The opposition UPND says it is concerned about the outbreak of a virus in China and its possible spread to Zambia.

“We would like to appeal to the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the general populous to take keen interest in the outbreak of the ‘mysterious’ and deadly new corona-virus in the Chinese City of Wuhan fast spreading to other cities like Beijing,” UPND Spokesman Charles Kakoma has said.

“With the United States of America (USA) screening for the Wuhan virus outbreak at 3 major airports, we urge the Zambian government to urgently look into this matter and commence screening points across all our major or high risk borders,”Mr Kakoma said.

“We are of the view that seeking quick remedial interventions by the Ministry of Health in collaborations with the Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) would help prevent the new corona-virus from being transmitted by those travelling from Wuhan City to Zambia.”

Mr Kakoma said the UPND believes that Government should take keen interest in this important issue as failure to do so would result in loss of lives in Zambia as the “Wuhan virus is very deadly.

“And owing to the rapidity at which the disease is said to be spreading, we believe that it would be prudent for the Government to engage major stakeholders and look into this matter and furnish our people with the symptoms of the deadly new corona virus and the possible primary prevention steps.”

“Further, we wish to appeal to the Zambian Embassy in China to furnish the Zambian people both in that country and here on whether there are any modalities that have been put in place to ensure that Chinese nationals intending to travel to Zambia or Zambians traveling back home are thoroughly screened to ensure that the disease is contained,” he said.

“Lastly, we pray that the Zambian government shall immediately put the nation on an immediate health alert in relation to the “Wuhan” new corona virus or risk exposing the nation to a health hazard. Prevention is better than cure.”

President Edgar Lungu has said that there is a need for Zambia and Angola to actualize the signed agreements in an effort to cement relations, adding that the two countries must implement the signed agreements, saying that not much has so far been implemented.

Speaking when he met Angola’s Ambassador to Zambia Azevedo Xavier Francisco who paid a courtesy call on him at State House on Monday, President Lungu said Zambia will continue to work towards boosting the cooperation that it shares with Angola and assured the Angolan government of Zambia’s utmost cooperation.

“Over the years Zambia has interacted with Angola with the two leaders of the two countries having cross-pollinated ideas at political party level and Government to Government on how to enhance this cooperation,” said the President.

President Lungu expressed concern at the slow implementation of signed cooperation agreements in various social and economic sectors between Zambia and Angola adding that there was need to expedite implementation.

“Some agreements have been signed and ceremonies have been held and it is time we moved to the next stage which is implementation. Of course, we have done some implementation but not much. With the road from Shangombo district in Western Province into Angola, we have not done enough. With your coming, l think that we will implement as much as possible,” adds the President.

The President adds that the people of Zambia were craving for the cementing of cooperation between Zambia and Angola and noted that the border between the two countries is expansive.

“But we also share a common culture and l do not see why we cannot collaborate. Hence, we need to provide a good road network to facilitate trade between Zambia and Angola. We also need the railway line coming from Angola into Zambia, and from Zambia into the Democratic Republic of Congo for us to have triangle trade,” added the President.

Earlier, Angola’s Ambassador to Zambia Mr. Azevedo Xavier Francisco informed the President that the Government of the Republic of Angola would like to boost the cooperation that exists between Zambia and Angola.

Mr Francisco said the Angolan government would like to expedite the implementation of all the agreements of cooperation which were signed between the two countries to actualise them.

The Ambassador acknowledged that Zambia and Angola were neighbouring countries whose people shared the same language and culture hence the need for the two countries to cooperate.

“We have specific areas of cooperation such as petroleum and oil, mineral resources, road and railway transport, salt and fish including the health sector among others,” said Mr Francisco through an interpreter Jose Luis.

The Ambassador added that the private sector in Angola was willing to fund the road and railway projects and only required the political will of the two leaders of Angola and Zambia.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji, Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe, Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Isaac Chipampe, Special Assistant to the Presidents for Economic and Development Affairs, and Political Hibeene Mwiinga and Chris Zumani Zimba respectively.
Angolan officials who attended the meeting were Alexander Lucas Tchilumbu and Joao Sergio de Andre Silva.

President Edgar Lungu has called upon the international community to help address the current effects of floods being experienced in some parts of the country.

President Lungu made the call when Japanese Ambassador Ryuta Mizuuchi called on him at State House yesterday.

During the meeting with the Japanese Ambassador Ryuta Mizuuchi, President Lungu expressed concern at the heavy rains which had wreaked havoc in some parts of the country adding that the heavy rains being experienced in the country has both the negative and the positive effects on the Zambian people.

The President said Government is seeking to engage cooperating partners to partner with them in addressing the effects of floods in the country.

The President noted that he is hopeful that the Japanese Ambassador will be able to share his expertise in addressing the effects of floods owing to the experience he has had from his country.

