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Aidfest and Kineo to Pursue Solo Careers While Keeping Duo Door Open



By Rahim Abdul

Malawian music duo Aidfest and Kineo have announced a shift in their musical journey, revealing that they will begin performing as solo artists starting this year after nearly three years of working together.

In a statement released by their management, Madness Entertainment, the move has been described as a strategic decision aimed at personal growth rather than a breakup. The management emphasized that the two artists remain united and committed to supporting each other’s careers.

According to the statement, allowing Aidfest and Kineo to work individually will give each musician the space to explore their unique sound, creativity, and artistic identity, something that is often limited when artists operate strictly as a duo.

Madness Entertainment further clarified that fans should not interpret the decision as the end of their collaboration. The duo is expected to reunite from time to time to work on selected joint projects, including a few songs that may be released in the future.



Aidfest and Kineo rose to prominence through their energetic performances and relatable lyrics, earning a strong fan base across Malawi.

Songs such as Nafe and Mpweche helped cement their status as one of the notable musical pairings of recent years.

During their time together, the two artists achieved significant milestones, including winning several music awards and successfully releasing a joint album that showcased their chemistry and musical versatility.

Music analysts say the decision reflects a growing trend in the industry, where artists balance group collaborations with solo ambitions to remain relevant and competitive in a fast-changing music landscape.

Fans have taken to social media to share mixed reactions, with some expressing sadness over fewer joint performances, while others have welcomed the move, saying it could bring fresh sounds and new energy from both artists.

As Aidfest and Kineo embark on their solo paths, expectations are high that the experience will not only elevate their individual brands but also enrich any future collaborations they choose to pursue together.

Silver Strikers Ladies register second defeat in NBM league

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By Rahim Abdul

Silver Strikers Ladies’ dominance in the National Bank Women’s Football Premiership was checked once more after they fell 2-0 to a disciplined Civil Service Women’s Team at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.

The champions, who remain top of the table, struggled to impose themselves as Civil Service approached the fixture with clear intent and energy, determined to overturn their first-round disappointment against the bankers.



Emily Samuel gave Civil Service a crucial breakthrough just before the interval, scoring in the 44th minute to reward sustained pressure and unsettle the league leaders heading into the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Civil Service staying compact and purposeful, limiting Silver’s usual attacking rhythm while looking dangerous on the counter.

Vitumbiko Mkandawire put the result beyond doubt in the 71st minute, calmly finishing to spark celebrations among the Civil Service camp and confirm a deserved victory.

Civil Service Women head coach Collins Pofera said after the match that his side treated the game as a point of redemption, insisting the players were motivated by their earlier loss and determined to prove their growth.

Pofera added that his team’s intensity from the opening whistle made the difference, as they created clearer chances and showed greater hunger throughout the contest.

On the other hand, Silver Strikers Ladies coach Andrew Chikhosi admitted his side paid the price for a drop in commitment, suggesting some players appeared to believe the title race was already settled.

Chikhosi warned that such an attitude is dangerous in a competitive league, stressing the need for his team to reset mentally if they are to avoid further slips.
Despite the defeat, Silver Strikers Ladies remain top of the standings with 42 points from 16 matches, maintaining a healthy lead but now under renewed scrutiny.

Civil Service Women’s Team climb to sixth position with 25 points from the same number of games, a result that boosts their confidence and underlines their ambition.

MACRA Offers Former Licensees a Path Back After Years of Shutdowns

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By Rahim Abdul

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has taken a conciliatory step by reopening the door to individuals and companies whose operating licences were revoked over the past decade.

In a notice issued to the public, the regulator announced a 21-day window during which affected former licensees can apply for reconsideration of their electronic communications, content service or postal and courier licences.

The opportunity targets entities whose licences were withdrawn between 2015 and 2025, a period marked by heightened regulatory enforcement across the communications sector.



MACRA says eligibility will depend on whether applicants previously held valid licences and can demonstrate corrective measures taken since the revocation or provide new and relevant information.

Despite the opening, the authority has been clear that submitting an application does not automatically guarantee reinstatement, as each case will undergo an individual assessment.

The move follows years of controversy in which several media houses were forced off air for allegedly failing to pay annual licence fees, particularly under the previous administration.

Those actions drew sharp criticism from media rights advocates who argued that the closures undermined press freedom and weakened democratic accountability.

Former Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chairperson Tereza Ndanga previously warned that such shutdowns threatened the independence and survival of media institutions.

By offering a second chance, MACRA appears to be repositioning itself as a regulator willing to combine enforcement with dialogue and reform.

Deadly explosion rocks Swiss Ski Resort, multiple fatalities reported



By Burnett Munthali

Several people have been killed and dozens injured following a deadly explosion at a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations at the luxury ski resort of Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

The explosion occurred at about 1:30 a.m. local time at Le Constellation bar in the Valais region, a popular destination for international tourists.

Police said more than 100 people were inside the venue when the blast triggered a fire, adding to the chaos and destruction.

A spokesperson for the Valais Cantonal Police confirmed that there were “several fatalities and several injured,” but noted that authorities were unable to immediately provide an exact death toll as rescue operations and victim identification were still ongoing.



Emergency services, including police, firefighters, ambulances and air rescue teams, were deployed in large numbers to the scene to respond to the disaster.

The area surrounding the bar has been completely cordoned off, while a temporary no-fly zone has been imposed over Crans-Montana to allow rescue efforts to continue without disruption.

Images and videos circulating on social media and cited by Swiss media showed flames engulfing part of the building as emergency vehicles lined nearby streets, painting a grim picture of the aftermath.

Police said the cause of the explosion remains unknown, adding that reports speculating about fireworks or other pyrotechnic materials have not been officially confirmed, leaving investigators to piece together the evidence.

Authorities have also established a helpline for families and friends seeking information about those affected, providing a glimmer of support in these dark times.

A joint press briefing by the police and regional prosecutors is expected later as investigations continue to determine the cause of the blast, aiming to bring clarity to a tragic start to the new year.

Crans-Montana, located in southwestern Switzerland, is one of the country’s most exclusive ski resorts and is scheduled to host an international speed skiing World Cup event later this month, casting a shadow over the usually festive atmosphere.

TNM Adjusts Prices Following VAT Increase and New E-Money Levy

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By Rahim Abdul

Telecommunications Network Malawi (TNM) has announced a price adjustment on all its products and services, with the new rates taking effect today January 1,2026.


In a notice to its customers, the mobile network operator said the changes are a result of recent tax measures introduced by the government.

TNM explained that the adjustment follows the revision of Value Added Tax (VAT) to 17.5 percent, which has a direct bearing on the cost of providing telecommunications services.

The company also cited the introduction of a 0.05 percent levy on e-money transfers exceeding K100,000 as another contributing factor.

According to TNM, the combined effect of these fiscal changes has increased operational costs across the business.

As a result, the new charges will affect a wide range of TNM products and services, including voice, data, and mobile money-related offerings.



The company emphasized that the price changes apply across the board and are not limited to specific products or customer categories.

TNM stressed that the adjustments are driven by statutory tax obligations rather than internal pricing decisions.

The mobile operator reiterated its commitment to full compliance with government policies and regulatory requirements.
It acknowledged that the revised prices may have an impact on customers and said efforts have been made to cushion consumers where possible.

Despite the changes, TNM assured its customers that it remains focused on maintaining service quality and network reliability.

The company has since encouraged customers to check the updated tariffs and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and continued engagement with its subscribers.