What's happened
Thailand expresses interest in joining Brics as the economic grouping expands, while new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and UAE join Brics to promote peace. Meanwhile, Putin's daughters, Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova, make rare public appearances at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum.
Why it matters
Thailand's bid to join Brics and the expansion of the economic grouping signal a shift in global governance dynamics. The public appearances of Putin's daughters at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum add intrigue to the secretive lives of the Kremlin elite.
What the papers say
According to South China Morning Post, Thailand's move to join Brics reflects a trend of relying on the US for security and China for the economy. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasizes the importance of Brics in promoting peace and opposing a 'new cold war'. The Guardian and Metro shed light on the rare public appearances of Putin's daughters at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, highlighting their professional roles and the secrecy surrounding their identities.
How we got here
The Brics economic grouping has expanded beyond its core members, with Thailand expressing interest in joining. The St. Petersburg Economic Forum serves as a platform for global economic discussions and has attracted high-profile attendees in the past. Putin's daughters, Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova, have made rare public appearances, sparking curiosity due to the secrecy surrounding their identities.
Common question
More on these topics
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is an annual Russian business event for the economic sector, which has been held in St. Petersburg since 1997, and under the auspices of the Russian President since 2005. Each year, more than 10,000 people f
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Katerina Tikhonova is a Russian scientist, manager, and former acrobatic dancer. She is the second daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Maria Vorontsova (Russian: Мария Воронцова, née Mariya Vladimirovna Putina, Мария Владимировна Путина; born 28 April 1985), also referred to as Maria Faassen, is a Russian pediatric endocrinologist. She is the eldest
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BRICS is the acronym coined to associate five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The BRICS members are known for their significant influence on regional affairs.