, eliminate middlemen in the energy sector and increase investment in generation capacity to provide reliable power to households and businesses.
“Zesco today has got middlemen who are purchasing power and selling power on behalf of Zesco, making huge profits and you and me have got no electricity,” he said.
Mwanza said both job creation and energy stability are critical to reducing poverty, lowering the cost of living, and restoring dignity to Zambian families.
The former PF leader launched DPP this morning positioning his party as a new political force ahead of the 2026 general elections…https://kalemba.news/politics/antonio-mwanza-promises-200000-jobs-launches-a-new-party/
⬆️ CONTEXT | The PF Factions and the Tonse Alliance Puzzle
Kelvin Kaunda, the Socialist Party’s youth chairperson, stirred the pot this yesterday when he declared on Crown TV that Mafinga MP Robert Chabinga is the only eligible candidate to lead the Tonse Alliance. His reasoning is simple: the Tonse Constitution says the Alliance’s presidential candidate must come from the PF, and the Registrar of Societies officially recognizes Chabinga as PF president. On paper, that makes him the default candidate.
The Patriotic Front does not like to hear it, but Kaunda has touched a raw nerve. Since Michael Sata’s death in 2014, the PF has rarely been a united party. Edgar Lungu’s contested rise left scars. When PF lost power in 2021, the factionalism deepened. Nomination fees for a leadership contest were collected, but the process collapsed amid allegations that money disappeared. Into that vacuum stepped Miles Sampa, who convened his own convention and declared himself party president.
That move triggered a cascade of legal battles. Eventually, the state, through the Registrar of Societies and later the Speaker of the National Assembly, recognized Robert Chabinga’s leadership. Yet on the ground, rival factions continue to claim legitimacy. Given Lubinda, Raphael Nakacinda, Miles Sampa, and others all style themselves as standard bearers, while grassroots members are left in confusion.
The contradiction lies here: PF insists it is Zambia’s largest opposition party, yet cannot agree on who leads it. Each faction accuses the other of working with or being captured by the UPND. In the meantime, Socialist Party leaders like Kaunda point to hard facts. “When you go to the Registrar of Societies today, the one being recognized as president of PF is Chabinga,” he said. That is the legal record, regardless of who rallies more supporters in the streets.
For the Tonse Alliance, this is more than an academic debate. Its constitution is clear: the PF leader becomes the Alliance’s presidential candidate. If the Registrar says Chabinga is that leader, then by the book, he is the candidate. This is why the Socialist Party is holding back. They see no clarity in an alliance that cannot settle who carries the PF mantle.
PF loyalists often portray their crisis as UPND interference. The truth is messier. The UPND may have exploited loopholes, but the internal rot predates them. The missed convention, the missing funds, the competing egos, and the lack of clear succession have hollowed PF from within. The result is a party that projects strength in numbers but shows weakness in unity.
Kelvin Kaunda’s intervention exposes what PF leaders do not want to admit: until the party resolves its factionalism, it will remain vulnerable. Whether the Socialist Party joins Tonse or not, the PF’s inability to speak with one voice threatens its relevance in 2026. The law already answers who is PF president. The question is whether the wider party and its supporters are willing to face that truth.
At The People’s Brief, our Context series unpacks the hard truths beneath political rhetoric. We separate faction from fact, leaving readers to decide where the balance of legitimacy lies.
⬆️ BUILD UP | Antonio Mwanza’s New Path in Politics
Antonio Mwanza has entered Zambia’s political arena with a fresh banner. The former Patriotic Front Media Director has launched the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), a move that signals both a personal reinvention and a widening fragmentation of Zambia’s opposition landscape.
At the launch in Lusaka, Mwanza framed his party as a youth-driven platform. “It is time for the youth to stop being used as campaign tools and instead step into decision-making positions,” he declared. His rhetoric aligns with a growing sentiment among young Zambians who feel excluded from meaningful political participation, often reduced to foot soldiers during elections rather than actors shaping national policy.
The DPP’s policy blueprint is ambitious. Mwanza pledged investments in energy reform, including calls for ZESCO to renegotiate electricity export contracts in order to prioritize domestic needs. He also spoke of creating 200,000 jobs in the financial sector, training 500,000 villagers in village banking, and launching a financial literacy drive that would reach 10 million citizens by 2030. These targets are bold, but they raise practical questions about resources, institutional capacity, and the depth of support required to implement them.
