Latest news with #Bric
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Business Standard
7 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
20 states sue FEMA over cancelled disaster resilience grant programme
Twenty Democratic-led states have filed suit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency, challenging the elimination of a long-running grant programme that helps communities guard against damage from natural disasters. The lawsuit contends President Donald Trump's administration acted illegally when it announced in April that it was ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities programme. FEMA cancelled some projects already in the works and refused to approve new ones despite funding from Congress. "In the wake of devastating flooding in Texas and other states, it's clear just how critical federal resources are in helping states prepare for and respond to natural disasters," said Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell of Massachusetts, where the federal lawsuit was filed on Wednesday. "By abruptly and unlawfully shutting down the Bric programme, this administration is abandoning states and local communities that rely on federal funding to protect their residents and, in the event of disaster, save lives." FEMA did not immediately respond Wednesday to a request for comment. It said in April that the program was "wasteful and ineffective" and "more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters". The programme, established by a 2000 law, provides grants for a variety of disaster mitigation efforts, including levees to protect against floods, safe rooms to provide shelter from tornadoes, vegetation management to reduce damage from fires and seismic retrofitting to fortify buildings for earthquakes. During his first term, Trump signed a law shoring up funding for disaster risk reduction efforts. The programme then got a USD 1 billion boost from an infrastructure law signed by former President Joe Biden. That law requires FEMA to make available at least USD 200 million annually for disaster mitigation grants for the 2022-2026 fiscal years, the lawsuit says. The suit contends the Trump administration violated the constitutional separation of powers because Congress had not authorised the programme's demise. It also alleges the programme's termination was illegal because the decision was made while FEMA was under the leadership of an acting administrator who had not met the requirements to be in charge of the agency. The lawsuit says communities in every state have benefited from federal disaster mitigation grants, which saved lives and spared homes, businesses, hospitals and schools from costly damage. Some communities have already been affected by the decision to end the program. Hillsborough, North Carolina, had been awarded nearly USD 7 million to relocate a wastewater pumping station out of a flood plain and make other water and sewer system improvements. But that hadn't happened yet when the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal damaged the pumping station and forced it offline last week. In rural Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, town officials had hoped to use more than USD 4 million from the BRIC program to improve stormwater drainage and safeguard a vulnerable electric system, thus protecting investments in a historic theatre and other businesses. While the community largely supports Trump, assistant town manager Erin Burris said people were blindsided by the lost funding they had spent years pursuing. "I've had downtown property owners saying, What do we do?'" Burris said. "I've got engineering plans ready to go and I don't have the money to do it.
Mint
14-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Brics+ could get the globe to work out a better-balanced world order
Gift this article At first there were four. Then five. And now eleven. Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia have joined Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (collectively called Brics) in the newly expanded Brics+ group of nations. At first there were four. Then five. And now eleven. Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia have joined Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (collectively called Brics) in the newly expanded Brics+ group of nations. Brics+ is an eclectic grouping of countries. It owes its conception to a Wall Street report written a quarter of a century ago about the initial four 'Bric' countries and the promise of their economic prospects, mostly driven by demographics. What began as a clubbing meant for global investors to focus on has since evolved into a formal alternative platform for countries to counter Western dominance of multilateral institutions. This makes it an important forum for a post Pax-Americana world, if you will. Also Read: Brics isn't an anti-US forum, it's a voice of the Global South The group is as notable for its differences as for its common purpose. Its members make up 49% of the world's population and 41% of global output (in purchasing power parity terms). In many ways, Brics+ is at par with the G-7 in economic importance. A few members are outright adversaries of the West, such as China, Russia and Iran. Others like India, Brazil, Indonesia and the UAE are keen to retain their flexibility to swing both ways. Only India recognizes China as a competitor; all others have sought to befriend China through this group or keep their relations with it and the West on an even keel. Until the latest meeting in Brazil, Beijing was gradually exerting greater influence on the group. Its dominance was clear in the group's recent expansion. With Russia's support, China overwhelmed Indian and Brazilian hesitation, which resulted in the addition of six countries and 'non-voting partnerships' with 10 other nations. Even though Beijing's rhetoric is nuanced, its objective is clearly to push Brics towards a more stridently anti-Western stance. The goal of India (and Brazil) is to keep an alternate channel open, but not be seen as 'anti-West.' This jockeying for influence will continue within the group, with China assured an edge by its deep trade relationships with all other members. Also Read: Brics isn't out to build a wall but serve the Global South The Brics+ group of countries met in Rio de Janeiro at its 17th summit. All 11 members were represented at the meeting for the first time. However, the heads of state of Russia and China did not attend in person. Vladmir Putin, president of Russia, could only attend virtually because there is an outstanding warrant for his arrest for war crimes issued by the International Criminal Court. The absence of China's President Xi Jinping was a bit puzzling, since this was the first time he has not attended a Brics summit meeting and had played a very visible role in the earlier summits held in Russia's Kazan and South Africa's Johannesburg. Now consider the positions taken by Brics. Group communiques have consistently supported a