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Diddy’s neighbour claims rapper brings minors to his house by the bus load late at night; 50 Cent reacts

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One of Sean “”Diddy Comb’s neighbours is spilling the tea after Homeland Security agents raided the music mogul’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami in a federal sex trafficking investigation.

In Los Angeles, as the hip-hop mogul’s home was being raided, people who claimed to be his neighbours gave the world an insight into what they would normally see going on at his home.

Ryan Mendelsohn, who says that he used to live in the area, told NBC News, “I drive by a lot, and I see that a lot of girls, maybe five or six girls outside, some leaving, some not, some going in.”

He added, “I never thought anything of it. But now, it’s crazy.”

Mendelsohn also said that he would see private drivers and Uber drivers outside of Diddy’s Los Angeles home as early as 3 a.m. in bathing suits and swimwear. He made it clear that he never saw Diddy with any of the women.

On Tuesday, March 26, a video made the rounds on social media with another man claiming to be Diddy’s neighbor giving his take on what he would see at his Los Angeles home.

In the video, as Diddy’s mansion is being raided, a man sitting in the passenger seat of a Bentley calls out to the person recording and says that he would often see the hip-hop mogul bring in “minors” by the busload.

As the raid was on, the man yelled out of the car, “Tell him to stop bringing all them minors over here late at night. I live right next to him. He do too much. He be bringing in buses, like big a** buses. You could see all type of s**t hop out.”

He added, “Especially at night time, like three in the morning. It gets wild. I’m his neighbor. If my basketball go over there, I just let it be cause I don’t want to knock on the door.”

Meanwhile, 50 Cent, who is Diddy’s arch enemy, shared the video and used the opportunity to mock Diddy.

He wrote: “When my basketball go over there I just let it be, LOL OH SHIT !”

Yung Miami has been accused of trafficking a drug known as “tuci” for Diddy in new legal documents

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Rapper Yung Miami has been accused of trafficking a drug known as “tuci” for Diddy in new legal documents related to his lawsuit against the hip-hop mogul.

Earlier this week, music producer Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones amended the bombshell $30 million sexual assault lawsuit he filed against Diddy in February.

In the fresh information added to the suit, Rodney Jones claims Diddy has harassed him and his family since he made his accusations public. He also added Cuba Gooding Jr. as another defendant, accusing the actor of sexual abuse and molestation.

According to new reports, the additional 25 pages of information also name Yung Miami as someone who was once tasked with providing Diddy with a drug substance called “pink cocaine.” Per a medical website, tuci (or tusi), also known as pink cocaine, is “a combination of pink food coloring, strawberry flavoring, ketamine, caffeine, and MDMA.”

Rodney Jones says in his suit that during rehearsals for a performance, Diddy requested the synthetic drug from his purported drug mule, Brendan Paul. However, when Paul realized he forgot to pack Diddy’s alleged drug of choice, the businessman’s chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, contacted Yung Miami to bring the pink cocaine with her to the event, according to the legal documents.

“Plaintiff and the Combs Rico Enterprise were rehearsing for ‘Something in the Westival’ in Virginia. Plaintiff Jones personally witnessed Mr. Combs do a few lines of coke in his dressing room. Defendant Sean Combs wanted tuci but Brendan forgot it, so Defendant Kristina Khorram contacted Yung Miami. Who then brought it on the private jet from Miami.”

The suit also reportedly expresses that people close to Diddy are often required to secure, transport, and distribute illegal substances including ecstasy, cocaine, GHB, ketamine, marijuana, mushrooms, and, tuci — on behalf of the billionaire.

It alleges that during national and international travels the drugs were smuggled in carry-on luggage by Diddy’s associates, which reportedly included his suspected leading lady, Yung Miami.

Paul was arrested on Monday at the Miami Opa-Locka Airport on cocaine and marijuana possession charges. The arrest occurred as Homeland Security raided Diddy’s Miami and Los Angeles homes.

DIDDY POSSIBLY SHUT DOWN ACCESS TO DATA ON HIS PERSONAL PLANE AMID FEDERAL RAID

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New reports reveal the possible stop placed on flight tracker data for a private plane owned by Sean “Diddy” Combs. The halt came amid a sweeping federal raid on two of Combs’ properties.

The Bad Boy founder has been in the headlines the raids Monday, March 25, which occurred at one of his two Star Island homes in Miami and his home in Los Angeles. Federal agents were authorized to search the properties by warrants issued in Manhattan federal court a month after a lawsuit from a music producer accused Combs of being the leader of a sex-trafficking organization.

As the raids took place, flight tracker information from Flight Aware surfaced online that showed Combs’ LoveAir USA LLC-owned Gulfstream G550 having embarked to several destinations in California before landing in Antigua on Monday, TMZ reports. However, shortly after the flight tracker information was made public, a prompt on FlightAware.com claimed, “This aircraft is not available for public tracking per request from the owner/operator.”

Now it’s being speculated that Combs or someone from his team requested to stop flight trackage on the private jet. The plane has since landed in Antigua after traveling from Los Angeles on Monday.

FlightAware spokeswoman Kathleen Bangs said it’s not unusual for plane owners, particularly celebrities, politicians, or other public figures, to request flight tracking data be blocked from the site, The Miami Herald reports. If done through the FAA’s privacy application process, FlightAware honors such requests. However, it remains unclear when LoveAir LLC made the request.

Diddy has since been seen pacing outside Miami airport after his homes were raided. Photos also showed his sons, Justin and Christian Combs, being detained during the raid in Los Angeles.

It’s reported that three women and one man were interviewed in New York by authorities in connection to an investigation into Combs’s allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms. Phones were seized from the raid on Combs’ Miami property.

“Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners,” Homeland Security said in a statement.

UK party vows to review foreign worker visa rules that bar family members

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LONDON – The opposition Labour Party in the UK has indicated, if voted into power, it could reverse the new stringent visa rules restricting the ability of foreign healthcare workers to bring over their family members.

The current government led by the Conservative Party, changed the visa rules on March 11 and are blocking care workers from bringing family to Britain.

Additionally “The minimum income normally required to sponsor someone for a spouse/partner visa is rising in stages from £18,600 per year to £29,000 and ultimately around £38,700.”

The government claims the rule changes are necessary to get record migration levels down.

The Labour party is however concerned that the news rules will strain families and worsen staff shortages in vital sectors like healthcare and hospitality.

The party has pledged to review the new visa rules if they win the upcoming general election.

An independent committee will be tasked with investigating the impact of these policies. Labour has indicated openness to adjusting the restrictions on healthcare workers bringing families, but has not committed to changes for students.

Previously, Labour supported raising the general salary threshold for foreign workers due to exploitation concerns. They have also called for a plan to address the social care workforce shortage, including better wages.

London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, is among those who have criticised the new rules, calling them economically harmful. He argues that immigrants are essential to the economy and public services.

“Pulling up the drawbridge on thousands of foreign workers and their families is the latest example of the Government pursuing damaging economic policies in order to look tough on immigration.

“Migrants are critical to London and the nation’s economy and public services,” he said.

The new rules raise the minimum salary required for a Skilled Worker Visa from £26,200 to £38,700.

Additionally, the minimum income needed to bring family members on a visa will increase in stages, starting from £18,600 to £29,000.

WHAT HAPPENED?

On 4 December 2023 the Home Secretary, James Cleverly, announced future changes to visa rules in what he described as a “five-point plan” to reduce immigration. The Home Office released more information on 21 December, including some adjustments to what had initially been announced.

Some of the changes have come into force and most of the rest will by 11 April 2024, in accordance with two sets of changes to the Immigration Rules released on 19 February and 14 March.

WHAT ARE THE FIVE CHANGES?

Social care workers are no longer allowed to bring dependants (that is, partners and children) on their visa.

The minimum salary to be sponsored for a Skilled Worker visa is increasing, with the baseline minimum rising from £26,200 to £38,700 (but not for the Health and Care Worker visa, which includes social care, or for education workers on national pay scales).

Changes to the Shortage Occupation List to reduce the number of jobs where it will be possible to sponsor someone for a Skilled Worker visa on less than the usual minimum salary (which is the main purpose of the list).

The minimum income normally required to sponsor someone for a spouse/partner visa is rising in stages from £18,600 per year to £29,000 and ultimately around £38,700.

A review of the Graduate visa, a two-year unsponsored work permit for overseas graduates of British universities.

WHEN DID THE CHANGES TAKE EFFECT?

The ban on newly arriving care workers bringing immediate family has been in place since 11 March 2024.

The Skilled Worker minimum salary increases will happen on 4 April 2024.

An interim Immigration Salary List, replacing the Shortage Occupation List, will also come in on 4 April 2024; the list will be reviewed later this list.

The spouse/partner visa minimum income will first increase to £29,000 on 11 April 2024; to around £34,500 at an unspecified time later in 2024; and finally to around £38,700 “by early 2025”.

The review of the Graduate visa has begun, with Home Secretary asking for a report by 14 May 2024.

Suspects in the murder of SA rapper AKA tried to burn getaway vehicle

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The suspects involved in the murder of South African rapper AKA and his friend Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane tried to burn the vehicle that they used to flee the scene, the Durban Magistrate’s Court has been told.

Lindokuhle Thabani Mkhwanazi, 30; Lindani Ndimande, 35; Siyanda Myeza, 21; Mziwethemba Gwabeni, 36; and Lindokuhle Ndimande, 29, appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

During the bail hearing for the accused, it was revealed that they had been linked to the killing through cellphone records, vehicle tracking, CCTV footage and ballistic evidence.

Detective Bob Pillay of the South African Police Organised Crime Unit says the car that the two gunmen used to flee the scene where Forbes and Motsoane were gunned down in Durban last year, was recovered two months later, in the investigation of another murder case.

“Upon investigation carried out on the scene where the Mercedes-Benz was abandoned, it was established there was an attempt to set the vehicle alight by one of the suspects,” Pillay’s affidavit, read by State Prosecutor Advocate Lawrence Gcaba noted.

“One of the suspects also purchased airtime from a tuck shop situated a few metres away from where the vehicle was abandoned. Investigations revealed that Sphamandla Ngcobo was identified as the person who recharged his cellphone with the airtime purchased from the tuck shop.”

Meanwhile, one of the five accused, Lindokuhle Ndimande, claimed in his bail application that his life had been threatened by law enforcement officers.

“On February 27, 2024, while away visiting my girlfriend, I received a call from my biological mother in Camperdown. She informed me that there were police at home looking for me.

“She then handed a cellular phone to the person who told me that he was a police officer and that I must hand myself over.

“He further stated that in the event I failed to hand myself over, he had already shown my mother where my grave would be next to the cattle kraal, as he and another police officer were even prepared to shoot me,” he said.

‘I wanted to give up’ – Richarlison reveals he had depression after the 2022 World Cup and wanted to kill himslef

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Tottenham and Brazil star, Richarlison has revealed he suffered from depression after ‘everything fell apart’ following the 2022 World Cup.

Richarlison scored three goals as Brazil’s starting forward at the World Cup in Qatar, with his scissor kick against Serbia in the group stage-winning goal of the tournament.

The 26-year-old admitted in a tearful interview with ESPN Brasil that he suffered from depression in the aftermath of the tournament after they were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

According to Richarlison, he had told his dad he wanted to ‘give up’ amid issues off the pitch, adding that he had ‘searched about death’ on the internet.

In September of that year, the Tottenham forward announced that he would seek ‘psychological help’ after he was seen crying on the bench during an international break with Brazil.

He claimed that seeing a psychologist has helped to ‘save his life’.

‘I’d just played in a World Cup, man, at my peak,’ Richarlison said. ‘I was reaching my limit, you know? I don’t know, I’m not going to talk about killing myself, but I was in a depression there, and I wanted to give up.

‘Even I, who seemed to be mentally strong. After the World Cup it seemed like it all fell apart.

‘I think the therapist, like it or not, saved me, saved my life. I only thought rubbish. Even on Google, I only searched for rubbish, I only wanted to see rubbish about death.

‘Today I can say, look for a psychologist, if you need a psychologist, look for one because it’s nice for you to open up like that, for you to be talking to the person.

‘Today a [psychologist] came to thank me for taking this to the world of football, to the world, outside the pitch too, because it is very important and, whether we like it or not, it saves lives.’

Richarlison has scored 11 goals in 26 matches this season for Tottenham, with the forward enjoying a run of form after undergoing groin surgery in November.

Chinese nationals suffer from increased attacks in Central Africa

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On March 8, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria asked its citizens in Nigeria to take extra security measures.

“Recently, there have been many kidnappings and road accidents involving our nationals.” In Nigeria on March 7, 2024, a Chinese engineer was kidnapped and his bodyguard was killed.

Attacks on Qatari mining workers are also a frequent occurrence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Central African Republic (CAR). Due to increasing attacks, in October 2023, the Chinese gold mining company TSM announced it would cease operations in the DRC.

And in neighboring CAR, in February 2024, there was a kidnapping of Chinese workers at the Yaloke mines. Local residents claim that the kidnapping, as in cases on the territory of the DRC, was committed by an armed group, which according to local residents met with the US military from PMC Bancroft. Local media also wrote about the intimidation of Chinese company workers by the Americans.

That is, the interests of the U.S. and China overlap, but so far, U.S. companies have no direct access to the mining industry in the DRC. So, they are terrorizing Chinese companies through funding militants who attack Chinese workers.

In other words, U.S. and Chinese interests overlap, but so far, U.S. companies have no direct access to the mining industry in the DRC. So, they terrorize Chinese companies by funding militants who attack Chinese workers.

China knows that the US would like to disrupt its ties with African countries, which bring Beijing significant trade and infrastructure advantages, emphasizes the South African news portal News24. And Washington in turn is trying to counter the increasing influence of China and Russia on the continent. This was personally confirmed by US President Joe Biden when he requested $322.5 million to support the results of the African Leaders Summit held in 2022, as well as to reduce the influence of China and Russia on the African continent.

