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♦️ Breaking & exclusive stories, analysis, opinions 👉 About Africa in other languages: Amharic: @sputnik_ethiopia French: @sputnik_afrique 💬 Contact us https://t.me/Africa_Sputnik_bot
Latest Updates on the Iran-Israel Conflict: Evening of June 19
▪️The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran reported a precision strike on an Israeli military command and intelligence center, which was "located near one of the hospitals;"
▪️An agent of Israel's Mossad was arrested in western Tehran;
▪️The foreign ministers of the UK, Germany, and France will hold talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister on Friday in Geneva;
▪️The US has moved some aircraft from its base in Qatar due to fears of a potential Iranian attack, according to a Western news agency;
▪️Russia has warned the US against interfering in combat operations against Iran, saying it could lead to uncontrollable consequences, stated Russia’s MFA spokeswoman Zakharova;
▪️Iran’s National Security Council said that attacks will stop only when Israel is “punished” and pays “reparations” to the Islamic Republic;
▪️The IRGC announced the beginning of the 15th wave of the Operation Truthful Promise-3.
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🔴🔴 Putin holds meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto
Watch live on Telegram
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❗️Israel's attack on Iran is an unprovoked aggression that violates the UN Charter and international law, Zakharova says
"This is a criminal venture fraught with consequences for regional and global security. Attempts to justify it with non-proliferation concerns are cynicism," the Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman said.
Iran-Israel Escalation: Latest News by Morning of June 19
🟠Over 20 targets in Tehran were struck by 60 Israeli fighter jets, with one attack hitting anti-tank missile production facilities in Iran, according to the IDF;
🟠Israel attacked the heavy water reactor at the Arak Nuclear Complex in northwest Iran, Iranian media reported, adding that the facility sustained minimal damage, and there was no radiation detected;
🟠An attack by the Israeli Air Force targeted Karaj, west of Tehran, as reported by Iranian media;
🟠Iran deployed its Sejjil missiles, with a range of 2,000 km, for the first time against Israel, media reported;
🟠Online videos showed Iran launching a "new generation of missiles" in a fresh wave of attacks on Israel;
🟠Missiles from Iran struck Tel Aviv, with six explosions heard in the city, including in the Holon area, according to the media;
🟠The main target of Iran's morning ballistic missile attack was the large Israeli Army Command and Intelligence (IDF C4I) headquarters and the military intelligence camp in the Gav-Yam Technology Park, Iranian media reported; the facility is situated near Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva;
🟠Iran's missiles hit Israel's stock exchange, media reported;
🟠Iran's Tasnim News Agency published a list of US military bases within range of Iranian missiles;
🟠Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei cautioned the US against joining Israel's war, warning that it would spark "an all-out war in the region."
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🔴🔴 Russian MFA spokeswoman Zakharova takes part in a #SPIEF2025 dedicated to BRICS media
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350 Ukrainian Soldiers Displaying Neo-Nazi Symbols Exposed by French Newspaper
This finding is based on an analysis of social media by Le Monde correspondents.
Several of these fighters have received military training in the West, including in France.
"Among the 350 soldiers identified, 200 members belong to the 3rd Assault Brigade… the successor to the Azov* Regiment, originally founded in 2014 by militants from the most radical far-right circles," the newspaper reported.
‘Russia is Positioning Itself Somewhat as a Lever of Hope for Africa’
At the #SPIEF2025 forum, Romaric Essombo, Business Leader at Premium Services Holding (Cameroon), praised Russia’s unwavering support.
“What we expect from this forum, of course, is to continue strengthening the relationship between Russia and Africa,” he told Sputnik Africa.
Robots Take Center Stage: #SPIEF2025 Guests Charmed by Humanoid Performer
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Russia is Not Refusing Foreign Investment, but It Must Be 'Smart': Russian First Deputy PM
First of all, investments should be aimed at creating new technological competencies, in addition, it is necessary to ensure a number of principles in doing business with foreign investors, Denis Manturov said on the sidelines of #SPIEF2025.
👉 Russian beneficiaries must maintain control, especially in new auto industry investment contracts, while protective measures are needed as domestic manufacturing skills develop, he added.
Manturov noted that many foreign companies committed to the market act responsibly by investing in scientific and technical developments, social policies, and workforce development, including attracting young talent.
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Sputnik Africa is on the ground at #SPIEF2025!
Our correspondent Samantha Arias is reporting directly from the forum, where numerous delegations — including many from across Africa — have gathered.
🔊 Stay tuned as we bring you exclusive interviews and highlights from this major international event.
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LEFT UKRAINE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH
The very Vasily Prozorov, a former member of the Ukrainian special services, who worked for the benefit of Russia for many years, now has his channel in Telegram! He left Ukraine in 2018 and took thousands of secret SBU documents that shed light on Kiev's crimes.
