DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

Has South Africa Truly Defeated Apartheid? U.S.A., 2020 – 63% U.K., 2019 – 62% 60% 49% 40% 20% 1994 2004 2014 2019 Sources: Collette Schulz-Herzenberg, "The South African non-voter: An analysis"; Konrad Adenaur Stiftung, 2020 (South Africa); Pew Research (United States and U.K.)On a continent where coups, autocrats and flawed elections have become common, South Africa is a widely admired exception. −4% −6% Sources: Harvard Growth Lab analysis of World Economic Outlook (South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa) and World Development Indicators (upper-middle-income countries). 50% unemployment rate 40% Black unemployment rate 30% The unemployment gap between Black and white South Africans remains wide. In 2022, about 6 percent of South Africans aged 18 to 29 were enrolled in higher education, according to Statistics South Africa.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, they’ve, Collette Schulz, Konrad Adenaur Stiftung, —, Walter Sisulu, Joao Silva, New York Times Jack Martins, ”, Mandela’s, Wandile Sihlobo, Johann Kirsten, Sihlobo, Kirsten, haven’t, Zinhle Nene, Peter Mokoena, “, Mokoena, Nokuthula Mabe, Mabe, Jacob Zuma, Chrispin Phiri, Cyril Ramaphosa, Israel, Sibusiso Zikode, Zikode, Mr Organizations: African National Congress, Pew Research, Human Sciences Research, World Bank, Black South, Charter, New York Times, University of Cape Town’s Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Economic Empowerment, South, Harvard, Economic, Government, Black, Mr, Stellenbosch University . White, Statistics, Security, JOHANNESBURG Jobs, JOHANNESBURG Sandton Downtown, West University, Education, Statistics South, General Household Survey, of, Stellenbosch University, Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services, Institute for Security Studies, International Court of Justice Locations: Africa, South Africa, Black, States, Soweto, Kliptown, Johannesburg, South, Saharan Africa, Carletonville, JOHANNESBURG, Downtown Soweto, JOHANNESBURG Sandton, JOHANNESBURG Sandton Downtown Soweto, North, Mahikeng, Botswana, Statistics South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Philippines, African, Germany, Russia, India, China, Ethiopia, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Ukraine, New York Times South Africa, Gaza, Durban, South Africa’s

A worker cleans a BMW i7 xDrive60 elecric car while it is charging at a BMW dealership in Sandton, South Africa, October 27, 2023. "We have no interest in sinking prices to gain market share. In a statement, BMW made no mention of high interest rates or inflation weighing on growth, in contrast to competitors such as Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) and Porsche (P911_p.DE). Fully electric sales hit 15.1% of total sales in the third quarter, outstripping BMW's end-year target of 15%. Models from the upper price segment, like the 7 Series, the updated BMW X7, and the BMW X5 and BMW X6 models, are also driving sales growth.

Persons: Siphiwe, Oliver Zipse, That's, Walter Mertl, Victoria Waldersee, Christina Amann, Elaine Hardcastle, Mark Potter Organizations: BMW, REUTERS, JV, LSEG, Mercedes, Benz, Porsche, BMW X5, Thomson Locations: Sandton, South Africa, BERLIN, China

☆ China willing to cooperate with US, manage differences - Xi
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

President of China Xi Jinping attends the plenary session during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that China is willing to cooperate with the United States as both sides manage their differences and work together to respond to global challenges, according to Chinese state media. Whether or not the United States and China could establish the "right" way of getting along would be crucial to the world, Xi said in a letter delivered at an annual dinner of New York-headquartered National Committee on United States-China Relations. Several top U.S. officials including U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken met their Chinese counterparts in Beijing this summer. Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: China Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Xi Jinping, Xi, Wang Yi, Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, Wang, Ryan Woo, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Rights, United, China Relations, Economic Cooperation, U.S . State, Global Times, Thomson Locations: China, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, United States, New York, Washington, San Francisco, Asia, Beijing, Taiwan, South

☆ After Xi's G20 absence, China says willing to play role in APEC's success
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

China is willing to play a "constructive" role in the success of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, its top diplomat said on Tuesday, after President Xi Jinping's absence at the annual Group of 20 summit in India. "As the world's largest developing country and an important member of APEC, China is willing to comply with the expectations of the international community and play a constructive role in the success of APEC this year," said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Xi, with no official explanation, did not go to the G20 summit in New Delhi this month, with the Chinese premier, Li Qiang, attending in his place. That prompted the United States to say China was "giving up" on the G20 and was building an alternative world order. "Of course, we and all parties hope that the United States will recognize its responsibility as the host, demonstrate openness, fairness, inclusiveness, and responsibility, and create better conditions for the smooth holding of the meeting," Wang said at a news conference, when asked whether Xi would attend APEC.

