Brics group looks to expand at summit despite divisions among key members

Leaders from developing countries representing almost half the world's population including China and Russia are to meet in South Africa for a key summit aimed at reinforcing their alliance as a counterweight to the west. The Brics grouping summit in Johannesburg, which starts on Tuesday, will be hosted by the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, and brings together the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, as well the presidents of China, Xi Jinping, and Brazil, Luiz Inà¡cio Lula da Silva. Dozens of leaders of other countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East will also attend, many hoping to be…