Posts in category: Uncategorized

Researchers have released a new high-quality collection of reference human genome sequences that captures substantially more diversity from different human populations than what was previously available. The work was led by the international Human Pangenome Reference Consortium, a group funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health.

For the first time, researchers described the structure of a special type of amyloid beta plaque protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression. In a report published May 10 in the journal Neuron, scientists showed the small aggregates of the amyloid beta protein could float through the brain tissue fluid, reaching many brain regions and disrupting local neuron functioning. The research also provided evidence that a newly approved AD treatment could neutralize these small, diffusible aggregates.

Up to 40% of rare diseases show facial alterations that enable researchers to identify some pathologies, and they can even help establish an early diagnosis. Historically, the visual evaluation and use of some classic anthropometric measurements—diameter of the head, etc.—have enabled early diagnosis in rare diseases. With the most sophisticated and automated techniques, based on artificial intelligence (AI), it is now possible to apply more objective methods. However, most of the AI-generated algorithms have databases with populations of European origins and they ignore the genetic and morphological diversity of human populations of around the world.

FIRST National Bank (FNB) has launched an inaugural Kopala 10-kilometre run in Kitwe which is expected to be an action-packed run that will see thousands of runners and walkers unite on July 29, 2023 in Kitwe to champion health and wellness.

FNB Chief Executive Officer Bydon Longwe said more than K3.5 million will be spent on the run which was encouraging not only Kitwe residents but the rest of the nation to adopt an active and healthy live-style

Longwe said at Garden Court Hotel in Kitwe that the FNB, with support from the Zambia Athletics, the office of Kitwe Mayor, Still Water Sports and Garden Court Hotel had announced the launch of the inaugural FNB Kopala 10 kilometres

He said although the name says 10 kilometres, there will also be a 5-kilometres run, making the event all inclusive for runners and walkers of all fitness levels including beginners and children. He said FNB Zambia will be donating 200 litter bins which will be installed across the city to encourage cleanliness, adding that, the bank will also be enlisting like-minded partners to work with in making FNB Kopala 10-kilometre run a memorable and impactful event.

 PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema is in Paris, France for a one day visit intended for talks on Zambia’s debt restructuring plan. The Head of State who is accompanied by Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane and Foreign Affairs Minister Stanely Kakubo are today expected to hold bilaterial talks with the French President Emmanuel Macron. The President was received […]

By Sports Reporter

ZAMBIA’s 2012 Africa Cup winning skipper Christopher Katongo is among the 30 candidates undergoing the CAF B licence course which has attracted individuals from across the borders.

Katongo is joined by other former footballers who includes Dears Kakunta, Dennis Banda, Henry Banda, Lawrence Lubinda, Nicholas Zulu, Lewington Mujembe and Keagan Phiri.

Katongo is a holder of a CAF C licence which made it eligible for him to attend the course which is examinable in theory and practice and requires candidates to be fairly academically proficient.

Meanwhile, FAZ president Andrew Kamanga says it remains his executive’s prime objective to invest heavily in coach education to help develop the game.

During the official opening of the CAF B course, Kamanga said while he was excited that the course attracted interest from people across the borders, he expected that Zambians should take more interest in the coaching programmes.

“It is particularly exciting that we have had a lot of international interest in this programme which speaks to the value of this undertaking. While we appreciate that we have been able to accommodate a few candidates beyond our borders, our desire is to widen the knowledge pool of Zambian coaches qualified to take up various coaching roles in our game,” he said.

“It has not been easy to get the approval to hold this course but through the tireless efforts of FAZ, through the technical directorate we are happy that we have finally been able to hold this course. With the increased number of qualified coaches, we expect that will reflect in the quality of the coaching methods.”

Kamanga said FAZ was not only training coaches locally but also sending others outside for programmes that could widen their knowledge pool.

CAF Instructor Sunday Kayuni said he is looking forward to having a meeting where the impact of the coaching courses is evaluated.

And Kayuni said that he felt appreciated for his contribution to the game for repeatedly being honoured to teach emerging coaches but hoped that the impact of the programmes can be evaluated.

And Buildcon FC coach Nchimunya Mweetwa who is one of the candidates said; “If you look at where Zambian football is going, we need a lot of educated coaches. CAF B has come at the right time, for me and the other participants who will be undergoing this training, we really need to enhance our coaching so that we can help the future stars of Zambian football.”