Among the summit outcomes that require funding, Biden cited “commitments to building more stable and inclusive African economies; balancing the influence of the People’s Republic of China and Russia; and renewing alliances and partnerships across the continent.” The African continent, with its significant resource, economic and demographic potential, has in recent years become an arena of growing rivalry between the PRC and the United States.

Experts agree that it is the US that suits them in the attacks on Chinese citizens. They pay bandits to attack and intimidate workers in order to eliminate their main competitors on the continent and take control of natural resource extraction in African countries, thereby strengthening their position on the continent or as Ousmane Sene, director of the West Africa Research Center said. – “The United States is trying to catch up.”

783m people experience chronic hunger despite the fact that 19% of world’s food go waste – UN

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The world threw away about 1. 05 billion tons of food in 2022, which is about 19% of all the food made. This information comes from a new United Nations report.

The UN Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report measures how well countries are doing in cutting their food waste in half by 2030.

The UN said that almost twice as many countries reported for the index compared to the first report in 2021. The 2021 report said that 17% of the food made in the world in 2019, which is 931 million metric tons, was thrown away. But the authors said it’s hard to compare because not all countries have enough data.

The report is written by UNEP and an international charity called Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

Experts studied information from different countries about how people buy food and where they buy it from. They discovered that each person throws away about 79 kilograms (about 174 pounds) of food every year, which is the same as at least 1 billion meals wasted every day around the world.

60 per cent of the waste came from homes. About 28 out of 100 came from restaurants, and about 12 out of 100 came from stores.

“It’s a terrible thing,” said co-author Clementine O’Connor, who focuses on food waste at UNEP. “This problem is tough and hard to understand, but if we work together and take action, we can solve it. ”

The report is released when 783 million people in the world are always hungry and many places are having serious food problems. The fighting between Israel and Hamas and the violence in Haiti have made the crisis even worse. Experts are saying that hunger is likely to happen soon in northern Gaza and is getting closer in Haiti.

Throwing away food is a big problem for the whole world. It takes a lot of land and water to grow food, and this harms the environment. It also creates greenhouse gases, like methane, which contribute to global warming.

Losing and throwing away food makes 8 to 10 percent of the gases that make the earth’s temperature hotter. If it was a country, it would be the third biggest one after China and the US.

Fadila Jumare is a project associate at Busara Center for Behavioral Economics in Nigeria. She has looked at how to stop food from being wasted in Kenya and Nigeria. She said this problem makes things even harder for people who already don’t have enough food and can’t buy healthy food.

Jumare said that when people waste food, it means there is less food for the poor. Jumare was not part of the report.

Brian Roe, a researcher who studies food waste at Ohio State University, said the index is important for addressing food waste. He was not part of the report.

Roe said that if we waste less food, it can bring many good things like saving resources, less harm to the environment, more food security, and more land for other uses. He wasn’t part of the report.

The report said that there has been a big increase in the amount of attention given to food waste in poorer countries. They said that rich countries may need to take the lead in working together with other countries to make rules to reduce food waste.

The report said lots of governments, communities and businesses are working together to reduce food waste and its impact on the environment and water supply. Governments and cities work with food companies to reduce waste by measuring how much food is thrown away.

The report said that giving extra food to food banks and charities is helpful in reducing wasted food from stores.

Food Banking Kenya is a charity that collects extra food from farms, markets, supermarkets, and packing houses. They then give it to schoolchildren and people who are in need. In Kenya, a lot of food is thrown away each year, about 4. 45 million metric tons. This is a big problem that is getting worse.

John Mukuhi, who helps run the group, said, “We help the community by giving them healthy food and also help the environment by polluting less. ”

The people who wrote the report found that there was not a big difference in the amount of wasted food per person in rich and poor countries.

Richard Swannel, who works at WRAP, said that food waste is not just a problem in wealthy countries. “It’s a problem all around the world. ”

“The data clearly shows that there is a problem worldwide that we could all work on tomorrow to save money and help the environment,” he said.

Son of Guinea-Bissau’s ex-president jailed in US for trafficking drugs to fund coup

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The son of Guinea-Bissau’s ex-president has been sentenced to over six years in prison by a US court for leading an international heroin trafficking ring.

Malam Bacai Sanha Jr, 52, planned to use the proceeds to fund his ambitions to become Guinea-Bissau’s president through a coup, authorities say.

He is the son of Malam Bacai Sanha, who led the West African country from 2009 until his death in 2012.

Sanha Jr has been linked to a failed coup in February 2022.

He was extradited to the US in August 2022, following his arrest in Tanzania a few weeks earlier.

His trial began soon afterwards and in September last year, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally import drugs.

“Malam Bacai Sanha Jr wasn’t any ordinary international drug trafficker,” said FBI agent Douglas Williams on Tuesday.

“He is the son of the former president of Guinea-Bissau and was trafficking drugs for a very specific reason – to fund a coup that would eventually lead him to the presidency of his native country where he planned to establish a drug regime.”

US authorities say Sanha Jr could be deported following his imprisonment as he is not an American citizen.

The 52-year-old, known as “Bacaizinho” in Guinea-Bissau, has held several roles in the government, including as his father’s economic adviser.

He reportedly confessed that he was “personally involved” in the foiled 2022 coup attempt to unseat President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, which left 11 people dead, most of them members of the security forces.

Sanha Jr allegedly told US authorities that he used drug proceeds to fund the coup plotters, German state-owned broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported last year.

Guinea-Bissau is a notorious drug trafficking hub. It is a key conduit for cocaine from Latin America destined for Europe, which led to the US and the UN designating it a “narco-state” more than a decade ago.

Experts say that drug traffickers and networks are highly influential and well-entrenched in the country’s government, often funding election campaigns for politicians they can rely on to protect the illegal trade.

Donald Trump attacks judge over gag order in criminal case involving hush money in New York

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Donald Trump got angry at a New York judge because the judge stopped him from talking about certain people related to his upcoming trial.

The ex-president said on social media that the gag order was not allowed by the law, not in line with American values and not in accordance with the Constitution. He mentioned the name of the judge, Juan M. Merchan was trying to stop me from speaking out against the use of law enforcement as a weapon by my Democratic rivals.

The likely Republican candidate for president criticized Merchan’s daughter, who works for the Democrats, for sharing a picture of him in jail on social media. Loren Merchan’s account on X, which used to be called Twitter, has a picture of Trump in prison as its profile picture. Loren Merchan’s company had connected to that account in a social media post before.

The gag order doesn’t stop people from talking about Merchan or his family, and it also doesn’t prevent Trump from criticizing the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is prosecuting him.

We left messages asking for comments from Judge Merchan, Loren Merchan, and a court spokesperson. Bragg’s office said they wouldn’t comment on the gag order.

Trump posted on Truth Social for the first time after Merchan issued a gag order. This happened the day after he set the trial to start on April 15th. Hours before the judge made a decision, Trump called Merchan a “very distinguished looking man” and a “true and certified Trump Hater” in a post on Truth Social.

Merchan’s request for a gag order was approved because Trump has a history of making mean and threatening comments about people involved in his legal cases. The gag order is meant to be very specific and limited.

While it wasn’t included in the gag order, Merchan mentioned Trump’s different remarks about him as a type of his speech. The limitations are the same as the ones put in place by a court in Trump’s election interference case in Washington, D. C

Trump’s lawyers did not want to be restricted from speaking, saying it would violate his right to free speech. Trump said the same thing in a post on Truth Social.

Merchan didn’t want to stop Trump from speaking out, because he used to be the president and is now running for office. He wanted to make sure Trump could still defend himself openly. However, as the trial gets closer, he realized that it is more important to make sure the case is fair than to worry about freedom of speech. He said that Trump’s words have made people afraid and made it necessary to have extra security to protect the people he talks about and look into any threats.

Trump posted on Truth Social saying that the Judge’s daughter can post pictures of her wishing to put him in jail, the Manhattan DA can say lies about him, and the Judge violates the law and the constitution. He thinks it’s not fair that he can’t talk about the attacks against him and people trying to ruin his life and stop him from winning the 2024 Presidential Election. He believes he is in the lead for the election.

“Maybe the Judge doesn’t like me because his daughter works to hurt Trump and every time he rules against me, her company makes more money,” Trump said. “How is this okay. ”

Trump said that President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland and their supporters are targeting and watching him all over the country, trying to punish him, even though he claims he has not done anything wrong.

The gag order stops Trump from talking or telling others to talk about the hush-money trial jurors and possible witnesses, like his former lawyer Michael Cohen and porn star Stormy Daniels. It also says you can’t say things that bother or bother the court’s staff, the prosecution team, or their families.

Trump could get in trouble for not following the rules of the court. He might have to pay money or go to jail.

Trump’s hush-money case is about claims that he incorrectly recorded payments to Cohen, who was his personal lawyer, as legal fees for his company. In reality, the payments were for Cohen’s efforts to hide negative stories about Trump during the 2016 campaign. This means that Cohen gave $130,000 to Daniels so that she wouldn’t tell anyone about her saying she had a sexual encounter with Trump a while back.

Trump said he didn’t do the bad things he was accused of last April. He was accused of lying about his business records, which is a serious crime. He could go to jail for up to four years, but it’s not for sure if he will actually get jail time if he is found guilty. He says he didn’t have sex with Daniels, and his lawyers said the money paid to Cohen was for legal fees, not to hide anything.

Man City’s 115 charges: New evidence emerge likely to affect treble winners

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Man City’s upcoming trial concerning their 115 Financial Fair Play (FFP) charges may face implications due to new revelations involving the club’s sponsors.

The 2023 Treble winners are accused of breaching FFP regulations on multiple occasions, with Etihad Airways reportedly playing a significant role in these breaches.

According to German outlet Der Spiegel (via The Mirror), it is alleged that the Emirati airline only paid £8 million ($10.1m) of their £67.5m ($85.3m) obligation to City, with the remainder covered by disguised equity funding from the club’s owners.

However, recent reports suggest that these claims may not hold true following Etihad Airways’ decision to go public by floating on the stock exchange.

Sources in the Middle East, as cited in The Mirror, indicate that this move would necessitate an Initial Public Offering (IPO) for Etihad, requiring full disclosure of their financial records and corporate practices.

Stock market experts believe that such transparency would not be offered if Etihad, and consequently City’s owners, had anything to conceal.

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In essence, if fraud had indeed occurred, as has been suggested, it is unlikely that Etihad would willingly subject itself to such scrutiny.

A senior figure in the banking industry is quoted in The Mirror’s article as saying: “If it came to light that Etihad executives were indeed involved in manipulating the sponsorship deal with City, it could cause serious damage to the company’s reputation in the eyes of potential investors. Etihad would also have an obligation to disclose any ongoing investigation into the company’s accounts or conduct before the IPO was launched

“What the Premier League is alleging is extremely serious, not just in terms of football’s rules and regulations. The accusation is that City executives have colluded with officials from Etihad and have lied not only to the club’s independent auditors but to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“By extension, that also calls into question what information was disclosed by City’s owners to Silverlake before the American private equity firm bought a significant stake in the club in 2019. That’s why the Premier League’s allegations go way beyond accusing City of failing to meet Profit and Sustainability Rules.”

The Premier League champions persist in asserting their innocence, believing that this evidence will significantly bolster their defense against the 115 charges leveled against them. The trial to investigate City’s alleged misconduct is tentatively scheduled for late autumn of this year, at the earliest.

Messi tells when he plans to retire from football

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Lionel Messi has said age will not play a factor in his decision to retire and that he will know when it is right to call time on his playing career as he will not be contributing as necessary to his team’s success.

The Argentina captain, 36, has not given an indication as to when he will retire, with his deal at Inter Miami ending in December 2025.

“I know that the moment that I know that I’m not performing, that I’m not enjoying myself, that I’m not helping my teammates,” Messi told MBC’s Big Time Podcast.

“I am very self-critical. I know when I am good, when I am bad, when I play well, when I play badly… And when I feel it is time to take that step, I will take it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I will always try to continue competing, because it is what I like and what I know how to do.”

An eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, is expected to lead his national team at this summer’s Copa América.

“Had things not gone the way they did [in the tournament in Qatar], I would have left the national team,” Messi said

Due to a hamstring injury, Lionel Messi was unable to participate in Argentina’s recent victories over El Salvador and Costa Rica in international friendlies. Coach Lionel Scaloni emphasized that Messi is the only player whose spot in the squad is assured.

“I keep analysing everyone, but no one has a guaranteed place, except for the one who couldn’t be here,” Scaloni said in reference to Messi after Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Costa Rica in Los Angeles.

Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino commented that Lionel Messi’s desire to win remains as strong as it was during their time together at Barcelona. Messi achieved a significant milestone by becoming the most decorated football player in history when he secured his 44th trophy with Inter Miami’s victory in the 2023 Leagues Cup last August.

“On a sporting level, I was lucky to be able to achieve everything in my career, to have achieved my dreams and the truth is that I couldn’t ask for more, both from a professional and human level, as well as with my family, my friends. I try to enjoy everything that God has given me so far, which is a lot.”

Messi said he has not decided what he will do once he stops playing football.

“The truth is I haven’t thought about it yet,” he said. “Today I try to enjoy the day-to-day, the moments, without thinking about what comes after.

“I don’t have anything clear yet; I hope to continue playing for a while longer, which is what I like. When the time comes, I will surely find the way to what fulfils me, what I like and a new role.”

Ukraine increases its expenditure on domestic weapons to counter Russia

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The Ukrainian government plans to spend a lot more money, around US$1. 4 billion, in 2024 to buy and make weapons in their own country. This is much more than the amount they spent before Russia invaded.

Also, many weapons are now being purchased from private companies instead of government-owned factories. They are growing all over the country and quickly becoming the main players in an industry that used to be controlled by government-owned companies.

Ukraine needs all the help it can get to push Russia away from its land. A good thing that is happening is the small but quickly growing defense industry. The government is giving lots of money to this industry because they hope that making more weapons and ammunition in our own country will help us in the fight.

