- BY.Mabvuto Kambuwe ,Africanews reporter ,lilongwe ,Malawi. Malawi government has banned with immediate effect the publication of most popular newspaper, the Weekend Times saying it was operating without being registered. Acting director of the National Archives Joe Thaulo said the paper has been banned because it did not register with the organisation. “Weekend Times has been circulating close to a year now without registering with National Archives of Malawi,” he said. “We are taking stock of all papers that are circulating.” Thaulo hinted that more newspapers will be shut down. The ban comes into effect after the paper had published a foreign new…

- With few days left before the start of the 2010 commonwealth games in New Delhi India. Malawi’s participation at the event is in serious doubt as the local committee is failing to source funds amounting to US $200 000. The money carters for transportation of officials ,allowances for the athletes and accommodation. However the international Olympic committee [IOC] has already provided air tickets for the 41 athletes who are expected to participate. The athletes are expected to leave on September 30 for the games but the current situations has forced local committee ,Malawi Olympic committee [MOC] and Ministry of sports and youth development for plead for private sector support…

- BY.Mabvuto Kambuwe,Africanewsreporter,lilongwe ,Malawi. British swimmer Abigail Brown will attempt for the second time to become the first female to swim across the lake Malawi today. Brown failed in her first attempt in May this year when strongly easterly waves drifted her off course after she had already discovered three quarters of the distance. During that adventure Brown was drifted off course covering 35km instead of 25 km . She covered the long distance in 12 hours and 40 minutes before aborting the mission due to darkness. Unofficial records shows that only two South Africans Lewis Pugh and Otto Thaning who swam across lake Malawi’s narrowest point in 1992. Brown w…

Twenty three Malawians perished in a head on collision between a truck and minibus they were travelling on in SA, police say. The accident happened on the NI road between Beaufort West and Laingsburg in Western Cape Province. Four travellers survived but they were in serious conditions at Worcester and Laingsburg hospitals in the province. - A statement released by South African police service {SAPS} spokesperson, November Filander, in the Western Cape said all the dead people were Malawian nationals. He said the minibus Tax was travelling from Cape Town to Malawi and collided with a truck which was travelling from Laingsburg in the direction to Beaufort West. “The circumstances …

- BY.Mabvuto Kambuwe,Africanews reporter ,lilongwe ,Malawi Malawi is paying a high price of about US$191 million each year for unsustainable natural resource use, Malawi poverty and environment Initiative-economic study has revealed. The report which was unveiled in Lilongwe yesterday says the country could save millions revenues if natural resources are properly used. “Malawi pays a high price for the unsustainable natural resources use. The cost is equivalent to giving up to 5.3 percent of GDP each year. Malawi would be richer by US$191 million each year” says the report. The US $191 Million is more than the total funding allocated to the education sector and to…

- BY.Mabvuto Kambuwe,Africanews reporter in lilongwe Malawi is paying a high price of about US$191 million each year for unsustainable natural resource use, Malawi poverty and environment Initiative-economic study has revealed. The report which was unveiled in Lilongwe yesterday says the country could save millions revenues if natural resources are properly used. “Malawi pays a high price for the unsustainable natural resources use. The cost is equivalent to giving up to 5.3 percent of GDP each year. Malawi would be richer by US$191 million each year” says the report. The US $191 Million is more than the total funding allocated to the education sector and to th…

- BY .Mabvuto Kambuwe ,Africanews reporter in Lilongwe, Malawi. The number of people killed by measles in Malawi has rised from 70 to 82 with 17,496 cases registered a senior health official has confirmed . Director of preventive health services Storn Kabuluzi said the recent statistics are now a wake up call to government to start the nation wide campaign immediately which was expected to start next months. “The country has registered 17,496 cumulative cases with 82 deaths to date rising from the figure we had last week of 70 deaths but efforts are being made to vaccinate children in the some of districts hit by the disease “ he said. According to Kabuluzi ,t…

- By Mabvuto Kambuwe, AfricaNews reporter in Lilongwe, Malawi The World Bank has disclosed that Malawi only used $180million out of $392 million in committed projects from the Bank under its 4th Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) which started in 2007 and is expected to end this year. According to Malawi’s Daily Times newspaper, World Bank operations officer Christine Kamwendo said the inability to fully spend allocated resources could result into reduced allocations to the country in future programmes. “Lack of capacity to unlock resources from the bank and the political impasse in parliament, especially in 2008 slowed down the implementation of World Bank projects in th…

- By Mabvuto Kambuwe, AfricaNews reporter in Lilongwe, Malawi The World Bank has disclosed that Malawi only used $180million out of $392 million in committed projects from the Bank under its 4th Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) which started in 2007 and is expected to end this year. According to Malawi’s Daily Times newspaper, World Bank operations officer Christine Kamwendo said the inability to fully spend allocated resources could result into reduced allocations to the country in future programmes. “Lack of capacity to unlock resources from the bank and the political impasse in parliament, especially in 2008 slowed down the implementation of World Bank projects in th…

