ESTHER LUNGU HOLDS THE LEGAL RIGHT TO DETERMINE HER HUSBAND’S BURIAL – ECL FAMILY LAWYER
By: Thomas Afroman Mwale
The Pretoria High Court in South Africa has adjourned proceedings and reserved judgment in the appeal concerning the burial of Sixth Republican President Edgar Lungu.
Acting Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba announced the decision to reserve the ruling, following submissions from both parties.
Representing the Lungu family, Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi argued that former First Lady Esther Lungu, as the spouse of the deceased, holds the legal right to determine her husband’s burial arrangements.
He revealed that the family is currently in South Africa seeking privacy, dignity, and integrity in handling the burial of the late leader.
Advocate Ngcukaitobi further contended that the inclusion of case law relating to the late Dr. Kenneth Kaunda in the previous judgment was inappropriate. He explained that Dr. Kaunda passed away with his presidential benefits intact, whereas Mr. Lungu died having been stripped of those privileges benefits which, he emphasized, cannot be reinstated posthumously.
He also questioned why the earlier judgment appeared to favor foreign law, arguing that the South African constitution provides protections for foreigners and that Zambian law cannot exert authority over an individual who died on South African soil.
Meanwhile, the lawyer representing the Zambian government maintained that the initial ruling ordering repatriation should stand.
He submitted that the family’s appeal lacks merit and ought to be dismissed, asserting that Zambian law is most applicable in this matter, given that both parties involved are Zambian nationals. #SunFmTvNews
Zambia’s Economy: A Deeper Look Beyond the 2025 Budget.
The claim that Zambia’s economy has consistently improved under the 2025 national budget, as stated by Minister of Finance and National Planning Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, faces significant counter-arguments when examining the available economic data. While the minister points to the successful execution of programs like the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and salary payments, a broader analysis reveals persistent challenges, particularly concerning public debt, inflation, and foreign exchange rates.
The minister’s statement attributes the domestic debt issues to “mismanagement by the former Patriotic Front administration.” However, current data shows that Zambia’s overall debt burden, which includes both domestic and external debt, remains a critical threat to economic stability. The country is still in the process of a complex debt restructuring, which has been slow and challenging. As of mid-2025, the government had yet to finalize the restructuring of its $3 billion Eurobonds with commercial creditors. The delays in reaching a comprehensive agreement have cast a shadow of uncertainty over the country’s economic outlook, deterring foreign direct investment and hindering long-term planning. The government’s assurances of commitment to settling domestic debt have not fully mitigated market concerns, which are reflected in the country’s sovereign credit ratings.
While government programs are progressing, this does not necessarily translate to a better quality of life for the average citizen. Inflation has been a persistent issue, eroding the purchasing power of households. The cost of essential goods, particularly food, has remained high. As of mid-2025, the annual inflation rate was above the government’s target range, putting a strain on families and businesses. A recent report by the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) indicates that food inflation, in particular, has been a significant driver of the overall inflation rate. This high inflation directly contradicts the notion of a “fairly well” performing economy for the general populace, as many households are struggling to make ends meet despite the implementation of government programs.
Another counter-argument lies in the performance of the Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) against major foreign currencies like the US Dollar. Despite government efforts, the Kwacha has remained under pressure. This depreciation makes imports more expensive, which in turn fuels inflation and increases the cost of servicing external debt. While the government has implemented measures to stabilize the currency, the persistent volatility is evidence that the economy is not on a stable, consistent upward trajectory. The struggle to maintain a stable exchange rate indicates underlying weaknesses in the country’s balance of payments and a continued reliance on external factors, such as commodity prices and foreign aid.
In conclusion, while the government has made progress on some internal programs, the bigger picture shows an economy still grappling with significant challenges. A truly “fairly well” performing economy would show improvement across all key indicators, including a stable currency, controlled inflation, and a clear path to debt resolution. The current situation suggests that while the government is making efforts, the economy is still far from stable, and the benefits of these programs have yet to be fully realized by the average Zambian.
Sensio Banda Former Member of Parliament Kasenengwa Constituency Eastern Province
On 17 September 2025, the Zambia -We-Want party will be holding its elections for its Top five leaders – Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, Party Trustee, President and Vice President.
A week later elections will be held for the remainder of the thirty or so positions on the National Leadership Council.
Lungu Family Lawyer Eviscerates Zambian Government in Burial Dispute
Johannesburg, 8 September 2025
In the South African High Court today, Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, representing the family of Zambia’s late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, delivered a scathing response to the Zambian government’s weak five-minute opposition to the family’s leave to appeal over the disputed burial of the former president.
The hearing highlighted issues that go far beyond one family’s grief, touching on constitutional rights, international law, sovereignty, and the limits of state power.
Ngcukaitobi described the Zambian government’s position as a “dangerous road” that, if accepted, would deprive widows of their fundamental rights to decide on the burial of their spouses. At the heart of the legal dispute is the government’s argument that a foreign contract or law could override Mrs. Esther Lungu’s authority, even though the remains are in South Africa.
“My learned friend accepts that the agreement is to be interpreted according to South African law,” Ngcukaitobi told the court.
“But then he claims that because the next of kin is Zambian, the right to bury must be Zambian. That distinction simply does not exist. Lex loci the law of the place governs the entire dispute. Once South African law applies, Zambian law becomes irrelevant. This is not just a technicality it goes to the very heart of family autonomy and sovereignty.”
The advocate systematically addressed the core grounds of the appeal. First, he highlighted the distinction between rights of the living versus the dead.
“A corpse has no legal rights. Once life ends, rights end. What the Zambian government is attempting reinstating benefits posthumously is artificial and legally unsound. Any benefits attached to the office of the president exist for the widow, not the deceased.”
Next, Ngcukaitobi tackled the Kaunda precedent, which the Zambian government had cited. He explained that Kaunda died while still enjoying state benefits, whereas Mr. Lungu had lost his presidential benefits before death.
“You cannot reinstate benefits on a corpse. That is not law. That is fantasy,” he said.
A second key ground of the appeal concerns the enforceability of contracts over human remains. South African law, as reinforced by authorities including Foote and Xhoshias, holds that such contracts are invalid.
“If the court accepts that a state can enforce a contract over a corpse against the family’s wishes, we are creating a completely new and dangerous legal principle one that directly contradicts common law and constitutional protections,” Ngcukaitobi argued.
The third ground relates to the rights of the spouse versus state or public interest claims. Citing South African law, he emphasized that a widow’s authority over the burial is “basically unqualified.” Even in cases where governments claim public interest, the family’s decision is paramount.
“Family trumps government every time. No law, foreign or domestic, can override the widow’s decision,” he said, referencing the another South African case and other precedents to illustrate the danger of allowing governments to seize control over family matters.
Ngcukaitobi also addressed the procedural problem of proving foreign law. In South African courts, the law of a foreign state is treated as a matter of fact, requiring expert evidence.
“The Zambian government has provided no affidavits or credible evidence to establish Zambian law. They merely assert what they want to be true. That is insufficient to override the clear rights of the widow,” he said.
Finally, the advocate stressed the constitutional implications. Zambia’s Constitution, like South Africa’s, guarantees privacy, dignity, and equality. These rights extend to Mrs. Lungu, ensuring that no government can compel her to accept state-directed burial benefits or arrangements against her will.
“The case is fact-specific,” Ngcukaitobi conceded.
