Lands and Natural Resources Minister Jean Kapata says government is working on investing in local timber processing as a way of adding value to timber. Ms. Kapata says government is working on engaging and persuading people in the Far East in countries like China to come and set up timber processing plants and factories in the country. She says the ...

Third Liberation Movement president Enock Tonga has urged government to learn to consult before signing any Statutory Instruments to avoid creating confusion among Zambians. Mr. Tonga says the recently signed Statutory Instrument number 10 of 2018 which is aimed at punishing any person found buying products from a street vendor should be re-visited On 2nd February, 2018 Local Government Minister ...

Economist Yusuf Dodia has backed new Finance Minister Margret Mwanakatwe to perform. Mr. Dodia tells Q-News that is because Mrs. Mwanakatwe has a strong background in the field of finance. He says Mrs. Mwanakatwe will perform to expectation because of her experience serving in the ministry of commerce trade and industry and having previously served as Chief Executive Officer of ...

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says the recent hike in fuel prices by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) clearly shows that the PF government has departed from its pro-poor policy. ZCTU President Nkole Chishimba says the fuel price hike will have a spiral effect on the workers across the country. He adds that the decision to hike the ...

Hollywood star Andy Serkis says new rules surrounding the filming of sex scenes could amount to “censorship” and stifle creativity. Actors’ union Equity is considering bringing in guidance for intimate scenes on stage and screen in light of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. The proposals, being discussed this week, could ban actors kissing with tongues and nudity in auditions. Jennifer Lawrence ...

She’s an Oscar winner and one of the world’s highest-paid actresses but now Jennifer Lawrence is turning her back on Hollywood – for a year, anyway. The Hunger Games star is taking 12 months off acting to get more “young people engaged politically”. Lawrence is already on the board of Represent.Us. alongside frequent collaborator, director David O Russell. The non-profit ...

Nigerian club Akwa United face a second humiliating CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round exit unless they score at least twice away to Banjul Hawks in the Gambia this week. The west African teams meet on Wednesday with the unfancied Hawks holding a shock 2-1 lead from the first leg in southern Nigerian city Uyo this month. Muhammed Jallow and Lamin Charty ...

An anti-doping case has been opened against Russian medal-winning curler Alexander Krushelnitsky, says the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas). Krushelnitsky, who won Winter Olympic bronze with wife Anastasia Bryzgalova in the mixed doubles, is suspected of testing positive for meldonium. Cas opened a case against the 25-year-old following a request from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). A hearing date ...

At least 17 people have been killed in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, after a huge mound of rubbish collapsed on their homes, officials say. Many more residents were injured when the pile of waste, some 15m (49ft) high, gave way in heavy rains at 03:00 local time (01:00 GMT) on Monday. Rescue workers are continuing to search for people still trapped. ...

Religious groups have condemned a bill in Iceland’s parliament that would ban circumcision for non-medical reasons. The draft law would impose a six-year prison term on anyone guilty of “removing part or all of the [child’s] sexual organs”, arguing the practice violates the child’s rights. Jewish and Muslim leaders however have called the bill an attack on religious freedom. Iceland ...