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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
African Genomics Can End Trial-and-Error Medicine, SA Professor Says
🌍 Africa’s vast genetic diversity must be at the center of modern healthcare to make treatments safer and more effective for African patients, Collet Dandara, a leading human geneticist and professor of human genetics at the University of Cape Town, told Sputnik Africa.
💊 He explained that most drugs and diagnostic tests are developed using European data, even though “the genetic diversity that you find from outside of the continent is very narrow compared from that that you'll find in the continent.”
☝🏽 As a result, medicines can work differently—or cause harmful side effects—among African patients.
An African genome, he noted, contains nearly a million more genetic variants than non-African genomes, which affects how people metabolize drugs and respond to treatment.
👉 Key points from Professor Dandara:
🔵European-based tests often “miss the specific mutations that you find in African populations.”
🔵Genomics is helping doctors understand why “some patients respond well and some don't” to the same drug.
🔵African biobanks are being built to identify unique cancer driver genes and improve early detection.
🔵“We need to move our genetics from the high-tech labs” to ordinary clinics by simplifying data, making it easier for health workers and patients to understand, and speeding up testing so results can be used quickly in everyday care.
🔵Africa must strengthen local manufacturing and research infrastructure to reduce delays.
Looking ahead, he envisions a shift toward preventive, personalized care:
“Healthcare on the continent should move away from the current trial and error medicine to be replaced by the use of our genetics.”
Russia and Brazil Push for Multipolar World, Deepen Cooperation Ahead of Key Visit: Gov't
Russia and Brazil are reinforcing their partnership as Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin prepares to visit Brasilia on Thursday for talks with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Key statements regarding the meeting from the Russian government:
🟠Moscow and Brasilia support a multipolar world order and oppose unilateral sanctions, stressing sovereignty and non-interference.
🟠Leaders will hold meetings of the high-level cooperation commission and attend a bilateral business forum.
🟠A joint statement is expected, outlining priority areas of cooperation for the coming years.
🟠Talks will focus on expanding projects in energy, industry, agriculture, transport, and trade.
🟠Discussions will build on agreements reached by Vladimir Putin and Lula in 2025–2026.
🟠Russia and Brazil continue strong cooperation through BRICS and G20 platforms.
🟠Cultural, scientific, educational, and sports exchanges are also growing.
🟠Mishustin will also meet with VP Geraldo Alckmin during the visit.
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Major World Event by Morning of February 2
🟠France is plotting to overthrow Madagascar’s new president and reinstall a regime loyal to Paris as part of a broader campaign of political revenge and destabilization in Africa, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service said;
🟠Nigeria has officially withdrawn its troops from Benin, which had been deployed following the failed coup attempt in December last year, Benin’s government said in a statement;
🟠The Kenyan government intends to provide tax breaks to Kenyans whose income is less than 30,000 Kenyan shillings ($230), Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi revealed;
🟠South African singer Tyla has won the award for Best African Music Performance at the Grammy Awards;
🟠At least three people were killed in Madagascar by Cyclone Fitia, which affected over 28,000 people, and hit the country on January 31 and February 1, local media reported;
🟠The first group of Palestinians returning from Egypt has arrived in the Gaza Strip, with ambulances dispatched to Khan Younis’ Red Crescent Hospital to receive the injured and sick, according to Egyptian media.
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Russian Airborne Tank Crews From Novorossiysk Master Combat Tactics in Support of Assault Units: MoD
📍Zaporozhye region
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አማርኛ ትናገራለህ? Sputnik Ethiopia Amharic app now available for Android
The easy-to-use and extremely lightweight app offers you:
🟠Easy navigation;
🟠Live feed of Ethiopian and international news;
🟠Exclusive interviews;
🟠Infographics and videos;
🟠Ability to share the favorites on social media.
📲 Download it now:
👉 APK file link
👉 GetApps
👉 Galaxy Store
👉 AppGallery
📌 Stay tuned with Sputnik Ethiopia, telling the untold!
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Russia's Dmitriev Calls Meeting With US Delegation 'Constructive'
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#viral | Frightening but Magnificent: Four Suns Spotted in Alaska
☀️ This natural phenomenon is called a "sun dog" (parhelion). It occurs due to ice crystals in the air and the refraction of light.
