The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) officially ceased operations on July 1, drawing both praise and alarm. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the move, calling it the end of “government-sanctioned inefficiency.” “Under the Trump Administration, we will finally have a foreign funding mission in America that prioritizes our national interests,” Rubio wrote on Substack.

Foreign aid programs will now be managed by the State Department, but only those that “align with administration policies—and which advance American interests,” according to Rubio.

The abrupt dismantling of USAID was led by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative backed by Elon Musk.

Thousands of global aid programs have been eliminated, including those providing vaccines, maternal care, clean water, and food security. A new analysis published in The Lancet estimates that the cuts could lead to over 14 million preventable deaths by 2030.

Children under the age of five are projected to make up more than 4.5 million of those deaths. Critics warn the humanitarian consequences of this move could outweigh any perceived gains in government efficiency.

The Vatican has announced that the inauguration Mass for Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected leader of the Roman Catholic Church, will be held on Sunday, May 18, in St. Peter’s Square.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, recently chosen as the first American pope, was elected following four rounds of voting in the papal conclave. His election was confirmed on Thursday with the traditional appearance of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel.

The ceremony, which will take place ten days after his election, is expected to draw numerous world leaders to the Vatican.

In the days following the inauguration, Pope Leo XIV has several major appointments. He will address members of the press on Monday, and on Friday, he will welcome diplomats accredited to the Holy See.

His first general audience is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, and on May 24, he is set to meet with senior Vatican officials from the Roman Curia.

Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church, making history as the first American pope. The 69-year-old Chicago native has chosen the papal name Leo XIV, and is widely regarded as a diplomatic figure within the Church.

Born in Chicago in 1955 to Spanish and Franco-Italian parents, Pope Leo XIV was ordained a priest in 1982. In 1985, he moved to Peru, where he spent much of his priestly ministry, gaining Peruvian nationality and becoming known for his work with marginalized communities.

He served for a decade as a parish priest and seminary teacher in Trujillo, Peru. In 2014, he was appointed bishop of Chiclayo by the late Pope Francis, who later called him to the Vatican. In 2020, he was named apostolic administrator of the diocese of Callao.

Since 2023, Pope Leo XIV served as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, overseeing global bishop appointments, and also presided over the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

In a 2024 interview, he emphasized humility in Church leadership, saying, “A bishop is not supposed to be a little prince sitting in his kingdom, but rather called authentically to be humble, to be close to the people he serves, to walk with them and to suffer with them.”

Pope Leo XIV’s background as a missionary, educator, and bridge-builder between cultures signals a continuation of the Church’s global and pastoral mission.

The Vatican has announced that the funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Basilica, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, presiding over the Mass.

The late pontiff will be buried in the Pauline Chapel at St. Mary Major Basilica, near the revered icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani, as per his Spiritual Testament.

His body will lie in state from Wednesday, allowing the faithful to pay their last respects.

The Eucharistic celebration will conclude with the Ultima Commendatio and Valedictio, officially ushering in the Novemdiales—nine days of mourning and Masases for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul.

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88.

He died at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta on Monday, April 21, 2025.

According to reports, Pope Francis had been in poor health for some time, suffering from various ailments during his 12-year papacy.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, Pope Francis was a trailblazer as the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

His papacy was marked by division and tension as he sought to modernize the institution.

Despite his health issues, Pope Francis remained committed to his duties, championing causes such as environmental protection, social justice and interfaith dialogue.

Throughout his tenure, Pope Francis was known for his humility, compassion and dedication to the poor.

The journalism world is mourning the loss of Shaka Ssali, a veteran journalist and former host of Straight Talk Africa.

He was a powerful voice in African media, known for his insightful and thought-provoking interviews.

Ssali dedicated his career to amplifying African perspectives and advocating for press freedom. His work shaped discussions on key issues affecting the continent.

Colleagues and admirers have flooded social media with tributes honoring his legacy. His passing is a great loss to journalism, but his influence will endure.

Shaka Ssali’s impact will continue to inspire future generations of storytellers.

Pope Francis remains in critical condition, with blood tests showing mild signs of kidney failure.

“The complexity of the clinical picture, and the necessary wait for pharmacological therapies to provide some feedback, require that the prognosis remain reserved,” the Vatican said.

The Vatican confirmed that the Pope was admitted to a Rome clinic on February 14 for tests related to a respiratory infection.

A later CT scan revealed that he had pneumonia in both lungs, requiring further medical attention.

Despite his condition, Francis participated in the Holy Mass from his hospital apartment on Sunday morning.

The Vatican reported that the Pope received high flows of oxygen after a respiratory crisis but had a peaceful night.

