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Major World Events by the Evening of July 21
▪️Moscow will provide an update once there is clarity on a new round of talks with Ukraine, Kremlin stated;
▪️The US has stationed several nuclear bombs in the UK for the first time in 17 years;
▪️A terrorist plot near Cairo was foiled, with two members of the Hasm Movement killed in the operation;
▪️Sudan has reached record levels of gold production despite ongoing internal conflict;
▪️Algeria’s Sonatrach and China’s Sinopec have signed a memorandum on joint hydrocarbon development;
▪️Ukrainian military cemeteries have run out of available burial spaces, a French newspaper reported;
▪️Metropolitan Anthony, head of the Russian Orthodox Church's external relations, will visit Italy on Saturday for talks with Pope Leo XIV;
▪️Kremlin called the current stage in relations with Azerbaijan difficult, expressing hope that the tensions will subside;
▪️Hungary, Serbia, and Russia are in talks over building a new pipeline to transport Russian oil;
▪️Israeli forces are conducting airstrikes on Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah.
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Algeria's Sonatrach & China's Sinopec Sign Memorandum on Hydrocarbon Production
As part of their joint plans, the two state-owned companies are expected to assess and develop resources in the Gourara basin in southern Algeria and the Berkin basin in eastern Algeria, according to Algerian media.
🤝 Sonatrach emphasized that the signing of the memorandum of understanding reflects "the parties' desire to strengthen existing relations and expand cooperation through new opportunities for partnership in the field of hydrocarbon exploration and production."
👉 Sinopec has operated in Algeria, a leading natural gas producer and exporter, since 2002. The company participated in developing the Zarzaïtine field under a cooperation agreement.
Founded in 1963, Sonatrach is Algeria's largest company and a major player in the hydrocarbon market in Africa and the Mediterranean region.
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‘This is Africa’s Time to Rise,’ Says Young Tanzanian Innovator
"I’m African, I’m Tanzanian, and I deeply care about Africa, especially when it comes to agriculture, because I believe it is the backbone of life," Innocent Mabilika told Sputnik Africa.
"Even if you’re still struggling financially, your creative spirit is your greatest weapon."
🗣Ukraine’s front might CRUMBLE by year-end - French media
If Russia keeps the heat on, Ukraine's defenses could unravel by the end of the year, warns Le Figaro.
"Can Ukrainian forces hold out another six months? A year? It doesn’t really matter—because the war is already lost," writes the French outlet.
"This opens a window of opportunity for Russia down the line," a French military source added.
Zimbabwe Launches Crackdown on Illegal Bulk Water Dealers
The nationwide operation seeks to regulate the water delivery sector and protect public health, according to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA).
💧🦠 The crackdown addresses public complaints about unregulated water abstraction and delivery in urban areas, which authorities say pose health risks and violate national regulations.
The blitz aligns with the law, requiring all bulk water dealers, including borehole operators and water delivery truckers, to be registered, ZINWA's Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Marjorie Munyonga, told local media.
👉 It is illegal to abstract raw water from residential areas without specific authority, Munyonga noted, adding that ZINWA is empowered to collect water samples for quality checks and requires accurate abstraction records from suppliers.
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Côte d'Ivoire Aspires to Electrify 10% of Its Vehicle Fleet Within Five Years
🔌 Pétro Ivoire is committed to developing charging stations in Abidjan, with plans for a nationwide expansion. The infrastructure will be developed along the north-south and east-west axes to facilitate intercity travel, Sébastien Kadio-Morokro, the company's CEO, told media.
Pétro Ivoire's latest charging stations, such as the one in Yopougon Gandhi, run entirely on solar energy. The company collaborates with local manufacturers to produce batteries and solar equipment.
🚗 To drive the transition, the company focuses on corporate fleets, which find electric vehicles economically viable. The cost of operating an electric car for 100 km is already cheaper than its gasoline-powered counterpart.
Pétro Ivoire is also enhancing its gas distribution network with a new plant in Bouaké, improving access in the north and conducting awareness campaigns.
