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MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc says the newly launched Mo626 Varsity Games will become one of the country’s biggest talent-identification platforms, creating opportunities for young athletes and strengthening Malawi’s sports pipeline from universities to national and international levels.

Speaking during the launch of the games at Mzuzu University on Saturday, NBM Plc’s Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager, Akossa Hiwa, said the Bank’s K1.58 billion investment in sports is designed to broaden the talent pool and unlock opportunities for student athletes.

“We have officially launched the Mo626 Varsity Games as part of our wider sports programme. Previously, we only had the Mo626 Basketball Tournament, but now we have expanded to include basketball, football, and netball. With this structure, we will reach up to 51 institutions, allowing more young people to showcase their abilities,” said Hiwa.

She added that the games will not only produce athletic talent but also cultivate disciplined, strategic young leaders.

“When students participate in tournaments like these, they elevate themselves academically and personally. They develop teamwork, leadership, and time-management skills. These are essential traits for the nation’s future workforce,” said Hiwa.

TESSAM Vice President Geoffrey Biya said the games will be crucial for identifying high-potential athletes who can represent Malawi at international competitions.

“We have grouped the 21 universities into four regions, and the regional games will determine who advances to the Top 8 and Top 4 stages. This structure will help us identify outstanding talent that can represent Malawi at events such as the CUCSA Games next year,” said Biya.

BASMAL President, Oscar Kanjala, said the Mo626 platform has already proved its success in producing talent that is now competing at elite levels.

“The support from National Bank keeps growing every year, and as a result, the number of competing teams has increased. We have players who have progressed from Mo626 competitions to the national team and even become eligible for international tournaments. Some have earned scholarships because of the exposure gained through this programme,’’ said Kanjala.

Mzuzu University Vice Chancellor, Professor Wales Singini, who was the guest of honour at the event, said the games are a major boost for student growth and national sports development.

“We appreciate what National Bank has done. It is not easy for universities to raise the kind of resources needed to host competitions. This support gives our students a rare opportunity to display talent that often goes unnoticed. The impact will be felt not only by our institutions but by the nation as well,’’ said Singini. 

The Mo626 Varsity Games officially kicked off with inaugural matches between Mzuzu University (MZUNI) and the University of Livingstonia (UNILIA).

Competitions were held in football, basketball for both men and women, and netball for women only.

MZUNI dominated the opening fixtures, winning over UNILIA in all categories, setting the tone for a competitive and high-stakes tournament.

The Mo626 Varsity Games will now proceed to regional fixtures across the country as universities battle for places in the national stages scheduled later in the season.

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BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-United General Insurance (UGI) has donated MK15 million to the Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Malawi towards the improvement of its technical college in Mzimba.

Speaking during the cheque handover ceremony in Blantyre on Thursday, UGI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Grant Mwenechanya, said the donation forms part of the company’s commitment to uplifting communities through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

“DAPP came up with a proposal, which was aligning with our strategic pillars. So, we decided to assist them because they were talking about training ladies that were a bit unfortunate to proceed with their education,” said Mwenechanya.

He added that UGI remains open to strengthening its partnership with DAPP in future projects aimed at empowering young Malawians through skills development.

“They have indicated that they have a number of projects that are coming up. Our doors are open,” said Mwenechanya.

DAPP Country Director, Moses Chibwana hailed UGI for the timely support, noting that the funds will go a long way in enhancing operations at the Mzimba-based technical college.

“We are proud and grateful, now 60 girls aged 15-19 will be trained and will graduate.  This is a project that we are training the vulnerable girls and young women in imparting them vocational skills in fashion and designing. During the training we have organised them to be working in smaller groups,” said Chibwana.

DAPP operates several development programs across Malawi, focusing on education, health, agriculture, and community development.

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….Brian Banda, Leah Malekano, Cathy Maulidi, Joab Chakhaza, Victor Dafrece, and Nya-Uyu compete for the coveted honour celebrating excellence in both digital and traditional media

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The excitement is building as the Maso Awards 2025 announce the nominees for the highly anticipated category of Best Media Personality (Digital & Traditional).

This category, one of the most followed in the annual awards, recognizes exceptional media professionals who have demonstrated outstanding impact, creativity, and influence across both traditional and digital platforms.

The nominees for this year’s award are Brian Banda, Leah Malekano, Cathy Maulidi, Joab Chakhaza, Victor Dafrece, and Nya-Uyu.

Each of these individuals has made a significant contribution to the Malawian media landscape through their unique styles, strong communication skills, and commitment to informing and entertaining the public.

Brian Banda, a seasoned broadcaster and political talk show host, is celebrated for his commanding interviews and fearless approach to national issues.

Leah Malekano, one of Malawi’s rising media stars, has gained a strong following for her engaging presentation and insightful commentary, particularly on women’s empowerment and youth-related topics.

