Catherine Phiri dethrones Rivas, becomes first Zambian to win linear WBC title

In what the media described as a shocker, Zambia’s Catherine Phiri, with a professional record of (11-1, 5KO), caused an upset by dethroning WBC Female Bantamweight Champion Yazmin Rivas, who has a record of (34-9, 10KO), via a technical decision after an accidental head butt ended the fight. 

According to fightnews.com, Catherine Phiri was quicker and sharper as she stood toe-to-toe with Mexican Yamin “Rusita” Rivas and took a technical decision as well as her WBC Female bantamweight title after six rounds. 

Despite being thousands of miles from home, Phiri was fearless as she scored the better and harder punches in exchanges with Rivas in Mexico.

NAREP leader urges youths to say no to violence, build genuine unity

By Staff Reporter, LUSAKA 

National Restoration Party president Elias Chipimo Junior has urged youths to discard politics of the past; say no to violence and build genuine unity. 

In a statement monitored by WM Media, Mr. Chipimo said there is no better time than now to do the right thing. 

“My fellow Zambians, we come before you as three gallant young sons of the soil, each with our committed team of supporters. We come to you with a message of hope and a promise that if we work together, we can build the Zambia we all know we deserve,” he said.

President Lungu commends NEPAD for youth empowerment framework

President Edgar Lungu has commended NEPAD agency for coming up with a concept note on the African continental framework on youth empowerment. 

Delivering a NEPAD international statement in Addis Ababa today during a closed door meeting on the occasion of the 26th ordinary session of the assembly of the African Union (AU), President Lungu said Zambia has no doubt that the implementation of the concept note on the African continental framework on youth empowerment, will greatly contribute to the full utilization of the capacities of the youth for Africa’s desired transformation. 

MTN signs MoU with Lusaka youth tech-hub

By Staff Reporter, LUSAKA 

MTN Zambia has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) with Bongo Hive, a hub for Technology and Innovation of young Entrepreneurs in Zambia. 

Speaking in Lusaka when signing the agreement, MTN Zambia CEO Charles Molapisi said this understanding will allow provision of unlimited internet access to Bongo Hive, mentoring and technical training for Youth App developers, giving them a guide on the kind of applications to develop. 

YDF needs professional management - PS

By Staff Reporter, LUSAKA 

Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development Permanent Secretary Agness Musunga says there is need for an institution with competent people to professionally manage Youth Development Fund (YDF). 

Speaking when she appeared before the parliamentary committee on Youth and Sport on Tuesday, Ms Musunga said her ministry will establish a financial institution to manage YDF to help reduce administration costs. 

Mwale rebukes violent youths

By Staff Reporter, LUSAKA 

Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development Vincent Mwale has called youths to turn up in large numbers to vote for leaders of their choice in the general election. 

In an interview on Tuesday Mr Mwale said youths should be responsible and should not perpetrate violence before, during and after the August 11 general elections. 

Empower women with skills – First Lady

First Lady Esther Lungu says women should be empowered with entrepreneurial skills because they play a pivotal role in the eradication of hunger and poverty in communities. 

Mrs Lungu said more women should be empowered with skills because they are the backbone of most households. 

APPLY: UNFPA Young Innovators Fellowship Programme

Closing date: 22 February 2016 

» Do you have a passion to make a difference in your community? 

» Do you want to advocate for the rights of young people in your country? 

» Do you feel like you have the drive to lead a change, and want to develop your skillsets to do so? 

» Are you aged between 18 - 25 years? 

Wake-up, take your positions of power now, Pilato tells youths

By Staff Reporter, NDOLA 

A Copperbelt based artiste Pilato says the future belongs to those that plan for it. 

He says if one doesn’t plan for the future they will never know when it has come. 

Pilato real names Fumba Chama alleges that Zambian population is mainly composed of young people, young men and women and it is these young people that have the energy to change the direction of any country. 

Redeem yourselves, Sinkamba urges youths

By Staff Reporter, KITWE 

Green party president, Peter Sinkamba is happy that the election and nomination dates have been announced. 

He says campaigns have since been set into motion. 

Mpombo's son shoots lover to death

Police in Ndola have arrested People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president George Mpombo’s 17-year-old son for allegedly shooting his lover to death with a pistol when he learnt that she was pregnant. 

The accused is alleged to have later beheaded the 17-year-old girl before dumping the head in a bush. 

Miles dumps PF

By Staff Reporter, NDOLA 

Former commerce deputy minister Miles Sampa has resigned from the Patriotic Front (PF) effective 21st January 2016. 

He alleges that his decision came about as a result of the intolerance, hate, vengeance and violent conduct towards patriotic front party members; including those who supported him at the Kabwe convention in 2014. 

Youths to get K150 million

Government has set aside K150 million for the employment and empowerment of young people this year, Minister of Youth and Sport Vincent Mwale has said. 

And Mr Mwale has launched the Global Child Poverty Report, which is aimed at eradicating poverty in the country. 

Peace restores at CBU

Copperbelt University (CBU) students have commended Government for releasing funds to pay their accommodation and project allowances. 

And calm has returned to the CBU after students ran riot on Sunday night over delayed payment of accommodation and project allowances. 

impactAFRICA data journalism fund kicks off with call for investigative proposals

Deadline: April 16, 2016 

impactAFRICA is offering $500,000 in support for (finalists and winners) pioneering data journalism and innovative reporting that tackles development issues, such as public healthcare, in six African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. 