The political context cannot be ignored. Mwanza’s departure from the Patriotic Front comes at a time when the former ruling party is reeling from leadership disputes, corruption trials, and internal divisions. By forming his own party, he distances himself from PF’s troubled brand while positioning himself as a fresh alternative. Yet this also deepens the fragmentation of the opposition, with several former PF figures already forming or flirting with new movements.
Zambia’s opposition space has long struggled with unity. The rise of multiple small parties risks diluting the vote and weakening the capacity to mount a coherent challenge against the ruling United Party for National Development in 2026. Mwanza’s DPP may inspire youth, but whether it can consolidate enough support to matter nationally is uncertain.
Critically, Mwanza’s own political journey is marked by shifts. He previously served as Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) spokesperson before joining PF, and now, DPP. That trajectory reflects both adaptability and opportunism, depending on one’s reading. For some, it shows resilience; for others, inconsistency.
The challenge for Mwanza will be to translate rhetoric into structure. Launching a party is one step; building credible grassroots networks, funding machinery, and securing broad legitimacy is another. Zambian politics has seen many new parties emerge with enthusiasm but fade before an election cycle. The DPP will need to show it can outlast the moment.
For now, Mwanza has chosen a path that separates him from PF’s shadow and bets on the political energy of the youth. His success will depend not just on ideas but on his ability to build trust, sustain momentum, and convince Zambians that DPP is more than another fragment in an already crowded field.
At The People’s Brief, we value reader perspectives. Share your views on this development or any national issue with us at editor.peoplesbrief@gmail.com and join the conversation shaping Zambia’s democratic future.
THE protracted impasse between the Zambian government and the family of late former President Edgar Lungu over his burial has brought into sharp focus the shortcomings of the Benefits of Former Presidents Act No. 33 of 1994.
While this law was enacted with the noble intention of safeguarding the dignity and welfare of those who once occupied the highest office in the land, it has over the years been turned into a weapon of political control.
It is not the entire law that is problematic. Indeed, it is important for a country to honour its former heads of state by guaranteeing them pensions, security, medical care and other privileges befitting their status. Such benefits are not a matter of charity but a recognition of their service to the nation. The problem lies in a specific clause that provides for the withdrawal of benefits when a former president decides to re-enter active politics.
This is where the contradiction emerges. Our Constitution clearly allows a former president who has served only one term to contest elections for a second term. This means that participation in politics after leaving office is not in itself unconstitutional.
Yet, the Benefits of Former Presidents Act effectively punishes a former president who chooses to exercise this constitutional right by stripping them of their benefits. That is neither just nor logical.
History shows us the dangers of such laws. Former president Frederick Chiluba, driven by fear of his predecessor, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, used this very provision to deny Kaunda his benefits when he returned to politics. This was not done out of principle but out of political rivalry and insecurity. Now, decades later, the country finds itself haunted by the same vindictive provisions, this time in relation to Lungu’s burial.
President Hakainde Hichilema, too, fell into this same trap. Motivated by political fears, his administration invoked the Act to withdraw Lungu’s benefits, denied him foreign travel on multiple occasions to seek specialised medical care and relentlessly pursued him and his family with heavy-handed measures unto his death.
The moral lesson here is that leaders should never make laws to punish those they dislike. Chiluba did it by making aggravated robbery an unbailable offence, targeting political opponents. Hichilema repeated the same mistake by invoking the Benefits Act against Lungu. These actions may serve short-term political goals but they plant seeds of national instability and resentment.
The current impasse illustrates the absurdity of trying to reinstate benefits “on a corpse,” as the Lungu family lawyer, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, argued before the Pretoria Division of the Gauteng High Court. Benefits are meant for living former presidents, not for bargaining over the burial of the dead. Moreover, the widow, Esther Lungu, cannot be compelled to accept such benefits because she is under no obligation to do so.
It is time for Zambia to learn from best practices around the world. In the United States (US), for example, former presidents receive lifetime pensions, security and office allowances under the Former Presidents Act. They are free to endorse candidates and even participate in political campaigns, yet their benefits are never withdrawn. Their dignity and welfare are safeguarded regardless of their political choices. That is the mark of a mature democracy. Not the nonsense we are witnessing in Zambia today.
Zambia should follow suit by amending or repealing the problematic provisions of the Benefits of Former Presidents Act of 1994. What we need is a law that protects former presidents’ dignity unconditionally, while allowing them to exercise their constitutional rights like any other citizen. Even President Hichilema will need such protection after leaving office. Should he decide to engage in active politics as a former president, that should not be enough reason to withdraw his benefits. He must continue enjoying them.