Persons: Cyril Ramaphosa, Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, China Xi Jinping, India Narendra Modi, Sergei Lavrov, Xi, Wang Yi, Li Qiang, Wang Organizations: Russia's, United Arab, Economic Cooperation, APEC Locations: China, India, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Asia, San Francisco, New Delhi, United States

☆ China's Xi seriously considering South Korea visit, Yonhap reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING/SEOUL, Sept 23 (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping on Saturday said he will seriously consider visiting South Korea, Yonhap news agency reported, as part of efforts to support peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. Xi, who has not visited South Korea since 2014, held talks with Han in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou before the opening ceremony of the Asian Games on Saturday. Xi told Han he would welcome such a summit at an opportune time and would seriously consider visiting South Korea, Yonhap reported. China attaches great importance to the positive willingness of South Korea to commit to cooperation, Xi said, according to CCTV, and asked South Korea to meet it half way to maintain the direction of friendly cooperation. Tensions between the two countries rose after North Korea's Kim Jong Un made a week-long visit to Russia earlier this month, which angered the United States, Japan and South Korea.

Persons: Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Xi, Han Duck, Han, Yonhap, Korea's Kim Jong Un, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, Joyce Lee, Mike Harrison, David Holmes Organizations: Rights, China Central Television, South Korean, Asian Games, South, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, SEOUL, South Korea, China, Hangzhou, Seoul, Japan, North Korea, Russia, United States, Beijing

☆ China willing to work with South Korea ahead of summit with Japan, Xi Jinping says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the plenary session of the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 23 (Reuters) - China is willing to work with South Korea to promote a strategic partnership to develop with the times, President Xi Jinping told South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Saturday, amid rising tensions surrounding Russia, the United States and North Korea. The commitment to cooperation came ahead of scheduled trilateral talks between China, Japan and South Korea in Seoul on Sept. 26, the first summit led by their senior officials in four years. Xi told Han that he welcomes the summit at an opportune time and he will seriously consider the matter of visiting South Korea, Yonhap reported on Saturday. China attaches great importance to the positive willingness of South Korea to commit to cooperation, Xi said, and asked South Korea to meet it half way to maintain the direction of friendly cooperation.

Persons: Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Han Duck, Xi, Han, Yonhap, Korea's Kim Jong, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, William Mallard, Mike Harrison Organizations: Rights, South Korean, Asian Games, China Central Television, South, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, China, South Korea, Russia, United States, North Korea, Hangzhou, Japan, Seoul

☆ South African insurer Discovery resumes dividend on strong balance sheet
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Nqobile Dludla | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of South Africa's Discovery group in seen on its headquarters in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, February 20, 2020. Discovery, which has a market share of 57.8% in the health insurance space, declared a final dividend of 110 South Africa cents per share. The company said organic cash generation was strong during the year after increased cash generation in its life insurance Discovery Life following high COVID-19 related claims in the prior period and the reduction in the cost of new initiatives. Discovery's headline earnings per share (HEPS) were 834.3 South African cents, up 5% from 792.4 cents a year earlier. Normalised HEPS, which Discovery considers a more accurate measure of its profit and which also excludes exceptional items, rose by 32%.

