All posts by : Felistas

Every day, nearly 100 children present to Australian emergency departments with suspected medicine poisoning. It’s a startling statistic, but a reality that could be avoided, according to new research from the University of South Australia.

One in five Americans is likely to get skin cancer in their lifetime, making it the most common type of cancer in the U.S. But the good news is that it’s highly treatable when caught early, especially if it can be treated with Mohs micrographic surgery.

A study by researchers from The University of Manchester and Cambridge into attitudes to the use of AI in general practice has revealed that patients and staff broadly welcomed it, as long as it is used as a complement to the clinical expertise of doctors during online consultations.

The magnitude and complexity of road traffic injuries for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is compounded by a problematic compensation system with structural barriers and systemic inequities, according to new research by Flinders University.

BARNABAS ZULU LINDA Kasonde has suggested that one of the reasons the UPND government has come up with rushed constitutional amendments is to target former President Edgar Lungu’s eligibility to challenge President Hakainde Hichilema in the 2026 general election. Ms Kasonde, the former Chapter One Foundation executive director says it is worrying that Article 52 […]

Obesity can have a distinct impact on the absorption, effectiveness and excretion of antibiotics, medications that have been in use for more than 80 years, but only now have consensus guidelines been proposed on prescribing the drugs for patients with substantial fat mass.

ROGERS KALERO MINES and Mineral Development Minister Paul Kabuswe has said the outlook of Zambia’s mineral production is promising because of the increased in mineral resource exploration, development and investment being injected in various mining companies on both the Copperbelt and North-western provinces  Mr Kabuswe said with the ongoing exploration efforts and investments in the mining sector, the […]

BARNABAS ZULU

IN a scene straight out of a political thriller, the usually tranquil grounds of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) headquarters in Lusaka were thrown into utter disarray early yesterday as the iconic Football House was mysteriously locked, leaving stunned employees stranded outside.

Boldly printed posters similar to those used when applying “mingalato” demanding the immediate removal of FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga were plastered across the building’s entrance, signalling what appears to be a deepening crisis at the heart of Zambian football administration.

The atmosphere was tense. Confused staff stood helplessly at the gates, whispering anxiously among themselves, while passersby stopped to gawk at the unprecedented standoff.

“This is purely an internal administrative matter, and we are handling it as such,” said FAZ President Keith Mweemba at a hastily convened press briefing.

His voice, calm but firm, belied the gravity of the unfolding drama. “Any elements under investigation have been reported to the police and will be dealt with through the appropriate channels.”

FAZ Vice President Mutale Ng’andu echoed Mweemba’s sentiments but did not hide his concern. “We have called in the law enforcement agencies, and they are on the ground investigating,” he said.

“What happened today is deeply unfortunate. Until the police conclude their inquiries, we won’t know who is behind this, but rest assured, we will act once we have the facts.”

The bold act of locking out staff was accompanied by handwritten messages angrily calling for the ouster of Kamanga and his deputy John Msimuko, revealing simmering tensions within the corridors of FAZ.

While officials insist the matter will be dealt with administratively, the symbolic act of locking out offices of the country’s football governing body has sent shockwaves through the sporting community.

Later in the day, the FAZ offices were reopened under police watch, but questions continue to swirl.

Kamanga was appointed by the executive of former FAZ president Andrew Kamanga, who lost to Mweemba.

Who are the shadowy figures behind the act? What grievances are they channeling? What does this mean for the future of FAZ leadership? Is this “mingalato” aimed at ousting the entire former leadership?

As the investigations continue, one thing is clear: the storm brewing at Football House is far from over.

NATION REPORTER MOST of the 55 new constituencies to be created are likely to be delimitated from provinces that have traditionally been the stronghold for the UPND. The constituencies earmarked for subdivision, include Itezhi-tezhi and Namwala in Southern Province, Keembe in Central Province, Chongwe in Lusaka, Mufumbwe, Mwinilunga and Kasempa in North-Western Province and Senanga […]

GRACE CHAILE

ATTORNEY General, Mulilo Kabesha and the Speaker, Nelly Mutti, have submitted that Munir Zulu’s application for a stay of the Lumezi by-election, scheduled for next month, lacks merit as it fails to demonstrate any irreparable harm or constitutional prejudice.

They argue that the application not only lacks substance but also undermines constitutionalism and disregards the public interest in the electoral process.

In their submission, Mr Kabesha and Ms Mutti stated that Mr Zulu’s application fails to demonstrate any irreparable harm or constitutional prejudice.

They argued that the application undermines constitutionalism, disregards public interest in the electoral process, and lacks substance.

The Attorney General and Speaker submitted that Mr Zulu’s conviction and sentence are sufficient to invoke the disqualification clause under Article 70(2) (f) of the Constitution. They argued that the Speaker acted in fulfillment of her constitutional duty in declaring the Lumezi seat vacant.

Mr Kabesha and Ms Mutti submitted that Mr Zulu’s argument that the Nickson Chilangwa’s case was wrongly decided does not suffice to suspend the Constitution and its binding effect. They stated that the application has no demonstration of irreparable harm and no constitutional prejudice.

Chilangwa’s case refers to a landmark Constitutional Court decision in Zambia that established a precedent for the disqualification of members of Parliament (MPs) who have been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment.The Attorney General and the Speaker argued that in the Chilangwa’s case, the Constitutional Court ruled that an MP who has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment is disqualified from holding office, regardless of whether they have appealed the conviction or not.

The court held that the disqualification is automatic and takes effect immediately upon the MP’s conviction and sentencing.“The applicant is currently serving a custodial sentence. Disqualification arises not from the mere fact of conviction, but from the status of being imprisoned. This court in Chilangwa rightly affirmed that the mere filing of an appeal or petition does not suspend the operation of the constitution. Allowing otherwise would paralyse constitutional enforcement,” they stated.

Mr Zulu’s lawyers have argued that the Chilangwa case was wrongly decided, but Attorney General and Speaker contended that the case establishes a clear precedent for the disqualification of MPs who have been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment.

The Attorney General and Speaker prayed that the application for a stay be dismissed with costs. They argued that granting a stay would interfere with the lawful functioning of Parliament and upset the separation of powers.

Mr Zulu had argued that the seat should not have been declared vacant because he is still pursuing an appeal against his conviction.

However, Mr Kabesha and Ms Mutti maintained that the constitutional eligibility standards for MPs must be upheld rigorously, and that failure to adhere to these standards undermines the integrity of the electoral process and public confidence in the rule of law.