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Russia is "Ready for Talks With Ukraine" as at This Point, Ball is in Kiev's Court, Russian MFA Stresses
More insights from the briefing by Russian FM spox Maria Zakharova:
▪️ “We're open for contacts – but Ukraine must decide”;
▪️ “The initiative for POW exchanges with Ukraine – agreed upon in Istanbul – came from our side";
▪️ "We don't expect rationality from them [Ukrainians]... but hope their survival instinct kicks in to save what's left of their statehood";
▪️ Response to Zelensky/EU sanctions threats:
"Russia never responded to ultimatums."
▪️ Delegations in Istanbul communicated in Russian.
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Stay Tuned for More Insights from Day Two of the 13th International Legal Forum in St. Petersburg!
Russia's St. Petersburg continues to host the 13th International Legal Forum, with thousands of participants from several dozen nations attending the event.
Our Sputnik Africa correspondent is on the ground bringing you the latest updates and important discussions.
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South Africa's Ramaphosa Arrives in US, Will Meet With Trump on Wednesday
"The purpose of the visit is to reset and revitalize bilateral relations between South Africa and the US," the South African presidency said.
Why is ICC Losing Africa's Trust?
⚖️ Africans feel that the International Criminal Court doesn't favor the continent, Deputy Chief Justice of Zambia Michael Musonda explained in an interview with Sputnik Africa.
"African culprits tend to be more targeted, or perceived wrongdoers, [than those] from other regions," he noted on the sidelines of the 13th St. Petersburg International Legal Forum.
"The ICC could earn itself greater credibility and greater legitimacy, if it was to project a universal approach to the dispensation of justice," Musonda added.
Nigeria Fuels Africa's Energy Future as African Energy Bank Prepares for Launch
At a meeting in Abuja, officials reportedly confirmed that legal frameworks are completed and plans set for the African Energy Bank's (AEB) first board meeting.
🏦 Key highlights from the discussions:
⦁ The AEB will serve as a transformative financing platform for energy projects across Africa;
⦁ All critical milestones are either completed or on schedule;
⦁ Nigeria has already raised $19 billion for the bank’s launch;
⦁ Member states and private investors have pledged strong support for capital mobilization.
The talks involved Nigerian State Minister for Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri, Afreximbank's President Benedict Oramah and Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers' Organization Omar Farouk Ibrahim.
"Our collective focus is on delivering a bank that catalyzes investment, accelerates energy security, and drives economic growth across Africa," local media quoted Lokpobiri as saying.
Didier Drogba: 'It's Always Pleasure to Return to Moscow'
"It's CSKA Moscow's celebration. Twenty years later, you can see that they're still playing well. I'm happy for them, it's great. I'm happy to be part of this," the famous Ivorian international footballer told Sputnik Africa.
New Era in Rural Healthcare: Zimbabwe's Presidential Emergency Medical Scheme Expands
🚑 The initiative, aiming to cover all ten of the country's provinces, was launched in Mutasa, a district in the eastern province of Manicaland.
Key objectives:
🟠improve overall health outcomes;
🟠reduce mortality rates;
🟠expand access to essential medical services in rural communities.
Core activities:
🟠free health screenings;
🟠consultations with qualified medical professionals;
🟠educational workshops on preventive healthcare.
"This program embodies President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind. Even in Manicaland’s remotest corners, quality emergency care is now within reach," local media quoted Defense Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri as saying at the launch.
Breaking Into Market: How BRICS Empowers Women Entrepreneurs
The BRICS Women's Entrepreneurship Forum in Moscow empowers businesswomen, enabling them to enter the market and uplift those not directly involved in the initiative, Dimakatso Kanyane, a South African entrepreneur, told Sputnik Africa.
Kanyane added that participants can gather valuable knowledge and lessons to empower women in their home countries with the skills and expertise gained from the forum.
🗣 "By accumulating the lessons that we are learning from BRICS and also from other entrepreneurs, we are able to unite and stand strong," Kanyane stated.
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Musk's AI Attributes Grok's 'White Genocide' Comments to Unauthorized Software Change
The system update circumvented review procedures, enabling Grok to deliver a politically sensitive reply, which violated company guidelines, xAI, Elon Musk's corporation working on AI, social media, and technology, wrote on X.
To address the incident, xAI announced a system update and plans to increase transparency. They will publicly release Grok's system prompts on GitHub for community feedback and implement 24/7 monitoring to catch issues missed by automated systems.
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Russian Wine Industry Leader Proposes to Create Winemakers Union Within BRICS Framework
🗣 "Our wines are, of course, not as well known as French, Italian, and Chilean wines, but that is why we are planning to establish the BRICS Winemakers Union, to promote this drink both in the countries of our alliance and in the world," a member of the board of the Association of Winegrowers and Winemakers of Russia told Sputnik.