“But precisely because it is unique, it demands the attention of the Supreme Court of Appeal. The principles at stake will resonate far beyond this family.”
Turning to the broader implications, Ngcukaitobi warned against setting a precedent that would allow foreign states to project power extraterritorially, overriding the sovereignty of South African courts and the rights of families.
“This is not just about Mr. Lungu or his widow. It is about protecting the autonomy of families, the dignity of the deceased, and the constitutional integrity of our courts,” he said.
Ngcukaitobi concluded with a forceful appeal to the court: “What you cannot have is a government, any government, overriding the widow’s decision on how to bury her husband. That is not just law that is humanity.”
The High Court has now reserved judgment, leaving many across the region awaiting a decision that could set a landmark precedent on family rights, state power, and the limits of foreign influence in sensitive matters of burial and dignity.
Today, the Zambian government’s five-minute intervention appeared rushed, thin, and legally fragile, leaving the Lungu family’s appeal strong, principled, and firmly rooted in both law and human dignity. And from the onset the Zambian Government have been arguing a case without referencing it to any law.
Lusaka Central Member of Parliament Mulambo Haimbe has expressed confidence about retaining his parliamentary seat despite allegations of being an absent MP.
Mr. Haimbe attributes his confidence to his exceptional performance in the constituency, particularly in the implementation of the constituency development fund -CDF.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Haimbe notes that despite public perception that the constituency development fund has failed to materialize in Lusaka province, it has achieved the opposite in his area, which he says has helped maintain voter confidence.
He has however cautioned against judging a member of parliament’s performance solely based on cdf implementation, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive assessment.
Mr. Haimbe has since denied allegations of being an absent MP, stating that despite his ministerial responsibilities, he remains actively engaged with his constituents.
Malawians, I Am Sorry, Please Forgive Me – Chakwera
History remembers leaders who have bowed before their people to admit failure, such as South Africa’s F.W. de Klerk who once apologised for apartheid.
In Malawi, President Lazarus Chakwera has followed a similar path, issuing an emotional apology just seven days before the nation heads to the polls.
In a televised national address from Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, Chakwera asked Malawians for forgiveness over the ongoing fuel crisis that has forced motorists into long queues.
He said the suffering was not of their making, but a result of deliberate sabotage by corrupt cartels working with some officials at the National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma).
“These officials frustrated the importation of fuel in order to weaken my administration and enrich themselves through kickbacks,” Chakwera declared.
He further accused an unnamed opposition party of colluding with these cartels, describing the situation as a “war” in which ordinary Malawians have become innocent victims.
Chakwera vowed that if re-elected next Tuesday, he will fire the implicated officials at Nocma and continue what he described as a fight to cleanse the system of corruption.
The President also used the address to announce new fertiliser prices under the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP).
He said small-scale farmers will pay K15,000 for a 50kg bag, while commercial buyers will pay K90,000 per bag from October 1, 2025 – down from the current K160,000 which he blamed on “crooked businesspersons working hand-in-hand with the opposition.”
“They will not win this fight. I will continue to fight for poor farmers in this country,” Chakwera said, urging Malawians to stand with him as he seeks a new mandate in next week’s general elections.
IMF PRAISES ZAMBIA’S PRUDENT PUBLIC SPENDING AND COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE GROWTH
By: Justin Banda
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised government for its prudent and well-targeted approach to public spending, highlighting its commitment to fiscal discipline and inclusive growth.
Featuring on ZNBC’s Sunday interview, Eric Lautier, the IMF Resident Representative for Zambia, offered a positive assessment of the country’s economic performance. He emphasized that government has successfully maintained a balanced expenditure framework, ensuring that resources are strategically directed toward key priority sectors.
Mr. Lautier noted that public spending has been effectively channelled into critical areas such as social protection, healthcare, education, and capital investment. This targeted allocation, he said, reflects Zambia’s strong commitment to fostering inclusive development and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
He further commended government for its steady progress in debt restructuring, describing the consensus reached with multiple stakeholders on revised terms as a significant milestone. According to Mr. Lautier, this development marks an important step toward restoring long-term debt sustainability and enhancing Zambia’s macroeconomic stability.
In addition, Mr. Lautier acknowledged notable improvements in transparency and accountability in public financial management. He stressed that these reforms are vital for building public trust, strengthening governance, and boosting investor confidence in Zambia’s economic future.
The IMF’s endorsement comes amid Zambia’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its fiscal position and implement structural reforms under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. These measures are aimed at entrenching macroeconomic stability, restoring debt sustainability, and promoting inclusive growth across the country. #SunFmTvNews #
While we welcome the recent convictions of top former ruling party officials on grounds of corruption, we are still far from being convinced that the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) is a genuine institution because they knew that Malanji, Lusambo, Yamba and others were plundering but because they were in power they were untouchable.
Soon after the 2021 elections, ACC suddenly arose from the dead to show the nation that they deserve the huge salaries and incentives by exposing the Faith Musonda ‘change money’ and now the Malanji issues.
ACC seems to have eyes for past corruption and people are untouchable unless they are no longer in government and that is why we say ACC, the Judiciary and other Law Enforcement Agencies need to be more autonomous because currently they all owe their allegiance to the sitting President thereby making it difficult for them to investigate the powers that appoint them.
For as long as ACC remain political appointees, the fight against corruption will always be cosmetic and that is why we submit that the powers of the Executive be reduced as it overrides the other two wings of government namely the Legislature and the Judiciary. We need an ACC that will have the zeal to fight present corruption.
WE ARE WALKING THE TALK AS UPND GOVERNMENT – MARK SIMUUWE
Ndola – 8th September 2025
United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Director, Mr Mark Simuuwe, said UPND, under the leadership of Republican President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, has delivered tangible results that people can now see.
Mr Simuuwe stated that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation, citing the New Dawn Government’s efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, such as the Ndola Cancer Disease Treatment Centre.
The UPND Media Director was speaking today during a tour of the Ndola Cancer Disease Treatment Centre, located off Ndola Dual Carriageway. He emphasized that the construction of the Cancer Disease Hospital in Ndola is crucial and will enhance primary healthcare services, exceeding World Health Organisation (WHO) thresholds.
Mr Simuuwe further noted that the UPND government has increased the budget for medicine and medical supplies from 30% in 2022 and has made progress in healthcare by focusing on tangible results and infrastructure development nationwide.
“These health facilities will not be white elephants; people will be employed, just like the 18,000 workers the government has recruited,” he said.
Mr Joachim Longwe, Principal Infrastructure Officer, Copperbelt Province Health Office, added that the Ndola Cancer Disease Treatment Centre will be the first-ever cancer hospital on the Copperbelt catering not only to the people of Copperbelt Province but also to those from North-Western, Luapula, Northern, Muchinga, and parts of Central Provinces.
The project has reached about 75% completion stage, creating many jobs in line with Republican President Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s vision of massive job creation. Mr Longwe added that the project will be completed by December 2025, with equipment already starting to arrive at the site.
The Ndola Cancer Disease Treatment Centre will cost about K306 million.
LUVALE LIKISHI MASQUERADE DETAINED AFTER CLASH WITH CHEWA COMMUNITY IN LIVINGSTONE
A Luvale Likishi masquerade in Livingstone was briefly detained at Libuyu Police Station following a violent confrontation with members of the Chewa community who were participating in activities linked to the Kulamba Traditional Ceremony.
