DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

An investigation by the South African government has concluded that weapons were not loaded onto a Russian vessel under American sanctions that docked near Cape Town last year, contradicting accusations by U.S. officials that South Africa had provided arms for the war in Ukraine, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday. “The panel found no evidence that any cargo of weapons was loaded for export on to the ship, Lady R,” Mr. Ramaphosa said in a televised address, after an investigation commissioned by him and led by a retired judge. Mr. Ramaphosa had said that he would not release the entire report to protect classified information, but that a summary would be made public on Monday. It remains to be seen whether the findings will soothe the relationship between South Africa and the United States, which has reached its most tense period in years in large part because of the dispute over what happened when the Lady R, a commercial cargo ship, docked at a South African naval base under cover of night last December.

Persons: Cyril Ramaphosa, Lady R, Mr, Ramaphosa Organizations: South Locations: Russian, Cape Town, South Africa, Ukraine, United States

☆ South Africa says inquiry found no evidence of arms shipment to Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks, as China's President Xi Jinping listens, at the Union Buildings ahead of the opening remarks of the BRICS emerging economies meeting, in Pretoria, South Africa August 22, 2023. The U.S. accusations raised questions over South Africa's professed stance of non-alignment and neutrality over Russia's war in Ukraine and concerns of possible Western sanctions. "The panel found that there was no evidence to support the claim that the ship transported weapons from South Africa destined for Russia," Ramaphosa said. He said he could not reveal details of the equipment offloaded because that could compromise important military operations and put South African soldiers' lives at risk. When the accusations were made, South African officials were quick to reject the claims, and Ramaphosa launched the independent inquiry led by a retired judge.

Persons: Cyril Ramaphosa, Xi Jinping, Alet Pretorius, Reuben Brigety, R, South Africa's, Ramaphosa, Olivia Kumwenda, Andrew Cawthorne, Ros Russell, Susan Fenton Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, South, South African National Defence Force, Thomson Locations: Pretoria, South Africa, Rights JOHANNESBURG, Russian, Russia, U.S, Cape Town, Ukraine, South

A few years ago, the charity ran out of money and quietly stopped operating, so the building began filling up with drug users and desperately poor migrants, residents said. Spokespeople for the City of Johannesburg and police did not respond to requests for comment about the residents' accounts. But Johannesburg city manager Floyd Brink said there was a plan to get hijacked buildings back under control. But human rights groups took them to court, said Annie Michaels, an activist from the Johannesburg Migrants Advisory Panel, which has been supporting migrants in the building. Shocked at the state of the building, Jack urged her brother Dube to move, but he never did.

Persons: Sihle Dube, didn't, Dube, Bertha Gxowa, Angela Rivers, Kabelo Gwamanda, Floyd Brink, Cyril Ramaphosa, Ramaphosa, contemptuously, Thando, Ethel Jack, Jack, I've, Chinte Mustafa, Annie Michaels, Michaels, he'd, Tim Cocks, Alexandra Zavis, Ros Russell Organizations: Association, City, Bertha, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg Fire, JOHANNESBURG, Johannesburg, Germiston, Johannesburg's, South, South Africa, Africa, Utrecht, Malawi

☆ South Africa's Ramaphosa urges enforcement of laws over 'hijacked' buildings
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] A police officer walks past the apartment block where a deadly fire broke out, in Johannesburg, South Africa, September 1, 2023. "Local government has to enforce the laws," Ramaphosa said at a governing African National Congress party event. Municipal officials have said efforts to evict residents in illegally occupied buildings are often hamstrung by court orders stopping the evictions. Ramaphosa said he has asked government ministers to look into ways of enforcing laws without violating people's rights. Ramaphosa said he collected his passbook at the building about 50 years ago, when he worked in the city.