That is why Hichilema should focus his reform agenda on this ridiculous law – not in reviving controversial constitutional amendments designed to extend his political tenure. True leadership is demonstrated by fixing the weaknesses of the law to prevent future crises. If we fail to act, we risk finding ourselves in similar humiliating situations again, unable to bury our former leaders with dignity and respect. If he leaves office without correcting this foolish law, it may also haunt him.
The lesson is clear: laws should never be crafted or applied as tools of vengeance. They must serve justice, stability and the nation’s collective dignity. Reforming the Benefits of Former Presidents Act is long overdue.
Govt spends 75% of August expenditure on debt, wage bill
The government says it released K4.8 billion in August for public service wage-bill while K4.9 billion went to arrears and debt service (both domestic and external).
In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Finance stated that in August 2025, K13 billion was released to finance key national priorities, proving that commitments made in the budget were being delivered consistently and transparently.
PRESS STATEMENT By Melvin Mweemba For Immediate Release
Call for Government to Reconsider the Current Approach on Loan Disbursement
I wish to urge Government to strongly reconsider the current approach of giving out loans directly to cooperatives, companies, and individuals. While the intention behind these interventions is noble and aimed at empowering our people, the results have unfortunately not yielded the desired impact.
It is clear that many beneficiaries do not take government funds with the seriousness they deserve. The lack of proper monitoring, training, and accountability has led to widespread misuse of these resources, and this is why we continue to record very few success stories despite the huge sums of money being disbursed.
To address this challenge, Government should instead engage and partner with established financial institutions that have the capacity to train, monitor, evaluate, and recover the loans. These institutions have systems already in place to ensure that funds are properly managed and that beneficiaries are supported to succeed.
Small and medium-scale businesses remain the backbone of any thriving economy. If well supported, they can be the true engines of growth, creating jobs, wealth, and sustainable development for our country. This is the same story of transformation we have seen in countries like India, where small-scale enterprises have played a critical role in driving economic progress.
It is therefore imperative that Government shifts its strategy from direct lending to structured financial partnerships. This will not only safeguard public resources but also ensure that loans achieve their intended purpose of empowering citizens and building a stronger economy.
DELIVERING ON THE PROMISE: PROGRESS AND POSITIVES AHEAD OF SONA 2025
A Tradition Steeped in Significance
On Friday, 12th September 2025, at 08:30 hours, President Hakainde Hichilema will officially open the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly. The announcement by the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Mrs. Loveness Maambo Mayaka, signals the continuation of legislative business but also marks a moment of deep political, constitutional, and historical importance.
This year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) comes at a pivotal time. It coincides with the start of the final legislative year before the 2026 general elections and marks the fourth anniversary of the UPND administration. More than ceremony, the address will set the tone for the 2026 National Budget and provide a roadmap for Zambia’s future.
Constitutional Foundation
Presidential addresses to Parliament are enshrined in Article 88 of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016, which mandates the President to address the National Assembly at the start of each session. This tradition, rooted in the Westminster system, is both a constitutional requirement and a democratic imperative.
While the guard of honour, traditional attire, and diplomatic presence add spectacle, it is the speech itself that carries weight. It is here that the Head of State reflects on achievements, acknowledges challenges, and sets out policy direction for the year ahead.
Progress in Economic Stability
Over the past four years, Zambia has begun turning the corner from crisis to recovery. The successful negotiation of a historic debt restructuring deal has freed up resources for social spending and infrastructure. Inflation and the exchange rate, once spiraling, are stabilising, while investor confidence is returning. New investments in mining, renewable energy, and agriculture signal confidence in Zambia’s economic trajectory.
Jobs, Youth, and Opportunity
Job creation has been a hallmark of the New Dawn government. The record recruitment of over 30,000 teachers and 11,000 health workers stands as the largest single hiring exercise in the nation’s history. Beyond the public sector, youth and women are accessing skills training, bursaries, and start-up capital through expanded Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations.
Support for entrepreneurship has also grown, with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises rolling out targeted programmes for youth-led businesses. These measures are embedding self-reliance and innovation in Zambia’s growth model.
Education and Health Transformation
The reintroduction of free education has allowed millions of children to return to school, particularly in rural communities. Infrastructure expansion and new teacher recruitment are steadily improving quality and access.