Southern Province Commissioner of Police, Auxensio Daka, confirms that the incident occurred on 6th September 2025, around 14:00 hours.
He states that at the beginning of the month, the Chewa community obtained a permit authorising them to conduct a procession on 6th September through Libuyu Compound to inform parents of children at the initiation camp about an upcoming graduation ceremony.
Daka says that during the procession, they encountered the Luvale Makishi group, resulting in a violent confrontation involving pangas, sticks, and other weapons.
He relays that during the encounter, the Likishi allegedly assaulted members of the public, leading Police Officers to detain the masquerade.
Daka updates that shortly thereafter, individuals affiliated with the Luvale initiation camp mobilised residents from nearby compounds who converged at Libuyu Police Station in a hostile manner.
He says Police reinforcements arrived promptly, the crowd was dispersed, and after successful engagement with leaders from the Luvale community, the Likishi masquerade was released.
Daka has urged all cultural and community groups to uphold peaceful co-existence and mutual respect during traditional activities.
ZAMBIA HOSTS FIRST-EVER ARTISANAL AND SMALL-SCALE MINING CONFERENCE
Lusaka, September 8, 2025 — Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe has stressed that artisanal mining must never be treated as a hobby, but as a serious economic venture capable of transforming livelihoods and creating jobs.
Speaking ahead of the inaugural Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Conference, Mr. Kabuswe said President Hakainde Hichilema, who called for the meeting, will personally attend to engage stakeholders on how best to harness Zambia’s mineral wealth.
“As the President says, instability anywhere is instability everywhere. We must manage our mineral wealth responsibly. Artisanal mining has great potential for job creation, but it must be safe, legal, and productive,” Mr. Kabuswe said.
He further urged large-scale mining companies to form partnerships with artisanal miners who are building valuable experience in the sector.
The two-day conference, themed “Unlocking ASM Potential for Inclusive and Sustainable Development”, opened at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre with delegates drawn from all 10 provinces of Zambia, as well as regional participants from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Zimbabwe, and Sudan.
Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary Dr. Hapenga Kabeta described the meeting as timely, noting that it coincides with the ministry’s realignment on the future of artisanal mining in Zambia.
“Artisanal mining holds tremendous potential for economic development. However, low productivity, environmental degradation, and community vulnerability remain challenges that we must confront,” he said.
International partners also underscored the importance of artisanal mining. UN Resident Representative Dr. James Wakiaga highlighted that globally, artisanal and small-scale miners supply 20 percent of cobalt, a critical mineral.
“Zambia is showing leadership in Africa by creating programs to build capacity, expand economic opportunities for women, and strengthen empowerment within the ASM sector,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Ambassador João Samuel Caholo, Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, called for a comprehensive strategy to address financing, environmental protection, and the fight against illegal exploitation of natural resources.
He emphasized that illicit activities threaten regional peace and stability, adding, “The ASM sector is vital to youth empowerment and sustainable development across the Great Lakes region.”
The government has encouraged artisanal miners to organize into cooperatives to access licenses and financial support.
Currently, artisanal mining contributes more than 10 percent of Zambia’s mining GDP. Authorities, however, cautioned against illegal mining, which undermines development and threatens community safety.
President Hichilema is expected to officially open the conference, which runs from September 8 to 9, 2025. The event is set to produce concrete interventions aimed at formalizing artisanal mining, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring the sector contributes meaningfully to Zambia’s economic growth.
A French doctor accused of intentionally poisoning 30 child and adult patients, 12 of whom d!ed, has gone on trial.
Frederic Pechier, 53, worked as an anaesthetist at two clinics in the eastern city of Besancon when patients went into cardiac arrest in suspicious circumstances between 2008 and 2017. Twelve could not be resuscitated.
He is accused of triggering heart attacks in patients so he could show off his resuscitation skills and discredit co-workers.
Pechier’s youngest alleged victim, a four-year-old identified as Teddy, survived two cardiac arrests during a routine tonsil operation in 2016. The doctor’s oldest alleged victim was 89.
The trial caps an eight-year investigation that stunned the medical community. Pechier has denied the charges.
Pechier was greeted on his arrival at the court by several relatives, including one who shouted: ‘Come on, Fredo.’
‘It’s necessary to lay all the cards on the table,’ Pechier told broadcaster RTL earlier Monday, adding that he had ‘strong arguments’ in his defence.
Asked about the suffering of the families who will attend the trial, set to last until December, Pechier replied: ‘I understand it completely, but on the other hand, I am not responsible for their distress.’
Pechier, a father of three, faces life imprisonment if convicted. He is not currently in custody but under judicial supervision, an alternative to pre-trial detention.
Pechier has not practised medicine since 2017, even though in 2023, he was authorised to work provided he does not come into contact with patients.
‘I’ve been waiting for this for 17 years,’ said Amandine Iehlen, whose 53-year-old father died of cardiac arrest during kidney surgery in 2008.
An autopsy revealed an overdose of lidocaine, a local anaesthetic.
Prosecutor Etienne Manteaux has said the case is ‘unprecedented in French legal history’.
An investigation was opened in 2017 after suspicious cardiac arrests during operations on patients considered low-risk.
Pechier is suspected of tampering with his colleagues’ paracetamol bags or anaesthesia pouches to create operating room emergencies where he could intervene to show off his resuscitating talents.
‘What he is accused of is poisoning healthy patients in order to harm colleagues with whom he was in conflict,’ Manteaux said.
‘Frederic Pechier was the first responder when cardiac arrest occurred,’ he added. ‘He always had a solution.’
Pechier has blamed ‘medical errors’ by his colleagues for most of the poisonings.
Some colleagues described Pechier as a ‘star anaesthetist’, while others said he came across as arrogant and manipulative.
One co-worker claimed Pechier was ‘certain he was the best’ and liked to ‘think of himself as Zorro’.
Over the course of the inquiry, investigators examined more than 70 reports of ‘serious adverse events’, medical jargon for unexpected complications or deaths among patients.
The cases of 30 patients who suffered cardiac arrest during surgery at the Saint-Vincent Clinic and the Franche-Comte Polyclinic made it to trial.
He has criticised the investigation. ‘What happened to the other cases? They were not retained because Pechier was not involved in them,’ he said.
His defence team will argue for acquittal.
‘It’s very easy to accuse people, it’s harder to prove things,’ one of his lawyers, Randall Schwerdorffer, told reporters.
More than 150 civil parties will be represented at the trial.
For the first two weeks, the court will examine Pechier’s most recent cases, those that aroused the investigators’ suspicions and led to the anaesthetist being placed under investigation in 2017.
Afterwards, each of the poisonings attributed to the doctor will be examined.
‘It’s going to be a legal marathon, but we’re ready,’ Stephane Giuranna, a lawyer for several civil parties, told AFP.
By Bupe Magande EX CONVICTED FELON and notorious Facebook troll, Elias Musiyani, has reignited his attacks on celebrated multi million musician Yo Maps and his celebrity wife Kidist.
Musiyani, infamous for cyberbullying the Mulengas, has resumed his online tirades this time body shaming the artist. In a fresh post, he mocked Yo Maps’ physique, writing: “You send someone to prison but he returns looking healthier than you.”
The ex-convict was previously jailed for six months and fined K70,000 after threatening to attack and rape Kidist on social media.
Despite his conviction, Musiyani now hiring WhyMe’s mouth, appears determined to continue his digital harassment campaign against the couple.
