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Europe
Russia
10/22/2024 Two dozen world leaders were invited to the southwestern Russian city of Kazan at a three-day BRICS summit. The original acronym BRICS stands for the five countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Russia's major international partners like Chinese leader Xi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Erdogan are joining the summit which is the first since the BRICS grouping expanded in 2023. Greeting Xi upon his arrival on Tuesday morning, Putin told the Chinese premier: "Russian-Chinese cooperation in world affairs acts as one of the stabilizing factors in the global arena. We intend to further increase coordination in all multilateral platforms to ensure global security and a just world order." "The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the international situation is chaotic and intertwined," Xi responded, praising what he called a "profound friendship" between their two countries. China and Russia, Xi said, have continuously deepened and expanded comprehensive strategic coordination and practical cooperation. The closer ties have "injected strong impetus into the development, revitalization and modernization of the two countries." Russia and China's partnership, more broadly, seeks to counter what Beijing and Moscow see as the US-dominated world order. China stands ready to work with other parties to strive for the steady and sustained development of greater BRICS cooperation, open a new era for the Global South to seek strength through solidarity and jointly promote world peace and development”, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin told. While receiving Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin spoke of Moscow's "strategic relationship" with India. "Russian-Indian relations have the character of a particularly privileged strategic partnership and continue to actively develop," Putin told Modi, after the pair were shaking hands and embracing. Modi said that he wanted a return to peace in Ukraine and supported efforts for that during talks with Putin. "We have been in constant touch over the conflict between Russia and Ukraine," Modi said, and added: "We totally support efforts to quickly restore peace and stability." Both India and China have provided Russia with economic support since Moscow’s invasion in Ukraine in February 2022. "We continue to see Russia as a valued ally, as a valued friend, who supported us right from the beginning: from the days of our struggle against Apartheid, right through to now," South African President Ramaphosa said during talks with Russian President Putin. South Africa has abstained from UN resolutions condemning Russia's invasion of Ukriane but has called for an end to the conflict. Putin said Russia's relations with South Africa were centered around "strategic partnership, equality, and mutual respect." "And, of course, Russia attatches particular importance to strengthening relations with the countries of the African continent," Putin added. The BRICS group decided at its 2023 summit to try to expand its ranks. Argentina, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia were all invited to join, although Argentine President Milei declined after winning the election, saying he wanted to take more of a pro-Western course. Putin's foreign policy aide Ushakov said 36 countries had confirmed participation, and that more than 20 would send heads of state. Putin is expected to hold some 20 bilateral meetings, Ushakov said, and the summit could turn into "the largest foreign policy event ever held" on Russian soil. UN Secretary-General Guterres has plans to attend the summit. The UN chief had told Foreign Minister Lavrov that he would be in Kazan. Guterres had declined its invitation to a ’peace summit’ in Switzerland. (Source: DW – Germany; „AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters”)
North America
United States
Tuesday 22 October 2024 20:21 Latino leaders pray for God to help former president ‘make America godly again’, Latino voters backing former President Trump lay their hands on ex-commander-in-chief and pray in support for Republican presidential nominee Trump during Miami visit. “God’s hand is on this man,” one pastor said, before praying for Trump to win the election. “Today, Lord, we lift up the man that we believe you've put your hand upon to help restore America and bring America back to the place that honors you, to a place where we will not be kicked out for saying, Christ the King or Jesus is Lord,” one of the speakers said. “So we ask for that covering over him, that he would continue to hear your voice, that you would continue to order his steps, and that he would help us to make America godly again,” he added. Former president Trump prays during the roundtable discussion with Latino community leaders at Trump National Doral Miami resort. They also showered Trump with gifts during the event. Trump was presented with a piece of art by Mexican actor Verástegui that depicts the Virgin Mary. A separate speaker said the election “is not a war between the left and the right. This is a war between good and evil ... we need spiritual weapons to fight it. So prayer is one of them.” When the prayer came to an end, YMCA began to play as supporters shouted “Si Se Puede!” Goya Foods CEO Unanue argued that Vice President Harris is the “root cause” for the issues at the border with Mexico. He appeared to mispronounce Harris’s name on several occasions, calling her “Que Mala” – Spanish meaning “so bad” – something Latino backers of Trump have called her during the campaign. /Video/ (Source: Independent – United Kingdom)
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