The BRICS bloc of states have resolved to establish an alternative credit rating agency to counter western dominance in the financial markets. Will it work?
South Africa’s opinion of its role in Africa is at odds with perceptions on the continent.
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South Africa considers itself to be playing a key role in promoting the ‘African Agenda’ in continental and world affairs. But perceptions in the rest of Africa tell a different story.
Donald Trump has promised to make America great again.
Reuters/Jonathan Ernst
The Global Trends report provides a useful starting point to reflect on what’s in store for Africa over the next five years. And how the continent should think about responding to its challenges.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May can’t rely on her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and others in the Commonwealth for unfettered trade support.
Reuters/Adnan Abidi
South Africa is breathing a sigh of relief after escaping a credit rating downgrade. But there are still serious concerns around structure of the country’s economy and finances.
The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa at the BRICS summit in Goa, India. Brazil’s position is shaky.
REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui
Brazil’s place within the BRICS bloc is becoming questionable. Since the new President Michel Temer took over, Brazil’s foreign policy has shifted away from BRICS ideals to favour western interests.
Trump’s victory threatens to unleash stronger prejudice against minorities.
Reuters/Rebecca Cook
Three researchers examine the big challenges of urban development: from city leadership to lock-ins.
Brazil’s President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Jacob Zuma.
Danish Siddiqui/Reuters
Despite financial crises and political differences among these five emerging economies, the BRICS coalition is here to stay. And it may just change the world.
Challenging times for some BRICS countries.
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Attacks on the South African Reserve Bank and events in India that led to the exit of the governor of the country’s central bank are a warning that banks aren’t immune from political meddling.
South Africa’s economy isn’t growing. Solutions are within its grasp.
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South Africa’s response to the country’s economic woes has amounted to little more than band-aid treatment. Government must do more to set the economy on a solid growth path.
BRICS leaders at a meeting ahead of the G20 summit in Turkey in 2015.
REUTERS/Mikhail Klimentyev/RIA Novosti/Kremlin
The BRICS bank is positioning itself to play a significant role in those areas in which the international financial institutions are seen to have failed.
There’s an old joke about Brazil that suggests that it’s the country of the future – and it always will be. For a while this looked to be an anachronistic, possibly racist stereotype that had been decisively…
Former Brazilian president Lula da Silva’s development aid programme has fizzled out.
Reuters/Ueslei Marcelino
Lula led an unprecedented shift in the country’s foreign policy towards the global South. He also helped elevate Brazil to the status of a global player. But, six years on, disillusionment reigns.
The Chinese and South African governments, led by presidents Xi Jingping and Jacob Zuma, cement ties during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Reuters/Wang Zhao/Pool
When it comes to the global political economy, no one “talks left and walks right” more than China, a dominant player in global capitalism. South African and Chinese aspirations have much in common.
The Shanghai composite index is proving to be one of the most volatile markets in the world and government regulation is having some unforeseen effects.