two-state solution for the Palestine-Israel conflict and an expansion of permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council to include India and Brazil. In the financial realm, the group has emphasized the need to increase quotas of the International Monetary Fund and the shareholding of emerging and developing countries in the World Bank. US President Donald Trump leaned into the current situation by threatening a 10% additional tariff on Brics+ countries for their supposedly 'anti-American' approach. Of course, the situation might change, but Trump's words provided common cause to the 11 nations to strengthen their resolve. Trump seems to be playing a delicate game of trying to weaken the dollar so that America can export more, but doing so without losing the extraordinary privilege that issuing the world's top reserve currency bestows upon the US. Trump's choice of instrument to achieve such a balance is a policy of import tariffs, which is a blunt tool in this context and could create a lot of unintended collateral damage. Pessimists argue that Brics+ only represents a platform for 'transactional multilateralism." In the absence of shared values, a grouping of diverse countries such as this will dilute their individual stands on sensitive issues and reinforce only whatever can achieve a group-wide consensus. There is already some evidence of this in the group's careful wording on the Ukraine conflict, the non-reference to Pakistan on Pahalgam, a dilution of the two-state idea for Israel and Palestine in response to Iran's objection and a soft-pedalling on South Africa's permanent Security Council seat. Also Read: Brics for India: A trade springboard, not an anti-West wall Can Brics+ survive all the differences among member nations? Will it remain relevant in a world that has watched older post-World War II multilateral institutions turn dysfunctional? Paradoxically, the answer appears to be 'yes.' Even though member nations seem to have very different reasons for being part of this club, Brics+ still offers each country some value. For India, membership offers a way to align with other emerging economies, demonstrate leadership of the Global South, exert extra pressure on the UN for a permanent Security Council seat and retain strategic autonomy. For many developing nations, particularly in Africa and Asia, very few means exist to voice themselves on the global stage (other than trade groups). Imperfect as it is, Brics+ is one of the few forums based neither on a military alliance nor trade ties. Its primary purpose is rooted in geopolitics, with geo-economics playing a secondary role. That's why, Brics+ will keep playing a significant role—at least until the world figures out a new order. P.S. 'Nothing endures but change," said Greek Philosopher Heraclitus. The author is chairman, InKlude Labs. Read Narayan's Mint columns at Topics You May Be Interested In
Otago Daily Times
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Brics may be losing its bite
No-shows by key leaders at an annual summit underscored the difficulties of an international bloc that once sought to reshape world politics, James Kynge, of The Observer , writes. The annual summit of Brics, a growing world grouping seen as the Global South's answer to the G7, met in the Brazilian capital this week. But its two heaviest hitters stayed away. So what? Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were absent at a time when the coalition faces the toughest test of its relevance since it was founded in 2009, even as it expands. The 11 members of Brics account for about 40% of global GDP, and their average growth rate remains significantly ahead of the rest of the world. But the Rio summit faced critical challenges including last year's addition of Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Indonesia, which has brought fresh divisions and entrenched old ones; wars in the Middle East and Ukraine; and Donald Trump's tariff threats. Xi's no-show. China is by far the largest Brics economy and styles itself as a leader of the developing world. So Xi not turning up for the first time in more than a decade, without a credible excuse, has to be seen as a downgrading of the importance Beijing accords the group. Lula's loss. Xi's absence was particularly felt by Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has ambitions to bolster his country's leadership role within Brics and among developing countries seeking the democratisation of the international system. Putin's absence. Putin, Xi's closest ally in Brics, beamed in by video link to claim the liberal world order is "obsolete". He faced arrest if he travelled to Brazil in person since the country is part of the International Criminal Court, which has an outstanding warrant for Putin for the alleged abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children. Another Bric in the wall. The grouping called the bombing of Iran, one of its new faces, a "blatant breach of international law" but didn't mention the US or Israel by name — an indicator of the limited influence of Brics, which cannot back up statements with policies. Autocratic drift. The more than doubling of Brics membership last year, largely driven by China, drew concerns from members such as India and Brazil because it tilts the grouping much further towards autocracy. Among the new members, only Indonesia is a democracy, while Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and the UAE are authoritarian states in varying degrees. Competing loyalties. The Saudis and Emiratis, meanwhile, are staunch military allies of the United States, while India is also stepping up its defence partnerships with the West. This has further fragmented a bloc that was already struggling for cohesion. At a meeting in April, its foreign ministers failed to agree on a final statement. And yet. The grouping remains useful politically, especially to Russia. Its statement — signed off by two key US allies in Saudi Arabia and the UAE — barely mentioned Russia's actions in Ukraine, beyond calling for a "sustainable peace settlement" and criticising Ukraine's strikes on Russian infrastructure. For developing nations, the bloc still represents the most credible alternative to the US-led West and is a useful forum for expressing dissatisfaction with the current world order. About 30 countries have applied to join or expressed interest in joining, including Malaysia, Bangladesh and Turkey, a Nato member. Talk of the town. While its statement covered everything from AI and food production to boosting the representation of the Global South in multilateral institutions, Trump's trade policies took up much of the summit's attention. The bloc lamented "unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures", but did not directly call out the Trump administration — another pulled punch. That's unlikely to stop Trump ... In fact, he immediately hit back with a threat to impose extra duties of 10% on countries that align themselves with "anti-American policies".
