Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt among 6 nations to join China and Russia in BRICS economic bloc

News Snapshot:

Iran and Saudi Arabia were among six countries set to join Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in the BRICS economic bloc from next year, the group announced Thursday, in a move that will likely throw more scrutiny on Beijing's political influence in the Persian Gulf. The United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia are also set to become new members of BRICS from 2024. BRICS was set up in 2009 as a group of emerging market economies and has become one of the leading voices for more representation of the developing world and the Global South in world...