BRICS Leaders Discuss Expansion and Challenging the Global Order

Leaders of the BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - are meeting in Johannesburg to discuss expanding the bloc's membership and strengthening its role as a counterweight to the West. The summit comes amid heightened global tensions and a growing rivalry between China and the United States. Boosting the use of local currencies among member states is also on the agenda, but discussions of a BRICS currency are not expected. Over 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, with nearly two dozen formally requesting admission.