Decade-old Local Currency Push by BRICS Is Still A Pipe Dream
In a statement released as they kicked off their meeting in Brazil Sunday, leaders committed to additional talks on the potential for greater trade integration of the 10-nation bloc.
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Associated Press
11 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Botanic Tonics Introduces Kava Maté: Ancient Botanical Traditions Unite to Create Revolutionary Energy Experience
Noble kava root and yerba mate combine to transform the energy category Botanic Tonics, the leader in kava-centric botanical supplements, today announced the launch of Kava Maté, a groundbreaking formula that unites two ancient botanical traditions — noble kava root and yerba mate — to create an energy experience greater than the sum of its parts. This innovative pairing delivers sustained, grounded energy without the crashes and jitters associated with conventional stimulants, designed specifically to meet the consumer demand for clean, plant-based alternatives. Kava Maté brings together two revered botanicals with deep cultural roots that have been trusted for centuries. Noble kava root, ceremonially cherished throughout Pacific Island cultures for more than 3,000 years, provides mental clarity while maintaining calm. Yerba mate, valued by indigenous South American communities for centuries, delivers natural sustained energy. Together, they create Botanic Tonics' signature 'chilled energy:" a balanced state of alert calm, ideal for transforming ordinary moments into opportunities for presence. 'Kava Maté represents the convergence of two botanical traditions that have never before been united in this way with a respect for culture and clean energy at the core,' said Cameron Korehbandi, CEO of Botanic Tonics. 'The magic happens in the synergy: what these plants create together transcends what either can achieve alone. We've eliminated the false choice between energy and calm by harnessing the complementary properties of these time-honored botanicals. The daily commute, the afternoon work slump, routine tasks — these ordinary moments become opportunities for presence and purpose with Kava Maté.' Kava Maté is packaged in Botanic Tonics' signature blue glass bottle with a gold top, containing two servings per bottle. Like all Botanic Tonics products, Kava Maté is manufactured in the company's FDA-registered, cGMP-certified production facility in Oklahoma, ensuring uncompromising quality. 'What makes this botanical pairing revolutionary is how these plants enhance each other's benefits,' explained Ramsey Atallah, chief science officer at Botanic Tonics. 'Yerba mate provides sustained energy without the sudden crashes associated with conventional stimulants. When united with kava's unique calming properties, we've created a synergistic effect that optimizes cognitive function while maintaining calm. Our rigorous testing confirms this combination delivers the perfect balance of actives to quickly initiate a state of focus and relaxation, a truly unique experience unavailable from any other product or single botanical.' Kava Maté joins Botanic Tonics' existing line of premium botanical supplements, including feel free CLASSIC and feel free. Botanic Tonics continues to lead innovation in the functional botanical space, maintaining its commitment to botanical wisdom, scientific rigor, and consumer education. Kava Maté is now available for purchase online at and will roll out to select retail locations nationwide throughout summer 2025. To learn more or purchase Botanic Tonic products, visit About Botanic Tonics Botanic Tonics is a plant-based, herbal supplement company headquartered in Broken Arrow, OK. Established in 2020, we produce kava-centric tonics under our feel free brand. Our signature product, feel free CLASSIC, is crafted with ancient functional plants to provide mood lift, chilled energy, and enhanced focus. Botanic Tonics' products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility, and we actively support consumer safety regulations through transparent labeling and educational resources. Learn more at Disclaimer Consume responsibly. feel free CLASSIC is for adults 21 years of age and older only. To learn more, visit our Consumer Education page. Media Contact Botanic Tonics [email protected] ### SOURCE: Botanic Tonics Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Uncertainty is the new certainty: That's why investors are unbothered by Trump's ongoing tariff chaos
President Trump's latest tariff salvo—threatening 10%-70% levies on non-deal countries and an extra 10% for BRICs—would once have rattled markets. Instead, the S&P 500 now sits at a record high (6,279.35), with volatility muted and the VIX 'fear' index dormant. Analysts say investors now treat policy chaos as background noise; uncertainty is simply the new certainty. President Trump said last night he will begin sending letters to the various countries that did not sign trade deals with the U.S. since April, imposing tariffs upon them of 10%-70%. He also said he would punish any country aligned with the BRICs group (that's Brazil, Russia, India, and China) with an extra 10% tariff. The new deadline for these tariffs to take effect will be August 1. All of this would normally create a great deal of uncertainty in the markets, leading to dramatic selloffs and high volatility. Indeed, we saw that happen in April when Trump first proposed his new tariff levels. Markets plunged. Yet today, the markets will open in New York with the S&P sitting at a new record high. The VIX 'fear' index is asleep. Why are investors so unbothered by Trump's tariff chaos? As Fortune noted recently, everyone expected Trump's policies to damage the U.S. and global economies, but that damage has yet to appear. Some analysts are starting to conclude that investors have become inured to them, and regard all this uncertainty as the new normal. Uncertainty is the new certainty, in other words. An example of that? The Bloomberg Trade Policy Uncertainty Index has declined in recent days despite Trump's theatrics. Goldman Sachs published an interesting note recently titled, 'A Surprisingly Small Uncertainty Drag,' by Joseph Briggs and Sarah Dong. They argue that while the tariffs are a big deal in the U.S., whose consumers will be paying them, the exposure of the economies of the countries that trade with the U.S. is relatively small. Too small to derail global growth, they say. 