Uzbekistan and Jordan Agree on Uranium and Mineral Exploration
Uzbekistan and Jordan have signed agreements to cooperate in exploring uranium, copper, rare metals, and other critical mineral deposits....
Leaders of the expanding BRICS alliance are set to meet in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, aiming to position the group as a champion of multilateralism and a counterbalance to traditional Western-led institutions.
Amid growing divisions within global platforms such as the G7 and G20, and the disruptive “America First” stance of U.S. President Donald Trump- the BRICS bloc sees its growth as an opportunity for stronger diplomatic collaboration.
Speaking at a BRICS business forum on Saturday, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underscored the responsibility of emerging economies to safeguard multilateral trade and push for reforms to the global financial system, especially as protectionist policies resurface.
Lula highlighted that BRICS countries now account for more than half of the world’s population and 40% of global GDP. Originally formed in 2009 with Brazil, Russia, India, and China and joined later by South Africa- the bloc expanded further last year to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This summit marks the first participation of Indonesia’s leader.
“The space left vacant by others is quickly occupied by BRICS,” said a Brazilian diplomat, who noted that while the G7 retains significant influence, its dominance has diminished.
Still, the group's increasing diversity poses challenges. It now includes both emerging powers and regional rivals, raising questions about its shared agenda. This year’s summit was somewhat overshadowed by Chinese President Xi Jinping sending his prime minister instead, and Russian President Vladimir Putin participating remotely due to an ICC arrest warrant.
Despite this, prominent leaders such as India’s Narendra Modi and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the meetings at Rio’s Museum of Modern Art. Interest in BRICS is growing, with over 30 countries expressing willingness to join either as full members or partners.
As BRICS expands, it gains diplomatic heft, particularly in efforts to represent the Global South and advocate for changes to major institutions such as the UN Security Council and the IMF. Brazil, also set to host the UN climate summit in November, is leveraging both events to show the Global South’s serious commitment to addressing climate change—contrasting with Trump’s rollback of U.S. climate policies.
Sources revealed that both China and the UAE signaled plans to invest in Brazil’s proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility, aimed at protecting threatened rainforests.
Yet, the bloc’s growth also complicates internal consensus-building. Ahead of the summit, negotiators struggled to align on issues such as the Gaza conflict, tensions between Israel and Iran, and reforms to the Security Council. To manage African representation in the reformed Council, BRICS agreed to support Brazil and India’s inclusion, while postponing a decision on Africa’s representative.
The group is also expected to renew its criticism of Trump’s tariff policies. In an April ministerial meeting, BRICS raised concerns over “unjustified unilateral protectionist measures,” especially the broad imposition of reciprocal tariffs.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
Video from the USGS (United States Geological Survey) showed on Friday (19 September) the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii erupting and spewing lava.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on 13 September with no tsunami threat, coming just weeks after the region endured a devastating 8.8-magnitude quake — the strongest since 1952.
A U.S. citizen has been released from Kabul after a senior U.S. delegation led by Adam Boehler, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, met with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul.
The Warsaw Security Forum is kicking off in Poland on Monday, bringing together defence ministers, security experts, and international policymakers to discuss pressing global security challenges.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned on Monday that Europe cannot afford a war with Russia, but if its leaders were to trigger one, it could spiral into a conflict involving weapons of mass destruction.
Sweden will support Denmark with military anti-drone capabilities in connection with summits in Copenhagen this week, after drone sightings last week forced Denmark to shut several airports, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Monday.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met in Warsaw on Monday (29 September) within the Weimar Triangle framework.
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