Persons: Siphiwe, Cyril Ramaphosa, Ramaphosa, Carien du, Olivia Kumwenda, Ros Russell Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Saturday, African National Congress, Government, Black, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights JOHANNESBURG, Africa, Carien du Plessis

☆ Alcaraz downs Harris to reach US Open third round
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Even while not at his best Alcaraz could rely on raw talent and a vast repertoire of shots to see off the 177th ranked South African. After the match Alcaraz focused on the positives, rating his effort as "great" but admitting to a letdown in the third set. "In the end, I think I played a pretty good match and will try to keep the same level." Under Arthur Ashe Stadium's bright lights Alcaraz found himself under even greater scrutiny after an unconvincing build-up to the season's final Grand Slam. There will be no room for such lapses in third round for Alcaraz with 26th seed Dan Evans waiting in the wings.

Persons: Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, South Africa's Lloyd Harris, Mike Segar, Carlos Alcaraz, Lloyd Harris, Novak Djokovic, Arthur Ashe Stadium's, Dominic Koepfer, Harris, Rafa Nadal, Alcaraz, Dan Evans, Steve Keating, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Tennis, South, South Africa's Lloyd Harris REUTERS, U.S ., 177th, Wimbledon, Canadian, Djokovic, Cincinnati, Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, New York

☆ South African police say 18 suspects killed in shootout
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

JOHANNESBURG, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Eighteen suspects were shot and killed during a shootout with South African police in the Limpopo province, the police said on Friday. Senior police officials were on their way to the crime scene in Makhado in South Africa's northernmost province, elite police unit the Hawks said in a statement, without providing further details. Reporting by Bhargav Acharya Editing by Alexander WinningOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bhargav, Alexander Winning Organizations: South, Senior, Hawks, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, Limpopo, Makhado, South Africa's

☆ Grim Struggle Begins to Identify Victims in South African Fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Isabella Kwai | More About Isabella Kwai | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Families of the victims of a fire in downtown Johannesburg were still searching for relatives at mortuaries and hospitals on Friday to see if they had lived or died, a day after the blaze tore through an overcrowded building in one of the deadliest residential fires in South African history. At least 74 people died in the fire, a dozen of them children, with some victims jumping to their deaths from the building and others trapped inside. Health officials on Friday urged people to come forward to identify their relatives at a mortuary, adding that 40 men and 24 women were among the victims. Ten other bodies were so badly burned they were beyond recognition, they said, and DNA testing would be used to identify them. On Friday morning, the police were seen taking search dogs around the charred site.

Organizations: Health Locations: Johannesburg, mortuaries, South

☆ South African police say 18 suspected robbers killed in shootout
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A view shows a crime scene after at least 18 cash-in-transit robbers were shot and killed during a shootout with a specialised airborne police unit in Makhado, Limpopo, South Africa September 1, 2023. South African Police Service/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsJOHANNESBURG, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Eighteen suspected robbers were shot and killed during a shootout with South African police in the Limpopo province, the police said on Friday. "We do believe this syndicate has been involved in a number of CITs in this province, Mpumalanga and Gauteng," Masemola said. One police officer was injured in the shootout, which lasted about 90 minutes, he added. Reporting by Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Alexander WinningOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Fannie Masemola, Masemola, Bhargav Acharya, Alexander Winning Organizations: South African Police Service, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, South, Thomson Locations: Makhado, Limpopo, South Africa, Rights JOHANNESBURG, South Africa's, Mpumalanga, Gauteng

☆ Fed's Bostic says U.S. interest rates are high enough
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank President Raphael Bostic speaks to reporters at the National Association of Business Economics' annual policy meeting in Washington, U.S. March 21, 2022. "I feel policy is appropriately restrictive," Bostic said in remarks prepared for delivery to the South African Reserve Bank Biennial Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. "We should be cautious and patient and let the restrictive policy continue to influence the economy, lest we risk tightening too much and inflicting unnecessary economic pain." U.S. central bankers are widely expected to leave the Fed's policy rate in the current range of 5.25%-5.5% when they next meet in a little less than three weeks. Bostic has been in the minority at the Fed, cautioning against over-tightening policy and needlessly hurting jobs and livelihoods.

