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A group of trading nations known as BRICS, which is hoping to rival the G7, is set to grow in size after inviting six new countries to join – including Iran and Saudi Arabia.

BRICS – which has, until now, comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – announced the proposed expansion at the group’s three-day summit in Johannesburg.

The bloc has invited Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates to join. They will be formally admitted on 1 January 2024.

BRICS, founded in 2009, hopes to champion ‘the global South’ and serve as a counterweight to the politically dominant G7 nations. The G7 consists of the UK, US, Canada, France, Italy, Japan and Germany.

BRICS officials have argued against concerns the bloc is developing an anti-West position under the influence of China and Russia.

Its five founding countries are home to 40% of the world’s population and responsible for more than 30% of global economic output.

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‘A new chapter for developing countries’

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told the summit: “BRICS has embarked on a new chapter in its effort to build a world that is fair, a world that is just, a world that is also inclusive and prosperous.”

“This membership expansion is historic,” China’s President Xi Jinping said following the announcement. “It shows the determination of BRICS countries for unity and cooperation with the broader developing countries.”

The expansion is BRICS’ first but looks unlikely to be the last, as the group says another 16 nations have also formally requested to join.

“We have consensus on the first phase of this expansion process and other phases will follow,” Ramaphosa said at a media briefing.

Four out of the five BRICS leaders are in Johannesburg for the annual summit.

Putin attacks West – remotely because of arrest risk

Vladimir Putin did not travel after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest for the abduction of children from Ukraine in March.

Russia has instead been represented in Johannesburg by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov while Putin delivered a 17-minute pre-recorded video address on Tuesday.

All eyes are currently on Russia amid the claim by authorities there that Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has been killed in a plane crash, but Putin has yet to acknowledge the reports.

Vladimir Putin attends a plenary session of the BRICS summit via a video link in Moscow, Russia
Pic:Sputnik/Reuters
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Putin has attended the summit’s meetings via video link. Pic: Sputnik/Reuters

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Vladimir Putin has spoken at the BRICS summit in South Africa via video link

In a second BRICS summit appearance via video, the president promised that Moscow will deepen its ties with African countries and be a reliable supplier of food and fuel – before taking aim at Western powers and ‘neo-liberalism’.

Putin also said Russian fuel supplies will aid African nations in keeping price rises to a minimum and said the global transition to a low carbon emission economy will have to be “gradual, balanced, carefully calibrated”.

He then claimed former colonial Western powers “seek to solve their problems at the expense of others, continuing to shamelessly siphon resources from developing countries”.

“They are trying to replace the system of international law with their own so-called ‘order’ based on rules that no one has seen,” he claimed.

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Tesla approves $29bn share award to Elon Musk

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Tesla approves bn share award to Elon Musk

Tesla’s board has signed off a $29bn (£21.8bn) share award to Elon Musk after a court blocked an earlier package worth almost double that sum.

The new award, which amounts to 96 million new shares, is not just about keeping the electric vehicle (EV) firm’s founder in the driving seat as chief executive.

The new stock will also bolster his voting power from a current level of 13%.

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He and other shareholders have long argued that boosting his interest in the company is key to maintaining his focus after a foray into the trappings of political power at Donald Trump‘s side – a relationship that has now turned sour.

Musk is angry at the president’s tax cut and spending plans, known as the big beautiful bill. Tesla has also suffered a sales backlash as a result of Musk’s past association with Mr Trump and role in cutting federal government spending.

Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk onstage during an event for Tesla in Shanghai, China. Pic: Reuters
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Tesla’s Elon Musk is seen on stage during an event in Shanghai Pic: Reuters

The company is currently focused on the roll out of a new cheaper model in a bid to boost flagging sales and challenge steep competition, particularly from China.

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The headwinds have been made stronger as the Trump administration has cut support for EVs, with Musk admitting last month that it could lead to a “few rough quarters” for the company.

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Could Trump cost Tesla billions?

Tesla is currently running trials of its self-driving software and revenues are not set to reflect the anticipated rollout until late next year.

Musk had been in line for a share award worth over $50bn back in 2018 – the biggest compensation package ever seen globally.

But the board’s decision was voided by a judge in Delaware following a protracted legal fight. There is still a continuing appeal process.

Earlier this year, Tesla said its board had formed a special committee to consider some compensation matters involving Musk, without disclosing details.

The special committee said in the filing on Monday: “While we recognize Elon’s business ventures, interests and other potential demands on his time and attention are extensive and wide-ranging… we are confident that this award will incentivize Elon to remain at Tesla”.