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US Would Seek to 'Break Cuba' to Prevent It From Being 'Base of Resistance,' Says Expert
🇺🇸🇨🇺 The White House recognition of Cuba as a "threat" to US national security and foreign policy actually exposes the US itself as a threat to the post-WWII geopolitical order, Ernesto Teuma, a professor at the University of the Arts of Havana, told Sputnik.
The goal of such move is to eliminate Cuba's historic role as a strategic base and organizing hub for regional resistance against US hegemony, Teuma noted.
The current government has always been willing to negotiate, but only on the basis of Cuban sovereignty and its right to self-governance, he noted.
US policy is influenced by an "anti-patriotic bloc," particularly interests based in Florida, which push for increasingly aggressive measures against the island, the expert concluded.
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Putin Receives Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary
Ali Larijani, currently on a visit to Russia, has held discussions with President Putin at the Kremlin, according to spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Larijani's trip to Moscow had not been announced beforehand.
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China Firmly Supports Cuba in Defending Own Sovereignty, Security: MFA
Beijing strongly opposes any actions and "inhumane practices" that deprive the Cuban people of their rights to subsistence and development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said.
ℹ️ On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order under which the US may impose import tariffs on goods from countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba, and also declared a national emergency, citing an alleged threat to US national security posed by Havana.
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South African Stocks Hit Record Winning Streak as Growth Spreads Beyond Mining: Media
📈 South Africa’s stock market is enjoying its longest winning streak ever, driven by strong metal prices and rising confidence in the broader economy, Western media reported.
🏗 In January, the main index gained over 8%, marking its eleventh straight month of growth. Mining and precious metals companies led the rally, boosted by record global prices. However, investors are now turning their attention to other sectors such as construction, retail, real estate, travel, and chemicals.
Furthermore, South African stocks are still relatively inexpensive compared to other emerging markets, which may appeal to investors. As the mining boom ripples through the economy, banks, retailers, and industrial companies are expected to be the next beneficiaries.
Foreign investment is increasing, and the stronger rand reflects higher export earnings. This is helping improve government finances and support economic reforms.
Although challenges like policy uncertainty and transport issues remain, strong commodity prices and lower interest rates are giving the market solid support.
Analysts believe that if current trends continue, South African stocks could deliver strong returns in the year ahead.
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Sanctions After AFCON Final: Sports Governance Can Be Improved, Expert Says
Blaming only the host country, Morocco, for the incidents during the final would be a mistake, Mbaye Jacques Diop, administrator of the Club des Experts Sportifs & Globe Sports platforms, told Sputnik Africa.
“Responsibility is shared because it was Morocco hosting, but it was the Confederation of African Football that was organizing.”
“We were not prepared to experience these incidents on the field. Governance must be reviewed across all these dimensions.”
EAEU Includes Namibia in List of Countries Using Unified System of Tariff Preferences
The decision was prepared based on the results of an analysis of the country's economic indicators updated by the World Bank, the press service of the Eurasian Economic Commission (ЕЕС) reported.
🤝 According to the statement, the decision provides for the possibility of applying reduced rates of import customs duties on a number of goods supplied from Namibia to the EAEU.
"Our association continues to provide consistent support to countries experiencing economic instability and vulnerability. We believe that this decision will improve trading conditions for Namibian exporters and their counterparties in the Union and will facilitate the further development of foreign economic relations between our countries," noted EEC Trade Minister Andrey Slepnev.
The EEC clarified that, prior to October 2021, the Republic of Namibia already enjoyed unilateral preferences for the supply of its goods to the EAEU, but was removed from the list of developing countries due to its persistently exceeding the established threshold of gross national income per capita.
❗️UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrives in Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin
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📉 If dollar’s drop and gold’s rise is deliberate US policy, it’s playing with economic fire - expert
🗣 “Theoretically, an exchange rate depreciation can make exports cheaper and as a result can help the external account,” public finance policy researcher Suranjali Tandon told Sputnik, commenting on the US dollar’s plunge against gold and other major currencies.
💬 “However, this will play out as an advantage” only “if there is an increase in production capacity and demand from trading partners. Where both are adversely affected by tariffs and political uncertainty, depreciation of the dollar may not help raise exports,” the academic warned.