Cathy Maulidi, a respected journalist and television personality, is recognized for her professionalism, versatility, and consistency in delivering quality content to viewers across platforms.

Joab Chakhaza, known for his analytical depth and balanced reporting, continues to set high standards in both radio and television journalism, making him a favourite among news audiences.

Victor Dafrece, a creative content producer and online influencer, has built a loyal digital following through his innovative storytelling and social awareness campaigns.

Meanwhile, Nya-Uyu, a vibrant and humorous digital creator, has carved out a unique niche in the entertainment space, blending comedy and commentary in ways that connect with both local and international audiences.

The competition in this category is expected to be fierce, as all six nominees have demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication in shaping the evolving face of Malawian media.

The Maso Awards, now one of the country’s most prestigious entertainment and media recognition platforms, continue to honour excellence across arts, music, broadcasting, and digital innovation.

As anticipation grows, fans and media enthusiasts are already debating who will ultimately “atinamule” (take home) the award for Best Media Personality this year.

The official winners are expected to be announced during the Maso Awards ceremony, which promises to be a star-studded event celebrating Malawi’s creative and communication talents.

Observers say this year’s competition reflects the transformation of Malawi’s media industry, where digital innovation now stands side by side with traditional broadcasting excellence.

Regardless of who wins, one thing remains clear — the nominees represent the best of Malawi’s media talent, inspiring the next generation of communicators in an ever-changing digital era.

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Fans of the hit series Friends know there is one question about the show that is more important — and more polarizing — than the rest: Were Ross and Rachel on a break?

Jennifer Aniston, who starred on the hit NBA series all 10 seasons as Rachel Green, shared a meme referencing the all-important query on Saturday, November 8, and it seems that she (just like her character in the show) still hasn’t been able to let it go.

“Deliveries: were Ross and Rachel on a break?” the meme shared via the @insta.single account read, alongside arrows that point toward the bottom left or right corner for “yes” and “no,” respectively. In the meme, the package is sitting on the “no” side.

“I feel that I need to have a conversation with my delivery guy,” the caption read.

Friendly Exes! Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux Hug in Sweet NYC Reunion

During the 15th episode in the show’s third season, titled “The One Where Ross and Rachel Take a Break,” embattled couple Rachel Green and Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) decide to, according to some, pause their relationship after Ross mistakenly believes Rachel has been unfaithful. They both later imply that the “break” felt like the relationship had ended.

Ross spends the evening at a bar and ultimately has a one-night stand with a woman named Chloe. The next morning he realizes that Rachel left him a voice message saying she wanted to work things out, but ultimately the fact that he had a one-night stand ends the relationship

Whether or not Ross cheated became a running gag throughout the rest of the series, with one character or another referencing Rachel’ s oft-quoted, “We were on a break!” (According to Rachel, the pair were still together but taking a moment to sort out their issue, making Ross unfaithful. To Ross, the pair had called it quits so him sleeping with another woman didn’t count.)

Though Rachel was the first to say the couple was on a break, in later episodes Ross uses the phrase to defend himself and Rachel often insists they were, in fact, not on a break at all.

The relationship between Aniston and Schwimmer’s characters was one of the central themes of the popular series, which ran on NBC for 10 seasons from September 1994 to May 2004. The pair didn’t properly begin dating until the show’s second season, and their relationship was often dogged by third parties, their own insecurities and the so-called break. The pair became parents to their daughter, Emma, after a one night stand.

Friends was also responsible for other key moments that have remained embedded in pop culture. Aniston’s haircut in the early seasons was so popular it became known as “The Rachel” — despite the fact that the actress later admitted celebrity hairstyle Chris McMillan wasn’t exactly in the best frame of mind when he chopped her locks.

Jennifer Aniston ‘Believes She’ll Eventually Meet the Right Person’ While Thriving Solo

After noting that she only had the haircut for “about a year,” Aniston said on The Graham Norton Show in 2014 of McMillan, “He was loaded when he gave me the haircut. Stoned out of his mind.”

The post Jennifer Aniston Reposts Meme About Whether Ross and Rachel Were ‘On a Break’ appeared first on The Maravi Post.

Two Cleveland Guardian pitchers have been indicted by prosecutors on various charges related to a sports gambling scheme.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have both been accused of rigging bets related to their pitches thrown during MLB games.

Ortiz was arrested in Boston on Sunday, November 9, and will appear in court on Monday, November 10, and Clase is reportedly not in custody, according to federal prosecutors.

“MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process,” the league said in a statement to ESPN on Sunday. “We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing.”

Prosecutors claimed in the indictment that gamblers won at least $450,000 wagering on the pair’s pitches between 2023 and 2025. Clase allegedly arranged with a bettor in May 2023, while prosecutors claim Ortiz joined the scheme in June 2025. Both pitchers were allegedly given a cut of the profits.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred Reacts to NBA Betting Scandal: ‘Vigilant’

“The defendants deprived the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services,” Joseph Nocella Jr., the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, said in a statement on Sunday. “They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed. And they betrayed America’s pastime. Integrity, honesty and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports. When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us.”

