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Major World Events by the Evening of July 2
▪️A helicopter operated under the African Union’s Somalia Stabilization Mission crashed at Mogadishu Airport with eight people on board. Three people died in the incident;
▪️Separately, five people were killed and six others, including three civilians, were injured when a Ugandan military helicopter crashed in Somalia, according to the Ugandan armed forces;
▪️Africa installed a record 4.5 GW of hydropower capacity in 2024, more than doubling the 2 GW added in 2023;
▪️Kenya will privatize state assets to attract investment, starting with the listing of Kenya Pipeline Company on the Nairobi Securities Exchange this year, President Ruto stated;
▪️PM Narendra Modi arrived in Ghana, where he will hold talks with President John Mahama to strengthen India-Ghana relations across sectors. He is also scheduled to address the Ghanaian Parliament on Thursday;
▪️Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has called for a review of the criteria used by rating agencies, highlighting concerns over fair assessment standards for African economies;
▪️AES has welcomed Morocco’s efforts to promote African development through clean energy initiatives and regional economic partnerships;
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▪️Ghana’s inflation has fallen to 13.7%, marking its lowest level since 2021, according to official data;
▪️Putin met with Kyrgyz President Zhaparov to discuss expanding cooperation in energy, industry, and other sectors. Zhaparov praised the work of the Kyrgyz-Russian intergovernmental commission for advancing bilateral trade and scientific-technical ties;
▪️The BRICS Journalists Association has filed a complaint with the UN over what it described as the unlawful detention of Sputnik journalists in Azerbaijan;
▪️Russia has urged Baku to take measures to restore relations to their strategic alliance level, according to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova;
▪️The Russian Ministry of Defense reported strikes on a Ukrainian defense enterprise, as well as drone assembly and storage facilities, amid continued military operations;
▪️The Russian diplomatic mission reported that numerous Russian citizens have contacted its embassy in Baku over the past 24 hours, with some reporting incidents involving violence against them;
▪️USAID programs for Ukraine may be terminated by the end of the year, Ukrainian media reported, citing officials familiar with the matter;
▪️Astronomers have discovered a remarkably well-preserved fossil galaxy dating back 7 billion years, providing vital clues about the formation and evolution of the first galaxies.
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‘It’s Not a Favor. It’s Our Birthright,’ Health Strategist Demands Africa’s Power in Global Health
📻🩺✊🏾 #GlobalSouthPole | “Having Africa around the table is not a nice-to-have, it’s not a favor; it is our birthright; it’s our demand. We are due to be at that table […] What we need is not just seats, but seats that come with power, and that means agenda-setting power in terms of how we shape the agenda, in terms of how the world responds to pandemics, but also about veto power. You know, it can’t just be stakeholder engagement. So there needs to be meaningful power attached to our faces and our voices and our seats at the table," Tian Johnson, founder of the African Alliance and Pan-African health justice strategist, stressed.
🔬 In this episode, Tian unpacks how global health governance still sidelines Africa and what it truly means for the continent to lead, not just participate. From vaccine justice to decolonizing health systems and reclaiming traditional medicine, he lays out a bold blueprint for Africa’s health sovereignty.
❓Why is “representation without power” the biggest trap in global health for Africa?
🎙Tap into this episode of Global South Pole, where we confront the legacies of colonial health structures and spotlight the urgent push to rewrite the rules of global health with Africa at the helm.
▶️ Click here to listen to the full conversation on Telegram’s built-in player.
🧬 In addition to our Telegram channel, you can enjoy our episodes on Sputnik Africa website
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#viral | ☄️ Meteorite Streaks Across Åland Islands in Sweden
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Why Did Putin Answer Macron's Call Despite the Latter's Support for Ukraine?
👆🏽Kremlin spokesman Peskov provided an answer.
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Africa is 'Coming Into Its Own Economically & Strategically,' Nigerian Expert Says
"More and more African countries are realizing that we don't even need to depend on the US dollar to trade with ourselves," Dr. Olusegun Obasun, banker and business consultant, told Sputnik Africa.
"Systems like PAPSS show that we are really serious about building solutions that work for us, not just relying on the Western world [for] solutions that they are going to hand over to us," the expert stressed.