Over the last year, the US and Europe have been working really hard to send weapons and help to Ukraine. This is because Ukraine is dealing with a strong Russian military and has a strong defense industry of its own.

A factory that makes mortar shells and is owned by individuals started in western Ukraine last year. It makes about 20,000 shells every month.

“I think we are getting closer to winning for our country,” said Anatolli Kuzmin, the 64-year-old owner of the factory. He used to make farm equipment and left his home in southern Ukraine when Russia invaded in 2022.

However, the defense sector in Ukraine has been limited by a lack of money and staff, as well as excessive government bureaucracy, like many other parts of the country’s military system. A stronger business industry could help get rid of problems and make factories produce weapons and ammo even faster.

The situation is very important.

Russia has taken control of a big part of Ukraine and is moving forward along a long front line by using many troops to make small advances. Ukrainian soldiers often face more enemy soldiers and better weapons, and this has made them feel less motivated.

“We need a mortar right away, not in three years, preferably yesterday,” said Taras Chmut, the director of the Come Back Alive Foundation. They have raised over $260 million in the last ten years to give Ukrainian troops weapons and vehicles.

Business people during war times

Kuzmin, who owns a factory that makes parts for farm equipment, left the city of Melitopol in the south when Russia took over his factory in 2022. He started making a model of mortar shells right after Russia took over Ukraine in 2014 and annexed Crimea.

Kuzmin took control of a large warehouse in western Ukraine last winter. He wants to make 100,000 shells every month and make engines and explosives for drones.

He is one of the entrepreneurs changing Ukraine’s weapons industry, which was controlled by government-owned companies after the Soviet Union broke up. Today, most of the defence industry is owned by private companies, which is very different from how it was a year ago, and is the opposite of Russia’s defence industry, which is controlled by the government.

Every new projectile is put in craft paper and packed in wooden boxes. Then it is sent to Romania or Bulgaria where explosives are put inside. A few weeks later, they are sent back and sent to the front.

Kuzmin wants to build a factory to make explosives and is looking for a partner to help.

Challenges that stop something from getting bigger.

Ukraine is spending more on its military, but they are not getting the $60 billion in aid from the US and European countries are having trouble giving them enough ammunition.

Ukraine’s defense sector has improved a lot, but they can’t beat Russia without a lot of help from Western countries. This is according to Trevor Taylor, a research fellow at a think tank in London.

“Ukraine cannot make all the weapons it needs for this battle,” Taylor explained. “The delay of $60 billion of American aid is causing a big problem. ”

Russia is spending more money on its military industry, which has helped protect its economy from the worst effects of Western sanctions. The defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, recently said that they have made a lot more tanks, drones and ammunition for the country’s military.

“The whole country is standing up and working to win,” he said.

Ukraine made a lot more mortar shells and artillery ammunition this year compared to last year. This was said by Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraine’s minister of strategic industries. There are many new drone companies starting up, and the government is spending about $1 billion on the technology, in addition to its defense budget.

“We used to make in a year what we now make in a month,” said Vladislav Belbas, the boss of Ukrainian Armour, which makes lots of military vehicles.

The 28th brigade of the Ukrainian army is fighting near Bakhmut. They have not had any problems with getting weapons from other countries because they can make their own. Major Artem Kholodkevych said that they can cover their weapon needs with what they can make in Ukraine.

However, weapon factories in our country have many problems. These include making sure they have the right weapons for soldiers and being at risk of being attacked by missiles from Russia.

However, the biggest problem right now is not having enough workers.

Yaroslav Dzera, who runs a factory for Ukrainian Armour, has a hard time finding and keeping good workers. Many of them have been sent to fight, which makes it even harder.

Dealing with administrative obstacles or bureaucracy.

Weapons companies say that bureaucracy is making it difficult for them to grow.

The government is trying to work better since the war started. They are also making it clear how they choose companies to work with. However, government representatives say that the country still has a lot of progress to make.

Right before President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took over, Ukraine’s former top general, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, wrote an essay for CNN. He said Ukraine’s defense sector was held back by too many rules and not enough competition.

Despite facing difficulties, Ukraine’s drone industry has been a success story. Sea drones made in Ukraine are a good weapon against the Russian ships in the Black Sea.

There are about 200 companies in Ukraine that are now making drones, and they are making a lot more drones than before. In December, they made 50 times more deliveries than they did a year ago, according to Mykhailo Fedorov, who is Ukraine’s minister of digital transformation.

Russia’s war in Ukraine is not just about who has better drones or missiles, said Serhii Pashynskyi, who is in charge of the National Association of Ukrainian Defence Industries trade group.

“We are only competing with Russia in terms of people and money for the war,” he said. “If we learn to use these two simple things, we will succeed. ” If we don’t, it will be a big issue.

Intelligence study cautions narratives opposing authority could shred “fabric of society

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A new report warns that threats against politicians are becoming more common because of extreme beliefs, personal anger, and false information.

The report from a government group trying to protect elections says that in Canada, there are more and more conspiracy theories, people don’t trust the government as much, and politics are becoming more divided.

Untrue ideas, false information and wrong information have spread to many people online. This is making people doubt science and government, and people in charge. That’s what the report says.

“Hateful language often focuses on politicians, especially women in the spotlight. ”

The Canadian Press used a law to get the report from a group that looks at threats to elections. Certain parts of the “Secret / Canadian Eyes Only” assessment were thought to be too delicate to make public.

A group was created in 2019 to keep our elections safe from other countries trying to interfere. It has people from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the RCMP, Global Affairs Canada and Canada’s cyberspy agency.

The report says that even though the task force mainly focuses on foreign meddling, they still see the importance of assessing domestic terrorism threats.

The group considered how much of a danger there might be from violence caused by political, religious, and ideological beliefs. It found that out of the three options, a Canadian federal election would be most likely affected by violent extremism based on ideology.

The report says there isn’t one simple way to understand extreme beliefs. Instead, people who pose a threat are motivated by various complaints, beliefs, and personal stories from all different political views, often influenced by conspiracy theories.

Complaints can be made worse by things like hating people from other countries, problems with how men and women are treated, or not liking the government.

It says that threats against politicians are highest during elections or big political events, but the RCMP data shows that the overall number of threats has been staying about the same since September 2021.

Extreme thinkers who are driven by their beliefs have been making more and more threats against well-known public figures when there is no election happening, according to the report.

Any dangers to the prime minister and other government officials that are reported to the RCMP are carefully looked at to see if they are a threat to the country’s safety. Between September 2021 and mid-2023, the RCMP found that 20% of threats against the prime minister and 13% of threats against parliamentarians were serious enough to be considered national security threats.

Extreme beliefs and untrue ideas can harm Canadian society even though they may not lead to serious violence.

The RCMP did not answer questions before the article was published.

Eric Balsam, who speaks for CSIS, said that the assessment for 2023 has not changed. CSIS director David Vigneault said that half of the spy service’s efforts to fight terrorism are focused on stopping violent extremism motivated by certain beliefs. He said this during a meeting with a House of Commons committee. “We have seen many ways that threats are growing,” he said.

The report says that anti-government extremists have used social media to make people believe that the Canadian government is corrupt.

6 insurrection will likely be seen as a key test for whether the most ferocious Republican rhetoric can filter down to the level of elections for state and local offices. The report says that the January 6th attack on the US Capitol has not affected Canadian politics.

The report said that until last June, the task force did not find any big cyber threats from other countries to Canada’s elections.

Political groups, people running for office, and their workers are still being attacked by online threats. This could be spying, spreading false information, or creating fake videos. This information is from the report.

In general, the task force says that very clever and widespread meddling efforts are a big threat to Canada’s national security and the honesty of its democratic institutions.

Some countries regularly try to interfere in Canada, especially during elections.

This kind of secret or tricky interference often happens in a legal area where there are no clear rules or the rules are hard to understand, the report says.

Canada is a top target for foreign interference because it has important relationships with other countries and organizations. Its strong reputation can be used to support the interests of other countries.

Furthermore, other countries find Canada’s smart and technology-driven economy appealing and want to learn from it, the report says. In Canada, there are many people from other countries and some of those countries want to keep an eye on, control, or use these communities to help their own goals.

“Other countries make friends with Canada all year to help their own politics, and will take advantage of these friendships, especially during elections. ”

According to a federal plan, important leaders of national security agencies would tell a special group of government officials if someone tries to interfere in an election.

If the panel decides that an incident or a series of incidents could harm Canada’s ability to have a fair election, they will make a public announcement.

There was no announcement in 2021 about the 2019 election. In both elections, the Liberals got the most seats but not enough for a majority, so they became the government with a minority. The Conservatives got the second most seats and became the official Opposition.

Claims of other countries trying to influence these elections – ideas supported by fueling.

Two more Canadians killed while defending Ukraine in conflict with Russia – Global Affairs

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A group of soldiers from another country were secretly doing missions against Russia in the Ukrainian war. Their Canadian leader was killed in action. A person who studies wars in the former Soviet Union said this.

Jean-François Ratelle, also known as Hrulf, was in charge of the Norman Brigade. He was one of two Canadians who died while fighting for Ukraine in the last month.

A university professor in Ottawa, named Jean-François Ratelle, said that the Norman Brigade seems to have changed its job from defending to doing other things away from the fighting. Ratelle, who researches people who fight in other countries, is not related to the soldier with the same name who passed away.

“According to Ratelle, the Norman Brigade’s job in the war is shifting. They are doing more secret missions behind enemy lines and less traditional combat in cities. ”

“It seems like they became helpful for the Ukrainian military intelligence. ”

Global Affairs Canada knows that two Canadians have died while fighting in Ukraine. This brings the total number of Canadians killed to 11 since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Alain Derasp, 49, from Quebec, died in Ukraine on Feb. At 27 years old, he was a soldier in the Canadian Army and a dad to four kids, said a notice about his death.

Derasp was teaching soldiers in Ukraine how to help others who are hurt. He got sick near the fighting and died. A person from the military told this but didn’t want their name known.

Luc Fortier, who was in the same regiment as Derasp, said that Derasp was always happy and very committed to his job.

The infantry is like a family, according to Fortier. He said it hurts a lot for the soldiers who knew Derasp to lose him so suddenly.

Derasp was born in Campbellton, N. Band joined the Canadian Forces in 1992. He worked for 26 years, helping keep peace in the United Nations and NATO missions in Yugoslavia and Afghanistan.

Derasp was a warrant officer when he retired. He lived in Chicoutimi, Quebec.

Ratelle, who was from Joliette, Quebec, was killed in a fight, said a friend from Ukraine, Anna Filippova. In a letter, Filippova said she saw him not long after he got to Ukraine in March 2022.

“He was a strong fighter, a very strong and unshakable leader and fighter,” she said. “He was brave and driven, with strong beliefs, and he didn’t let anything stop him from reaching his goal. ”

The National Defence Department said they have records of a person named Jean-François Ratelle who was an artilleryman for three years. A friend told me he joined the French Foreign Legion later on. In pictures on social media after he died, he was wearing the uniform of the famous French military group. The French army did not give a comment when asked.

Chris Ecklund, a business owner and kind person from Hamilton, has helped Canadians go to Ukraine to fight and has talked to Ratelle. He said Ratelle is a committed soldier.

“He was answering the call like many other people from Canada and around the world,” Ecklund said in an interview. “He supported the cause and was just trying to lend a hand. ”

Professor Ratelle mentioned that foreign fighters have been involved in the conflict, but mostly in supporting roles. They have taken part in big battles, but they are mostly used for holding the front lines, conducting raids across borders, and acting as distractions before Ukrainian troops launch their attacks.

The Norman Brigade was started at the beginning of the war. Some people left because they couldn’t agree on what the unit should do. He said that the unit used social media to raise money online, but then became more secretive after a few months of the war. Russian propaganda said that there are far-right people in the unit, but Ratelle said he hasn’t seen evidence of that.

The Russian government first reported the deaths of the two Canadians on social media. They shared photos and personal information about the men. On X platform, which used to be called Twitter, the Russian embassy in South Africa said that both men were “mercenaries” and that Ratelle was killed by a drone attack.

Same-sex marriage set to become legal in Thailand

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LGBT+ activists have been working for a long time to make sure that individuals with same sex in Thailand can get married, just like these two people who kissed at a Pride Parade in Bangkok in June 2023.

Thailand might be the first country in South East Asia to make it possible for same-sex couples to get married.

“Nearly all of the 400 House of Representatives members agreed on a bill to legalize same-sex marriages, also known as gay marriages, on Wednesday. ”

Only 15 lawmakers who were there to vote did not support it. When the result was announced, the clapping and waving of Pride flags made it hard to hear them.

“This is the start of fairness,” said Danuphorn Punnakanta, a member of parliament and leader of the group working on the law for equal marriage.

‘This law aims to give back the rights to this group of people, not to give them new rights. ‘

The bill needs to be approved by the Senate and the Thai king Vajiralongkorn before it can become a law. It would then be the law after 60 days.

The media reported that gay police officer Phisit Sirihirunchai said he is happy and already looking forward to the thing happening.

‘I am getting closer to seeing my dreams come true. ‘

Thailand is known for being more accepting of LGBT+ people compared to other countries around it.

It has rules against treating people differently because of their gender identity or sexual orientation, which makes it one of the most welcoming countries in Asia for LGBT+ people.

In 2019 and 2023, Taiwan and Nepal became the only Asian countries to make same-sex marriage legal.

Last year, a survey by the government in Thailand found that over 96% of people supported same-sex marriage.

But it has taken many years of trying and not succeeding to get this bill close to being passed.

The new law says that marriage is a partnership between two people, not just between a man and a woman.

In addition to showing support after many years of trying, it would actually make a big difference in the everyday lives of LGBT+ couples.

It would make sure that both partners have the same rights for taxes, inheritance, and making medical decisions for their partner if they can’t do it themselves.

The law would let married gay couples adopt kids.

