US–ISRAEL RIFT ERUPTS: Washington ‘Dismayed’ After Israeli Strikes Hit Iranian Fuel Depots
Tensions are rising between Washington and Tel Aviv after Israeli airstrikes reportedly hit dozens of Iranian fuel depots, triggering what insiders describe as the first major disagreement between the two allies since the conflict began just eight days ago.
According to a report by Axios, officials in the United States government were “dismayed” after Israel targeted around 30 fuel storage facilities across Iran some of which are believed to supply civilian needs.
Sources say Washington had been informed in advance that Israel planned more limited strikes against Iranian military infrastructure. Instead, the wider attacks have raised alarm inside the White House and the U.S. State Department.
American officials fear the strikes could strengthen domestic support for Iran’s leadership while also sending global oil prices surging, potentially worsening international economic pressures.
The episode marks the first visible crack in US–Israel coordination since hostilities escalated last week signalling that even close allies may be diverging on how far the conflict should go.
CHAMISA UNDER FIRE! Critics Question Silence as Zanu-PF Pushes Power-Extending Constitutional Changes
Zimbabwean opposition leader Nelson Chamisa is facing growing criticism over what some rivals say is an unusually muted response to controversial constitutional amendments that could extend the rule of Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The proposed changes, being pushed by the ruling ZANU‑PF, would reportedly allow Mnangagwa and Parliament to remain in office beyond the current constitutional timetable. Critics warn the sweeping amendments could even scrap direct presidential elections moves they say threaten Zimbabwe’s constitutional order.
Chamisa’s recent social media post on X “No to 2050” sparked fresh controversy. Detractors argue the wording avoids directly confronting the ruling party’s “2030 agenda,” widely seen as a strategy to extend Mnangagwa’s rule beyond his current term ending in 2028.
Among the critics is Charlton Hwende, a former ally who hinted Chamisa may have been “offered a drink” to stay quiet.
Chamisa denies the claims, insisting he refuses to frame his message using the ruling party’s political language.
RAMAPHOSA BUYS MORE TIME: Madlanga Commission Deadline Pushed to August 2026
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has granted more time to the high-stakes Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, extending the deadline for its final report as investigators dig deeper into explosive allegations shaking the country’s justice system.
The Presidency confirmed that the commission — chaired by retired Mbuyiseli Madlanga — must now submit a second interim report by 29 May 2026, with the final report expected by 31 August 2026.
The extension follows a formal request from the commission, which says more time is needed to hear testimony from a long list of remaining witnesses..
Launched in 2025, the inquiry is probing serious claims of criminal activity, corruption and political interference within South Africa’s law-enforcement and criminal justice structures.
With dramatic testimony already emerging, the commission’s findings are widely expected to have major political and legal consequences, potentially exposing deep fractures inside the country’s justice and security institutions.
BREAKING: Mexico’s President fires back at Trump’s cartel war threats
While Donald Trump was busy rallying his handpicked coalition of right-wing leaders at his Florida golf resort and threatening military action against Mexican cartels, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had a pointed message for Washington: clean up your own house first.
Sheinbaum, speaking at her Monday press briefing, pushed back firmly against Trump’s latest saber-rattling, pointing out that roughly 75% of the weapons used by Mexican criminal organizations were smuggled in from the United States, citing the U.S. Department of Justice’s own data. Her message was blunt: if the guns stopped flowing south, the cartels would lose much of their firepower..
Trump had spent the weekend at his Doral golf club hosting what he dubbed the “Americas Counter Cartel Coalition,” a gathering of mostly right-wing heads of state. Notably absent were the elected leaders of Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, the three largest nations in Latin America. During his remarks, Trump took a swipe at Sheinbaum, mocking her repeated rejection of direct U.S. military operations on Mexican soil by imitating her voice in a falsetto impression before the crowd.
Sheinbaum didn’t take the bait emotionally, but she didn’t back down either. She reiterated that foreign military operations inside Mexico would violate her country’s sovereignty, a line she has held firmly since Trump began his second term. She also noted that addressing America’s own drug addiction crisis and domestic production of methamphetamine would do far more to reduce cartel power than missiles and military coalitions.
Mexico, for its part, has been anything but passive. Over the past year, Mexican authorities have arrested hundreds of trafficking suspects, dismantled clandestine drug labs, extradited cartel figures to U.S. custody, and last month killed notorious kingpin “El Mencho” in a raid on his mountain hideout. Sheinbaum’s government has delivered real results while Trump has delivered theatrical press conferences.
Breaking News : Ukraine Deploys Counter-Drone Experts to Jordan to Help Protect U.S. Bases from UAV Threats
Ukraine has dispatched a team of specialists in counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) warfare to Jordan to assist in protecting United States military installations from drone threats, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In an interview published by The New York Times on March 9, Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine responded quickly after receiving a request for assistance and deployed experts experienced in countering drones. According to the Ukrainian president, the team departed on March 6, just one day after Ukraine received the request, and they are expected to arrive in the Middle East shortly.
The specialists are part of Ukraine’s rapidly developing counter-drone expertise, gained during the ongoing war with Russia where both sides have extensively used UAVs for reconnaissance and strike missions. Ukraine has been forced to innovate new and more cost-effective methods to intercept incoming drones, particularly Iranian-designed Shahed-type loitering munitions used by Russian forces.
Zelensky said the Ukrainian team will assist in strengthening defenses around U.S. bases in Jordan against similar drone threats. He also indicated that an additional team of Ukrainian experts could soon be deployed elsewhere in the Middle East to help regional partners improve their ability to intercept Iranian UAVs.
According to Zelensky, Ukraine’s experience has demonstrated that relying solely on high-end air defense systems such as the Patriot missile system can be extremely costly when dealing with large numbers of low-cost drones. Ukrainian specialists are expected to share techniques and systems designed to intercept UAVs more efficiently and at significantly lower cost. The White House has declined to comment on whether the United States formally requested assistance from Ukraine for this mission.
Ukraine has developed significant operational experience in counter-drone warfare during the conflict with Russia, making its expertise increasingly valuable for countries facing growing UAV threats across the Middle East.
Source: The New York Times, Reuters, The Kyiv Independent.
CHRIS BROWN ATTACKS U.S AND ISRAEL FOR CAUSING WARS IN MIDDLE EAST.
“People in POWER are so ALLERGIC TO PEACE.” – Chris Brown
“Why can’t our leaders just sit down, talk like adults, and come to a decision for the sake of humanity?
Deep down, ordinary people don’t want these wars. Families don’t want to bury their children. Parents don’t want to watch their homes turn into rubble. No one wakes up hoping their country will be bombed or their future destroyed.
Yet somehow, the people who hold the most power seem to be the most allergic to peace.
Instead of diplomacy, we see escalation. Instead of dialogue, we see threats. Instead of compromise, we see destruction.
It’s heartbreaking to watch leaders choose pride, politics, and power games over human lives.
Millions suffer while powerful people sit in rooms drawing lines on maps and deciding the fate of entire nations.
And at the end of the day, it’s not them who bleed.
It’s ordinary people. Children lose their childhoods. Families lose their homes. Communities lose entire generations.
All while the world keeps asking the same simple question: Why is peace always the hardest option for those in power?
Chris Brown recently vented his frustrations about the ongoing wars and global conflicts, echoing what many people around the world feel — that humanity deserves better than endless cycles of violence and destruction.
Sometimes the loudest truth is also the simplest one: “Peace should never be harder than war”.
Breaking News : U.S. Deploys B-52H Strategic Bombers to Britain as Washington Prepares Options for Possible Large-Scale Strikes on Iran
The United States has deployed multiple B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers to the United Kingdom, significantly strengthening its long-range strike posture as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.
On March 9, 2026, three U.S. Air Force B-52H bombers flew from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota and landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, a key American forward operating base for heavy bombers in Europe. The deployment is intended to reinforce Washington’s strategic airpower presence and expand the range of strike options available for ongoing operations targeting Iranian military infrastructure under Operation Epic Fury.