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Dangote Refinery Being Modified to Increase Its Capacity From 650,000 to 700,000 per Day
🛢 The upgrade, expected to be completed in Q4 of this year, will temporarily prevent the refinery from reaching full capacity, but President of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote is confident it will ultimately improve operations.
Between June and July, the refinery purchased 19 million barrels of crude oil from the US, which supplies 55% of its total crude needs, he said, noting that this included a purchase of 10 million barrels in early July.
Dangote emphasized the necessity of an African refinery, given the continent's dependence on fuel imports, with Algeria and Libya being the only self-sufficient nations.
👉 He also expressed concern about foreign actors undermining African industries through importation strategies, citing the congestion in Lomé harbor and the operational struggles faced by refineries in South Africa. Despite these obstacles, Dangote reaffirms his company's commitment to investing and taking calculated risks.
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#viral | 🦈 Bless You, Shark!
Although the move can look like a sneeze, it is not a real one, because sharks don't have lungs.
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African Union Welcomes DRC-M23 Peace Declaration
AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat hailed the agreement as a key breakthrough bringing "renewed hope for regional cooperation and sustainable peace" in the Great Lakes region.
👇 Mediated by Qatar and the US, the declaration commits both sides to:
🔹 An immediate ceasefire;
🔹 Starting direct negotiations for a comprehensive peace deal within 10 days.
This Doha deal follows the the June 27 DRC-Rwanda peace agreement signed in Washington, which included respecting borders and disarming rebels. A planned presidential summit in Washington this summer aims to finalize peace and potentially seal US-backed joint mining projects.
The conflict has involved DRC accusing Rwanda of backing M23, while Rwanda accused Congo of harboring rebels attacking its territory.
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Why 'Nigeria First' Policy Could Be Turning Point for Local Industry
"This particular framework, the Nigeria First policy, is very good and very important. If we get the implementation right, it will change the game for local industry."
Major World Events by Evening of July 18
⚫️Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Recep Tayyip Erdogan;
⚫️Clashes have resumed between Arab tribes and Druze groups in the area around the Syrian city of Suwayda;
⚫️The new EU sanctions package against Russia must be carefully analyzed to minimize its impact, the Kremlin said. The EU has detailed some of new sanctions, including a price cap mechanism for Russian oil, ending Czech import exemptions, and banning oil products made from Russian oil via most third countries;
⚫️Kremlin also stressed that Russia will be compelled to take steps to ensure its security in response to NATO’s hostile stance;
⚫️South Korea is facing an emergency situation as several days of heavy rain have triggered severe flooding, destroyed homes, disrupted air traffic, and left at least four people dead;
⚫️Uruguay’s government is examining the possibility of joining the BRICS Bank, according to the country’s foreign minister;
⚫️Ethiopia has set a target of creating 5.6 million jobs in the 2025/26 fiscal year and is expanding opportunities for overseas employment;
⚫️AI could contribute an additional $1 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2035, the Russian Ministry of Finance estimated.
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#viral | 🛩 New Chinese Drone Takes Off & Lands Like Rocket
The aircraft boasts a wingspan of 2.6 meters and a length of 1.8 meters. Its design enables it to soar at speeds surpassing those of quadcopters and nearly matching the pace of fixed-wing drones.
The drone's capabilities were tested during a rescue exercise in the mountains of Sichuan province.
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Uganda's Currency in Circulation Rises by Shs100 Billion Amidst Economic Growth
The Bank of Uganda (BoU) published the latest data on the value of currency in circulation:
🟠8.614 trillion Ugandan shillings (about $2.4 billion) in April 2025;
🟠8.718 trillion shillings (about $2.43 billion) in May 2025.
📈 This growth is primarily attributed to the expanding size of the Ugandan economy nominal (GDP):
🟠Shs203.71 trillion ($53.9 billion) in FY 2023/24;
🟠Shs226.34 trillion ($61.3 billion) in FY 2024/25.
Dr. Adam Mugume, BoU's Executive Director of Research, explained that the demand for Ugandan currency rises with transaction volume, as cash is prevalent. Currency supply also increases when the government disburses funds from the central bank.
Despite global financial volatility, the shilling has remained strong, ranking among the most stable currencies in Africa.
