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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
Tanzania's New Era of Development: President Set to Unveil Groundbreaking 2050 Vision
Samia Suluhu Hassan prepares to launch the Tanzania Development Vision 2050 (TDV), themed "The Tanzania We Want," next Thursday, Minister of State for Planning and Investment Kitila Mkumbo announced.
"This will be the second time the country writes a non-partisan national development endeavor, the first was the 2000-2025 under the late former President Benjamin Mkapa," the official told reporters. The TDV 2050 builds on the successes and lessons of its predecessor, he added.
Iran’s Nuclear Program Impossible to End by Military Means – IAEA Chief
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi described Iran as a large country with a significant economy, industrial potential, and technical capabilities, which cannot be negated by military means;
▪️ He emphasized that the nuclear issue cannot be resolved through force; only a comprehensive agreement with a strict verification system can address it;
In June, a UN atomic agency report accused Iran of not reporting various nuclear-related activities prior to an Israeli attack.
▪️ But Grossi noted the absence of credible evidence that Iran possesses nuclear weapons, despite data hinting at bomb-making capability;
▪️ The IAEA believes Iran has not taken steps necessary to build a nuclear weapon.
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#viral | Moscow Zoo Pandas Head Indoors as City Heats Up!
🌡Due to the extreme heat of over +30°C, which is unusual for Moscow, pandas will spend more time inside their cooled enclosures — sometimes even by force — to avoid heatstroke, the zoo's director general said.
💧The enclosures are kept at a panda-friendly temperature and equipped with misting and ventilation systems.
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❗️❗️❗️‘If Somebody Wants to Re-Progress You, Don't Agree:’ Ghana’s Labor Minister
“We need to stand as a people, work as a people, [and] reach a destination so our people cannot be dying trying to reach Europe. It’s unacceptable. We must be happy here,” Minister Rashid Pelpuo told Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the 3rd Africa Job Creation Forum in Addis Ababa.
❗️Diplomatic means of resolving the Ukrainian conflict have been "exhausted," German Chancellor Merz claims
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#viral | Inventive Vietnamese Farmer Uses Drone to Rescue Kids Trapped Mid-River
👏In a daring rescue operation, a farmer pulled two children to safety with an agricultural drone — while a third was rescued by boat.
The video is going viral on social media.
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BRICS: The Future Trump Can’t Ignore
“There is no doubt that BRICS is the future, and it is more reflected when President Donald Trump is saying that BRICS countries will have a 10% tariff,” Samir Bhattacharya, an associate fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, India, told Sputnik Africa.
Why the African Union Fired Back at Fitch's Blunder
📻🌍 #AfricanCurrents | "COVID tells us a story of how if you're not linked to the global supply chain or production chain, you can be left out in the cold. African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative is one that will mitigate the likelihood of being left out in the cold. And so Afreximbank is at the juncture in its existence when it will be required and called upon and expected to fund a lot of infrastructure, protocols, and systems that will then enable the fruition of the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area," Kalu Ojah, Wits Professor Emeritus of Financial Economics, University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Sciences, South Africa, noted.
In an era of African self-reliance, Western-based agencies like Fitch are still applying models—often at odds with local realities. Don't miss this insightful episode!
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#viral | Mudslide in Tibet Close to Border With Nepal Results in 17 People Missing, Reports Say
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‘About Time for Africa to Create Its Own System Like ICC,’ Expert Says
📻⚖️🌍 #PanAfricanFrequency | "Less and less individuals and institutions are having the faith to see that the ICC is strong enough to prosecute, and therefore they're no longer going to the ICC as a point of call to say, 'Please intervene in this matter.' It's a risk to the ICC, because then it means that we see a scenario where in the future the ICC will have no work to do," Alex Manyasi, a Policy Engagement Manager at the African Population and Health Research Center in Kenya, highlighted.
🎙You can't afford to miss this thought-provoking episode!
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US Embassy Requires Social Media Checks for Nigerian Student Visa Seekers
Nigerians applying for F, M, and J student and exchange visas to the US must now set their social media profiles to "public," announced the US embassy.