Due to his hospitalization, he missed the weekly Angelus prayer for only the third time in his 12-year papacy.

Pope Francis has a history of respiratory issues, having previously suffered pneumonia as a young man, which led to the removal of part of one lung.

Pope Francis suffered a minor injury to his right forearm after a fall in his residence on Thursday, the Vatican has confirmed.

Fortunately, the 88-year-old Pontiff did not suffer any broken bones and was able to continue with his scheduled activities for the day.

According to Vatican officials, the Pope’s fall occurred in the morning, but he was able to receive medical attention promptly.

After being treated, Pope Francis decided to press on with his daily agenda, demonstrating his characteristic resilience and dedication to his duties.

The Vatican has not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the Pope’s fall, but sources close to the Holy See have indicated that it was a minor incident and that the Pope is doing well.

Pope Francis has been in good health overall, despite some mobility issues in recent years.

He has continued to maintain a busy schedule, including international trips and high-profile meetings with world leaders.

The news of the Pope’s injury has sparked an outpouring of well-wishes and prayers from Catholics around the world, who are relieved to hear that he is recovering well.

As the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics, Pope Francis remains a beloved and influential figure on the global stage.

His dedication to his ministry and his ability to connect with people of all faiths and backgrounds have earned him widespread respect and admiration.

President Hakainde Hichilema joined mourners at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross for the official funeral of Professor Benjamin Mweene, the Former Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development.

Born on 7th August 1947, Professor Mweene passed away on 25th December 2024 in Lusaka.

His final resting place will be the Leopards Hill Memorial Park, where he will be laid to rest today.

Mekeniya Zulu, who was stationed at Shaibila Clinic claimed her own life by hanging herself within the premises of the health facility on Thursday after allegedly failing to accept the loss of the money she had borrowed.

On Christmas eve, she borrowed K22,000 from a mobile many agent on the pretext of investing in an online business promising to pay the money on the same day in the evening.

However, it is suspected that sister Zulu used the K22,000 and her December salary on betting with the hope of multiplying the money but lost her wager.

In a statement, Central Province Police Commanding officer Charity Munganga said according to the deceased’s sister, she complained of owing some people money which she had placed on various bets.

“Around 20:00 hours [on Thursday], the deceased went to sleep leaving her niece. Bertha Nakaonga, 19, watching TV in the sitting room,” Ms Munganga said in a statement, “When the niece woke up around 05:00 hours, she did not see her aunt in the house. She concluded that she had gone for work. However, around 09:00 hours, Ms Nakaonga was shocked to discover that Ms. Zulu had hanged herself. Ms Nakaonga alerted her work-mate, who contacted other relatives,”

Ms. Munganga said police found the body and did not notice any physical injuries.

Former US President Jimmy Carter has died aged 100, the centre he founded has confirmed.

The former peanut farmer lived longer than any president in history and celebrated his 100th birthday in October.

The Carter Center, which advocates for democracy and human rights around the world, said he died on Sunday afternoon at his home in Plains, Georgia.

The Democrat served as president from 1977 to 1981, a period beset by economic and diplomatic crises.

After leaving the White House with low approval ratings, his reputation was restored through humanitarian work which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.

Source:BBC

In a dramatic turn of events, the Zambia Police Service has apprehended two male suspects, Jasten Mabulesse Candunde, a 42-year-old Mozambican national, and Leonard Phiri, a 43-year-old Zambian from Sinda District. The suspects were arrested during a joint operation conducted by the police, the Department of Immigration, and the Anti-Terrorism Unit in Lusaka.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspects were found in possession of assorted charms, including a live chameleon, and are alleged to be practicing witchdoctors. The police have revealed that the suspects were hired by Nelson Banda, who is currently on the run, to use charms to harm President Hakainde Hichilema.

The suspects have disclosed that they received an initial payment of K16,500 out of an agreed K30,000 as an advance payment. They were promised a whopping K2,000,000 upon successful execution of their mission.

The suspects have been formally arrested and charged with three offenses:

– Professing knowledge of witchcraft, contrary to Section 5 (a) of the Witchcraft Act, Chapter 90 of the Laws of Zambia.

– Possession of charms, contrary to Section 11 (2) of the Witchcraft Act, Chapter 90 of the Laws of Zambia.

– Cruelty to wild animals, contrary to Section 80 of the Zambia Wildlife Act, No. 14 of 2015, of the Laws of Zambia.

The suspects are currently in police custody and will appear in court soon. The Zambia Police Service has reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. The public is urged to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

The Malaysian government says it has agreed in principle to resume the search for a passenger jet that vanished 10 years ago in one of aviation’s greatest mysteries.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared in March 2014 while on its way to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur with 239 people on board.