Dr. Mugume attributes this resilience to:
🟠sound financial reform;
🟠prudent monetary policy;
🟠consistent foreign exchange inflows from exports, tourism, personal remittances, and offshore investments.
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Burkina Faso Strengthens Its Startup Ecosystem With New Legal Framework
A workshop to validate legal texts to promote startups aims to review and approve a preliminary draft law and its implementing decree.
🎯 The goal is to create a legal environment conducive to innovation.
Faced with rapid startup growth, driven by a dynamic young population and the adoption of technologies, the country is seeking to remove institutional and regulatory barriers.
🌍 The legal framework aims to make Burkina Faso an innovation hub in Africa and beyond, Issa Traoré, Director General of the Agency for Financing and Promotion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, said.
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US Tariffs May Spur South Africa’s Shift to BRICS Markets, Says Expert
The tariffs could raise prices for American consumers and reduce demand for key South African exports like minerals and agriculture, warned Zwelethu Jolobe, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Cape Town.
📉 The tariffs would make these products "uncompetitive," potentially shrinking their US market share, Jolobe told Sputnik Africa.
👉While noting that short-term job losses in agriculture and mining are likely, he warned against overstating the importance of exports to the US. The expert cited "unpredictable" relations, stressing that it is "not the only" export destination.
"I think that the alternative is to look for new markets, number one, and number two, it is to find a lot more opportunities within the existing markets in BRICS," Prof. Jolobe said.
FPV Drone Crews From Russia's Center Battlegroup Destroy Enemy Antennas and Drones in SMO zone
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Sudan Achieves Record Gold Production Despite Ongoing Conflict
Sudan extracted 64 tonnes of gold in 2024, generating $1.57 billion in export revenue, Mohamed Tahir Omer, Director of the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company, announced at a press conference.
The mining sector is a pillar of national resilience, which can help lead the country towards economic recovery, he assured.
👉 The country witnessed a remarkable 53% increase in gold production compared to 2022, when it produced 41.8 tonnes.
Furthermore, the sector has experienced a surge in employment, rising from 5% to 40%. Foreign companies have also resumed mining operations in the country.
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Egypt Welcomes 'Doha Declaration': Step Towards Comprehensive & Lasting Peace in DRC
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Sunday, expressing Cairo's hope that the new agreement will contribute to:
🟠Improving humanitarian and living conditions in the DRC;
🟠Strengthening the foundations of peace and security in Central Africa.
Egypt reaffirmed its support for mediation efforts, while insisting on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of African states.
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Passenger Ferry With 280 Onboard Catches Fire Off North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Passengers leapt overboard to flee the flames, media reported. One person has been confirmed dead.
The tragedy occurred just 16 days after a similar passenger ferry sank in the Bali Strait, media noted.
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#viral |📹 Earthquake in Russia's Kamchatka: 7.6 Tremors Rattle Region
No significant damage has been found yet, the governor said.
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Over 30,000 Sanctions Imposed on Russia Since 2014, Sputnik Calculations Reveal
The United States (24.5%), Canada (13.1%), and Switzerland (11.8%) have imposed the most sanctions.
Of these sanctions, 92% were introduced after February 2022.
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Major World Events by the Evening of July 19
🟠 The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group signed a Declaration of Principles in Doha, committing to a permanent ceasefire and pledging to finalize a comprehensive peace deal by August 18;
🟠 The African Union praised the DRC-M23 declaration as a "major milestone" for regional stability;
🟠 The Nigeria Police Force successfully rescued 31 kidnapped victims in separate operations in Edo and Taraba states, following intense gun battles with suspected abductors;
🟠 At least 30 people were injured after a car plowed into a crowd in Los Angeles, marking one of the worst traffic incidents in the city this year. Investigations are ongoing;
🟠 Bangladesh arrested 34 Indian fishermen and seized 2 boats for allegedly entering its territorial waters, escalating tensions over maritime boundaries;
🟠 Trump said that five jets were shot down during the May conflict between India and Pakistan, and he reiterated his claim that the hostilities ceased following his intervention.