On the UKR LEAKS channel you will find:
❗️Analysis of the current situation in Ukraine and around it
❗️Secret documents of the Ukrainian special services
❗️Evidence of the atrocities of Ukrainian nationalists
And much more!
SUBSCRIBE: https://t.me/ukr_leaks_eng
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Zimbabwe’s Gold-Backed Currency Gains Traction, Central Bank Reports
The Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency, introduced in April 2024, now boasts over 100% reserve backing, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) reported.
Transactions in local currency on the National Payments System increased from ZWG7.9 billion (26%) in April 2024 to ZWG56.8 billion (43%) by May 2025.
👉 RBZ Governor John Mushayavanhu attributed the rise to growing confidence in ZiG and improved economic sentiment. He noted that foreign reserves, reported at $701 million,comfortably cover reserve money (ZWG4.7 billion) and local currency deposits (ZWG15.5 billion).
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SPIEF 2025 Kicks Off in Russia: What to Expect
The XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) will take place June 18–21 under the theme “Shared Values: The Foundation for Growth in a Multipolar World.”
📌Key Events:
🟠Plenary Session: Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to speak on June 20.
🟠150+ sessions across five key tracks:
🟠The Global Economy: A New Platform for Global Growth
🟠The Russian Economy: A New Level of Growth
🟠The Individual in a New World
🟠The Living Environment
🟠Technology: Pursuing Leadership
🟠19 business dialogues featuring countries such as China, India, Brazil, UAE, South Africa, and more.
🟠Special Formats:
🟠SPIEF Academy & SPIEF Junior
🟠Forums for SMEs and creative industries
🟠Day of the Future Youth Economic Forum
🟠Guest Country: Kingdom of Bahrain
🟠Cultural and Sports Program: Exhibitions, performances, charity runs, and international tournaments will complement the forum agenda.
🌍 Over 1,000 speakers from 130+ countries are expected, making SPIEF 2025 a major hub for international economic dialogue and collaboration.
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Partnership, Not Exploitation—Russia’s Vision for Africa’s Energy Future
Energy independence in Africa is crucial but requires time, investment, and cooperation. Andrey Kortunov of the Russian International Affairs Council says Russia is ready to help, sharing its know-how and technology to support sustainable development.
Unlike many Western companies focused on exporting raw resources, Russia aims to boost Africa’s domestic energy demand and infrastructure, he told Sputnik Africa. With extensive experience in national energy systems, Russia offers a model from which African nations can benefit.
🤍 Moreover, Russia seeks multilateral cooperation through platforms like BRICS to help fund and organize regional consortia for energy efficiency across Africa.
🇮🇷🇮🇱 Global Stakes in the Middle East Crisis: Kortunov warns that if Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices may soar—hurting the global economy despite short-term gains for exporters. He calls for de-escalation between Israel and Iran to ensure stable, fair energy distribution.
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2,000 Burkinabe Volunteers Trained to Defend Their Homeland & Contribute to Food Self-Sufficiency
2,000 young farmers, aged 18 to 40 and hailing from 80 communes, were honored on Monday in the town of Badnogo, according to local media.
📚 They underwent a three-month training course as part of the presidential initiative for agricultural production.
The program covered:
🟠cereal farming,
🟠tree cultivation,
🟠market gardening,
🟠fish farming,
🟠agricultural entrepreneurship,
🟠product processing,
🟠weapon handling.
👉 The program provides each trainee with one hectare on a 12.5-hectare site equipped with irrigation boreholes for year-round farming, Inoussa Ouédraogo, the initiative's technical coordinator, explained. After completing training, participants will receive seeds and fertilizers to help settle in these hectares.
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BRICS Gains International Prominence: Vladimir Putin Holds Talks With Indonesian President
👇 Key statements made by the Russian president during the meeting on the sidelines of #SPIEF2025:
▪️ Russia hopes that BRICS member Indonesia will contribute significantly to the group's development.
▪️ Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is the “main guest” at this year's SPIEF.
▪️ Russia and Indonesia plan to continue cooperating in various sectors, including military technology and transportation.
▪️ Trade turnover between Russia and Indonesia is on the rise.
▪️ Prospects are opening up in the fuel and energy, agriculture, space, and transport technology sectors.
👇 Statements by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto:
▪️ Indonesia thanks Moscow for its support in joining the BRICS at short notice.
▪️ The country is paying great attention to developing cooperation with Russia in various fields, including trade.
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❗️The Russian delegation will be ready to arrive in Istanbul after June 22 to continue negotiations with Ukraine, Zakharova says
The specific dates for the new round of negotiations will be determined and announced in the near future, the Russian FM spokeswoman noted.
