[UPDATE-Aug 24-13:00Z – Final Declaration] – BRICS Summit to Begin in South Africa

   Leaders of BRICS countries end first day of summit with closed-door meeting The leaders of BRICS countries capped off the first day of the summit by meeting to discuss pressing global issues and the expansion of the group that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, a diplomatic source reported. “The meeting, which took place at the Summer Place hotel compound behind closed doors, did not have a pre-agreed agenda,” the person said. “Each participant could raise any issue they felt necessary to discuss with their counterparts.” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is chairing the summit,…