The government has said a bill to stop a no-deal Brexit will complete its passage through the Lords on Friday.

The proposed legislation was passed by MPs on Wednesday, inflicting a defeat on Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

There were fears pro-Brexit peers could deliberately hold up the bill so it could not get royal assent before Parliament is prorogued next week.

But the Conservative chief whip in the Lords announced a breakthrough in the early hours after talks with Labour.

The peers sat until 01:30 BST, holding a series of amendment votes which appeared to support predictions that a marathon filibuster session – designed to derail the bill – was under way.

But then Lord Ashton of Hyde made his announcement that all stages of the bill would be completed in the Lords by 17:00 BST on Friday.

He added that the Commons chief whip had also given a commitment that MPs will consider any Lords amendments on Monday and that the government intends that the “bill will be ready to be present for Royal Assent”.

The gaining of Royal Assent for the bill was a requirement that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party would need before it considered backing Mr Johnson’s call for a general election.

Baroness Smith, Labour leader in the House of Lords, confirmed the opposition supported the move in the Lords overnight, and said she hoped there would be “no further frustrations” of the bill as it goes through all its stages on Friday.

“It has been quite a night. It has been a long debate – and I am grateful to the noble Lords who have stayed the course – it shows the importance of the work we do and the issue we are debating,” she said.

“I am grateful that we are now able to confirm that we will be able to complete all stages of the bill in a time-honoured way by 5pm Friday.”

The agreement was announced after a momentous day in the Commons in which the prime minister suffered defeats over the Brexit bill and his plan for a snap general election.

Mr Johnson had wanted an election on 15 October, but Labour and other opposition MPs would not back the move while the option of a no-deal Brexit on 31 October remained open to the PM.

He needed two-thirds of all MPs to vote in favour, under the rules set by the Fixed Terms Parliaments Act, but after Labour whipped its members to abstain, there were only 298 in favour of the motion and 56 against. That left Mr Johnson 133 short of his target.

(Source: BBC)

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The Zambia Police Service has advised Patriotic Front cadres not to go ahead with a protest march to Chishimba Kambwili’s residence in Lusaka on account of tense security situation.

Lusaka Province police commissioner Nelson Phiri has stated that protest scheduled for tomorrow, September 6, cannot go ahead as it risked jeopardising law and order.

The ruling party cadres had notified the police of their intention to protest at Kambwili’s house on September 6 following the opposition leader’s alleged defamatory remarks against  President Edgar Lungu.

The post Police Bar PF Protest Against Kambwili appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Police in Lusaka have arrested a 40-year-old man identified as Prince Mutowa for murdering his wife.

The deceased has been identified as Maureen Tembo, 27, of George Compound.

Zambia Police Public Relations Officer Esther Mwata-Katongo has confirmed and indicated that the incident happened between September 3 around 23:00 hours and September 4 at 01:45 hours.

She said the incidence was reported by a member of the public.

“It is alleged that the suspect beat up the wife after alleging that she was not spending nights home. The victim, who is now deceased, sustained head injuries and died on the spot. Police who went to the scene found an electric cable and a pounding stick alleged to have been used in the act. The body is in UTH mortuary awaiting postmortem while the suspect is detained in police custody yet to be charged,” Mwata-Katongo stated.

And a three-year-old boy identified as Maybin Chilambwe of Kalimwengo village,  Chief Kalasa Lukangaba of Mansa District has drowned in Mwan’guni stream.

Mwata-Katongo stated that this happened on Wednesday around 14:00 hours at Mwan’guni stream in Mansa District.

She stated the relatives suspect no foul play and were advised to bury the body and mark the grave.

The post Lusaka Man Nabbed for Killing Wife appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Madagascar has become the latest country to shun an international friendly match with South Africa amidst xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

South Africa’s soccer federation (SAFA) says Madagascar pulled out of playing an international game on Saturday, amid xenophobic violence in Johannesburg and elsewhere in the country.

Madagascar was a late replacement after Zambia’s soccer officials cancelled plans to host South Africa for a game in Lusaka on Saturday.

South Africa has faced criticism from African countries during several days of violent mobs attacking foreign-owned businesses in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

SAFA says on Twitter that Madagascar “decided to withdraw from the encounter” without specifying the reason.