Persons: Raphael Bostic, Ann Saphir, Bostic, Bostic's, Richard Chang Organizations: Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank, National Association of Business Economics, REUTERS, South African Reserve Bank Biennial, U.S, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Cape Town , South Africa, U.S

Thermal coal insurance rates rose more than 20% last year, it said, above the 7.3% rise in the benchmark Marsh Global Insurance Market Index. Insurance companies can be active in both primary insurance and reinsurance and have differing commitments on ESG for different parts of their business. "Establishing a mutual fund for the coal industry is a matter for the coal industry," a spokesperson for the Australian Department of Treasury said. "I'm talking about going beyond your normal UK-based markets and looking into Asia for funders and insurance cover," she added. Coal prices hit record highs in September last year as European countries scrambled to replace Russian gas, sending coal miners' profits soaring.

Persons: Philip Mostert, Seriti, Doug Gain, Gain, Ben Davis, Willis Towers Watson, Thungela, China's, Russia's, Switzerland's Chubb, Chubb, Russia's SOGAZ, Peter Bosshard, Nombasa Tsengwa, Tsengwa, Exxaro, Clara Denina, Sarah McFarlane, Nelson Banya, Elaine Hardcastle, Daniel Flynn Organizations: REUTERS, Seriti, Thungela Resources, International Energy Agency, Reuters, Marsh Global Insurance, Whitehaven Coal, Whitehaven, Allianz, Swiss, Germany's Allianz, Insuramore, Australian Department of Treasury, South, Thomson Locations: American, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, South, Ukraine, Whitehaven, Munich, Australia, Asia, Europe

☆ South Africa Fire At Least 63 Dead in Building Fire in Johannesburg
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

ET Aug. 31, 2023, 4:08 a.m. ET Johannesburg bureau chiefA fire tore through a building in downtown Johannesburg early Thursday, killing at least 63 people and injuring dozens of others, city officials said. Mgcini Tshwaku, a Johannesburg city councilman who oversees public safety, said that when he arrived at the scene, the structure was in flames and people were jumping out of it. People often light fires inside these informal settlements to keep warm, Mr. Tshwaku said. Many abandoned buildings in the city have been taken over because of a shortage of affordable housing, he said.

Persons: Tshwaku Organizations: South Locations: Johannesburg, Mgcini, South African

☆ Scenes From Johannesburg: A Deadly Fire Downtown Kills Scores
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Isabella Kwai | More About Isabella Kwai | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

A fire consumed a crowded five-story building in downtown Johannesburg early on Thursday, tearing through an informal settlement of homeless people in what was being described as one of the deadliest blazes in South African history. Owned by the city, the building once provided emergency housing for women but had become home to a large squatter camp, a sign of the scarcity of affordable housing in South Africa’s most populous city. These are photographs from the scene.

Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa’s

They arrived in desperation, unable to find anything better, safer or cheaper in a city with a severe shortage of affordable housing. They settled in a trash-choked building owned and neglected by the city of Johannesburg, paying “rent” to criminals. Flames devoured a structure that overcrowding, security gates, mounds of garbage and flimsy subdividing had turned into a death trap. Some victims leaped from upper windows of the five-story building rather than burn to death. And these urban squatter camps are routinely “hijacked,” residents say, by organized groups demanding payment.

Persons: Mgcini Locations: Johannesburg, South

☆ At Least 63 Dead in Building Fire in Johannesburg
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( John Eligon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

ETA fire tore through a building in downtown Johannesburg early Thursday, killing at least 63 people and injuring dozens of others, city officials said. The authorities were still trying to determine what caused the blaze, which consumed a five-story abandoned building that had been overtaken by squatters and had become a sprawling informal settlement. Mgcini Tshwaku, a Johannesburg city councilman who oversees public safety, said that when he arrived at the scene, the structure was in flames and people were jumping out of it. People often light fires inside these informal settlements to keep warm, Mr. Tshwaku said. Many abandoned buildings in the city have been taken over because of a shortage of affordable housing, he said.

