World Vision Malawi (WVM) says the country needs to step up efforts to ensure that rural communities across the country have access to basic hygiene facilities claiming 1 million Malawians continue to practice open defecation.

Zodiak has it that local councils in the country remain challenged to timely respond to fire accidents as most councils are lacking fire fighting equipment.

A herd of five elephants is reportedly loitering around Kansapato village, in the area of Traditional Authority, (T/A) Ganya in Ntcheu.

The Anti Corruption Bureau - ACB says corrupt practice in the country is more of a pandemic that needs a holistic approach from all stakeholders to eliminate the vice.

Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) says the number of people using financial services and products in the country has increased from 34% in 2018 to now 40%.

A 14-year-old standard two boy was yesterday found dead, hanging in a tree in Ntcheu, and police suspect that he has committed suicide.

Minister of Justice, Titus Mvalo who is also a member of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 is suggesting handing community service sentences to people convicted of contravening the pandemic containment measures.

Media Council of Malawi (MCM) says consultation with stakeholders to centralize accreditation of journalists is progressing and expects to be complete by the end of this year.

The organization's Executive Director, Moses Kaufa however feels with 714 journalists issued with press cards so far, their quest for media self-regulation and professionalism to addressing issues of gate-crashing is on track now.

"We are looking forward to centralizing accreditation of journalists as such consultations with Ministry of Information and Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority have already been done. By end of this year, all key stakeholders will be consulted," he said.

Media expert, Horace Nyaka believes accreditation will help in identifying journalists, and in the case they misbehave, aggrieved parties can approach their media houses or MCM.

However, on the conduct of journalists, Nyaka says it is important for event organizers to ensure that only bonafide journalists attend such events.

The country has over 1, 500 practicing journalists, according to the Media Council of Malawi.

Ntcheu District Council says will take legal actions to reclaim government land that was allegedly sold to people in the district through dubious deals with the aid of some public officers there.

The Department of Forestry says only four companies have been issued sustainable charcoal production licenses in the country as provided for in the Forestry Act of 1997.