With half the world heading to the polls in 2024, and some 30 countries electing a president, here are five key elections to watch:
The meeting will be chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the hope of drawing up a common response to the more than six week conflict.
The Kremlin said Friday that no agreements had been signed during North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's ongoing visit to Russia, amid Western concern that the two isolated countries could be preparing an arms deal.
Putin held talks with the reclusive leader in Russia's Vostochny cosmodrome in the Far East, as Moscow grows increasingly isolated from the West over its offensive in Ukraine.
Kim has not travelled outside North Korea since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Brazil's leader withdrew on Monday his personal assurance that Russia President Vladimir Putin would not be arrested if he attends next year's G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, saying it would be up to the judiciary to decide.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Moscow is just weeks away from supplying free grain to six African countries after scrapping a deal allowing Ukrainian food exports through the Black Sea.
Appearing on a video link, Russian President Vladimir Putin told delegates at the BRICS Summit that he blamed the West for backing him into a corner.
Russia and North Korea - both increasingly isolated from the West and weighted with sanctions - have drawn closer since the Kremlin deployed troops to Ukraine and commenced large-scale hostilities last year.
The group also called for the United Nations to take action to release 200,000 tons of Russian fertiliser blocked in European Union seaports, said Vincent Magwenya, a spokesperson for South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa.
With trade between Russia and the Africa continent now worth $18 billion annually, Vladimir Putin said this existing cooperation needs to be expanded. He said shipping would be free for the deliveries - which will be made within the next three to four months.
Several African leaders including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are expected at the summit set for Thursday and Friday in Putin's native city.
On Friday, the North Gauteng High Court issued an order compelling government to follow through with a request from the International Criminal Court to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin should he ever travel to South Africa.
The Eyewitness News bulletin with Jane Dutton.
As a result of the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s legal action, Russian President Vladimir Putin won’t be able to set foot in South Africa without being arrested.
South Africa's BRICS Sherpa Anil Sooklal said that President Vladimir Putin’s decision not to attend the summit in Johannesburg in August was a display of maturity and solidarity.
This despite President Cyril Ramaphosa announcing on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be attending the BRICS summit in Johannesburg in August.
The Eyewitness News bulletin with Jane Dutton.
