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BRICS Invites 6 Nations, Including Saudi Arabia, to Join the Bloc

(From L to R) President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of China Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg on August 24, 2023. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
(From L to R) President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of China Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg on August 24, 2023. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
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BRICS Invites 6 Nations, Including Saudi Arabia, to Join the Bloc

(From L to R) President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of China Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg on August 24, 2023. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
(From L to R) President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of China Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg on August 24, 2023. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)

Leaders of the BRICS group of developing nations have invited Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Ethiopia and Argentina to join the bloc.

Expansion could also pave the way for dozens of interested countries seeking admission to BRICS - currently Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is hosting a summit of BRICS leaders, announced on Thursday that the new candidates would be admitted as members on Jan. 1, 2024.

The debate over enlargement has topped the agenda at the three-day summit taking place in Johannesburg.

More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS, say South African officials, and 22 have formally asked to be admitted.

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Gulf

GCC Denounces Iran’s Continued Attacks on Member States

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)
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GCC Denounces Iran’s Continued Attacks on Member States

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)

The Gulf Cooperation Council strongly denounced on Sunday Iran’s continued aggression against its member states including the deliberate targeting of infrastructures and oil facilities.

The GCC rejected these hostile actions, describing them as a blatant violation of international law and norms and pose a direct threat to regional security and stability, as well as to the safety of global energy supplies.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi emphasized that Iran’s continuing aggression unveils its escalatory approach towards Gulf states. He said Iran's unacceptable acts of aggression undermine de-escalation efforts and threaten both regional and international security.

He added that Iranian claims seeking to hold GCC member states responsible for any military operations are unfounded, categorically rejected, and lack any foundation.

Albudaiwi urged the international community to condemn the attacks, take firm action, and pressure Iran to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 to stop violations and maintain regional stability.

He reaffirmed the GCC’s unity and solidarity in facing threats, and their commitment to joint efforts to promote regional stability and peace.

Gulf

Qatar Says Helicopter Crashes after Technical Malfunction, 7 Dead

People walk along the Corniche on the second day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Doha on March 21, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
People walk along the Corniche on the second day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Doha on March 21, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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Qatar Says Helicopter Crashes after Technical Malfunction, 7 Dead

People walk along the Corniche on the second day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Doha on March 21, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
People walk along the Corniche on the second day of Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Doha on March 21, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Qatar said on Sunday that seven people have been confirmed killed in a Qatari helicopter crash in the country’s territorial waters.

The Defense Ministry earlier said the helicopter crashed on Saturday after suffering ⁠a ⁠technical malfunction during routine duty.

Four of those killed ⁠were Qatari armed forces ‌personnel, ‌one was from ​the Qatar-Türkiye ‌joint forces and ‌two were technicians, the Turkish and Qatari defense ministries said.

"Military cooperation and ‌coordination activities between the Republic of Türkiye and ⁠the ⁠State of Qatar continue uninterrupted within the framework of existing agreements and plans," the Turkish Defense Ministry said. 

Gulf

MWL Condemns Israeli Strike on Southern Syria

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
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MWL Condemns Israeli Strike on Southern Syria

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo

The Muslim World League (MWL) condemned the Israeli strikes targeting military infrastructure in southern Syria.

In a statement, MWL Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa described the attack as a violation of international laws and norms, particularly the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

He reaffirmed full solidarity with Syria and its people against actions that undermine its sovereignty and threaten its security and stability.

Israel's military said on Friday it had struck southern Syria in response to what it called attacks against the Druze community in Sweida province.