Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

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

-- Zambian President Edgar Lungu said he was ready to dialogue with opposition leaders only on matters of national interest and not on issues pertaining to last year's general elections.

The Zambian leader has since challenged the opposition to table issues of national relevance if they wanted to dialogue with him. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- More than 400 delegates from 30 African countries are expected to attend the 8th Ease of Doing Business Initiative Conference to be hosted by Zambia next month.

Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame said the preparations for the conference have reached an advanced stage and that the conference would be held from May 15 to 19 in the southern city of Livingstone. (Times of Zambia)

-- Health authorities in Zambia plan to circumcise 108,000 males between April 1 and May 12 this year and have invited more men to respond to the fight against the transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Ministry of Health Spokesperson Kennedy Malama said the ministry has circumcised over 1.4 million males since 2009 under its voluntary male circumcision program as one of the methods to prevent the transmission of HIV. (Daily Nation)

-- Zambia's premier soccer league season kicks off on Saturday with teams promising sparks following the reinforcement of their squads.

The premier league, which has been increased from 18 to 20 teams, has seen a number of clubs recruiting new players, which has also seen an influx of foreign players and coaches. (The Mast) Endit