RAF Fairford has historically served as the United States Air Force’s primary heavy bomber hub in Europe and is capable of supporting sustained strategic operations far beyond the continent. The base has played a major role in previous conflicts and remains the only European airfield specifically configured to host large U.S. strategic bombers such as the B-52.
The arrival of the B-52Hs signals a further escalation of the American military buildup around Iran. The aircraft are capable of carrying large payloads of conventional precision-guided munitions as well as long-range cruise missiles, allowing them to strike targets deep inside hostile territory while remaining outside dense air defense zones. These capabilities make the B-52 a central platform for sustained long-range strike campaigns.
The deployment also follows a series of recent U.S. strategic bomber movements linked to the widening conflict, including the use of stealth B-2 bombers and B-1B Lancer aircraft in earlier phases of operations against Iranian missile infrastructure and military facilities. The addition of B-52Hs indicates Washington is positioning a diverse heavy bomber force capable of conducting prolonged strike operations if the conflict intensifies further.
By moving strategic bombers closer to the Middle East theater, the United States gains the ability to launch rapid long-range attacks, sustain high-tempo air campaigns, and demonstrate deterrence against Iranian military assets across the region.
Ships Go Dark in the Strait of Hormuz as 2026 Crisis Forces Tankers to Vanish from Global Tracking
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing 2026 Persian Gulf crisis, commercial vessels are increasingly disabling their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders while navigating the narrow Strait of Hormuz. The tactic, long associated with military or illicit operations, is now being adopted by civilian tankers seeking to evade detection amid U.S. strikes on Iranian vessels and retaliatory attacks on international shipping. Viral posts online highlight the trend, showing how captains are deliberately going “dark” to slip through one of the world’s most volatile chokepoints undetected.
Accompanying the report is an animated visualization of real-time ship traffic across the Persian Gulf. The footage reveals vessels approaching the strait with clear AIS signals, only for their positions to abruptly disappear before re-emerging on the far side.
The pattern mirrors a documented incident involving the Greek-flagged tanker Shenlong, which blacked out its transponder on March 4, prompting immediate concern from maritime authorities and insurers.
The 2026 crisis has transformed the once-busy waterway into a high-stakes arena of shadow operations. Following U.S. military action against Iranian assets and a series of drone and missile strikes on commercial shipping, dozens of tankers have been stranded or rerouted.
Bloomberg and Reuters have both confirmed the surge in AIS manipulation, noting it as a direct response to heightened threats in the region where every passing vessel now faces potential targeting.
At stake is nothing less than 20 percent of the world’s oil trade. According to France 24, only nine commercial crossings have been recorded since March 3, a sharp decline that has sent shockwaves through global energy markets.
With insurance premiums skyrocketing and major shipping lines halting operations, the economic ripple effects are already being felt from Asian refineries to European fuel pumps.
“Reports of Mojtaba Khamenei’s injury signal he was likely killed alongside his father: Iran’s regime buys time with a ghost leader.”
Amid escalating U.S.-Israeli strikes that eliminated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei last week, his son Mojtaba was named successor on March 8, 2026, by the Assembly of Experts. Yet no public appearances or statements from the new “leader” have surfaced since.
Israeli assessments confirm Mojtaba was targeted and wounded in recent airstrikes, but opposition voices and regime-watchers argue the injury reports are a prelude to announcing his death. The claim: he died with his father, and the regime installed him as a figurehead to stall collapse and confuse foes.
No verified sightings or audio exist. Regime media floats “wounded” status while hardliners push hereditary rule. Opposition accounts erupt with calls for regime fall, backing Reza Pahlavi and chanting restoration hopes.
If Mojtaba is already gone, the Islamic Republic clings to a corpse in the top seat—desperate theater as bombs fall and the clock ticks on survival.
U.S. Forces Hammer Hidden Iranian Missile Launchers in Ongoing Operation Epic Fury
CENTCOM released new footage showing precision strikes destroying concealed Iranian mobile missile launchers deep in remote terrain. The thermal-guided weapon obliterates the target with lethal accuracy.
The Iranian regime keeps trying to hide these threats, but American forces keep hunting them down. When located, they are eliminated without hesitation
Part of Operation Epic Fury, the campaign has already hit thousands of high-value targets across Iran since late February 2026. Iranian missile and drone attacks have dropped sharply—by 70-90 percent in many estimates—as U.S. and allied strikes degrade launch capabilities, command centers, production sites, and air defenses.
The mission continues with overwhelming air and naval power until the threat from Tehran’s ballistic arsenal is neutralized. American resolve remains unbreakable.
Trump Speaks with Putin: ‘Very Good Call,’ Russia Wants to Help End Middle East Conflict
President Trump held a roughly one-hour phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin today and described it as very positive and direct. Speaking to reporters at Trump National Doral on March 9, 2026, the President gave the following account of the discussion:
“…and we had a very good call, I had a very good call with President Putin. We talked about Ukraine, we talked about a lot of other things, but we talked about Ukraine and he wants to get that one over with, too. He wants to end that one. But I said, ‘You could be more helpful by getting the Ukraine-Russia war over with. That will be more helpful.’
But I think it was a positive call on that subject. And we obviously talked then about the Middle East and he wants to be helpful. He said he wants to be helpful. He wants to help us. He wants to help Israel. He wants to help in the Middle East situation.
So we’ll see what happens. But it was a very good conversation, very frank, very direct, and we’ll see where it goes. Thank you.”
The call comes as the United States and Israel continue operations against Iranian targets, with energy markets on edge and global powers watching closely. President Trump emphasized that Putin expressed a clear desire to assist in resolving the Middle East situation and signaled willingness to support American and Israeli objectives. On Ukraine, Trump pressed Putin to bring the conflict to an end, noting that doing so would be the most helpful step Russia could take.
This direct diplomatic engagement marks a sharp contrast to the stalled, multilateral approaches of previous administrations and underscores President Trump’s preference for straightforward, leader-to-leader talks to advance American interests.
Iran’s Ballistic Missile Barrages Against Israel Collapse Sharply
As of March 9, 2026, Iranian ballistic missile launches targeting Israel have fallen dramatically since the conflict intensified on February 28.
– February 28: approximately 95–350 missiles launched (peak opening salvo, varying by source estimates). – Early March days: rapid decline to dozens per day. – By March 5–6: fewer than 20 missiles per day, with waves reduced to handfuls. – March 9 (partial data): around 10 or fewer daily launches.
US Central Command reported a roughly 90% drop in ballistic missile attacks since strikes began. The IDF assessed that 75% of Iranian missile launchers have been destroyed, leaving an estimated 100–200 operational (down from pre-war figures). Over 500 ballistic missiles have been fired toward Israel since late February, with many more destroyed on the ground.
The trend reflects successful joint US-Israeli targeting of launchers, storage, and production sites, severely limiting Iran’s ability to sustain high-volume barrages.
Drone attacks have also declined significantly (down 73–83% from peaks). While Iran retains some residual capacity and has shifted toward smaller waves, the era of large-scale missile spam appears effectively over for now.
President Trump Issues Stark Warning to Iran: Don’t Touch the Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump has delivered a no-nonsense ultimatum to the Iranian regime amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. In a powerful statement that’s sending shockwaves through global markets and reassuring allies, Trump made clear that any attempt to disrupt oil flows through the critical Strait of Hormuz will trigger devastating American retaliation.
Trump declared: “If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far. Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them.”.
This comes as Trump has already moved decisively to protect global energy security, with the U.S. Navy escorting tankers and pushing to reopen the vital waterway after Iranian threats caused temporary disruptions and price spikes. His tough stance underscores America’s commitment to energy dominance and preventing rogue regimes from holding the world hostage.
The message is simple and unapologetic: America will defend free navigation, crush threats to our economy and allies, and end Iran’s ability to terrorize global oil routes once and for all. Strength works. Weakness invites chaos. Trump is choosing strength.