However, it continues to use the words “fathers and mothers” instead of the word “parents” which was suggested by the marriage equality committee.

Today, everyone is treated the same. Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat said it’s a special day for the Thai parliament because they’re fighting for the rights of LGBTQI+ people.

The politician from the Move Forward party has been working for ten years to make sure that everyone, including gay people, can get married.

Efforts to make same-sex marriage legal have not worked in the past, but Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been a strong supporter since starting as the leader in September.

In December, the lower house approved four possible laws about marriage being equal for everyone.

It approved a mix of these on Wednesday.

Thailand could become the 38th country to allow gay marriage if the bill is approved by the royal family.

Estonia is the first country that used to be part of the Soviet Union to have marriage equality, which means that people of any gender can legally get married.

Greece’s government agreed to allow gay marriage. This makes it the first mainly Christian Orthodox country to do this.

Nepal had its first same-sex marriage in November after the Supreme Court made a temporary decision.

Other countries are going in the opposite way on LGBT+ rights.

Uganda made it legal to punish people with death if they are attracted to the same sex in 2023.

Gay sex is against the law in 65 countries. In 12 places, you can be killed for doing this.

California court to hear Hunter Biden’s tax case as his defence attempts to get it dismissed

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Lawyers for Hunter Biden will be in court in Los Angeles on Wednesday. He is accused of avoiding paying $1. 4 million in taxes over four years while living a lavish lifestyle.

Joe Biden’s son said he did not do the nine tax crimes he’s accused of. He wants the judge to cancel the case because he thinks the prosecution was influenced by politics, there were leaks from IRS agents who said the case was not handled properly, and some of the accusations are from before he came to California.

He was accused of lying on a form to buy a gun in Delaware in 2018 by saying he didn’t use illegal drugs, even though he admitted to being addicted to crack cocaine at the time. He said he didn’t do it in that case. They also say he had the gun illegally.

Special lawyer David Weiss is in charge of both cases, and they are scheduled for trials in June. The defense lawyers are also trying to get the Delaware gun charges thrown out.

The two sets of charges are from a long federal investigation. It was expected to finish this summer with a deal in which Hunter Biden would have gotten probation for two years after admitting to minor tax charges. The president’s son repaid the back taxes he owed with a loan. He would have avoided getting in trouble for the gun charge if he had stayed out of trouble.

The lawyers fighting for the defendant say that the agreement to give them protection was made by a legal representative and is still valid, even though the legal representatives do not agree.

However, the agreement that could have prevented Hunter Biden from going to trial during the 2024 presidential campaign fell apart when a judge started to doubt it. Now, the tax and gun cases are moving forward as part of an unusual mix of political and legal drama. The Justice Department is currently prosecuting both the son of the Democratic president and the likely Republican candidate, Donald Trump, as the November election approaches.

Republican, including Trump, criticized Hunter Biden’s original proposed plea deal with prosecutors and called it a “sweetheart deal. ” The ex-president is in trouble with the law. He has 91 charges in four cases. One of the charges is that he tried to change the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden.

Hunter Biden is facing legal trouble, and at the same time, Republicans in Congress are trying to connect his business activities to his father, but they have not been successful yet. Republicans are investigating whether President Biden did something wrong with his son and are trying to remove him from office. There is no proof that Joe Biden did anything wrong as president or vice president, but people have questions about whether his family’s business deals are ethical.

Last year, House Republicans started an investigation to impeach Biden. They used information from an FBI informant, released by Senate Republicans, that said the Bidens received US$10 million from a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma. This information was not proven to be true. Alexander Smirnov, who used to work for the FBI, was arrested last month. The case was overseen by Weiss. He said he didn’t do the things he’s accused of, like making up the bribery claims.

If Hunter Biden is found guilty of the tax charges, he could go to prison for up to 17 years.

Not easy, but Mohammed Ali is my inspiration – Andre Onana amid turbulent debut season at Man Utd

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Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana draws inspiration from Muhammad Ali and believes in his team’s potential to achieve success.

Despite facing criticism for some costly errors earlier in his debut season with the club, Onana has shown improvement since his return from the AFCON campaign with Cameroon.Advertisement –

He attributes his mental strength, inspired by Ali, as a significant factor in his resilience and determination.

He told Inside United: “It’s his mindset. It was nothing easy. He had to pass through a lot of difficulties and he was only looking at the positive side, the positive parts. He was very positive and that is what I like.

“You know, no matter what happens in life, I’ve always said that it cannot rain forever: the sun will shine. And yet, the sun will not shine forever; the rain will come. So just find a good balance, especially when you are a football player.

“When you have a bad day, a better day will come. It’s not when you are having a bad day that you feel it will never change. It will change but it’s not because you are having a good day that it will stay forever.

“Everything is temporary and you have to know how to manage that. When you are in a bad mood, take a positive. When you are in a good mood, take a positive. Just enjoy yourself, be happy, be with the people you love and always stay positive.”

Onana also expressed his belief that United can go on and achieve tangible success: “I’m very happy to be here, like I said, I’m happy to be part of this family, a big group with great guys, young players, there’s some amazing ability here. It will come, you know. Principles: do your hard work, be positive and believe in yourself. It will come.”

It has been a gradual process for Onana to adjust to life at Old Trafford, as he admitted it took him around “six to seven months” to feel settled after his transfer.

Manchester United has faced a challenging season overall, currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League, trailing nine points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.

Their disappointing European campaign saw them eliminated from the Champions League after finishing at the bottom of their group.

With their only remaining chance for silverware in the FA Cup, United will be aiming to capitalise on their recent 4-3 victory over Liverpool and progress to the final, where they will face Championship side Coventry City in the semi-finals.

Pogba deserved the ban? Graeme Souness slams Pogba’s “stinking attitude” after doping ban

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Former Liverpool midfielder and television pundit Graeme Souness has strongly criticised Paul Pogba’s four-year ban from football.

Souness, who has frequently expressed his disapproval of Pogba during his tenure as a television pundit, has once again voiced his opinion on the matter.

The former Liverpool star, who achieved significant success in his playing career with five league titles and three European Cups, has reiterated his stance on the situation involving the former Manchester United midfielder, who is currently sidelined due to a four-year ban for doping violations.

The told the Telegraph: “With Pogba, I was frustrated with him because I saw someone who had all that talent, all that physical prowess that you see in a magnificent athlete, but had a stinking attitude. I could talk now for 10 minutes on it but the bottom line is, he didn’t work hard enough.

The worst thing that could have happened to him was winning the World Cup as a young man. That put him firmly in a great, big, comfy armchair. He was no longer up for doing the hard yards, he thought it was all about him doing clever, eye-catching things on the football pitch.

“Every time I played, I had one thought in my head: I’m going to be better than the guy I’m playing against. I’m going to have a better day than he does. And the starting point for that is working harder than him. I don’t think Paul Pogba ever had that attitude. It was all about showing how clever and cute I can be. It would have been very easy to play against him because he never worked on you. He didn’t stop you from playing.

“I take no pleasure in what has happened to him because he was an extremely talented young man who had everything to be remembered as one of the great midfield players in world football. But he won’t be remembered for that, unfortunately. He will be remembered for being banned for drugs and being a near-miss.”

It remains uncertain whether Pogba will return to the field, considering he will be nearly 34 years old when his ban concludes. However, he plans to appeal the decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Pogba, known for his achievements such as winning the World Cup with France in 2018 and securing titles in Serie A with Juventus and the Europa League with Manchester United, faces the possibility of ending his career in disgrace due to the lengthy ban.

Many believe that, despite his exceptional talent, Pogba has failed to reach his full potential. Recently, he has spoken openly about his challenges, expressing that he has experienced significant personal growth within a year.

There’s still hope for Pogba’s future in football, as France manager Didier Deschamps has had discussions with him and hopes to see him return to the pitch eventually.

UKA IS UNSTOPPABLE….it has garnered overwhelming support from the Zambian people – STEVE CHUNGU

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UKA IS UNSTOPPABLE

….it has garnered overwhelming support from the Zambian people – STEVE CHUNGU

LUANSHYA… Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Former Government Chief Whip in the Patriotic Front (PF) regime Hon. Steve Chungu has declared that the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) is unstoppable.

The Patriotic Front has united with Citizens First, Christian Democratic Party, Forum for Development and Democracy, Golden Party of Zambia, National Democratic Congress, New Heritage Party and United Liberal Party to form UKA.

Mr. Chungu has noted that UKA has garnered overwhelming interest from the Zambian people.

He said Zambians are searching for new hope after being betrayed by the UPND regime with a string of unfulfilled promises.

“When I say UKA is unstoppable it is because the alliance has drawn interest from the Zambian public. Not only talking about the political parties that have joined the alliance but even the Zambian people are excited about the alliance. The Zambian people are trying to look at a new hope. The hope that they believed in has fatigued, they have lost hope, they feel betrayed, the feel cheated because the hope that they thought they were going to realise in the 2021 vote giving to the UPND has not realised their dreams or their expectations going by the so many promises that were made at that time which the UPND has failed to fulfill,” Mr. Chungu said from Luanshya.

“So the Zambian people are looking out to see who next can come on board and get them out of these problems affecting them. If you remember a few weeks ago even the President (Hakainde Hichilema) was lamenting that Zambians were suffering. We are able to feel the suffering of the people, we have all been affected by the challenges the Zambian people are grappling with economically, socially,” he continued. “The Zambian people have shown a lot of interest in the birth of the UKA that is why I say it is unstoppable. If you come up with a political platform and people show interest then you are on the right track. That is what I mean,” Mr. Chungu charged.

He argued that the delay to register UKA won’t have an impact on its popularity

“I expected UKA registration to face hurdles just by looking at the Miles Sampa saga. When the Zambian people accept to ride on a certain platform, it will go. It cannot be stopped. It can be stopped by way of registering but it won’t be stopped in the minds of the people. The minds of the people have already settled on the UKA. Even if it is not registered today the Zambian people are going to still look at alternatives but using the UKA platform and they will still vote. You can’t restrict a vote. No one holds someone’s vote, people move with a decisive mind,” Mr. Chungu said.

“People decide as the economy progresses in the negative or positive. People make decisions depending on services being denied to them. When you look at our hospitals today, there are no medical drugs. The Zambian people are just requesting basic needs like availability of medicines, good governance, human rights, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly,” he concluded.

Ministerial Statement On Debt Restructuring Agreement Between Zambia & The Steering Committee Of The ADHOC Creditor Committee Of Holders Of Zambia’s Eurobonds

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MUSOKOKTWANE BRIEFS PARLIAMENT ON DEBT RESCHEDULE

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON DEBT RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENT BETWEEN #ZAMBIA & THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE ADHOC CREDITOR COMMITTEE OF HOLDERS OF ZAMBIA’S EUROBONDS

Madam Speaker, I want to thank you for according me this opportunity to update the House on a recent development in Zambia’s debt restructuring journey.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, 25th March 2024, Zambia agreed on terms of a restructuring agreement with the steering committee of the adhoc creditor committee of Zambia’s #Eurobond Holders.

Madam Speaker, let me briefly remind this august house of the milestones Zambia has achieved in the debt restructuring journey.

You will recall that in June of 2023, Zambia reached an agreement in principle on a comprehensive debt treatment covering about USD 6.3 billion of Zambia’s external #debt in principle with the bilateral creditors under the Official Creditor Committee (OCC). This agreement involves significant extension of maturities and a reduction in interest rates to provide the much-needed debt relief for #Zambia. Subsequently, in October of 2023, we agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the OCC, to formalize the agreement reached in June.

Madam Speaker, following the agreement with the OCC, debt restructuring engagements with the private and commercial creditors, including the holders of Zambia’s Eurobonds also gained momentum. These engagements culminated into an agreement in principle on the key commercial terms of a proposed debt restructuring treatment relating to Zambia’s Eurobonds with the Steering Committee of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Eurobond holders, on 26th October 2023. However, Zambia could not proceed with this agreement because the OCC and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had expressed their reservations regarding the agreed terms. Notably, Madam Speaker, we were able to revise the terms to be in line with the #IMF requirements. However, the OCC were still of the view that further effort was required from the Bondholders.

Madam Speaker, since October 2023, Government and the Steering Committee continued in rigorous and tireless good faith negotiations.

Madam Speaker, the job is finally done! I am here to announce that the Zambian Government and the Steering Committee of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Eurobond holders have reached an agreement on the key commercial terms of a proposed restructuring transaction relating to Zambia’s Eurobonds due in 2022, 2024 and 2027.

Madam Speaker, before I proceed further, let me state clearly that we have already obtained confirmation from the OCC and the IMF that this agreement complies with the Comparability of Treatment principle and the debt sustainability targets under the IMF program. Following this agreement, the #Bondholders will be invited to exchange and/or vote in favour of a consent to amend the terms of their Bonds for new fixed income instruments representing unsecured obligations of the Government, which may be referred to as “New Bonds”. The New Bonds are comprised of two bonds, Bond A and Bond B amounting to US $1.7 Billion and US $1.35 billion respectively.

Madam Speaker, similar to the agreement with the OCC, the agreement in principle which has been reached with the Bondholders also includes an adjustment mechanism involving a Base Case Treatment and Upside Case Treatment, dependent on Zambia’s future economic performances. Bond A matures in 2033 and pays 5.75 percent per annum in coupons until mid-2031, where the coupon increases to 7.5 percent. The financial terms of Bond A remain unchanged in both the base case and upside case treatments.

Bond B matures in 2053 in the base case scenario and 2035 in the upside scenario with interest being adjusted from 0.5 percent to 7.5 percent after 2025 in the upside scenario with a very large share of the coupon being paid in kind until 2031 to avoid direct cash outlays for the Budget and comply with IMF’s debt service to revenue targets. Under the Base Case Treatment, the weighted average maturity of the New #Bonds will be 15 years, while under the Upside Case Treatment, it will be 8 years.

