The government says it has not received any official communication from South Africa regarding the burial of sixth President, EDGAR LUNGU.
This has been revealed in a statement issued to ZNBC News today by State House Chief Communication Specialist, CLAYSON HAMASAKA.
The announcement comes a day after Mr. LUNGU’s family spokesperson, MAKEBI ZULU, stated that the late former President would be laid to rest in a private ceremony in South Africa.
Mr. LUNGU died on June 5, 2025 in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Mr. HAMASAKA said State House is concerned over false reports circulating on some media platforms, alleging that President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA abruptly cancelled the national mourning period for the late President LUNGU.
He clarified that the official period of national mourning for a former Head of State is prescribed as seven days.
Mr. HAMASAKA said contrary to the allegations, President HICHILEMA exercised his discretion and goodwill to extend the period by nine days which is beyond the statutory time-frame of seven days.
He said reports that the national mourning was cancelled are a misrepresentation of the facts.
Mr. HAMASAKA further said President HICHILEMA abruptly extended the period of national mourning in good faith to accommodate the wishes of the LUNGU family, who requested additional time for logistical and personal reasons.
He said that any claims to the contrary are misleading and should be treated as such.
Former Malawian President Dr. Bakili Muluzi has expressed renewed hope that a second resolution can be reached between the family of Zambia’s late former president, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and the Zambian government regarding the repatriation and funeral arrangements.
His statement comes in the wake of yet another breakdown in the burial process, following the family’s failure to present Lungu’s remains at the designated airport in South Africa for scheduled repatriation.
The unexpected development led to the Zambian government, under President Hakainde Hichilema, announcing the official end of the national mourning period for Lungu on Friday.
Muluzi, who along with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has been mediating between the two sides, described the renewed impasse as unfortunate and deeply regrettable.
He emphasized that President Lungu deserved a dignified, respectful burial that honors his role as Zambia’s former head of state and preserves his legacy for future generations.
Despite the Zambian government’s formal lifting of the mourning period, Muluzi reaffirmed that regional efforts to broker a solution would persist in the spirit of African unity and mutual respect.
The first breakthrough had earlier brought hope to many, when President Hichilema visited Lungu’s family home and joined them in mourning—an act that symbolized reconciliation and calmed national tensions.
That moment of unity had ended days of public uncertainty and reignited hope that Zambians would soon be able to bid farewell to their departed leader in a manner befitting his status.
However, tensions resurfaced when the family again distanced themselves from government-led funeral arrangements, citing the late president’s wishes that Hichilema not be present at his funeral.
This revelation added another layer of emotional and political complexity to an already delicate situation, raising serious questions about the state of post-leadership reconciliation in Zambia.
In a televised address on Thursday, President Hichilema stated that the country could not remain in a perpetual state of mourning and needed to begin returning to normal life.
He maintained, however, that the government remained open to dialogue with Lungu’s family, emphasizing his administration’s willingness to support a dignified closure if the family reconsidered.
The entire episode highlights the fragility of Zambia’s political transition and the deep-seated divisions that persist even after a president leaves office.
It also underscores the critical role of diplomacy, with figures like Muluzi and Mnangagwa stepping in to mediate what is both a political and emotional dispute.
For many Zambians, the unresolved funeral of Edgar Lungu is more than a logistical hiccup—it is a reflection of the country’s struggle to reconcile its political past with its democratic present.
How this impasse is resolved may set an important precedent for how African nations handle the deaths of controversial or divisive former leaders.
As the region watches closely, all eyes remain on the next steps from both the Zambian government and Lungu’s family, whose decisions will ultimately shape the late president’s final chapter in the national narrative.
State House has refuted claims circulating on social media and some online platforms suggesting that President Hakainde Hichilema cancelled the national mourning period for the late Sixth Republican President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
In a strongly worded statement issued to ZNBC News, State House Chief Communication Specialist Clayson Hamasaka expressed concern over the growing spread of misinformation surrounding the former President’s burial arrangements and the mourning period.
Mr. Hamasaka stated that contrary to reports, the government has not received any official burial notice or formal communication from South African authorities or the Lungu family regarding the burial of the late President.
“The Government of Zambia has not been officially informed about the burial of President Edgar Lungu. As such, we are unable to comment on the logistics or timing of the ceremony that is reportedly taking place in South Africa,” Mr. Hamasaka said.
The statement comes just a day after family spokesperson Makebi Zulu announced that Mr. Lungu would be laid to rest in a private ceremony in South Africa — a development that has triggered public speculation and debate.
Clarifying further, Mr. Hamasaka dismissed as untrue allegations that the Head of State cancelled national mourning, explaining that the law provides for a seven-day mourning period for a former Head of State. However, President Hichilema extended the mourning by an additional nine days — a gesture of goodwill to honour the late President and support the bereaved family.
“President Hichilema acted in good faith by extending the mourning period beyond what is legally required. The extension was meant to accommodate the Lungu family’s logistical and personal circumstances,” he explained.
He warned that continued misinformation risks undermining national unity during a sensitive time and called on the public to verify facts before spreading unconfirmed reports.
“The President acted with dignity, empathy, and respect. Any suggestion otherwise is a misrepresentation of facts and should be dismissed,” Mr. Hamasaka emphasized.
State House has since urged all stakeholders, including the media, political players, and members of the public, to allow the mourning period to be observed with the dignity and respect it deserves.
As the nation awaits further clarity on the final resting arrangements of President Lungu, government says it stands ready to support the family once formal communication is received.
CAN SOUTH AFRICA BURY PRESIDENT LUNGU WITHOUT CONSENT FROM PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema ?
No, South Africa cannot lawfully or diplomatically proceed with the burial of President Edgar Lungu without the consent and involvement of President Hakainde Hichilema and the Government of the Republic of Zambia.
President Edgar Lungu is a former Head of State, which grants his status special recognition under international diplomatic norms and as provided within the constitution of Zambia.
I repeat, the handling of his remains especially any burial outside his home country requires official engagement and coordination between the governments of South Africa and Zambia. Proceeding without Zambia’s consent would be considered a serious breach of diplomatic protocol.
Legal Jurisdiction & Sovereign Rights, a deceased citizen, particularly one who held the office of President, remains under the sovereign protection of their home country. The Government of Zambia has the constitutional and symbolic authority to determine the final resting place and funeral arrangements of its former leaders this is why president Lungu triumphed over the Kaunda wishes on where to bury the remains of president Kenneth Kaunda that is a case law in effect.
It is important to understand that President Lungu is not an unclaimed body, nor can his remains be treated as such. As a former Head of State, he is a national figure whose legacy and remains are under the custodianship of the Republic of Zambia. All matters concerning his burial must therefore be handled through official state channels in accordance with constitutional and diplomatic protocols.
As such, South Africa must seek and obtain authorization from President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration.
May I emphasize on this again as indicated in my earlier article, while the family of the late President Lungu may express personal wishes, these alone are not sufficient to determine burial in a foreign land. The burial of a former Head of State is a national matter, not solely a private or family decision. It must reflect national interests, traditions, and the dignity of the office the deceased once held.
If South Africa were to unilaterally proceed with such a burial, it would set a troubling international precedent and risk damaging bilateral relations. Responsible nations respect each other’s sovereignty, especially in sensitive matters involving national leadership and state funerals.
I want to assure you, fellow countrymen and women, that you can trust your President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, on this matter. The fact remains that President Lungu’s body will be brought back to Zambia, and those of you who wish to pay your last respects will have the opportunity to do so. Please take this guidance seriously.
South Africa is fully cognizant of Zambia’s historic contributions to its struggle for independence and would never undermine our sovereignty. We deeply appreciate President Ramaphosa, his government, and the people of South Africa for their continued respect and support during this time.
In conclusion, I wish to retaliate that, only the Zambian government, under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, has the legal, diplomatic, and moral authority to decide on the final arrangements for President Lungu. South Africa cannot and will not proceed with burial without Zambia’s formal consent.
