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Putin Hosts BRICS Summit Amid Rising Global Tensions
Kazan, Russia – Nearly three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin is hosting a major summit of BRICS nations, signaling that he is far from isolated on the global stage. The summit, which began Tuesday in the southwestern city of Kazan, brings together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newly joined members Egypt, the UAE, Ethiopia, and Iran.
This is the first in-person BRICS summit since the group’s expansion earlier this year. It comes at a time when Russia is facing widespread condemnation and sanctions from the West for its ongoing war in Ukraine. Putin, however, aims to demonstrate that a growing coalition of nations supports his vision of a world less dominated by the United States and its Western allies.
The three-day summit opened with Putin meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, who praised the partnership between their nations as a model for international relations. Leaders from India, South Africa, and Iran are also in attendance, although Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had to cancel his appearance due to an injury.
This gathering is the largest international event Russia has hosted since the war began in February 2022. Putin’s goal is to project the BRICS bloc as a force challenging the U.S.-led global order. He emphasized the economic and political influence of BRICS countries, calling their growing prominence an “undeniable fact” and asserting that the group will play a key role in shaping a “new world order.”
Despite the rhetoric, the BRICS countries have diverse political interests and internal tensions that complicate their ability to present a unified front. For example, India and China have longstanding border disputes, and their relationship with the U.S. varies significantly.
The summit comes at a pivotal moment ahead of the U.S. elections, where a potential victory for former President Donald Trump could shift Washington’s foreign policy, especially its support for Ukraine. Putin’s summit also follows heightened conflict in the Middle East, where Israel is engaged in a military operation against Iran-backed militant groups, adding further complexity to the geopolitical landscape.
Observers expect the BRICS summit to address issues like economic cooperation, alternatives to the U.S. dollar in international trade, and strategies for dealing with sanctions. While the group presents itself as a counterbalance to Western influence, divisions within BRICS and its newly expanded membership may limit its ability to act cohesively. Nonetheless, the Kazan summit underscores a broader trend of countries seeking to challenge the dominance of the U.S. and its allies in global affairs.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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