The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed an electoral petition filed by Bright Msaka, who was contesting the parliamentary victory of Honorable Tulinje Muluzi for the Machinga Likwenu Constituency.
Msaka approached the court seeking to challenge the election results that declared Muluzi the winner. Following deliberations, the appellate court ruled the application lacked merit, striking it out and ordering Msaka to cover the legal expenses associated with the case.
Muluzi
This ruling, which includes an order for costs, signifies that Msaka must bear the financial burden of the proceedings. As the decision was handed down by the nation’s highest judicial body, it is final and binding, bringing a definitive end to the legal dispute over the constituency’s seat.
Tensions are escalating in the Middle East, with the US shutting down embassies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Lebanon following drone attacks, while Israel launches new strikes on Iran and Beirut.
This has sent oil and gas prices soaring, with Brent crude hitting $80 a barrel, as investors weigh the disruption to oil supplies coming through the Strait of Hormuz, where roughly a fifth of the world’s oil shipments pass.
The US has urged Americans to leave 14 countries in the region, citing serious safety risks, as the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran intensifies, with US embassies across the Middle East shifting into emergency footing.
The conflict has claimed hundreds of lives, predominantly in Iran, and raised concerns about the potential for prolonged warfare, with Iran responding to Israeli strikes by targeting US allies in the Gulf region.
The international community is urged to address this escalating crisis and facilitate de-escalation to restore regional and global stability, as diplomatic missions reduce and governments issue travel warnings.
The US Embassy in Beirut has halted its work until further notice, and the US has announced temporary closure of the Lebanon Embassy, citing ongoing regional tensions.
The situation remains volatile, with reports of explosions and airspace closures across the region, and global markets reacting to the escalating conflict.
National Bank of Malawi plc has confirmed that its Platinum Employee Recognition Award winners have safely returned to Malawi after regional airspace closures disrupted their planned trip to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
The eight outstanding employees and their respective spouses departed on Saturday, 28 February 2026, under the Bank’s Platinum Employee Recognition Award programme.
The all-expenses-paid trip was in recognition of their exceptional performance, innovation and commitment to service excellence.
However, following the closure of airspace across parts of the Middle East due to escalating regional conflict, global flight operations were significantly disrupted.
Several countries temporarily shut their airspace, while a number of international airlines suspended or cancelled flights, affecting travel plans across the region.
Speaking on the development, NBM plc Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Akossa Mphepo-Hiwa said the Bank acted promptly once the situation became clear.
“In light of the prevailing uncertainty, and with the safety and well-being of our employees as a top priority, the Bank resolved to seek an alternative destination for the Platinum Employee Recognition trip and will communicate further details in due course,” she said.
She added that the employees have since returned home safely and that the bank remains committed to ensuring the recognition programme proceeds once the situation stabilizes.
The Platinum Employee Recognition Award is one of the bank’s flagship staff motivation initiatives, aimed at celebrating high performance and reinforcing a culture of innovation and service excellence across its operations.
PressCane Limited has donated food relief items worth K50 million to over 2,500 households affected by recent flash floods in the Traditional Authorities of Katunga and Maseya in Chikwawa District.
Speaking at the event on Saturday, the ethanol distillery company’s Chief Executive Officer, Bryson Nkhomaathu, said the company was moved to act after witnessing the devastation caused by the floods, which destroyed homes, food supplies and livelihoods.
Nkhomaathu expressed optimism that the donation will ease the burden faced by survivors as they begin rebuilding their lives.
“We intend to stand in solidarity with the people who have been affected. At this location alone, about 1,250 people were impacted, while at the previous site we visited, approximately 1,004 people were affected. Some families have managed to return to their homes, but many lost their food supplies due to the disaster,” said Nkhomaanthu.
Nkhomaanthu added that the company felt compelled to provide immediate, temporary relief as affected families seek further assistance from the government and other well-wishers.
“In total, we are currently reaching over 2,000 people — about 3,500 beneficiaries altogether. To support this effort, we have committed 50 million Malawi Kwacha, and we will continue to assess how we can extend help to even more people,” said Nkhomaathu.
He further reaffirmed PressCane’s commitment to uplifting surrounding communities through its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, noting that the company is also investing in agriculture projects aimed at strengthening long-term resilience.
Nkhomaathu disclosed that the floods also affected the company’s airfield facilities, which are now undergoing rehabilitation, but emphasised that this did not deter PressCane from assisting affected communities.
Member of Parliament for Chikwawa Central, Gerald Bede, commended PressCane for the timely intervention and appealed to other stakeholders to support households that are yet to receive assistance.
“The number of people directly affected is approximately 2,254, while the total number of those impacted has reached close to 4,000. We are grateful for the support that has been rendered so far,” said Bede.
Bede urged the affected communities to remain resilient and cooperative with authorities and relief partners to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable.
One of the beneficiaries, Mercy Chimwenje from Mtondeza Village, praised PressCane Limited for the timely donation, saying the support has brought relief and renewed hope to families struggling in the aftermath of the floods.
Chimwenje explained that many households lost their food supplies when the floods swept through their homes, leaving them uncertain about how they would feed their children.
“We lost almost everything when the floods came, including the food we had stored. Life has been very difficult for us, and many families did not know where their next meal would come from. We are truly grateful to PressCane Limited for this timely support because it will help save us from the hunger we are facing,” said Chimwenje.
The Honourable Jappie Mhango, Minister of Transport and Public Works, touched down in the heart of Senior Chief Mkumbira’s domain on Wednesday, stepping into a cloud of solemn reverence to spearhead the nation’s emotional tribute to the fallen heroes of the independence struggle.
Touching ground to a formal welcome from the Senior Chief and Nkhata Bay District Commissioner David Kayiwonanga Gondwe, the Minister immediately set a tone of gravity. His first stop was the quiet grounds of Kakumbi Cemetery, where he joined Sports Minister Alfred Gangata to gently place a wreath among the headstones of those who paid the ultimate price for Malawi’s freedom.
Hon Jappie Mhango ready to lay wreath
The procession then moved to the windswept Memorial Pillar at the Nkhata Bay Jetty for the climactic ceremony. There, against the backdrop of the water, Mhango led a distinguished gathering in another wreath-laying, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Justice Thomson Ligowe, Second Deputy Speaker Victor Musowa, Chief Secretary Dr. Justin Saidi, Zimbabwean Ambassador Dr. Nancy Saungweme, and Chief of Defence Force Major General George Phiri.
Following the official proceedings, the Minister transitioned to Chipopoma Ground to join the clergy and the community in a worship service, reflecting on the day’s theme: “The Martyrs: A Great Model of Patriotism.” The annual observance serves as a stark reminder of the Malawians who gave their lives in the resistance against British colonial rule, ensuring the liberties the nation enjoys today.