Persons: Mike Hutchings, Adrian Gore, Gore, Nqobile, Mark Potter, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Bank, Discovery Ltd, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, JOHANNESBURG, Africa, Britain

☆ Xi says China, US 'should and must' achieve peaceful co-existence
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the plenary session of the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping told two US Flying Tigers veterans who fought for China during World War II that China and the US "should and must" achieve peaceful co-existence, offering further cues for both sides to lower persistent tensions. "Looking to the future, China and the United States, as two major countries, bear more important responsibilities for world peace, stability and development," Xi said. "They should and must achieve mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation." Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Michael PerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Harry Moyer, Mel McMullen, Xi, Chiang Kai, Han Zheng, Antony Blinken, Han, Ryan Woo, Michael Perry Organizations: Rights, US Flying Tigers, Japan, American Volunteer Group, Flying Tigers, US, shek's Kuomintang, United Nations General Assembly, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, China, United States, Republic of China

Newly installed Foreign Minister Qin Gang vanished with scant explanation in July, the same month as an abrupt shake-up of the military's elite Rocket Force, which oversees China's nuclear arsenal. China's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday. PROXIMITY ISN'T PATRONAGERegarding Defence Minister Li's disappearance and investigation, a ministry spokeswoman told reporters on Friday she was not aware of the situation. With corruption long permeating China's military and state institutions, some analysts and diplomats believe Xi's anti-graft crackdowns mark political purges across the Communist Party. If Li's fate "reflects Xi's increasingly inward focus, it is not good for those of us who want greater openness and lines of communications with China's military," said one Asian diplomat.

Persons: Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Xi Jinping's, Li Shangfu, Qin Gang, Drew Thompson, Thompson, Li's, Li, Helena Legarda, Alexander Neill, Zhang Youxia, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Ja Ian Chong, Chong, Greg Torode, Martin Quin Pollard, William Mallard Organizations: Rights, Reuters, Foreign, Rocket Force, Pentagon, National University of Singapore, State Council and Defence Ministry, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Communist Party, Mercator Institute for China Studies, Hawaii's, Military Commission, Washington, U.S . Defence, Pacific ., East, South China Seas, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, India, China, Russia, Belarus, Beijing, Jakarta, Berlin, Singapore, Washington, Asia, Pacific, Taiwan, South, East China, South China, Hong Kong

☆ Western sanctions on Russia could push the BRICS alliance closer
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Michele Spatari | Afp | Getty ImagesSINGAPORE — Sanctions imposed by the West on Russia are pushing the BRICS nations closer, said oil executives at the recent APPEC conference in Singapore. "Looking at the oil markets today ... the Western sanctions on Russia are working. The BRICS alliance includes Russia, as well as Brazil, India, China and South Africa. The BRICS nations have had different brushes in their relationships with the West. BRICS is the candidate," Fereidun Fesharaki, chairman of energy consultancy Facts Global Energy, said at a panel discussion during the event.

Persons: Michele Spatari, Russell Hardy, Hardy, Argentina —, Fereidun Fesharaki, Moscow leapfrogging, Fesharaki Organizations: Afp, Getty, SINGAPORE —, West, European Union, UAE, U.S ., U.S, Treasury, Global Energy Locations: South Africa, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Sandton, Johannesburg, SINGAPORE, Singapore, Ukraine, European, Western, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, Moscow

☆ It is for China to explain Xi's absence from G20 summit, US official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Nandita Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the plenary session of the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Only China can explain the reason for the absence of President Xi Jinping from the annual G20 summit in New Delhi this weekend, a U.S. official said on Saturday. "Some have speculated China's absence indicates that it is giving up on the G20, building an alternative world order, that it will privilege groupings like the BRICS," Finer said. Also absent from the summit is President Vladimir Putin of Russia, which is being represented instead by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Last Sunday, reacting to news that Xi would not attend the G20 summit, Biden said he was "disappointed" but would "get to see him".

Persons: Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Joe Biden, Jon, Li Qiang, Vladimir Putin of, Sergei Lavrov, Biden, Xi, Sudipto Ganguly, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, U.S, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, DELHI, China, New Delhi, U.S, United States, Vladimir Putin of Russia, India, Brazil

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the plenary session of the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. More than 10 envoys from these countries stationed in China detailed to Reuters the increasing difficulty they face getting access to Chinese officials and other sources of information on the world's second-largest economy. When meetings are arranged, Chinese officials stick rigidly to scripted comments, the diplomats said, while some added they experienced hostile behaviour from nationalistic academics. However, envoys from two countries which enjoy close relations with China said they had experienced no such problems. "To Chinese officials, the benefits of such engagements have become less evident, while the political and security risks are growing."

