Sputnik Africa

12 Dec 2024 09:43

🇮🇪🇵🇸🇮🇱 Ireland to join ICJ lawsuit against Israel in December, Foreign Ministry says

"Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin today secured government approval for Ireland to intervene in South Africa's International Court of Justice case against Israel under the Genocide Convention. Filing of the intervention will take place at the Court in The Hague later this month," the Irish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Ireland will ask the court to broaden "its interpretation of what constitutes the commission of genocide by a state," Martin was quoted as saying in a statement.

"We are concerned that a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimized," he added.

🇿🇦 In December 2023, South Africa filed an application with the ICJ, asking the World Court to issue interim measures against Israel for its war on Gaza. South Africa said that Israel's actions against Palestinians in the enclave were in "violation of obligations under the Genocide Convention".

In January, the ICJ ordered Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza, punish incitement to genocide against Palestinians and ensure the flow of humanitarian aid. It stopped short of ordering Israel to halt the offensive, as South Africa had sought in the case.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

12 Dec 2024 09:23

🇵🇸 Hamas may agree to deal that allows Israel to stay in Gaza after ceasefire, reports say

Hamas had agreed to two of Israel's key demands and also provided a list of hostages, including US citizens, that it would release under the new ceasefire, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing Arab mediators.

The current proposal reportedly includes a 60-day ceasefire, the release of over 30 Israeli hostages in exchanges for several Palestinian hostages, and Israel allowing more humanitarian aid into the enclave.

🇺🇸 US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will travel to Israel, Egypt, and Qatar later in the week to push for the deal the mediators said, adding that the US and Egypt hope to build upon momentum gained when Israel has agreed to a ceasefire with Lebanon.

🇮🇱 Israel's security cabinet approved the US-brokered ceasefire with Lebanon's Hezbollah in late November. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that the truce was needed to focus on the alleged Iranian threat and isolate Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He emphasized that Israel would resume hostilities if Hezbollah violated the deal.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

12 Dec 2024 08:54

🇰🇷 Majority of South Koreans believe President Yoon should step down, poll shows

At least 74.8% of South Koreans said President Yoon Suk Yeol should resign or be impeached after his failed attempt to impose martial law in the country, the Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday, citing a Realmeter poll.

In addition, 66.2% of respondents said they feel stressed or experienced trauma following the martial law turmoil, the report added.

The poll was conducted on Wednesday and surveyed 507 people.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 20:48

🌍🇺🇳 African countries will soon get permanent seats in the UN Security Council, UN secretary general says

"The most serious obstacles to Africa's entry into the UN Security Council have been overcome. A consensus was reached for two African countries to become permanent members of the Security Council. I am sure that I will not end my mandate as UN secretary general without seeing African countries as permanent members of the UN Security Council," Antonio Guterres told reporters while in Pretoria on an official visit.

Guterres added that the influence of the Global South on the work of the UN is now crucial.

"The countries of the global South represent the majority of the world community. They have the most decisive influence on the work of the UN," the UN chief emphasized.

🔺 Africa remains without one single permanent member of the Security Council, which is completely unacceptable, Guterres said at a media briefing.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 20:14

🇷🇺🇩🇿 The Russian parliament ratifies an agreement with Algeria on cooperation in space exploration

📄 The ratification of an agreement between the Russian and the Algerian governments on cooperation in the field of exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes was approved by the Federation Council (FC), the upper house of the Russian parliament, at a meeting on Wednesday, the FC said in a statement.

The State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, ratified the agreement between the two nations on November 27, according to the house's website.

🪐 According to the agreement, the areas of cooperation are space science and space exploration, including astrophysical and planetary research, remote sensing of the Earth from space, satellite communications and navigation, space geodesy, meteorology, materials science, biology and medicine, and manned space flight.

"The competent authorities responsible for the implementation of the Agreement are: on behalf of the Russian side - the State Corporation for Space Activities Roscosmos, on behalf of the Algerian side - the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL)," the agreement noted.