♎ GLOBAL | Oil Falls From $100, But Shock Remains on Markets
Oil markets briefly exhaled on Tuesday after days of panic. Brent crude dropped about 8.5 percent to around $92.50 per barrel, while US-traded crude fell roughly 9 percent to $88.60, following remarks by US President Donald Trump suggesting the war with Iran could end “very soon.”
Markets reacted instantly. Asian stocks rebounded, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 rising 2.8 percent and South Korea’s Kospi jumping more than 5 percent.
The drop came only hours after oil had surged above $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, a spike triggered by escalating attacks across the Gulf and fears over disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow shipping corridor through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes every day.
Trump attempted to calm markets while simultaneously warning Tehran. In an online statement he declared that if Iran disrupted oil flows through Hormuz, “they will be hit by the United States of America twenty times harder than they have been hit thus far.”
He added a stark warning: “Death, fire and fury will reign upon them.” Such rhetoric underscores the fragile nature of the market’s recent relief.
Oil traders understand that wars rarely move in straight lines.
Even with Tuesday’s decline, oil remains about 30 percent higher than it was before the conflict began. Energy markets are therefore pricing risk, not just present supply disruptions. Shipping insurance premiums have risen sharply, traffic around Hormuz remains cautious, and missile interceptions by Turkey, the UAE and Qatar highlight how wide the conflict has spread.
For Africa and other fuel-importing regions, this volatility carries serious implications.
Many African economies rely heavily on imported refined fuel while earning foreign currency through commodities such as copper, cocoa, gold or oil exports. Price spikes in crude markets immediately translate into higher freight charges, increased refinery costs and eventually higher pump prices.
The UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves warned after a meeting of G7 finance ministers that the war will likely place “upward pressure on inflation.” That warning applies equally to emerging economies. Rising fuel prices tend to push up food transport costs, manufacturing expenses and public transport fares across the developing world.
Zambia sits directly in the path of that chain reaction.
The country imports nearly all of its petroleum products and remains sensitive to movements in international crude prices. Only days ago, authorities reported that Zambia currently holds about 326 million litres of diesel, equivalent to roughly 60 days of cover, and around 32.8 million litres of petrol representing about 19 days of supply. These reserves provide temporary insulation but cannot shield the country from sustained global price increases.
The timing adds another layer of complexity.
Zambia approaches the August 13 general elections, with campaign activity expected to intensify in the coming months. Fuel prices have historically become a political flashpoint during election periods. Governments face pressure from voters over rising living costs, while opposition actors often frame increases as policy failures even when global markets are the dominant driver.
Reality is more complicated.
Domestic taxes and supply arrangements influence pump prices, but international crude markets remain the single largest factor. When oil jumps from the mid-$70 range to above $100 per barrel, no importing country escapes the pressure.
Today’s drop to around $92 per barrel therefore provides only partial relief.
Markets remain hostage to missile strikes, naval manoeuvres and diplomatic calculations thousands of kilometres away from African shores. If fighting intensifies or the Strait of Hormuz stay closed, analysts warn oil could surge well beyond $100 again.
For Zambia and many African economies, the lesson remains clear.
Energy security now depends not only on domestic reserves but also on diversified supply routes, regional refinery capacity and careful macroeconomic management. Global wars may begin far from African borders, but their economic consequences arrive swiftly through the price displayed on the petrol pump.
Oil prices may have fallen this week. The geopolitical risk driving them has not.
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Breaking News: Claims of Chinese Spy Ship Near Iran Collapse as Tracking Data Shows Liaowang-1 Still Docked in Shanghai
Reports circulating online recently claimed that China had deployed its advanced intelligence vessel Liaowang-1 to waters near Iran to collect sensitive intelligence amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. However, maritime tracking data and satellite imagery now indicate that the ship has not actually left China, casting serious doubt on those claims.
The Liaowang-1 is a specialized Chinese tracking and intelligence vessel that entered service in the spring of 2025. It is designed to monitor space activity, track ballistic missile launches, and support China’s aerospace and missile testing programs. The ship carries multiple sophisticated radar systems housed inside large radomes that allow it to track missile activity and monitor missile defense systems across vast distances.
With an estimated displacement of around 30,000 tons and a length of roughly 332 meters, the vessel is believed to host some of the most powerful sensor systems China can deploy at sea. Analysts say its equipment likely includes advanced radar arrays, electronic intelligence systems, and possibly an optical telescope capable of observing missile launches and aerospace activity. Stabilizing such a telescope on a moving ship would represent a complex engineering achievement.
Because of these capabilities, some analysts suggested that if the vessel were deployed near Iran, it could theoretically monitor U.S. and Israeli military activity, track missile launches, and detect aircraft operations across the region. Such intelligence could potentially provide valuable situational awareness during ongoing military developments.
Early reports even speculated that the ship might be operating near the Gulf of Oman and possibly accompanied by Chinese warships such as Type 055 and Type 052D destroyers. The presence of such a powerful intelligence platform near the Middle East would likely be interpreted by the United States and Gulf stateClaims of Chinese Spy Ship Near Iran Collapse as Tracking Data Shows Liaowang-1 Still Docked in Shanghais as a provocative move..
However, maritime tracking services and satellite imagery analyzed by defense observers show that Liaowang-1 remains docked in Shanghai as of March 9, contradicting the rumors about its deployment toward Iran. There is also no evidence suggesting the vessel attempted to conceal its movements or conduct deception operations.
Experts note that this does not rule out the possibility that other Chinese intelligence-gathering platforms could be operating in the region. If China were collecting information near the Gulf of Oman or the Persian Gulf, analysts believe it would more likely rely on vessels that resemble civilian ships rather than a highly recognizable platform like Liaowang-1.
For now, the available evidence suggests that Beijing has not deployed its newest tracking ship to the Middle East, despite the wave of speculation online.
WAR TURBULENCE! Middle East Conflict Slams Ethiopian Airlines with $137M Weekly Loss
Africa’s biggest airline is reeling from the shockwaves of the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The continent’s flagship carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, says the crisis has already cost it around $137 million in just one week as airspace closures and security fears ripple across the region.
The airline has been forced to suspend flights to at least 10 Middle Eastern destinations, grounding more than 100 scheduled flights every week. The cancellations have severely disrupted both passenger travel and cargo logistics, with as many as 50,000 travellers per week affected by the sudden shutdown of key routes.
Industry analysts warn the financial damage could spread far beyond one airline. If tensions continue to push up global oil prices, fuel costs for airlines worldwide could surge, potentially driving up ticket prices and squeezing the aviation sector already struggling with volatile operating costs.
For global aviation, the war’s impact may only just be taking off.
This man caused the deaths of about 10 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). At that time, the country was called the Congo Free State. The whole country was the personal property of this man.
His name was Leopold Louis Philippe Marie Victor, better known as King Leopold II. He was the King of Belgium from 1865 to 1909.
Leopold convinced the world that he was a good and honest man. He even joined the campaign to end slavery and spoke about bringing “civilization” to Africa. But this was largely a cover. His real objective was to control the Congo and exploit its resources. To achieve this, he sent agents to the region to sign treaties with local chiefs.
Between 1884 and 1885, major European powers met in Berlin to decide how to divide Africa among themselves. This meeting is known as the Berlin Conference. It was hosted by the German Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck. Not a single African was invited to the conference.
Before and during this conference, King Leopold lobbied European leaders to allow him to control the Congo. He promised Britain and France that if they supported him, the Congo would remain neutral and that all countries would be allowed to trade freely there. The major powers were satisfied with these promises. They also saw Leopold as a safe and neutral figure who could help prevent conflict among the European powers. Belgium was a small European country and was not seen as a major colonial rival, which helped Leopold gain support.
That is how the Congo ended up becoming Leopold’s personal property.
Remarkably, Leopold never visited the Congo, yet he personally ruled the Congo Free State, a territory more than 75 times larger than Belgium itself.
