Matt LeBlanc has signed a two-series deal with the BBC to continue hosting Top Gear. The US star will be joined by Chris Harris and Rory Reid with regular appearances from Eddie Jordan, Sabine Schmitz and The Stig. Co-host Chris Evans stepped down from the motoring show after one series. BBC Two editor Patrick Holland said: “I am thrilled Matt ...

Russia has criticised the US and UK for using “unacceptable” tone and rhetoric in speeches on Syria at the UN, after being accused of “barbarism”. On Sunday, US permanent representative Samantha Power said Russian and Syrian forces were “laying waste” to besieged rebel-held areas of the city of Aleppo. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that such language might damage efforts ...

Fifa has defended its decision to scrap an anti-racism taskforce, with critics branding the move “shameful”. The Fifa Taskforce Against Racism and Discrimination was set up in 2013 to develop strategies to tackle the issue. Fifa general secretary Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura said: “It had a specific mandate, which it has fully fulfilled.” But former Fifa vice-president Prince Ali bin ...

Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) is pleased with the enthusiasm exhibited by President Edgar Lungu to ensure prisoners and other inmates are accorded basic human rights in their places of incarceration. In a statement to commemorate Africa Prisons and Corrections Day, FODEP Executive Director Chimfwembe Mweenge says FODEP has noted the zeal with which the Head of State has dedicated ...

Lusaka Mayor Wilson Kalumba says he will work hard to improve the Lusaka city council’s service delivery and revenue collection. Speaking after being sworn-in today, Mr Kalumba observed that despite the many strides the council has made in the last five years, Lusaka has continued to experience developmental challenges. Mr Kalumba notes that most of these developmental challenges have frustrated ...

Police have unearthed a new crime wave where fraudsters are using facebook to lure unsuspecting people to make cash deposits in Bank accounts they have opened on the pretext that they would secure them employment. Police deputy spokesperson Esther Katongo explains that fraudsters are creating fake facebook accounts using information and profile pictures of prominent people in society, among them ...

President Edgar Lungu has named eight more Cabinet Ministers bringing the total number of those so far appointed to full Cabinet Ministers to 16. The appointments are pursuant to Article 116 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of Zambia. Those appointed are Dora Siliya as Agriculture Minister, Vincent Mwale as Local Government Minister Lawrence Sichalwe as Chief and Traditional Affairs ...

The ruling Patriotic Front has charged that UPND members are living in a fool’s paradise to expect the International Court of Justice to overturn President Edgar Lungu’s re-election. PF Deputy Spokesperson Frank Bwalya says the move by the UPND to take its presidential election petition case to the International Court of Justice will yield nothing. In an interview with QTV ...

Economist Yusuf Dodia has advised government to ensure that it invests massively in the energy sector if the country’s economy is to perform better. And Mr. Dodia says Finance Minister Felix Mutati should work hard in ensuring that the government puts in place measures which help service both international and local debt. Mr. Dodia says Zambia’s external debt stands at ...