It added that if the Delaware courts fully reinstate the 2018 “performance award”, the new interim grant would either be forfeited or offset to ensure no “double dip”.

The new compensation package is subject to shareholder approval.

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Motor finance operators can breathe big sigh of relief

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Motor finance operators can breathe big sigh of relief

Bank stocks have enjoyed a boost as traders digest the Supreme Court’s ruling on the car finance scandal.

Some of the country’s most exposed lenders, including Lloyds and Close Brothers, saw their share prices jump by 7.55% and 21.62% respectively.

It came after the court delivered a reprieve from a possible £44bn compensation bill.

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Banks will still most likely have to fork out over discretionary commissions – a type of commission for dealers that was linked to how high an interest rate they could get from customers.

The FCA, which banned the practice in 2021, is currently consulting on a redress scheme but the final bill is unlikely to exceed £18bn. Overall, the result has been better than expected for the banks.

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Car finance ruling explained

Lloyds, which owns the country’s largest car finance provider Black Horse, had set aside £1.2bn to cover compensation payouts.

Following the judgment, the bank said it “currently believes that if there is any change to the provision, it is unlikely to be material in the context of the group”.

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‘Don’t use a claims management firm’

The judgment released some of the anxiety that has been weighing over the Bank’s share price.

Jonathan Pierce, banking analyst at Jefferies, said the FCA’s prediction was “consistent with our estimates, and most importantly, we think it largely de-risks Lloyds’ shares from the ‘motor issue'”.

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Bank stocks have responded robustly to each twist and turn in this tale, sinking after the Court of Appeal turned against them and jumping (as much as 8% in the case of Close Brothers) when the Supreme Court allowed the appeal hearing.

Concerns about this volatility motivated the Supreme Court to deliver its judgment late in the afternoon so that traders would have time to absorb the news.

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FCA considering compensation scheme over car finance scandal – raising hopes of payouts for motorists

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FCA considering compensation scheme over car finance scandal - raising hopes of payouts for motorists

Thousands of motorists who bought cars on finance before 2021 could be set for payouts as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said it will consult on a compensation scheme.

In a statement released on Sunday, the FCA said its review of the past use of motor finance “has shown that many firms were not complying with the law or our disclosure rules that were in force when they sold loans to consumers”.

“Where consumers have lost out, they should be appropriately compensated in an orderly, consistent and efficient way,” the statement continued.

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The FCA said it estimates the cost of any scheme, including compensation and administrative costs, to be no lower than £9bn – adding that a total cost of £13.5bn is “more plausible”.

It is unclear how many people could be eligible for a pay-out. The authority estimates most individuals will probably receive less than £950 in compensation.

The consultation will be published by early October and any scheme will be finalised in time for people to start receiving compensation next year.

What motorists should do next

The FCA says you may be affected if you bought a car under a finance scheme, including hire purchase agreements, before 28 January 2021.

Anyone who has already complained does not need to do anything.

The authority added: “Consumers concerned that they were not told about commission, and who think they may have paid too much for the finance, should complain now.”

Its website advises drivers to complain to their finance provider first.

If you’re unhappy with the response, you can then contact the Financial Ombudsman.

The FCA has said any compensation scheme will be easy to participate in, without drivers needing to use a claims management company or law firm.

It has warned motorists that doing so could end up costing you 30% of any compensation in fees.

The announcement comes after the Supreme Court ruled on a separate, but similar, case on Friday.

The court overturned a ruling that would have meant millions of motorists could have been due compensation over “secret” commission payments made to car dealers as part of finance arrangements.

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Car finance scandal explained

The FCA’s case concerns discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs) – a practice banned in 2021.

Under these arrangements, brokers and dealers increased the amount of interest they earned without telling buyers and received more commission for it. This is said to have then incentivised sellers to maximise interest rates.

In light of the Supreme Court’s judgment, any compensation scheme could also cover non-discretionary commission arrangements, the FCA has said. These arrangements are ones where the buyer’s interest rate did not impact the dealer’s commission.

This is because part of the court’s ruling “makes clear that non-disclosure of other facts relating to the commission can make the relationship [between a salesperson and buyer] unfair,” it said.

It was previously estimated that about 40% of car finance deals included DCAs while 99% involved a commission payment to a broker.

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Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA, said: “It is clear that some firms have broken the law and our rules. It’s fair for their customers to be compensated.

“We also want to ensure that the market, relied on by millions each year, can continue to work well and consumers can get a fair deal.”

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