Boris Titov noted that Brazil and China have been active in winemaking for decades, with China now ranking among the top ten wine markets.
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BRICS Women’s Business Alliance: 'Great Influence on Entrepreneurship Ecosystem' in Africa
The alliance is a valuable partner for women entrepreneurs, particularly in Africa, where the key challenges are limited exposure, funding, and partnerships, Linda Mutemaringa, Executive director of the Entrepreneurs Network Association of Zimbabwe, told Sputnik Africa.
BRICS "comes in as a bridge," facilitating advancement, she added, speaking on the sidelines of the BRICS Women's Entrepreneurship Forum in Moscow.
👉 Despite Zimbabwe's lack of exposure and global restrictions, the emerging multipolar world offers the country opportunities to collaborate with other nations, access resources, and develop its rich natural resource sectors, Mutemaringa noted.
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Colombia Begins Process of Joining BRICS New Development Bank: President
Colombian President Gustavo Petro is currently holding talks with the head of the financial organization, Dilma Rousseff, in Shanghai.
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Burkina Faso Boosts Military Training With New Generation of Combat Instructors
🪖 On May 13, Camp Thomas Sankara celebrated the graduation of 121 new high-intensity combat trainers, instructors, monitors, and assistant monitors.
The trainees underwent six weeks of rigorous testing at the National Commando Training Center, focusing on discipline and endurance.
🎯 The objective is to strengthen the army's operational capabilities in the face of asymmetric warfare challenges.
The new trainers will play a key role in developing the center's ability to meet these challenges.
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Zimbabwe to Begin Full Digitalization of Magistrates' Courts in July
Prepared to be launched by Zimbabwe's Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Phase Four of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) will digitize magistrates' courts. These courts handle over 90% of Zimbabwe's litigation.
To ensure a smooth transition, the JSC is:
🟠 training officers;
🟠 upgrading internet infrastructure;
🟠 installing new hardware;
🟠 staggering the IECMS rollout across provinces to minimize disruption;
🟠 providing assistance at information centers for those without internet or digital skills, ensuring inclusivity.
A key advantage of IECMS is eliminating paper-based inefficiencies like missing files. Litigants will be able to track cases online, and e-filing will be available at every courthouse.
Introduced in 2022 as part of the government's digital transformation initiative, IECMS initially included the Supreme, Constitutional, and High Courts before expanding to commercial and specialized courts. Each phase has built on the previous, progressively modernizing the country's justice system.
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Zambia Pushes Back: 'No Sacred Cows' in Drug Theft Probe, But Warns Against US Interference
Zambia’s FM Mulambo Haimbe has warned diplomats against bypassing diplomatic channels, days after US Ambassador Michael Gonzales went public with claims of “systematic theft” of US-donated drugs.
“We remain open to addressing any matters of concern through appropriate diplomatic channels,” Haimbe said, calling media statements a breach of protocol.
“Trump has slapped us on both cheeks… It’s time we strengthen our treasury to procure our own medicines.”
Mariupol's Transformation: From Conflict to Symbol of Restoration
Three years ago, on May 20, 2022, the Russian Defense Ministry declared Mariupol fully liberated.
The city, once a site of heavy fighting, now symbolizes the restoration of liberated regions.
📹 We have gathered historical footage from Sputnik correspondents from during and after the battles, capturing Mariupol's transformation.
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'Good Talk With Nice Gentleman Named Vladimir Putin,' Trump Describes Monday's Phone Call
The progress in the talks on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict is being made, according to the US president.
🔺There is a "certain" red line that will cause the US to back away from the talks, Trump told reporters, and noted that he will not reveal it as it could make the negotiation "even more difficult than it is."
What else did Trump say on his conversation with Putin?
⦁ The US is not currently "backing away" from peace efforts, but it could do so if no progress is made;
⦁ The whole conflict was a "European situation";
⦁ Trump confirmed that he asked Putin to have a meeting on the Ukrainian conflict;
⦁ He is reluctant to impose more sanctions on Russia, fearing harm to talks, while there is now a "chance of getting something done."
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Congolese Women Entrepreneurs Shine: BRICS Opens the Doors to Success!
"More and more women are entering entrepreneurship in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Therefore, it was important for us to participate in the conferences organized by BRICS," Ruth Ngwanza, Director General of the Russian-Congolese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCC), told Sputnik Africa.
Tanzanian Senior Presidential Advisor on Health Nominated as WHO Africa Director for 2025–2030 Term
Mohamed Yakub Janabi is set to take office after formal appointment by the WHO Executive Board in late May, following the sudden passing of previous director-elect Faustine Ndugulile last November.
🇹🇿 Who is Janabi?
▫️ cardiology postdoctoral fellow;
▫️ executive director of Tanzania's largest hospital MNH;
▫️ advocates for tech and global collaboration to boost healthcare through innovation in low-resource settings.