Persons: Tshwaku Organizations: South Locations: Johannesburg, Mgcini, South African

☆ More than 60 dead as fire engulfs building in South Africa's Johannesburg
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

South African firefighters and South African Police Service officers work at the sceen of a fire in Johannesburg on August 31, 2023At least 63 people were killed and 43 injured on Thursday in a fire in the central business district of South Africa's biggest city of Johannesburg, the municipal government said. Search and rescue efforts were going on, the city administration said on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. "The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services can confirm that the number of fatalities has gone up to 63," it said. Firefighters and emergency vehicles were at the scene, while bodies lay covered in emergency blankets on a street near the site of the early morning blaze, Reuters photographs showed. Media said the fire engulfed a five-storey building that had been abandoned at one stage but where people had been living.

Organizations: South African Police Service, Johannesburg Emergency Management Services, Firefighters, Media Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa's, City

☆ Sibanye brings in Chinese partner for Mopani Copper Mines bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Felix Njini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Johannesburg-based precious metals producer is on the shortlist of potential buyers for the copper mines owned by a unit of the Zambian government. The Chinese company has a presence in copper mining and would be joining Sibanye as an investment partner, Froneman said. The Chinese investor could help derisk the investment at Mopani, Froneman said. "They are an investment partner but technically they understand the copper business and smelting, so it's managing risk," he said. The Mopani assets require significant investment but spending would be spread over a number of years, Froneman said.

Persons: Neal Froneman, we've, Froneman, Felix Njini, Tannur Anders, Sharon Singleton, David Holmes Organizations: Mines, Reuters, China's Zijin Mining, U.S, Rothschild & Co, Thomson Locations: NAIROBI, Stillwater, Johannesburg, Zambian, Southern Africa, Europe, U.S, Mopani, Switzerland, ZCCM

☆ Bassie Maluleka: The South African photographer on a quest to bring Black women to the forefront of fashion and commercial advertising
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Kaito Au | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Whether she’s shooting an advertising campaign for Nike or a photo spread for Vogue, photographer Bassie Maluleka’s images will likely have a common theme. By highlighting Black women, she seeks to bring an often-underrepresented demographic to the forefront. “I have a plan; I know what I’m going to do.’”Honing her craftAs an early-career photographer, Maluleka honed her craft through countless test shoots. A self-portrait of South African photographer Bassie Maluleka. “We exist; we just haven’t had much limelight shone our way.”Maluleka said she felt this acutely in South Africa.

Persons: Bassie, ” Maluleka, Maluleka, “, ”, photoshoots, Bassie Maluleka, Victoria Baldwin, Baldwin, haven’t, “ Liezl Organizations: CNN, Nike, Vogue, Puma, Vogue Italia, British, of, Women’s Locations: South Africa, Pretoria, Australia, New Zealand

☆ BRICS expansion is a big win for China. But can it really work as a counterweight to the West?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The summit was the largest the BRICS have ever held, with more than 60 countries attending alongside member nations Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. “This makes China the clear winner,” said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London. Helena Legarda, lead analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies, a think tank in Berlin, said it is unclear to what extent the BRICS expansion will increase the value and influence of the group. The BRICS expansion is also likely to fuel competition – and potential friction – between China and India, whose ties have already been strained by a simmering border conflict. “Sino-Indian competition for the leadership of the Global South is now bound to sharpen with China having a clear advantage,” said Jacob in New Delhi.

Persons: Xi Jinping, United Arab Emirates –, Xi, ”, Steve Tsang, “, ” Happymon Jacob, Yun Sun, Helena Legarda, Cyril Ramaphosa, Narendra Modi, Jacob Organizations: CNN, United, United Arab Emirates, SOAS China Institute, University of London, Moscow, US, United Nations, Security Council, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Xi, New, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Stimson, Mercator Institute for China Studies, Indian, Anadolu Agency, Getty Locations: Johannesburg, Beijing, Africa, Asia, Latin America, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab, Moscow, United States, Ukraine, Washington, Tigray, UAE, America, Berlin, New Delhi, “

☆ South Africa flyhalf Jantjies reveals failed drug test
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 26 (Reuters) - South Africa flyhalf Elton Jantjies said he had tested positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol, but denies intentionally ingesting the substance as he faces a ban that could end his career. Janties played for French second-tier side Pau this past season and has not turned out for the Boks this year. South African Rugby confirmed they are aware of the failed test. "SA Rugby has noted the statement issued on behalf of Elton Jantjies and confirms it was advised of the adverse finding. Former Springbok wing Aphiwe Dyantyi has recently returned to professional rugby following a four-year ban after he failed a drugs test in December 2019.