Ortiz has denied all charges via his attorney, Chris Georgalis, in a statement to ESPN.

The pitchers could face up to 65 years in prison if convicted.

Clase and Ortiz have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July, after betting-integrity firms flagged irregular wagering on a pair of pitches thrown by Ortiz in June.

The accusations against the two pitchers include regularly and intentionally throwing balls instead of strikes on the first pitch of at-bats, according to prosecutors (Bettors would wager on the individual pitches).

The charges come in the wake of an NBA sports gambling scandal that saw nearly three dozen people arrested, including Miami Heat star Terry Rozier and Portland Trailblazers coach Chauncey Billups.

Before Game 2 of the World Series, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred responded to the NBA scandal, saying the MLB was staying “really vigilant.”

“We didn’t ask to have legalized sports betting,” Manfred, 67, told reporters before the game. “It kind of came, and that’s the environment in which we operate. Now we don’t have a lot of choice about that, and if it’s going to change — broadly change — probably the only way it would happen is the federal government.”

He went on to say he supports business partnerships with gambling companies, arguing that deals with those companies help sports league police gambling.

“Once you’re in that environment where sports betting is happening, the crucial issue is access to data,” Manfred said. “That means you have to have a relationship with the sportsbooks. Like most relationships, if you want something from them, you need to give something back to them. And that’s where those relationships come from.”

Charles Barkley Drags ‘Stupid’ Stars Involved in NBA Gambling Investigation

He continued: “The most important thing that we can do is make sure that we have systems in place that give us access to data, which puts you in a position to determine if there’s something aberrational going on. I think then when you get that, you need to conduct a thorough investigation, make sure that you understand exactly what caused that aberration. And then you need to discipline.”

In February, MLB fired umpire Pat Hoberg for violating the league’s gambling rules.

In June 2024, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani was caught in the wake of a gambling scandal, after his former interpreter pleaded guilty to bank fraud, tax fraud and admitted to stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani in order to place illegal sports bets.

Ohtani denied any knowledge or involvement and was cleared of any wrongdoing after an MLB investigation. He subsequently fired his interpreter.

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Vacay baes! Solange Knowles was spotted soaking up the Miami sun over the weekend with boyfriend Gio Escobar. Check out the pics … Solange smoldered in a teeny tiny black bikini, sipping drinks from a pineapple while Gio reclined with a book in…

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Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue reportedly died Sunday morning in Chevy Chase, Maryland. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, his death followed a battle with Parkinson’s disease. Schefter reports the apparent cause of death was heart…

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…..Zambian citizen Don Mwenda denounces violent conduct during President Hichilema’s visit to the Copperbelt, urging citizens to uphold peace, unity, and respect for the presidency.…

LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-A strong wave of condemnation has followed the unruly behaviour that took place in Chingola, where violent youths disrupted President Hakainde Hichilema’s interaction with marketeers at Chiwempala Market.

Concerned citizen Hon. Don Mwenda has issued a passionate statement denouncing the incident, describing it as reckless, shameful, and a serious threat to national peace and leadership integrity.

He said it was deeply disturbing that a group of misguided individuals chose to engage in violence at an event meant to console market traders who had recently suffered devastating losses in a market fire.

Mwenda stated that what transpired in Chingola was not only a political blunder but a dangerous act that could have easily endangered the life of the Head of State.

He stressed that such behaviour must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, as it undermines national security and shows a lack of respect for democratic values.

Mwenda emphasized that President Hichilema represents more than just an individual; he embodies the Office of the Presidency—an institution that symbolizes unity, peace, and the dignity of the Zambian nation.

He further reminded citizens that political differences must never lead to violence or disrespect for the Head of State.

“You may disagree with him politically, you may not like him personally, but you must respect the office he occupies. That is what separates responsible citizens from reckless ones,” Mwenda asserted.

He warned that every Zambian has a moral and civic duty to safeguard the safety and dignity of the President, regardless of political affiliations or personal beliefs.

According to Mwenda, the security of the Head of State must never be compromised—not for politics, not for popularity, and not for personal gain.

He called for the perpetrators behind the Chingola violence to face the full wrath of the law, adding that accountability must be enforced wherever negligence or misinformation is discovered.

Mwenda further cautioned that President Hichilema’s calmness, patience, and humility should not be mistaken for weakness, emphasizing that leadership restraint is a mark of wisdom, not fear.

He said that if the President ever chooses to respond to such provocations, those responsible should not cry foul, for every leader has a limit and every reckless action carries consequences.

Mwenda also appealed to members of the ruling party structures and all peace-loving Zambians to rally behind the President, promoting peace, unity, and discipline.