At that time, rubber was in high demand in European industries. The Congo had vast rubber resources. Africans were forced to collect rubber under harsh conditions. They were given strict production quotas, and if they failed to meet them, they were punished severely.
A colonial army called the Force Publique was used to enforce these rules and terrorize the population. In a period of about 20 years, millions of Africans died. Estimates by historians often range between 8 and 10 million deaths. Some victims had their hands cut off as punishment, while others died from starvation, torture, disease, and overwork.
When reports about these abuses began to spread, there was international outrage. Activists, missionaries, and journalists exposed what was happening in the Congo. Even the British government and other countries criticized Leopold’s rule.
As a result, in 1908, Leopold was forced to give up control of the Congo. The territory was then taken over by the Belgian state and was renamed the Belgian Congo. It officially became a colony of Belgium.
However, Leopold himself never faced trial or any punishment for what happened in the Congo. He died in 1909. At the time of his death, he was one of the richest men in the world.
The Congo remained a Belgian colony until 1960, when it gained independence. At independence, Patrice Lumumba became Prime Minister and Joseph Kasa-Vubu became President.
EGYPT DEMANDS AN ARAB NATO — THE MIDDLE EAST IS ARMING UP RIGHT NOW!
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, representing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, has dropped a bombshell at an emergency Arab League session chaired by the UAE calling for the activation of a joint Arab force to confront regional challenges and enhance collective security following Iranian attacks on Arab nations.
Egypt expressed full solidarity with Gulf states, Jordan and Iraq, condemning Iranian aggression with zero tolerance.
This is the Arab world’s boldest military proposal in decades. A NATO-style Arab army is now being seriously discussed.
Africa must watch a new Middle East military bloc changes everything!
Should Arab nations unite militarily? Comment below!
CHIFUBA BECOMES FDD LEADER OF MUNDUBILE’S SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE
Following Edith Nawakwi’s death last year, Chifumu Banda was chosen by the FDD convention today to lead the party. In advance of the general election on August 13, the assembly also approved the party as a special purpose vehicle for the Tonse Alliance, led by Brian Mundubile.
However, the looming threat of corruption charges against Mundubile concerning road construction contracts adds a critical dimension to his political trajectory.
Regardless of the veracity of the claims, the mere prospect of facing serious charges creates significant political vulnerability.
If summoned by the investigative wings as part of the ruling party’s imingalato, the legal battles will divert focus, drain resources, and erode public confidence, particularly among the very followers whose support he seeks.
If Mundubile is forced to dedicate substantial time and energy to legal defense, his capacity to effectively lead and campaign for the Tonse Alliance will be severely hampered, potentially stranding his followers who placed their faith in his leadership promise.
The legal entanglement which seems to be unavoidable risks transforming his presidential aspiration into a fight for personal freedom rather than a quest for national leadership.
Since the UPND formed government, the Socialist Party has not been allowed to hold a single public rally. Yet the same government continues to preach about the “rule of law” while denying opposition political parties their constitutional right to assemble and mobilise freely.
The reasons given by the police are unjustified and expose a pattern of using administrative excuses to suppress democratic political activity. At the same time, those in power continue to deceive themselves and the public by claiming there is no opposition in the country.
Democracy cannot thrive where political space is selectively controlled. We call on the authorities to respect the Constitution and allow all political parties equal freedom to interact with the Zambian people.
BRIAN MUNDUBILE IS NOT A PF MEMBER, PF NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON JEAN KAPATA GUIDES
Hon. Brian Mundubile is not a member of the Patriotic Front, and this position must be stated clearly and without any ambiguity.
The moment he chose to associate himself with individuals who created and operated a renegade faction purporting to act under the Tonse Alliance, he effectively abandoned the Patriotic Front. His actions went far beyond mere association. He actively legitimised that illegal structure to the extent of contesting for the presidency of the so-called Donamis Bill 7 Tonse Alliance. By that conduct alone, he placed himself completely outside the authority, discipline and structures of the Patriotic Front.
It is now becoming even clearer that these actions were not accidental or recent. The confirmation by his close associate, Hon. George Chisanga, has made it evident that the disruptive scheme to destabilise the Patriotic Front and ultimately install Brian Mundubile began as far back as 2022. This revelation explains why Hon. Mundubile deliberately stopped attending Central Committee meetings during that period. His absence was therefore not incidental, but part of a calculated political manoeuvre aimed at undermining the party from within.
From a political governance perspective, it is impossible for any serious leader to claim membership in the Patriotic Front while simultaneously occupying or seeking leadership positions in parallel and illegitimate political structures. Political parties operate on the principles of collective responsibility, discipline and loyalty to institutional decisions. Once an individual deliberately breaches those principles and aligns themselves with structures that undermine the party, they cease to be part of that organisation.
The Patriotic Front therefore regards Hon. Brian Mundubile as a fellow opposition politician pursuing his own political ambitions, reportedly aligned with the FDD presidential ticket for the August 2026 general elections. It is therefore deceptive and politically dishonest for him to attempt to create the impression that he still belongs to the Patriotic Front while advancing a separate political agenda.
Members of the public and members of the Patriotic Front must not be misled by such narratives. These are individuals who abandoned the party, attempted to establish parallel political structures, and are now seeking to cling to the Patriotic Front after realising that their political manoeuvres have failed to gain traction.
Leadership demands integrity, discipline and respect for institutional authority. One of the most important attributes of leadership is the ability to accept collective leadership and operate within agreed structures. Unfortunately, that attribute appears to be lacking in our colleague, as evidenced by the impatience and disregard for party discipline that has characterised his actions.
Today’s politics in Zambia must be sanitised and elevated to a level where public leaders such as Brian Mundubile and Zumani Zimba demonstrate a sense of shame and accountability for their actions. Our political discourse cannot continue to be polluted by individuals who abandon institutions and then seek to manipulate public perception for personal political survival.
More importantly, our colleagues must stop disrespecting the legacy of the late Sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, with such contempt. The Patriotic Front will not stand by while individuals who walked away from the party attempt to exploit his name and legacy for their own political convenience.
Let it therefore be clearly understood that the Patriotic Front remains united, focused and firmly under its legitimate leadership, and it will not allow opportunistic political actors to exploit its name while operating outside its authority.
The Patriotic Front remains a democratic and magnanimous organisation. Should Hon. Brian Mundubile genuinely recognise his mistakes and wish to return, the proper course of action would be for him to formally apply for readmission into the Patriotic Front, like any other former member.
Until then, he must be treated for what he currently is — a politician operating outside the Patriotic Front.
Hon. Jean Kapata National Chairperson Patriotic Front
As the country inches closer to the 2026 general election, there is a painful truth that many opposition supporters refuse to accept. No matter how loudly they shout on Facebook, no matter how many angry WhatsApp voice notes they circulate, the political mathematics remains the same: Hakainde Hichilema is still in a stronger position to win again.
Yes, we said it.
And no amount of emotional ranting will change that reality.
The most amusing part of Zambia’s opposition politics today is how they comfort themselves with one lazy explanation: “If only the opposition united, HH would lose.”
This argument is repeated so often that it has become political folklore among people who would rather complain than think.
But unity alone has never been the magic formula for electoral victory. During the 2021 Zambian general election, several parties contested the election. They did not merge into one gigantic opposition bus. Yet HH still defeated the incumbent. Even in Malawi, elections have had numerous parties on the ballot paper — but only one opposition movement managed to defeat the ruling establishment.
Elections are not won through emotional group hugs. They are won through strategy, messaging, and understanding voters.
Unfortunately, strategy is exactly what the Zambian opposition seems allergic to.
Instead of serious political thinking, their entire campaign philosophy can be summarized in one tired slogan: “Mulinjala muchalo.” There is hunger in the country.
Yes, people are struggling. Yes, life is hard.
But believing that economic frustration will automatically translate into votes is not strategy. It is wishful thinking mixed with political laziness.
If voters decide to remove HH tomorrow, the obvious question becomes: remove him and replace him with who exactly?