The measles outbreak which hit most parts of Malawi has already claimed 70 lives in four months, health officials have confirmed. The situation has forced government to carry out a mass measles vaccination campaign for all children between the ages of 6 months and 15 years throughout the country. - Initially the national wide vaccine campaign was supposed to start this July targeting six million children. Principal Secretary in the ministry of health Chris Kang’ombe disclosed that the number of reported cases had reached over 12000 nationwide. “There are over 12,000 cases reported so far with 70 deaths “Kang’ombe said. A statement from the Lilongwe district o…

- BY. Mabvuto Kambuwe,Africanews reporter Lilongwe,Malawi. Malawi has launched the campaign to fight against Malaria “United Against Malaria “. The campaign which is the global campaign aims at raising awareness of Malaria together with many partners and international football stars. Globally the campaign features players such as Manchester city and Ivory coast player Koro Toure in Malawi featured some of the flames stars including Orlando Pirates Midfilder Josephy Kamwendo and Allan Kamanga. Secretary for health Chris Kang’ombe said there need for more hands in the fight against Malaria since is the world’s second largest killer. He said six m…

- BY.Mabvuto Kambuwe Africanews reporter Lilongwe,Malawi. As the FIFA world cup is under way in South Africa the first to be held on an African soil ,United Nations programme on AIDS [UNAIDS] has tipped nations to stop the spread of HIV /AIDS during the event to meet the millennium development goals of eliminating mother to child transimission by 2015. UNAIDS executive director Michel Sidibe in his message to the world as the football fever is all over has underscores the importance of fighting HIV[AIDS saying “As football fever spreads ,lets stop the spread of HIV” “We must not lose sight of one of unwelcome guest-HIV”. Sidibe says nations must talk…

- By .Mabvuto Kambuwe ,africannews reporter,lilongwe ,Malawi. Former South African president Nelson Mandela is due to miss the opening of the FIFA world cup due to the death of his great grand daughter r, bbc .com has reported. The 13 year old grand daughter died when the car taking her home over turned from the Soweto concert on the eve of the world cup. BBC has reported that police have arrested and charged the driver of the car with drinkdriving. It is reported that the Nelson Mandela foundation has said the tragedy has made the former president in appropriate to attend the opening ceremony at soccer city stadium in Johannes burg. “We are sure that South Afric…

- BY.Mabvuto Kambuwe,africanews reporter,lilongwe Malawi. The head of Rwanda's Football Federation, Brig-Gen Jean Bosco Kazura, has been arrested for travelling to the World Cup in South Africa. Jean Bosco Kazura served in Sudan's Darfur region An army spokesperson said as he was also a soldier, the football official needed permission to leave the country. "He was, therefore, recalled and arrested," spokesman Jill Rutaremara told Rwanda's New Times paper. Before joining the football federation, Brig-Gen Kazura was a deputy commander of Rwandan peacekeepers in Darfur. Earlier this year there were reports of a reshuffle in Rwanda's military…

As the FIFA world cup kicks off in South Africa, Malawi's government has intensified border checks during the 2010 World cup to cub child trafficking to the host nation. This comes amid reports that there are more women and children being trafficked to the rain bow nation as a result of the world cup which is being held on an African soil for the first time. - Malawi’s minister of gender and children development Patricia Kaliati told journalist in Lilongwe on Tuesday that government will carry out anti child campaign to check the movement of children and women during the FIFA world cup tournament starting from June 11 to July 11. “We realize that during this event more ch…

- BY.Mabvuto Kambuwe,africanews reporter,lilongwe,Malawi. The United Nations High commissioner for Refugees,[UNHCR] says Malawi government way of confining refugees in one place is denying them a number of rights accorded to them by article 14 of the Universal declaration of Human rights. The statement which comes days after UN secretary general Ban KI moon told parliament to repeal statues outlawing homosexuality in the country to comply with international treaties the country signed . UNHCR field officer [protection] Mikael Rasmussen told the media during the training for positive reporting on refugees stories. He said article 14 of the universal Declaration of Human right…

- BY.Mabvuto Kambuwe,africanews reporter,lilongwe,Malawi. The United Nations High commissioner for Refugees,[UNHCR] says Malawi government way of confining refugees in one place is denying them a number of rights accorded to them by article 14 of the Universal declaration of Human rights. The statement which comes days after UN secretary general Ban KI moon told parliament to repeal statues outlawing homosexuality in the country to comply with international treaties the country signed . UNHCR field officer [protection] Mikael Rasmussen told the media during the training for positive reporting on refugees stories. He said article 14 of the universal Declaration of Human right…

- By.Mabvuto Kambuwe Africanews,reporter in lilongwe,Malawi. Measles outbreak which has affected a number of districts in Malawi has spilled to Maula prison in Lilongwe . The development has prompted Malawi prisons authority to ban both visitors and new admissions .According to prisons authorities four inmates have already contracted the disease . Deputy commissioner of prisons Mac Donald Chaona confirmed the development that the four are being treated within the prison premises . So far all the 2180 prisoners have received vaccinations including staff . He said “We hope we are going to contain the situation now because all the inmates have received vaccination…