Sikaile C Sikaile Concerned citizen/ Good Governance and Human Rights Activist for Amnesty International
Lawmaker or Misleader? Setting the Record Straight on Binwell Mpundu’s Claims About “Bad Laws”
By; Tobbius Chilembo Hamunkoyo – LLB, Author, Scientist, Political and Governance Activist
One chilly evening in Ndeke Village’s of Kitwe township, an elderly man named Mr. Mwansa Katapa sat under his veranda with his grandson, Nelson.
The boy had just returned from school, visibly puzzled by a heated classroom debate what he saw on Facebook.
He dropped his backpack and turned to his grandfather with a question that had been bothering him.
“Grandpa,” Nelson began, “our teacher said some people are saying the government is making bad laws.
But I do not understand, can a law really be bad? Nelson asked .
Mr. Mwansa Katapa smiled knowingly, leaned back in his wooden lazymans chair, and replied, “Ah, mwana wandi in bemba, mwanaagu in tonga (my Son) , that’s a question even the wisest of us continue to wrestle with, thank you for asking me.
But let me share with you what I once learned from a man that studied law , and perhaps you will see it differently.
Lessons from Jurisprudence
Tobbius Hamunkoyo is a young man I met on a bus to Lusaka a few months ago. He studied law at the Zambian Open University – ZAOU , the first private university in Zambia to offer a law degree after the University of Zambia.
One of the most enlightening courses he took was Jurisprudence, taught by the distinguished Dr. Simwayi Musonda
That class taught him to go beyond politics and popular opinion, it trained him to examine the foundation and philosophy of law itself.
In Jurisprudence, he learned that there is no such thing as a universally “good” or “bad” law.
Laws are tools, human-made instruments meant to regulate society.
Whether a law is good or bad depends on its purpose, who it affects, how it’s enforced, and what values it serves.
No law exists in a vacuum. You must know that what benefits one group may disadvantage another. That complexity is what makes lawmaking both powerful and dangerous if misunderstood.
Cheap Politics vs. Legislative Truth
It is with this background that I take issue with the misleading public statements made by Hon Binwell Mpundu NKANA MP , Member of Parliament for Nkana Constituency in Kitwe.
In his yesterday’s if not today’s remarks, he accused Minister of Home Affairs Jack Mwiimbu of introducing bad laws.
Such statements are not only irresponsible, they are dangerously deceptive.
Let the public be clearly informed, No minister in Zambia unilaterally passes laws.
All laws must pass through the National Assembly, where Mr. Mpundu himself sits as a voting member.
He is part of the very machinery he now attacks from the outside. If he believes a proposed law is harmful or unjust, he has a constitutional and parliamentary duty to oppose it through debate, amendment, or vote, not through inflammatory social media commentary or street-level populism.
This kind of political behavior may win headlines, but it risks weakening public understanding of the legislative process. Cheap politics cannot build a strong democracy.
A Lesson in Law, The Story of the River
Let me illustrate this complexity with a simple story.
In a rural village by the Luangwa River, the chief noticed fish stocks declining due to overfishing. He passed a law banning all fishing for six months. Some villagers cried foul, it was their livelihood. Others applauded the law, saying it protected future generations.
So, was the law bad or good?
Both perspectives were valid. And that is the essence of the law; it is not black or white. It is a balance between competing rights, vales, and interests.
Jurisprudence and the Philosophy of Law
In jurisprudence, we study different schools of thought on what law is and how to judge it;
Natural Law Theorists (like Aquinas) believe that for a law to be valid, it must conform to morality and justice. An unjust law, they argue, is no law at all.
Legal Positivists (like John Austin and H.L.A. Hart) argue that a law is valid if it is made by the proper authority, regardless of morality. In this view, even unpopular laws may be legally valid, very important.
Legal Realists and Critical Legal Theorists (like Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. and Karl Marx) insist that law is shaped by politics and economics.
They argue that laws often reflect power structures, and therefore, must be examined through their real-life effects.
What all these traditions agree on is that law must be interrogated, not politicized.
Zambia’s Legal Toolbox, Know Your Laws
To judge whether a law is good or bad, one must first understand it. Here are key laws that govern Zambia:
The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 – The supreme law outlining rights, duties, and government structure.
The Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 – Defines criminal offences like murder, theft, defilement, and corruption.
The Criminal Procedure Code Act, Chapter 88 – Sets rules for arrest, bail, trial, and appeals in criminal matters.
The Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021 – Regulates online conduct, including cyberbullying, electronic fraud, and data misuse. Though debated, it protects digital space in a changing world.
The Public Order Act, Chapter 113 – Controls public gatherings and is subject to criticism for its perceived limitation on freedom of assembly.
The Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 – Provides the framework for investigating and prosecuting corruption.
The Lands Act, Chapter 184 – Governs land tenure, ownership, and land use.
The Companies Act No. 10 of 2017 – Regulates business formation, governance, and compliance.
All these laws were debated and passed by Parliament, the same Parliament where Binwell Mpundu sits. To call them “bad” outside the House without having opposed them inside it is both disingenuous and disrespectful to the democratic process that Zambia has enjoyed over the years.
Law Is a Tool and Not a Religion
Law is not a divine decree—it is a human instrument. Like a hoe, it can cultivate or destroy depending on who wields it.
The law must always be assessed based on who it serves, how it is applied, and whether it promotes justice.
History teaches us that apartheid and slavery were once legal. Legality does not equal morality. That is why citizen engagement, legal education, and truthful leadership are essential.
Wisdom from the Elders
Our ancestors said, “Amenshi tuyamona pa chulu”—we only see the depth of water once we climb a hill.
We must reflect with wisdom before passing judgment on any law. Emotional responses may stir people temporarily, but only informed citizens can sustain a democracy.
Who Should We Trust With the Law?
There is no such thing as an inherently “bad” or “good” law. There is only;
Law that serves or fails,
Law that liberates or oppresses,
Law that is enforced justly or abused.
If Binwell Mpundu wishes to be taken seriously as a lawmaker, he must lead with facts, not fear, and debate laws in Parliament, not campaign against them online after they pass. The Zambian people deserve truth, not soundbites.
As someone who studied jurisprudence at the University of Zambia under Dr. Simwayi Musonda, I urge all citizens to engage critically with the law, not emotionally.
Let us understand our legal system, question it when necessary, and use it to serve justice, not politics.
Because as Nelson finally learned that day, “We are not just ruled by the law—we are guardians of the Law .
FOCUS ON THE GOOD SIDE OF ECL AND STOP THE BLAME GAME
By: Sun FM TV Reporter
Leaders from the opposition Patriotic Front (PF), the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), and the church in Livingstone have jointly called for peace and national cohesion as the nation mourns the passing of Zambia’s sixth Republican President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu
During a special commemorative programme themed “Remembering the Late 6th Republican President Edgar Lungu,” Bishop Dr. Crever Nyambe, General Overseer of the World Encounter Global Bible Ministry, hailed President Lungu as a national icon whose legacy extends beyond politics and into the spiritual life of the country.
Bishop Nyambe praised the late president’s support for the church and his establishment of the National Day of Prayer and Reconciliation—a tradition that continues to shape Zambia’s Christian identity. He urged citizens to honour Lungu’s legacy by fostering unity and standing together as a nation. Cue in: Nyambe
PF sympathizer Chilufya Mwewa echoed the message of unity, urging citizens to rise above political divisions and reject blame and speculation surrounding recent national developments. “No one truly knows who is gaining from the current confusion,” he stated, adding that finger-pointing only deepens national anxiety.
Mwewa, along with several members of the clergy, called on government authorities to exercise restraint and uphold freedom of expression, even for views that may be critical or provocative. Cue in: Mwewa
UPND Livingstone District Chairperson for Administration, Gerald Kuyewana, also appealed to Zambians to avoid inflammatory remarks on social media and to approach this sensitive period with dignity and mutual respect.