#viral | Lives Saved, Lives Lost: Touching Video of Animals Rescued From Fires in Turkey
The Turkish Forestry Directorate released a moving video showing animals rescued from areas devastated by flames.
"Some were saved thanks to the courage of our teams... but others weren't so fortunate," read the message accompanying the footage.
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Russia's Consumer Rights Watchdog Holding Courses for Ugandan Specialists on Fighting Infections
Rospotrebnadzor is conducting the courses in Kampala as part of the broader cooperation program with African countries in the fight against infections.
The main goals:
🟠to teach Ugandan doctors to work with mobile laboratories to quickly identify dangerous diseases;
🟠to monitor infections transmitted from animals in order to prevent outbreaks in time.
👉 Leading experts from Rospotrebnadzor are sharing their knowledge with 30 specialists from the Ministry of Health of Uganda.
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Kenya’s Ruto: Time to Redesign Global Debt Systems
“There is now consensus on the need for a development-oriented sovereign debt architecture where public debt is an instrument for development, not a trap for distress,” the president said at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development on Monday.
“Africa is ready, poised, and prepared to become the next frontier of global production and innovation. … The world’s and Africa’s futures are inseparable. … Africa is not asking for favors. We are asking for fairness, partnership, and investment.”
Major World Events by the Evening of June 30
▪️The French-Malagasy joint commission resumed talks in Paris on the Scattered Islands, a historical, legal, and political anomaly, marking their first meeting in six years;
▪️Mali’s leader Assimi Goita described President Putin as a sincere and honest partner for cooperation;
▪️Tourism Minister Bello Bouba Maigari, a close ally of President Biya, accepted his party’s nomination for Cameroon’s October presidential election;
▪️Tanzania secured 20 of 80 African categories, including “Africa’s Leading Destination,” at the 2025 World Travel Awards, bolstering its tourism leadership;
▪️The Democratic Republic of Congo celebrated 65 years of independence;
▪️Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine’s chargé d'affaires over Kiev’s support for Israel and the US in their aggression against Iran;
▪️Iranian judicial authorities reported that forensic evidence confirms 935 fatalities from Israel’s attack on Iran;
▪️Azerbaijani authorities detained Igor Kartavykh, head of Sputnik Azerbaijan, and chief editor Yevgeny Belousov in Baku. The outlet dismissed the accusations against them as baseless;
▪️Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Azerbaijan’s ambassador regarding the unlawful detention of Russian journalists;
▪️Russian FM Lavrov voiced concern over attacks on the church in Armenia;
▪️A Ruptly editor, visiting Azerbaijan privately, was detained, Ruptly confirmed to Sputnik;
▪️Iran’s UN envoy, Amir Saeed Iravani, affirmed Iran’s right to enrich uranium under the Non-Proliferation Treaty;
▪️Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi revealed that Iran received indications of the US’s interest in resuming nuclear talks, contingent on guarantees of non-aggression against Tehran.
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From Struggle to Hope: 65 Years of DRC Independence
Here’s a quick look back:
🟠Colonial struggle: After decades of colonial rule under Leopold II and then Belgium, Congolese leaders like Patrice Lumumba and Joseph Kasa-Vubu pushed for sovereignty, leading to the Brussels Round Table (1960) that set June 30 as Independence Day.
🟠Historic proclamation: On June 30, 1960, in Léopoldville (now Kinshasa), Lumumba gave his iconic speech denouncing colonial abuses:
“No Congolese will ever forget that independence was won in struggle … tears, fire, and blood.”
“This date ... is a call to honor the memory of our heroes ... and reaffirm our commitment to a strong, united, and prosperous Republic,” President Tshisekedi said.
Karibu Sputnik Afrika!
We are expanding our news horizons and now broadcasting in another African language!
Joining English, French, and Amharic is the vibrant and melodic Swahili.
We are excited to introduce our new project on X: https://x.com/sputnik_swahili
Live news from around the world and Central and East Africa — read, subscribe, share, and stay informed!
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📌Azerbaijan's Crackdown on Sputnik is 'Injustice,' Head of Sputnik's Parent Media Group Says
"There were and are no real complaints about the journalistic work of Sputnik Azerbaijan," stated Dmitry Kiselyov, director general of Rossiya Segodnya media group.
