Indiscriminate cutting down of trees to make charcoal does not only cause deforestation but contributes to the drought experienced in the country,United Nations Association of Zambia(UNAZ) Head of programs Yande Chanda has said. Mr. Chanda says he believes that the erratic rainfall experienced in the country is due to global warming caused by inconsiderate cutting down of trees. In an interview, Mr. Chanda said that charcoal burning is a destructive activity that has led to deforestation, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem disruption. “Charcoal burning releases harmful pollutants like carbon m ..read more

The need to escape from the jaws of poverty and the desire to attain success led 25-year-old Martha Banda down the path of becoming a bus conductor,a male dominated occupation characterised by hostile activities. Despite the harsh environment enveloping the occupation,Martha says she had no option but to take up the job in order to save her family from completely drowning in abject poverty. Residing in Lusaka’s Chazanga,Ms. Banda holds a grade 12 certificate and the first born in the family of five. “Looking at the situation I was in, I needed to make sure my siblings had a better life and at ..read more

A 22-year-old University of Zambia (UNZA) student Margret Chibesakunda has died after getting electrocuted in her room at the University’s main campus. University of Zambia Student Union (UNZASU) President Vincent Musilikani confirmed to Lusaka Star that Ms. Chibesakunda passed on around 21:00 yesterday while attempting to connect her phone to the charger in October residence. Mr. Musilikani said despite immediate medical attention, her injuries proved to be fatal. “It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the sudden and tragic passing of our dear sister and fellow student, Margret Ch ..read more

Government is confident that the revised Zambian curriculum harmonizes with the industry demands of the 21st century including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) biases, Minister of Education Permanent Secretary Joel Kamoko has said. Mr Kamoko said the wolrd has adjusted hence the need for African countries to compete with the rest of the world by imparting the right education and the right skills. He said the revised curriculum to be implemented next year places emphasis on Science and Technology fields while advocating for proficiency in ICT codin ..read more

Lusaka City Council(LCC) will not hesitate to take legal action against bars and night clubs that will play music exceeding normal limits. LCC Public Relations Manager Chola Mwamba said the local authority will not let citizens continue being subjected to noise emitted from bars as it does not only disrupt a peaceful aura but poses a health hazard. “The complaints are coming from concerned citizens who feel the noise pollution is affecting them negatively resulting in a disruption of peace and tranquility and also posing serious risks to public health, including hearing impairment, stress, sle ..read more

President Hakainde Hichilema says the restructured debt deal with Eurobond holders of over $ 3.5 billion, equivalent to over K80 billion will lead to economic recovery. The head of state said Government arrived at the agreement with creditors to escape debt default and stabilize the economy. He said in a post shared on his Facebook page. “Thank you, Zambians, for your patience and unwavering support during this process that has taken long to conclude,” he said. Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) president Nevers Mumba has described the deal as timely. Mr Mumba applauded President Hichile ..read more

Party for National Unity and Progress (PNUP)president Highvie Hamududu says unlocking Mopani Copper Mine(MCM) will boost the economic growth and enhance welfare of the people through the creation of over 3000 jobs. Mr Hamududu said in a Facebook post that opening MCM is a sigh of relief towards macroeconomic stability of the economy. Abu Dhabi’s International Resources Holding (IRH) formally completed its acquisition of Mopani at a ceremony in Kitwe attended by President Hakainde Hichilema on Thursday. Government has been on the look-out for a new strategic partner since ZCCM-IH, the State min ..read more

Musician Towela says the announcement by Chile one to release a song a day after renowned artist Yo Maps drops a song is a strategic and commendable move. “If my project[song] gets more shinny because your project[song] is coming up I would do it as well,” she said when asked on Power TV’s Zaye Zahala show on whether the industry has some artists who use other people for clout. With her three days old ‘Zingati’ music video trending on social media Towela reiterated that various artists have different ways of marketing themselves in the industry hence the move by Chile is nothing but a marketin ..read more

Zambia National Education Coalition(ZANEC) Chairperson, Henry Kabwe says teaching financial education to learners in primary school to secondary school level will help raising responsible leaders thereby averting acts of corruption. Mr Kabwe said the financial supplementary books that will be distributed in schools contain pragmatic financial knowledge that will help fight possible cases of corruption in the country. “Financial literacy is key in enhancing national development as learners will acquire saving and investment skills[that will reduce dependency on corruption for success],” he said ..read more

Higher education quality assurance Expert Orleans Mfune has described the article circulating on media purporting that University of Zambia (UNZA) degree is inferior according United Kingdom(UK) standard as an issue based on comparability of the education system and not on the quality of the degree. The article in question by Field Ruwe seek to address the position of UK- National Academic Recognition Information Center (NARIC) on UNZA’s 4-year Bachelor’s degree qualification. UK-NARIC is charged with the responsibility of evaluating qualifications from outside UK and comparing them in line wi ..read more