🤝 The agreement between Russia and Algeria was signed in Moscow on June 15, 2023. It provides for the creation of a legal framework for the implementation of a joint policy aimed at establishing and developing cooperation programs in space activities.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 19:31

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

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 19:03

📌 Major world events by the evening of December 11:

▪️The sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria must be respected by all countries, stated South Africa's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, following talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who arrived in Pretoria;

▪️Clashes have erupted in Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Jubaland between federal and regional forces, reported Western media citing Somali officials;

▪️During the AI Journey 2024 international conference on artificial intelligence in Moscow, Russian President Putin announced that artificial intelligence is set to bring about a major revolution across various industries;

▪️The city of Taganrog in southern Russia was struck by six ATACMS missiles on Wednesday morning, with the Kiev regime targeting a military airfield, according to Russia's Ministry of Defense;

▪️US President-elect Trump plans to sign over 25 executive orders and directives on his first day in office to significantly alter national policy, reported Western media;

▪️An armed mob desecrated the grave of Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez, in the Latakia province, Annahar newspaper reported;

▪️Nearly 40,000 people have been evacuated in the Philippines due to the eruption of the Kanlaon Volcano, local authorities reported.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 18:33

🇧🇫 Burkina Faso's president denounces "imperialists" who aim to "keep" the country "in slavery"

Ibrahim Traore addressed the nation on Wednesday, on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the country's independence.

💬 "We are victims of our wealth, the wealth that imperialists want to seize at all costs, aiming to keep us in slavery. We will secure it," he declared from the Barsalogho town hall.

Traore added that to achieve their goals, the state would work on building a strong army and equipping it properly. He also mentioned that all groups had been instructed to actively resume operations.

💬 "We are a proud, fighting, warrior, and dignified people. And we will continue in this direction. All those who dream of seeing Burkina Faso on its knees, hoping to bring us back to slavery, must understand that they have failed," affirmed the president.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 18:01

🌍🇳🇬🎧 #GlobalSouthPole | Aligning with BRICS represents Nigeria's strategic interests

Nigeria’s partnership with BRICS could mark a turning point in its global engagement, offering new opportunities for economic growth, strategic alliances, and a stronger voice in shaping a multipolar world.

❓What are Nigeria's key priorities in aligning with BRICS, and how can this partnership align with the country’s long-term economic goals?

❓BRICS are seeking to develop a joint digital investment initiative in areas like fintech and e-commerce. How could Nigeria benefit from such collaborations?

Discover the answers and more in the upcoming #GlobalSouthPole episode!

👉 Check out all episodes of this podcast on our website

👉 You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts – Afripods – Deezer – Castbox – Pocket Casts – Podcast Addict – Spotify

🛎 Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 17:39

📹 🇸🇾 Video of destruction of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad's grave in Latakia by an armed mob

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 17:21

#sputnikviral | 🎵 🇷🇺🌍 When cultures collide: African dance meets Russian soul in ultrafunk style

Watch as this dancer brings a fresh twist to a famous Russian classic, blending soulful lyrics “Mother Land, the birch so white; For me, it’s Holy Rus’, for others just a splinter, thorn” with infectious ultrafunk beats.

This remix is all about bringing cultures together through the universal language of music and dance!

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 16:48

An armed mob has destroyed the grave of Bashar al-Assad's father Hafez in Latakia province, the Annahar newspaper reported

Numerous photos and videos from the scene have appeared on social media. Hafez al-Assad's wife and eldest son Basil are buried in the same mausoleum.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 16:22

🏁 NATO is moving large amounts military equipment from European countries to Poland, a coordinator of the pro-Russian resistance in Ukraine's Nikolayev, Sergey Lebedev told Sputnik

He also provided photos and videos of the columns of trucks transporting equipment.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 15:50

🎯 🇷🇺 The restrictions imposed on the Russian economy are pushing domestic companies to find new solutions, and they are doing so, Russian President Vladimir Putin said while speaking at the international conference on artificial intelligence, AI Journey 2024, in Moscow

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 15:45

❗️ Russia should participate equally in the global race to develop new technologies, Putin says

Russia will continue to work in the field of artificial intelligence with those countries that want it, he added.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

12 Dec 2024 09:28

📌Major world events by the morning of December 12

▪️ Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said the interests and welfare of the citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger remain a priority for the ECOWAS leaders, assuring that diplomacy and wisdom will be the guiding principles in reintegrating the countries into the regional bloc;

▪️ In the first 10 months of this year, Russia exported over 21 million tonnes of wheat to African countries, which is 35% more than in the same period last year, the Agroexport center reported;

▪️ The Russian air defense forces destroyed 16 Ukrainian aircraft-type drones over Russian regions overnight, the Defense Ministry reported;