Persons: Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Ryan Neelam, Xi, Li Qiang, Vladimir Putin, COVID, Emmanuel Macron, Antony Blinken, Yun Sun, Sun, Tong Zhao, Martin Quin Pollard, Laurie Chen, John Geddie, Nick Macfie Organizations: Rights, Reuters, Lowy Institute, China Program, Stimson, Washington D.C, U.S, Carnegie Endowment, International, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, China, India, Beijing, Australian, Hong Kong, Russia, Ukraine, Taiwan, New Delhi, Moscow, Washington

☆ Xi to skip G20 summit in India, China to send Li instead
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Xi Jinping, China's president, on the closing day of the BRICS summit at the Sandton Convention Center in the Sandton district of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Premier Li Qiang will lead China's delegation at a G20 summit in New Delhi this weekend, China's foreign ministry said on Monday, indicating President Xi Jinping would not attend and scuppering chances of a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden there. Reuters reported exclusively last month that Xi was likely to skip the meeting and send Li. Xi last met Biden on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Indonesia in November. The other G20 leaders attending include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, Joe Biden, Xi, Biden, Mao Ning, Mao, Li, Vladimir Putin, Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Fumio Kishida Organizations: Premier, U.S, Reuters, Criminal Court Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, New Delhi, China, Indonesia, Germany, Europe's, Ukraine, Russia

President of China Xi Jinping attends the plenary session during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI/BEIJING, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to skip a summit of G20 leaders in India next week, sources familiar with the matter in India and China told Reuters. Xi last met Biden on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia last November. In China, two foreign diplomats and a government official from another G20 country said that Xi will likely not be travelling for the summit. Another upcoming summit mooted for face-to-face talks between the two leaders is an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting in San Francisco on Nov. 12-18.

Persons: China Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, Li, Xi, Joe Biden, Biden, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Lavrov, Gina Raimondo, Narendra Modi, Krishn Kaushik, Laurie Chen, Martin Quin Pollard, YP Rajesh, John Geddie, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Reuters, Premier, Kyodo, U.S, India, Economic Cooperation, Indian, YP, Thomson Locations: China, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, DELHI, BEIJING, India, Beijing, New Delhi, East, Jakarta, Indonesia, Bali, Asia, San Francisco, Brazil, Russia, Moscow, Ukraine

Some investors and economic analysts are sceptical that expansion will lead to increased foreign direct investment (FDI) within the bloc. Still, BRICS leaders and other investors touted the increased economic heft from the expansion. Increasing use of national currencies to reduce U.S. dollar dependence was another goal BRICS leaders discussed at the summit in Johannesburg. And with oil producer heavyweights among the newcomers, investors said this would feed speculation that Saudi Arabia might increasingly switch to non-dollar-denominated currencies for oil trade. "The short-term consequences could be seen in oil," said Kaan Nazli, a portfolio manager at asset manager Neuberger Berman in London.

Persons: Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, China Xi, Cyril Ramaphosa, India Narendra Modi, Sergei Lavrov, Viktor Szabo, Li Kexin, Ola El, Chris Turner, Jakob Ekholdt Christensen, Hasnain Malik, abrdn's Szabo, Kaan Nazli, Neuberger Berman, Rachel Savage, Karin Strohecker, Bansari Mayur, Marc Jones, Jorgelina, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Russia's, Iran, United Arab Emirates, abrdn, Emerging Markets, ING, Reuters Graphics, China, International Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: China, India, Sandton, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, JOHANNESBURG, LONDON, Argentina, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Johannesburg, United States, Saudi, London, Van Eck, New York, Copenhagen, Dubai, Bangalore, Rosario

☆ Egypt hopes BRICS entry will lure foreign cash, but analysts counsel patience
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Patrick Werr | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, on Thursday invited Egypt and five other countries to join, and Egypt immediately welcomed the offer. "The group's aim of reducing dollar transactions will lower the foreign currency pressure in Egypt," the cabinet said in s statement on Thursday. Monica Malik of ADCB said BRICS membership may eventually help Egypt attract more investment. "Egypt has two deep needs - FDI and a cheaper debt burden - and BRICS membership can help with both," Robertson said. The BRICS group on Thursday also invited Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates to join.