From Macron to British Ambassador: New Revelations in Jeffrey Epstein Case
The latest disclosures include a diplomat's resignation, accounts of rituals, and confirmation of prolonged contact with high-profile figures.
🔸Former UK Ambassador to the US Leaves Labor Party: Peter Mandelson announced his departure after being dismissed in September 2025 due to his proven links with Epstein.
🔸Testimony Describes Violent Ritual Practices: Court documents contain an account from a victim who states she was subjected to a ritual involving cuts to her feet with an oriental saber.
🔸Macron and Norwegian Princess Frequently Mentioned: The French president appears over 200 times in the documents, including entire exchanges dedicated to his requests. In one email, Epstein claimed that Macron sought "unusual and elaborate ideas on almost any subject."
Crown Princess Mette-Marit is cited over 1000 times. Contrary to official statements from the royal palace assuring all contact had ceased in 2013, her correspondence with the infamous financier continued at least until January 2014.
🔸Victims' Lawyers Seek Removal of Public Documents: They are filing a legal motion to shut down the US Department of Justice website, where the names and personal data of numerous victims are allegedly insufficiently protected.
🔸Trump stated he had "never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close," adding that he could not speak for Bill Clinton.
ℹ️ On Friday, the US Department of Justice announced the publication of documents related to the Epstein case. The total volume of disclosed data exceeded 3.5 million files in total, including documents, emails, and photo and video material related to the investigation into sex trafficking crimes.
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❗️Negotiations on Ukraine Will Take Place on February 4-5 in Abu Dhabi, Kremlin Spox Says
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#viral | Sun Unleashes Second-Largest Flare Barrage in 10 Years
A total of 17 M-class solar flares erupted from the Sun, according to the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The previous record occurred on December 29, 2024.
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ECOWAS Welcomes Measures Taken by Guinea-Bissau to Advance Return to Constitutional Order
General Horta Inta-a, President of Guinea-Bissau’s transitional authority, sent a letter to the ECOWAS Chair announcing steps taken to “foster an inclusive political environment,” ECOWAS said in a statement.
✅ These measures include:
⚫️Formation of an inclusive transitional government;
⚫️Appointment of 10 representatives from Bissau-Guinean politician Fernando Dias da Costa’s group and the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde to the National Transitional Council;
⚫️Release of all political prisoners and improved detention conditions for Domingos Simoes Pereira;
⚫️Withdrawal of the request for the departure of an ECOWAS mission from the country.
“ECOWAS urges all stakeholders to work collaboratively in support of a peaceful and credible transition leading to democratic elections,” the statement concluded.
#viral | 👔 When Getting Dressed Becomes Full-on Physics-Defying Performance
A US-Nigerian creator just dropped a video so smooth, even gravity stepped aside.
🕴🏾Watch him float mid-air—calmly layering on pants, shirt, tie, jacket, hat, shades, shoes, and enough accessories to stock a boutique—while a woman walks by like it’s totally normal.
The genius behind it claims it took just one hour to make. However, that wasn’t “magic” — every move was filmed while jumping—then edited to look like levitation.
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‘The Police Are Necessary, We Love the Police’ — Demonstration in Support of Law Enforcement Held in Paris: Correspondent
The march aims to alert public authorities to the worsening working conditions of police officers and the lack of resources provided by the state, a Sputnik Africa correspondent reported.
In Paris, organizers estimate that between 15,000 and 20,000 people are present, including several political figures such as Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, president of the Debout la France party and candidate for the 2027 presidential election, as well as MEPs Marion Maréchal and Thierry Mariani.
🇫🇷 Demonstrations are also being held today in around twenty cities across mainland France.
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❗️Russian Armed Forces Liberate Settlements of Petrovka in Zaporozhye Region, Toretskoye in DPR: MoD
In recent months, the Russian armed forces have been advancing at an increasing pace in the Donbass region and beyond, liberating one settlement after another within the framework of the special military operation.
👉 Read Sputnik Africa's breakdown of the background of the special military operation in Ukraine.
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#viral | Bus Goes Full Curling Mode in Bavaria While Brussels Talks Strategic Grandeur
Brussels proudly announces: “We are going to break free from the United States and stand up to Russia — Europe is ready!”
