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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 Leaders Mourn Pope Francis, Laud Legacy of Service
🇪🇹 Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed: "May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy of compassion, humility, and service to humanity continue to inspire generations to come."
🇰🇪 Kenyan President William Ruto: Described Pope Francis's death as "a big loss to the Catholic faithful and the Christian world," adding that "Pope Francis will be remembered for a life dedicated to serving the Lord, the Church, and humanity."
🌍 African Union Chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssouf: Honored Francis as a "towering moral voice of our time and a steadfast advocate for peace, justice, compassion, and human dignity," highlighting his "courageous engagement with the African continent, amplifying the voices of the voiceless, championing peace and reconciliation."
🇿🇦 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa: "His extraordinary life story and ascendancy to the Holy See unfolded with humility and a profound commitment to making the Church and the world a better place for all of humanity."
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US Seeks Concessions from Ukraine, Media Reports
The US expects Ukraine to abandon NATO membership bid, a key concern for Russia, Western media reported, citing sources.
In exchange, Washington could recognize Crimea as Russian and propose transferring control of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant to the US. The plant is currently under Russian military control.
The US is reportedly awaiting Kiev's response, expected at a meeting of American, Ukrainian, and European officials in London this week. If the US, EU, and Ukraine agree on a common stance, the proposal would be sent to Moscow. This might be followed by a visit from Donald Trump’s special envoy, Witkoff, according to sources.
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Sudan Condemns London Conference on Crisis in Country
🗣"We consider it unacceptable to hold a conference on the situation in Sudan without the participation of its legitimate government," Sudanese Ambassador to Russia Mohammed Elghazali Eltigani Sirrag told Sputnik.
The diplomat condemned the use of "parties to the conflict" for both the official authorities and the RSF, viewing it as an unacceptable legitimization of armed groups committing atrocities.
The conference was held in London on April 15; however, it ended with no joint communiqué as the Arab states refused to sign it, media reported.
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❗️ Pope Francis has died, the Vatican reports
⚫️ The 88-year-old pontiff, who was released from the hospital on March 23 after pneumonia treatment, had only been home for less than a month;
⚫️ On Sunday, the day before his death, Francis congratulated Catholics on Easter from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican;
⚫️ Elected in March 2013, Francis (then Jorge Mario Bergoglio) became the first pope from the New World, being Argentinian, and the first non-European pope in over 1,200 years;
⚫️ Francis died at 2:35 GMT, the Vatican reported.
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❗️A total of 4,900 ceasefire violations by Ukraine were recorded despite the announcement of the Easter truce, Russia's MoD reports
The Ukrainian military continued to strike at Russian positions and civilian objects, using 90 drones, eight of which were outside the special operation zone. All of them were destroyed, the ministry added.
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Massive Syria Pullback: US Reportedly Cuts Troops by 30%, Shuts Down Three Bases
The US is reducing its troop numbers from 2,000 to 1,400 and is closing three of its eight small bases in northeastern Syria, the New York Times reported, citing senior US officials.
In the next 60 days, US commanders will decide whether to pull out even more troops, though the military is urging to keep at least 500 boots on the ground, according to the sources.
Donald Trump has expressed his skepticism over keeping any troops in Syria, the officials noted, adding that current reduction plans are based on recommendations of ground commanders.
The drawdown reportedly began Thursday, with approval from the Pentagon and US Central Command.
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🚨EU molds Moldova into a military POWDER KEG on Russia’s doorstep - analyst
Unlike Ukraine, a joint US-EU project, the Moldova scenario is fully driven by an increasingly radical, anti-Christian faction of European bureaucracy — especially given their recent actions against the Moldovan Orthodox Church, Dmitry Evstafiev, political scientist and professor at HSE University, told Sputnik.
The project is designed to ignite a backup hotspot of tension on Russia’s border if peace talks on Ukraine succeed, he noted.
💬 “Moldova is hurtling toward a nationalist, totalitarian regime, aiming to create a unitary state, ignoring the region’s ethnic, political, territorial realities, and historical context,” said the analyst.
American Roots of German Nazism, Part 6: Karl May, Hitler's Literary Mentor
"How did Hitler know about the US and Indian wars? From the adventure novels of the German writer Karl May, in which the struggle of white settlers against Native Americans is vividly depicted," historian Yegor Yakovlev told Sputnik.