Efforts to locate the wreckage of the Boeing 777 have sputtered over the years and hundreds of families of those on board remain haunted by the tragedy.

On Friday, Malaysia’s transport minister Anthony Loke said the cabinet approved in principle a $70m (£56m) deal with US-based marine exploration firm Ocean Infinity to find the aircraft.

Under a “no find, no fee” arrangement, Ocean Infinity will get paid only when the wreckage is found.

A 2018 search by Ocean Infinity under similar terms ended unsuccessfully after three months.

Despite the Constitutional Court rendering former president Edgar Lungu toothless by declaring him ineligible to contest future presidential elections, the incumbent Hakainde Hichilema has continued firing shots on him.

Addressing members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) at the Party Secretariat in Lusaka today, President Hichilema said his is a hardworking administration.

He tipped his members that despite the hardwork, people from the previous regime will continue making noise.

The Head of State likened his predecessor to a “s£nseless” person who urin@tes in a well where people fetch water from.

“Bantu sibazaleko panga chongo paja tinachosa pamupando. Munaonako banthu balibe nzelu? … Waleta mavuto pa ng’anda, wayendo kongola ndalama, wakangiwa kulipila, munzako abwela achita restructure debt, instead yakuti uonge zikomo upanga vyongo,” he said.

“Insoni ebuntu. Munaonako munthu ayenda kutundila mu well mwamene bonse bantu ba mu Zambia betanga manzi ayendo tunda mukati muja, mumugodi…”

President Hichikema also said “HH na UPND yabwela, ikilina manzi, (Lungu) akwela pamutenge aseka no panga vyongo. Tikilina mwamene anatundilamo mukati muja kuti banthu bamwe manzi.”

Meanwhile, President Hichilema said all the schools which were started by Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), which the Patriotic Front (PF) did not complete constructing in 10 years will be completed under the UPND reign.
“The government you elected is working but people won’t stop making noise,” he said.

ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Court (EFCC) has thrown out former First Lady Esther Lungu’s application for it to stay or halt execution of judgment which allowed forfeiture of her 15 flats.

Mrs Lungu wanted the EFCC to stay execution of the judgment pending determination of an appeal against the verdict in the Court of Appeal.

But a three-member EFCC bench has declined to grant the application because her reasons for the plea are not persuasive.

“We are, therefore, not satisfied that the interested party [Mrs Lungu] has made out a good case to persuade this court to exercise its discretion to stay the execution of the judgment pending appeal,” the court stated in a ruling rendered last week.

This is in a case Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri filed a notice of motion seeking forfeiture of Mrs Lungu’s 15 flats valued at K66 million.

Source:Zambiareports

A plot to assassinate Pope Francis during a trip to Iraq was stopped following a tip-off from British intelligence, according to his upcoming autobiography.

The Pope writes that, after landing in Baghdad in March 2021, he was told an event at which he was set to appear was being targeted by two suicide bombers.

Both attackers were subsequently intercepted and killed, he said in excerpts published by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

The visit, which took place over three days during the coronavirus pandemic, was the first ever to Iraq by a pope and saw an intense security operation.

The years before had seen increased sectarian violence in Iraq, with fighting between Shia and Sunni Muslims as well as the persecution of religious minorities.

The country’s Christian community had shrunk dramatically, having been targeted in particular by the Islamic State group and other Sunni extremists.

A Chipata-based couple has tragically taken their own lives under unknown circumstances. The wife reportedly took an unknown substance first, and the husband followed after learning she was fighting for her life in the hospital.

Eastern Province Deputy Police Commanding Officer, Stephen Mayoko, identified the couple as Fredrick Mbao (32) and Elina Mbewe (24) of Road Board Township.

Mr. Mayoko stated that after Elina consumed the substance, she was rushed to Chipata District Hospital, where she died while receiving treatment. Fredrick later took the same substance upon hearing of her critical condition.

The husband’s elder brother, Alick Mbao, revealed that Fredrick sent him a message before the incident, asking him to care for his children.

“Before I met him, he sent me a message telling me to take care of his children and not to sell his house,” Alick said.

Police in Ghana have arrested more than 100 people – mostly opposition supporters of President-elect John Mahama – over acts of lawlessness.

Supporters of the newly elected president who want jobs have allegedly attacked some state institutions, looted properties, and engaged in disturbances that have left some police and military personnel injured.

The irate supporters also torched two electoral commission offices due to a delay in announcing the outcome of Saturday’s elections and disagreements over some parliamentary results.

Mahama has condemned the vandalism and called on President Nana Akufo-Addo and security agencies to “act decisively” in addressing the violence.