Free tickets were offered for the hastily arranged game at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

SAFA earlier published a message from coach Molefi Ntseki calling on fans to attend and “use this opportunity to spread word of love and show solidarity with `our African brothers and sisters.”

The post Madagascar Pulls out of SA Friendly Due to Xenophobia appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Home Affairs minister Stephen Kampyongo says the South African government has assured Zambia that it is taking necessary steps to end pockets of xenophobic attacks recorded in that country since last week.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka on Thursday, Mr Kampyongo advised Zambians against continued protests in reaction to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa because “South Africa is a sovereign state with a functional government and functional structures of governance”.

“So we continue to engage them and ensure that they do what is necessary. We have been interacting with them from the time these events started unfolding and they have been giving us assurances and we are hoping that sooner than later, the situation could be under control. We as Zambia are still part of the TROIKA organ on defense, politics and security as outgoing chair of the organ. Zimbabwe is now the current chair with Botswana as incoming chair of the organ and so through that structure, we are also engaging,” Mr Kampyongo said.

He said the Zambian government was grateful that Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa was presently in South Africa to attend the economic forum.

“So he is taking advantage of that time to engage South Africa and see how quickly we can get to resolve these matters at a regional level. And so my appeal is to our people should appreciate that government works in a structured way, we have allowed civil activism against what is obtaining which is permissible but we are not going to tolerate lawlessness as a way of condemning other forms of lawlessness; it doesn’t work like that,” Mr Kampyongo said.

He further urged Zambians living in South Africa not to engage in lawlessness because it will then be difficult for government to defend them and protect their rights whilst there.

“I was just sharing with the minister of the other Zambians who want to challenge those that are involved in xenophobia in a confrontational manner. Again, that doesn’t work out because were you confront each other, there are definitely going to be casualties,” said Mr Kampyongo.

“With regard to our truck drivers and the cross border traders, we can caution them to remain calm for now. We know that their livelihoods are affected, we know that most of these cross border traders have to send their children to school, they have to get school fees from what they do but when the situation is like this, you know for us the sanctity of life is paramount. We have to make sure that our people are protected at all times and the little investments that they go into are equally protected.”

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Chief government spokesperson Dora Siliya has told UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to stop politicking and take to Bweengwa where he comes from the donation of a generator which he wanted to give to Chawama hospital.

And Ms Siliya has supported proposals for a hike in electricity tariffs.

She said a press briefing in Lusaka on Thursday that Christianity demands that those giving must not publicize such acts.

“[There was] an attempt by UPND to go and donate a generator at Chawama hospital. In fact, the Bible says that if you are giving, you don’t have to tell the whole town that you are giving. That’s what good Christianity is about and I will share with you that His Excellency President [Edgar] Lungu built a school in Bweengwa, the very place where president HH (Hakainde Hichilema) was born or grew up. And I know for certain that next to that is Bweengwa hospital which needs a generator because there is no power,” Ms Siliya said. “So we would like to encourage the UPND to take the generator to Southern Province, to Bweengwa in particular and to the clinic next to the school that President Lungu built in that area and stop politicking because you see, you can’t be giving a generator in Chawama but where you come from there is a need. You see, let us stop politicking; that must be very clear.”

She said the Government welcomes any support “but we would like UPND to give many generators to the many schools in Southern Province where there is no power.

“We would like to see that effort because we know that in Chawama, they have a member of parliament and I am sure he can address those issues because he has been trying to address and support not just in Chawama but around the country as well,” Ms Siliya said.

And Ms Siliya said the slow pace of investment by Zesco has been because all Zambians want power cheaply.

“Considering that Zesco’s generation rate is higher than the rate they have been selling to us…so clearly, the business model doesn’t work, and now we are facing reality that actually, shouldn’t power be more expensive than it is now? Now by law, for Zesco to increase tariffs, they have to do consultation, the ERB has to approve and ultimately the Zambians have to agree …So those who are saying Zesco has to hike tariffs is because they have seen the reality, you can’t eat your cake and have it,” Ms Siliya said. “I think that to the private sector in the country and also to our colleagues in the Ministry of Commerce whom we might have to invite is to see how they can accelerate and provide incentives for those who are in the business of solar and in the business of generators and in the business of inventors, that how quickly and how cheaply can they bring them in the country to make them available to all of us and we want to see ingenuity from the private sector to make other sources of power are available. We know that change is very difficult for people. we are so used to say power is going to come from Zesco, the reality is that some power will come from Zesco, other power will have to come from inventors, from generators, from gas and from other sources.”