"It looks like a deliberate move aimed at worsening interstate relations," Kiselyov said, expressing hope that this incident reflects independent actions by mid-level officials — rather than a policy endorsed by the leaders of Russia and Azerbaijan.
'The West is Deluding Itself' if It Thinks It Can Stop Iran's Nuclear Program, Malian Geopolitical Analyst Says
"Tehran doesn't need anyone's permission to develop a strategic deterrent. It has already mastered uranium enrichment to levels close to military grade," Abdoulaye Diallo told Sputnik Africa.
"Russia and Iran are not weak nations that can be intimidated by punitive measures. Quite the opposite — their resilience, strategic partnerships, and determination have made them key players on the global stage," the analyst emphasized.
Russia Remains an 'Economic Fortress' Despite Sanctions, While France Slides Into Crisis, Says Malian Geopolitologist
Emmanuel Macron, who announced the 18th sanction package at the European Council, is "focused on an illusory economic war," according to Abdoulaye Diallo.
France is facing "explosive debt, deindustrialization, and plummeting purchasing power. Bruno Le Maire [ex-finance minister] had promised to bring the Russian economy to its knees, but it is the French people who are paying the price."
"It has shown exceptional resilience in the face of sanctions. Thanks to its energy, food, and military self-sufficiency, as well as its successful pivot toward Asian markets, Moscow has not only resisted but strengthened its position."
Russian Geran-2 UAV Units Struck Temporary Deployment Site of the 36th Marine Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces
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AES Welcomes Morocco's Efforts for African Development
The heads of diplomacy of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger expressed their gratitude for Morocco's initiatives during the 4th UN International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville.
The efforts include:
🟠A project that opens up access to the Atlantic Ocean for Sahel countries, providing landlocked countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad with opportunities to integrate into the global market;
🟠A role in financing investments and developing the skills of young Africans;
🟠Promoting South-South cooperation and strengthening ties between African countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, through Morocco's development projects.
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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.
USAID, NERD & NED: US-funded REGIME CHANGE in Iran for decades
The US has funneled millions to destabilize the Islamic Republic from within, according to Press TV.
Here's the breakdown:
USAID: subversion under the guise of aid
▫️The 2025 budget allocated $268.4M for “independent media and free flow of information” before Trump froze it. Over 30 Iran-focused outlets were affected (BBC).
▫️ Ex-culture minister Ataollah Mohajerani estimated USAID gave $60M to Iran’s opposition (Press TV).
▫️ A now-removed USAID factsheet, cited by Reporters Without Borders, showed that in 2023 alone, USAID funded 6,200 journalists, 707 non-state outlets, and 279 media NGOs in 30+ countries, including Iran.
▫️ Groups like Boroumand Center, IranWire, and BBC Persian reportedly received USAID funding.
NERD: faking public dissent
▫️ Since 2009, the US State Dept’s Near East Regional Democracy (NERD) program has spent $65–85M annually under the guise of civil society support (Press TV).
▫️An Oct 2022 Iranian intel report named the “Defenders of Human Rights Center” as a NERD-backed front; $550K was used to incite minorities and amplify riots.
▫️ NERD aimed to infiltrate civil society and stage “mock national referendums” to simulate dissent and fuel foreign propaganda.
NED: shadow CIA
▫️Founded in 1983 and funded by Congress, NED acts as a public CIA proxy.
▫️ Deleted records show NED spent $4.6M on 51 anti-government Iran projects (2016–2021), naming just 7; Boroumand Center was one.
▫️Press TV found that in the lead-up to Iran’s 2022 protests, NED gave nearly $1M to unnamed “human rights” projects.
▫️ In 2023, NED gave $2.01M to 14 anti-Iran projects, admitting its grantees were “main sources” for global media during the riots.
▫️ Grayzone revealed ex-NED head Carl Gershman privately planned an “Iran Freedom Coalition” to push for a US military strike post-2022 riots.
▫️ The regime-change push continues, with Sen. Graham’s threats and ex-Clinton adviser Nouriel Roubini’s op-ed calling a coup “good for everybody.”
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Nigeria Commits $42.8 Million to Boost Basic Healthcare in 2025, Coordinating Health Minister Says
The allocation aims to support the continued implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), Minister Muhammad Ali Pate said at the 11th Expanded Ministerial Oversight Committee.