CHAKWERA ASKS MALAWIANS TO FORGIVE HIM AND BEGGS FOR VOTES IN NEXT WEEK ELECTIONS
Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has issued a dramatic apology just a week before elections, admitting shortcomings over the fuel crisis that has gripped the nation.
In a televised address from Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, Chakwera asked Malawians for forgiveness, blaming the shortages on “deliberate sabotage” by corrupt cartels working with officials at the National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma).
“These officials frustrated fuel imports to weaken my administration and enrich themselves through kickbacks,” he said, further accusing an opposition party of colluding with the cartels. He described the crisis as a “war” in which ordinary Malawians were the victims.
Chakwera vowed that if re-elected next Tuesday, he will fire the implicated officials and continue his anti-corruption crusade.
He also announced new fertiliser prices under the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP). From October 1, 2025, small-scale farmers will buy a 50kg bag at K15,000 Malawian Kwacha, while commercial buyers will pay K90,000 Malawian Kwacha– down from the current K160,000 Malawian Kwacha, which he blamed on “crooked businesspersons working with the opposition.”
“They will not win this fight. I will continue to fight for poor farmers in this country,” Chakwera declared, urging Malawians to stand with him as he seeks a fresh mandate.
FORMER PRESIDENT MUTHARIKA VOWS TO “RESCUE MALAWI” AS 2025 ELECTIONS NEAR
Former President Peter Mutharika has officially declared his bid for the September 16, 2025 presidential elections, promising to “rescue Malawians” from what he calls a nation in deep crisis.
Addressing supporters in Chiponde, Mangochi District, on Saturday, September 6, Mutharika painted a grim picture of Malawi’s current state, saying the country is “broken” but pledged to restore stability if given another mandate.
“This country is in ruins, but I will rescue it. I have put in place measures that will bring things back on track,” Mutharika told cheering crowds.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader spent the day on the campaign trail across Mangochi, making stops in Chiponde, Nselema, Nsanama, Liwonde, and Mangochi town, where he continued to rally support for his comeback bid.
Keefe D is currently awaiting trial as authorities have accused him of being involved in the killing of 2Pac.
Keefe D allegedly told authorities that Diddy called for the killing of 2Pac, according to documents obtained by USA Today. The outlet cited interviews with law enforcement officers about the attack in 2008 and 2009, which Keefe D’s defense team submitted into court records to argue that investigators previously granted their client immunity in exchange for information about the case. Diddy has not been charged in connection with 2Pac’s death and has repeatedly denied involvement over the years.
As noted by a Drug Enforcement Agency report summarizing the 2008 interview, Keefe D alleged that Diddy previously said “he would give anything for those dudes’ heads,” referencing 2Pac and Suge Knight. He also alleged that Diddy offered $1 million as a bounty.
Keefe also mentioned Diddy in his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend, but has since downplayed the accuracy of the book. Instead, he says his co-author took artistic liberties with his life story.
Allegations connecting Diddy to the death of 2Pac also recently surfaced in mulitple civil cases against him. Former Bad Boy president Kirk Burrowes, for one, said in a lawsuit that he “witnessed instances in which Combs expressed paranoia and frustration over Shakur’s success, indicating a deep-seated need to diminish his rival’s influence.”
He also claims: “Combs allegedly made statements to insiders suggesting that Shakur’s presence in the industry threatened his legacy, leading him to take increasingly aggressive measures to overshadow and eliminate competition.” Diddy’s legal team labeled Burrowes’ lawsuit “frivolous” and accused him of wasting the court’s time.
In addition to that lawsuit, USA Today also cites a case brought by a male escort named Steve Otis in February 2025. Otis sued Diddy with allegations of sexual assault, but also alleged the Bad Boy mogul referenced ordering a hit on 2Pac during the incident. “You better not say a word to anybody about this. Did you hear me? . . . I’m not (expletive) playing with you. If I can get Pac hit, what the (expletive) do you think can happen to you?” he recalled Diddy allegedly saying.
While Diddy is still facing several civil cases, his attorney, Erica Wolff, told USA Today that the not-guilty verdicts in his recent high-profile criminal case undermine the validity of the victims’ claims. “Mr. Combs’s acquittal on the trafficking and RICO charges proves what we have been saying about the civil cases since day one: they are all fabricated attempts to extort windfall payments from an innocent man,” she said.
The jury in that case found Diddy not guilty of both sex trafficking and racketeering. He still faces prison time, however. The group still decided to convict him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
For those charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison, although the prosecution has only recommended a 4-year sentence. He will return to the courtroom on October 3 for his sentencing hearing. As for Keefe D, his murder trial begin in February 2026.
American rapper, actor, and producer 50 Cent has shocked fans after shaving off his trademark beard, with many saying the new look makes him appear older.
The 50-year-old entertainer, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, is currently in Australia working on a film project. Behind-the-scenes photos show him on the set of Street Fighter, where he takes on the role of Balrog, the fierce boxer antagonist.
Images of his fresh, clean-shaven appearance quickly spread online, sparking widespread conversations about how drastically different he looks compared to his usual bearded style.
France’s parliament on Monday, September 8, ousted the government of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou after just nine months in office, leaving President Emmanuel Macron scrambling to find a successor and plunging the country into a new political crisis.
Bayrou had blindsided even his allies by calling a confidence vote to end a lengthy standoff over his austerity budget, which foresees almost 44 billion euros ($52 billion) of cost savings to reduce France’s debt pile.
Bayrou, the first premier in the history of modern France to be ousted in a confidence vote rather than a no-confidence vote, will submit his resignation on Tuesday morning, September 9, according to a person close to him who asked not to be named.
In the vote in the National Assembly, 364 deputies voted that they had no confidence in the government while just 194 gave it their confidence.
“In line with article 50 of the constitution, the prime minister must submit the resignation of his government,” said speaker Yael Braun-Pivet.
Bayrou is the sixth prime minister under Macron since his 2017 election but the fifth since 2022.
Defending his decision to call the high-risk confidence vote, Bayrou told the National Assembly: “The biggest risk was not to take one, to let things continue without anything changing… and have business as usual.”
Describing the debt pile as “life-threatening” for France, Bayrou said his government had put forward a plan so that the country could “in a few years’ time escape the inexorable tide of debt that is submerging it”.
“You have the power to overthrow the government” but not “to erase reality”, Bayrou told the MPs in a doomed final bid to save his government before the vote.
Macron now faces one of the most critical decisions of his presidency — appoint a seventh prime minister to try to thrash out a compromise, or call snap elections in a bid to have a more accommodating parliament.
There is no guarantee an election would result in any improvement in the fortunes of Macron’s centre-right bloc in parliament.
Although the Socialist Party (PS) has expressed readiness to lead a new government, it is far from clear whether such an administration could survive.
DIRCO rejects claims of undetected M23 rebel entry for peace dialogue
Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has dismissed claims that M23 rebel representatives entered the country undetected to attend a peace dialogue in Magaliesburg, Gauteng.
The controversy erupted after the M23 group, accused of war crimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), attended the second African Peace and Security Dialogue hosted by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation.
Their presence prompted the DRC government to boycott the event and sparked protests outside the venue.
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said DIRCO had no prior knowledge of the rebels’ attendance, emphasizing that the dialogue was organized by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, not the government.
DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri directed inquiries to the foundation, denying any failure in border or security oversight.
