Iran’s foreign minister has called for “urgent humanitarian assistance” in Yemen after a Saudi-led coalition ended air strikes against Houthi rebels. Mohammad Javad Zarif said the Saudi move was “positive” and urged talks and the formation of a new government. Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia has accused Shia-led Iran of backing the Houthis, something Tehran denies. Saudi defence chiefs said the focus ...

Doubles from Robert Lewandowski and Neymar inspired Bayern Munich and Barcelona respectively into the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday. Lewandowski’s brace came in a crazy first half where Bayern rattled five goals past a demoralised Porto side, who had come into the game leading 3-1 after the first leg and with real hopes of reaching their first semifinal since they ...

Republican President Edgar Lungu has been called upon to quickly intervene in the reported maneuvers to oust PF Secretary General Davis Chama from his position. The Southern African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) is worried that if President Lungu who is also the ruling party’s president does not intervene quickly history will repeat itself. Executive Director Boniface ...

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) in Eastern Province has urged government to ensure the right people benefit from the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) even as it embarks on the early distribution of the farming inputs. CSPR Eastern Province Coordinator Maxson Nkhoma has told Qfm News that government should be commended for positive step it has taken to ...

Business Consultant Lawrence Chileshe says the move by Government to adjust the 2015 Mining Tax Regime will adversely distort the 2015 National Budget and send a negative message to would-be investors and the donor community. Mr Chileshe a former assistant General Manager of the Chamber of Mines says an almost mid-year adjustment of a potential and substantial revenue is unprecedented ...

Former Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande has described as too huge the projected revenue loss of K2.3 billion arising from changes to the 2015 mining tax regime. Mr Magande says government should also explain the implication of the revenue loss on the 2015 national budget. He has further asked the PF government to clearly state which developmental projects will be sacrificed ...

The Zambia Tax Platform has noted with concern the process leading to the approval by Cabinet of amendments to the 2015 mining tax regime. Platform Chairperson Mutale Wakunuma in a statement says as civil society, they appreciate the earlier intervention of the President when he directed relevant government units to resolve the standoff between the mining companies and government over ...

The Zambia Chamber of Mines has welcomed the changes to the 2015 Mineral Royalty Tax effected by Cabinet. Chamber of Mines President Jackson Sikamo in a statement says they are happy over the principle of returning to a two tier tax system which will in the long run ensure increased revenue to the government coffers for social and economic development ...

Government says it is geared for the commencement of mobile issuance of National Registration Cards beginning April 30th. Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila has disclosed that the Ministry of Finance has released twenty five million kwacha to National Registration Department for the exercise. Mr. Mwila says government is targeting to capture two hundred and forty five thousand people in phase ...

A visiting academician from Malaysia has encouraged Zambia to work towards becoming an education hub for Southern Africa. Malaysia’s Binary University Director for Business Development and International collaborations Gilbert Alvin says Zambia has the potential to become an education hub in Southern Africa regardless of its ranking in education on the continent. Professor Alvin notes that Zambia is similar to ...