The post Donate Your Genset in Bweengwa, Siliya Tells HH appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has died at the age of 95.

Zimbabwe’s first post-independent leader passed away in Singapore where he was seeking treatment.

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Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa has said Zambia will next week start importing power from ESKOM at a cost of $13.5 million.

Mr. Nkhuwa further has further disclosed that with the inclusion of transmission charges, the cost will go up to $21 million.

He told ZNBC on Thursday that the importation of power from ESKOM will cushion  load shedding hours from at least eight to six hours.
Mr. Nkhuwa said government will continue engaging various counterparts to address the power deficit affecting the country.

The post Zambia To Start Power Imports From S.A appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Transport and Communications Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya has said normal to above normal rainfall is expected in most parts of Zambia in the coming rainy season.

He said during a media briefing that only the north-eastern areas of Isoka, Chama, Mpika, Mbala, Nakonde, Mpulungu, Chinsali, Mungwi and Lundazi districts are likely to receive normal to below normal rainfall.

He said in November, December and January, the southern half of the country is likely to receive above normal rainfall while the northern half has a high chance of receiving normal to above normal rainfall with the exception of the north-eastern areas where there is a likelihood of normal to below normal rainfall.

Kafwaya said in December, January and February, there is a high likelihood of above normal rainfall in the Northern half of the country.

Kafwaya, however, said there is a likelihood of dry spells around February, especially over the Southern half of the country.

The post Normal to above normal rains forecast for Zambia appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Kitwe City Council has put a stop to ongoing construction works on the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) wayleave in Kawama area.

This follows a complaint from CEC that some people alleging to be in possession of letters of offers are putting up structures.

Council Assistant Public Relations Manager Lidah Kamanga said the local authority has engaged CEC on a number of times for possible consideration of shoving off part of the wayleave to the council for development, a process that has not been concluded.

“All those engaged in such constructions without planning permission in the said area are advised to immediately stop constructions in order to avoid loss of their resources in possible demolitions,” Kamanga said.

She stated that the council is aware that some members of the public allegedly got offer letters in the said area which are numbering not more than 20.

“Therefore, we wish to advise that the offer letters are of no effect since the area is on CEC wayleave and any construction in this area amounts to encroachment on CEC wayleave which can attract charges of criminal trespass,” said Kamanga.

The post Kitwe City Council Halts Construction Works On CEC’s Wayleave appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Personal:

Birth date: February 21, 1924

Birth place: Kutama Mission, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)

Birth name: Robert Gabriel Mugabe

Father: Gabriel Mugabe, a carpenter

Mother: Bona Mugabe

Marriages: Grace Marufu (August 17, 1996-present); Sally Hayfron (February 21, 1961-January 27, 1992, her death)

Children: With Grace Marufa: two sons and one daughter; with Sally Hayfron: one son (died at 4 years of age)

Education: University of Fort Hare, B.A., 1951; University of London, L.L.B.

Religion: Roman Catholic

Timeline:

1952-1959 – Teaches school in Southern and Northern Rhodesia and Ghana.

1960-1961 – Returns to Southern Rhodesia and works as publicity secretary for the National Democratic Party.

1963 – Co-founds the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) with Ndabaningi Sithole in Tanzania after having fled Rhodesia.

1964-1974 – Upon returning to Rhodesia is arrested and imprisoned for 10 years. Continues his education while incarcerated and earns university degrees in education, economics, administration and law from the University of London.

1974-1979 – Is released from prison and leads the ZANU-PF, the guerilla movement, from Mozambique.

1977 – Is elected president of ZANU-PF and commander-in-chief of Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA).

April 18, 1980-December 31, 1987 – After February elections, serves as the first prime minister of Zimbabwe. Helps form the Republic of Zimbabwe after British rule of Rhodesia comes to an end.

December 31, 1987 – Is elected by the national assembly to a four-year term after a new constitution replaces the office of prime minister with an executive president.

