Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Thursday.

-- Most mining firms in Zambia are not likely to spend on capital projects in the medium term despite reclaiming value added tax (VAT) refunds from the country's revenue collection agency.

The Zambia Chamber of Mines said despite the move by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to start paying VAT refunds which were withheld following disputes on documentation to exporting destinations, the mining firms will not invest in capital projects because of depressed copper prices and the unstable global economic environment. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- Zambia's first president Kenneth Kaunda has called for proper documentation of the country's heritage as well as values.

The 92-year-old former president said it was unfortunate that there were few books, films and materials on Zambia's rich history, adding that the country needed to mobilize resources to support the production of books as well as materials on the country's heritage. (Daily Nation)

-- The Zambian government should increase its funding towards HIV and AIDS treatment following uncertainties on whether the new United States president would continue with the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) which has been a major funder of antiretroviral treatment.

The Network of the Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS (NZP+) said expecting a foreign country to entirely support the HIV program was too dangerous for the country.

There are more than 800,000 people living with HIV on treatment in Zambia. (The Mast) Endit