Russian Minister Joins Developing Economies Meeting on Saudi Arabia and Iran's Inclusion.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended a meeting of the BRICS bloc of developing economies in South Africa, where discussions included the possible expansion of the group to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. The BRICS bloc, which currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is increasingly viewed as an emerging counterpoint to the G-7 and the West, and an expansion of the bloc could strengthen Russian and Chinese political and economic influence. More than 20 countries have "formally or informally" requested to join the BRICS bloc, according to South Africa's ambassador to BRICS, Anil Sooklal.