Madam Speaker, under this agreement, the Bondholders will forego approximately USD 840 million of their claims through a haircut on the outstanding balance on the bonds and accrued interest, and provide approximately USD 2.5 billion in cash flow relief through reduced debt service payments during the #IMFProgramme period.

Madam Speaker, the portion of external debt which is subject to restructuring comprises official bilateral debt which accounts for approximately 50 percent. #Commercialdebt accounts for the other half, out of which Eurobonds also account for over 50%. Therefore, the agreements reached with the OCC and the Bondholders imply that out of the debt which is subject to restructuring, about 75% percent has been restructured, leaving only the debt owed to other commercial creditors.

Madam Speaker, you may be aware that since commencement of the debt restructuring exercise, Government has been implementing a debt service standstill to all the creditors whose debt is being restructured. Therefore, the implication of the agreement with the Bondholders and OCC is that Government will resume making debt service payments on the restructured debt. This requires funds to be made available in the budget to meet the obligations falling due. However, it should be noted that the debt service payments that will be made by the #ZambianGovernment will be significantly lower than what would have been paid if the debt was not restructured. This will free up financial resources which will channeled to other critical sectors of the economy. Government and the Bondholders are working around the clock to finalize the documentation required to implement the agreement. Most importantly, the debt agreement will further strengthen the confidence in our #economy and in our currency, opening the door to increased foreign direct #investment.

Madam Speaker, despite the milestones that we have so far achieved in the debt restructuring process, we still have more work to do. Firstly, we are hopeful of expedited #bilateralagreements with our official creditors in order to implement the terms of the debt treatment agreed in the October MoU.

Secondly, we will continue engaging other commercial creditors on a Non-Disclosure basis, with the determination of getting debt treatments on terms comparable to what has been agreed with both the OCC and the Bondholders.

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to our creditors and to all other stakeholders in the debt restructuring process, for their unwavering support and cooperation which has enabled us to reach this far. I also wish to reiterate Government’s firm commitment towards restoring long term debt sustainability and achieving long-term sustainable economic growth.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

DR. SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE, MP
MINISTER OF FINANCE & NATIONAL PLANNING

Why “alebwelelapo” Fuels Instant Bitterness In HH’s Heart And Invokes “mingalato, Ubufi, Boza And Chuundu Chaitwa Politics” In Bally- Chris Zumani

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WHY “ALEBWELELAPO” FUELS INSTANT BITTERNESS IN HH’s HEART AND INVOKES “MINGALATO, UBUFI, BOZA AND CHUUNDU CHAITWA POLITICS” IN BALLY

By Dr. Chris Zumani Zimba

If our ever lying Republican President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema (HH) is to change, Zambians must brave his “mingalato politics”, do the paint art work and display the words from Proverbs 12:17 to 22 at Bally’s Community House gate, his bedroom door, the UPND Secretariat main gate, State House Presidential gate, and his Namwala Farm main entrance. In this passage, the Bible says:

17 “An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.
18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
21 No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22 The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy”.

1. In 2006, President Levy Mwanawasa met HH at State House in his capacity as a Lusaka business man. Few months later, HH joined politics following the death of UPND leader, Anderson Mazoka. Later, Mwanawasa revealed and warned Zambians on who he believed the true HH was in few words as follows:

“The problem Mr Hichilema is having now is the fact that he wants to cheat, to mislead, to show that he is what he is not…His understanding of politics is that it doesn’t matter; you can cheat, provided you get your goals”. So, Mwanawasa gave us the correct and honest summary description of HH in 2006 far before Bally became our president in 2021.

2. Yes, wether you are UPND, Socialist Party, NDC, PF, UKA, UNIP or a politically non aligned citizen, the naked truth is that HH made hundreds of false promises and countless campaign lies between 2006 and 2021 to Zambians which he has consequently failed to deliver generally. The big lies (UBUFI or BOZA) HH deceived UPND cadres, his followers and all citizens in order to become president exceed all the political lies of the past six presidents combined. “Bally will fix it” was his campaign slogan in reference to all problems Zambians faced. Like Mwanawasa warned in 2006, eventually and using lies, cheating and deceptions, Bally became president in 2021.

3. To date, HH has not officially apologized to Zambians for his campaign lies-UBUFI-BOZA and unfortunately, he has not stopped lying. As we speak, almost all the key things HH promised to improve for Zambians have worsened. Load shedding, high fuel prices, dollar-Kwacha exchange rate, mealie meal prices, water and electricity bills, maize, fertilizer, cement, sugar, salt, cooking oils, rice, beans, flour, tomatoes, onion, beef, pork, chicken, eggs, and let’s say everything on the market have become so expensive, bitter and unaffordable for many citizens. Guess what, HH pretends as if he was not elected on the platform of improving the conditions of living for all. It’s like he is not aware!

4. Besides failing to deliver what he promised and failing to openly apologize to people, HH has lamentably failed to govern Zambia and prematurely lost popularity in the first 12 months. In his third year, everything is worsening and falling apart in all key sectors: agriculture, energy, health, mining, economy, education, and more. Each month, HH greets Zambians with disaster news, more lies and scandals in his government. Now, the number of people singing “alebwelelapo” (he is coming back into power in reference to former President Edgar Lungu) is increasing.

5. It is the word “Alebwelelapo” that has invoked anger and bitterness in HH’s heart and making him fail to sleep. In sensing the clear danger of losing to his main rival in 2026, church elder Bally has officially introduced “mingalato politics” (politics of dangerous fights by violently holding the neck and killing the enemy by strangling). This so obvious as Bally is fully aware that his false political promises have been exposed and have fueled a sense of betrayal visible among Zambians.

6. Bally is mindful that his 2021 false promises, political lies and ant campaign deceptions (UBUFI or BOZA) have now been discovered and have invoked anger among Zambian voters. HH is aware that voters now pray to punish and banish him on the ballot in 2026. And if Lungu is to contest, Bally is aware that he does not stand a chance to win in 2026. This is what makes HH hate the word “alebwelelapo”.

7. The entire UPND camp is mindful that most people are merely waiting for 12th August, 2026 in order to vote out lying HH and failed Bally. At Community House, most UPND folks have told HH that competing against ECL in 2026 means “alebwelelapo” for sure and lying Bally will be a one term president. Lungu is a trusted politician who generally delivered as most Zambians were happier than HH who lied like a shark and has terribly failed to deliver like a wild lizard. This is what is invoking mingalato politics of heavy tribalism, regionalism, ECZ partisan appointments, meddling in PF and opposition parties, weaponization of state institutions and all authoritarian tendencies in HH’s palace.

8. Bally is fully aware that, on the scale of political honest and integrity in 2026, most Zambians will vote ECL and red card HH because his lies (UBUFI or BOZA) are endless, his cheats and deceptions are unrepentant and his false promises are unforgivable by most voters. This Bally knows that most Zambians now agree with Mwanawasa that ‘HH lied, HH is lying and HH will continue to lie because HH is a gifted lier’. This threatens and angers HH and the UPND UBUFI (BOZA) camp more when they hear ECL “alebwelelapo”.

9. Now, Zambians know that, in 2021, HH faked himself into power by selling political lies, false promises,cheap propaganda and empty rhetorics: HH won power using BOZA or UBUFI. Going into 2026, HH knows that “alebwelelapo” is a political force that is certainly sending him back home because his political tactics of UBUFI or BOZA (lies) have expired in betrayal and anger among Zambian voters is at its highest level. HH knows that most of his 2.8 voters regret voting Lungu out of power: lying Bally is aware that his 2.8 have already melted to less than 800 thousand voters today.

10. Overall, HH knows that “alebwelelapo” means “alebwelelapo” indeed in 2026. That is why this word fuels instant anger and bitterness in HH’s heart. It is a word that is strictly forbidden at King Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon residence called “Community House”. At State House, the word “alebwelelapo” (in reference to ECL) is expressly outlawed because it angers the king with high BP and fuels hot bitterness in his heart the whole night. Any mention of this word attracts instant dismissal from Bally or his immediate handlers.

11. But either directly or indirectly, in 2026, HH and his UPND praise singers must collectively brave their hearts, they must prepare to emotionally manager their BP levels and financially buy enough pain killers in advance because before heaven and the people of Zambia, there is a clear sign in the sky written “Edgar Chagwa Lungu Ulebwelelapo”. Without any doubt and regardless of Bally’s “mingalato” and ‘Chiundu Chaitwa” tribal politics, I am sure Zambians will red card UBUFI, BOZA or LIES out of HH in 2026.

12. In conclusion, let those who are wise understand the type of clouds in the skies and start preparing the fields for timely farming. Be wise and join our lying HH in acknowledging that “alebwelelapo” is the political cloud of the sky and that Bally will fall in 2026! This article is based on the empirical data from the views of late Levy Mwanawasa, late Micheal Sata, Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu, Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa, Dr. Fred M’membe, Chilufya Tayali, Sean Tembo, Vice President Nalumango, Raphael Nakachinda, Hon. Brian Mundubile, Hon. Jean Ng’andwe Chisenga, Edith Nawakwi, Makebi Zulu, Council of Catholic Bishops, Jonas ZIMBA, Saboi Imboela, PS Pilato, B Flo, Debby Aongola, GBM, Maiko Zulu, Emmanuel Mwamba, CK, Caesar Simukonda, Law Association of Zambia, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, PF 2021 Campaign Singers, among many others.

Dr Chris ZUMANI Zimba is a Political Scientist, Researcher, Author & Consultant specialized in Comparative Global Governance and Democratic Theories. He holds a PhD, MA, BA and Cert in Political Science. Zimba was President Lungu’s Political Advisor from December 2019 to August 2021. By philosophical approach, Dr. Zimba is a Pan Africanist as well as Afro-Christian by religion.
Email:chriszumaniZimba.cz@gmail.com

UKA WILL NOT BE STOPPED…. it was formed out of people’s calls for a United opposition – SILAVWE

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UKA WILL NOT BE STOPPED – SILAVWE

…. it was formed out of people’s calls for a United opposition.

CHINSALI, TUESDAY, MARCH, 26, 2024 [SMART EAGLES]

GOLDEN Party of Zambia President Jackson Silavwe says the United Kwacha Alliance UKA is unstoppable and is here to stay.

Speaking when he and National Congress Party NDC President Saboi Imboela featured on Chinsali based Radio Kwitonta, Mr. Silavwe said UKA was formed out of people’s calls for a United opposition in the country.

He said UKA is a people’s movement after the realization that the current UPND Government has failed the people of Zambia whom they gave countless promises of fixing the country by reducing the cost of living.

Mr. Silavwe said UKA is the only hope for the people of Zambia who are grappling with high levels of poverty and hunger.

“As UKA we want o end the people’s suffering. The cost of living has gone up and hunger has hit families very hard because they are not able to afford a decent meal a day. UKA will not be stopped because it is the people’s movement formed out of the calls for a United opposition and in 2026 we will field one presidential candidate,” Mr. Silavwe said.

” People are not happy with what is happening because the UPND when in opposition promised to reduce the cost of living by reducing the prices of mealie meal, fuel, fertilizer and also stabilizing the Kwacha/ Dollar exchange rate but what is happening is the exact opposite, ” he said.

And Mr. Silavwe said it is shocking that the President Hichilema and his Government have turned a deaf ear to various complaints from citizens and the church regarding the shrinking democratic space in the country.

He said President Hichilema during campaigns promised not harass or arrest his political opponents but today, almost all the opposition political party leaders have been arrested.

” Even private citizens have been arrested for merely complaining about the cost of living. Various church mother bodies have expressed concern at how things are moving in the country but the UPND Government has chosen to turn a a deaf ear,” Mr. Silavwe said.

Meanwhile, NDC leader Saboi Imboela said Mambilima member of parliament Jean Chisenga should not be crucified over her statement in parliament that President Hichilema lies too much.

The NDC leader said Ms. Chisenga was merely conveying a message on behalf of the majority Zambians who feel lied to going by the many unfulfilled promises.

CONFLICT IN ONE PART OF THE WORLD IS CONFLICT EVERYWHERE – LUNGU

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CONFLICT IN ONE PART OF THE WORLD IS CONFLICT EVERYWHERE – LUNGU

27th March 2024

Allow me today to humbly and gladly commend the 14-member United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for passing a ´ceasefire resolution´ to immediately halt the bombardment of Gaza by Israel.

“It is with deep regret that I and many other peace-loving people around the globe note and still mourn more than 32,000 lives that have been lost needlessly since 7th October, 2023 (six months) when the hostilities commenced between Israel and Hamas militants. Nevertheless, it is heartening to appreciate that the hostilities must end now, even though the initial plan is to respect the holy month of Ramadan and then hopefully a permanent long-lasting truce secured”.

As a former head of state for a Pan African country that has never gone to full blown conflict in 59 years of independence, a Christian nation founded on traditional values of love, brotherhood and unity, we hope and pray that both Israel and Palestine shall honour their part in the bargain for long lasting peace and find a mutually acceptable and beneficial solution.

“Palestinian Hamas authorities must respect the ceasefire resolution by releasing all hostages in captivity while Israeli authorities must also pave way for relief food, humanitarian aid to be transported in Gaza to stop hopeless Palestinians from dying following this historic ceasefire.”

Zambia has a long-time honoured history with Palestine established at independence by our first President Dr Kenneth Kaunda and his counterpart, Yassar Arafat that we feel must be revived. I must state that Zambia and Palestine through bilateral relations and within the Non Alignment Movement (NAM) framework stood shoulder to shoulder in supporting liberation movements and fighting against colonialism across Africa, Middle East and Latin America.

As a member of the UN and the global village at large, we believe that conflict in one part of the world is conflict everywhere because there is no way we can sleep peacefully when our brothers and sisters, our mothers and children are perishing daily in occupied Gaza, East Jerusalem and all conflict zones.

In the words of UN Secretary General Mr Antonio Gutteres, it will be “unforgivable” for anyone to violate this ceasefire in the month of Ramadan leading to a greater truce, we pray.