March 1990 – Is re-elected by popular majority, after a constitutional revision, to a six-year term.

1993 – Threatens to expel white landowners who object to the 1992 Land Acquisition Act permitting the government to force them to give up their land for redistribution to black Zimbabweans.

March 1996 – Is re-elected, in what becomes a one-man contest, after all other opponents drop out days before the election.

2000 – Mugabe begins ordering white farmers to give up their land. Some 4,000 farmers lose their land and Zimbabwe’s agricultural output decreases sharply.

October 15, 2001 – Announces countrywide shift to socialist-styled economy after 12 years of a market-driven one.

2002 – The European Union and the United States impose targeted sanctions on Mugabe and some senior ZANU-PF party members after widespread reports of human rights violations.

March 2002 – Is re-elected to another six-year presidential term amid charges of fraud and “state-sponsored-terrorism.”

June 24, 2002 – Prepares to enforce the redistribution of land from whites to blacks, issues orders to white farmers to stop working their farms and vacate their property, despite the country’s worst famine in 60 years.

December 7, 2003 – Withdraws Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth, a 54-nation organization of Great Britain and her former colonies.

August 2004 – Accusations by Human Rights Watch state that starvation is being used as a tool for the regime’s support among Zimbabweans. Farm output has decreased sharply since Mugabe began his policy of land grabs.

July 16, 2007 – The University of Edinburgh withdraws the honorary degree it awarded Mugabe in 1984 for his services to education in Africa. “The removal of this honorary degree shows the people of Zimbabwe that we recognize their struggle,” Edinburgh University rector Mark Ballard states.

April 2, 2008 – Results of the March 29, 2008, election are released by Zimbabwe’s Electoral Commission and show that Mugabe’s ruling ZANU-PF party has lost control of parliament.

June 12, 2008 – The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees revokes the honorary law degree it gave to Mugabe in 1986.

June 22, 2008 – Amid election fraud, violence, and arrests targeting his party and its supporters, opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai states that he is dropping out of the race, effectively handing the presidency back to Mugabe.

June 25, 2008 – Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II strips Mugabe of an honorary knighthood awarded in 1994 by former Prime Minister John Major.

June 27, 2008 – Mugabe wins the runoff election held in Zimbabwe amid worldwide controversy. He is the only candidate.

June 29, 2008 – Mugabe is sworn in for his sixth term as Zimbabwe’s president.

September 15, 2008 – Mugabe signs a power-sharing deal with political rival Tsvangirai in order to end months of unrest. Mugabe will remain president and Tsvangirai will assume post of prime minister and coordinator of government affairs.

February 11, 2009 – Opposition leader Tsvangirai is sworn in as prime minister of Zimbabwe by Mugabe as part of a new unity government.

February 28, 2009 – Mugabe celebrates his 85th birthday with a lavish party, costing a reported $250,000, despite the fact that Zimbabwe is gripped by an economic and health crisis.

December 17, 2010 – Mugabe threatens to seize all Western-owned investments in Zimbabwe unless their governments remove targeted sanctions imposed on him and his senior party members.

March 18, 2013 – Mugabe arrives in Italy for the inauguration of Pope Francis. Despite the European Union travel ban imposed on him, he is allowed to enter the country on religious grounds.

August 3, 2013 – The head of the Zimbabwe Election Commission announces that Mugabe has retained his position as president with 61.09% of the vote, ending the power-sharing agreement signed in 2008. Challenger Tsvangirai alleges widespread fraud and promises a court challenge.

August 16, 2013 – Tsvangirai announces he has withdrawn a court case challenging President Mugabe’s re-election.

December 9, 2014 – Fires his deputy Joice Mujuru, a few hours after she dismisses allegations that she’d plotted to assassinate Mugabe as “ridiculous.” Zimbabwe’s Chief Secretary to the Cabinet Misheck Sibanda says that Mugabe also fired eight Cabinet ministers.

November 6, 2017 – Mugabe fires Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, potentially clearing the way for his wife, Grace Mugabe, to succeed him.

November 14-15, 2017 – Zimbabwe’s military leaders seize control, placing Mugabe under house arrest and deploying armored vehicles to the streets of the capital, Harare.

November 21, 2017 – Mugabe resigns as Zimbabwe’s president, after 37 years of autocratic rule.

