World News
President Mutharika Announces Free Secondary Education from 2026
Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika has announced that his administration will roll out free secondary school education beginning in January 2026.
Speaking during the Mulakho wa Alomwe cultural festival held at Chonde in Mulanje, Mutharika said the new policy is designed to eliminate absenteeism caused by lack of school fees and to empower young Malawians through access to education.
The initiative fulfills one of Mutharika’s key campaign pledges to expand free education beyond the primary level. Once implemented, it is expected to ease the financial strain on thousands of families and open opportunities for students who might otherwise have dropped out due to cost barriers.
Although full details of the program have not yet been disclosed, early indications suggest that the government will assume responsibility for paying tuition fees for all secondary school learners. Analysts believe this could significantly boost enrollment rates and reduce the number of students leaving school prematurely.
However, the announcement has drawn mixed reactions. Critics warn that while free education is a positive step, it could stretch Malawi’s already overburdened education system. Education commentator Phunziro Mvula previously cautioned that removing parental contributions might foster dependency and weaken community participation in school development.
Despite such concerns, the Mutharika administration insists the policy will be implemented as planned. The government views the initiative as a transformative measure that will equip Malawi’s youth with essential skills to contribute meaningfully to national growth.
As Malawi prepares to launch this new phase in its education journey, observers both locally and internationally will be watching to see how effectively the policy is rolled out. Its success will hinge on sustainable funding, efficient management, and a strong commitment to maintaining educational standards.
With this bold step, President Mutharika’s government signals its determination to invest in the country’s future one where every young Malawian has an equal chance to learn, grow, and thrive.
Russian authorities have moved to block Meta-owned WhatsApp across the country, citing the company’s failure to meet domestic legal requirements.
Officials say Meta did not establish a local office, declined to cooperate with data-sharing demands, and failed to remove content deemed unlawful.
The government has also linked the messaging platform to cases of fraud and alleged extremist activities.
Following the shutdown, many users in Russia are migrating to alternative platforms such as Telegram, VK Messenger, Yandex Messenger, and the government-supported MAX application.
Dalisto Lungu, the son of Zambia’s late former president Edgar Lungu, has been stripped of assets worth more than US$1.26 million after a ruling by the Economic and Financial Crimes Court.
The court found that the properties were obtained through illicit means and ordered their forfeiture to the state. The seized assets include 79 motor vehicles, over 20 pieces of land located in various parts of Zambia, as well as a fuel service station.
In its judgment, the EFCC stated that Lungu failed to provide credible evidence of a lawful income or business operations that could reasonably explain his accumulation of such wealth.
Lungu disputed the allegations, insisting that the properties were legally acquired. However, the court ruled that his explanation was insufficient to counter the state’s case, paving the way for the assets to be confiscated.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has dismissed online allegations suggesting that its founder, Bill Gates, is responsible for a surge in mosquito populations in Kenya.
Responding on X, the foundation clarified that it does not run mosquito laboratories nor release mosquitoes in Nairobi or anywhere else in the country.
It emphasized that all its health-related initiatives are carried out in support of Kenya’s own priorities and strictly follow government regulations.
The statement came after claims shared by Kenyan lawyer and politician Paul Muite gained traction on social media, sparking intense public discussion.
Some posts alleged that genetically modified mosquitoes were being produced and released on a large scale, claims the foundation described as completely untrue.
The controversy has emerged against the backdrop of continued concern over malaria, which remains a serious public health issue in the region.
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