The policy was first announced in June and is effective immediately. It is part of stricter US visa screening for national security, according to the State Department.
➡️ Nigerian authorities have yet to comment on the development.
In 2023-2024, over 20,000 Nigerian students were admitted to US colleges and universities, according to the US mission in the West African country. Thus, Nigeria ranked 7th for international students in the US.
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Russia Waiting for Ukraine's Proposals on Dates for Meeting on Settlement, Kremlin Says
Key highlights from the Kremlin spokesman's daily briefing:
▪️ The list of countries that are unfriendly to Russia may be revised, this is not a doctrine, Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday;
▪️ The supply of weapons to Kiev is not in line with attempts to promote a peaceful settlement;
▪️ The United States continues to implement sanctions against Russia, Moscow considers them illegal, and they harm entrepreneurs of the two countries;
▪️ Russia highly appreciates US President Donald Trump's efforts to initiate a direct negotiation process between Russia and Ukraine;
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Pentagon Reportedly Announces Upcoming Shipment of US Defensive Weapons to Ukraine
US President Donald Trump previously promised to send more weapons to Ukraine, stressing that this primarily concerns "defensive" weapons.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would be a legitimate target for Russia.
The ministry emphasized that NATO member states were "playing with fire" by supplying weapons to Ukraine. The Kremlin stressed that pumping Ukraine with weapons from the West did not contribute to the success of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and would have a negative effect.
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⚔️ 'Overall security will always remain in our hands' — Netanyahu on two-state solution
Asked about the two-state solution, US President Donald Trump referred the question to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling it an “age-old question.”
💬 “Palestinians should have all the powers to govern themselves — but none of the powers should threaten us. That means that certain powers, like overall security, will always remain in our hands,” Netanyahu said, outlining his position on coexistence with the Palestinians.
BRICS Single Currency Could Reshape Global Trade: Lebanese Former FM
“An equally important task for BRICS is the creation of its own currency. This is particularly relevant in conditions where the United States continues to try to control other states, including through the dollar,” Adnan Mansour told Sputnik, commenting on the BRICS summit in Rio.
“BRICS undoubtedly has a bright future; the group is capable of influencing the economic life of many regions.”
📹 Heavy Israeli Airstrikes Target Eastern Gaza City, Palestinian Media Reports
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BRICS vs. Bretton Woods: Toward a Fairer Multipolar World?
The Bretton Woods institutions and dollar dominance make fair financial exchange impossible, former Nigerien Minister of Infrastructure Cherif Chako told Sputnik Africa.
🌎However, the final declaration of the BRICS Summit presents a "golden opportunity" to change the situation and "build a multipolar world in finance, trade, and development," according to the speaker.
🌍 And what about Africa?
Chako praised the idea of establishing the BRICS grain exchange, which could benefit both the association and the African continent:
"This initiative will strengthen cooperation aimed for the well-being of the people of the AES and other African countries," the ex-minister emphasized.
#viral | Two seal pups were released into Russia's Lake Ladoga after rehabilitation at the Baltic Seal Friends Foundation
🦭The seal pup Osik, found in the waters of the Neva River, became a real star and mystery of the center. This Ladoga seal pup had an unusually light color, which made him look like a Baltic seal.
However, his main distinguishing feature was his wild and independent character.
✅The Seal Puppy, however, earned a reputation as a modest person: she ate conscientiously, gained weight, grew, and did not cause any trouble for specialists.
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#viral | When Your Flight Comes With Complimentary Fresh Honey
🐝A swarm of bees surrounded the baggage door of an IndiGo flight headed to the Indian city of Jaipur, causing a delay of over an hour.
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Colombia, South Africa to Hold Urgent Conference on Gaza on July 15, President Petro Says
The two countries—as co-chairs of the Hague Group—will push for strong action in defense of international law regarding the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated.
"Our goal is simple: to introduce concrete legal, diplomatic, and economic measures capable of halting Israel's destruction," he noted.