The support consists of more than just cash prizes. 

impactAFRICA also provide technology assistance in all six countries, as well as one-on-one editorial mentoring, digital skills training, and content syndication services. 

Lungu revokes Kanene's appointment

By Staff Reporter, NDOLA 

His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu President of the Republic of Zambia has with immediate effect withdrawn the appointment of musician Clifford Dimba alias General Kanene as an ambassador against gender- based violence. 

CBU students faces 'cousins' again

By Staff Reporter, KITWE 

The Copperbelt University (CBU) students says they have decided to go on class boycott effective Monday the 18th January, 2016 until their demands are met. 

Students says it is extremely bad seeing their fellow students who are not accommodated on campus spend nights in the cold and rains. 

Apply for consideration in 'youth resettlement scheme', youths advised

Ministry of Youth, Sport and Child Development acting permanent secretary, Alfonso Banda, says skills and entrepreneurship training has the capacity to drive the economy to its full potential. 

Mr Banda said this at Lusaka Youth Resource Centre during a graduation ceremony for youths from police camps. 

Govt slashes school fees

By Staff Reporter, NDOLA 

Government reiterates its directive to school authorities in Government boarding schools country wide to reduce boarding fees with immediate effect as directed recently. 

In a statement monitored by WM Media, Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili says education is a basic right and school fees should not be an inhibition factor for children to access it. 

APPLY: 2016 World of Children Awards

Deadline: April 1, 2016 

World of Children Award is currently inviting applications for its 2016 Grants Program. They provide funding and recognition to support life-changing work for children by discovering and elevating only the most effective change makers for children worldwide. 

The Award mission is to support life-changing work for children; they seek out only the most effective change makers for children worldwide.

Grade 12 requirement, a chance for youths

The Grade 12 certificate requirement for councillors in the newly amended Constitution will open opportunities for more youths to participate and represent their communities, Solwezi acting mayor Brian Kajoba said. 

Speaking recently, Mr Kajoba said the new requirement for councillors to have a minimum qualification of a grade 12 certificate will create room for youths to take part in politics. 

19-year-old girl nude pictures exposed by ex-boyfriend

By Staff Reporter, NDOLA 

Two Zambian youths have reminded the world populace that 'one man's mistake is another man's lesson'.

A 19-year-old girl of Livingstone is struggling with a cyber nightmare after her sexually explicit photos were posted on facebook by a vengeful ex-boyfriend. 

1,000 youths to benefit from Shiloh Arts empowerment program

By Staff Reporter, LUSAKA

Shiloh Arts Institute plans to empower street kids with skills in film production. 

Speaking in Lusaka, Evans Chisenga, the Director said Shiloh Arts was targeting to empower 1,000 street kids from various cities and towns. 

He said the empowerment will start with Lusaka which has the highest number of street kids. 

Heavy downpour claims four lives in Lusaka

By Staff Reporter, LUSAKA 

On Friday (yesterday) families in Lusaka's John Laing compound were left in grief after a sudden heavy downpour of rains. 

A check by WM Media found that Lamasat unfinnished 'wall fence' near Puma filling station along Kafue road collapsed during the downpour. When falling down, the bricks injured and claimed four lives of nearby residents (youths).

CBU students boycott classes

By Staff Reporter, KITWE 

Copperbelt University Student Union (COBUSU) has ordered that no student should attend classes until Government respond to their demand. 

In a statement made available to WM Media, COBUSU Secretary General Alfred Lukwesa stated that in the best interest of safeguarding the academic welfare and paving way for a celebrated 2016 for the students, on 4th January there shall be a class boycott over allowances entitled to students.

Kambwili takes on Mwebantu New Media Editor

By Staff Reporter, LUSAKA 

Chief Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili has expressed concern over an article which was published by Mwebantu New Media last year. 

Mr. Kambwili who is also Informations Minister and Roan lawmaker suggests that in the recent past an online media, 'Mwebantu New Media' has been publishing unverified stories. 

“I came across an article composed by a young boy who runs Mwebantu New Media, I must say I was quite impressed with this online media all this time, recently I have notices a scourge of unverified stories and accusations. What a shame!” he says. 

Part 5: Fragile Heart

By Winston Muleba II 

Surprisingly, he again mentioned Mr. Tembo in our conversation. 

“A Mr. Tembo, Lecturer called me to say I should stay away from you, tell me more about this man?” Mulenga asked. 

I decided to cut the line and switched off my phone, because I realized that the milk was spilt. 

Lungu directs Zesco to revert to old electricity tarrifs

By Staff Reporter, LUSAKA 

President Edgar Lungu has directed Zambia Electricity and Supply Corporation (ZESCO) and Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to ensure that the new Tarrifs be squashed and the old Tarrifs apply. 

The development comes after President Lungu paid attentively to the cries of Zambians who felt the pain of the 300% Tarrif increase especially in light of the other prevailing economic factors. 

Kitwe marketeers lauds Lungu

By Staff Reporter, KITWE 

Women marketeers in Kitwe have praised Lungu for empowering them with soft Loans under the presidential initiative. 

Speaking in Kitwe after Kitwe women staged a solidarity march to thank president Lungu, National Traders and Marketeers Association of Zambia (NATMAZ) chairlady, Lizzie Kaluba said women on the Copperbelt are happy with president Lungu’s decision to empower traders and vendors.