JUSTICE MINISTER SAYS GOVT WILL RESPECT PARLIAMENT’S DECISION ON BILL 7
Justice Minister Princess Kasune says government will accept whatever outcome will come from the proposed constitutional amendment bill number 7 once it is presented in Parliament next Tuesday.
Ms. Kasune is of the view that divergent views will have to be respected and whatever the majority will say will be final, as government has no intention to impose itself on the bill.
She has told Phoenix News in an interview that government has not paid a deaf ear to concerns coming from various stakeholders on the need to halt the process, saying that every issue raised is being taken note of.
The Minister says government is committed to a transparent process to ensure the views of the people are heard and respected even as the bill gets to be tabled.
Meanwhile, Governance Activist Archie Mulunda has called on Members of Parliament to ensure that their decision on bill 10 reflects the will of the people they represent, as Zambia seeks long-overdue constitutional reforms.
Mr. Mulunda has acknowledged concerns about the extent of consultations but emphasizes that key stakeholders have had their input, and the bill should now proceed through the remaining legislative stages, including full parliamentary scrutiny.
He tells Phoenix News that reforms of such national significance are bound to attract both support and criticism but stressed that the process must prioritize the country’s needs.
To honour the late President of Zambia, Edgar Lungu’s request that the incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema must not attend his funeral, the family has decided to lay Lungu to rest in South Africa with ‘dignity and peace’.
These political dynamics between Edgar Lungu and Hakainde Hichilema in Zambia provide several important lessons regarding governance, human rights, and the rule of law. Let’s delve into them.
For starters, in 2017, Hichilema was charged with treason and taken into custody by Lungu’s government for disrupting the President’s motorcade.
As a matter of fact, unjust arrests, disregard for proper legal procedures, and excessive use of force by authorities erode public confidence in institutions and can incite social turmoil.
It is therefore crucial for governments to prioritize the preservation of individual rights, even in politically sensitive circumstances.
Furthermore, during Lungu’s regime, police searched Hichilema’s home without a warrant, tear-gassing occupants, beating workers, and pepper-spraying them on their genitals.
This hostility between Lungu and Hichilema illustrates the need for political tolerance and constructive dialogue among political opponents.
It must be emphasized that healthy democracies thrive on the ability of leaders to engage in respectful discourse, even when they disagree.
Building a culture of tolerance can help mitigate conflicts and promote stability.
At the time of his arrest, Hichilema was initially denied access to healthcare and visits from his family,
The aggressive tactics used by Lungu’s regime against Hichilema reflect how political rivalry can detract from effective governance.
When leaders focus on suppressing opposition rather than addressing the needs of the populace, it can lead to a decline in public services, economic instability, and a loss of legitimacy.
Additionally, during Lungu’s tenure, Police used excessive force, resulting in fatalities, such as the killing of two unarmed people at a UPND gathering in 2020.
The loss of life at political gatherings underscores the need for accountability and reform in policing practices.
Moreover, Lungu’s government disrupted Hichilema’s campaign in the 2021 election by denying travel permits and permissions to hold rallies.
In fact, Lungu’s government’s actions to disrupt Hichilema’s campaign by denying travel permits and rally permissions illustrate the dangers of political suppression.
This scenario emphasizes the need for fair electoral practices and the importance of allowing opposition parties to campaign freely.
Ii was not surprising that upon ascending to power, Hichilema’s government seized over 20 houses belonging to Lungu.
Hichilema’s decision to seize Lungu’s properties in retaliation reflects a cycle of political vengeance that can destabilize governance.
This action raises questions about the rule of law and the ethical implications of using state power for personal or political retribution.
It also highlights the need for political leaders to prioritize reconciliation and dialogue over retaliation, fostering a more stable political environment.
Regrettably, Hichilema administration further denied Lungu’s access to medical treatment to South Africa.
The denial of medical treatment to Lungu by Hichilema’s administration raises significant ethical concerns regarding the treatment of former leaders and the principle of universal access to healthcare.
This scenario serves as a reminder that political differences should not compromise basic human rights. Ensuring access to healthcare for all, regardless of political standing, is essential for a just society.
In summary, the interactions between Edgar Lungu and Hakainde Hichilema serve as a case study in the complexities of political leadership, the importance of upholding democratic values, and the need for a commitment to human rights and reconciliation in governance.
Lastly, we are still optimistic that the issues surrounding funeral arrangements for former President Edgar Lungu will be peacefully resolved between the government and his family, resulting in a dignified burial in his home country of Zambia.- maravipost
NGOCC DISAPPOINTED OVER THE FAILURE TO RESOLVE IMPASSE AND BURIAL OF THE 6TH REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT IN SOUTH IN SOUTH AFRICA
PRESS STATEMENT For Immediate Release
21st June 2025
The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) expresses deep disappointment over the failure by both the Government and the family of the late 6th Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, to amicably resolve the impasse surrounding his burial.
It is disheartening that a matter of such national importance, involving a former Head of State, has culminated in a decision to bury him outside the country, thereby depriving countless Zambians—especially ordinary citizens—the opportunity to pay their final respects to a man who played a significant role in the democratic life of our nation.
We believe that dialogue, empathy, and unity should have prevailed over division. Unfortunately, how this situation has been handled sets a very unfortunate and dangerous precedence for the future, and casts Zambia in a negative light on the global stage, as a country unable to rise above political and personal differences even in mourning.
As mothers, we specifically sympathize with the immediate spouse, Ms. Esther Lungu, during this very difficult time. It was our hope that her grief would be cushioned by a more cordial send off for her departed partner.
We urge national leaders and all stakeholders to reflect deeply on this episode and ensure that such divisions never again overshadow moments of national mourning and unity.
Will Smith recently admitted it was a bad idea to adopt a “radical honesty” parenting style when raising his son Jaden, 26, and daughter Willow, 24, as it did not yield the expected results.
Per Complex, the rapper and actor expressed his regrets during an appearance on Heart Breakfast with Jamie and Amanda. Smith, 56, shares Jaden and Willow with Jada Pinkett Smith.
“We made a very, very, very terrible mistake with our children and we went with radical honesty. But don’t do it, I’m not advocating for it, I’m not advocating for it,” the Bad Boys: Ride or Die advised. “We made a deal from really young with our kids. The deal was if you tell the truth, you won’t get in trouble.”
Smith said using that parenting style on Jaden and Willow, however, went south. “The only way you can get in trouble in this house is if we find out you did something and you don’t tell the truth,” he said.
“It’s a mistake, it’s terrible. Because they do whatever they want and then just come tell you. It’s awful don’t try it. You want your kids to lie definitely, you don’t want to know some of the stuff your kids are thinking of doing.”
Besides Jaden and Willow, Smith shares a son, Trey, 32, with his ex-wife Sheree Zampino. Though Smith has a healthy relationship with his three children, that wasn’t the same for him.
In his Will memoir, Smith opened up about his complex relationship with his father and a moment in his life where he contemplated killing him because of a traumatic childhood experience, Face2Face Africa previously reported.
In the excerpts that were shared by PEOPLE, the Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It rapper recalled how a domestic violence incident involving his father and mother crucially impacted his life and made him vindictive towards his namesake, William Carroll Smith Sr.
“When I was nine years old, I watched my father punch my mother in the side of the head so hard that she collapsed. I saw her spit blood. That moment in that bedroom, probably more than any other moment in my life, has defined who I am,” he wrote.
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air star said that act of violence he witnessed had a significant influence on his personal life and career. He also added that he carried some guilt along the way.
“Within everything that I have done since then — the awards and accolades, the spotlights and attention, the characters and the laughs — there has been a subtle string of apologies to my mother for my inaction that day. For failing her in the moment. For failing to stand up to my father. For being a coward,” he wrote.
He added: “What you have come to understand as ‘Will Smith,’ the alien-annihilating MC, the bigger-than-life movie star, is largely a construction – a carefully crafted and honed character – designed to protect myself. To hide myself from the world. To hide the coward.”