Critics, citing the deaths of 14 South African soldiers in clashes with M23 earlier this year, have called for public apologies and questioned South Africa’s role as a neutral mediator.
Former Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini Fransman labeled the incident a “moral betrayal” and a diplomatic failure.
While DIRCO maintains its commitment to supporting peace efforts in the DRC, the incident has intensified scrutiny of South Africa’s vetting processes and its diplomatic credibility in African conflict resolution.
A U.S. federal appeals court on Monday upheld a civil jury’s finding that US President Donald Trump must pay $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll for his repeated social media attacks and public statements against the longtime advice columnist after she accused him of s£xual ass@ult.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Trump’s appeal of the defamation award, calling the jury’s damages awards “fair and reasonable.”
A three-judge panel, citing hundreds of death threats Carroll faced, said the case record supported the trial judge’s “determination that ‘the degree of reprehensibility’ of Mr. Trump’s conduct was remarkably high, perhaps unprecedented.”
Trump had argued the damages were unreasonably excessive, particularly a $65 million punitive damage award, and pushed for a new trial after the Supreme Court expanded presidential immunity.
But the appeals court roundly rejected those arguments, writing that Trump’s “extraordinary and unprecedented” broadsides against Carroll, 81, justified the steep award, given “the unique and egregious facts of this case.”
Lawyers for Trump responded through a spokesperson to a request for comment by calling for “an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and a swift dismissal of all of the Witch Hunts, including the Democrat-funded travesty of the Carroll Hoaxes.” The case is likely headed to the Supreme Court.
In its ruling, the 2nd Circuit said there is “ample evidence” that Trump was recklessly indifferent to Carroll’s health and safety after “castigating Ms. Carroll as a politically and financially motivated liar” and “insinuating that she was too unattractive for him to have sexually assaulted” and would “pay dearly” for speaking out.
The ruling centered on the second and far more expensive of two defamation awards issued to Carroll over Trump’s yearslong attacks on her character, which began after she accused Trump in her 2019 memoir of sexually assaulting her decades earlier at a Manhattan department store.
In her memoir and again at a 2023 trial, Carroll described how a chance encounter with Trump at Bergdorf Goodman’s Fifth Avenue in 1996 started with the two flirting as they shopped, then ended with a violent struggle inside a dressing room.
Carroll said Trump slammed her against a wall, pulled down her tights and forced himself on her.
At the initial trial, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse, but concluded he hadn’t committed rape as defined under New York law.
Trump repeatedly denied the encounter took place and accused Carroll of making it up to help sell her book. He also said Carroll was “not my type.”
The 2023 jury awarded Carroll $5 million to compensate her for both the alleged attack and statements Trump made denying after his first presidency ended that it had happened.
After that first verdict, the court conducted a second trial with a new jury for the sole purpose of deciding damages for statements Trump made attacking Carroll’s character and truthfulness while he was president in 2019.
On Monday, the appeals court agreed, saying the trial judge “did not err in any of the challenged rulings and that the jury’s duly rendered damages awards were reasonable in light of the extraordinary and egregious facts of this case.”
The 2nd Circuit noted that Trump continued his attacks against Carroll for at least five years, making them “more extreme and frequent as the trial approached.”
“He also continued these same attacks during the trial itself,” the appeals court said. “In one such statement, issued two days into the trial, Trump proclaimed that he would continue to defame Carroll ‘a thousand times.’”
Harry Irvine Burdick Jr., from Davidson County, North Carolina, is accused of marrying three women at the same time for personal and financial gain. Deputies said he secured multiple marriage licenses without ever filing for divorce, leading to felony charges.
The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office reported that Burdick was arrested on August 22. He now faces two counts of felony bigamy but was released with a written promise to appear in court, according to First Alert 4.
Investigators began looking into his background in April. They discovered three marriage licenses issued in different counties, all active, and none connected to divorce records.
Officials said the marriages occurred in Lincoln County, Davidson County, and Guilford County. Each was legally registered, raising concerns about whether more cases could surface.
Authorities believe additional victims may exist. They are urging anyone who has been legally married to Burdick to contact local law enforcement.
Burdick is scheduled to appear in Davidson County Court on September 22 as the investigation continues.
Alannah George, a four-year-old from Buckinghamshire, England, became the UK’s second youngest member of Mensa in 2019 after scoring 140 on an IQ test. She taught herself to read at two, showing an exceptional talent for words and numbers.
Born in 2014, Alannah spoke her first words at seven months and was forming full sentences by 18 months. By the time she was three, she could read entire paragraphs from books on her own. Her love for learning quickly set her apart from other children her age.
According to the Daily Mail, her parents noticed early signs of advanced ability when she chose letters and numbers over nursery rhymes. She often decoded words without being taught, a skill that revealed her unusual aptitude for reading and problem-solving.
In January 2019, educational psychologist Dr. Peter Congdon tested her using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence. The results showed an IQ of 140, placing her in the top 2 percent of her age group worldwide. Her reading matched a seven-year-old’s level, while her spelling and arithmetic matched that of a six-year-old.
Mensa, a society reserved for individuals with superior intelligence, accepted her soon after. At the time, the only child younger than Alannah to join in the UK was Elise Tan-Roberts, who became a member at two years and four months in 2009.
Alannah attended St George’s School at Windsor Castle, once home to members of the royal family. Teachers adapted her curriculum to match her advanced skills, as experts warned she could become bored in regular classes. Despite her shyness, assessments showed she had the potential to go far beyond expectations.
Her parents expressed pride and determination to nurture her abilities without pressuring her. They emphasized the importance of keeping her childhood balanced while supporting her intellectual growth.
Kamala Harris will no longer have Los Angeles police officers guarding her home after city officials ended a temporary security arrangement. The decision came after former President Donald Trump canceled her extended Secret Service detail.
According to FOX LA, Harris had been granted 18 months of Secret Service protection under an order from former President Joe Biden. That coverage would have lasted until July 2026. Trump revoked the extension in late August, leaving Harris without federal protection earlier than expected.
In response, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass directed LAPD officers to cover Harris. Metro officers were reassigned from crime suppression duties in the San Fernando Valley to guard her Brentwood home, where an unmarked patrol car remained on watch day and night.
The decision drew criticism. The Los Angeles Police Protective League argued that taxpayers should not cover the cost of security for a wealthy former presidential candidate. The board said Harris could afford private protection and urged California Governor Gavin Newsom to fund it if he wanted her guarded.
By law, former vice presidents receive six months of Secret Service protection after leaving office. Harris’ coverage had already exceeded that limit under Biden’s order before it was overturned.
While Harris faced higher threats during her time as vice president, the Associated Press reported that recent assessments found no credible risks. The LAPD declined to comment on her protective detail.
Questions remain about who will provide her security as she begins a 15-stop book tour for her memoir. It is unclear if her publisher has made private arrangements.
Harris is not the only official whose protection was revoked by Trump. He also ended coverage for former national security adviser John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, both targeted by Iran, as well as Biden’s children, Hunter and Ashley, who had received extended protection from their father.
US Embassy Warns Of Greater Difficulty For Zimbabwe Visa Applicants The United States Embassy in Harare has warned that Zimbabweans applying for visas may now face greater difficulty qualifying, as the pause on visa services in Zimbabwe remains in place.