Persons: Egypt Mostafa Madbouly, MARCO LONGARI, Abdel, Fattah, Sisi, Monica Malik, ADCB, Charles Robertson, " Robertson, Robertson, James Swanston, Patrick Werr, Nafisa Eltaher, Sarah El Safty, Giles Elgood Organizations: Rights, New Development Bank, FIM Partners, United, Capital Economics, Thomson Locations: Egypt, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights CAIRO, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Saudi, UAE

Marco Longari/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsJOHANNESBURG, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to China's President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg and highlighted concerns India has about border issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India's foreign secretary said. Modi and Xi agreed "to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said. On the sidelines of the BRICS summit Modi highlighted to Xi "India's concerns on the unresolved issues along the LAC", Kwatra said. This is the first time that Modi has brought up the issue directly with Xi, repeating India's stand that has been shared with China through other ministers multiple times. "The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border region," Xi said.

Persons: India Narendra Modi, Cyril Ramaphosa, China Xi Jinping, Marco Longari, Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Modi, Xi, Vinay Kwatra, Kwatra, Bhargav Acharya, Tannur Anders, Michael Martina, Krishn Kaushik, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Indian, LAC, Xinhua, Shanghai Cooperation, Thomson Locations: India, China, Sandton, Johannesburg, Rights JOHANNESBURG, Indonesia

☆ BRICS set to invite Saudi Arabia to join - Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Delegates interact next to the logos of the BRICS summit during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsAug 24 (Reuters) - Major emerging market nations are preparing to invite Saudi Arabia to join BRICS, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the talks. Leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) have agreed to expand their group, which would be the first expansion since 2010, the report said. Egypt is another nation being invited to join, along with others in the Middle East, the report added. Reporting by Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru Editing by Mark PotterOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: GIANLUIGI, Akanksha, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, BRICS, Bloomberg, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Egypt, Bengaluru

☆ Emerging markets group BRICS invites 6 new members, including Saudi Arabia and Iran
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

South African police officers walk in front of an event banner outside the venue for the BRICS summit at the Sandton Convention Center in the Sandton district of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. South African police officers walk in front of an event banner outside the venue for the BRICS summit at the Sandton Convention Center in the Sandton district of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. The BRICS economic coalition of emerging markets has decided to extend membership invitations to six nations, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Thursday. The BRICS alliance — which currently reunites Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — is set to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to join, Ramaphosa said in a speech published on the X social media platform, previously known as Twitter. South Africa is presently hosting the 15th BRICS summit.

Persons: Cyril Ramaphosa, Ramaphosa Organizations: South, United, Twitter Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Africa

☆ BRICS invites six nations to join developing world bloc
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A person walks past the Sandton Convention Centre, which will host the upcoming BRICS Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa August 19, 2023. REUTERS/James Oatway/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsJOHANNESBURG, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Leaders of the BRICS group of developing nations have invited Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates to join, in a move aimed at growing the clout of a bloc that has pledged to champion the "Global South". South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is hosting a summit of BRICS leaders, announced on Thursday that the new candidates would be admitted as members on Jan. 1, 2024. And while all BRICS members publicly expressed support for growing the bloc, there were divisions among the leaders over how much and how quickly. More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, say South African officials, and 22 have formally asked to be admitted.

Persons: James Oatway, Cyril Ramaphosa, BRICS, Carien du Plessis, Joe Bavier, Toby Chopra, Emelia Organizations: Sandton, REUTERS, Rights, United, West ., BRICS, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights JOHANNESBURG, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Beijing, Moscow, West

President of China Xi Jinping attends the plenary session during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING/JOHANNESBURG, Aug 24 (Reuters) - China's leader Xi Jinping told African leaders at a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit on Thursday that China would launch initiatives to support Africa's industrialisation and agricultural modernisation. "China will better harness its resources for cooperation with Africa and initiatives of businesses to support Africa in growing its manufacturing sector and realizing industrialisation and economic diversification," Xi said without providing details. Xi's pledge was made as the BRICS Summit wrapped up, during a meeting with leaders and ministers from the African Union and 11 African countries including Libya, Nigeria, Senegal and Zambia. "In 2009, it issued grants and loans worth $88 billion to support infrastructure projects in Africa.