At least six million children in Malawi need measles vaccination this July, health experts have said.However the ministry has since set aside about K648 million (about $432m) for the vaccine exercise which is expected to start next month throughout the country. - Secretary for health Chris Kang’ombe said “From this week we will be working out the logistics for the procurement of the viral outside the country. Since it is an emergency we would like the drugs to be airlifted into the country as soon as possible”. Already measles have claimed 48 lives last month with over 9600 cases registered including some adults were also affected. Kang’ombe however said the rec…

- BY.Mabvuto Kambuwe,Africanews,reporter in lilongwe ,Malawi. United Nations secretary general Ban Ki Moon announced that he would be supporting the winning during the 2010 world cup which kicks off in few days time in SouthAfrica. The UN chief who took part in the fundraising match while in Uganda anounced this during his recent visit to Malawi as he was responding to a question from a Malawian pupil who wanted to know the team he would be supporting during the global soccer showpiece running from June 11 to July 11. Ki Moon who was visiting Malawi for the first time also presented a soccer ball to to youths at Mwandama millenium villages project in the sourthen part of Malawi…

- By.Mabvuto Kambuwe,Africanews,reporter in lilongwe ,Malawi. The arrested somalis have been jailed by the Malawi court and others have been deported . Mzuzu magistrate jailed the arrested Somalis this week after failing to pay fines .According to the court documents 78 Somalis have been jailed while 25 others have been deported back to Somalia for entering Malawi without proper documents. The 103 foriegners who all pleaded guilty to the charge were among the 184 Somalis illegal immigrants arrested in the Northen part of Malawi as they were crossing the huge forest on May 24 this year.

- BY.Mabvuto Kambuwe,Africanewsreporter in lilongwe. President Bingu Wa Mutharika on Saturday announced the Pardons of the gay couples who were jailed to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour. The president made the decision after discussing with the visiting UN secretary General Ban Ki Moon . Mutharika who is also the chairperson of the African Union [AU] has ordered the immediate release of the gay couple. “I have decided that with effect from today that Tionge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza be pardoned and be released “ he told a group of journalist after meeting the UN boss. The two were given 14 years jail term after being convicted of indecency and unnatural acts. …

- BY.Mabvuto Kambuwe,africanews,reporter,lilongwe. Malawi could soon see the booming media industry if 22 companies who have applied for new Televison and Radio licences will be approved. Currently ,Malawi have one national TV staion and two regional stations with over ten radio staions . But according to press release by the country media regulatory body ,Macra announced that they have recieved an overwhelming response by having more new applicants for new licences. In the statement the regulatory body say it will soon start screening the applicants subject to conditions of meeting the requirements of the body. Interestingly , among the new applicants include acommunity rad…

- BY. Mabvuto Kambuwe,africanews reporter lilongwe. The 14 years jail sentence for Malawi's fist gay couple Tionge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza has recentry attracted criticism from the international community and has also put Malawi in dark corner from recieving aid. Almost all major donors USA,UK and Norway including pop star Madonna have all talked tough on the 14 years setence . This time as UN secreatary General Ban Ki moon will be on his two days official visit to the country ,Malawians are anxiously waiting to hear if the UN boss will comment on the gay sentence. While in the country the UN boss will address malawi's national assembly , meeting president Bingu…

At least 184 Somali immigrants have been arrested in Malawi as they were trying to enter the country illegally. - A senior police official Noral Chimwala has confirmed that they will appear before the court this week. She said the arrest comes after a public tip off as they were crossing one of the major forests in the Northern part of the country. However the senior police official has commended the public for alerting them urged them to continue so that they arrest all illegal immigrants in the country.

- BY,MABVUTOKAMBUWE,Africanews reporter ,lilongwe,Malawi KIA Motors ,official automotive partner of the 2010 FIFA world cup in South Africa , supplied over 200 official vehicles from its wide range of models to the organizing committee of the tournament at a ceremony held at soccer city stadium in Johannesburg. A statement from the company said the vehicles will facilitate smooth and efficient transportation of teams ,officials ,delegates and official VIP visitors from all over the world during the tournament. “Bieng involved actively in football marketing is an integral part of our vision to become a formidable player on the global automotive stage. We have made strategi…

Sex workers in Malawi are feverishly saving towards the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. They are not going to support their teams but to warm the beds of soccer fans who want to quench their sexual desires. One said: "I think time has come for African sex workers to make money through the World Cup." - The global football showpiece has generally become a common ground for prostitutes to rake in millions from thousands of tourists. This reporter spoke with some commercial sex workers in Malawi about their plans ahead of the World Cup. Melvis, who stays in the commercial city Lilongwe, said she has arranged with a Johannesburg-based friend to pitch camp with her until the tour…

Malawi national football team coach Kinnah Phiri has dropped Black Leopards' midfielder Fischer Kondowe for allegedly dating his daughter, local weekend newspaper has reported. He has been a key member in the flames qualification to Angola but was axed at the airport on their way to play Egypt in a friendly. - However, both the player and the coach have denied the newspaper report. “Who has told you all these stories, it is not true I can not date Kinnah’s daughter. I am a senior bachelor and I don’t have a girl friend,” he told the media. Coach Phiri said he dropped the player on disciplinary grounds as he was spotted at one of the drinking joints - chez…