Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

LUSAKA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Sunday.

--The Zambian government is in the process of establishing professionally operated defense industries with bias toward manufacturing industries.

Minister of Defense Davies Chama said the defense industries will be able to assemble farming equipment like tractors so that for farmers can have easy access to affordable equipment. (Zambia Daily Mail)

--A Zambian minister has urged citizens to take pride in the country's peace as a result of upholding constitutionalism and the rule of law.

Minister of Justice Given Lubinda said the country's unbridled peace was evidenced by the recent ratings released by the Global Peace Index which rated Zambia as the fourth most peaceful country in Africa. (Daily Nation)

--An outbreak of African armyworms has broken out in more districts in the eastern part of Zambia, with about 50 percent of fields in some districts affected.

Acting Eastern Province Agricultural Coordinator Kennedy Kanenga said the crop munching pests which were first report in some parts of the provincial capital Chipata have been spotted in three other districts. (The Mast) Enditem