Author: Boo Chanco

Selection has officially come to an end on season 4 of Special Forces, and the winners are speaking out about how they stayed on top.

During the Thursday, November 20, finale, Kody Brown, Brianna LaPaglia, Andrew East, Shawn Johnson East and Gia Giudice were the last recruits left standing. They were put through an intense interrogation after a simulated capture exercise. Kody, 56, and Andrew, 34, did not pass the tests, which left Brianna, 26, Shawn, 33, and Gia, 24, for the last challenge.

The remaining trio were put through a simulated burial that Brianna pulled herself out of minutes before Shawn and Gia were crowned the winners.

“It’s so weird watching the finale back. We won and got that rewarding factor afterward — that acknowledgement from the Directing Staff,” Gia exclusively told Us Weekly during a joint interview with Shawn. “So it was different. That was almost my processing of it because I was like, ‘Oh, I did it. I made it past the finish line.’”

Who Failed Selection on Season 4 of ‘Special Forces’?

Shawn agreed that making it to the end made it an easier transition back home.

“Being able to have a happy ending to all the hardship helped us repaint a lot of the hard moments and make them feel worth it,” she noted. “I would say for Kody and Brianna and Andrew, that’s really hard.”

Shawn continued: “They had to go through all this torture and all this interrogation and not have the reward of being told they did a good job or they earned or deserved it. They just had to live in that moment for a while. The transition was very different for us than them.”

After completing season 4, Shawn was thrilled to reunite with husband Andrew, who was by her side throughout the season.

“We are each other’s biggest fans and cheerleaders and teammates. Coming across that finish line, he was so happy for me and so ecstatic. But I could also see the disappointment and the sadness in him,” she recalled. “So as his biggest cheerleader, it was this interesting shared moment of I just wanted to hug him and help him process this moment — and he just wanted to celebrate with me.”

Special Forces, which premiered in 2023, puts contestants through harsh, military-style training based on actual Special Forces selection processes. They face intense physical and mental challenges designed to push their limits.

“The hard part that you don’t see on the show is we had been under interrogation and stress or duress for 12 hours. Within those 12 hours, you aren’t told how long it’s been or how long you have to go,” Shawn explained about the finale. “You don’t know if you’re nearing the finish line. We didn’t know if it was 10 hours, and you hit a breaking point where you’re just like, ‘We’ve done this long enough, can we be done?’”

Fox Fall Schedule for New, Returning Shows: From ‘Doc’ to ‘Special Forces’

Gia had a similar experience during her own interrogation. “We got captured around 12 a.m. and we weren’t done until almost 5 p.m.,” she told Us. “It was very difficult and it was very hard.”

While reflecting on her journey, Gia was so thrilled to have made it all the way to the end, adding, “I just have so much pride after doing this show and it’s something that I’m really proud of. I think throughout the entire show it taught me to really just let go and the little things are not something that you need to worry about. There’s way bigger things in this world that are going on that are so much more important. It just honestly taught me there’s a lot more to value in life.”

Shawn, meanwhile, got to make her kids proud. (Shawn and Andrew, who have been married since 2016, share daughter Drew, 5, and sons Jett, 4, and Bear, 21 months.)

“It’s a pretty intense show, but they were so excited to see us jump out of a helicopter. They get to see that little clip and we will show them more as it goes on,” she added. “But my daughter has heard people talk about it, and she’s aware enough that she’s like, ‘Mommy, I want to watch the army show.’”

Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test is currently streaming on Hulu.

The post ‘Special Forces’ Season 4 Winners Break Down ‘Intense’ Road to Victory appeared first on The Maravi Post.

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Meghan King temporarily lost custody of her three children to ex-husband Jim Edmonds after allegedly giving one of her twin sons unprescribed medication and allegedly asking his school nurse to administer it … TMZ has confirmed. We’re told “The…

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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)—President Peter Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led- Government on Friday, November 21, 2025 revised the 2025-2026 national budget from unveiled MK8.077 trillion to MK8.59 trillion.

The GDP growth for 2025 has been revised downward to 2.7 percent, with projections showing a rebound to 3.9 percent in 2026.

Presenting the proposed budget before the August House on Friday, Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha said the rise in expenditure reflects government’s commitment to stabilising the economy while prioritising key developmental and social sectors.

Mwanamvekha outlined several cost-cutting measures aimed at tightening public expenditure and improving efficiency across government institutions.

He announced that foreign missions will undergo restructuring, with each embassy expected to operate under stricter staffing limits to reduce administrative costs.

