Russia Proposes BRICS Investment Platform
Russia has proposed creating a new investment platform for BRICS nations to pool large-scale funds, including digital assets, for joint development projects. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced this at a meeting of foreign ministers. The platform is intended to strengthen economic cooperation and establish sustainable settlement mechanisms in national currencies.
Vladimir Putin to Visit China on May 19–20
The Kremlin has confirmed the dates of Putin’s visit to China: the Russian president will arrive in Beijing on May 19–20 at the invitation of Xi Jinping. The leaders will discuss strategic partnership, take part in the opening of cross-country Years of Education, and sign a joint statement along with a number of bilateral documents.
Aliko Dangote Plans Africa’s Largest-Ever IPO
Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, owned by Africa’s wealthiest businessman Aliko Dangote, is preparing a record IPO of its refining business across multiple exchanges. The company plans to raise $5 billion by listing around 10% of its shares, with proceeds going toward expanding both its refining and fertilizer businesses. The IPO is seen as part of «Vision 2030» — a strategy aimed at growing Dangote Group into a $100 billion revenue enterprise.
Indian Rupee Falls to Record Low Amid Energy Crisis
The Indian rupee hit an all-time low of 96.23 per dollar on Monday, breaking the previous record of 96.14. The decline was driven by persistently high energy prices due to the conflict in Iran, which triggered a surge in global bond yields and compounded economic difficulties for the world’s third-largest oil importer. Without intervention by the Reserve Bank of India, the drop could have been even steeper.
China’s Unitree Opens World’s First App Store for Humanoid Robots
Unitree has launched UniStore, the world’s first skills marketplace for robots, where owners of G1/H1 humanoids and B2/Go2 robot dogs can download new movements in one click — from dances and jumps to Chinese martial arts. Currently 24 free scenarios are available, and third-party developers have already been granted access to publish their own behavior packages. The company is betting on an ecosystem approach — soon your robot dog will be able to perform viral animations on demand.