Iran Doubts US Sincerity on Iranian Nuclear Program, Foreign Minister Says
More statements by Abbas Araghchi:
◻️ Unrealistic US requests will only make it less possible to reach agreement on nuclear program;
◻️ Iran rules out holding direct talks with US;
◻️ Iran cannot hold direct talks with us while Washington holding policy of maximum pressure against Tehran;
◻️ Iran hopes Russia to play role in any possible agreement between Iran, US on nuclear program;
◻️ Iran expects Putin to pay visit to Tehran this year.
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❗️Archbishop Markell's detention at Chisinau airport violates religious freedom, incident should be investigated, Russian orthodox church says
Millions of Moldovan believers will be deprived of the blessed fire because of actions of the Moldovan authorities, it added.
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Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem Denounces 'Hostile Act' of Detaining Orthodox Priest in Moldova
Archbishop of the of Sebastia church in the Holy city Atallah Hanna "categorically condemned and denounced" the Moldovan authorities move on "such holy days" in an interview with Sputnik.
"Everyone was waiting for the arrival of His Eminence the Bishop in Jerusalem, where he was to participate with us this evening in the Good Friday service, and tomorrow he was to be with us for the celebration of Holy Saturday," Hanna said.
Blocking Moldovan Archbishop's Trip to Jerusalem is Arbitrary, Jerusalem Orthodox Church's Hierarch Says
Chisinau's actions against Moldova's Orthodox Church are unjustifiable and deserve strong condemnation, Archbishop Theodosius of Sebastia told Sputnik, commenting on the detention of Archbishop Markel while en route to Israel.
Theodosius also urged reconsideration of the measures to allow Markel to travel to Jerusalem.
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Russian Orthodox Church Condemns Chisinau for Discriminating Moldovan Christians
"A completely egregious decision by the Moldovan authorities, a deliberate mockery of the faithful of the Orthodox Church of Moldova, the religious community of the majority of Moldovans. To deprive people of the opportunity to touch the holy shrine delivered from the ancient city of Jerusalem on Holy Saturday!" Russian Orthodox Church spox Vladimir Legoyda said on Telegram.
"Do you think that you will separate people from Christ, prevent them from rejoicing at the Easter holiday?" he wondered.
Disruption of Bishop Markel's Trip for Holy Fire is 'Terror,' Moldovan Opposition Says
"This is a conscious sabotage aimed at discrediting and suppressing the canonical Orthodox Church of Moldova, the largest religious denomination in the country," Moldova's opposition Party of Socialists said in a statement.
"This is a moral fall of the regime, for which there can be no ethical and human justification. This is a declaration of war on the Orthodox majority of Moldova by an anti-people regime that has long ago lost all connection with national identity," the statement read.
❗️Kremlin to Present All Data on Kiev's Violations of the Easter Truce
This evidence will be provided to all interested parties, the Russian presidential spokesman said on Monday.
The Easter truce, declared by Vladimir Putin on April 19, ended at midnight on April 21 (Moscow time). On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported 4,900 ceasefire violations by Kiev forces.
More recent statements by Dmitry Peskov:
🟠The Easter truce was an initiative of President Putin;
🟠Ukraine should not be a member of NATO; it would pose a threat to Russia's interests;
🟠The Kremlin has heard Washington declare at various levels that Ukraine's membership in NATO is impossible, and this matches with Moscow's position;
🟠Russia and the United States are working on the Ukrainian issue, and Moscow hopes this will yield results;
🟠Russia remains open to a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis;
🟠The search for ways to peacefully resolve the situation in Ukraine cannot be conducted in public; information leaks must be handled with caution.
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Russian & Sudanese Companies Reach Agreement in Oilfield Services
🤝 The memorandum of understanding and cooperation in this field was signed between high-ranking representatives from the Russian companies Al Rassi International Service and Zarubezhneft and the Sudanese company Bashayer Oil Pipelines Company (BAPCO), in the presence of a delegation from the Russian Embassy, the Sudanese Ministry of Energy and Petroleum announced.
The parties also discussed:
🟠 Preparing a final agreement;
🟠 Establishing a partnership with Sudapet;
🟠 Investing in oil exploration and production, as well as oilfield services, with national companies.
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Putin Congratulates CAR President Touadera on His Birthday
In his address, the Russian president wished Faustin-Archange Touadera success in his government activities for the benefit of the people of the Central African Republic, according to the Russian embassy in the country.