July 29, 2018 – On the eve of the presidential election, Mugabe says he will not vote for his old party, Zanu-PF. Mnangagwa of the ruling Zanu-PF party is declared the winner days.

(Source: CNN)

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Minister in the Office of the Vice-President Olipa Phiri has said even animals have been affected by the hunger situation that has hit some parts of the country.

Speaking when she paid a courtesy call on Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe in Ndola on Friday, Ms Phiri said the DMMU would sink five bore holes in Maposa area of Roan Constituency and also distribute some stock feed for animals.

“During the campaigns in Roan, the Vice-President made some pronouncements for the people to have water and schools. We have come so we give them water. Five boreholes to be done today (Friday). The hunger situation has [also affected] animals, but we will give stock feed and maize bran for animals,” she said.

And Mwakalombe said there was no need to declare hunger a disaster.

The post Even Animals Have Been Affected By Hunger, says Minister appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Fire has burnt down a block of former Zambia Railways flats in Ndola, with all property being destroyed in the inferno.

The value of the property in the burnt flats comprising six houses, with two housing students from the Ndola Teaching Hospital, has not been released yet.

The post Ndola Flats Burn Down appeared first on Zambia Reports.

Human Rights Commission chairperson Mudford Mwandenga has said human rights defenders must take up the mantle to promote human rights in Zambia.

Speaking in Lusaka on Thursday at the launch of Chapter One Foundation, an organization headed by former Law Association of Zambia president Linda Kasonde, Mwandenga said he was happy that more organizations were being formed to promote and defend human rights of citizens.

“A society can never have enough of human rights defenders, we need human rights defenders to take up the mantle of promoting human rights in Zambia. Therefore the establishment of Chapter One is a welcome development. I am therefore delighted to have been invited to make remarks at this launch,” Mwandenga said.

“The human rights protection framework in Zambia has often been criticised for not being comprehensive enough to promote and protect human rights. What then can we do? Do we sit or stand and not do anything more? My answer to that is, we do everything we can within our power to ensure every person in Zambia enjoys their rights to the maximum potential. This means, doing what human rights work is about. Namely working to change attitudes and perceptions as well as working to develop and improve the policy and legal framework for the promotion and protection of human rights. It also means embracing partnerships and collaboration amongst stakeholders and with stakeholders such as Chapter One because, in the end we all need a better Zambia and a better world where human rights are respected.”

He announced that the Human Rights Commission and Chapter One were planning on partnering in areas of mutual benefit for both institutions.

“And we hope to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to that effect. The desired outcome of that MOU being that the promotion and protection of human rights for all in Zambia will be enhanced so as to have a meaningful impact on all persons in Zambia. The Commission has always been and remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional and legal mandate by ensuring that fundamental human rights are upheld. In discharging its mandate, the Commission welcomes the establishment of like-minded organizations and welcomes partnership with them in order to effectively promote and protect human rights in Zambia,” said Mwandenga.

“Therefore, the Human Rights Commission would like to encourage civil society organisations in Zambia to play a more pronounced role in ensuring the observance of human rights in Zambia. The Human Rights Commission believes that civil society provides a critical foundation for holding Governments accountable, ensuring good governance, and promoting all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights. Civil society also plays an important role of bridging the gap between citizens and the government and therefore can be and should be a conduit for information between the citizens and government and vice-versa. I would therefore like to encourage all the organizations and institutions that are present here to continue  supporting programmes that enhance citizens’ awareness of their rights as well as strengthening the laws, policies and institutions mandated with promoting and protecting human rights.”

The post Society Can Never Have Enough Human Rights Defenders, Says HRC appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Zambia Under-23 National Team have arrived in Congo Brazzaville ahead of Sunday’s Egypt 2019 Africa Cup of Nations second leg, final round qualifier.

Zambia arrived in Congo Brazzaville at 22:45 hours local time.

FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala welcomed the team at Brazzaville International Airport.

The two teams will lock horns on Sunday at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat in the final leg with Zambia having won the first leg 2-1.