▪️ Slovakian Prime Minister Fico said that Europe should start a normal dialogue with Russia;

▪️ Donald Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to his inauguration, which will take place on January 20, 2025, in the American capital, the US media reported;

▪️The President of South Korea said that he is ready for impeachment proceedings, the Yonhap agency reported;

▪️ The Hamas movement has stated for the first time that it may agree to a deal that will allow Israeli forces to temporarily remain in Gaza after the end of the fighting, reports said;

▪️ Unknown drones have been flying over the American state of New Jersey for several weeks. Local authorities are demanding an investigation, but the Pentagon says there is no threat.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

12 Dec 2024 09:08

🇸🇾 Daesh strengthens its positions in Syria amid chaos in the country, Kurdish general says

"Daesh* is now stronger in the Syrian Desert. Previously, they were in remote areas and hiding, but now they have greater freedom of movement since they face no issues with other groups and are not engaged in conflict with them," General Abdi Mazloum of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) told a foreign media.

🔺 He added that Daesh activity had also increased in areas controlled by the SDF.

"Just a few days ago, three members of the Internal Security Forces were killed near al Hassakah in a Daesh operation," Mazloum noted.

* Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia and many other states

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

12 Dec 2024 08:35

🇸🇰 Slovak prime minister says Europe should start normal dialogue with Russia

💬 "I want normalization of relations with Russia. We must start a normal dialogue, because what is happening today is not normal. And I guarantee that once the war is over for everyone, everything will be as usual. Everyone will go there [to Russia], everyone will want to buy and sell," Fico told the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper.

Earlier in October, he stated that, during his tenure leading the Slovak government, members of his Direction – Social Democracy party would not back Ukraine's potential accession to NATO in parliament.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 20:31

🇷🇺🇨🇫 Russia and the CAR to expand economic cooperation and political dialogue, the Russian Foreign Ministry Says

"On December 11, the Russian President's Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Central African Republic to Russia Leon Dodona Punagaza at the Russian Foreign Ministry," read the statement by the ministry.

🤝 During the meeting, the officials discussed topical issues of further strengthening the traditionally friendly Russian-Central African relations, according to the statement.

Moscow and Bangui also confirmed their mutual readiness to deepen political dialogue and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, economic, investment and humanitarian spheres, the Foreign Ministry noted.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 20:02

#sputnikviral | 🇿🇦 🐍 South African snake catcher removes cobra from bed

A resident of the South African town of Stellenbosch was forced to seek professional help after discovering a snake in his home. The snake catcher removed a highly venomous Cape cobra from under the pillow.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 19:17

🌍🇳🇬In this episode of #GlobalSouthPole, we take an exclusive look at Nigeria’s potential partnership with BRICS, the influential bloc reshaping global economic and political dynamics. Joined by a distinguished expert in geopolitics and economic policy, we explored how aligning with BRICS could unlock transformative opportunities for Nigeria spanning economic diversification, energy security, and strengthened global influence.

🗣️”Nigeria is, by nature, by geography is attractive to so many countries; it is the gateway or pathway to Africa and we leverage on our population, we can leverage on our natural resources. Nigeria is abundantly blessed [with] natural resources and also abundantly blessed with human development capacity. So if we do all this, definitely the investment will come. It would be a pathway for investors to capture African markets," Professor Maurice Okoli, an expert in geopolitics, international relations and economic policy, said.

▶️You can listen to the high-quality version of the podcast without leaving Telegram in the built-in player. To do this, click here and enjoy Sputnik's 100% quality sound.

🧑‍💻 In addition to our Telegram channel, you can enjoy our episodes on Sputnik Africa website

👉 on Apple Podcasts – Afripods – Deezer – Castbox – Pocket Casts – Podcast Addict – Spotify

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 18:48

🇨🇩🦠 WHO says co-infection possible as malaria is found in samples from DRC patients suffering from an unknown illness

"Of the 12 initial samples collected, 10 tested positive for malaria, although it’s possible that more than one disease is involved," the WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press briefing at the WHO headquarters in Switzerland on Tuesday.

In the Panzi district of the Kwango province in the south-west of the Democratic Republic of Congo, 406 cases of an undiagnosed disease were recorded between October 24 and December 5, and at least 31 deaths are reported, the WHO said in a statement last Sunday.