Persons: China Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Xi Jinping, Xi, Xi's, Wu Peng, Brad Parks, William, William & Mary, Parks, David Monyae, Michael Martina, Carien du Plessis, Rachel Savage, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Rights, African Union, U.S, William &, University of Johannesburg's Centre, Thomson Locations: China, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, JOHANNESBURG, Africa, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, Brazil, Russia, India, Egypt, Ethiopia, China Africa, Kenya

☆ BRICS invites six countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran to be new members
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A person walks past the Sandton Convention Centre, which will host the upcoming BRICS Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa August 19, 2023. REUTERS/James Oatway/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsJOHANNESBURG, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The BRICS group of nations has decided to invite six countries - Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - to become new members of the bloc, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday. The debate over expanding the BRICS bloc, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has topped the agenda at a three-day summit in Johannesburg ending on Thursday. While all BRICS members have publicly expressed support for growing the bloc, there were divisions among the leaders over how much and how quickly. Reporting by Bhargav Acharya, Carien du Plessis and Anait Miridzhanian Editing by Alexander WinningOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: James Oatway, Cyril Ramaphosa, Bhargav Acharya, Carien du Plessis, Anait, Alexander Winning Organizations: Sandton, REUTERS, Rights, United Arab, South, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights JOHANNESBURG, Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Russia, India, China

☆ Putin uses BRICS summit to justify Russia's war in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Delegates attend the plenary session as Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his remarks virtually during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsAug 23 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin used a speech to a summit of BRICS leaders on Wednesday to defend Russia's war in Ukraine and praise the grouping as a counterbalance to U.S. global dominance. Putin was speaking to a forum of countries that have refrained from condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine. Strengthening BRICS forms part of Russia’s vision of undermining U.S. dominance and building what Putin, in his speech, called "a multipolar world order". South Africa is a member, however, meaning it would have been obliged to arrest him if he had travelled there.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, GIANLUIGI, Putin, Cyril Ramaphosa, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mark Trevelyan, Andrew Osborn Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, West, International Criminal Court, ICC, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv's, Ukrainian, Brazil, India, China, Moscow, Asia, Africa, Latin America

Delegates walk past the logos of the BRICS summit during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. WHY DOES LULA WANT A BRICS CURRENCY? A BRICS currency "increases our payment options and reduces our vulnerabilities," he told the summit's opening plenary session. In July, India's foreign minister said, "there is no idea of a BRICS currency". WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF SETTING UP A BRICS CURRENCY?

Persons: GIANLUIGI, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, LULA, doesn't, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Lesetja Kganyago, you've, Kganyago, Herbert Poenisch, Putin, Rachel Savage, Ethan Wang, Marcela Ayres, Gabriel Stargardter, Naomi Rovnick, Libby George, Marc Jones, John Stonestreet Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Mercosur, South, Zhejiang University, Federal Reserve, FX, International Monetary Fund, Bank of International, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights JOHANNESBURG, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Russian, videolink, African, Ukraine, Beijing, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, London

Lula and counterparts Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met for dinner and a mini-retreat on Tuesday evening. China and Russia are keen to expand BRICS to give the bloc more global clout. LEADERS DISCUSS MEMBERSHIP CRITERIAMore than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, say South African officials. While no new members are expected to be admitted to BRICS during the summit, leaders are weighing a framework and criteria for joining, details of which could be included in a joint declaration due to be finalised on Wednesday. South African organisers say there will be no discussions however of a common BRICS currency, an idea floated by Brazil as an alternative to dollar-dependence.

Persons: Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, China Xi, Cyril Ramaphosa, India Narendra Modi, Sergei Lavrov, Vladimir Putin, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Lula, Cyril Ramaphosa of, Xi Jinping, Narendra Modi, Africa's Ramaphosa, Modi, Putin, Plessis, Krishn Kaushik, Joe Bavier, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Russia's, China, Washington, United States, Group, Indian, BRICS, U.S ., Thomson Locations: China, India, Sandton, JOHANNESBURG, Russia, Ukraine, South, Johannesburg, Brazil, United, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, BRICS, Argentina, South Africa, Johanneburg, New Delhi

Search resuls for: "Sandton"

25 mentions found