Winner over two legs will qualify to the Egypt 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in November where the top three teams will automatically qualify to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

FULL TEAMA

(GOALKEEPERS)

Mangani Banda (Zanaco), Lameck Siame (Kabwe Warriors), Charles Muntanga (Nkwazi)

(DEFENDERS)

Prosper Chiluya (Kabwe Warriors), Shemmy Mayembe, Solomon Sakala (both Zesco United), Field Kandela (Kabwe Warriors), Kebson Kamanga (Zanaco), Moses Nyondo (Nkana)

(MIDFIELDERS)

Gamphani Lungu (SuperSport United-RSA), Enock Mwepu (Red Bull Salzburg), Biston Banda, Ngosa Sunzu (both Buildcon), Emmanuel Banda (KV Oostende-Belgium), Harrison Chisala (Nkana), Kings Kangwa (Arsenal Tula-Russia)

(STRIKERS)

Patson Daka (Red Bull Salzburg-Austria), Fashion Sakala (KV Oostende-Belgium), Mwiya Malumo (Urlam-England), Lameck Banda (Arsenal Tula-Russia)

(Source: FAZ Media)

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Teenager Bianca Andreescu stunned Serena Williams in a gripping US Open final to claim a first Grand Slam title and deny the American a 24th major.

Williams, 37, did not cope with the 19-year-old’s quality in a 6-3 7-5 loss.

Canadian 15th seed Andreescu, in the main draw here for the first time, blew a double break in the second set before taking her third match point and falling to the ground in disbelief.

“This year has been a dream come true,” Andreescu told the crowd.

“I am beyond grateful and truly blessed. I’ve worked really hard for this moment. To play on this stage against Serena – a true legend of the sport – is amazing.”

To the disappointment of a stunned home crowd on a passionate Arthur Ashe Stadium, Williams has now lost four successive major finals.

“Bianca played an unbelievable match,” Williams said. “I’m so proud and happy for you, it was incredible tennis out there.”

Williams, seeded eighth, looked edgy throughout as she aimed to match Australian Margaret Court’s tally of all-time major wins, handing over the first three of Andreescu’s five breaks of serve with double faults.

By contrast, Andreescu played with the confidence which has marked her out as a star in a stunning breakthrough year.

She is the first Canadian to win a tennis major and the first teenager to win a Grand Slam since Maria Sharapova claimed the 2006 title at Flushing Meadows.

She is the first teenager to win their maiden Slam since Russian Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004.

Andreescu kept her nerve to take a third match point with a forehand down the line, dropping her racquet to the ground and then, after a warm hug with Williams, lying on the court with her arms spread out as she contemplated her achievement.

After returning to her feet, she used a hastily-arranged step ladder to climb into her player’s box and embrace her nearest and dearest, including parents Nicu and Maria.

Andreescu blocks out crowd to complete remarkable year

Before the match, Andreescu said if someone told her 12 months ago she would be facing Williams in the US Open final she would have thought they were “crazy”.

Tellingly, in a sign of her unwavering confidence, she said she would not have felt the same if they told her the same thing a fortnight ago.

Twelve months ago she lost in the first round of qualifying at Flushing Meadows and was ranked outside the top 200 in the world.

But she has become the most talked-about young player on the planet following a remarkable rise this year.

Andreescu, whose Romanian parents Nicu and Maria emigrated to Canada in the 1990s, had only played six tour-level matches at the turn of the year.

Since then she has won prestigious WTA Premier titles at Indian Wells and Toronto, rising to 15th in the world as a result and raking in £1.79m of her £1.97m career prize money.

Now she will climb to fifth in the world and take home another $3.85m (£3.13m) after this success.

Andreescu was fearless throughout her maiden Grand Slam final and unfazed by the occasion of playing an American icon on the biggest tennis court in the world.

Although the crowd was unsurprisingly backing Williams throughout inside an incredible noisy Ashe, the manner in which Andreescu coped and reset after seeing her double break in the second set disappear was remarkable.

At one point, Andreescu even put her fingers in her ears as the volume became particularly loud as Williams fought back from 5-1 down.

After her first Championship point went begging in the seventh game, another disappeared when Williams hit an ace for 30-40 in what proved to be the final game before Andreescu sealed victory at the third attempt with a forehand winner.

“I definitely had to overcome the crowd. I knew you guys wanted Serena to win,” a smiling Andreescu said in her on-court victory speech.