"Good healthcare is not cheap healthcare. Countries have to invest in it, and Nigeria is investing in it," local media quoted the official as saying.
"At least 37 million Nigerians have accessed services, 37 million visits to health facilities supported through the BHCPF. That is a landmark achievement," Pate emphasized.
Not Just Fordow's Uranium: What Else Does the West Fear in Iran?
Although the Iranian nuclear complexes at Natanz and Fordow were targeted by US attacks, there is evidence that "all important materials were removed beforehand," Iranian international affairs expert Mohamad Hossein Vahidi told Sputnik.
"Furthermore, due to the great depth of the Fordow facility, it is unlikely to have been completely destroyed."
"But the United States cannot feel safe either because of its numerous bases in the Middle East," he added.
Zimbabwe Slashes Raw Wine Import Costs to Boost Domestic Wineries
In a move aimed at revitalizing the local wine industry, the Finance Ministry suspended excise tax on raw wine imports for two years, as outlined in Statutory Instrument 68 of 2025, published in the Government Gazette.
🍾 To qualify for the duty suspension, wine manufacturers must meet the following criteria:
🟠to be an approved manufacturer licensed by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority;
🟠imports of up to 100,000 liters per year are eligible for the suspension;
🟠use the imported wine exclusively for local processing at approved facilities.
Though relatively small, Zimbabwe's wine market is growing. According to Statista, the market is forecasted to reach $12.64 million in 2025, with annual revenue growth of over 8%.
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💥 🔫 Rubicon FPV drones OBLITERATE Ukraine’s Leopard 2A6 in Sumy
Russian forces continue to advance in Ukraine’s Sumy region, destroying Western-supplied hardware and establishing a security buffer zone along the Russian border, in line with President Vladimir Putin’s order.
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'The Future is Completely African,' Official Says
“So Africa, as we speak, is the continent of the future… the potential that lies in Africa today is so big… the future is completely African in many aspects,” Alex Manyasi, Policy Engagement Manager at the African Population and Health Research Center, told Sputnik Africa.
“The leadership of this continent must stand up to ensure that we are preparing the continent for the future.”
A market in Donetsk is on fire after a Ukrainian attack, reports a Sputnik correspondent
Kiev attacked Donetsk with Storm Shadow missiles, according to operational services.
At least one civilian has been killed.
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Why Africa Needs Its Own ICC?
“It is about time Africa created its own systems that are able to then deal with such [legal] matters ... because the African issues and challenges are better understood by Africans,” Alex Manyasi, Policy Engagement Manager at the African Population and Health Research Center, told Sputnik Africa.
It's Time for Africa to Invest in Its Own Health, Nigerian Official Says
⚕️Africa can no longer leave the development of its healthcare system to chance, Commissioner for Health in the Rivers State Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said, recalling the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We had to wait for countries to settle their own populations and then pass on the remnants to us. It is natural. It is their own government's responsibility," the official told Sputnik Africa.
Sudan’s Crisis Shows Why Global Financial Reform is Urgent
“The crisis in Sudan has unequivocally demonstrated that the current global financial system requires fundamental reform to achieve justice, balance, and fair representation for developing nations,” Sudanese leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development on Monday.
Azerbaijani Security Forces Reportedly Detain Two Sputnik Journalists on Absurd Accusations of Being 'FSB Agents'
The detained Russian journalists are:
▪️Sputnik Azerbaijan's editor-in-chief Igor Kartavykh,
▪️chief editor Yevgeny Belousov.
Officials of the Russian embassy have been denied access to the detainees. Sputnik is attempting to establish contact with the unjustly detained journalists.
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#viral | Runway Ruckus: Daring Escape at Italian Airport as Deportee Evades Police
⛓ A daring escape unfolded at Bologna Airport when a 29-year-old Moroccan citizen, slated for deportation, managed to flee from police right before boarding his flight.
The man broke free, dashed across the runway, scaled a fence, and set dry grass on fire to hinder the pursuit. Although the fire was quickly extinguished, the escapee managed to vanish.
As a result of the incident, two flights were rerouted and others delayed. Authorities are currently searching for the man.
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