'Trade policy uncertainty rose after President Trump's election but has recently pulled back according to standard indices. Our own and the Fed's statistical estimates (as well as economic theory) imply that the drag on growth from uncertainty peaks shortly after it first increases, implying that uncertainty should have already slowed global growth. There are very few signs that uncertainty is taking a toll on activity, however, as investment, manufacturing employment, spending, and overall activity have all held up globally in 2025H1,' the note said. At UBS, Paul Donovan noted that today's trade letters will actually push back further any negative impact they create: 'Allowing for some stockpiling ahead of Christmas, consumers may not experience the inflation spike from these taxes until January next year—assuming that Trump does not retreat again,' he told clients this morning. Here's a snapshot of the action before the opening bell in New York: S&P 500 futures were off 0.43% this morning, before the open. The S&P 500 index closed up 0.83% on Friday, hitting a new all-time high at 6,279.35. Bitcoin was above $109K. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.56% this morning. China's CSI 300 fell 0.43%. Stoxx Europe 600 was flat in early trading. This story was originally featured on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Newsweek
15 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Iran Gets Significant Diplomatic Boost
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iran received a major diplomatic boost at the BRICS summit in Brazil, where the group of emerging powers condemned recent airstrikes on Iranian territory. In a joint statement, the bloc criticized "the military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran," referring to attacks by Israel and the United States. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attended in place of President Masoud Pezeshkian, who canceled after the strikes. While the joint statement stopped short of naming the U.S. or Israel, it marked BRICS' strongest rebuke to date. China and Russia both signaled alignment, with Moscow calling the strikes "unprovoked." Newsweek has reached out to the State Department for comment. Why It Matters The unified position taken by BRICS—now expanded to include Iran—signals growing alignment among non-Western powers in resisting U.S.-led interventions. For Tehran, the support comes at a critical time, as it seeks international recognition of what it views as unlawful aggression against its sovereignty and nuclear infrastructure. Iran has long struggled to break out of diplomatic isolation. Its full membership in BRICS, coupled with a shared declaration of solidarity, may strengthen its ability to challenge the Western narrative in global forums such as the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, July 6, 2025. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, July 6, 2025. Eraldo Peres/AP Photo What to Know The Iranian delegation pushed for strong language on the attacks that targeted nuclear facilities. The final declaration condemned those strikes and emphasized that "attacks on critical infrastructure and nuclear facilities are unacceptable under international law." Araghchi used his speech to press for accountability, stating that both Israel and the U.S. should be held responsible for human rights violations. He warned the fallout from the war "will not be limited" to Iran alone. Posting on X after the summit, Araghchi shared photos from the gathering and said Iran was "grateful for the strong and unequivocal condemnation" of Israeli and U.S. strikes. Iran is grateful for the strong and unequivocal condemnation by BRICS of the recent Israeli and US military aggression. In no uncertain terms, the deliberate attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure and nuclear sites under IAEA safeguards violate both international law and… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) July 7, 2025 Russia and Iran's Bilateral Meeting Araghchi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the summit. According to Russian media, Lavrov renewed Moscow's offer to mediate and reiterated support for Iran's right to develop peaceful nuclear energy. Russia's Foreign Ministry later issued a statement on Telegram naming both Israel and the U.S. in its condemnation of the "unprovoked military strikes" on Iran. What People Are Saying Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: "In no uncertain terms, the deliberate attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure and nuclear sites under IAEA safeguards violate both international law and norms, the influential group of countries agree." Russia's Foreign Ministry: "We condemn the 'unprovoked military strikes' against Iran." BRICS joint statment: "We condemn the military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran since June 13, 2025, which constitute a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and express grave concern over the subsequent escalation of the security situation in the Middle East." What Happens Next With support from BRICS, Iran is expected to escalate its calls for a formal investigation through the U.N. Security Council and the IAEA. Tehran may also push for new security assurances from Russia and China. As BRICS continues to evolve into a more coordinated political bloc, Iran's integration could reshape future responses to regional conflicts involving Western powers.
