India and China agree to resume flights and trade
India and China on Tuesday announced plans to resume direct flights and enhance trade and investment as they cautiously rebuild ties following their 2...
BRICS leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro have condemned attacks on Iran, Gaza and Kashmir, while presenting the expanded bloc as a rising force for multilateralism in a world dominated by U.S.-led policies.
At the summit held at Rio's Museum of Modern Art on Sunday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva invoked the legacy of the Cold War’s Non-Aligned Movement, describing BRICS as its successor amid what he called renewed threats to global autonomy and diplomacy.
“BRICS is the heir to the Non-Aligned Movement,” Lula told assembled leaders. “With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is in check once again.”
The group, which now includes 11 member states after adding Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE last year, collectively represents more than half the global population and 40% of world economic output. This is the first BRICS summit to include Indonesia as a full member.
While Chinese President Xi Jinping was absent—sending Premier Li Qiang in his place—and Russian President Vladimir Putin attended online due to an ICC arrest warrant, leaders from India, South Africa, and host nation Brazil were present. More than 30 additional nations have expressed interest in joining the bloc.
In a joint statement released Sunday, BRICS leaders condemned attacks on Iranian nuclear and civilian infrastructure and expressed “grave concern” over Israel’s operations in Gaza. They also denounced a “terrorist attack” in Indian-administered Kashmir.
On trade, the bloc issued a pointed warning that the “indiscriminate rising in tariffs” threatens global commerce—a veiled critique of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff-driven trade strategy. The statement also backed Ethiopia and Iran’s accession to the World Trade Organization and urged a revival of its dispute resolution mechanisms.
As BRICS positions itself as a voice for the Global South, Lula renewed calls to reform international bodies like the United Nations Security Council and the IMF to reflect “the new multipolar reality of the 21st century”.
Despite internal differences, BRICS said it's advancing new initiatives, including a Multilateral Guarantees mechanism via the New Development Bank aimed at lowering investment risk and boosting development finance.
On climate, Brazil has used the summit to amplify the Global South’s role in conservation. Officials said China and the UAE signalled support for Brazil’s proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a fund targeting forest protection globally, in talks with Finance Minister Fernando Haddad.
The summit's tone and declarations suggest BRICS is broadening its global influence as a counterweight to traditional Western-dominated institutions, even as questions remain over the cohesion of its increasingly diverse membership.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
'Superman' continued to dominate the summer box office, pulling in another $57.25 million in its second weekend, as theatres welcome a wave of blockbuster competition following a challenging few years for the film industry.
Honduras has brought back mask mandates as COVID-19 cases and a new variant surge nationwide.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
India and China on Tuesday announced plans to resume direct flights and enhance trade and investment as they cautiously rebuild ties following their 2020 border clash, though key border issues remain unresolved.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he plans to pressure the Smithsonian Institution, a leading museum and research complex on American history and culture, to comply with his demands, similar to his approach with colleges and universities by threatening to withhold federal funding.
Armed bandits stormed a mosque in northern Nigeria’s Katsina state during morning prayers, leaving dozens dead and many injured.
Flash floods and cloudbursts in Northwest Pakistan have killed at least 365 people over five days, displacing thousands as authorities warn of more storms as monsoon rains continue.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed that the bloc will continue targeting Russia’s war economy, with a new sanctions package expected by next month, while emphasizing the need for strong security guarantees for Ukraine.
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