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First Post
10-07-2025
- Business
- First Post
Brics joint statement on Iran: A challenge for Trump
Although Iran has managed to get the support of Brics+ nation, it would be interesting to see if this will have any impact on the strategic calculus of Israel and the US read more Leaders and representatives from Brazil, China, Russia, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Iran pose for a family photo during the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6. (Reuters) At a time when President Donald Trump is making all out efforts to turn the wheels of history back by converting the contemporary world order as unipolar with the US as the default, de facto and de jure power of the world, or at best as bipolar, with the US and China as the only 'players who matter', it seems his plans are failing, just like his efforts to 'stop the war between Russia and Ukraine'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Several other states and regional blocks are asserting themselves independently and taking stands that do not subscribe to dominant US views, especially on controversial issues like wars, climate change, green financing and responsibility of the developed nations, etc. The joint statement of the leaders of the Brics countries that came out after the recently concluded Brics summit at Brazil is a testimony to it. The statement has given a significant boost to Iran, the new joinee to the block in its foreign policy outreach after the attack on its three nuclear sites by Israel and the US. It is also a reflection of changing geopolitical dynamics and a push back by developing countries to assert themselves. What's Brics? Brics initially referred to a group of nations undergoing swift economic expansion that, if sustained at comparable rates, would become the preeminent economic powers of the 21st century. The abbreviation, originating from the names of the initial members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has been adopted as the designation of a formal international organisation that seeks to enhance economic and geopolitical integration and cooperation among its member states. The phrase Bric, representing Brazil, Russia, India, and China, was initially coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill to characterise the four economies that might potentially control the world economy by 2050, if they sustain growth. Representatives of the BRIC nations commenced informal meetings during the 2006 session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), paving the way for the formalisation of the group in the future. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During their inaugural summit in 2009, the BRIC nations reiterated their dedication to a multipolar world order and global non-interventionism, advocating for a new global reserve currency as a substitute for the U.S. dollar. In 2011, South Africa became a member of the organisation, resulting in the group's acronym being altered to Brics. This indicated a shift from a particular economic classification to a broader coalition of emerging regional leaders. The Brics organisation is also perceived as an initiative to establish a geopolitical bloc that can counteract the dominance of Western-led global organisations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The true cohesion and alignment of the Brics nations, as well as the actual worth of the alliance, however, remains a subject of contention. Several analysts highlight the significant disparities in the political systems, economy, and geopolitical standings of the member states as indicators of the organization's fragility. Brics expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, with Indonesia joining in 2025, along with ten associate nations, turning it as Brics+. Brics currently emphasises climate financing, artificial intelligence governance, and alternative payment systems, while managing internal diversity and global issues. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD About the 17th Brics Summit The 17th Brics Summit took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6-7, 2025, representing a significant event for the group during Brazil's leadership, with the subject 'Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.' The Summit convened amid rising geopolitical tensions and a changing global order, seeking to establish Brics as a counterbalance to Western-dominated institutions such as the IMF and G7, while steering clear of outright conflict. Nonetheless, the increasing U.S. protectionism under President Donald Trump, who threatened substantial tariffs on Brics states engaging in de-dollarization, highlighted the difficulties of manoeuvring through the US-China competition and Western scepticism. During the summit, host nation Brazil's emphasis on climate finance, AI governance, and health equity signified a pragmatic transition towards the goals of the Global South, in contrast to the 2024 Kazan Summit's concentration on Russia's anti-sanction agenda. Internal differences, especially about UN Security Council reform and de-dollarisation, underscored the bloc's challenges in achieving cohesion amidst its varied political systems—three democracies (Brazil, India, South Africa) and two authoritarian regimes (China, Russia). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Brics Statement on Iran The major highlight of the summit, however, was a joint statement released by Brics leaders that sharply rebuked the United States and Israeli bombardments of Iran in June 2025, calling them a 'blatant breach of international law' while voicing strong support for the creation of a Palestinian state. Iran garnered significant diplomatic support during the summit, as the group denounced recent bombings on Iranian soil. The block condemned 'the military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran,' alluding to assaults by Israel and the United States. The joint statement, although not explicitly naming the U.S. or Israel, constituted Brics' most robust condemnation to date. China and Russia indicated their strong apprehensions against the actions of the US and Israel, with Moscow describing the strikes as 'unprovoked.' The consolidated stance of Brics, now inclusive of Iran, indicates an increasing alignment among non-Western nations in opposing the recent US-led actions on bombing the three nuclear sites in Iran. Tehran's backing by Brics countries comes at a pivotal moment as it pursues worldwide acknowledgement of what it perceives as an illegitimate attack on its sovereignty and nuclear infrastructure. Over a period of time, Iran has persistently attempted to escape diplomatic isolation. Full membership in Brics, together with a collective declaration of solidarity, may enhance its capacity to contest the Western narrative in global platforms such as the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Iranian delegation in Brazil had, however, advocated for an even stronger language of condemnation regarding the attack on its nuclear installations. The concluding statement has denounced the strikes and underscored that 'assaults on critical infrastructure and nuclear facilities are impermissible under international law.' With backing from Brics, Iran is anticipated to intensify its demands for a formal inquiry via the U.N. Security Council and the IAEA. In this context, Tehran may also seek additional security guarantees from Russia and China. As Brics evolves into a more cohesive political organisation, Iran's inclusion may alter future reactions to regional disputes involving Western countries. Peace, till when? By the time of writing this article, there was no official reaction from the Government of Israel on the Brics joint statement. It would be interesting to see how Israel reacts to it. The joint declaration denouncing Israeli actions against Iran also received support from India. Earlier this month, India distanced itself from a statement released by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which vehemently criticised Israel's military actions on Iranian soil. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Although Iran has managed to get the support of Brics+ nation, it would be interesting to see if this will have any impact on the strategic calculus of Israel and the US, which want not just an end of Iran's nuclear dreams, but also a regime change, something that is almost impossible without putting boots on the ground. Peace, in West Asia, is just like a comma, and never a full stop! It may look like it is finally achieved, but then even a small incident spills over to bring back violence. Pavan Chaurasia is a Research Fellow at India Foundation, a New Delhi based think tank working on foreign policy and national security. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
The Herald Scotland
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Billion Dollar Playground: Will you be coming out to play?
*** KNOW your Louis Vuitton from your Bric's ? Adore a temperamental chef? Enjoy watching rich people behaving badly? Then you, my friend, are likely a veteran of the reality show Below Deck, and therefore the target audience of new arrival Billion Dollar Playground. Lucky you. Below Deck, with Kenny Rogers-lookalike Captain Lee and no-nonsense chief stew Kate, was set on a luxury charter yacht. Every week it cast off with a new batch of guests, but the crew stayed the same. Wildly differing personalities thrown together by circumstance, they bickered, bonded, got bladdered, and occasionally did something else beginning with 'b'. Think Upstairs Downstairs in deck shoes. One of the earliest streaming hits, you can still watch Below Deck for free on Channel 4. Billion Dollar Playground, set in an Australian luxury lets business, updates the idea. 'Our guests are the world's elite,' said Tom, one of the owners. The first let was an apartment in Rose Bay, Sydney Harbour, where a crack team was waiting to serve. In true Apprentice style they introduced/hanged themselves. 'I've had to be a best friend, the servant, and a downright slave,' said lead concierge Salvatore, not at all dramatically. His deputy, named Heaven, said her superpower was making guests' dreams come true. Hard as the team were working to get the place spotless, there was a distinct whiff of something in the air and it wasn't bleach. The clients, a group of business women, arrived and immediately began demanding their money's worth. The team were delighted to oblige in the spare moments between gossip sessions, with the Salvatore and Heaven clash top of the bill. 'I think Salvatore has had a go at Heaven,' said trainee concierge Nicole. 'Why?' said Elsie the chambermaid. 'I don't know why.' said Nicole. Elsie tried again. 'What for?' 'I don't know what for,' said Nicole. If you can stand an hour of this verbal jousting you'll feel right at home in the Billion Dollar Playground club. In the kitchen were George and Matt, brothers and chefs. They were already looking frazzled one episode in, having been asked to whip up extra canapes before dinner. I wouldn't fancy their chances in a below-deck kitchen. Trying to play it cool was JB, the French butler. Australian standards of hospitality were a 'little more laid back', he said. JB lost his cool in the Mystery of the Missing Dom, a fraught little episode involving a guest asking for the Champagne she had brought. It was in the boot of the car, but running around like headless chickens meant no one on the staff clocked it. A quick trip to the shops to buy replacements and the panic was over. More crises followed as a matter of course. Dog-gate, Bowl-gate, Missing Dessert Spoons-Gate, Salvatore and Heaven hissing at each other, living in the lap of luxury was hardly stress-free. No prices were given in the first episode so who knows how much it all cost, apart from your precious time. Another glass of Dom, anyone?