As part of broader austerity efforts, the minister also revealed that fuel allocations for Cabinet ministers will be reduced an initiative he said is intended to demonstrate the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline.

Additionally, Mwanamvekha warned that non-performing directors in the civil service will have their contracts terminated, stressing that public resources must be managed by competent and results-oriented leaders.

He told lawmakers that although the fiscal environment remains challenging, the proposed measures are designed to steer the economy toward stability while safeguarding essential public services.

He further said the country economic resilience has dropped because some donors have stopped funding their programs because the country has high debt repayment obligations.

In his remarks, Leader of Opposition Simplex Chithyola said that the tax increases introduced by the DPP administration will negatively impact poor Malawians.

He added that the delays in recruitment and promotions within the public service will further affect many citizens.

Chithyola also promised to provide a clear and formal response regarding the State House allocation and other related issues.

The post Revised 2025/26 Malawi’s Fiscal Plan up to MK8.59tn with heavy taxes appeared first on The Maravi Post.

The CDC quietly rewrites its vaccine guidance online to suggest shots might cause autism, raising new questions about political influence over public health.
President Trump unveils a 28-point Ukraine peace plan that leans on territorial concessions Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.
And New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani heads to the White House for a meeting with a president who has labeled him a radical threat.

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BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Scorchers head coach Lovemore Fazili says he has avoided introducing new faces into the national team because this is not the right time for experiments, stressing that the squad needs stability ahead of the Three Nations Women’s Tournament from November 28 to December 2, 2025.

He explained that their recent performance against Angola in the WAFCON qualifiers showed that the group is functioning well, balanced and still playing with confidence.

Fazili said the team is currently “hot,” and maintaining the same players will help them keep their rhythm as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.

Despite sticking to his core squad, Fazili said opportunities remain open for players doing well in the NBM Women’s Premiership, noting that football is unpredictable and anything can change.

He emphasized that outstanding performers can still earn a call-up for WAFCON if they continue to shine at club level and show consistency.

Fazili also thanked the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for organizing the women’s tournament, saying proper planning and preparation are key to building a successful team.

He said the competition will help the Scorchers assess their strengths and weaknesses as they fine-tune their tactics ahead of future assignments.

Confirming the squad, Fazili revealed that he has retained 24 of the 25 players who featured against Angola in the qualifiers.

The only change comes in the goalkeeping department, where Thoko Mwase of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women replaces injured Chimwemwe Kaonga of MDF Lioness.

Fazili said Mwase was brought in because she has been performing well and provides the needed depth in the goalkeeping position.

He added that maintaining the rest of the squad will help keep continuity as the players already understand each other’s style of play.

With the squad now confirmed, the Scorchers will focus on intensifying their preparations for the Three Nations Women’s Tournament.

Scorchers’ goalkeepers for the Three Nations Women’s Tournament are Mercy Sikelo (Kukoma Ntopwa Queens), Thoko Mwase (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women) and Ireen Sibande (Silver Strikers Ladies FC).

The defenders include Maureen Kenneth and Maggie Chawula (Ascent Soccer Academy), Doreen Dickson (MDF Lioness), Benedatta Mankandwire and Lyna James (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Olivia Phikani and Rose Alufandika (Kukoma Ntopwa Queens), Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies FC) and Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe).

Midfielders called up are Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Soccer Academy), Funny Moyo (Mighty Wanderers Queens), Funny Magombo and Sara Mulimbika (Kukoma Ntopwa Queens), Rose Kabzere (Montpellier Hérault SC France), Vanessa Chiputula (Bilik Kazygurt Kazakhstan), Faith Chibhimtizu (Bik Hacken Sweden) and Tendai Sani (Zisd).

The forwards in the squad are Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness), Fatima Laili (Ascent Soccer Academy), Tabitha Chawinga (Olympique Lyonnais Féminin France), Catherine Kachala and Sabina Thom (MDF Lioness).

The post Malawi’s Scorchers coach Fazili maintains core squad for Three Nations Tournament appeared first on The Maravi Post.

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha on Friday told the August House that the Malawi Congress Party (MCP)–led administration had spent the entire MK67 billion allocated for State House operations and went on to borrow additional funds without adequate oversight.

Presenting the 2025/2026 Mid-Year Budget Review Statement before Parliament, Mwanamvekha told legislators that the spending patterns under the previous financial year raised “serious concerns about fiscal discipline and transparency”.

According to the minister, the State House exceeded its approved budget ceiling, a development he said placed unnecessary pressure on the national purse.

