"We must secure supply chains that are vulnerable to strategic competitors, and we must carefully deploy sanctions as part of a whole-of-government approach to address our national security requirements,” Bessent plans to tell senators on the Finance Committee Thursday, according to a spokesman, who shared his prepared testimony. “And critically, we must ensure that the US dollar remains the world’s reserve currency."

"If Congress fails to act, Americans will face the largest tax increase in history, a crushing $4 trillion tax hike,” he plans to tell lawmakers. “We must make permanent the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and implement new pro-growth policies to reduce the tax burden on American manufacturers service workers and seniors."

"We witness a new chapter of strategic relations," Pezeshkian said, highlighting plans to enhance trade and deepen security cooperation.

"The Brazilian government announces today, January 17, 2025, the official accession of Nigeria as a partner country of the group," the Brazilian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"We are ready [to host the BRICS Winter Games] and will be very happy to do it," Metshin stated. "Our sports infrastructure facilities fully comply with international standards."

"Russia and Iran have reached a new level of cooperation," Ibrahimov stated, emphasising their shared global vision and alignment in international affairs.

"This transaction, the first NDB issuance in 2025, reinforces NDB’s commitment to the Panda Bond market and maintains the bank’s position as the largest issuer in this market," the press service said.

"The net proceeds from the bond sale will be used as general corporate resources of the New Development Bank and will finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects that benefit its member countries and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," the statement reads.

"This milestone reaffirms NDB’s commitment to mobilising resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging market economies and developing countries," Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer of the NDB Monale Ratsoma was quoted as saying.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has accepted the invitation to join BRICS as a partner country. The formal acceptance to participate as a partner country underscores Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international collaboration, leveraging economic opportunities, and advancing strategic partnerships that align with Nigeria’s development objectives,” it said.

"2024 is also a milestone year for China-South African relations. China has been South Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with the bilateral trade volume reaching US$55.6 billion in 2023, which is about 35 times more since diplomatic relations between the countries were first established," Li highlighted.

"I would like to thank you again for your support for Russia’s #BRICS chairmanship. We are coordinating our steps on other multilateral platforms as well: the United Nations and its Security Council, the SCO, the G20, and APEC. We jointly press for building a fairer multipolar world order. We work to ensure indivisible security in the Eurasian space and in the world as a whole," Putin said.

"We widely celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. During our visit to China in May, we launched a large-scale project of cross years of culture. Useful talks took place in July on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s summit in Astana," Putin said.