news and current affairs.
Zim mining soars on lithium boom, gold glitters strong
The mining sector just posted another huge quarter, fueled by a lithium boom. Zimbabwe's overall mineral production jumped over eighteen percent from last year, according to the latest official index, with lithium output exploding by nearly sixty-five percent annually. The data shows the industry's strong growth trajectory continuing, marking a sequential increase from the previous quarter as well. While lithium moderated slightly from the second quarter, it remained the dominant driver. Gold also delivered a powerful performance, up over thirty percent from last year. Gains were seen across platinum, nickel, and a marginal rise in copper. The positive trend was not universal, however, with diamond production suffering a sharp annual...
Family feud erupts over witchcraft claims against trucker’s wife
A family feud over alleged witchcraft just landed in a traditional court. The wife of a cross-border truck driver was accused by her granddaughter, Gracious Chiuta, of using supernatural means to prosper, a claim that sparked a bitter dispute brought before Chief Mutasa. The complainant, Phillipa Chuma, said a routine phone call escalated into her granddaughter shouting that she was a witch who had bewitched her to return from Durban. Gracious denied the accusations in court, claiming Chuma had actually called her a witch first. However, a recorded call presented as evidence contradicted her denial, suggesting she had indeed made the supernatural claims. Chuma's brother, Millicent Chiuta, argued the real motive was jealousy over her...
Bulawayo parents skip parties, prep kids for school term
The holiday vibe in the city was split between celebration and practicality. While plenty of residents in Bulawayo hit shops and parties for New Year's Eve, many parents skipped the splurging to focus on back-to-school prep for the January thirteenth start date. Those with first-time learners said buying uniforms, stationery, and paying fees took priority over festive spending, aiming to avoid the last-minute rush next week. Nightlife still buzzed across both western and eastern suburbs, with the ZKS Spinners Arena hosting a major burnout event featuring local and international drivers and performances by artists like Noluntu J. Traditional spots like the Luveve Chigumura complex packed in patrons, while churches held all-night prayer...
GSF claims major wins against Haitian gangs under new UN mandate
That UN-backed force in Haiti says its tougher mandate is finally making a dent. The Gang Suppression Force pointed to gains against armed groups since a Security Council resolution last fall transformed the mission into a more robust unit authorized for direct counter-gang operations. Working with Haitian police and military, the force reported arrests, weapon seizures, and the recapture of territory, leading to the reopening of major roads and transit routes previously blocked. The mission has set up forward operating bases in hot spots to improve patrols and response times, while also securing critical infrastructure like the main airport and ports. Beyond military action, troops have engaged in community initiatives like blood...
Ruto declares war on drugs, launches 700-officer anti-narcotics unit
The president is declaring a full-scale war on drugs and alcohol. President William Ruto unveiled a national strategy targeting substance abuse as a clear threat to Kenya's health and economy, citing data showing one in every six Kenyans uses at least one substance. He highlighted the crisis among young adults and men, noting that alcohol remains the most common, with over three million current users, often starting in adolescence. A key part of the plan involves dramatically boosting the Anti-Narcotics Unit within the criminal investigations directorate, expanding it from two hundred to seven hundred officers with modern surveillance and forensic tools. The unit will collaborate with intelligence and border agencies, while new...
Kindiki credits Ruto for uniting Kenya’s political rivals in 2025
The deputy president is crediting his boss for cooling the nation's political temperature. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki praised President William Ruto for closing ranks with the opposition in 2025, a move he called the administration's most significant leadership gesture of the year. He argued this shift ended years of bitter division, transforming the political environment from hostility to debates focused on policy and programs. Kindiki stated that broadening the government to include former rivals from the Azimio coalition expanded the political space, fostering national unity and enabling consensus on key development initiatives. He specifically pointed to housing and health sector reforms as projects that would have stalled...
Ruto declares 2026 Kenya’s watershed year for prosperity push
The president is framing the coming year as a major historical pivot. In a New Year's address, President William Ruto declared that 2026 will be a defining turning point for Kenya, asserting the country has moved past uncertainty onto a clear, deliberate path toward lasting prosperity. He rejected any notion that the nation's direction is left to chance, stating that specific targets and a structured roadmap are now in place to guide this critical transformation. Ruto described the speech as a call for collective action and unity, urging citizens to seize the opportunity to complete long-delayed reforms together. He positioned the upcoming year as a watershed moment future generations will point to, marking a decisive shift from...
Ruto hails 2025 as Kenya’s year of unity and economic turnaround
The president declared last year a turning point after some serious economic pain. President William Ruto stated that 2025 was a defining year that tested Kenya's resolve but ultimately showcased national unity and sacrifice, leading to early signs of recovery. Speaking from the Eldoret State Lodge, he argued the difficult decisions made since 2023 were deliberate steps to stabilize and transform the economy, moving the country away from uncertainty. Ruto recalled predicting that the past year would be when citizens started seeing dividends from those tough reforms, claiming that assessment has proven accurate with visible gains across sectors. He credited the progress to collective resilience and a public willingness to endure...
Trish O Couture dazzles with diamonds at 18th anniversary bash
A major fashion house just expanded its empire into fine jewelry. Trish O Couture marked eighteen years in business by launching Lady Trish Diamonds at a high-end event in Lagos, presenting the new line as a natural complement to its luxury apparel. The founder described the move as completing the story for her well-traveled, discerning clientele, framing diamonds as the final ornament on an already beautiful tree. The anniversary showcase, themed Classics Across All Seasons, featured a retrospective of the brand's most enduring designs, highlighting sharper craftsmanship and evolved silhouettes. Over sixty looks walked the runway, each paired with refined jewelry pieces from the new collection. The diamond launch itself was billed as...
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