Which opposition leader today has crafted a message powerful enough to inspire the electorate? Which political party has built a campaign machinery capable of converting anger into votes?
Silence.
Even if every opposition politician in Zambia squeezed themselves into one giant political bus tomorrow, it would still not solve their fundamental problem: a lack of ideas.
After all, adding zero to zero still produces zero.
While the opposition spends its days complaining, HH has quietly been doing something far more dangerous for his critics — studying the voter register.
He knows exactly where his votes will come from.
The opposition, meanwhile, behaves like gamblers who walk into a casino without knowing the rules of the game.
HH’s strategy is increasingly focused on the fastest-growing voting bloc: Generation Z first-time voters.
And while opposition leaders spend their days holding press conferences that nobody watches, HH’s messaging machine is speaking directly to young voters in a language they understand.
The slogan “Salt Sana” did not fall from the sky. It is not accidental.
It is designed to travel quickly through youth culture, through music, through memes, through TikTok videos and online trends. Young voters repeat it, dance to it, post it online, and before you know it the message spreads faster than any traditional political campaign.
Meanwhile, the opposition is still stuck in the 1990s, shouting at microphones in half-empty press briefings and expecting miracles.
Even worse, they have completely failed to identify the other voter blocs that could actually challenge HH.
Take the voters from the 2021 election. These are people who remember the promise “Bally Will Fix It.” Many of them feel disappointed today. They represent a ready-made political constituency that could be mobilized through smart messaging and credible leadership.
But the opposition has done absolutely nothing to organize them.
Then there is the older voting generation — citizens who historically never trusted HH in the first place. With the right leadership and disciplined political strategy, this bloc could also play a decisive role in shaping the next election.
Yet instead of building coalitions around these groups, opposition politicians spend most of their energy fighting each other like schoolboys in a playground.
What the opposition fails to understand is that elections are not won through anger alone.
They are won through political intelligence.
Right now, HH is consolidating two pillars of support: his loyal base and a growing wave of younger voters entering the political system for the first time.
If the opposition continues on its current path — confused, divided, and intellectually lazy — then the next election will not just be a defeat for them.
It will be a political demolition.
And when the results are announced, the same opposition voices that spent months shouting “mulinjala muchalo” will once again pretend to be shocked.
In truth, the warning signs are already there.
The problem is simple.
HH is playing chess. The opposition is still arguing about where the chessboard is.
ZAMBIANS CAN’T REMOVE HH AFTER JUST 5-YRS – MPEZENI … the opposition is lying about solutions because they have never been there
Paramount chief of the Ngoni people, Mpezeni, says Zambians cannot remove President Hakainde Hichilema from office after just five years in office, as no one could address all the nation’s problems during that period.
Asked yesterday by Daily Revelation on the position taken by the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) that they would maintain neutrality in this year’s election and support no candidate, Mpezeni said Ngonis had their own way of doing things
”Tisiyana ulamulilo, kuli ma laws ya https://dailyrevelationzambia.com/zambians-cant-remove-hh-after-just-5-yrs-mpezeni-the-opposition-is-lying-about-solutions-because-they-have-never-been-there/
Israel and US Weigh Ending Iran War Short of Regime Change
Senior Israeli officials are now openly studying an exit from the ten-day-old conflict with Iran that stops well short of toppling the regime in Tehran.
The war began February 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and triggered massive Iranian retaliation across the region. Initial aims appeared focused on decapitating leadership and forcing collapse, but mounting costs—depleted munitions stockpiles, rising U.S. casualties, surging oil prices, and no quick surrender—have forced a rethink.
A follow-up statement from French President Macron underscored the reality: Iranian leadership cannot be changed through bombings alone.
For South Asia, a de-escalation without full regime change offers breathing room. It limits the risk of wider proxy flare-ups that could destabilize Pakistan and keeps global energy flows steadier, sparing India and its neighbors from even sharper economic pain.
Reality has set in. Grand promises of swift regime overthrow are giving way to the hard limits of airpower and the price of endless escalation. The question now is whether cooler heads can lock in an off-ramp before the war drags into months of attrition.
Trump Declares Victory in Sight: Iran War ‘Very Complete,’ U.S. Far Ahead of Schedule
President Trump told CBS News in a phone interview that the U.S. military campaign against Iran is wrapping up decisively and faster than expected.
“I think the war is very complete, pretty much,” Trump said from his Doral, Florida golf club.
He added that Iran has “no navy, no communications, they’ve got no air force.” Their missiles are “down to a scatter.”
Trump emphasized the operation is “very far ahead of the initial four to five week estimated time frame.”
In the same remarks, he discussed the Strait of Hormuz, noting the U.S. “could do a lot” there and is considering taking it over to ensure smooth oil transit, warning Iran against any disruption: “If they do anything bad, that would be the end of Iran and you’d never hear the name again.”
The comments came amid reports of sharp drops in crude oil prices and a stock market rebound, as markets reacted to signs of de-escalation and restored energy flows. Trump’s assessment signals a swift end to the conflict that has rattled global energy markets.
BREAKING: Trump Calls Putin to Discuss Ending Wars in Iran and Ukraine
President Trump initiated a one-hour phone call with Russian President Putin on March 9, 2026, according to the Kremlin.
The conversation, described by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov as businesslike, frank, and constructive, centered on proposals to quickly resolve the conflict involving Iran and advance negotiations toward a ceasefire and settlement in Ukraine.
Putin shared ideas for a swift diplomatic end to the Iran situation, while Trump reiterated his push for rapid de-escalation in Ukraine.
The call marks a direct diplomatic channel amid ongoing global tensions, with potential implications for energy markets and broader stability. No immediate White House readout has contradicted the Russian account.
President Trump wasted no time blasting Iran’s decision to name Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader.
“They made a big mistake,” Trump declared. “I don’t know if he’s going to last.”
The appointment comes amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli campaign that eliminated the elder Khamenei in strikes that ignited full-scale conflict. Iran defied calls for moderation by doubling down on hardline continuity with Mojtaba, a figure tied closely to the Revolutionary Guard.
Trump has repeatedly signaled the U.S. won’t tolerate business as usual. He previously called the son “unacceptable” and a “lightweight,” insisting any new leader needs American approval to survive. The message is clear: regime change isn’t off the table, and continuity under the old guard only invites more pressure.
Iran’s clerics chose confrontation over compromise. Trump is responding in kind, making plain that bad choices in Tehran won’t end well. The clock is ticking on this fragile new leadership.
BREAKING: Explosive new FBI interview raises DISTURBING QUESTIONS about Jeffrey Epstein’s jailhouse death.
Nearly seven years after Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in a federal jail cell, a newly revealed FBI interview is pouring gasoline on a controversy that has never gone away.
According to a handwritten FBI report, an inmate at New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center claims he overheard prison guards discussing a cover-up just moments after Epstein was discovered unresponsive on August 10, 2019.
The inmate told investigators he woke up around 6:30 a.m. to shouting in the Special Housing Unit.
“Breathe! Breathe!” officers were yelling. Then, according to the inmate, one guard blurted out: “Dudes, you killed that dude.”
What allegedly came next is even more chilling. The inmate said a female guard responded: “If he is dead, we’re going to cover it up and he’s going to have an alibi — my officers.”
The inmate identified the guard as Tova Noel, one of the correctional officers responsible for monitoring Epstein that night. Noel and another guard, Michael Thomas, were later charged with falsifying prison records to make it appear they had conducted required rounds. Those charges were eventually dropped, but both guards were fired.
Officials have long maintained that Epstein died by suicide, a conclusion reached by both the New York Medical Examiner and the Department of Justice.
But questions have never fully disappeared.
A forensic pathologist hired by Epstein’s estate previously said the injuries to Epstein’s neck were more consistent with strangulation than suicide. Meanwhile, new reporting has also revealed suspicious financial activity tied to Noel — including thousands of dollars in cash deposits before Epstein’s death and a $5,000 deposit flagged by her bank.