In the health sector, increased staffing is strengthening service delivery, while expanded social cash transfers are cushioning vulnerable households. These reforms are restoring dignity and broadening opportunity for ordinary Zambians.
Governance and Accountability
President Hichilema has consistently reinforced his zero-tolerance approach to corruption. Key reforms, including amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act and the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, are being advanced to empower oversight institutions. Recent convictions in high-profile corruption cases underscore that the fight against graft is producing tangible results.
Decentralisation and Rural Development
The government’s decentralisation agenda is bearing fruit. With the unprecedented increase in CDF, rural communities are now building schools, clinics, boreholes, and bridges. Importantly, women and youth now have a mandated role in local decision-making, deepening inclusivity and accountability.
Agriculture and Mining: Empowering Producers
Agriculture remains central to livelihoods and food security. Reforms to the Farmer Input Support Programme are tackling inefficiencies, while the planned revamp of NCZ promises timely and affordable fertiliser access.
In the mining sector, a bold step has been announced: the establishment of a dedicated fund for artisanal and small-scale miners. Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe revealed this initiative at a recent industry conference, promising financial support, improved safety, and formalisation of operations. This marks a critical effort to integrate small-scale miners into Zambia’s broader mining economy.
Energy and Climate Leadership
Zambia is positioning itself as a regional energy hub. New investments in hydro, solar, and renewable energy are expanding capacity, while the 2025 Energy Forum for Africa, hosted in Lusaka, reaffirmed the country’s leadership in shaping continental energy policy.
Infrastructure and Regional Integration
From road networks to digital platforms, infrastructure investments are unlocking opportunities. The Kazungula Bridge and related corridor developments are already boosting trade, reinforcing Zambia’s role as a land-linked hub for the region.
Looking Ahead: SONA 2025
Friday’s ceremonial opening is not only President Hichilema’s fourth such address but also the final one before the 2026 elections. Expectations are high. Citizens anticipate reflection on achievements, clarity on unfinished business, and direction for the year ahead.
Key issues likely to feature include funding for the 2026 general elections, resources for a constituency delimitation exercise, and updates on constitutional reforms, including Bill No. 7, which was deferred last session for wider consultations.
As Zambians listen, they will be looking beyond promises to see evidence of performance, purpose, and progress. The New Dawn Government, though navigating challenges, is laying a foundation of stability and inclusion. The President’s message will reaffirm a simple but powerful truth: that growth must power every home, every farm, every mine, and every dream.
REGIONAL BRIEFING | Men Can Now Take Wives’ Surnames, Rules South Africa’s Top Court
South Africa’s Constitutional Court has delivered a ruling that could reshape family law across the region. In a landmark judgment, the court declared that men may assume their wives’ surnames after marriage, striking down provisions of the Births and Deaths Registration Act that restricted this right to women alone.
The ruling follows a challenge by two couples, Jana Jordaan and Henry van der Merwe, and Jess Donnelly-Bornman and Andreas Bornman. Both men had sought to adopt or hyphenate their wives’ surnames, but were denied under Section 26(1)(a) to (c) of the Act. The court held that such denial constituted unfair gender discrimination, violating South Africa’s equality clause.
“This is about dignity and equal recognition in marriage,” the judgment read, affirming that the law had long entrenched an outdated presumption: that only women could change their identities in marriage, while men were confined to patriarchal tradition. By striking down the provision, the court opened the door for couples to define their marital identities on equal footing.
The implications are sweeping. For generations, surnames in southern Africa have symbolised power, inheritance, and lineage. Women have carried the burden of altering theirs as a sign of marital union, while men remained untouched. Now, men can choose to do the same whether out of solidarity, cultural conviction, or simply personal preference.
Legal scholars note that the decision echoes similar debates in Europe and North America, where men increasingly adopt their wives’ surnames or hyphenated versions to reflect equality in marriage. “This is a groundbreaking affirmation that patriarchy is not cast in stone,” said Joakim Mthealu, a Johannesburg-based analyst. “It is a legal recognition that identity belongs to both partners, not one.”
For Zambia and the wider region, the ruling raises questions of reform. Could Lusaka, Harare, or Lilongwe soon see legal petitions from men wanting to carry their wives’ names? Family law remains rooted in tradition, but South Africa has often set precedents that ripple across borders.
The applicants themselves called it a victory for choice. Van der Merwe, once denied the chance to take Jordaan’s surname, told reporters: “Marriage is about partnership. This judgment finally reflects that.”
