A recent immersive trip to China has shed new light on the country’s current state of affairs, offering valuable insights into its economic and social landscape. The trip, undertaken by journalists from NPR’s Morning Edition, provided a firsthand look at various facets of Chinese life, revealing both notable trends and everyday observations. One of the key takeaways from the trip was the significant impact of technology on China’s economy. From the rise of delivery apps to the challenges facing traditional shopping malls, the country’s rapid technological advancements have reshaped consumer behaviors and economic dynamics. Notably, the prevalence of online shopping…
Author: BRICS+ News Services
Research conducted by the Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) has shed light on the grave human rights situation in Oromia’s Guji Zones, documenting severe violations in these regions. The investigation took place over several months in 2023 and 2024, revealing a dire humanitarian crisis fueled by ongoing conflicts. Both government security forces and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) have been implicated in a wide range of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, mass arrests, and the use of excessive force against civilians and protesters. The researchers identified 36 specific cases of violations, encompassing displacement, property destruction,…
In a monumental move in February of 2024, Egypt secured its largest foreign investment ever: a staggering $35 billion influx from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This landmark investment laid the groundwork for reforms that have subsequently attracted tens of billions of dollars in additional commitments from various international financial institutions and foreign governments. As a result, Egypt’s economy, which was grappling with a prolonged foreign-currency shortage and escalating inflation even prior to the eruption of conflict in the Gaza Strip further exacerbating the situation, now appears to be on more stable ground. However, despite these positive developments, experts are…
Australia is set to face off against Scotland in a crucial Group B encounter in the T20 World Cup of 2024. The match is scheduled to take place at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, and promises to be a thrilling showdown between the two teams. Australia, with an impressive track record in the tournament so far, have already secured their spot in the Super Eight by winning all three of their matches. Their dominance on the field has been a sight to behold, and they will be looking to continue their winning streak against…
The head of the Defense Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, confirmed that Ukraine carried out a significant military strike on a Russian airbase using at least 70 drones. The attack targeted the Morozovsk airbase in Russia’s Rostov region, nearly 200 miles from the Ukrainian border. Satellite imagery of the airfield near Morozovsk revealed the presence of multiple Su-34 fighter-bombers, which were the primary targets of the assault. According to security sources, the objective of the operation was to disable the Su-34 jets that Russia has been utilizing to deploy powerful glide bombs on Ukraine. This attack was…
Title: The BRICS Nations Approach the Palestine Issue The political alliance BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has recently publicly addressed the concern of Palestinian statehood, voicing their outstanding support for a two-state solution in accordance with international law and the United Nations resolutions. BRICS, which represents nearly half the world’s population and spans four different continents, has immense geopolitical influence. Accordingly, its collective stance on Palestine holds significant global weight. Presiding over the recent BRICS meeting was Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Reaffirming the commitment of the member countries, he emphasized that they support an…
A recent analysis on the transition to renewable energy has raised concerns for businesses regarding the potential high costs and risks involved in this shift. Discovery Green’s white paper, titled ‘Renewable Energy Strategies For Businesses In South Africa: A Technical Review,’ delves into the comparison of various ways businesses can access renewable energy and the associated costs. The report highlights the importance of caution when considering over-investment in solar power, as the energy production may not always align perfectly with the business’s consumption patterns, leading to increased reliance on traditional power sources and subsequent higher energy costs over time. Additionally,…
In a televised address on Saturday, Iranian political figure, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, extolled on the significant actions taken by the late President Rais in conjunction with the Parliament, to divert the development course of Iran back onto its suitable trajectory. Ghalibaf broached the subject of the nation’s budget deficit, acknowledging it as one of the salient obstacles currently faced. Fostering introspection, he queried whether the deficit necessarily implied absence of wealth or assets to the nation. His rebuttal was a categorical ‘no’, citing Iran’s possession of 19.5 percent of global oil reserves as an exemplification of the nation’s wealth. He proceeded…
In a historic move, Brazil’s congress is set to decide on a new ‘sin tax’ aimed at goods and imports proven harmful to human health and the environment. This proposal is part of a sweeping tax reform passed in December of last year, which substitutes the existing federal excise tax (IPI) with the new ‘sin tax’. The targeted items under this new tax system span across alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and particular mineral goods. ‘Sin taxes’, typically levied on goods detrimental to society’s wellbeing, have shown substantive results in Latin American nations. Comprehensive research in 2021 illuminated that more than…
The recent stabbing of four instructors from Iowa’s Cornell College in a Jilin park has ignited tensions between the United States and China, adding another layer of complexity to an already strained relationship. A Chinese national who intervened in the attack also fell victim to the stabbing. The Jilin local police released a vague statement on the incident, stating that a man named Mr. Cui, aged 55 and a resident of Jilin’s Longtan District, bumped into a foreigner in Beishan Park, leading to a violent altercation where the foreigner stabbed Mr. Cui and three other foreigners as well as a…