And Simon Marange of Orlando Pirates in South Africa is confidentl that the knowledge obtained will help to mould better future stars.

By PRINCE MABUMBA

GREEN Party president, Peter Sinkamba says the suspension of ZCCM-IH from the London Stock Exchange will make it difficult for the mining sector to flourish as investors will now regard the mining investment and Operations Company as a risky venture.

The London Stock Exchange has temporarily suspended ZCCM-IH effective May 2, 2023. Mr Sinkamba told Millennium TV in an interview that the suspension may lead to many investors pulling out of ZCCM-IH.

“ZCCM-IH  has managed to raise funds from the investors using the London Stock Exchange and  ZCCM-IH being  a shareholder in various mining companies including First Quantum Minerals and so many of them,  it becomes very, very, very hard for our mining industry to flourish,” Mr Sinkamba said.

He also said the suspension would have economic ramifications because mining is one of the major contributors to Zambia’s economy. “And it is really sad in the sense that  we may see a situation where a lot of investors who have pushed money in ZCCM-IH  pulling out since corruption has been cited as a major problem in ZCCM-IH, and  that will cause all other investors to remove their investment because ZCCM-IH has become risky,” Mr Sinkamba said.

Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany Anthony Mukwita has called on government to work on enhancing relations with Russia.

 The former envoy said, this will help Zambia to benefit from that country.

 Mr Mukwita said, Russia has a lot to offer Zambia, therefore, government should be willing to strengthen the bilateral ties.

 “In the last 20 months we have been accused in the international front of having western centric diplomatic linen.

 So going forward we need to enhance our relations with countries like Russia. They give us scholarships, they give us cheap fertilizer.

 “We really need to strengthen our bilateral relations with the Federal Republic of Russia. Then we shall see an increase of scholarships, increase of the agro-inputs. So let’s look for the future and see where we are going,” he said.

 Mr Mukwita said, Zambia cannot manage to side with any country but ensure, therefore, the government needs to respect the non-alignment policy.

WE are not thinking about the CAF Confederations Cup at the moment but when time comes we shall be ready to compete in the continental championship, FC MUZA president Keith Mweemba has said.

Mweemba, in an interview after MUZA butchered Nkwazi 4-1 to move to second on the Super League table, said it is premature for the team to think of continental action when the league is not over.

Mweemba however noted that MUZA deserves a shot to represent the country in the continental championship after a successful campaign in the domestic league.

“I don’t want to get carried away. We haven’t qualified for the continental games but when that time comes, we shall be prepared and if people say that we may not represent the country well, what has happened with other teams that have represented the country before? There are other teams that have qualified before us. How have they performed? Isn’t it a fact that we lost four slots? Was MUZA there to play continental football when we lost the four slots? No. if we deserve to qualify for continental showpiece, why not? We deserve it,” Mweemba said.

“We can’t start celebrating. We have to take each game seriously as it comes. We have another difficult game at home against Zanaco this week in Mazabuka and you have seen there is a seasoned coach at Zanaco in Wedson Nyirenda and Zanaco is in the right frame of mind.

They are not a push over so it will be another difficult game and we have to prepare adequately but the beauty with our team is that we respect every opponent but one thing we have told ourselves is that we don’t fear anybody. It’s as simple as that,” he said.

Mweemba noted the need for MUZA to stay focused and work hard in the remaining two league games against Zanaco and Lumwana Radiants.

He said the league has been tough with Zesco United having picked up at the right time to fight for a top two finish.

“Zesco United have picked up at the right time and you can see how they are playing good football. Senior coach George Lwandamina and his team have brought stability and they are playing well so we cannot celebrate before the chicks’ hatch,” Mweemba said.

Asked about the secret to the side’s success this season, Mweemba said; “We don’t fear anybody and people thought it was a fluke, all our games you have watched them on Super Sport, the seven games we have played which were televised on Super Sport we never lost any. We are unbeaten.”

“The strength of our team, we don’t have a star at MUZA, these players are young and they have been together for not less than five years, growing up together. They play football to enjoy, they are not scared of anybody,” Mweemba said.

 THE Lusaka Magistrate’s Court has placed former presidential political advisor Kaizer Zulu on his defence in a matter he is accused of failure to surrender a diplomatic passport and failure to appear before the nearest immigration office during travels. Mr Zulu was placed on his defence yesterday after a magistrate found that a prema facie […]