Embassy issues statement In a post on 8 September 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Harare confirmed that non-immigrant visa services in Zimbabwe remain suspended. The Embassy advised residents to apply at the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Embassy wrote:
“The pause on visa services in Zimbabwe remains in effect. Zimbabwean residents applying for nonimmigrant visas may only apply at the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg. If you are not a resident of Zimbabwe, you must apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of habitual residence.”
It further cautioned applicants about the challenges of applying outside one’s country of residence.
“Please note: Applicants who schedule nonimmigrant visa interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside their country of nationality or residence may face greater difficulty qualifying for the visa. Visa application fees are nonrefundable.”
The Embassy also reminded applicants that waiting times for visa appointments differ depending on location.
Zimbabweans react with anger The announcement triggered a wave of reactions online, with many Zimbabweans expressing anger and frustration.
Similar sentiments came from Peace Ngara (@iamPeaceNgara), who wrote:
“We don’t need you America, close it we will be grateful.”
Others, however, expressed appreciation for the clarity. Mxolisi Ndlovu (@mxolisin) commented:
“Thank you for the information, very clear and much appreciated.”
Calls for government action Some Zimbabweans demanded that their government intervene in the matter. Tinaye Mude (@MudeTinaye67828) tagged officials in his response:
“@nickmangwana has @MoFA_ZW engaged to address the impase? How far?”
Others dismissed the Embassy’s message altogether. Asher (@keviazim) wrote:
“We don’t care about your Visa.”
Several users also used the announcement to criticise U.S. foreign policy. RealComrade (@hlengwe_finest) declared:
“Alexander the Great fool is at the helm of America by the time he is out of office America will be just a useless Empire…”
Another, DENIS (@deemativ), remarked:
“Nothing good coming out of USA. This is one announcement that passes with no one caring. We have an all weather friend now.”
There were also calls for reciprocity. Malvin Mutirwara (@kudzimutcom) suggested:
“The Billions of money African paid US ViSAs might be used very effectively in Africa and we should charge the same amount that Western country charges to people/tourists visiting our great continent of Africa.”
For now, Zimbabweans who wish to travel to the United States face the prospect of longer waits, costly travel to South Africa, and stricter visa approval processes.
Also Read: “Not A Travel Ban”: US Embassy Clarifies On Pause On Visa Services In Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwean Government has completed the draft National Health Insurance Bill, with plans to table it before Cabinet imminently. The bill is set to be launched and become operational in 2026, promising free primary healthcare. This initiative is designed to be the bedrock of the country’s pursuit of universal health coverage, aiming to shield every citizen from financial hardship when seeking medical treatment.
The confirmation came directly from the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, during his address at the Association of Health Care Funders Zimbabwe annual conference in Victoria Falls. He shared that the current vision for a healthier nation is entirely dependent on forging powerful alliances.
“Our vision, as articulated in the National Health Strategy, is to achieve ‘a healthy and productive nation that enjoys equitable access to quality health services.’ This vision is not achievable without robust partnerships,” Minister Mombeshora stated.
Taxes on Sugar and Mining to Fund Care The Minister detailed the Government’s strategy to move away from unreliable external donor funding. The NHI scheme will be funded through a non-contributory model, meaning citizens will not be required to pay premiums directly. Instead, it will be bankrolled by a series of earmarked taxes.
These will include existing levies on airtime and the AIDS levy, alongside new taxes proposed for sugar, tobacco, alcohol, and fast foods. Additional revenue streams, such as taxes from the mining sector, are also under consideration. This approach aims to boost domestic funding, which has already seen a significant increase from ZiG117 million in 2020 to an average of ZiG463 million between 2021 and 2023.
“The importance of this scheme cannot be overstated, as it directly addresses the critical state of health financing in the country,” Mombeshora emphasised.
Cabinet To Review National Health Insurance Bill That Promises Free Primary Healthcare For All Zimbabweans The proposed benefit structure is both comprehensive and tiered, ensuring long-term sustainability. It promises to cover 100% of costs for essential community and primary healthcare services. Coverage will then scale down to 80 percent at district hospitals, 60 percent at tertiary facilities, and 40 per cent at highly specialised quaternary centres.
“The proposed benefit package guarantees 100 percent coverage for community and primary care level interventions, ensuring that the most basic and essential care is fully accessible,” the Minister explained.
Holy Ten Explosive Instagram Rant At Mnangagwa Twins Ends In Apology Rapper Holy Ten, real name Mukudzei Chitsama, set social media ablaze on the night of 7 September 2025 with a series of explosive Instagram posts aimed at President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sons, Sean and Collins. What began as cryptic messages quickly escalated into open threats, claims of soldiers being sent to his home, and accusations that gifts given to him by the ruling elite were being seized back.
Just after 9 PM, the first message appeared. Holy Ten posted a short but loaded line:
“Sean, Collins, should’ve never given me your gifts if you knew you could take them back.”
This was the spark that triggered a torrent of online commentary. Many immediately speculated he was referring to property and assets linked to the Mnangagwa family.
By 9:24 PM, another post followed, this time more defiant. He declared:
“It’s not fear. It’s respect. Zanu PF don’t try me.”
The tension mounted further just minutes later. At 9:30 PM, in a message directed at his wife Kimberly Richards, he ordered her to start packing.
“Pack all our things. We’re giving them back their house. Zvekunamata vanhu inini no (I will not bow down and pray to people).”
Alongside it, he added:
“I been working so HARD to clean up ED’s name and you people think they can just touch me??? I want my respect!!!”
These posts quickly went viral, drawing tens of thousands of reactions within minutes. Some fans begged him to calm down, while others egged him on.
Explosive declarations By 10:25 PM, the situation reached boiling point. In a video clip that drew nearly 20,000 views within an hour, Holy Ten made his boldest statement yet:
“Inini I can end the Zanu PF today.”
In another rant, he turned his fury directly on Sean Mnangagwa, a major in the Zimbabwe National Army.
“Sean, what you did at my house, I’m coming to your house. Make sure you kill me. I’m not afraid of Zanu PF, all of you. I’m not afraid of you. Stop what you are doing.”
He then shifted to Collins Mnangagwa, mocking his popularity.
“Collins thinks he is loved by the people, let him start a ‘live’ right now, let’s see how many people join. Do not mess with me.”
He capped his threats by warning he knew where Collins stayed in Harare.
“I know where Collins lives, don’t worry. We are fixing the country, they shouldn’t mess with me. I’m not Blessed Geza.”
For a musician who had stood on Zanu PF stages during the 2023 elections, performed at campaign rallies, and publicly aligned himself with the ruling party, this outburst marked a dramatic break. Just two years earlier, he had urged youths to rally behind the party, saying he wanted to “help clean the image” of Zanu PF. Now, on live social media, he was threatening to destroy it.
A dramatic reversal The chaos unfolded over a little more than an hour, from 9:08 PM until just after 10:30 PM, with each post drawing higher attention. Viewers followed every update as screenshots spread across X, Facebook, and WhatsApp groups in real time.
Then came the sudden silence. Holy Ten deactivated his Instagram account @holytenmusic shortly after the 10:25 PM video, leaving his 200,000+ followers bewildered and worried.
But the night was not finished. At 10:53 PM, he reappeared with a single, short message — a stark contrast to the fiery tone of earlier hours.
“Apologies to my brothers Sean & Collins.”
The climbdown was immediate and complete. No explanations, no live streams, no further context. The very twins he had accused of betrayal and threatened just an hour before were suddenly being addressed as “brothers.”