The King Richard actor’s parents divorced in 2000, but they went their separate ways when he was a teenager. And though Smith and his father remained close, he said the memory of that violent incident still remained in his head. And the thought of seeking revenge against his father came again several years later while he was caring for him after he was diagnosed with cancer.
“One night, as I delicately wheeled him from his bedroom toward the bathroom, a darkness arose within me. The path between the two rooms goes past the top of the stairs. As a child I’d always told myself that I would one day avenge my mother. That when I was big enough, when I was strong enough, when I was no longer a coward, I would slay him.”
He continued: “I paused at the top of the stairs. I could shove him down, and easily get away with it. As the decades of pain, anger, and resentment coursed then receded, I shook my head and proceeded to wheel Daddio to the bathroom.”
Smith’s father passed away in 2016. But despite his violent nature, Smith explained his father was a family man.
“My father was violent, but he was also at every game, play, and recital. He was an alcoholic, but he was sober at every premiere of every one of my movies,” he wrote. “He listened to every record. He visited every studio. The same intense perfectionism that terrorized his family put food on the table every night of my life.”
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has made a striking accusation against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming that Netanyahu is pushing for a military conflict with Iran as a means to secure his political position indefinitely.
The remarks, made during an interview on The Daily Show, have sparked significant discussion and controversy, as tensions in U.S. relations remains volatile in the Middle East.
“Mr Netanyahu has long wanted to fight Iran because that way he can stay in office forever abd ever. He’s been there most of the last 20 years,” Clinton told the reporter.
Clinton also stated that although he thinks Iran should be stopped from having nuclear weapons, the outright constant killing of civilians who can’t defend themselves should not be the cost.
Clinton’s comments come amid reports of Israel’s recent military operation, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” which Netanyahu announced on June 13, 2025, as a targeted effort to counter Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
The operation has intensified debates about Israel’s strategic objectives and Netanyahu’s motivations, with some analysts and observers suggesting that domestic political pressures may influence his foreign policy decisions.
"Mr. Netanyahu has long wanted to fight Iran because that way he can stay in office forever."
Former US President Bill Clinton says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pursuing war with Iran to remain in power pic.twitter.com/YtYVwPtW9j
ZAMBIA RISKS MISSING GLOBAL ECONOMIC WAVE — DR. HAABAZOKA CALLS FOR URGENT STRATEGIC SHIFT
Economist and former Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) President Dr. Lubinda Haabazoka has raised alarm over Zambia’s disconnect from emerging global economic opportunities, warning that the country’s inward-looking policies and uncoordinated development strategies could cost it a place in the rapidly evolving international trade landscape.
In a candid reflection shared on June 21, 2025, Dr. Haabazoka lamented Zambia’s lack of strategic alignment with global trends, pointing to the missed opportunities in key export markets, especially in agriculture and energy.
The economist, who recently attended a high-level global summit featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin and top international investors, said Zambia’s national discourse and economic priorities remain “petty and detached from global realities.”
“We are not in sync with global realities. We are petty and in urgent need of a national development master plan,” Dr. Haabazoka emphasized.
He revealed that while other countries are aggressively positioning themselves for mutually beneficial partnerships with emerging global powers, Zambia remains passive and reactive. He cited the example of Bahrain, which has positioned itself as a hub for Russian wheat trade, while Qatar is launching a sovereign wealth fund to back joint projects. The UAE, meanwhile, is eyeing dominance in hydrocarbon distribution.
“These nations are locking in long-term economic gains through strategic partnerships. What are we doing? We are debating subsidies and partisan appointments while opportunities pass us by,” he added.
Dr. Haabazoka was particularly concerned about Zambia’s waning trade relationship with neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), once a primary export market. He noted that DRC has diversified away from Zambian poultry and agricultural products, opting instead for more consistent suppliers.
“We’ve lost Congo because they’ve diversified away from us,” he stated, proposing a pivot toward targeted production for known markets: pork farming for China, poultry for Congo, and wine or fruit exports for new markets.
In response, economic analysts agree that Zambia’s failure to develop a clearly articulated export-led industrial strategy is a serious hindrance to national development. While other countries are integrating into supply chains and forming strategic export hubs, Zambia is still debating basic production logistics without sector-specific roadmaps.
Haabazoka laid out a clear framework for transformation: “We need to identify: where to produce, who will produce, who will fund, how they will produce, for whom, and how they will sell.”
He stressed that vague policy statements must give way to clear, actionable plans, grounded in current global demand trends and supported by real investment incentives.
Experts say Zambia must act fast to reposition itself. With rising global demand for alternative suppliers of energy, food, and raw materials especially in the wake of shifting geopolitical alliances Zambia has an opportunity to carve a niche in targeted sectors such as agriculture, mining value addition, logistics, and green energy.
However, this requires moving beyond generalized economic rhetoric and toward implementation-focused strategies backed by research, public-private partnerships, and regional market intelligence.
Dr. Haabazoka’s remarks echo a growing sentiment within Zambia’s business community: that the country must reframe its development model to become more export-driven, specific in its planning, and aggressive in seizing global market opportunities.
With the world economy undergoing realignment, Zambia’s next steps could determine whether it emerges as a strategic player or is left behind once again.
KCM INVESTOR UNDER FIRE AS ILLEGAL MINING SURGES IN CHINGOLA, CHILILABOMBWE
Pressure is mounting on Vedanta Resources, the majority owner of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), as community activists in Chingola and Chililabombwe accuse the company of failing to deliver on key investment and employment promises—leading to a rise in illegal mining across the Copperbelt.
The accusations come just a year after Vedanta regained control of KCM and pledged to inject $1 billion into the mining giant while creating thousands of jobs for local residents. However, stakeholders on the ground say these commitments remain largely unfulfilled.
Chishala Mwamba, Coordinator of the Vedanta Must Return Community Campaign Movement, told High Energy FM Zambia that frustrations are boiling over, especially among young people who feel betrayed by the lack of opportunities.
“These so-called illegal miners are just trying to survive,” Mwamba said. “They expected opportunities when Vedanta returned, but nothing came. Now they dig in dangerous pits just to feed their families.”
According to Mwamba, the rise in artisanal and small-scale mining—often labeled illegal—is a direct response to economic desperation. With few jobs, unpaid debts in the supply chain, and stagnant production levels at KCM, many youths have resorted to unregulated mining operations in search of daily income.
KCM has recently condemned the illegal mining activities, citing safety hazards and environmental risks. In a statement, the company called on authorities to enforce stricter crackdowns to prevent further encroachment on mine properties. But critics argue that the company is avoiding the root cause of the problem.
“KCM is pointing fingers at the poor instead of honoring its commitments,” Mwamba said. “The government has done its part to bring order to the sector. It’s Vedanta that’s lagging behind.”
The situation is especially disappointing for Mwamba’s movement, which once led the campaign pushing for Vedanta’s return to Zambia after years of legal battles over KCM’s management. Now, the same group is threatening mass action if progress is not seen soon.
“Our youth will unite again,” Mwamba warned. “But this time, we’re demanding results or a better deal for Zambia.”
Analysts say the situation presents a serious reputational risk for Vedanta and raises wider questions about investor accountability in Zambia’s mining sector. With Zambia seeking to revive its copper production amid rising global demand, the underperformance at KCM could set back national growth ambitions.
So far, there has been no official response from Vedanta on the latest community concerns. However, expectations are high that the company will issue a progress report on its $1 billion investment pledge and outline clear timelines for community engagement, job creation, and mine expansion.
For residents in Chingola and Chililabombwe, the sentiment is clear: promises without delivery will no longer be tolerated.
“We welcomed Vedanta back because we believed in their vision,” Mwamba concluded. “Now it’s time to live up to it—or move aside for investors who will.”
Washington, D.C. – On Saturday, June 21, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that the United States military conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared the operation a success, stating, “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.”
The strikes, which mark the first direct U.S. military action against Iran, targeted key uranium enrichment sites. Fordow, a heavily fortified underground facility, was hit with multiple bunker-buster bombs, believed to be the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, carried by B-2 stealth bombers. Natanz and Esfahan were also struck, reportedly with Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from U.S. Navy submarines.
