THE Government has signed an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) to facilitate the $210 million expansion of Manda Hill Shopping Centre and construction of a regional and international complex on the Copperbelt.

THE Government is disturbed by the recent events of violence that are being perpetuated by hooligans against their political opponents.

HEALTH Minister Kapembwa Simbao has said Zambia is advancing towards the malaria-free status after reducing the prevalence rate to an average of 35 cases in every 1,000 people.

PAN African hotel group, African Sun Limited has acquired Royal Chundu Zambezi River Lodge, a five-star lodge in Zambia for an undisclosed amount.

Yesterday, at least four mayors were installed to mark the beginning of the civic year and many more are expected to undergo similar ceremonies within this week.

LUAPULA Royal Foundation (LRF) has pledged total support for President Rupiah Banda for the mature manner he has led Zambia since he became president.

FIRST Republican president Kenneth Kaunda's administration must have been overjoyed to see the Union Jack of the former colonial master, Britain, being brought down and replaced by the flag of the new independent State -Zambia.

LAST Saturday, Zambia attained the age of 45 and in this era, how apt was the theme of good neighbourliness and reconciliation for this year's Independence Day commemorations!

LUSAKA District Commissioner Christah Kalulu is confident and she has every reason to be. Hopefully this year the busy cosmopolitan city of Lusaka will have fewer cases of cholera and malaria, and suffer less disaster than it has during rainy seasons over the past decade.

THE Zambia Competition Commission (ZCC) has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to help bring on board the private sector to set up another oil refinery in order to overcome the fuel shortages being experienced.

COPPERBELT Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima has commended the people of Luanshya for their tenacity which has resulted in the town maintaining its status as the Copperbelt's cleanest despite being hit by the global credit crunch.

A NDOLA businesswoman and two others were yesterday found with a case to answer by the Ndola magistrate court for theft of fertiliser worth about K500 million and assisting a suspect in the matter to escape.

THE Lusaka High Court has grantedNational Airports Corporation (NAC) an interim order of attachment to restrict Zambian Airways from accessing, interfering with or disposing of its specified assets.

A Forty-TWO-year-old man of Mansa is battling for his life in Mansa General Hospital after being shot and wounded while fishing on the DR Congo side of the Luapula River.

THE Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has embarked on special audits of mining companies to understand operational issues and other costs in the sector to ensure that the Government collects all the revenue due to it in taxes.

THE MMD has picked former Solwezi District Commissioner (DC) Albert Chifita as the party candidate in next month's Solwezi Central parliamentary by-elections.

THE Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has condemned United Party for National Development (UPND) leader, Hakainde Hichilema's continued attacks on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

Zambia's songbird Angela Nyirenda, yesterday wept at the Kitwe local court after her eight-year-old son was allegedly abducted by her former lover, Masautso Banda, who is the father of the boy.

Zambia's governing party supporters confronted a leading critic of President Rupiah Banda, Mr George Mpombo, in Lusaka at an open forum to discuss the country's democracy.

ZAMBIA has regained its position as Zimbabwe's leading export destination in the region during the first six months of the year.