The inmate’s claim has not been confirmed, and investigators previously stated that no interviewed prisoners had credible evidence contradicting the suicide ruling.
Still, the newly surfaced FBI report is almost certain to reignite public skepticism surrounding one of the most controversial deaths in federal custody.
Because when a high-profile prisoner dies under mysterious circumstances — while guards fail to make their rounds, cameras malfunction, and new allegations of a possible cover-up emerge — Americans are left asking the same question they’ve been asking since 2019:
Massive Crowds Flood Tehran’s Revolution Square to Pledge Allegiance to New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei
On March 9, 2026, thousands packed Enghelab (Revolution) Square in Tehran for a defiant show of unity. Aerial footage captured a sea of people waving Iranian flags, portraits of the new leader, and banners honoring his slain father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” rang out as demonstrators condemned the ongoing US-Israeli strikes that killed the previous supreme leader just days earlier.
The rally came hours after Iran’s Assembly of Experts named Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei—his hard-line son—as the Islamic Republic’s third supreme leader in a decisive vote.
State media described the gathering as a powerful display of national resolve: war and threats will not break Iran’s spirit of resistance. Heavy security ringed the square with armored vehicles and rooftop personnel, underscoring the tense wartime atmosphere.
Across Iran similar events unfolded, reinforcing regime stability amid escalating regional conflict and oil prices surging past $100 a barrel.
U.S. Forces Decimate Iranian Navy, Clearing Path for Oil Through Strait of Hormuz
American military strikes have effectively wiped out most of Iran’s conventional naval fleet in the Persian Gulf, with reports confirming the destruction of at least 11 to 17 vessels, including key warships and support craft. U.S. Central Command officials stated the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman are now clear of Iranian surface ships underway.
This decisive action follows Iran’s threats to close the vital chokepoint and attacks on commercial tankers, which had driven oil prices sharply higher amid fears of global supply disruption. With the Iranian regular navy crippled and Revolutionary Guard fast boats heavily degraded, cautious commercial traffic has resumed—some vessels reportedly transiting with transponders off to minimize risk.
Oil prices, which spiked dramatically in recent days, have begun pulling back from recent peaks as the immediate naval threat recedes. The operation underscores U.S. resolve to keep global energy lanes open and prevent economic blackmail through maritime control.
The mission continues to focus on neutralizing remaining asymmetric threats, but the rapid neutralization of Iran’s surface fleet marks a clear strategic win for American forces in the region.
BREAKING: Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Reportedly Lost a Leg in Israeli Strike
Iran’s Assembly of Experts has named Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader following his father’s death in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that opened the ongoing war.
Unverified claims now circulate that Mojtaba suffered severe injuries in an earlier Israeli strike, including the amputation of one leg, and remains unaware of his appointment amid the chaos.
Iranian state television has described him as a war-wounded veteran without specifics on the extent of his injuries, while Israeli assessments indicate he survived but was hurt in strikes targeting regime figures.
With the regime under heavy pressure, oil prices surging past $100 a barrel, and no major Iranian retaliation in recent days, these rumors—lacking firm confirmation from major outlets—highlight the instability gripping Tehran’s leadership as the conflict escalates.
IRGC General Confesses Tehran Masterminded October 7 Massacre
On Iranian state television, IRGC Brigadier General Ebrahim Jabbari, advisor to the regime’s top commander, dropped the mask. He openly called the October 7 Hamas terrorists “our heroic and courageous Palestinian fighters” and boasted that without massive American intervention, they would have overrun Israeli territory in the days that followed.
While Tehran’s diplomats still play the victim card at the United Nations, its military brass brags about directing the slaughter that killed over 1,200 innocents and took 250 hostages. This is no longer deniable proxy warfare. It is a direct, state-sponsored act of war.
The regime ignited this fire to destabilize the region. Now, as consequences mount, they can no longer hide behind lies and “resistance” rhetoric. The head of the snake must be held accountable. Peace demands the collapse of this terrorist enterprise.
US Deploys E-6B Mercury “Doomsday Plane” to Middle East Amid Iran Tensions
The United States has deployed a Boeing E-6B Mercury aircraft to the Middle East region. This Navy platform, often referred to as the “Doomsday Plane,” serves as an airborne command post for nuclear forces.
Its primary role under the TACAMO mission is to maintain very-low-frequency communications with submerged ballistic missile submarines. It ensures reliable relay of launch orders from national command authority, even in extreme scenarios where ground-based centers are compromised.
The move, first noted around early March 2026 via OSINT flight tracking, occurs against the backdrop of ongoing U.S. military operations and heightened standoff with Iran under the Trump administration.
While the deployment underscores strategic readiness and serves as a visible signal of deterrence, it does not indicate imminent nuclear use. The E-6B supports continuous assurance of the nuclear triad’s command chain as a standard precaution during periods of elevated risk.
Public reaction on platforms like X has ranged from market concerns over oil price spikes to debates on escalation risks, though some analysts note the aircraft’s routine global posture and correct that the true presidential “doomsday” platform remains the E-4B Nightwatch.
This placement reflects deliberate posture amid regional conflict without crossing into active nuclear alert thresholds.
Reza Pahlavi, the United States backed exiled Iranian Crown Prince positioning himself for return as King amid US attempts to overthrow current regime.
BY ZWELI MARTIN DLAMINI Swaziland News,9th March 2026
MBABANE: Reza Pahlavi is the Iranian exiled Crown Prince based in the United States (US) who has been urging Iranians to protest and overthrow the current Islamic Government.
The exiled Crown Prince is the son of the late Iranian King Mohammad Reza Pahlavi who died in exile in Cairo-Egypt in 1980 after being overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Between 1953 and 1979, the Iranian autocratic regime under King Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, enjoyed close diplomatic relations with the United States and the US was importing oil while protecting the Iranian Monarchy.
But in 1979, the Islamic Revolution led Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini erupted and overthrew the Monarchy amid severe economic inequality and political repression.
Around May 1979 and shortly after the King and his family fled to exile, the revolutionary Iranian Government established a military known as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the revolutionary military was established by Ayatollah Khomeini to protect the new Islamic Government, act as a counterweight to the regular armed forces and secure the revolution from internal and external threats.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is ideologically driven and answerable directly to the Supreme Leader as the Head of State, the US was ‘kicked out’ after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the new Iranian Government established relations and supplied oil to countries that include China and Russia among other key diplomatic allies.
While in exile in the US, Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has been opposing the current Iranian Government, urging the citizens to overthrew the current Iranian regime.
The Crown Prince is believed to be enjoying US backing under the current United States President Donald Trump administration to take over, restore diplomatic relations and prioritize the interests of the United States. http://www.swazilandnews.co.za/fundza.php?nguyiphi=11561
BREAKING: Trump’s sons move to cash in on Pentagon war spending with drone company tied to administration policies
Just when you thought the Trump family couldn’t get more blatant about mixing politics and profit, here comes the next jaw-dropping scheme.
Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are reportedly investing in a new drone company positioned to rake in cash from a massive Pentagon spending push—policies being driven by their own father’s administration.
It’s so blatantly corrupt, it’s hard to think of anything that could be more so.
According to reports, the Trump brothers are investors in Powerus, a Florida-based drone startup aiming to grab lucrative defense contracts as the Pentagon launches a $1.1 billion program to rapidly expand America’s drone arsenal.
The timing is… convenient.
The Trump administration has already banned new models of Chinese-made drones from U.S. markets and declared domestic drone manufacturing a national security priority. At the same time, the Pentagon’s new “Drone Dominance” initiative is set to spend billions buying hundreds of thousands of American-made drones by 2027.
And right into that brand-new market window steps a company backed by the president’s sons.
Powerus is already snapping up smaller drone companies and plans to go public on Nasdaq through a reverse merger—potentially turning the venture into a major payday for its investors, including Donald Jr. and Eric through the family’s investment vehicle.
In other words, while American taxpayers fund the Pentagon’s massive drone expansion, the president’s own family could be sitting on investments poised to benefit directly from those policies.