I strongly agree with the UN Secretary General and pray for everyone involved in this peace process. Like many other citizens of this globe, I stand with the people of Israel as well as the people of Palestine.

Signed: H.E Edgar Chagwa Lungu-sixth President of Zambia

DR MUSOKOTWANE INVITES ZAMBIANS TO HARD WORK

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DR MUSOKOTWANE INVITES ZAMBIANS TO HARD WORK

26 March 2024

By Aswell K. Mwalimu

THE reached $ 3.5 billion debt restructuring deal will not bring down the pricy commodities instantlly, but shall definitely give Zambia a huge relief; allowing for more investment in the manufacturing, agriculture, mining and tourism sectors.

And to a greater extent, debt restructuring will also bring about social progress, increased income and development in rural parts of Zambia.

During the Hot Breakfast radio show, Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane said Zambia cannot become wealthy and self-sustaining through written off debt alone.

Remember, Zambians had walked this hard road under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) completion point back in 2004/5.

Dr Musokotwane encouraged Zambians to support the reached $ 3.5 billion debt restructuring deal for the huge benefits it brings to our country.

And for a change; we, the people must reciprocate with sincere and productive hard work!

But, why has hard work become the new anthem by our leaders?

The debt restructuring is a product of hard work and consequently demands hard work from all Zambians.

Clearly, the gibberish by lazy armchair critics has been defeated by competency, professionalism and willpower.

The debt service is now based on what the Zambian Government can afford to pay and not the python-like-debt that gripped the economy and people of Zambia for years.

“In the 70s, Zambia’s copper production was 750, 000 tons for a population of about 4 million people, and life was good. However, the current 20 million people cannot live a better life on the copper production scale of the 1970s,” said Dr Musokotwane.

The Finance and National Planning Minister is very optimistic that the debt restructuring deal will make the projected 3 million tons of copper production possible!

Without debt restructuring, Zambians would have been hungrier, the cost of living would have been worse and the consequence of the energy crisis including food relief would have been more severe.

“To all Zambians, good living and wealth doesn’t come from people writing off your debt, but by your hard work,” Dr Musokotwane said.

From my end, there is no substitute to hard work!

Checkmatezambia247@gmail.com

Defiled by uncle, cousin since the age of 4, Chipulu tells her story

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Defiled by uncle, cousin since the age of 4, Chipulu tells her story

WITH a smile beam West to East opposite from the the sun’s movement but carrying a similar radiance of hope, Norah Chipulu is standing firm despite being molested from childhood by her relatives.

21 year old Chipulu was defiled countless times by her two relatives when she was just between the ages of four and five.

She took time to share her experience with Kalemba with the hopes of encouraging other survivors of such tormenting times.

Following her parents’ divorce, Chipulu started living with her grandparents.

It was at that moment when life became sour for the four year old Norah who was subjected to sexual abuse at a tender age.

“I didn’t know it was wrong because clearly I was young. The first experience was with my uncle and he told me not to tell anyone.”

“I remember he used to come and play with me and in the process he would do the act,” recalled Chipulu.

She revealed that this nightmare continued each time she remained with her uncle at home.

Later on, Chipulu’s mother remarried and the ordeal continued as the step father’s nephew continued where her uncle had left.

“It was a bad experience. I was young yes but I could feel that it wasn’t right even though I was told not to tell anyone,” she said.

“After sometime the guy left and that’s how it all stopped . My uncle only stopped because I had left my grandparents’ home to go and live with my mother.”

Chipulu noted that as she grew up she came to the realisation that she was defiled after learning about it from school.

Following her experience, Chipulu became promiscuous triggered by depression.

“So after I came to the understanding of the abuse I went through, it had a toll on me. I became really promiscuous and started to do the things an average 15-16 year old should not do or be exposed to.”

“I started to have intimate relationships with guys that showed the slightest interest in me that I also felt something for. I felt no one would understand me, I battled with depression until one day I got tired of hiding and told my mum the whole story,” she narrated.

Her mother, being a pastor led her to Christ and guided her to having a personal relationship with God.

Chipulu started praying for help to come her way and enrolled into Bible School to learn more about God.

“I went to Bible School before coming to Evelyn Hone for Journalism because I wanted to live a different life in school, a life of Christ,” she added.

“I use my story as a point of helping others (to) be able to speak. My advice to parents, educate your children about sexual misconduct no matter their age because it’s easy for them to know when something wrong is happening to them.”

Norah Chipulu is healing everyday and flipped a new chapter of her life.

She is currently a second year student at Evelyn Hone studying Journalism and Public Relations and hopes to advocate against sexual abuse through her profession.

By Catherine Pule

Kalemba

Prince Harry named in bombshell $30 million sex trafficking lawsuit against Diddy

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Prince Harry has been named in a $30 million lawsuit against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs which accused the rapper of sex trafficking and sexual abuse, it has been revealed.

Producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones filed a $30 million lawsuit against the music mogul, 54, last month, citing that he participated in acts such as sexual misconduct, grooming, and sex trafficking.

According to the docs, Jones claimed that the Duke of Sussex, 39, and other A-listers’ “affiliation” added to Diddy’s “legitimacy.”

This comes after Diddy’s Miami and Los Angeles mansions were raided. The homes were raided by federal agents and Homeland Security on Monday in a possible connection with the sex trafficking investigation.

Law enforcement sources said the feds moved in because they wanted to seize Diddy’s phones and computers. They also alleged there would be further raids on houses associated with the mogul in New York and Chicago.

Three women and a man were reportedly interviewed in the wake of the raids over allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms.

Mr. Jones, who produced songs for Combs’ 2023 “The Love Album: Off the Grid”, has accused the rapper of sexually assaulting him, and claims he threw parties attended by underage girls and sex workers, some of whom allegedly had drugs put in their drinks.

The producer claims he was ordered to recruit prostitutes for the parties, and he says he was required to work in the bathroom as the star showered naked behind a glass screen.

Combs has denied the allegations which have been made against him, calling them “sickening”. He has also called Mr Jones’s claims “pure fiction”.

Mr Jones claims he endured “constant unsolicited and unauthorized groping” after agreeing to work with the star, claiming abuse happened at Combs’ homes in Florida, Los Angeles, and New York and on board a rented yacht.

The lawsuit names Combs’ son Justin, his chief of staff Kristina Khorram, and Universal Music Group CEO Sir Lucian Grainge as defendants. Mr Jones has also accused Motown Records, Love Records, and Universal Music Group of involvement by allegedly failing to monitor the activities of the rapper.

The lawsuit, which is contested, is seeking damages for sex trafficking, sexual battery, sexual assault, and harassment.

The court papers do not suggest that Harry was involved in any wrongdoing or criminal activity in conjunction with Diddy.

The UK royal is not a defendant nor has he been incriminated. His moniker also only appears once in the documents.

Antonio Rudiger take legal action after the devout Muslim is linked with terrorist organisation by former BILD editor

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Real Madrid defender, Antonio Rudiger and the German Football Association (DFB) are taking legal action after the German star was linked to a terrorist organisation.

Earlier this month, Rudiger, a devout Muslim, posted a photo on Instagram of himself in a white robe on a prayer mat. In his caption, he wrote: ‘May the Almighty accept our fasting and prayers.’

On Sunday, former BILD editor Julian Reichelt posted on X: ‘For everyone who doesn’t want to recognize Antonio Rüdiger’s Islamist greeting as an Islamist greeting: the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution calls this gesture the ‘IS finger’ and sees the index finger as a clear sign of Islamism.’

Now Rudiger has filed a criminal complaint with the Berlin public prosecutor’s office, and the DFB has also reported the case to the Central Office for Combating Internet Crime (ZIT) of the Frankfurt/Main Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The Real Madrid star feels vilified and slandered for an Instagram photo at the beginning of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.

When asked, Rudiger said he did not want to comment on Monday evening.

On Monday, Rudiger issued a criminal complaint against Reichelt to the Berlin public prosecutor’s office, ‘because of insult or slander, inflammatory insult and sedition,’ as the complaint states.

The DFB also filed a complaint and reported the Reichelt tweet to the public prosecutor’s office as ‘hate speech’. BILD also received mail from Rudiger’s lawyers.

In a letter to BILD editor-in-chief Marion Horn, they ‘warn’ against ‘inflammatory statements to the detriment of our client’.

Reichelt issued a response on X on Monday night where he doubled down on his remarks on Rudiger’s gesture.

He wrote: ‘This gesture has been completely co-opted by terrorists over the last two decades. It has undisputedly become the greeting of ISIS and Islamist murderers all over the world, of people who also murdered in Berlin and bring disaster and immeasurable suffering to the world.

‘Anyone who poses like this in public is consciously showing the greeting of fanatics and not an innocent, spiritual gesture. It is a normalization of a terrible ideology that has already taken over far too much space in this country.

‘Also and especially because it’s about a popular national player, you shouldn’t allow yourself to be intimidated. It is important to point out that this political ideology goes against everything that our values ​​are.

‘The raised index finger of Islamism, with which terrorists around the world celebrate their murders, does not belong to Germany. I will never let anyone stop me from saying that.’

pastor who had at least 10 wives has been thrown in jail after marrying two women

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A fake pastor who had at least 10 wives has been thrown in jail after marrying two women.

Orlando Coleman visited black churches across the US under the guise of a travelling bishop, collecting spouses as he went.

The 51-year-old would introduce himself to new congregations as a member of the clergy, and was able to dupe at least 10 different women into marrying him.

Coleman, from Houston, had presented himself as the founder of several churches as well as a Pentecostal preacher on social media.

Despite pleading guilty to bigamy in July 2023 and being placed on probation for marrying two women simultaneously, he wedded another woman two months later.

Now, he has been put behind bars for three years for marrying multiple women since 2019.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said: “At the heart of this repeat offender’s schemes was a plan to defraud women and take advantage of them for financial gain.

“This man used the church to camouflage his scams and hide from any accountability or responsibility.”

In Texas bigamy is defined as being married to more than one person at a time and carries a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Coleman’s web of deceit started to unravel in 2021 when he married a woman in Houston, but his new wife saw he was receiving money from another woman in Virginia. When his then-current wife contacted the woman from Virginia it was revealed that she too was married to Coleman. Coleman’s Houston wife then contacted the Harris County Sheriff’s Office with the revelation, who in turn launched an investigation and filed bigamy charges.

In July 2023, Coleman pleaded guilty to bigamy in exchange for three years of deferred adjudication probation.

However, just two months later, while still married to the woman in Virginia, Coleman tied the knot again with another woman in Kentucky, committing another offense of bigamy.

Upon learning about Coleman’s new marriage, prosecutors from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office moved to revoke his probation.

In a hearing on March 11, a judge sentenced Coleman to three years in prison.

Prosecutors say Coleman married the women for housing and financial security. After introducing himself as a Protestant pastor or bishop, Coleman would propose marriage. If a woman accepted, he would move in with her and allow her to foot the cost of his housing and food.

“That’s the only thing he had to offer and to validate his word – the proposal to marry – that was something big,” Assistant District Attorney Vanessa Goussen told The New York Times. “Getting proposed to was a big gesture for these women, and that corroborated his guise that he’s a godly person.”

Some of the women filed for divorce after Coleman fled to another state.

Coleman is currently being held at the Harris County Jail.

Five Chinese nationals and their local driver slain in suicide attack – Pakistani authorities

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In northwest Pakistan, a driver deliberately collided their car, which was carrying explosives, into another vehicle on Tuesday.This incident killed five people from China and their driver from Pakistan. This information comes from the police and government officials.

The attack happened in Shangla, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This was confirmed by the local police chief, Bakhat Zahir. He said that the five people who died were construction workers and engineers who were going to the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan, the Dasu Dam, where they worked.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is next to Afghanistan. The Pakistani Taliban have increased their attacks there in the past few years.

Officials said the dead bodies were taken to a hospital close by, and security teams began a big search in the area to find any other people involved. The police are looking into the attack.

On Tuesday, there was an attack in Baluchistan just a few days after Pakistani forces killed eight militants who were shooting at a convoy of Chinese people near the Gwadar port. This all happened in the Baluchistan province.

The BLA wants to be free from the government in Islamabad.

Pakistan’s leader, Mohsin Naqvi, spoke out against the attack and expressed sympathy for the families of those who died. He said: “China’s friends in Pakistan are being targeted by the enemy,” but he didn’t say who the enemy is. He promised to punish those responsible very severely and hoped the attack would not harm the relationship between Pakistan and China.

Naqvi went to China’s embassy in Islamabad and told the Chinese ambassador, Jiang Zaidong, about the attack. He promised to do a complete investigation, as per the ministry of interior.

Many Chinese people are working in Shangla on big projects like building roads, power plants, and farming, as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The CPEC, also called the One Road Project, is very important for Pakistan’s government, which is running out of money and facing a really bad economic crisis. This is a project in China called the Belt and Road Initiative. It’s a big plan to connect China to other countries in Asia by rebuilding the Silk Road.

Chinese workers building things in Pakistan have been hurt by bad people.

In July 2021, a suicide bomber exploded a vehicle near a bus carrying Chinese and Pakistani workers, killing at least 13 people, including 9 Chinese nationals. This caused Chinese companies to stop working for a while.

Pakistan has increased the security for projects related to CPEC.

A man accused of being Diddy’s ‘drug mule’ was arrested and charged with drug possession at the same time the rapper’s mansion

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A man accused of being Diddy’s ‘drug mule’ was arrested and charged with drug possession at the same time the rapper’s mansion was raided by police.

Brendan Paul, 25, was arrested by Miami-Dade Police, alongside Homeland Security agents, at Opa-Locka Airport in Miami about 4.30pm on Monday.

Federal agents raided Diddy’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami the same day as part of a sex trafficking investigation and detained two of his sons.

Justin and King Combs were later released without charge. Photos show at least two men were put in handcuffs during the Los Angeles raid.