Persons: South Africa flyhalf Elton Jantjies, Jantjies, Janties, Elton Jantjies, Dyantyi, Nick Said, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Springboks, Rugby, South African Institute for Drug, South African Rugby, SA Rugby, Springbok, Thomson Locations: South Africa, France, Pau, Durban

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

☆ South African rand pares losses after Powell speech
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture taken October 30, 2020. At 1528 GMT, the rand traded at 18.6550 against the dollar , about 0.9% stronger than its previous close, after gaining as much as 1% earlier in the day. The rand has had a turbulent week, contributing to its over 4% losses month-to-date. The risk-sensitive rand often takes cues from global factors like U.S. monetary policy in the absence of domestic economic data cues. South Africa's benchmark 2030 government bond was weaker, with the yield up 1 basis points at 10.210%.

Persons: Mike Hutchings, Jerome Powell, Danny Greeff, Jackson, Greeff, Tannur Anders, Sonia Cheema, Devika Syamnath, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Federal Reserve, Treasury, Analytics, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Thomson Locations: Rights JOHANNESBURG, United States, Johannesburg

☆ Opinion: Putin’s virtual bravado, Xi’s big win, and 6 new members. Why this was a summit like no other
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Opinion Michael Bociurkiw | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The move breathes new life into a group set to rival the G7 and brings the world closer to multi-polarity. BRICS leaders could be forgiven for not knowing whether to exhibit exuberance or concern on Wednesday. (Summit host, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, said it should be seen as an accomplishment for the entire BRICS bloc.) Hours later, just as BRICS leaders were sitting down to dinner, news alerts started to steal the show on the crashed private jet said to be carrying Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. Host South Africa just manages to pull it offThat South Africa managed to pull off hosting the summit is an accomplishment in itself.

Persons: Michael Bociurkiw, Michael Bociurkiw Chrystia, “, —, Xi Jinping, you’ve, Nicolás Maduro, Russia’s, Cyril Ramaphosa, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, couldn’t, Swagger, I’ve, Modi, Vladimir Putin’s, Sergey Lavrov, Lula da Silva, Lula, Vladimir Putin, Michele Spatari, It’s, ” Nontsikelelo, Facebook Xi, Xi, Putin Organizations: Atlantic Council, Organization for Security, Cooperation, CNN, Johannesburg CNN, United Arab, —, for Security, UN, Wagner, Getty, Democratic, Twitter, Facebook, National Congress, ANC Locations: Odesa, Europe, Johannesburg, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Africa, ”, Beijing, Donbas, Ukraine, AFP, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon

☆ 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

☆ 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

BRICS - whose acronym was originally coined by an economist at Goldman Sachs, currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called the BRICS leaders' decision to invite Ethiopia to join "a great moment". "It shows the determination of BRICS countries for unity and cooperation with the broader developing countries." More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, say South African officials, and 22 have formally asked to be admitted. "The expansion and modernization of BRICS is a message that all institutions in the world need to mould themselves according to changing times," he said.

Persons: Cyril Ramaphosa, Narendra Modi, Sergei Lavrov, Alet Pretorius, Goldman Sachs, BRICS, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Ramaphosa, Lula, globalisation's, Mohammed bin Zayed, Abiy Ahmed, Antonio Guterres, Xi Jinping, Bhargav Acharya, Sergio Goncalves, Ethan Wang, Vladimir Soldatkin, Joe Bavier, Toby Chopra, Emelia Organizations: South, India's, Russia's, REUTERS, United Arab, United, United Arab Emirates, New Development Bank, Ethiopian, United Nations, . Security, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, BRICS, Indian, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, UAE, JOHANNESBURG, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Ukraine, United States, Beijing, Moscow, United Arab, Lisbon

Search resuls for: "South African"

25 mentions found