The Mnangagwa family has remained silent. Neither Sean nor Collins has commented publicly on the matter.
For Zimbabweans watching, the spectacle marked one of the most extraordinary celebrity meltdowns in recent years — a timeline of anger, defiance, and humiliation, all played out live on Instagram for tens of thousands to see.
zansi Lady Dumped by Nigerian Lover After Calling SA Men Lazy!”
A South African woman who always said she will never date SA men because they are “lazy” has just been humbled in the worst way!
She fell in love with a Nigerian guy, packed her bags, and left Mzansi 🇿🇦 to go start a new life in Nigeria 🇳🇬. She was telling everyone that Nigerian men know how to treat women better, and that South African men don’t have ambition. 🙆🏽♀️
But shame… when she arrived in Nigeria, she found out her “prince charming” is already MARRIED with children! 😭😭😭 Now she’s stranded, embarrassed, and begging South Africans to help her return home.
The same SA men she called lazy are now the ones she wants to rescue her. The irony is too loud 🔥😂.
What do you think? Are South African men really lazy, or are our sisters just running after foreign accents and ending up heartbroken? 💔
Record executive and Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, claiming that he’s in dire financial straits and has only $100 in cash.
Per TMZ, Dash, who was a close associate of Jay-Z before they had a fallout, stated in court documents that his creditors range from one to 49. The 54-year-old also stated that he has $4,350 in assets and spends $5,200 in monthly expenses. Dash additionally stated that his liabilities amount to $25,303,049.47.
Dash said that his creditors include Josh Webber of Muddy Water Pictures LLC. The 54-year-old was ordered to pay Webber $4 million after he filed a defamation lawsuit against him.
Dash also has to get his records right with the IRS and state tax departments. Despite his situation, Dash named former Roc-A-Fella Records partner Kareem “Biggs” Burke as his debtor, though the amount owed to him was not disclosed. He also said that he has reasonable cause to get Chris Brown, Claudia Jordan, Webber, and many others to give him money.
Despite Dash’s current financial situation, he’s still pursuing other business endeavors as he has been granting interviews to promote his projects.
Militants linked to Al-Qaeda have opened a new front in Mali’s conflict by striking at the country’s fuel lifeline. Over the weekend, fighters belonging to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) burned tankers coming in from Ivory Coast, footage circulating online revealed. A security source in Sikasso confirmed the attacks, which took place in the southern region.
The assault came days after JNIM publicly declared a blockade on Mali, vowing to halt fuel imports from neighboring states. The group, considered the deadliest insurgent force in the Sahel, already controls territory in Mali and Burkina Faso and has mounted raids in Benin and Togo along the Gulf of Guinea.
Mali’s transport ministry acknowledged the threat and said it was holding talks with transportation unions to weigh responses. Analysts warn the blockade could choke the economy of the landlocked nation, which relies heavily on imported fuel from Ivory Coast and Senegal.
“This is to bring more pressure on the military, the state, and their Russian partner,” Remadji Hoinathy of the Institute for Security Studies told The Associated Press. “It is a way of JNIM saying they are on the ground and have the capabilities of wreaking havoc.” He cautioned that the strategy could ripple across borders, discouraging suppliers from delivering fuel and deepening economic distress.
The broader Sahel has already endured years of worsening violence. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger withdrew from ECOWAS in 2023 after successive coups, turning instead to Russia for security assistance while cutting ties with Western allies such as France. Despite this pivot, data shows militant attacks have only escalated.
Experts say the new fuel embargo emphasizes JNIM’s shift toward targeting economic infrastructure, raising the stakes for governments already struggling to contain insurgencies.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to hear prosecutors present evidence against fugitive Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony on Tuesday in a historic in absentia proceeding. This will be the first time the court has moved forward without the accused present.
Kony faces dozens of charges, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, such as murder, rape, and sexual enslavement, for allegedly leading the brutal Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) that terrorized northern Uganda for decades.
Although Kony will not stand trial in person, the hearing allows prosecutors to formally lay out their case. He will be represented by a defense lawyer, and judges will later decide whether to confirm the charges, though a trial cannot occur in his absence, AP reported. The case is being closely watched as a potential model for other high-profile situations where suspects, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Russian President Vladimir Putin, are not in custody.
By 2005, Uganda’s military had weakened the LRA, forcing its members to splinter and flee into ungoverned regions of neighboring Sudan and Congo. Despite this, Kony remains elusive, leaving many Ugandans frustrated yet hopeful for justice. “He did many things bad,” said Odong Kajumba, an LRA survivor who was forced to carry a sack of sugar to Uganda’s border with Sudan in 1996. “If they can arrest Kony, I am very happy.”
Who is Joseph Kony? Raised in a Catholic Acholi family in northern Uganda, Kony served as an altar boy and was believed to possess mystical abilities. Villagers consulted him for advice on issues ranging from infertility to curses. “Some said he would sit in his hut with a hand placed on a Bible, or peer into a cracked shard of mirror to foretell the future,” wrote LRA biographer Matthew Green in The Wizard of the Nile.
Kony emerged as a local leader following President Yoweri Museveni’s rise to power in 1986. Claiming a spirit commanded him to overthrow Museveni, he left his village in April 1987 with 11 followers to form the LRA, which aimed to rule Uganda according to the Ten Commandments.
The LRA’s campaign relied on ambushes and terrorized local communities. Many civilians fled their homes to escape attacks, while the mid-1990s strategy of relocating hundreds of thousands of people into camps for the internally displaced drew criticism for worsening suffering without ending Kony’s reign of terror. The rebels abducted children, committed acts of extreme cruelty, including chopping off limbs, and enhanced Kony’s reputation as a fearsome warlord. Ugandan authorities claim Kony ordered the killing of his deputy, Vincent Otti, after Otti showed interest in a peace deal.
In 2011, the U.S. deployed roughly 100 troops to support African Union forces in hunting Kony, a number later increasing to 250. While the LRA was weakened, Kony remained at large. His international notoriety surged in 2012 after the advocacy group Invisible Children released a viral video highlighting his crimes against children.
The U.S. currently offers a $5 million reward for information leading to Kony’s capture. Ugandan officials believe he is hiding in the lawless border region between the Central African Republic and South Darfur in Sudan. Most LRA leaders have been killed or captured, yet Kony continues to evade authorities, reinforcing the perception among locals that he may never be caught.
Young Thug also shared a snippet from an unreleased song as he continues to work on his new album, “UY Scuti.”
Young Thug shared a message for his loved ones on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday morning, asking them to focus on the good he’s done for them over the years. “Times like these is when my luvs ones are supposed to look at the good I did towards them then the ugly,” Thug wrote. The message comes as he’s been facing tons of backlash on social media as fans have been sharing various controversial phone calls he made while behind bars in the YSL RICO case.
Thug also shared a snippet for a new song titled, “Tears,” on which he references one of his friends taking a plea deal. The track comes as Thug is continuing to work on his upcoming fourth studio album, UY Scuti. He has yet to confirm a release date for the project, but it will be his first since getting of a jail, last year.
In the aforementioned jail calls, Thug dissed a number of other hip-hop artists, including Gunna, Kendrick Lamar, Future, and more. He also admitted to having cheated on his partner, Mariah The Scientist. After that call leaked, he issued an apology to her on social media.