Critics say it’s another glaring example of the blurred line between public power and private profit that has followed the Trump family for years.
And this isn’t their first windfall. Since Donald Trump returned to the White House, both sons have seen their fortunes skyrocket thanks to a string of ventures—from crypto schemes to venture capital deals that landed federal contracts.
Now, with war tensions rising and defense spending ramping up, the next Trump family jackpot could be flying straight outt of a Pentagon drone factory.
For a family that claims to be putting America first, it’s starting to look an awful lot like they’re putting their bank accounts first.- Occupy Democrats
BREAKING: Bunker builder claims two Trump Cabinet officials are secretly preparing for doomsday as Iran war sparks fear — “Honestly, it seems like the end of times are very close.”
While Americans worry about rising global tensions and the risk of wider war, a Texas bunker manufacturer says some of the most powerful people in Donald Trump’s administration may already be preparing for the worst.
Ron Hubbard, the owner of Atlas Survival Shelters, says business is booming as fears of a broader global conflict intensify. According to Hubbard, demand for luxury underground bunkers has skyrocketed since fighting escalated with Iran.
But the most jaw-dropping claim?
Hubbard says two senior members of Trump’s Cabinet are among his clients — and one of them is already asking when their bunker will be finished. “One of them texted me yesterday asking, ‘When will my bunker be ready?’” Hubbard said.
Let that sink in.
While administration officials publicly project confidence about America’s strength and security, one bunker builder says top officials inside the very same administration are quietly building underground escape hatches
And these aren’t modest storm shelters. Atlas bunkers can cost more than $5 million and come outfitted with swimming pools, cinemas, gun ranges, and armories — essentially luxury underground compounds designed to survive nuclear war.
Hubbard says inquiries for his shelters have increased tenfold since the latest conflict erupted, with politicians, billionaires, and wealthy elites scrambling to secure their own private lifeboats. “Honestly, it seems like the end of times are very close,” he declared.
In other words: when global instability rises, the ultra-rich and politically powerful don’t just brace for impact — they buy their way out of it.
Hubbard insists he’s motivated by saving lives, not profit. But he also admitted bunker sales could explode from about $2 million a month to $50 million in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, ordinary Americans don’t have multimillion-dollar bunkers waiting for them if the world spirals into chaos.
And which two Cabinet members are the most likely buyers? With billionaires like Cabinet members Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum — and Cabinet-adjacent officials like Elon Musk, Steve Witkoff, and Kelly Loeffler — all able to afford such an expensive expenditure, it’s difficult to pinpoint who the doomsday preppers may be.
So the obvious question becomes impossible to ignore: If two Trump Cabinet officials are quietly building doomsday bunkers… what exactly do they know that the rest of us don’t?
I DON’T REGRET SCRAPPING MEAL ALLOWANCES , I DID IT AS A MOTHER WHO CARES FOR ALL HER CHILDREN, SAYS PROFESSOR KANDU LUO
By Current Zambia
Former Higher Education Minister Professor Kandu Luo has defended the controversial decision by the Patriotic Front (PF) government to remove meal allowances for university students, insisting the move was made in the best interest of all students
Speaking when she appeared on Crown TV’s Hardball programme, Professor Luo said the PF government had expanded the higher education sector by building five more public universities, making it unsustainable to continue running a meal allowance programme that only benefited students at a few institutions.
Professor Luo explained that when the PF found only two public universities benefiting from the programme, it became clear that the system was unfair to the growing number of students in other institutions
“As a mother, I could not justify a situation where only a few learners were benefiting while many others were left out,” she said.
She likened the situation to a parent who is able to buy nice things for two children but later has seven children to care for, forcing them to change priorities and ensure that all the children are treated equally.
Professor Luo added that the PF government instead introduced a student loan scheme and a levy across public universities and colleges so that more learners could access support. She said the new system was designed to cater for a much larger student population rather than limiting benefits to students from only a few universities.
Professor Luo maintained that the decision was about fairness and sustainability in the higher education sector, stressing that leadership sometimes requires making tough but necessary decisions.
Brian Mundubile Exposed: Hiding Behind PF Structures and Edgar Lungu Regalia While Fronting an Illegal Tonse Alliance
By Michael Zephaniah Phiri Political Activist
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day was *“Rights. Justice. Action. For Women and Girls.”* Yet the events of the day unintentionally exposed the political reality surrounding Brian Mundubile and his team.
Across the country, thousands of women turned out in large numbers under the leadership of Given Lubinda, proudly wearing the regalia of the Patriotic Front and T-shirts bearing the image of the late Edgar Chagwa Lungu. The turnout clearly demonstrated that *PF structures remain strong, organized, and loyal to the party.
However, what became obvious is that the team around Brian Mundubile, despite claiming leadership of the so-called Tonse Alliance and working closely with the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), had no visible grassroots presence of their own.
If indeed this alliance is genuine and supported by the people, why were its members not celebrating the day in their own regalia? Why did we not see large crowds of FDD women or Tonse Alliance supporters mobilized independently?
Instead, what the public saw were *small pockets of individuals shamefully and quietly sneaking into the huge gatherings of PF women,* hiding behind PF structures and blending into crowds wearing PF regalia and images of Edgar Lungu.
This raises a very simple but important question: *If Brian Mundubile has truly moved on politically, why is his team still relying on PF structures and PF symbols to appear relevant?*
In Central Province, when women gathered in Kabwe, MCC Adora Nkhoma Phiri addressed the crowd and made the party’s position very clear. She stated categorically that *the Patriotic Front has one leadership under President Given Lubinda,* and that the party will hold its convention where a leader will be democratically elected.
Whether that leader becomes President Lubinda himself, Makebi Zulu, Greyford Monde, Chitalu Chilufya, or Chishimba Kambwili, the party will unite behind whoever is chosen by the members.
This reality completely exposes the narrative being pushed by the Mundubile team *. PF structures belong to PF and remain loyal to the party,* not to what many now see as the *BM8 campaign project.*
In fact, Hon. Makebi Zulu was correct when he advised Brian Mundubile to return to the party like the prodigal son. That statement may have irritated some individuals, including George Chisanga, but as the Bible teaches us, *the truth often provokes anger in those who refuse to accept it.*
Another question that must be asked is: *Why were figures such as Lillian Mutambo seen celebrating within PF gatherings and wearing PF and Edgar Lungu regalia instead of mobilizing women under FDD structures?*
If the alliance they claim to represent truly exists and has grassroots support, why did we not see those structures in action?
The truth is simple. PF members chose not to embarrass Brian Mundubile and his colleagues publicly because *the broader opposition must remain focused on the bigger picture.
Credit must go to President Given Lubinda for showing leadership and encouraging women not to shy away from political participation despite the difficult political environment under Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development government.
Even with the perceived attempts to limit opposition space, the Patriotic Front and other opposition voices such as Harry Kalaba of Citizens First proved that the opposition is *alive, organized, and preparing for the political contest ahead on 13 August 2026.*
Those who have eyes must see: *the people are still with PF, and no amount of political maneuvering can hide that reality.*
“PF UNQUALIFIED TO PROMISE GOOD GOVERNANCE” – SEAN TEMBO
By Kellys Kaunda
I cannot independently confirm that these remarks were made by Sean Tembo.
However, who said them is not the issue. The issue is that the theme is popular among UPND members and supporters.
They characterize the entire PF as so bad, its ten years in office was a lost decade.
Every person who served in whatever role – political or administrative office – is an accomplice and accessory to ‘murder’.
Now, this is taking propaganda to a whole new level.
Imagine that because you served as PS, accountant, human resource officer, Public Relations Officer, etc., during the time PF was in office, then you are a bad human being!
This is naked dishonesty and a serious deficiency in analytical skills.
First, PF was not a composition of bad people. It was not a criminal organization.
https://youtu.be/r2Y9Xtuqt5g?si=n_faNOw3oxiDBf93
If every PF person was bad, why were they not bad enough to be presented before courts of law so as to put a stop to impunity?