He underscored that violence, disrespect, and lawlessness have no place in a progressive democracy and only serve to destroy the nation rather than build it.

Concluding his statement, Mwenda reminded Zambians that the nation is greater than any individual and that citizens must protect both the peace and the dignity of the Presidency.

He urged everyone to draw lessons from the Chingola incident and recommit themselves to safeguarding the country’s democratic institutions.

“Zambia is bigger than any individual,” Mwenda said. “Let us protect the peace we enjoy and preserve the dignity of the Presidency.”

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After committing multiple abuses of his power, Steve Kayuni, the previous Director of Public Prosecution, was promoted to become the Principal Secretary of Homeland Security.

However, he did not anticipate that these actions would eventually have negative consequences for him.

It is no secret now that Steve Kayuni is facing a lawsuit from Prophet Bushiri, who claims that Kayuni prevented his deceased daughter from receiving necessary medical treatment in Kenya.

It is unfortunate that Kayuni has also been accused of politically motivated actions, specifically the arrest of Martha Chizuma, which also raised concerns about the misuse of power for political purposes.

As if applying salt to the already painful wound, the Deputy Minister of Homeland security, Norman Chisale is on record to have publicly expressed his resentment towards Kayuni, stating that he cannot forgive him for the distress and pain caused to him personally and to his family.

Another public official, the former Director General of Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation, George Kasakula, was suspended for allegedly using his official position to campaign for former President Chakwera, indicating a breach of ethical conduct in public service.

These incidents reflect serious allegations and concerns regarding the integrity and accountability of public officials.

It underscores the importance of ethical behavior in public service to ensure that public offices are used for the benefit of the community rather than personal or political gain.

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Meghan Trainor looked bibbity bobbity beautiful on the red carpet.

Trainor, 33, stepped out in style at the 2025 Baby2Baby Gala Presented by Paul Mitchell on Saturday, November 8, wearing a strapless Alin Le Kal white ballgown. The beaded frock featured an array of diamonds studding the bodice and had a tulle underskirt. The pop star completed her look with a pair of matching elbow-length gloves and a diamond choker for a full regal look.

For glam, Trainor piled her signature blonde tresses in an updo with face-framing tendrils and wore pink eyeshadow, blush and lipstick.

“My princess is princessing tonight,” Trainor’s stylist, Danyul Brown, wrote via his Instagram Story on Saturday about the finished look.

Meghan Trainor’s Quotes About Her Weight Loss Journey After Rise to Fame

Trainor attended Saturday’s red carpet with husband Daryl Sabara, all while flaunting her recent weight loss. (The event raised a record-breaking $18 million to support Baby2Baby’s mission of supporting children in need.)

“We did 75 Hard after [our son] Riley was born and, man, did we crush,” Trainor said on the couple’s “Workin’ On It” podcast. “When we heard more and more of our friends — and even our doctors — were on Mounjaro and Ozempic, [we decided to try it out too].”

Trainor and Sabara, 33, welcomed sons Riley and Barry in 2021 and 2023, respectively, later revealing they opted to use Mounjaro because it had “less side effects” compared to other similar semaglutide medications.

“I was like, ‘I don’t want any of that,’ and ‘I know how to do it on my own,’” the “All About That Bass” singer explained at the time. “I could do that, but when I asked my doctor, I was like, ‘Tell me everything.’ I did the research, and I felt safe.”

Trainor and the Spy Kids child star also supplemented their GLP-1 doses by overhauling their diets and spending time in the gym.

“We were like, ‘We have to make sure we don’t lose muscle that we worked so hard gaining all those years,’” Trainor said. “We stay in the gym, we work out, we eat right, and we just noticed that we were less hungry.”

In addition to her wellness journey, Trainor had a breast augmentation.

Meghan Trainor Credits Body Transformation to Learning ‘Lot of Tricks’

“I’m getting a boob job. My mommy boobies were full of milk and now they’re empty and then they’re full of milk and now they’re empty,” she said on a November 2024 episode of her podcast, detailing her mommy makeover. “They got big, they got small, they got big, they got small. I’ve lost some weight and I have, like, saggy sacks as boobs.”

She continued, “What’s really difficult is when I’m trying on all these amazing outfits for tour and for shows coming up, I have to wear the most supportive bras. It could ruin the outfit and they squeeze my sides. I’ve always joked and said for years, like, ‘I can’t wait till I can get a boob job!’ I’m gonna have boobies that don’t look at the floor and it’s gonna be huge … for my confidence.”

Trainor went under the knife earlier this year.

“After having kids, living a healthier lifestyle and losing weight, I couldn’t be happier with my decision,” she wrote via Instagram in March. “I’m so obsessed. I’ve always struggled with loving my boobs before I got them done because they were never even, were always sagging my whole life.”

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