Sputnik Africa takes a look at what is known so far about the mysterious disease:

▫️The main symptoms reportedly include fever, headache, cough, runny nose, body ache, breathing difficulties and anemia;

▫️The disease affects mostly children, especially under the age of five, and severely malnourished individuals, the WHO reported;

▫️The Central African nation deployed the National Rapid Response Team to the Kwango province, accompanied by the WHO experts to identify the cause of the outbreak;

▫️The affected area is remote, telecommunications are severely limited, and access has been made harder by the rainy season. It has taken the national response team several days to reach Panzi, Ghebreyesus noted at the briefing;

▫️The DRC's Public Health Emergency Operations Center (COUSP) has the situation under control, COUSP coordinator Christian Ngandu reportedly said.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 18:16

📹🇷🇺 "The gateway to a culture is, first and foremost, its language": the Russian House in Niger offers a free Russian language course

A total of 70 Nigeriens, both children and adults, are learning Russian at the Russian House in Niamey, Ahmed Bello, the head of the Russian House, told Sputnik Africa.

💬 "I chose to come here to the Russian House to learn Russian and to be able to continue my higher education in Russia. [...] What motivated me is that for instance, my parents got their higher education in Russia [...]," Seydou Harakoye, a doctor and student of the Russian language course, shared his experience.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 17:53

❗️Elon Musk became the first person in history whose fortune exceeded $400 billion, Bloomberg reports

The latest catalyst for the growth of Musk's net worth was the insider sale of shares in his private space company SpaceX, after which his wealth grew by $50 billion, the report said, adding that this brought his net worth to $439.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 17:39

🇪🇹🇷🇺 Ethiopia and Russia forge partnership on digital tax transformation

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Revenue and the Russian Federal Tax Service have signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement to enhance collaboration and share expertise in digital tax transformation, state-owned Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported.

📈 This strategic partnership is expected to boost Ethiopia’s capacity for domestic revenue collection by adopting advanced digital tax systems. Ethiopia’s Minister of Revenue Aynalem Nigussie emphasized that the agreement reflects Ethiopia’s efforts to capitalize on its BRICS membership to expand economic opportunities, increase national benefits, and tackle development challenges.

Elisey Balta, Head of the International Cooperation Directorate of the Russian Federal Tax Service, praised Ethiopia’s ongoing initiatives to improve revenue collection, highlighting the importance of domestic revenue as the backbone of government financing. He noted Russia’s willingness to share its experience in digital tax transformation to support Ethiopia’s efforts in this regard.

Photo: Fana Broadcasting Corporate

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 17:04

🇬🇭 "Ghanaians have chosen change": A former Burkinabe ambassador on what Ghana might expect after John Mahama's victory in the presidential election

The presidential election in Ghana demonstrated that its "democratic system works well" and that there is "a certain level of maturity among political players and civil society," Serge Theophile Balima, a former ambassador of Burkina Faso to France, said in an interview with Sputnik Africa.

The expert anticipates changes in Ghana's foreign policy:

💬 "John Mahama is much more focused on a diversified foreign policy, with more emphasis on multilateral cooperation. This means that there will likely be an expansion of partnerships at the level of Ghanaian actors," he said, adding that it is "a good thing" for Burkina Faso, Ghana's neighbor, and the Alliance of Sahel States.

🇷🇺 A graduate of a Soviet university, John Mahama might be also more open to partnerships with Russia.

💬 "We can only welcome this because we have made Russia, and then China, strategic partners who can play their role," provided that they respect "our national sovereignty," noted the former diplomat.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 16:37

#sputnikviral | 🇨🇳🧊 It seems winter is not the best time for visiting the Great Wall of China

Walking the steepest ice-covered sections of the wall can be dangerous - or fun, if you're careful enough.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 15:54

❗️ The work of the international alliance of BRICS countries in the development of AI will be launched on Wednesday, Putin announced

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 15:48

❗️ AI technologies open up new possibilities for creating unmanned systems, Putin says at AI Journey 2024 conference

AI technologies are designed to ensure the strengthening of the Russian Federation's defense capability, development in the sphere of public administration, he noted.

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸

Sputnik Africa

11 Dec 2024 15:34

🎥🎥 Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the international conference AI Journey 2024 in Moscow

👉 Watch it on Telegram or on the Sputnik Africa website!

Subscribe to @sputnik_africa

🔸 Sputnik Africa 🔸