Sierra Leone has declared lockdown of at least three days in the north of the country to try to contain the Ebola epidemic. Shops, markets and non-Ebola related travel services will be shut down, officials said. Sierra Leone has already banned many public Christmas celebrations. More than 7,500 people have died from the outbreak in West Africa so far, the ...

The controversial comedy The Interview has opened in some US cinemas and online, after a cyber-attack and threats to moviegoers over its release. Sony Pictures had originally pulled the film, about a fictional plot to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. But it reconsidered after critics – including the US president – said freedom of expression was under threat. Some ...

Christian pilgrims from across the world have celebrated midnight Mass in Bethlehem to mark Christmas Eve in the traditional birthplace of Jesus. In a homily, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal called on Jews, Muslims and Christians to “live together as equals”. Referring to violence in Gaza and Jerusalem, he said he hoped 2015 “would be better than this difficult year”. Thousands ...

The opposition Forum for Democracy and Democracy (FDD) has called on Zambians to use the festive season to bury all their differences. And the opposition party has called on Zambians to re-launch their love for one another as a people regardless of our political affiliations. In her Christmas message to Zambians, FDD President Edith Nawakwi says this is the time ...

United Party for National Development (UPND) President Hakainde Hichilema has advised Zambians to uphold peace and unity this Christmas. In his Christmas message, Mr. Hichilema says this is a time for being thankful and a time for prayers. Mr. Hichilema notes that though this Christmas has found itself at a crossroad and in the midst of intense political activity, the ...

Home affairs deputy minister Stephen Kampyongo has appealed to motorists to be road safety during the festive season. Mr. Kampyongo says vehicles should not overload or over speed but be careful on the road so as to avoid road accidents during the festive season. Mr. Kampyongo has also urged motorists not to drink and drive or talk on the phone ...

Patriotic Front President Edgar Lungu has promised to put up a university and a stadium in Kasama. Addressing a rally in Kasama, Mr. Lungu asked the people of Kasama to be praying for him so that he will be able to deliver. Mr. Lungu says he will work with everyone in moving country forward citing that on his own, he ...

The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) has recorded 22 Christmas babies born between 00:50 to 8; 00 hours on 25th December, 2014. Speaking when health Minister Joseph Kasonde donated items to babies born on Christmas day, UTH public relations officer Mwenya Mulenga says of the 22, nine are girls and 13 are boys of which two are sets of twins. Mr. ...

Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has implored government to walk the talk with regards the payment of farmers for the maize they sold to the Food Reserve Agency. CSPR Board Chairperson John Lijimu says it is depressing to continue hearing reports of farmers no having received their payments despite several government statements indicating that funds have been released. Mr. ...

The Zambia Center for Inter Party Dialogue (ZCID) has called on political parties to ensure they leave all their differences behind and open a new chapter next year. ZCID Executive Director Horrance Chilando is confident that political parties have leant lessons on how best they can handle their differences in an amicable manner. Mr. Chilando notes that 2014 has been ...