“Obviously it was expected for Serena to fight back, but I tried my best to block everything out. I’m glad how I managed to do that.”

(Source: BBC)

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The Zambia Under-23 this afternoon (Sunday) face the sternest test thus far when they take on the Red Devils of Congo Brazzaville at the Alphonse Massemba-Debat Stadium in the second leg final round qualifier to the Egypt 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Zambia carries a 2-1 lead from the first leg and will be hoping to kill off the contest on foreign soil.

Coach Beston Chambeshi has struck a confident posture ahead of the second leg pledging an attack minded approach to the game.

Chambeshi is expected to tinker with his starting eleven this afternoon from the one that played at home on Wednesday.

The goal minder role will expectedly fall to Mangani Banda with skipper Solomon Sakala and Moses Nyondo taking up the command post at the heart of defence.

The wingback spots will be taken up by Shemmy Mayembe and Kebson Kamanga although others having been knocking hard on the door to get a look in.

In the holding role Chambeshi could opt for either Emmanuel Banda or Ngosa Sunzu with the imperious Enock Mwepu expected to be pushed up further in an attacking role while goal-scoring machine Fashion Sakala and the 2017 CAF Young Player of the Year Patson Daka are expected to lead the attack.

Chambeshi may give the quick-paced Lameck Banda a run in on the wing with either Kings Kangwa or Gamphani Lungu joining the attack.

With Chambeshi’s signature attack minded approach there could be room for the offensive minded Harrison Chisala and Biston Banda.

Zambia however should be wary of the threat posed by the Congo attack led by Jacques Temopele and skipper Makouta Gaius.

Winner over two legs will qualify to the AFCON to be staged in November in Egypt.

Top three teams at the AFCON will qualify to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Kickoff is at 15:30 hours local time (16:30 Zambian time).

(Source: FAZ Media)

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Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company has announced enhanced rationing of water supply to its customers due to the extended hours of electricity load shedding.

Public Relations officer Debora Kangede has said all company installations are dependent on electricity and the increased hours of load shedding has affected the production of water.

Kangede said the water supply has affected all the three service districts of Chingola, Chililabombwe and Mufulira.

She has since advised customers to store enough water whenever they have supply to lessen on the inconveniences during this period.

“Arising from the lack of a consistent load shedding schedule, the company has not been in a position to establish and publish reliable water supply times. Once this is done, the company will advise its customers promptly,” Kangede said.

She has further urged customers to be prudent in the management of water and report all leaks to reduce wastage.

Kangede said the low production of water supply would have a negative impact on revenue collection, further urging customers to continue paying bills for the water consumed whenever supply is available.

The post Load Shedding Forces Mulonga Water to Intensify Water Rationing appeared first on Zambia Reports.

The Copperbelt University (CBU) has asked government to immediately release funds for the institution’s security systems.

CBU Vice-Chancellor Professor Naison Ngoma made the request when Minister of Higher Education Brian Mushimba toured the institution.

Prof. Ngoma disclosed that CBU has been using its thin resources to address the security challenge at the institution, hence the call for the release of funds.

He said CBU needs security upgrades and it is just important that government makes available the funds.

Prof. Ngoma told the Minister that most security related projects that were under construction have stalled due to lack of funds for completion.

Meanwhile, CBU Director Planning, Property and Services Bernard Mabo has disclosed that about K 5.7 million has been spent on security upgrades at the Copperbelt University.

And Dr. Mushimba has assured management at CBU that government will soon release funds to allow for the completion of security upgrades.

Dr Mushimba has, however, warned students against engaging in riotous behaviour, reminding them of how much government is spending on improving infrastructure at institutions of higher learning.

The post CBU Asks Govt to Release Funds for Security Systems appeared first on Zambia Reports.

A 37-year-old woman of Samfya district in Luapula Province has died after she was allegedly attacked by a crocodile.

Luapula Province Police Commissioner Elias Chushi said the woman only identified as Kalenga of Mwaba Village was alleged attacked in the Kampolombo River near Lake Bangweulu on Friday.

He stated that the search for the woman’s body has continued, with experts called upon to help.

Chushi has further stated that the deceased was attacked in full view of her friends while she was fetching water.

The post Croc Kills Samfya Woman appeared first on Zambia Reports.