Major World Events by Evening of July 8
⚫️Kenya’s anti-government protest death toll has risen to 31, highlighting escalating tensions in the region.
⚫️South Africa's Department of Forestry is set to plant one million trees nationwide on September 24, to commemorate Heritage Day—a public holiday celebrating cultural diversity.
⚫️Israel's military has, for the first time, reportedly confirmed that Iran targeted Israeli military sites in June.
⚫️The BRICS nations have rejected Trump’s warning of a 10% tariff for supporting the bloc, emphasizing their dedication to multilateralism and global economic reform.
⚫️Russia's Family, Love, and Fidelity Day, dedicated to traditional family values, was celebrated globally, reaching as far as Congo, Zambia, and Morocco.
⚫️Russia is awaiting Ukraine's proposal for a meeting to discuss settlement terms, Kremlin's spokesman said. More statements — here.
⚫️The EU plans to cover Ukraine’s $19 billion budget deficit in 2026, media reported.
⚫️The Dutch port of Rotterdam is preparing for a potential conflict with Russia, with management reserving spots for military cargo ships, according to the Financial Times.
⚫️The World Council of Churches has condemned the increasing pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church.
⚫️The US is reportedly experiencing a severe shortage of Patriot missiles, with only 25% of the interceptor missiles needed for all Pentagon plans.
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A Red Line for Gaza: Supporting the Palestinian Cause in Paris
"I am here today to denounce the genocide happening in Gaza. Children, innocents, and civilians are being killed. Humanitarian aid is being blocked. Children are starving. They no longer have access to clean water," a participant told Sputnik Africa.
South Sudan’s President Sacks Defense Chief
President Salva Kiir appointed Gen. Dau Aturjong Nyuol as the new head of the army instead of Gen. Paul Nang Majok.
No reason was provided for Gen. Nang’s removal. The announcement, made on state broadcaster SSBC, takes immediate effect.
"There has been a tradition that when you are appointed, or reassigned there are no reasons [given] for getting appointed and there are no reasons given for getting relieved. It is normal," reportedly said army spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang.
BRICS Sends the ‘Right Message’ That It’s Time for Cooperation and Concrete Action: Ambassador of Ethiopia to Brazil
Key highlights from Leulseged Tadese’s interview with Sputnik Africa:
🔴Leaders reaffirmed commitment to reinvigorated multilateralism: “BRICS is about solutions; BRICS is about enhanced partnership to address common challenges.”
🔴Strong call to reform global systems
➔ UN Security Council must be reformed with “Africa [getting] at least two permanent seats.”
➔ Current financial architecture “doesn’t reflect the legitimate economic aspirations of developing countries.”
🔴Pledge for climate action and digital inclusion
➔ Combat climate change
➔ Close digital gaps to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
🔴Push for inclusive AI governance that considers developing countries’ interests
🔴Health security prioritized: “Nobody is safe until everybody is safe.”
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#viral | Watch Mesmerizing Ball Lightning Amidst Ferocious Storm in Canada
A widely circulated video has captured what is believed to be ball lightning. Media reported that at the time of recording, a storm warning had been issued in the Rich Valley area due to a possible tornado, and a powerful thunderstorm was raging over the region.
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📹 Spanish mines, banned by the Geneva and Ottawa Conventions, were used by the Ukrainian militants to mine occupied settlements in the Kursk region
Deputy commander of the demining unit of the international anti-mine center of the military engineering academy Bogdan Mironov told Sputnik about its peculiarities.
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Turkey Awaits Kiev's Response to Hold Possible 3rd Round of Russia-Ukraine Talks, FM Says
"The Russian side has declared its readiness for the third round. Now we are waiting for the response from the Ukrainian side. Our contacts continue," urkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters.
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Trump Pledges to Provide More Weapons for Ukraine
“We're going to send some more weapons. We have to,” Trump announced.
Russia has repeatedly stated that Western military supplies do not bode well for Ukraine and only prolong the conflict. In addition, vehicles carrying supplied weapons are a legitimate target for the Russian military.
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