Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

BRICS ministers open to welcoming new members as Putin looms large

Foreign ministers from the five-nation grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa gathered for a two-day conference in Cape Town

BRICS ministers open to welcoming new members as Putin looms large

Top diplomats representing BRICS countries expressed openness to welcoming new members into the group during discussions held in South Africa on Thursday (01).

The bloc aims to strengthen its influence in the international arena and seeks a broader representation to amplify its voice.


Foreign ministers from the five-nation grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa gathered for a two-day conference in Cape Town.

Against the backdrop of the Ukraine war fallout, they collectively called for a "rebalancing" of the global order. The ministers emphasised the need to address and rectify existing imbalances in the international system during their discussions.

"Our gathering must send out a strong message that the world is multipolar, that it is rebalancing and that old ways cannot address new situations," India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said during opening remarks.

"We are a symbol of change and must act accordingly."

As a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has faced significant isolation on the global platform, leading to its pursuit of closer relationships with China and other nations.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov disclosed that "more than a dozen" countries, including Saudi Arabia, have shown interest in joining BRICS, and the group is presently determining its approach to these potential new members.

The matter was discussed with Saudi Arabia's top diplomat, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, who was present in Cape Town, Lavrov said.

China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu struck a more conciliatory tone, expressing Beijing's welcoming stance towards prospective applicants.

"We expect more countries to join our big family," Ma told a press conference.

Preceding the heads of state summit scheduled for August, talks were held, posing challenges for host country South Africa due to the potential attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over allegations of unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. As a member of the ICC, Pretoria (South Africa's administrative capital) with its close diplomatic relations with Moscow, would be obliged to arrest Putin should he step foot in the country.

South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor restated on Thursday that President Putin, like all other leaders, has received an invitation to the upcoming event. She further mentioned that the government is currently examining its "legal options" considering the situation.

"It is difficult to see that South Africa, which has such a strong stand on children's rights, is shaking the hand of a person who is part of these systemic war crimes against Ukrainian children," Dzvinka Kachur, 41, a member of the Ukrainian association of South Africa told AFP.

Pretoria, amidst accusations of tilting towards the Kremlin despite its claim to maintain neutrality in the Ukraine war, has consistently advocated for BRICS to serve as a counterbalance to the prevailing Western-dominated international order.

In line with this objective, fifteen foreign ministries from Africa and the global south have been invited to participate in the second day of talks on Friday (02), aiming to foster dialogue and collaboration among these regions.

(AFP)

More For You

Jamie and Fiongal Meek

Known for their calming presence and warm guidance

Instagram/ wellnessfoundry

Air India crash: Spiritual guides Jamie and Fiongal among victims

Jamie Meek and his husband Fiongal Greenlaw‑Meek, both based in London, are believed to be among the victims of the Air India Express flight that crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon.

The couple, well known within the UK’s spiritual and LGBTQ+ communities, had been travelling in India and had built a strong following through their work at The Wellness Foundry – a platform offering tarot readings, energy healing, and spiritual development. Their gentle presence and guidance had earned them deep respect from followers across the country.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pakistan, Iran step up Afghan expulsions; UN voices concern

Afghan families wait in Takhta Pul after returning from Pakistan last Wednesday (4)

Pakistan, Iran step up Afghan expulsions; UN voices concern

MORE than 200,000 Afghans have left Pakistan since the government renewed a deportation drive in April, with Iran also stepping up expulsions of Afghans.

Generations of Afghans have fled to neighbouring Pakistan and Iran during decades of successive wars, seeking safety and better economic opportunities.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer’s India trip to cement landmark UK-India trade deal

David Lammy meets prime minister Narendra Modi in Delhi last Saturday (7)

Starmer’s India trip to cement landmark UK-India trade deal

FOREIGN secretary David Lammy has said prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s upcoming visit to India paves the road for “a very, very exciting new era” as both leaders are expected to formally sign the free trade agreement (FTA).

Lammy visited India last Saturday (7), when he met prime minister Narendra Modi and foreign secretary S Jaishankar in Delhi. The foreign secretary previously travelled to Pakistan in May, following the attack in Indian Kashmir in April.

Keep ReadingShow less
gym buddy

Partner training is motivating

Instagram/ flexandfuel_official

How a gym buddy can transform your fitness journey

Nes & Jay

If you have ever struggled to drag yourself to the gym after a long day at work – or if your motivation tends to dip midworkout – you are not alone. The simple solution to this all-too-common problem is a gym buddy.

A workout partner, or even a small gym crew, can be a game-changer for any fitness journey. Whether you are a regular gym-goer or just starting out, pairing up with someone can improve consistency, boost motivation and make exercise more enjoyable.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bhool Chuk Maaf review

'Bhool Chuk Maaf' streaming on Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime

Bhool Chuk Maaf review: Bollywood time-loop comedy runs out of fresh ideas

After a last-minute cancelled theatrical release and a court order forcing a limited cinema screening weeks later, the Bollywood comedy Bhool Chuk Maaf is now finally available on streaming platform Amazon Prime.

The film follows a man desperate to marry the love of his life. In order to win over her father, he goes to great lengths to impress him. Everything goes according to plan – until the haldi ceremony, which takes place the day before the wedding. He suddenly finds himself stuck in a time loop, reliving that exact same day over and over again. No one believes him, and tensions begin to mount.

Keep ReadingShow less