⚕️ His priorities:
▫️ Universal health coverage;
▫️ Maternal & child health;
▫️ Fighting diseases (communicable & non-communicable)’
▫️ Stronger primary care;
▫️ Climate-resilient health systems.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan and PM Kassim Majaliwa welcomed Janabi's nomination and expressed confidence in his effectiveness as WHO regional director.
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Russia's St. Petersburg is Hosting 13th International Legal Forum
This year, the event is being held under the motto, "The Law: Lessons of the Past for the World of the Future."
Russian President Putin sent his greetings to the participants and guests of the forum:
”Today, amidst an actively emerging multipolar world order, one of the top priorities is to fine tune global governance institutions and collective security mechanisms so that they meet the demands of the time and work for the benefit of progress and prosperity," he said in a statement. " "And of course, it is only through joint efforts that can we create a space of trust and cooperation based on the principles of equality of state sovereignty and respect for the cultural patterns and traditions of all peoples."
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Calls for Indigenous AI for Africa’s Development
During his speech at the Ethiopian Tech Expo, Abiy Ahmed emphasized that data sovereignty is key to ensuring technological independence for the continent and stressed the importance of collaboration.
🗣 “Africa needs to solve its problems by combining supportive policies and skilled manpower in the field,” he stated.
Worku Gachena, Director General of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, affirmed Ethiopia's commitment to sharing its expertise and strengthening cooperation in AI across Africa.
The Ethiopian Techn Expo, organized by the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute and the Information Network Security Administration, concludes today.
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Chadian PM Arrives in Ouagadougou to Participate in Inauguration of Thomas Sankara Mausoleum
Upon his arrival, Allah-Maye Halina was greeted on the airport tarmac by Burkinabe Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo.
Yesterday, Ouagadougou also welcomed Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.
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'Africa is Open for Business': South African Digital Entrepreneur
South Africa has one of the best and most advanced banking systems globally, particularly in fintech and digital payments, Zintle Ramano, the founder of BAAB Media Group, told Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the BRICS Women's Entrepreneurship Forum in Moscow.
She suggested that South Africa could serve as a case study for implementing a cross-border centralized banking system.
👉 Ramano noted the importance of the New Development Bank, especially for entrepreneurs doing business across borders in countries like Brazil, Russia, India, and China, as it would help centralize and facilitate implementation.
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Russian Msta-S Strikes Ukrainian Troop Concentrations & Fortified Positions
The combat work of the self-propelled howitzer was captured on video in the DPR.
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#viral | 📹 Addis Ababa's Night Sky Comes Alive: Technological Magic of ETEX 2025
Around 1,500 drones danced in the sky, illuminating Addis Ababa in a thousand colors.
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🇷🇺☦️'Orthodoxy led us to Russia'—US' Air Force veteran on leaving the US over cultural concerns
A US Air Force veteran who served in Yugoslavia and Iraq described Orthodoxy as offering a deeper, more stable historical and spiritual foundation, one that drew him toward Russia and its values.
The veteran also voiced serious concerns about cultural trends in the US, particularly the LGBTQ* agenda, which "represents an attack on families ultimately."
*a movement recognized as extremist and banned in Russia
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❗️A trilateral meeting between Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey is scheduled for 9:30 am GMT in Istanbul, a source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry tells Sputnik
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Change Starts With Sport, Confidence Starts With Belief: Words From Ugandan Paralympian
🌍✨ #GlobalSouthPole | “Change starts with sport because without swimming I don’t think I would be the confident outgoing girl that I am now […] I always tell people to be determined be passionate and do it with one heart to the fullest,” Husnah Kukundakwe, Ugandan Paralympian and youth advocate, affirmed.
🏊🏽♀️ Across Africa and the world, para-athletes continue to challenge what strength looks like. But behind every medal are stories of exclusion, resilience, and self-discovery. This episode dives into what it means to rise in a world that often looks away.
❓ How do you build confidence in a system that doubts you before you even start?
🎙 Listen to this powerful episode featuring Husnah Kukundakwe in conversation with Global South Pole—where disability meets dignity, and sport becomes a voice.
▶️ 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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❗️Putin held a meeting on Wednesday evening to prepare for negotiations with Kiev, Peskov says
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AI to the Rescue: Saving Kenya's Black Rhinos From Hyena Attacks
Spotted hyenas are targeting endangered black rhino calves in the Aberdare National Park, threatening years of conservation progress.
📸 To fight back, the Rhino Ark Charitable Trust and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) are deploying AI-powered predator detection systems, which can detect hyenas through their shape and sound.
"Once it spots a hyena, it sends out an alert and triggers an ultrasonic beam designed to deter the animal," Rhino Ark's fence and community manager Adam Mwangi told a local media outlet.