In a televised address from the White House at 10 p.m. ET, Trump, joined by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, described the strikes as a “spectacular military success,” claiming Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities were “completely and totally obliterated.” He emphasized the operation’s precision and credited the U.S. military, saying, “There is not another military in the World that could have done this.”
Trump called for peace, urging Iran to end hostilities and warning that any retaliation would be met with “force far greater than what was witnessed tonight.” He also praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating the two had “worked as a team” to address the Iranian nuclear threat. Netanyahu, in a video statement, hailed the U.S. action as a historic move that “will change history.”
Iranian officials confirmed the attacks, with state media reporting that Fordow’s air defenses were activated and parts of the facility were hit. Local reports also noted strikes near Isfahan and Natanz. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had previously warned of severe consequences for U.S. military involvement. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement vowing “severe punishment” and targeting U.S. interests in the region.
The operation followed weeks of escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which began with Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets on June 13. Israel has cited Iran’s nuclear program as an existential threat, while Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes. The U.S. strikes come after unsuccessful diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration to curb Iran’s nuclear activities.
U.S. officials notified Israel prior to the strikes, and Trump spoke with Netanyahu afterward. However, congressional leaders, including the Gang of Eight, were not fully briefed in advance, drawing criticism from some lawmakers. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the action a “blatant violation” of constitutional war powers, while Republican senators like Ted Cruz and Rick Scott praised the strikes as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the strikes as an “illegal and unjustified act of war,” arguing they were based on false claims about Iran’s nuclear intentions. Iranian state media claimed nuclear materials were evacuated from the sites prior to the attacks, though the extent of damage remains unclear.
U.S. forces in the Middle East are now bracing for potential Iranian retaliation, with additional military assets, including F-16, F-22, and F-35 squadrons and the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, deployed to the region. Homeland Security officials are also monitoring for possible cyber or physical reprisals on U.S. soil.
Trump concluded his address by reiterating his call for peace, stating, “Now is the time for peace! Thank you for your attention to this matter.” The strikes represent a significant escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict and a defining moment for Trump’s second term, with global leaders and analysts warning of the risk of a broader regional war.
Israel Will Not Apologise for Self-Defense, Says Israel’s UN ambassador
Danny Danon, Israel’s UN ambassador, delivered a defiant message at the United Nations, staunchly defending Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. “We do not apologise for defending ourselves,” he declared, emphasizing Israel’s unyielding stance.
He further asserted, “We do not apologise for striking Iran’s nuclear facilities,” and underscored the objective with, “We do not apologise for neutralising the threat.”
His remarks reflect Israel’s resolute commitment to countering perceived existential threats from Iran’s nuclear program, signaling no retreat in the face of international scrutiny.
Sundowns push Dortmund to the limit in 7-Goal Club World Cup thriller
What a match! Mamelodi Sundowns put up a fierce fight but fell 4-3 to Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling seven-goal clash at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Trailing 3-1 at halftime, Sundowns showed their resilience, nearly clawing back to level the score.
Their dominance in South African football is undeniable, having clinched the PSL title for eight consecutive years, and their runner-up finish in the CAF Champions League highlights their continental prowess.
Despite the loss, Sundowns proved they can hang with Europe’s elite.
Legendary SuperSport anchor Phumlani Msibi dies at 57 following brief illness
South African sports broadcasting has lost a towering figure with the passing of Phumlani Msibi, a beloved SuperSport anchor and commentator, on Friday, June 20, at the age of 57.
SuperSport confirmed his death following a brief illness, expressing profound sadness and offering condolences to
his family, friends, and colleagues.
Born on December 15, 1967, Msibi’s voice was a vibrant presence in South African homes, bringing football, boxing, and horse racing to life with unmatched passion.
A trailblazer, he was the first to deliver commentary in both isiZulu and English for SuperSport, captivating audiences with his infectious enthusiasm and iconic phrase, “Coach, thoughts please?” during post-match interviews.
Msibi’s career began in the late 1990s as a ring announcer, later rising to prominence when SuperSport secured Premier Soccer League (PSL) broadcast rights in 2007.
His earlier work with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) laid the foundation for a legacy that inspired generations of broadcasters.
Tributes poured in from across the nation, with SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha lauding his contribution to sports culture.
Fans on social media hailed him as a “national treasure” whose voice defined unforgettable sporting moments. Msibi leaves behind a profound legacy in South African media. Details of his memorial and funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
South African political parties declare over R230 million in donations for 2024/25 financial year
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has released its political funding disclosure report for the 2024/25 financial year, revealing that 14 political parties collectively declared over R230 million in donations.
The report, covering the period from April 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, highlights significant financial support for parties following the 2024 national and provincial elections.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) led the pack, declaring over R68 million in funding, primarily from repeat donors such as Fynbos Kapitaal, Martin Moshal, and the Oppenheimer family.
The African National Congress (ANC) followed closely with over R53 million, with notable contributions from the Batho Batho Trust and Chancellor House Trust.
Other parties reported substantial donations as well. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) declared R38.34 million, while Rise Mzansi secured R33.895 million, boosted by a R15 million donation from Rebecca Oppenheimer.
ActionSA reported R13.186 million, with contributions from Victoria Freudenheim and Martin Moshal.
Build One South Africa (BOSA) declared R12.877 million, including a R6 million donation from Jessica Bridget Slack Jell.
Other parties also disclosed funding: the Patriotic Alliance (PA) reported R6.649 million, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) declared R515,313, and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) received R240,000.
The GOOD party declared R500,000, the South African Rainbow Alliance (SARA) R400,000, uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) R380,555, the Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (ISANCO) R100,000, and Change Starts Now reported R150,000.
The IEC’s report underscores a positive correlation between donation values and election seasons, with nearly R190 million declared in the first quarter alone, the highest since the Political Party Funding Act’s introduction in 2021.
As South Africa gears up for the 2026 local elections, the IEC emphasizes the need for robust oversight to maintain public trust in the democratic process
Ramaphosa urges immediate Israel-Iran dialogue to end conflict
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent diplomatic talks between Israel and Iran to halt the escalating war that began on June 13, 2025, with Israel’s surprise strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities.
Speaking at an event marking the Constitutional Court’s 30-year anniversary, Ramaphosa stressed that “peacemaking is the only way” to prevent further devastation and global economic fallout.
The conflict, marked by Iran’s retaliatory strikes, has heightened fears of a broader regional crisis.
Ramaphosa condemned Israel’s actions as violations of international law and expressed deep concern over civilian casualties.
South Africa, a vocal advocate for peaceful resolutions, reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire and dialogue to de-escalate tensions.
As global leaders watch closely, Ramaphosa’s plea underscores the urgent need for diplomacy to avert further catastrophe in the Middle East.
The government of Pakistan has officially nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, praising his “decisive diplomatic intervention” in calming a tense military standoff between India and Pakistan earlier this year.
The announcement, made via a statement on X from Pakistan’s government, credits Trump with helping to secure a ceasefire that ended a four-day conflict, preventing what could have been a fatal clash between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
“President Trump demonstrated great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship through robust diplomatic engagement with both Islamabad and New Delhi,” Pakistan’s government said in its statement.
“This intervention stands as a testament to his role as a genuine peacemaker.” The nomination also highlights Trump’s offer to mediate the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute, a sore point in India-Pakistan relations for decades.
The crisis between India and Pakistan kicked off on April 22, 2025, after a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
India responded with Operation Sindoor on May 7, launching precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan-controlled regions, according to Dawn.
Pakistan hit back with what it called Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, a “measured and precise” military response aimed at restoring deterrence while minimizing civilian harm.
The intense cross-border fighting lasted until May 10, when military leaders from both sides agreed to a ceasefire through direct talks, though Pakistan insists Trump’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy was key.
