Russia pushes for BRICS grain exchange to challenge western dominance in global market

Russia intends to establish a “grain exchange” with BRICS nations, aspiring to use this trade alliance of nine emerging countries to challenge Western dominance in agricultural trade. While the officially declared purpose of the inter-bloc grain exchange is to facilitate trade between BRICS member states, analysts say that the new alliance actually aims to become […]

Canada resets ties with Morocco with recognition of autonomy plan for Sahara

Canada said on April 28 it supports Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the basis for a mutually acceptable political solution, a move that could mark a turning point in bilateral relations that have faced strain in recent months. The position was set out in a statement by Global Affairs Canada after Foreign Minister […]

Kenyan MPs demand more details on secret $5bn railway loan deal with China

Some Kenyan lawmakers are demanding to see more documents from a secret $5bn loan agreement with a Chinese bank that financed a cross-country railway, with critics of the deal blaming the government of the day for having given too much legal authority to China. The 2011 agreement was shielded from public view until Kenya’s transport […]