The forthcoming Han Solo film has lost both of its directors mid-production. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller said their departure was down to “creative differences” with producers. The announcement on the official Star Wars website came after months of conflict between the pair and Kathleen Kennedy – the president of Lucasfilm and a producer on the movie. Kennedy said the ...

US President Donald Trump has told supporters that his proposed wall along the border with Mexico could have solar panels fixed to it. Addressing a rally in Iowa, he said the panels would provide cheap energy and help to pay for the controversial wall. He suggested the plan was his own, saying: “Pretty good imagination, right? Good? My idea.” However, ...

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says the destruction of an ancient mosque in the city of Mosul is “an official declaration of defeat” by so-called Islamic State (IS). Iraqi forces say IS blew up the Great Mosque of al-Nuri and its famous leaning minaret as jihadists battled to stop advancing pro-government troops. IS said American aircraft had destroyed the complex, ...

President Edgar Lungu has sent a message of congratulations to Prince Mohammed Bin Salman on his succession as Crown Prince of the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The President has said Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s appointment to this high office is a clear demonstration of the confidence the King has bestowed on him as first in line to the throne, ...

The Non Governmental Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has condemned the conduct exhibited by UPND cadres at the Lusaka Magistrate court on Monday,19th June where they hurled insults at Religious Affairs Minister Godfridah Sumaili who had gone to attend a contempt of court case. NGOCC Chairperson Sara Longwe says the conduct exhibited by UPND cadres is saddening. Ms Longwe says as ...

Zambia’s external debt stock has increased to US$17.2 billion as at the end of May 2017. This is from US$6.9 billion in December 2016. Finance Minister Felix Mutati has told Parliament in a ministerial that the increase in the debt stock was on account of new disbursements. Mr Mutati says with the maturity of the two Eurobonds in 2021and 2022, ...

Economic and Equity Party President Chilufya Tayali has observed that the more President Edgar Lungu continues to insist that there is no tension in the country the more it is being fuelled. Mr Tayali says the tension in the country may explode like a volcano. He says the happenings in the country from the time the election results of 2016 ...

Republican President Edgar Lungu has launched the 7th National Development Plan 2017-2021 with a projected resource envelope estimated at K342.3 billion averaging K68.5 billion annually. The theme of the development plan is “Accelerating development efforts towards the vision 2030 without leaving anyone behind”. Speaking during the launch, President Banda says financing over the planned period will be premised on the ...

  The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has instituted investigations into the transfer of Nkana football club striker Walter Bwalya. FAZ Communications Manager Desmond Katongo in a statement says the Association is already in full receipt of a letter of complaint filed by Lusaka Dynamos football club. Katongo however, states that FAZ will only be able to state clearly its ...

The brains behind the BBC’s Sherlock series are to make a new version of Dracula, the corporation has confirmed. Talks are under way with Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss about a series of 90-minute films based on Bram Stoker’s novel about the Transylvanian vampire. No scripts have been written and the Count has yet to be cast. According to the ...