Government of Pakistan Recommends President Donald J. Trump for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize
The Government of Pakistan has decided to formally recommend President Donald J. Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal…
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) June 20, 2025
During an appearance on the Just Trish podcast, Lizzo admitted to using Ozempic and other GLP-1 medication at a certain point in her weight loss journey. GLP-1 drugs are mainly used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Per E! Online, the Truth Hurts singer in the Thursday episode stated that she ultimately abstained from the drugs after she determined they weren’t yielding significant results in her weight loss journey.
“I tried everything,” Lizzo, 37, told host Trisha Paytas, adding that she stopped using GLP-1 drugs during the initial stages of her weight loss journey. “Ozempic works because you eat less food, yeah? So if you eat right, it makes you feel full. But if you can just do that on your own and get mind over matter, it’s the same thing.”
The About Damn Time singer, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, disclosed that she eventually noticed changes when she changed her dietary plan and started consuming meat.
“What did it for me is, it was not being vegan,” she stated. “Because when I was vegan, I was consuming a lot of fake meats, I was eating a lot of bread, I was eating a lot of rice and I had to eat a lot of it to stay full.”
The 37-year-old Grammy-winner said that going back to consuming meat comfortably paved the way for her to eat foods that had less “fake sugar and weird stuff.”
“When I started actually eating whole foods and eating, like, beef and chicken and fish,” Lizzo said, “I was actually full and not expanding my stomach by putting a lot of fake things in there that wasn’t actually filling me up.”
Lizzo, who started her weight loss journey in 2023, also touched on Ozempic critics, suggesting that those people were being fatphobic by saying the users of the drug were cheating.
“It’s not easy,” Lizzo stated. “It’s a drug to help somebody with something they’re struggling with.” “I think people—it’s their way of being fat phobic when you’re telling someone they’re cheating,” she stated.
The U.S. State Department has resumed processing student visas after a brief suspension, but with a significant new requirement. Foreign applicants must now grant full public access to their social media accounts or risk denial.
In a public notice issued Wednesday, the department confirmed that consular officers would assess applicants’ online behavior for any signs of hostility toward the U.S. government, its institutions, culture, or founding ideals. Those unwilling to unlock their social media pages during the review process may be considered suspicious and denied entry on grounds of potential concealment.
This policy shift comes in the wake of a temporary freeze on student visa interviews announced in May by the Trump administration, which sought to expand digital vetting protocols for foreigners entering the U.S. under student status.
Officials said the revived screening aims to enhance national security. “This will ensure we are properly screening every single person attempting to visit our country,” the State Department said Wednesday.
The announcement has caused anxiety among international students, many of whom have been awaiting appointments with tightening academic timelines. On Wednesday, Chen, a 27-year-old Ph.D. student in Toronto, finally secured a visa interview for next week. He hopes to start a U.S. research internship in late July. “I’m really relieved,” he said in AP report, requesting to be identified only by his surname out of fear of repercussions. “I’ve been refreshing the website a couple of times every day.”
Students from countries such as China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines have taken to social media to share updates, monitor booking portals, and watch State Department briefings in hopes of securing interview slots before the school year begins.
In tandem with the social media checks, the State Department has issued internal guidance giving priority to students enrolling at U.S. institutions where foreign students make up less than 15% of the student body, according to a government official who requested anonymity. This prioritization could disadvantage students heading to nearly 200 colleges, mostly private, including all Ivy League schools and public universities like the University of Illinois and Penn State.
Federal data from 2023 shows that more than 15% of the student population at nearly 100 U.S. undergraduate institutions is international, raising concerns about the new policy’s fairness and impact on higher education.
This marks a broader escalation in scrutiny of international students. Earlier this year, the administration revoked visas from thousands of students, some with only minor infractions, before abruptly reversing course. In addition, the list of disqualifying criteria for student visa holders has expanded, prompting widespread confusion.
Harvard University has become a particular flashpoint. As part of a broader campaign, President Donald Trump has criticized the Ivy League institution’s reliance on international enrollment and proposed a controversial 15% cap.
The administration’s posture reflects a larger immigration strategy. A diplomatic cable issued over the weekend revealed that the U.S. has asked 36 countries to strengthen vetting procedures for travelers or risk inclusion in a travel ban already affecting 12 nations. The countries have 60 days to comply.
Critics argue the new social media review policy crosses into ideological vetting reminiscent of the Cold War era. Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, warned that such practices could suppress free expression globally.
“This policy makes a censor of every consular officer, and it will inevitably chill legitimate political speech both inside and outside the United States,” Jaffer said.
Everyone handles grief differently. Ari Davis decided to honor her late grandma, Gwendolyn Powell, in a unique and personal way. Davis revealed her decision to blend her grandmother’s loc into her own hair in a viral video that has earned the love of many netizens.
Davis told People, “My grandma has been growing her locs since she was young, and I’ve always known her to have them.”
Davis and her grandmother shared mutual respect and admiration. Davis referred to Powell as a “superstar” in her life, a role model and activist who fought for justice while growing up during segregation.
“She was a major activist in high school and participated in the March on Washington,” Davis said. “She was also a trailblazer in her professional life, working at IBM when it was unheard of for Black women to do so.”
Beyond their common experiences and ideals, Davis and her grandma had a physical connection.
“We looked alike, and I always say we have the same face. My daughter looks just like me, so it’s like the fourth generation of our face,” Davis tearfully shared. “It’s funny how things come full circle like that. She was always there for me, and I was there for her, especially in her later years.”
Her grandma had always wanted long hair, and her locs served as a way to protect and grow it. Her grandmother donned the locs for almost 30 years. “Locs were such a symbol of who she was. She took so much pride in them. They were all the way down her back, and she had such a special relationship with her hair,” Davis explained.
So, Davis’ family wanted to take some of her grandmother’s locs “because it still smelled like her” after she passed away in the hospital.
However, unlike her family members, Davis didn’t want to only have it. She recounted, “It was just automatic. I knew I wanted it in my hair. It felt like the most natural way to honor her.”
“It was just obvious for me to honor her in that way,” Davis said. She kept the loc, which still smelled like her grandmother’s hair, in a bag that was provided in the hospital.
“I kept two locs that I thought were good quality, and I knew I wanted to install one in my hair,” she said.
Davis’ aunt wanted to help with the process, but due to the hectic nature of funeral planning, she resorted to her longtime hairstylist, who also wore locs.
It took a lot of heart to put the loc into her own hair. During the process, Davis learned about the intricate details of locking hair. “My stylist locked my hair into a little loc, then attached my grandma’s loc to it,” Davis recalled. “I learned so much in that moment. It felt like I was walking in my grandmother’s footsteps, even if it was just for one loc.”
U.S. Rep Thomas Massie (R-KY) declared Saturday evening that his party’s leader, the president of the United States, made an unconstitutional move.
Trump over the weekend announced his administration had dropped a “full payload of bombs” on Iran.
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space,” Trump wrote. “A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow.”
This didn’t sit well with Massie, who wrote on X, “This is not Constitutional.”
CNN’s Kasie Hunt flagged the statement late on Saturday night, simply writing, “GOP congressman.”
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) on Saturday said that Donald Trump opened himself up to another potential impeachment.
Trump over the weekend announced that the U.S. dropped bombs on multiple sites in Iran, a move on GOP lawmaker called unconstitutional. Onlookers also blasted the president’s decision to bomb the nation’s nuclear sites.
Now, one of the most popular Democrats is bringing up the impeachment threat.
“The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers,” she wrote. “He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations.”
She concluded, “It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.”
The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers.
He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations.
It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.
Former Empire star Jussie Smollett surprised fans on June 20 by announcing his engagement to long-time partner Jabari Redd—just in time for his 43rd birthday. He shared a heartfelt Instagram carousel showing himself on one knee, Redd’s joyous “YES,” a shot of the engagement ring, and champagne hugs.
Celebrations poured in, both publicly and online: sister Jurnee Smollett welcomed Redd to the family, while Empire alum Taraji P. Henson reacted with love and excitement.