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Uganda Partners With Bukona Agro Processors to Boost Its National Biofuel Program
The agreement, signed in Malaba, involves over 10,000 Nwoya District farmers supplying 30,000 tonnes of maize annually to Bukona’s Malaba depot for ethanol production and petrol blending.
The partnership links national energy policy with grassroots economic development, offering:
🟠guaranteed market for ethanol feedstocks;
🟠stable income for farmers in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs);
🟠reduced transport costs through local ethanol blending.
Nwoya District officials highlighted:
🟠Strong farmer associations and VSLA groups ready to support the initiative;
🟠Solutions to challenges such as funding and climate change, which include: credit lines and irrigation projects
❗️Bukona Agro Processors' Managing Director, Praviin Kekal, outlined their commitment to the project, noting a $698-838k investment in Malaba, stating they'll initially source ethanol externally but transition to in-house production, buying raw materials directly from VSLAs at guaranteed prices.
The Malaba depot aims to blend 450 million liters of petrol per year, requiring:
🟠22 million liters of ethanol annually (5% blend);
🟠Potential increase to 88 million liters with a 20% blend.
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Fire at Abadan Oil Refinery in Iran
🚒 A fire has broken out in block 75 of the refinery, according to its public relations service. Firefighters are currently working to contain the blaze.
No further details are available at the moment.
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Three BRICS Countries Among Top Five in Terms of Industrial Contribution to Economy
According to Sputnik's analysis of World Bank data for 2024:
🟠China stands as the world's leading industrial power, with its industrial sector's share of GDP rising by nearly 2% to $6.8 trillion.
🟠India, in fourth place, saw its industrial output grow by 4% to $957 billion.
🟠Russia demonstrated the strongest growth among the top ten economies, with its industrial contribution to GDP increasing by 6% immediately to $668 billion, catapulting it to the fifth spot.
The United States and Germany held the second and fourth positions, respectively.
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Third Parties' Involvement 'Not Very Much Encouraged': Ex-Ethiopian GERD Negotiator on US Mediation
Donald Trump's renewed offer to mediate the Nile water conflict between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt is an attempt "to score additional successes in his track record of reconciling countries", according to Fekahmed Negash, former lead negotiator for Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
"At this time, I don't see why he's very much interested because the dam is already full and soon it will be fully operational," Negash told Sputnik Africa. "I think the best way is just to engage Egypt and the Sudan. They are the relevant parties and they are also the ones who are very much related to the issue."
"The water is actually flowing between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt – [it's not] coming from the US," he argued. "Third parties do not understand the fears, concerns and interests of the countries. But rather the countries can understand each other's fears, concerns and interests."
#viral | 🐈⬛ Cutest Excuse Ever: Woman is Late for Work Because of Persistent Kitten
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Zimbabwe Eyes Mines & Minerals Bill: First Reading After Nine-Year Delay
The bill, gazetted in June, aims to replace the outdated 1961 Mines and Minerals Act.
Repeatedly delayed over the past decade, the bill offers a comprehensive legal overhaul, including:
🟠establishing a Mining Affairs Board;
🟠improving governance and transparency;
🟠enhancing environmental safeguards;
🟠recognizing small-scale miners.
The bill also covers:
🟠Mining rights acquisition and registration;
🟠Prospecting and pegging regulations;
🟠Exploration licenses;
🟠Mining leases;
🟠Payments to local authorities;
🟠Special grants.
It also addresses strategic minerals, defined as nuclear energy sources or minerals vital to Zimbabwe's economic, social, industrial, or security interests.
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Kenya's Visa-Free Policy to Boost African Trade and Tourism, Says Kenyan Lawyer
Kenya's decision to grant visa-free entry to African travelers is a progressive step toward boosting intra-African trade and reducing dependence on traditional external markets, says Kelvin Mugambi Kubai, a lawyer for the African Center for Corrective and Preventive Action.
"In the short term, it will increase movement for visitors of African descent and the Caribbeans coming to Kenya. And there will be a hike in tourism activities," Kubai told Sputnik Africa. "The only downward effect would be the security mechanisms and policies in place because we may have some other not well-meaning visitors."