French Open Venue: Roland Garros, Paris Dates: 24 May – 7 June Coverage: Live text and BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentaries on every Andy Murray match and other key games Andy Murray will lead a contingent of five British players in first-round action at the French Open on Monday. The third seed takes on Argentine qualifier Facundo Arguello ...

Swedish singer Mans Zelmerlow has triumphed at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, beating Russia’s Polina Gagarina. Zelmerlow won with his upbeat pop track Heroes, which was accompanied by innovative animated visuals. Italy were third, followed by Belgium. Australia finished fifth in the country’s first Eurovision appearance. The UK’s 1920s-influenced swing act Electro Velvet finished 24th out of the ...

One month after the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal, the country’s finance minister has called for more direct aid funding. Dr Ram Sharan Mahat told the BBC less than 10% of the money spent on relief by his government came from overseas. His comments come as Nepal’s government faces growing criticism over its handling of the crisis. Dr ...

Patriotic Front member Frank Bwalya says he feels vindicated by his earlier advice he gave for State House not to give Zambian Voice Executive Director Chilufya Tayali an audience. Father Bwalya says his happy that people he warned about Mr. Tayali now agree with him especially in the light of the Tribunal investigating suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo ...

Government has maintained that will go ahead with piecemeal amendment of the constitution despite various stakeholders rejecting the move. Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula says people should understand that the piecemeal amendment path of the constitution is cost effective. Dr. Simbyakula says government is to this effect on course in taking to Parliament non contentious issues of the final draft constitution.

First republican President Kenneth Kaunda has declared Zambia to continue being a peaceful and united country under the One Zambia One Nation Motto. Dr. Kaunda wants the country to continue enjoying tranquility. He has also pronounced a blessing of peace, prosperity and stability upon the nation, its people and their country’s presidency. Dr. Kaunda has further blessed and released Zambia, ...

President Edgar Lungu has today Monday the 25th of May honored 15 members of the country’s first Cabinet with Golden Jubilee Medals on the occasion to commemorate Africa Freedom Day. President Lungu has used his presidential powers contained in Article 44 (2) of the country’s constitution to confer the honor and awards to the 15 members of the first Cabinet ...

French director Jacques Audiard’s film Dheepan has won the top prize at Cannes, the Palme d’Or. The gritty drama tells the story of refugees fleeing post-civil war Sri Lanka for a life in France. The choice made by the jury led by American filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen was a surprise. Holocaust drama Son of Saul took the Grand Prix. ...

Nigeria is being crippled by the fuel shortage that the country has been experiencing for more than a month. Nigerian banks have shortened opening times, flights have been cancelled and phone companies may restrict services. The party of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari has accused the outgoing government of “sabotage” as it is failing to deal with the crisis. The wholesale fuel ...

The alleged distortion of the boundary between national duties and political party activities in Zambia has been attributed to the self preservative tendency of political parties. US based Zambian Academician Henry Kyambalesa has observed that since the country got its independence in 1964, government leaders have tended to be preoccupied with serving the interests of their political parties at the ...