“The K67 billion meant for State House was fully exhausted, and more money was borrowed without proper scrutiny,”

“Calling for tighter controls and clear accountability mechanisms in government departments,”Mwanamvekha said,

The post “Chakwera’s State House ate MK67bn like tomato in six months without scrutiny”-Finance Minister Mwanamveka appeared first on The Maravi Post.

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s Vice President Jane Ansah, made an unannounced visit to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, 21 November 2025.

The surprise visit enabled her to engage directly with DoDMA officials, emphasising the urgency and significance of the issues under discussion.

During the visit, Vice President Ansah interacted with staff, reviewing ongoing programmes and offering guidance on disaster management priorities.

Her presence at the Capital Hill office in Lilongwe reinforced the government’s commitment to supporting agencies responsible for disaster preparedness and response.

Officials at DoDMA welcomed the Vice President and briefed her on current operations, highlighting key challenges and successes in the sector.

The visit also provided an opportunity for Vice President Ansah to encourage staff to maintain diligence and coordination in addressing disaster-related issues across the country.

Several photographs captured during the visit showcase Vice President Ansah’s engagement with DoDMA officials and her hands-on approach to governance.

The unannounced nature of the visit was seen as a demonstration of her proactive leadership and dedication to ensuring effective management of national disaster programmes.

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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The National Advocacy Platform (NAP) has issued a strong statement rejecting the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025, calling it a dangerous attempt to weaken democratic governance and overturn a recent Constitutional Court ruling.

The statement was signed by NAP Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe and National Coordinator Baxton Nkhoma,the Bill seeks to insert a new Chapter XIVA establishing a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that would be managed by Members of Parliament but NAP says this move would entrench conflict of interest and undermine the separation of powers.

The organisation notes that just six months ago, the Constitutional Court ruled in Registered Trustees of the Malawi Local Government Association v Attorney General (Constitutional Case No. 3 of 2023) that MPs’ involvement in managing the CDF and Water Resources Fund violated the Constitution.

The Court ordered Government to remove MPs from these roles and find alternative stakeholders.

NAP argues that the new Private Member’s Bill directly contradicts this ruling by placing MPs at the centre of project governance, funding decisions and resource management.

The grouping describes it as an “affront to the Constitution” and a “betrayal of public trust.”

The organisation further warns that the Bill would weaken local government structures under Section 146 of the Constitution, shifting key functions from Councils to MPs and threatening decentralisation.

NAP has called on Parliament to reject the Bill entirely, insisting that no constitutional amendment should legitimise roles already declared unconstitutional.

It also urged MPs to respect their oversight mandate, judicial authority and the separation of powers.

The grouping also encouraged Malawians and civil society to resist the Bill through lawful means, including peaceful demonstrations, public assemblies at Parliament and renewed legal challenges.

Although the Bill is being introduced as a Private Member’s Bill, NAP alleges it has bipartisan support, including from the Democratic Progressive Party.

It warns that the expanded K5 billion CDF under President Mutharika must not become a tool for political self-interest.

“NAP stands firmly with the people of Malawi in defence of constitutional order and good governance,” the statement concludes.

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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Parliament will today host the official opening of MACODA’s much-anticipated Flagship Week, with Vice President Jane Ansah set to preside over the ceremony scheduled for 12:00 pm.

The gathering is expected to draw participants from across Malawi, reflecting the broad interest in the development initiatives that will be featured throughout the week.

The Malawi Council of Development Associations (MACODA) has planned the event to spotlight national development programmes and strengthen public participation in shaping policy and progress.

To ensure seamless communication, the Office of the Vice President circulated detailed briefing notes to both government departments and media teams ahead of the launch.

In her address, Vice President Ansah is likely to focus on the importance of cooperation between state institutions, community organisations, and development partners in securing long-term national growth.

The event will bring together government officials, traditional authorities, and representatives from various development agencies to discuss achievements and consider strategies for enhancing project implementation.

Her participation underscores the administration’s ongoing commitment to programmes that deliver real and measurable results for communities across the country.

Parliament’s selection as the venue also highlights the government’s emphasis on transparency and accountability in national development efforts.

Journalists covering the launch are expected to provide Malawians with clear insights into the goals and activities lined up for the Flagship Week.

The inauguration is anticipated to set a positive tone for a week centred on collaboration, reflection, and renewed energy towards driving Malawi’s development agenda forward.

The post Veep Ansah to open MACODA’s National Development Week at Parliament appeared first on The Maravi Post.