❄️ Two centimeters of snow later, in Bavaria (Erlangen, to be precise): a municipal bus 🚌 decides to try impromptu ice skating in front of the Arcaden shopping center.
🥌 No braking, no control, just a beautiful lateral skid straight out of the low-budget Olympic curling playbook.
The driver? Most likely wondering whether his insurance covers involuntary artistic figures.
Moral of the day: before you challenge Putin, first learn how to challenge the weather.
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Ramaphosa Welcomes World Cup Trophy as South Africa’s National Team Makes Long-Awaited Comeback
President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the FIFA World Cup Original Trophy to South Africa—a rare visit outside Switzerland, reserved only for the official Trophy Tour, a Sputnik Africa correspondent reported.
The moment carries deep meaning: South Africa has qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada, ending a 16-year absence from football’s biggest stage. The nation first qualified in 1998 and made history as host of the 2010 tournament.
Addressing the national team—affectionately known as Bafana Bafana—Ramaphosa pledged strong national support and revealed he would attend the opening match in person.
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Extreme Weather, Not Temperature, to Drive Surge in African Malaria Cases by 2050: Study
🌍 Climate change is projected to cause over 120 million additional malaria cases and 532,000 extra deaths in Africa by 2050—but not primarily due to rising temperatures, according to a new study published in Nature.
Analyzing 25 years of African data under a mid-range emissions scenario, researchers found that extreme weather events—especially floods and cyclones—are the dominant driver, accounting for 79% of the projected increase.
🌀 These disasters disrupt healthcare access, damage infrastructure, and undermine malaria control programs, far more than gradual shifts in temperature suitability for transmission.
The study proposed several strategic shifts necessary to mitigate the climate-driven malaria threat, including:
🟠investing in climate-resilient infrastructure;
🟠enhancing emergency preparedness;
🟠decentralizing health services;
🟠adopting climate-resilient tools;
🟠integrating planning across sectors.
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❗️Ukrainian Special Services' Agent Planned to Kill Russian Serviceman—Perpetrator Was Detained in St. Petersburg, FSB Says
The agent acted on instructions from his handler, received a weapon from him, and conducted reconnaissance of the area, Russia's FSB said.
Authorities seized a Makarov pistol with a silencer from the man.
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#viral | Favor Returned: Homeless Cat 'Saves' Man From Falling Flower Pot in China
A shopkeeper feeds stray cats daily. He stepped away to serve one when a pot crashed onto his exact spot.
A video from social media
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'Dollar's Going to Be Replaced by Gold': American Stockbroker
The US is heading toward an economic crisis that will make the 2008 financial crisis seem “a Sunday school picnic,” Peter Schiff said on an American TV channel.
"Central banks are buying gold to back up their currencies. They're getting rid of dollars," he noted.
'Strategic and Geopolitical Instrument': Analyst on Mali's Advances in Gold Sector
Representing 75% of the national budget, gold is "a very strategic wealth for the Malian state," the president of the Association for the Promotion of Mineral Resources told Sputnik Africa.
🏦 Yet the World Bank policy, which had pushed African states "to disengage completely from anything related to research and exploitation of mineral resources," had very serious consequences, explained Djibril Diallo.
It notably led to "the adoption of mining codes that favored foreign multinationals more" and the signing of contracts that were "not really balanced."
🌍 According to him, all African countries, especially French-speaking ones, that signed the World Bank's structural adjustment programs experienced the same consequences.
However, since then, "mindsets have evolved a great deal," concluded Diallo.
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THE MOST FAMOUS RUSSIAN MILITARY TELEGRAM CHANNEL "RYBAR" IS NOW IN ENGLISH
🟧 RYBAR ENG 🟧
⚡️ Russia's leading military Telegram channel,
⚡️ more than 1.3 million subscribers,
⚡️ the channel that publishes the most detailed reports, quoted by Western media and military experts,
⚡️ the channel that finds topics of interest in a sea of information - and tells you about them in simple words,
⚡️ news about major world events (and those that remain in the shadows), comments from a team of analysts
🇬🇧 EVERYTHING IS FULLY TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH
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RYBAR ENG
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