Top news items in major Zambian media outlets

LUSAKA, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Thursday.

--Authorities in Zambia have deferred the opening of all learning institutions countrywide in a bid to prevent the spread of cholera which has mainly affected Lusaka, the country's capital.

Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya said the decision to defer the opening of all schools, colleges, and universities will be reviewed on January 30 as the cholera situation may spiral out of control. (Zambia Daily Mail)

--The number of refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) being kept at a transit center in Zambia's Nchelenge district in Luapula Province has now reached 13,000, authorities said.

Commissioner for Refugees Abdon Mawere said DRC refugees have continued trekking into the country, with the figure reaching 13,000 as of Monday, January 1. (Times of Zambia Daily)

--The Office of Zambian President Edgar Lungu has called on law enforcement agencies to bring to book people issuing forged statement purportedly from State House.

Presidential Spokesperson Amos Chanda said the office has lodged a complaint with the Zambia Police to ensure people involved in the circulation of fake statements purported to be from State House are brought to book and expressed concern over the increased levels of the abuse of social media in the country. (Daily Nation)