Given the rhetoric around this theme, I wonder whether UPND would hesitate to haul the culprits before the courts of law.
The bottomline is that the accusations and allegations are just inflammatory but devoid of substance.
They are intended to make PF look so bad so that UPND’s chances of remaining in power are free of any possible or remote chance of losing power.
It’s a strategy intended to embarrass PF so much so that its members lose self-esteem and walk with their respective heads down.
No, PF must refuse this characterization and fight back politically.
Losing an election as it happened in 2021 is not a crime. It’s a normal experience in politics.
PF must always be proud of the physical and policy infrastructure it left behind which served as the shoulders on which UPND now stands.
This is why UPND can only modify existing policy (not introduce new ones) and benefit from increased flows of tourists because of the modern transport, conference and communication facilities that PF built.
UPND complains bitterly of the debt problem it inherited like a man unhappy with his spouse!
Who told you that there’re perfect women in life? You’re not perfect yourself, either. Who did you want to mold her for you into your liking or image?
You want to enjoy the company of a woman? Embrace her imperfections as the price you pay for winning her affections.
You want to enjoy the privilege of power? You must embrace the imperfections PF left as the price you pay for winning the affections of the Zambian people.
IF THE DEAD COULD SPEAK: A VOICE FROM THE MORGUE WHERE EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU LIES FOR MONTHS
By Thandiwe Ketiš Ngoma
If the dead could rise for a moment and speak to the living, perhaps the silence surrounding the fate of Edgar Chagwa Lungu would finally be broken. Perhaps the nation would hear a voice heavy with pain, disappointment, and the quiet dignity of a man who once carried the hopes of millions.
Perhaps that voice would turn directly to President Hakainde Hichilema and say:
“Mr. President, when I left office, I accepted the will of the people. Power had changed hands, as it always does in a democracy. I stepped away from State House knowing that leadership is temporary and that every leader must eventually return to the ordinary life of a citizen.
But what followed was not the dignity normally given to those who once served the nation. I was humiliated and harassed. Day and night, I was called a thief—not only by political opponents, but even by you, Mr. President, and members of your government. Your supporters and cadres hurled insults and threats at me and my family. Some even issued degrading and disturbing remarks, promising humiliation and violence.
And through all of this, Mr. President, you remained silent. Your silence told the nation that you saw nothing wrong with what was happening.
I went quietly into retirement, hoping to live peacefully as a former leader who had handed over power. But even in retirement, you followed me with suspicion and restrictions. Every simple activity of my life was suddenly labelled political. When I went jogging, it was considered political. When I went to church, it was considered political. When I greeted citizens who still respected me, it was considered political. Almost every movement I made was interpreted as a threat to the government.
Instead of allowing a former President to live with dignity, you surrounded my life with constant political hostility.
Then came something even more painful. The Patriotic Front, the party that had entrusted me with leadership and carried the legacy of President Michael Sata, was torn apart. Using state machinery, you sponsored a surrogate to hold what many considered an illegal convention, and that person was suddenly declared the president of the party.
I stood watching in disbelief as the party that had sponsored me to become President of Zambia was being taken over in a manner that was deeply undemocratic. That party was not merely a political platform to me—it was a legacy entrusted to my care by President Sata.
And so I made a difficult decision. I could not remain silent while the house entrusted to me was collapsing. I returned from retirement to defend and rescue the party that had placed its trust in my leadership.
But when I returned to active politics, the Constitution dictated that my retirement benefits would be withdrawn. My benefits were taken away. I was removed from the government payroll. The recognition and security normally given to former Heads of State disappeared. The honour that comes from years of national service seemed to vanish overnight.
So when I travelled to South Africa, I did not travel as a former Head of State supported by the government I once led. I travelled as an ordinary citizen. A man quietly seeking medical care. A man paying his own medical bills. A man relying on his own limited resources while his health slowly failed.
https://youtu.be/r2Y9Xtuqt5g?si=n_faNOw3oxiDBf93
But, Mr. President, there is something else I must tell you. On several occasions, when my health was deteriorating and I needed specialised medical attention, I sought to travel to South Africa. I was not asking for government money. I was not asking for privileges. I was prepared to use my own resources to pay for my medical care like any ordinary citizen.
Yet time and again, your government blocked my attempts to leave the country. The doors were closed before me. Permission was withheld. Even the simple right to seek specialised treatment for my failing health became a struggle.
What threat does a sick man pose to a government? What danger does a man seeking medical care pose to a nation?
Eventually, I had to leave Zambia in a way that clearly made your government uncomfortable. The circumstances of my departure unsettled those in power so much that the airport official who cleared me to travel reportedly lost his job. A man lost his position simply because he allowed another human being to leave the country in search of medical care.
What kind of nation punishes compassion? What kind of leadership criminalizes illness? All I wanted was a chance to fight for my life. All I wanted was access to specialised care. But even that became a struggle.
And so I left my own country, not with the dignity expected of a former Head of State, but with the quiet determination of a man who simply wanted to live.
In those lonely moments of illness, when the body grows weaker and every breath becomes heavier, a man has time to reflect. He remembers the country he served. He remembers the people he once led. And he hopes that even in political rivalry, humanity will still exist.
Because sickness is not political. Pain is not political. Death is not political.
Years ago, when Michael Sata fell ill, his political rival Levy Mwanawasa helped him travel to South Africa for treatment. They were fierce opponents, yet in that moment humanity rose above rivalry. That is what leadership looks like. That is what compassion looks like. That is what it means to recognize the dignity of another human being.
But when my own health began to fail, I waited to see whether that same humanity would appear again. I waited for compassion. I waited for a simple recognition that beyond politics, we are all human beings. Instead, I felt the cold silence of indifference.
As my body grew weaker and the shadow of death moved closer, I began to understand something deeply painful: even in sickness, politics had not left me.
So I spoke to my family with the honesty of a man who knew his time on earth was running out. I told them this: when my time comes, let those who did not stand with me in my suffering stay away from my final journey. If the government offers to grant me a state funeral, I told my family that you, Mr. President, should not preside over it or be anywhere near my remains. This is the last wish I made, and I would love for you to respect it.
A funeral must never become a stage for hypocrisy. If compassion could not be shown when I was alive, then let no one pretend to show it when I am gone. If I needed humanity when my body was failing and hope was fading, and it could not be found, then let there at least be honesty in death.
Let my family mourn in peace. Let my final journey be guided by dignity, not by political spectacle.
For in the end, power fades. Titles disappear. The applause of crowds becomes a distant memory. But humanity—true humanity—is the one thing history never forgets. A man does not need sympathy when he is already in the grave. He needs compassion while he is still breathing.
And if such a voice could truly speak from beyond the grave, it would put President Hakainde Hichilema squarely in the spotlight and ask:
Do you see as other humans see, Mr. President? Do you feel as other humans feel?
Because the dead, the suffering, and the grieving family all watch. They ask: why does a man lie in a morgue for months, denied dignity and rest, while politics and personal ambition take centre stage? Why must the family carry the weight of grief while the powerful argue over the funeral of one who served the nation faithfully?
And now, Mr. President, Zambia asks directly: How long will you allow politics to overshadow humanity? How long will a grieving family be held hostage to ego while a man who served this country lies unburied? If you cannot feel the weight of human suffering, if you cannot see the injustice, then what does leadership mean to you?
Zambia is watching. The people are watching. History is watching. One truth stands unshakable: power without compassion is tyranny. Titles mean nothing if dignity is denied. Politics cannot erase the simple, sacred human need for respect in life and death.
Mr. President, this is your moment of conscience. Will you choose humanity, mercy, and justice—or will you let ambition and ego write the final chapter? The family demands peace. The nation demands dignity. Edgar Chagwa Lungu deserves rest. And the eyes of Zambia will not look away until it is granted.
When a fellow human being was suffering, did we choose humanity—or did we choose politics?