This comes after a turbulent legal past for Smollett—criminal convictions over the 2019 hate‑crime incident were overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court in Novemb
A Russian soldier on the frontlines in Ukraine murd£red his comrade and ate the corpse to survive the grim wartime conditions, Kyiv’s military intelligence reported.
The Russian soldier who ate his comrade was eventually k!lled in action.
A call between two Russian soldiers, who shared the jaw-dropping story of the cannibalistic soldier identified as Brelok, who k!lled his countryman named Foma, was allegedly intercepted by Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence, according to the Kyiv Post.
“Fking hell… Brelok fking ate him, fk me… nobody went anywhere. Brelok took him out and then ate him for fking two weeks,” the first caller said.
“No fking way… Holy sh*t… Fk my bald skull. Was Brelok really found as a 200?” the other person replied, using Soviet era slang for a soldier found k!lled in action.
“Yeah, they say he was a 200. He ate his comrade. So yeah… something to think about. I was shocked myself,” the caller concluded.
Brelok was found de@d, according to the report.
Russia has recruited hardened criminals — including murd£rers and convicted cannibals — to bolster its ranks during the country’s three-year invasion of Ukraine.
Denis Gorin, a cannibal from Sakhalin, who k!lled four people and was sentenced to 22 years in prison in 2012, ate part of the body of one of his victims, Politico reported, citing Radio Liberty.
Another criminal, Nikolay Ogolobiak — a Satanist convicted of k!lling two young women and cooking their organs in 2008 — was also sent to fight for Russia back in 2023, according to that report.
Convict Dmitry Malyshev, who was jailed for k!lling three men and pan-frying one of their hearts, was also sent to the frontlines to fight Ukraine, the Daily Mail reported.
Afrobeats singer Michael Adebayo Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger, is letting the truth fly with no filter.
Speaking during a recent interview, Ruger revealed that genuine friendships in the Nigerian music industry are extremely rare.
According to Ruger, most relationships in the industry are strictly business, and many people only stick around for what they can gain.
“One thing I wished I had known earlier is that no one is your friend in the industry. The most you can have is maybe two genuine friends that stand by you and want to see you grow. Even when things are bad, they are with you and making sure that you are good. That’s all, man.” he said to interviewer Stanley
He added that artists should never get too comfortable with the hype or assume that popularity equals loyalty.
“Everything is business. Nobody cares. Just know that everything is business. They are moving around with you because you can offer at that time. The moment you might not be able to offer anything, a lot of people will switch.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised President Donald Trump after the US forces struck three Iranian nuclear sites in a “very successful attack”.
“President Trump and I often say: ‘Peace through strength.’ First comes strength, then comes peace. And tonight, Donald Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength,” Mr Netanyahu said in an early-morning video address after the US President joined Israel’s military campaign against its major rival Iran.
His statement comes after U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday night, June 21, confirmed that the United States carried out coordinated airstrikes on three major nuclear facilities in Iran, marking one of the most significant escalations in U.S.-Iran tensions in recent years.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump announced the strikes targeted Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, which are considered critical to the country’s uranium enrichment and nuclear development programs.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has withdrawn Kenya’s hosting rights for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group D due to inadequate training facilities.
Despite Kenya’s pledge to provide six training grounds and an additional pitch for referees, only a few venues were ready or near completion.
These included the Ulinzi Sports Complex, Kenya Police Sacco grounds, and two pitches at Kasarani.
As a result, Group D matches featuring Senegal, Congo, Sudan, and Nigeria have been relocated to Zanzibar, which is hosting some of the tournament’s matches.
Zanzibar’s Amaan Stadium has previously staged successful football events, including the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2024/25 Final.
The 2024 CHAN tournament is scheduled to take place from August 2 to 30, 2025, with Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda co-hosting the event.
While Kenya will host the final match at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Tanzania will host the opening match at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, and Uganda will stage the third-place match at Mandela Stadium in Kampala.
As tensions escalate in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, U.S. Senator Rand Paul has raised a critical question about America’s long-term strategy.
His concerns are not just timely, but essential in evaluating how deeply entangled the United States remains in conflicts that are, at their root, regional and historically complex.
Senator Paul’s question brings into sharp focus whether U.S. foreign policy continues to serve national interests or has become a reflexive posture of endless military alignment.
For decades, Washington’s Middle East strategy has hinged on unwavering support for Israel, often at the expense of diplomatic balance and regional peacebuilding.
Now, with Iran increasingly assertive and Israel responding with overwhelming force, the U.S. finds itself walking a tightrope between deterrence and provocation.
Senator Paul’s skepticism signals a need to reexamine the wisdom of automatic military and political backing in such volatile environments.
Is the United States simply reacting to events, or is it pursuing a clearly defined and achievable objective in the region?
America’s pattern of involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts has too often lacked a coherent exit plan, resulting in prolonged instability and blowback.
Moreover, continued support for one side in an entrenched conflict risks further alienating global allies and undermining America’s credibility as a neutral peacemaker.
Senator Paul’s perspective, often criticized as isolationist, actually challenges us to consider what real leadership looks like in foreign affairs.
Strategic patience, open diplomacy, and principled restraint must become the hallmarks of American engagement, not just military readiness.
At a time when the world faces overlapping crises—from energy insecurity to humanitarian emergencies—the U.S. cannot afford to be bogged down in another protracted conflict.
Rand Paul’s critique is not just a political statement; it is a wake-up call for a nation that must choose whether it leads by force or by foresight.
The time has come for American policymakers to answer not just whether they can act, but whether they should.
The consequences of failing to ask this question may be costlier than any one battle—they may define a generation of conflict without conclusion.
A massive leak hits 16 billion login credentials, including passwords from platforms like Apple, Google, and Facebook.
The leakage poses significant risks for major users and those involved in cryptocurrency are set to observe severe impacts.
Reported by Cybernews on June 19, 2025, the breach involves 30 exposed datasets, each containing tens of millions to 3.5 billion records.
It was primarily from unsecured Elasticsearch or object-storage instances. Most of these datasets were previously unreported.
The report continued that it came with one exception being a “mysterious database” of 184 million records.
The leak heightens the threat of credential stuffing attacks, where hackers use automated tools to test stolen credentials across multiple platforms.
Given that over 80% of users reuse passwords, a single breach can compromise multiple accounts, including custodial crypto wallets or exchange platforms tied to email access.
Password-based seed-phrase backups stored in cloud services are particularly vulnerable, as attackers could potentially access private keys.
Crypto users are particularly at risk, as attackers could target custodial wallets or cloud-stored seed phrases.
The breach’s scale potentially two accounts per person globally underscores the urgency of these steps.
Experts warn this is a “blueprint for mass exploitation,” with credentials already circulating on the dark web.
Recalled that Iran has unveiled an underground naval missile base in the Persian Gulf on January 18, 2025.
The unveilling was reported by state television and various reliable news outlets at that time.
The base is located at an undisclosed site, and has been built 500 meters (1,650 feet) underground according to sources.
The facility also houses a fleet of Taregh-class radar-evading speedboats equipped with long-range cruise missiles.
These vessels are designed for rapid deployment and asymmetric warfare, capable of targeting U.S. warships and controlling key maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz.
The facility forms part of a broader network of Iran’s “missile cities,” enhances the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) naval capabilities.
It has resurfaced amid rising tensions with the U.S. and Israel, particularly ahead of Donald Trump’s decision in the next two weeks.
The base’s depth offers protection against conventional airstrikes, though advanced bunker-busting bombs could pose a threat.
Iran's 🇮🇷new underground naval base has surfaced , deep in the Gulf.
Yes, that question, once whispered in hushed tones, is now growing louder:
Is Edgar Chagwa Lungu really dead?
If so, who has actually seen his body? Where is the photographic or eyewitness evidence?
Why has no one, not a single official or member of the public, testified to having viewed his remains?
In South Africa, it’s customary for families and even funeral homes to allow early viewing of the body.Yet not one account, credible or otherwise, has emerged confirming that Lungu’s body was seen before its reported repatriation.