Diddy was spotted about 3pm at Opa-Locka Airport, not long before Paul was arrested there, hours after the raid started, after his jet flew in from LA.

Department of Homeland Security and other local law enforcement offices contacted by DailyMail on Tuesday have not been able to comment on Diddy’s location and it was not clear where he went.

He was scheduled to fly to the Caribbean and blocked the public tracking of his jet after it arrived in Miami. Police seized his phones but he was not arrested.

The LoveAir LLC Gulfstream 5 jet was later tracked to the Caribbean island of Antigua, but he wasn’t on board.

Paul is being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami on two $2,500 bonds for cocaine and marijuana possession, according to jail records.

He had ‘contraband inside his personal travel bags… the suspect cocaine was located and tested’, an affidavit read.

Paul was referred to as Diddy’s ‘drug mule’ in a $30 million lawsuit Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones filed against Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs.

The complaint, one of five against Cobs since November, alleged he was involved in ‘acquir[ing] and distribut[ing] Mr Combs drugs and guns’.

A person familiar with the allegations told Rolling Stone that the Paul in the lawsuit was the same one arrested at Opa-Locka Airport on Monday.

Whether Paul’s arrest was connected to allegations in the lawsuit, or to the raids on Diddy’s properties, was not confirmed.

Jones claimed in the lawsuit that he ‘personally witnessed’ Paul ‘acquire and distribute’ drugs to Combs and his entourage, and transport or intend to transport drugs in baggage on flights.

He wrote the flights were between Los Angeles, Miami, Virginia, the Caribbean, and London three times in December 2022, April 2023 and November 2023.

‘Members of the enterprise and their associates procured, transported and distributed ecstasy, cocaine, GHB, ketamine, marijuana, mushrooms, by packing these substances in their carry-on luggage and going through TSA,’ he wrote.

‘Mr Jones personally witnessed… Brendan transport firearms to and from nightclubs, strip clubs, and other venues for Mr Combs on his person in Miami, Florida.

‘Mr Jones personally witnessed Mr. Combs distribute firearms out of his bedroom closet to individuals that Mr Jones knew to be members of local gangs.’

Jones attached a photo of Paul holding prescription pill bottles with a black pouch sitting on his lap.

‘Brendan Paul is videotaped with one of the black pouches Combs, and Kristina Khorram required the associates and members… to carry,’ he claimed.

‘This pouch was filled with ecstasy, cocaine, GHB, ketamine, marijuana, mushrooms, and tuc.’

‘Mr Combs required Brendan Paul and Mr Jones to carry his firearm on their person whenever they went out,’ another part of the lawsuit read.

‘One of these occasions Mr. Jones was required to carry Mr Combs’ firearm was when Mr Combs recorded himself coaching Mr Jones on how to solicit sex workers.’

Jones worked with Combs most recently on his record, The Love Album: Off the Grid. He claimed Paul and other staff were told to hire sex workers to come to the recording studio.

‘Mr Combs felt there was too much testosterone in the studio and wanted sex workers there to create the vibe for the Love Album,’ the lawsuit claimed.

‘Then these workers arrived, and Mr Jones and the other musicians and producers were required to engage in sex acts with them.’

Jones is suing the beleaguered rapper over claims he engaged in ‘serious illegal activity’ including sexual assault.

The initial lawsuit alleged Combs forced him to procure sex workers and pressured him into acts with them.

He also accused Gooding Jr. of groping him while on Diddy’s yacht in January 2023, according to the filings.

The incident allegedly took place in the Virgin Islands and saw Combs try to ‘pass off’ Jones to actor Gooding, the lawsuit states.

‘Cuba Gooding Jr. began touching, groping and fondling Mr. Jones’ legs, his upper inner thighs near his groin, the small of his back near his buttocks and his shoulders,’ Jones’ the lawsuit alleges.

The complaint also includes a photo appearing to show ‘Jerry Maguire’ star Gooding with his arm around Jones, as well as a pictures purportedly showing Combs and Gooding talking on the yacht.

Combs was accused in the lawsuit of failing to step in and stop Gooding from ‘sexually assaulting’ Jones.

Jones’ bombshell lawsuit against Diddy claims Combs subjected him to a year of groping and ‘constant unsolicited touching of his anus’.

He says he was ordered to recruit prostitutes and have sex with them for the star’s pleasure, and has hundreds of hours of video documenting Combs’s ‘serious illegal activity’.

He claims he was also sexually assaulted by a female cousin of Combs’s girlfriend Yung Miami and forced to watch a video of record producer Stevie J having sex with another man.

Jones was required to work in Combs’ bathroom where the star would shower naked behind a glass screen, according to the lawsuit.

The producer alleges Combs boasted of having shot people and threatened to inflict bodily harm if Jones did not comply with his demands.

He says the ‘forceful and demanding’ star privately admitted involvement in a 1999 nightclub shooting that saw him acquitted of gun possession and bribery charges.

‘Mr Combs consistently made it clear that he has immense power in the music industry and with law enforcement,’ the lawsuit claimed.

Jones claims that underage girls and sex workers were guests at the star’s house parties and that he saw the star drug their drinks.

He also claims he was ordered to Miami trawl bars and nightspots to recruit sex workers, and says he himself was drugged in February last year before he woke up naked, dizzy and confused in bed with Combs and two sex workers.

His lawsuit also names Combs’ son Justin, his chief of staff Kristina Khorram, and Universal Music Group chief executive Sir Lucian Grange as defendants.

It accuses Khorram of ‘grooming’ him on Combs’s behalf and claims that Motown Records, Love Records and Universal Music Group comprised a ‘Rico enterprise’ that ‘failed to adequately monitor, warn or supervise’ Combs and his inner circle.

Jones named some of the industry’s biggest names as co-defendants in the $30 million suit, claiming record boss Ethiopia Habtemariam dismissed Combs’s groping as ‘friendly horseplay’, and his way of ‘showing that he likes you’.

His lawsuit alleged Diddy’s ‘affiliation’ to Prince Harry and other stars gave him and his associates ‘legitimacy’.

The court documents do not suggest any wrongdoing on Prince Harry’s part.

Jones’ lawyers claim guests were drawn to Diddy’s alleged sex-trafficking parties because of his ‘access to celebrities such as famous athletes, political figures, artist, musicians, and international dignitaries like British Royal, Prince Harry’.

Prince William and Prince Harry met Diddy and Kanye West at a post-concert party the Princes hosted to thank all who took part in the ‘Concert for Diana’ at Wembley Stadium’ in 2007.

However, the Prince of Wales is not named in the court documents.

Diddy denied the existing allegations against him, calling them ‘sickening’, and his lawyer dismissed Jones’s claims as ‘pure fiction’.

‘Lil Rod is nothing more than a liar who filed a $30 billion lawsuit shamelessly looking for an undeserved payday,’ attorney Shawn Holley told TMZ in February.

Trump now selling ‘God Bless the USA’ Bibles for $60 as he faces mounting legal bills

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Former US president, Donald Trump is now selling Bibles as he runs to return to the White House.

The presumptive Republican nominee released a video on his Truth Social platform Tuesday, March 26 urging his supporters to purchase the “God Bless The USA Bible” which is inspired by country singer Lee Greenwood’s patriotic ballad.

Trump always plays the song at each of his rallies and has appeared with Greenwood at events.

“Happy Holy Week! Let’s Make America Pray Again. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless the USA Bible,” Trump wrote, directing his supporters to a website selling the book for $59.99.

The effort comes as Trump faces a serious money crunch amid mounting legal bills while he fights four criminal indictments along with a series of civil charges.

Trump was given a reprieve on Monday when a New York appeals court agreed to hold off on collecting the more than $454 million he owes following a civil fraud judgment if he puts up $175 million within 10 days. Trump has already posted a $92 million bond in connection with defamation cases brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual assault.

“All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many. It’s my favorite book,” Trump said in the video posted on Truth Social. “I’m proud to endorse and encourage you to get this Bible. We must make America pray again.”

Billing itself as “the only Bible endorsed by President Trump!” the new venture’s website calls it “Easy-to-read” with “large print” and a “slim design” that “invites you to explore God’s Word anywhere, any time.”

Besides a King James Version translation, it includes copies of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of Allegiance, as well as a handwritten chorus of the famous Greenwood song.

The Bible is just the latest commercial venture that Trump has pursued while campaigning.

Just last month, he debuted a new line of Trump-branded sneakers, including $399 gold “Never Surrender High-Tops,” at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. The venture behind the shoes, 45Footwear, also sells other Trump-branded footwear, cologne and perfume.

Trump has also dabbled in NFTs and last year reported earning between $100,000 and $1 million from a series of digital trading cards that portrayed him in cartoon-like images, including as an astronaut, a cowboy and a superhero.

Moscow assault victims, including children, in critical condition

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Twenty-two people who were hurt in the Russia concert hall attack are still in bad shape in the hospital. The health minister said this on Tuesday.

Russia is still feeling really bad from the attack on Friday. Gunmen killed 139 people in a concert hall near Moscow. The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, said on Monday that the attackers are “extreme Islamists. ” Even though there is a lot of evidence showing that the Islamic State was involved, Putin keeps saying that Ukraine might have been involved too. Kyiv has said they were not involved in the attack.

Four men who are accused of doing the attack went to a court in Moscow on Sunday. They are being charged with terrorism. They also had signs of being severely beaten. One seemed barely awake during the meeting.

The men are from Tajikistan, and their names are Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, Shamsidin Fariduni, and Mukhammadsobir Faizov. They were accused of causing a terrorist attack that killed people. The crime can be punished with life in prison.

Russian officials said they arrested 11 people for the attack. Another person who was captured went to court on Monday. Alisher Kasimov from Kyrgyzstan was charged because he rented an apartment to the men who are accused of doing the attack.

On Tuesday, a high-ranking Turkish security official said that two of the Moscow attackers were in Turkey for a short time before going to Russia together on March 2nd.

One of the attackers, named Fariduni, came into Turkey in February. On the next day, 20th, I went to a hotel in Istanbul’s Fatih district and left on Feb. 21stThe official said twenty-seven. Rachabalizoda went to a hotel in the same area on January. 5, leaving on January. Rewrite this text using simpler words.

The Turkish authorities think the two suspects were influenced by radical beliefs while they were in Russia because they didn’t stay in Turkey for very long. They were not legally allowed to be arrested, so they could travel between Russia and Turkey without any problems, the official said anonymously. He wasn’t allowed to speak publicly about it.

The attack at the Crocus City Hall music venue in Moscow on Friday night was one of the worst in Russia in a long time, and over 180 people were hurt.

Two days after the Islamic State’s Afghanistan group said they were behind the attack at the music place, Putin admitted during a meeting with government officials that the killings were done by extremists with beliefs that the Islamic world has been fighting against for a long time.

Putin said that the four people who attacked were caught trying to escape to Ukraine. He also said that they haven’t figured out who told them to do it, but it’s important to find out why they were trying to go to Ukraine and who was waiting for them there.

The group that is associated with IS said they did the attack, and US intelligence has information that says the group is responsible. French President Emmanuel Macron said that France has information showing that a group associated with IS is responsible for the attack.

China jails their FA president for life over $10m bribes

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Former president of China’s football association, Chen Xuyuan, has been sentenced to life in prison for accepting bribes totaling more than $10 million, according to state media reports on Tuesday.

This verdict follows a significant anti-corruption investigation within the sport, targeting numerous high-ranking officials since late 2022.

Chen’s actions were deemed to have inflicted “tremendous damage” on Chinese football, as stated in a court ruling reported by the official Xinhua news agency. Corruption has long plagued the sport in China, with fans attributing it to the national team’s consistent underperformance.

Chen, 67, rose from working on the docks in Shanghai during his youth to leading Shanghai International Port Co in the 2010s, eventually assuming the chairmanship of the Chinese Football Association (CFA) in 2019.

The court in central Hubei province found that Chen exploited his various positions, including those associated with the CFA, to facilitate illicit activities related to project contracting, investment operations, and sports event arrangements.

In exchange, he accepted bribes and valuable gifts amounting to over 81 million yuan ($11.22 million).

Chen’s involvement in corruption was highlighted in a state TV documentary series aired in January, where he admitted to accepting bribes.

He recounted receiving backpacks filled with cash from local football officials on the eve of his appointment as CFA chairman. Confessions of corruption have become commonplace on national television since President Xi Jinping initiated an extensive anti-corruption campaign.

“They came into my room, casually placed their backpacks on my sofa, and said, ‘congratulations, resident Chen, we hope you can take care of us more,’” he said.

“When I asked what they were offering, they responded it is just a tradition and they all do it this way.”

On Chen’s sentencing, the People’s Daily, the official paper of the ruling Communist Party, said there was no end point to the fight against corruption.

“The systemic corruption in football is by no means accidental,” the newspaper wrote. “It is imperative to trace back to the source and address the symptoms and root causes.”

State media reported on Tuesday that several other football officials were also investigated for corruption, including Chen Yongliang, former executive deputy secretary-general of the CFA, Liu Lei, a former director at the Wuhan Football Management Centre, Yu Hongchen, a former vice head of the CFA, and Dong Zheng, a former general manager of the Chinese Super League.

Chen received a 14-year prison sentence, Yu received 13 years, Dong received eight years, and Liu received 2 1/2 years.

Li Tie, former head coach of the men’s national team, and Du Zhaocai, former vice chairman of the CFA, who were similarly accused of corruption, are still awaiting their verdicts.

Flamengo striker, Gabriel Barbosa, suspended for two years for attempted anti-doping fraud

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Flamengo and Brazil striker Gabriel Barbosa, also known as ‘Gabigol,’ has been suspended for two years for attempted anti-doping fraud.

According to local media reports, the 27-year-old made it difficult to undergo an anti-doping test the day before a game.

The Brazilian Doping Control Authority said: “The aforementioned athlete was judged by the Anti-Doping Sports Court of Justice and, by a majority vote, it was decided that a violation of the anti-doping rule of attempted fraud had occurred.”