🗣 "Russia highly values the personal contribution of Professor Touadera to the development of traditionally friendly relations between Moscow and Bangui. We are convinced that Russian-Central African cooperation will continue to develop in the interests of the peoples of our countries," the diplomatic mission added.
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🌍 Major World Events by Morning of April 21
🟠 The Easter truce declared by Russia from 18:00 Moscow time on April 19 to 00:00 Moscow time on April 21 has expired; Putin did not give orders to extend the Easter truce, the Kremlin said;
🟠 The US informed Kiev that it expects certain concessions from the country, including a refusal to join NATO; to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, Washington may recognize Crimea as part of Russia, and also offer to take control of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant;
🟠 London will increase production of hexogen and artillery shells several times in order to become independent from the US and France, media reported;
🟠 The price of gold has updated its historical record, exceeding $3,400 per troy ounce;
🟠 The Trump administration plans to cut another billion dollars in government funding from Harvard amid the school's refusal to make changes to its personnel and educational policies.
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❗️After the Easter truce, the Russian army struck a Ukrainian military airfield: MoD
Earlier, the ministry reported a total of 4,900 ceasefire violations by Ukraine.
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Ethiopian Christians Observe ‘Siklet’ With Prayer and Fasting Ahead of Easter
Christians across Ethiopia are observing Good Friday, known locally as Siklet, meaning “the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.”
Easter will be celebrated this Sunday, but Good Friday holds deep spiritual significance. It is not just a remembrance of the crucifixion at Golgotha — it is a day of fasting, heartfelt prayers, lamentation, confession, and prostration.
Good Friday is part of Passion Week, during which the faithful reflect on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It also marks the end of the Great Lent, a long season of fasting and spiritual preparation.
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#viral | Even Pandas Can't Resist Hitting the Snooze Button in the Morning!
Looks like Moscow Zoo's panda Katyusha is still sleepy, even with the sun already high in the sky.
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Moldova's Sandu Fears Church, Faith That Unite People, Opposition Leader Says on Disruption of Markel's Trip
Maia Sandu is afraid "because people who believe cannot be broken. But she and her masters have another task. To enslave, to deceive, to divide. So that no one resists," Ilan Shor told Sputnik.
Actions such as disrupting the bishop's trip are a well-known tactic of the president, who starts with "petty shenanigans" and then moves on to more serious strikes, the politician noted.
However, Moldovan Orthodox Church will not retreat from its mission despite the authorities' efforts, he added.
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Iran-US Talks on the Country's Nuclear Program Must Take Into Account Tehran's Lgitimate Interests, Lavrov Says
More statements by the Russian foreign minister:
◻️ Russia ready to facilitate negotiation process between Iran, us on Iranian nuclear program;
◻️ Lavrov discussed JCPOA with Iranian foreign minister, Russia welcomes dialogue between Iran, US;
◻️ Iran ready in full to seek agreement with us on its nuclear program in framework of treaty on prohibition of nuclear weapons;
◻️ Russia considers "dangerous" attempts to add to US-Iran talks issues unrelated to nuclear program;
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#viral | Parades of the S-300 Missile System During Iran's National Army Day
The yearly event showcases the Islamic Republic's military prowess through equipment displays.
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❗️UN OHCHR gathers information about disruption of archbishop Markell's trip to Israel for Holy Fire, it tells Sputnik
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Moldovan Authorities 'Clearly Infringe' Upon Religious Beliefs, Indian Christian Politician Says on Detention of Bishop Markel at Chisinau Airport
"By detaining the Moldovan Archbishop Markel, who was on his way to Jerusalem for the Holy Fire, the Moldovan authorities seem to have clearly infringed upon the religious beliefs of the church and its followers," the leader of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the state of Goa, Savio Rodrigues, told Sputnik.
"The Holy Fire is part of the protocol, process and tradition of the Orthodox Church, which is adhered to by around three-fourths of the population. It is a respected institution in Moldova," he noted.
🎥🎥 Russia's FM Sergey Lavrov and Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi Hold a Press Conference
☝🏾Follow the event live on our Telegram
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❗️Russian military liberated the settlement of Valentinovka in the DPR, the Defense Ministry reported
Moreover, this morning, the Russian Armed Forces launched a group strike on key UAV production sites and infrastructure facilities at Ukrainian military airfields.
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