Even the highly anticipated memorial service, attended by dozens of Lungu’s close allies and eulogists, conspicuously lacked what most consider fundamental: a viewing of the body. Why?
Then comes the claim, confirmed by highly placed sources, that the South African National Defence Force personnel dispatched to escort the body from the mortuary were denied access. Let that sink in: a state military escort refused a ceremonial duty because they were not allowed to verify the cargo.
Why?
Why would Lungu’s family explicitly bar President Hichilema from getting anywhere near the casket? Would the presence of the Head of State have triggered additional security protocols, including possibly verifying the contents of the coffin?
More questions follow. Why the insistence on taking the body to Lungu’s private residence, under the watch of his personal physician and former Aide-de-Camp? Why were these individuals so strategically placed around the casket, if not to guard a secret?
And then there’s the shadow of scandal:
President Lungu’s alleged association with James Ndambo, himself entangled in several mysteries.
The unexplained disappearance of a Congolese-registered aircraft, with a passenger manifest that no one seems able to confirm.
And perhaps most damning: the Lungu family’s refusal to allow the Zambian Air Force’s Hercules aircraft to repatriate the body. Why turn down a state aircraft, unless one feared what a thorough inspection might uncover?
Was it because the Air Force, in line with standard procedure, would have been obligated to verify the cargo?
Would they have found something unexpected, a dummy, a closed casket with no body… or a clone?
Is this a funeral? Or is it theatre?
Until these questions are answered, one can’t help but wonder: What exactly lies in that casket, and what truth lies buried with it?- ZWD
2026 Will be easy for us as Tones Alliance as we will be telling Zambians that the only way the body of Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu will be brought back to Zambia from South Africa is by voting for the Tonse Alliance Presidential Candidate. By so doing, 2026 is ours, declares Sean Tembo at a media briefing.
‘We can’t bury foreign ghosts here,’ South Africans mock Zambians over Lungu burial
SOUTH Africans have taken to social media to mock Zambians following reports that former president Edgar Lungu will be buried in South Africa after his family and government failed to agree on how he should be mourned and laid to rest.
What started as breaking news conveyed by SABC journalist Sophie Mokoena on her X account spiraled into a wave of ridicule, with many South Africans questioning why a Zambian former head of state should be buried on foreign soil, “in their backyard.”
Twitter (X) users had to throw jabs, satire and outright disbelief at the news.
“Noooh he must go and be buried at his home town in Zambia. We have got a problem of shortages of burial sites, we can’t have political ghosts speaking languages we don’t understand,” wrote one South African user.
Another user, Anne Mashalaba, fumed: “But how? Are they going to host a state funeral of Zambia in South Africa? No guys. We can’t allow that. If they bury him here, it better be a normal funeral like everyone else. Nothing special.”
Others suggested that Lungu’s grave could turn into a “Zambian territory” or spark supernatural consequences.
“South Africa will be haunted by a foreign ghost,” warned Chako De Masta.
“Imagine being chased by an angry ghost who has been abandoned by his family. SA is a playground,” joked Thole Lomthwakazi Qengeba.
Some wondered why closer countries like Zimbabwe or Malawi weren’t considered.
“Maar, really? They jumped Zimbabwe, Malawi/ Botswana and want to come all the way here? I smell a rat,” wrote Prince Melvin.
Even the country’s controversial anti immigration movement was dragged into the conversation, with a user asking, “Is Operation Dudula going to accept that?”
With the situation still developing and no official statement yet from South African authorities regarding the burial, many South Africans aren’t rolling out the red carpet for the former Zambian leader’s final journey.
As for Zambians, reactions online have been mixed with some expressing sadness over the saga and others simply stunned that the late head of state may not rest in the land he once governed.
Other Zambians have since turned the mockery into jokes and memes.
Whether Lungu’s body will eventually cross back into Zambian soil or remain six feet under in Mzansi, the online banter shows no signs of dying down.
“I know they don’t have best hospitals but graveyards?” Questioned one user.
HICHILEMA USED EMOTIONS TO CANCEL PRESIDENT LUNGU’S NATIONAL MOURNING – LUBINDA
PATRIOTIC FRONT (PF) Vice President Given Lubinda ex justice minister says President Hakainde Hichilema reacted emotionally in cancelling the national mourning period meant to honour late former president Edgar Lungu.
And Lubinda says people will still mourn Lungu from everywhere else except in public, adding that no law prescribes how long a person can be mourned.
Speaking when he featured on Lusaka Radio, Friday, Lubinda said the Head of State wouldn’t have cancelled the national mourning period if Lungu’s body had arrived in the country. “He used the word ‘ended’.
It was not ended, it was cancelled. It is entirely up to government to do what they wish to do with the governance of the country.
STATE House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka has expressed concern over media reports alleging that Republican President Hakainde Hichilema “abruptly cancelled the national mourning period for the late President Edgar Lungu.”
On Thursday, President Hichilema officially ended the extended national mourning period that had been declared in honour of Mr Lungu to allow the country to begin returning to normalcy.
The national mourning was extended to a period of nine days, from the initial seven days that were declared following the late former President’s death in South Africa.
However, some media reports alleged that the extended mourning period was abruptly cancelled.
In a media statement, Mr Hamasaka described the reports as a misrepresentation of facts.
He clarified that what is accurate is that President Hichilema had abruptly extended the period of national mourning, not cancelled it.
“The extension was granted in good faith to accommodate the wishes of the Lungu family, who requested additional time for logistical and personal reasons,” he said.
Mr Hamasaka explained that under normal circumstances, the official period of national mourning for a former Head of State is prescribed as seven days.
“In this case, the President exercised his discretion and goodwill to extend that period beyond the statutory timeframe,” he stated.
He added that any claims to the contrary are misleading and should be treated as such.
EFZ SADDENED BY DECISION TO BURY EDGAR LUNGU IN SOUTH AFRICA
THE Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia has expressed sadness over the decision by the Lungu family to bury former President Edgar Lungu in South Africa.
EFZ Executive Director Bishop Andrew Mwenda says the church offered guidance aimed at reaching a compromise, but neither the family nor government representatives accepted its recommendations.
Bishop Mwenda says the church remains committed to facilitating dialogue and will continue to engage both parties in the hope of resolving the impasse with a view for a reversal of the decision made by the Lungu family
He has appealed to Zambians to remain calm and respect established protocols while negotiations continue, although their counsel may be embraced or declined by those directly involved.
Meanwhile, Political Analyst Dr. Neo Simutanyi says the stalemate was as a result of government and the family’s failure to agree on the conditions at the expense of Zambians, to which government must have taken to the earlier compromise.
Yesterday, family to late former President Edgar Lungu announced that the former head of state will be buried in South Africa in accordance with the family’s wishes for a private ceremony.
NDOLA MAYOR CONFIRMS ACC RAIDED HIS HOME Ndola Mayor Jones Kalyati says his family has been traumatized after a joint team of law enforcement agencies raided his home early on Saturday morning.
Mr. Kalyati, the Patriotic Front Ndola District Chairperson, is currently in Lusaka mourning Sixth Republican President and PF leader Edgar Chagwa Lungu
He said a team of officers from the Anti-Corruption Commission, Drug Enforcement Commission and Police detained members of the family confined members of his family at home from 05:00 to around 11:00 hours.
”Yes .Acc ,DEC and Police raided my home,” Mr. Kalyati told Radio Icengelo News by phone.
”Thank God my children have finally eaten breakfast at 12:20 .The children were from 05 put (bundled)in one room .No going out.Not allowed to prepare food .No eating . My daughter was not allowed to take her Medicine.All electronic gadgets like phones ,pads ,computers,grabbed from them .All this until 11:00 hours,” he said.
”Bane Twilabikamo abana mwilyashi lyesu.I am sure ba President wandi ba Hakainde Hichilema will be so upset to hear this . Ifyaso tabafwaya! My family is traumatized.Children traumatized,” Mr. Kalyati said. Radio Icengelo
