Two MCP MPs arrested for assault, out on police bail

Two Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Members of Parliament (MPs) were on Friday arrested by Kanengo Police and released on bail on charges of common assault.

The MPs, Richard Chimwendo Banda of Dowa East, Amon Nkhata of Kasungu Central and two other party members Brian Sambo and Zumani Chidzanja Nkhoma have been charged with three counts of common assault, malicious damage and theft.

NGO reach out to communities for blood donation

A local NGO, Parent And Child Health Initiative (PACHI) has engaged rural communities on the blood donation excersice to complement the Malawi Blood Transfusion Services (MBTS) initiative of reaching out to secondary and college students.

The model is a component of Social Mobilization and Accountability Project which is in 12 districts, Mzimba south and north, Mangochi, Zomba, Thyolo and Lilongwe rural.

On Thursday, PACHI organized a tour for blood diners from TA Chitukula, Lilongwe to MBTS offices and Bwaila district hospital.

Airtel Malawi opens Mchinji Express shop

Malawi's leading telecommunications company Artile on Friday opened an Express Shop in Mchinji district.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Customer Experience Director Sibusiso Nyasulu said as a caring brand Airtel believe that customers deserve the best from the company and plans to continue to furnish subscribers with competitive solution, products and services.

Standard Bank withdraw football cup sponsorship

Standard Bank has withdrawn its sponsorship of the Knock-Out Cup effective Friday

In a statement, the bank said it has decided to do so in light of the changes in the macroeconomic environment and all the attendant business challenges, the bank has had to refocus its strategy.

"What has become apparent in recent years is that, it has become increasingly challenging to grow the revenue of the bank at a pace which allows the bank which matches the increase in costs.

18 months IHL for burning son

Mulanje Senior Grade Magistrate Court has fined 38 year old Julita Matthias K45,000 or in default serve 18 months imprisonment for an offence of causing grievous harm to own son contrary to section 235 of the penal code. 

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Glory Ndhlovu told the court that on 23 January this year the accused burnt her son’s hands by putting them on fire for allegedly stealing relish while she was working in a maize garden.

Matthias pleaded guilty to the charge adding she did that out of anger as the whole family had no relish for food that day.

African Parks secures €2.6 million for restoration of Liwonde and Nkhotakota Parks

African Parks, a not-for-profit conservation organisation has been awarded €2.6 million by the Dutch Postcode Lottery as one of their ‘Extra Awards’ for the restoration of Liwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve in Malawi
 
The funding will be used for the rehabilitation and long-term protection of Liwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, totalling 225 000 hectares in size.

Malawi stands firm for the enhancement sustainability of tobacco growing

Malawi has taken a step further to enhance sustainability of tobacco growing to protect the crop from its challenges among others, its exclusion from international trade agreements and plain packaging as per the anti-smoking campaign by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Joined by Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia, the coalition known as Tobacco Coalition (T5)  fears that the FCTC, plain packaging, heavy taxes and prohibition of production due to health concerns raised by developed countries are reducing the global demand for tobacco and thereby negatively affecting the economies of developing countries.

Lucky student wins a full Beston College scholarship

The gods smiled at Isaac Safanana as news reached him that he has won a full scholarship to study a diploma in journalism at one of Malawi's established training institution, Beston College.

Safanana, won the K500 000 worth scholarship after he outclassed participants in a 15 minutes Beston College program which is aired on Dziko Radio by answering questions.

The scholarship includes boarding and tuition fees, learning materials and examinations fees and it will run from January to June this year.

600 hunger stricken families saved in Nkhata Bay

With no hope and nowhere to go, 600 households in Nkhatabay Central Constituency trapped in the arms of hunger breathed a sigh of relief when they received a donation of 7, 500 Kilograms of Maize from former member f parliament of the area Symon Vuwa Kaunda.

According to latest Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee figures, more than 2.8 million people will face hunger in the coming lean season (October –March) following severe floods and drought that ruined this year’s harvest.

MCP MPs wants Kabwira out as party spokesperson

It never rains but pour for the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) as some Members of Parliament (MPs) are plotting for the removal of their party's Spokesperson Dr Jessie Kabwira on the position arguing she is causing confusion within.

According to inside sources, the main MPs behind the move, which has already started on their Whatsapp group are Chimwendo Banda, Amon Nkhata and Peter Dimba.

According to the information, Kabwira's main sin was to defend the suspended central region districts chairpersons.