Barbosa, who has represented his country 18 times, has denied the allegations.

“I have never attempted to obstruct or defraud any test, and I trust that I will be cleared by the higher court,” he said in a post on X.

“Since the beginning of my career as a footballer, I have always followed the rules of the game and never used banned substances. I have been subjected to dozens of tests, all of which have always been negative.

“I am disappointed with the outcome of the judgement, but I will continue co-operating with the sporting authorities and trust that my innocence will be proven and re-established by the higher court.”

The two-year ban for Gabriel Barbosa starts from the date of violation, which occurred on 8 April 2023.

The Brazilian Serie A season begins on 14 April and concludes on 8 December, meaning Barbosa will miss the entire season but should be available for the start of the 2025 campaign.

Flamengo expressed surprise at the verdict and stated they would assist the player with an appeal.

“(The club) will assist the athlete in presenting an appeal to CAS, since it understands that there was no fraud, not even an attempt, to justify the punishment applied,” they said in a statement.

Barbosa signed for Flamengo on a permanent deal in 2020 after a successful loan spell from Inter Milan, where he only played nine times in four years.

The forward scored the winning goal in the 2022 Copa Libertadores final – South America’s version of the Champions League – in a 1-0 win over fellow Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense.

Barbosa made his Brazil debut in a 2-0 friendly win over Panama in May 2016 and has scored five international goals.

I’ve always wondered why we celebrate what should normally cause us to worry- Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

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By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
Celebrating Debt contraction, debt restructure, sale of Mopani and KCM

I’ve always wondered why we celebrate what should normally cause us to worry.

● We celebrated when Zambia issued its debut 10-year Eurobond of US$750 million international sovereign bond on 13th September, 2012.

● We celebrate the sale of KCM & Mopani, assets that should bring billions of dollars and must be key to developing the country.

● We celebrated when IMF signaled its Staff-level agreement of a $1.3 bail-out loan.

● We celebrated the reschedule of debt from paying for it now to paying for it in twenty years time.

Key Points on Debt Reschedule

1. In 2010, Zambia attained the lower middle income status. The IMF shepherded 12 African countries to the Eurobond and commercial markets. IMF stated that the environment was conducive for African nations to tap into the international debt markets as an alternative funding source away from foreign aid and multilateral institutions. So the IMF must not escape this blame. Ask Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane.

●In its first tranche,Zambia obtained $750m while Kenya ($1 billion), Ghana ($3 billion), Benin (€1 billion), Senegal (€0.8 billion), Ivory Coast (€0.85 billion), and Cameroon (€0.7 billion) all obtained this new form of development financing. Before this only South Africa and Seychelles had obtained Eurobonds in 2007.

● China also came on the scene with project and infrastructure financing under the Belt and Road Initiative. Zambia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Egypt among others benefitted from these new loans from China.

● After the debt sustainabilty analysis conducted in 2017/2018 tvat established that Zambia was debt distressed, the PF pursued the restructure of Chinese loans under bilateral arrangements.

Infact a few loans such as the $90million Levy Mwanawasa stadium were written off. PF hired Lazard Feres from France, who have been key negotiators under UPND debt restructure negotiations program, to handle the Eurobond and other commercial creditors.

● the UPND have missed an opportunity to get debt write-off or debt forgiveness from China with the approach they took through the IMF and G20 Framework. The key principle here is the uniform treatment of debt and creditors. Eurobond holders and others would never agree to a debt write-off.

● Under the agreements on the debt reschedule, the debt has just been rescheduled to 12-20 years.

The problem has NOT gone away. It has been pushed to another, a future government.

● Government has to begin servicing its debt since December 2020.

Infact that financial outlay has been taken away.

● Under this new agreement, Eurobond holders have to receive $187million now.

Any default takes the country to original status.

● $800million- In 3 years only, Zambia has accumulated interest service arreas on the Eurobond alone of $800million. How much interest has Zambia paid in the last 10 years on its $3billion debt?

INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES HOLDING RSC LIMITED’S (IRH) 51% STAKE IN MOPANI COPPER MINES PLC IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND NULLITY- Celestin Mukandila

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INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES HOLDING RSC LIMITED’S (IRH) 51% STAKE IN MOPANI COPPER MINES PLC IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND NULLITY
By: Celestin RM. Mukandila_Esquire
26th March, 2024

The acquisition of the 51% stake in MOPANI from ZCCM Investment Holdings PLC (“ZCCM-IH”) by IRH Limited is unconstitutional because it operated on an illegal “ZCCM-IH Shareholder Approval” which ought to have been a Condition Precedent for the closing or completion of the Transaction hence making it a nullity.


The SENS ANNOUNCEMENT (the “Notice” or “Announcement”) issued in Lusaka, Zambia on 22 December 2023 which provided for the TRANSACTION ANNOUNCEMENT Regarding Mopani Copper Mines Plc is instructive to the effect that the Condition Precedent for the transact must be met.

PARTICULARS OF THE “ZCCM-IH SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL” ILLEGALITY
The Shareholders for ZCCM-IH are;
1. Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) having 60.28% shares
“The IDC was incorporated in January 2014 and is wholly owned by the Government through the Minister of Finance pursuant to the Minister of Finance (Incorporation) Act Cap 349 of the Laws of Zambia.”
2. ⁠Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) having 17.25% shares
“GRZ is represented by the Minister of Finance by virtue of the Minister of Finance (Incorporation) Act Cap 349 of the Laws of Zambia.”

3. ⁠National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) having 15.00% shares
“The National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) was established in February 2000 by the National Pension Scheme Act no. 40 of 1996 of the Laws of Zambia.” and
4. ⁠Minority Shareholders having 7.47% shares
It must be noted that the three major shareholders in ZCCM-IH hold their interests in trust for and on behalf of the Zambian people.

Further to this; The Government of The Republic of Zambia owns property through the Minister of Finance. The Minister of Finance (Incorporation) Act (CAP 349 of the Laws of Zambia) has provided in Section 3 for Incorporation of Minister of Finance. Viz;

“3. The Minister of Finance shall be a corporation sole by that name, with perpetual succession and an official seal, and with power to acquire and hold in that name lands, Government securities, shares in any company, securities for money, and real and personal property of every description, to sue and be sued, to execute deeds, to enter into agreements binding on himself and his successors in office, and to do all other acts necessary or expedient to be done in respect of the above matters or any of them.”
Furthermore, this Act has provided in Section 7 that;
“7. All property vested in the Minister of Finance under or by virtue of the provisions of this Act shall, except where and to such extent as the property is held on other trusts, be held in trust for the President on behalf of the Government.
Having established the fact that the three major shareholders in ZCCM-IH hold their interests for and on behalf of the Zambian Government, such interests are State Assets. It is conclusive that the Act is instructive as to whose interest assets held by the Minister represent. (The Zambian People).

Suffice to note that, ARTICLE 210 of The Constitution of Zambia Amendment Act No. 2 of 2016 has provided for public procurement and disposal of State assets.

ARTICLE 210(2) of The Constitution of Zambia Amendment Act No. 2 of 2016 provides that;
“(2) A major State asset shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, as prescribed, subject to the approval of the National Assembly signified by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Members of Parliament.”
This provision has further defined a major State asset in Sub Article (3) as;
“(3) For the purposes of this Article, “major State asset” includes a parastatal and equity held by the Government, as prescribed.”

This in itself entails that the Zambian people must be consulted as and when a major asset such as the interests held by ZCCM-IH in a company such as MOPANI is being sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of.
The Constitution is instructive as to the fact that the sale of the 51% stake in MOPANI to IRH Limited by ZCCM-IH was supposed to be subject to the approval of the National Assembly by a vote of at least two-thirds of Members of Parliament.

It is for this reason that I am of the opinion that the shareholders did not consult the people in whose interests they represent when coming up with the “ZCCM-IH Shareholder Approval” for the sale of that major asset belonging to the Government of the Republic of Zambia. Therefore, the said approval by the shareholders is illegal and a nullity ab initio.

CONCLUSION
The Attorney General and the Minister of Finance must revisit the transaction immediately and ensure that the government and ZCCM-IH corrects this constitutional abrogation by subjecting the said sale before the National Assembly for approval as it flies in the teeth of a constitutional abrogation by the Republican President. We must protect and defend the constitution of the Republic of Zambia

KEY POINTS FROM INTERVIEW OF FINANCE MINISTER DR MUSOKOTWANE WHEN HE FEATURED ON HOT FM TODAY

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KEY POINTS FROM INTERVIEW OF FINANCE MINISTER DR MUSOKOTWANE WHEN HE FEATURED ON HOT FM TODAY

Some highlights from Finance Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane’s interview on Hot-Fm today:

✅The Government of the Republic of Zambia is delighted that it has reached and concluded the debt restructuring with Eurobond holders over the country’s US$3.5 billion.

✅Debt restructuring is a milestone for Zambia because it was very complicated unlike the heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative which was a slightly different process in the sense that during the HIPC Initiative, Zambia only owed few creditors.

✅Those owed were the world Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and bilateral countries which made it easy for creditors to provide debt relief for Zambia with a clear road map of what the country needed to do for a successful debt relief.

✅And the Minister stressed that debt restructuring was very complicated because Zambia owed many different categories of private creditors and there was a need to collectively negotiate interest rates which was not easy hence the delay in concluding the deal.

✅Once the country’s economy stabilises, Zambia will be allowed to pay more than what has been agreed now to dismantle the debt faster.

✅ Citizens should not expect prices of essential commodities to drastically drop, but some will come down.

✅Without the support of IMF and other donors, Government would have had challenges to provide services to its citizens and without debt restructuring Zambia would have faced severe consequences.

✅IMF will be coming into Zambia every after six months to check if the country is adhering to the commitments.

✅The Minister, however, revealed that Government is still dealing with commercial banks who leant money to the Zambian Government and other local service providers.

✅With the debt restructuring which will give Zambia breathing space, there is need to increase copper production to three million metric tonnes as opposed to the 750, 000 metric tonnes which Zambia has been producing for many years now.

✅There is need to increase agricultural productivity to improve the economy and the country’s food security.

✅If Zambia defaults, the debt restructuring programme will collapse.

✅Zambia should not expect to borrow and expect lenders to cancel the debts.

✅The debt restructuring deal gives Zambia a chance to invest more for the economy to grow and stabilize

MIM

POLICY INCONSISTENCY CRIPPLING THE COUNTRY….almost all government ministries are failing to perform as expected, says Hon Sichone

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POLICY INCONSISTENCY CRIPPLING THE COUNTRY

….almost all government ministries are failing to perform as expected, says Hon Sichone

Lusaka… Monday March 25, 2024

Former Muchinga Province Minister Hon Malozo Sichone says there is too much policy inconsistency in the UPND administration which he says is crippling the country.

Hon Shichone said almost all economic sectors are paralized because of policy inconsistency under President Hakainde Hichilema.

Speaking when he featured on The Conversations Podcast hosted by Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba in Lusaka, Hon Sichone said the UPND after taking over office, opted to sale the maize stock they found in reserves signaling lack of judgment on the part of the UPND.

“In 2018, if President Edgar Lungu did not provide leadership, mealie meal could have been costing more than K400 per 25kg bag. That is why he never tempered with the reserves. But this President sold the maize in reserves and now wants to start importing from Tanzania. The same maize he sold,” he said.

“President Hichilema lacks experience. That is the fact! Because for him he just wanted to become a President minus knowing and understanding how government systems work. That’s why he has failed to deliver from all fronts. The President is a trader that’s why he calls himself Chief Marketing Officer and he doesn’t know how to really look after the people.”

Meanwhile, Hon Sichone said come 2026, President Hichilema and the UPND will leave office because most Zambians have lost hope in them.

“The biggest opposition they have is the people and not PF or UKA. They can refuse to register UKA today but a time will come when the people will speak their mind. This is why the people are crying out to President Lungu because they know what he is capable of doing when compared to President Hichilema,” he added.

“In 2026, the vote turn out will be 100 percent. HH may try to manipulate elections, but it won’t help him and his UPND because the people will speak one voice of making sure that they leave office.”

He also expressed concern that load shedding will be worse in the coming months saying this is just March and the people are subjected to 8 hours long of power outage.

Hon Sichone indicated that most of the small businesses will be frustrated by 2025 because their businesses will be struggling.

CHINESE BUSINESSMAN SENTENCED TO DÊATH IN NIGERIA FOR KÏLLING HIS GIRLFRIEND

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CHINESE BUSINESSMAN SENTENCED TO DÊATH IN NIGERIA FOR KÏLLING HIS GIRLFRIEND

A Nigerian court has sentenced a Chinese businessman to death after being found guilty of murdering his girlfriend Ummu Kulthum Sani in 2022.

Frank Geng Quarong was discovered in her room after having stabbed her several times there.

The killing of the 22-year-old university student shocked Nigerians and the case was closely followed.

Death sentences are rarely carried out in Nigeria. Quarong has 90 days to appeal against the verdict.

Speaking on behalf of the family, the victim’s brother, Sadiq Sani, described the sentence of death by hanging handed down by the court in Kano as justice. He said that whoever kills anyone deserved to be killed too.

“We thank God for showing us this day… I pray that my sister’s soul continues to rest in peace,” he told the BBC.

Her family remember the young agriculture undergraduate as kind and jovial.

Quarong, 49, and Ms Sani had been in a relationship since 2020 after having met in a shopping mall, according to Mr Sani.

He was in the country working for a Nigerian textiles firm.

Talking shortly after the killing in September 2022, family friend Ahmad Abdullahi described what had happened.

He remembered coming to the family home and seeing that “a lot of people had gathered outside the house”.

“That was when we knew something bad had happened. Geng was her boyfriend and had good relations with her family prior to that day.

“Before the incident they were having issues as she was no longer interested and he didn’t want to let go.”

According to neighbours, on the night of the killing Quarong was heard knocking heavily on the gate to the Sani family home.

( BBC News)

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