More than 40 countries have expressed interested in joining the BRICS group of nations, South Africa's top diplomat in charge of relations with the bloc said on Thursday.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office issued a state of emergency after days of clashes between security forces and a militia group in the Amhara region.

Armed militias are fighting against Ethiopia's National Defense Forces in the Amhara region. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has declared a state of emergency, and experts warn that the national peace process is in jeopardy.

Authorities in Ethiopia have initiated a crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community. Rights activists have branded it a diversionary tactic in the wake of renewed violence across the country.

Global South versus Global North? The BRICS summit in South Africa is set to be all about the group's plans to expand and how to deal with sanctions.

Some see the 5-member club as a counterweight to traditional Western-led forums and institutions. But what exactly is BRICS and why does it matter?

Leaders of the BRICS group of emerging economies meet in Johannesburg as divisions between the founding members about the bloc's future appear to emerge. Thirty-eight Senegalese nationals are repatriated after a migrant boat drifts off Cape Verde. And Zimbabwe gears up for presidential elections amid economic hardship.

After Human Rights Watch reported the killing of hundreds of Ethiopians at the Saudi-Yemeni border, the Ethiopian government decided to launch a joint investigation with Saudi Arabia.

As BRICS leaders meet in Johannesburg on Tuesday, they will be sure to discuss ways to increase commercial exchanges within the bloc of emerging economies comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The group, which represents 16% of global trade, will also look to encourage the use of local currencies in exchanges. However, the Brazilian idea of creating a common currency for the bloc appears to now be on the back burner.

During this week's BRICS summit, China is leading calls for expansion of the grouping's membership and influence. However, a major rift remains between Beijing and New Delhi.

Strengthening the New Development Bank (NDB) — or the so-called BRICS Development Bank — is top agenda of the BRICS summit agenda. Could the NDB, backed by the five emerging world economies: Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa, replace existing financial institutions, such as the IMF, in lending funds to developing nations?

An aide to Chinese president Xi Jinping was stopped from entering the BRICS Summit venue in Johannesburg on Wednesday while following the leader onto a red carpet. Video shows Xi walking into the venue and security officials blocking the confused aide, closing the doors between him and his boss.