“My baby I was wrong and I’m sorry for what I put u through,” Thug wrote. “U deserved better from me. Thank you for everything and I will do anything to make this work. U showed me what love is and I hope I haven’t lost u forever… everybody leave her out of this please she’s an innocent girl and feels bad about all of this. Please give her peace.”
On Sunday, Thug shared another apology for everyone involved in the drama. “To everyone involved in this situation I’m sorry this is happening and I hope u guys can forgive me, I’m moving forward with my life -THANK U GOD,” he wrote on X.
A maid of Chilenje Township in Zambia is in court for allegedly stabbing her employer’s eight-year-old daughter in the face with a knife. Bathsheba Phiri, who is in her 20s, has been charged with assault on a child, an offence which attracts a minimum mandatory sentence of five years imprisonment, in line with the Children’s Code Act.
Allegations are that on March 31 this year, the accused allegedly assaulted the child. When Bathsheba first appeared before Lusaka magistrate Idah Phiri, she pleaded not guilty to the allegation.
During trial yesterday, the court heard that the child wanted to play with the maid, who was uninterested, before she stabbed her with a knife she was using to cut vegetables.
The Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture has declared September 16 a public holiday.
In a statement signed by Secretary for the Ministry, Richard Hara, the move is intended to give Malawians the opportunity to fully exercise their right to vote.
The ministry also extended its best wishes for a peaceful and successful polling process.
The Supreme Court in Melbourne has sentenced 50-year-old Erin Patterson to life imprisonment for the deaths of her in-laws and a family friend after serving them a meal laced with poisonous mushrooms.
The court found that in July 2023, Patterson deliberately prepared and served the fatal dish to Don and Gail Patterson her husband’s parents and Heather Wilkinson, a family friend and sister-in-law to Gail. All three died after consuming the meal.
Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, was the only survivor of the poisoning.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Christopher Beale said Patterson will serve at least 33 years in prison before being eligible for parole. He noted that there was overwhelming evidence showing that she premeditated the act by inviting the four victims to share the deadly meal with the intent to kill them.
A teacher and fashion influencer known as “Teacher Bae” has sparked controversy for posting videos of herself in provocative outfits on school grounds.
Ms. Williams, who has over 134,000 followers on TikTok, often records content in classrooms and hallways, sometimes with students nearby.
Her videos have gone viral, showing her in tight skirts, sheer dresses, and fitted trousers that emphasize her figure.
One widely viewed clip features her walking down a hallway in a nude pencil skirt, white blouse, and lace-up heels.
Another video shows her in a sheer white maxi skirt, black top, and oversized bow.
The most criticized video shows her writing on the board in curve-hugging trousers, which some viewers say was staged for attention.
Critics online have called her outfits inappropriate for a school setting and demanded stricter dress codes for teachers.
Some comments accused her of dressing inappropriately around children and called for an investigation.
Williams responded by defending herself, saying critics are “miserable” and claiming that many parents appreciated her teaching.
Footballer, Lamine Yamal faced an unusual situation after Spain’s emphatic 6–0 victory over Turkey in their World Cup qualifier
Reports from Beyaz Futbol say the teenager lost his passport and spent time searching for it inside the stadium, including returning to the dressing room. However, the document was not found, and Yamal eventually left without it.
Aside from the passport saga, it was a historic night for Mikel Merino, who scored a hat-trick—making him only the second midfielder in Spain’s history to achieve that in a single game. He now has six goals in six matches for Spain this year.
Meanwhile, Nico Williams was forced off with a muscle injury in the 44th minute and replaced by Ferran Torres.
Doja Cat had social media buzzing after she pulled a wild stunt on the red carpet of the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards in New York.
The Grammy-winning singer showed up in an 80s-inspired outfit, but it wasn’t her look that got people talking — it was what she did in front of cameras.
Acording to Daily Mail, while posing, Doja applied red “lipstick” to her lips, then suddenly bit into the tube and started chewing it like food. Photographers were left stunned as she continued posing with the half-eaten lipstick still in her hand.
Clips of the moment quickly went viral with fans divided.
One fan tweeted: “THE WAY SHE ATE THE LIPSTICK OMG.”
Another wrote: “Girl why is u eating lipstick 😭”
Some worried it might not even be safe, with one person asking: “Isn’t this… unhealthy? Please don’t do this at home.”
But Doja’s diehard fans hailed it as iconic. One joked: “A queen never goes hungry.” Another called it a “tasty fashion statement.”
A father who spent four years on the run with his three young children in New Zealand’s remote wilderness was shot dead in a shootout with police on Monday, September 8, during an attempted burglary at a rural supply store.
Tom Phillips disappeared into the Waikato wilderness just before Christmas 2021 after a dispute with the children’s mother, who had sole custody. His children — Ember, now 9, Maverick, 10, and Jayda, 12 — lived in hiding with him until this week’s dramatic confrontation.
The children’s existence in the wild came to light in October 2024, when pig hunters spotted them wearing masks and carrying heavy packs under Phillips’ guidance.
Police were called to Piopio in the Waikato region early Monday following reports of a burglary at a farm supply store. Officers intercepted a quad bike carrying stolen goods, and when it was forced off the road with spikes, the driver opened fire at close range.
Police returned fire, killing Phillips at the scene. An officer was critically injured after being shot in the head and shoulder but survived following emergency surgery.
Jayda, Phillips’ eldest daughter, was found at the scene alongside a cache of firearms. Information she provided led authorities to locate Ember and Maverick at a nearby campsite later in the day, ending their years-long disappearance.
“This has been a deeply traumatic incident,” Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers said. “It was confronting and challenging in a small, rural, isolated location.”
The children’s mother, known as Cat, said she was relieved her children had been found but heartbroken at how events unfolded.
“Our hope has always been that the children could be returned in a peaceful and safe way,” she said in a statement. “They have endured a long and difficult journey, and we ask for privacy as we help them adjust and reintegrate into a stable and loving environment.”
Authorities had repeatedly struggled to capture Phillips due to the rugged terrain of the Waikato region. Despite rewards and sporadic sightings, he evaded capture until his final confrontation.
Veteran Nollywood actor, Kanayo O Kanayo, has spoken up about what he described as a dangerous trend in the film industry.
In a video message shared on Instagram, the 62-year-old stressed that movie-making should never be about looks but about real talent and performance.
“Movie making is not about being a fine face. It’s about being a good actor, a good performer. With or without a fine face, that’s what I’ve decided to do,” he said.
Kanayo recalled how, more than two decades ago, sponsors in Nollywood created unnecessary labels that destroyed the careers of several promising actors.
“About 25 years ago, some sponsors woke up and they were branding the actors. ‘This one is not a good one. This one does not sell films.’ They killed the career of those guys. And I can mention names, but for the sanctity of this broadcast, I am not going to,” he recounted.
He expressed concern that the same issue is now repeating itself in the digital space, where only a few so-called “YouTube faces” are being prioritised at the expense of raw, talented actors.
“The most unfortunate thing is that some of these guys will tell you, ‘September 2025, I am not free till August 2026.’ How then do we sustain the content of what you watch? How then do we create magic? How do we encourage new actors to come into the business?” he asked.
Kanayo insisted that producers should not call him just because he is a “selling face” but because of his ability to deliver.
He described the situation as another example of how good initiatives often get twisted when they enter Nigeria.
“I don’t know why, when things come to Nigeria, there’s always a somersault. And the somersault is happening on YouTube,” he said, adding that the industry should focus on creating opportunities for new talents who can truly act.