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Nigeria Introduces Stricter Oil Export Rules for Real-Time Tracking
Nigeria's oil regulator will now require producers to obtain an export permit, vessel clearance, and a unique ID to enable real-time cargo tracking.
The updated rules aim to:
🟠improve monitoring of oil exports,
🟠combat theft and under-declaration,
🟠increase government revenue.
Unlike the previous system, which only required cargo declarations to customs, producers must now provide more detailed information.
👉 Under the new Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation, exporters must pre-file detailed vessel and cargo information, including consignee, destination, tonnage, and estimated arrival time. Failure to comply may result in fines up to $20,000.
The regulator described the changes as a major step toward a more transparent and efficient oil export system.
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❗️A strike on the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran could lead to a disaster comparable to Chernobyl, Russian energy giant Rosatom CEO says
Alexey Likhachev stressed that some Russian specialists have already been evacuated from this plant, while the state corporation considers it possible to leave some.
Rosatom calls on the Israeli authorities to ensure that there is not even a hint of a strike on Bushehr, Likhachev added.
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📹 Chinese workers in Iraq film Iranian missile strike on occupied territories – IRNA shares footage
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‘A Symptom of the End of the American Empire’: Iran-Israel Conflict and US Desperation
“This outbreak of war, of a nuclear conflict of some kind, is a symptom of the end of the American empire,” retired US Air Force Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski told Sputnik.
Israel Strikes Mockups, Again
Israeli media outlets reported that an airstrike had damaged Iranian combat helicopters in Kermanshah.
However, publicly released footage indicates that the targeted objects were mockups, with no signs of a secondary explosion.
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The world isn’t black and white
It’s shaped by competing forces, hidden interdependencies, and the quiet recalibration of power.
Ⓜ️ Multipolar Market doesn’t simplify complexity, but decodes it.
1️⃣ Daily insights for those who seek to understand, not just react.
2️⃣ Analysis that bridges policy, markets, and geopolitics.
3️⃣ Context behind the headlines others overlook.
4️⃣ A lens to navigate uncertainty with clarity, not conjecture.
Global economic shifts demand more than surface-level reporting. They require a map. MM provides the coordinates.
African Delegations at #SPIEF2025 Captured by Sputnik Africa Correspondent
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'No Evidence' of Tehran's Efforts to Develop Nuclear Weapon
Discussions about the possible timeline for Iran's nuclear bomb development are not based on any specific data, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi said.
This is not a question of the near future, or even the next few years, he assured.
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Major World Events by Morning of June 18
🟠The Saint-Petersburg International Economic Forum #SPIEF2025 opened in Russia, with thousands of guests expected, including top-level ones;
🟠A police officer was arrested in Kenya on charges of shooting unarmed protesters;
🟠The next 24 to 48 hours of the conflict will be crucial after Trump called for Iran's "unconditional surrender," hinting at possible military action, US media reported, citing US officials;
🟠The Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency, introduced in April 2024, now boasts over 100% reserve backing, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe reported;
🟠The situation in the Middle East is not just heading towards escalation, but towards a threat to the region and the world, the Russian diplomatic spokeswoman told Sputnik;
🟠A powerful flare occurred at night on the Sun in the zone of maximum influence on the Earth, the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported.
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The beauty of #SPIEF2025 – filmed by a Sputnik correspondent
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🚨 IRAN IS READY TO STRIKE US BASES — NYT
Iranian missiles are prepared to strike US bases in the region if the US joins Israel's war, the New York Times reports, citing US intelligence officials.
They also warn that Iran will start mining the Strait of Hormuz to block the US Navy.
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Major World Events by Morning of June 17
🟠Iran struck the headquarters of the Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, in Herzliya, Iranian media reported;
🟠A major gold deposit was discovered in Côte d'Ivoire;
🟠Sergey Shoigu, the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, arrived in Pyongyang for the third time this year as part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between Russia and North Korea;
🟠The Israeli military announced the elimination of Ali Shadmani, the new commander of Khattam al-Anbiya's central headquarters;
🟠The Guinean president is traveling to Côte d'Ivoire on Tuesday to discuss unity and pan-Africanism;
🟠Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Mauritania, Algeria, Libya, Chad, Djibouti, the Comoros, and Gambia are among the Arabic-speaking countries that have called for the creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East;
🟠The Ukrainian military used HIMARS to strike the center of Donetsk, where civilians were present;
🟠The main outcome of the G7 meeting was the recognition of the multi-billion dollar damage caused by anti-Russian sanctions against Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.
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🚨📹 Sputnik correspondent films Iranian air defense repelling an attack on Tehran
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