“The heavy rains will have a great impact on food production as well as the energy sector, it is also regrettably destroying infrastructure and crops in some parts of the country hence the need for government’s intervention in the situation,” said the President.

The President said this when Japanese Ambassador to Zambia, Ryuta Mizuuchi paid a courtesy call on him at State House on Monday.

In the same meeting, the Japanese Ambassador expressed sympathy to the people in flood affected areas and hoped for the situation to be reversed soon.

Mr Mizuuchi said he is hopeful that he will collaborate well with President Lungu and the Zambian government to strengthen the already existing Zambia- Japan relations.

Tiffany Cavanagh has been named a finalist in Cambridge University Press’s annual search for the world’s most dedicated teacher in recognition of the difference she makes to her students and the wider community. A public vote is now open to decide who wins, closing 26 January. The Press will announce the overall winner on 3 February.

Tiffany Cavanagh teaches Geography and Travel & Tourism, as well as leading the Duke of Edinburgh and Outdoors Education programmes at Trident College Solwezi, Zambia. She organises a broad range of community work and empowers her students to make a difference to others. Recently, she led her students in cooking for over 400 refugees and helping build much-needed accommodation.

Other finalists include Patricia Abril, New Cambridge School, Colombia; Stanley Manaay, Salvacion National High School, Philippines; John Nicko Coyoca, University of San Jose-Recoletos, Philippines; Helen Comerford, Lumen Christi Catholic College, Australia and Meera Rangarajan, RBK Academy, India. You can read all the 2020 finalists’ stories online at dedicatedteacher.cambridge.org

This year, over 6,000 award nominations from 97 different countries poured into the Press, each detailing an inspiring story about an extraordinary teacher. A panel of expert judges have selected their six finalists from the shortlist released in December based on whether nominations met the awards criteria. Among the criteria, the judges looked at whether a teacher demonstrated innovative practices, provided fantastic pastoral care and prepared students for their futures beyond school.

The six finalists have won a host of prizes, including class sets of books or digital resources. They will also feature on a thank you page at the front of every new Cambridge University Press Education textbook from May 2020 and receive an invitation to the Cambridge Panel, an online community of specialists that help to shape the Press’s education publishing.

Last year, the 2019 Dedicated Teacher Awards saw maths and accounting teacher Ahmed Saya from Cordoba School for A-Level in Karachi, announced the winner from just under 4,000 nominations from 75 countries around the world.

The Lusaka Magistrate Court has sentenced former National Restoration Party President Elias Chipimo Jr’s son Chito to nine months imprisonment with hard labour.

Chito, 23, was facing three counts of trafficking in Narcotic Drugs.

In count one; facts are that on December 27, 2019 in Lusaka, Chito trafficked in narcotics drugs namely 1.43 grams of cocaine without lawful authority.

In count two, on the same date Chito Chipimo had in his possession psychotropic substances namely 0.11 grams of amphetamine without lawful authority.

In the third count, details are that on December 28, 2019 in Lusaka, Chito used a motor vehicle namely, Toyota blade to carry, conceal and convey psychotropic substances without lawful authority.

Magistrate Albert Mwaba convicted Chito Chipimo on all the three charges and sentenced him to jail for nine months.

The Media Institute of Southern Africa Zambia Chapter says it is pleased with the initiative taken by News Diggers to host a public debate on the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 10 of 2019 alongside Eden University, Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, Chapter One Foundation and Prime TV.

MISA Zambia Chapter Chairperson Helen Mwale has commended the responsible institutions for creating a platform where members of the public as well as selected office bearers were able to exchange views and opinions on matters that could affect the general citizenry which in this case is Bill No. 10 of 2019.

Ms Mwale says for citizens to be engaged, they need information that allows them to exercise democratic choices and debating platforms such as these will go a long way in achieving that.

She has called on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) emulate the move taken by News Diggers and its partners in creating debating platforms that seek to engage the citizens on issues of national interest.

Ms Mwale noted that citizens receive most of their information through the media and it shapes to a large extent what people think of the issues and institutions that affect them.

“Section 2 of the IBA Act, 2002, provides that “public broadcasting means a broadcasting service which serves the overall public interest and is accountable to the public as represented by an independent board, and defined by the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation Act; The ZNBC (Amendment) Act, 2002 stated that the function of the corporation shall be to provide varied and balanced programming for all sections of the populations and to serve the public interest”, she said.

Ms Mwale however said that MISA notes with concern the levels of intolerance exhibited towards opposing and divergent views that were expressed during the discussions. Article 20 of the constitution of Zambia regards Freedom of Expression allows for every citizen to express his/her opinion without hindrance.

She said the effective citizen participation is essential for good governance and promotes transparency from office bearers when debating issues of national and public interest.

Ms Mwale has further called on all well meaning citizens to desist from acts of hooliganism that was exhibited during the recently held debate. Every Zambian has the right to express their opinion on an issue that concerns them and not to be suppressed by those in opposition.