In this week’s round-up: Alternative payment system growing in popularity; a new exhibition offers a stunning view from space; South African labour leader takes unions to task; South Africa gets BRICS tourism boost; Russia awards SA Ambassador for role in BRICS initiatives.
20 Nations Join Russian Payment System, Ditch US Dollar: BRICS
Coinciding with the BRICS overall de-dollarization plans, twenty countries have adopted the Russian Payment system to ditch the US dollar. Russia says its alternative to SWIFT already has more than 159 foreign participants.
BRICS Universe: A Stunning Photographic Journey Through Cultural Heritage from Space
Get ready to embark on a captivating voyage through the cultural heritage of BRICS nations from the unique perspective of outer space! An exhibition titled “BRICS Universe” is set to open at the Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow on February 1st, showcasing breathtaking photographs of UNESCO World Heritage Sites captured by Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Ivan Vagner during their missions on the International Space Station (ISS).
Labour should not be spokespersons for their governments
In late September 2023, THE MAIN trade union federations from BRICS countries converged in Durban for their annual trade union forum (BRICS TUF). The theme was “Cooperation for Fair and Inclusive Development for all Peoples of the World…”
Their gathering was immediately followed by the BRICS Labour and Employment Minister’s Meeting (LEMM), which is meant to merge government and business inputs with those of organised labour. As expected, the trade union movement was meant merely to rubberstamp and legitimise the decisions taken by government ministers.
South Africa tourism gets BRICS boost
The number of tourists visiting South Africa increased by nearly half last year, boosted by new favourable visa policies and increased arrivals from BRICS countries, the country’s tourism ministry said.
Russia awards SA Ambassador for role in BRICS initiatives, ‘order of friendship’
South Africa’s BRICS Ambassador Anil Sooklal received the Order of Friendship from the Russian Federation.
