Opinion By Mathew Carr

Magnificent seven stocks are defying gravity for now —- propaganda is helping them issue shares and raise debt.

These values won’t last based on historical fundamentals … eg Alphabet at 10 times sales. Really?

Not investing advice: Now is probably a great time to consider selling mag 7 stocks so you can rebuy them at lower prices after they crash. Or consider reducing your exposure.

Same for giant overpriced banks …where regulators are closing in (if there is justice — warning …maybe there is none ).

With your warchest, you will be able to be bold when others are fearful.

The first preparatory meeting of the BRICS Women’s Working Group, held virtually on April 30, 2026, focused on setting the agenda for the upcoming year under India’s chairmanship…including narrowing the tech divide.

Gemini unchecked below:

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To close the digital divide, BRICS—under India’s 2026 chairship—is shifting from general advocacy to a “Digital Public Infrastructure” (DPI) model. This approach treats digital access as a utility (like water or electricity) rather than a luxury.

The strategy focuses on four practical mechanisms designed to integrate women and marginalized groups into the global economy.

1. The “DPI” Blueprint (The India Stack Model)

The primary vehicle for closing the divide is the expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure. By sharing the “India Stack” model (built on digital ID, instant payment systems, and secure data sharing) with other members like Ethiopia, Egypt, and Indonesia, BRICS aims to:

• Standardize Digital IDs: Allowing women in rural or informal sectors to access government services and credit for the first time.
• Unified Payment Interfaces: Enabling micro-entrepreneurs to conduct cross-border trade within the bloc without high banking fees.

2. BRICS Women’s Startups Contest 2026

A very concrete step currently in motion is the Women’s Startups Contest, led by the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA). This is not just a competition; it is a pipeline for capital.

• Categories: Specifically targets “Digital Transformation” and “Education & Skill Development.”
• The Goal: To provide 18 finalists with direct access to the BRICS Women Advancement Fund and mentorship from industry leaders across the 11 member nations.
• Current Window: Applications for this initiative are open until May 15, 2026, with the final awards ceremony taking place in India this September.

3. AI Literacy & “New-Collar” Skills

Recognizing that 2026 is a pivotal year for generative AI, the group is launching “reskilling” programs. The focus is on AI Literacy and Data Annotation, which are seen as “new-collar” jobs that can be performed remotely, allowing women to balance domestic roles with high-tech employment.

Summary of Closing the Divide

Strategy Implementation Method Intended Impact DPI Expansion Shared open-source software and APIs. 100% digital identity for women in the bloc. Financial Inclusion Blended finance & the Women Advancement Fund. Lowering the interest rates for women-led tech startups. Skills Development BRICS Digital Economy Working Group training. 5 million women trained in AI and digital fluency by 2027. Cross-Border Trade BRICS e-commerce platforms. Connecting rural artisans directly to global BRICS markets.

The “Wildcard” Factor: Cybersecurity

While the focus is on access, the 2026 agenda has added a significant emphasis on Cyber-Safety. The Working Group recently noted that the digital divide cannot be closed if women do not feel safe online. Consequently, India is pushing for a unified BRICS framework on online harassment and data privacy, ensuring that “inclusion” doesn’t lead to “vulnerability.”
The formal “Digital Inclusion Declaration” that codifies these steps is expected to be signed during the Ministerial Meeting in Kochi this July.
Since these initiatives rely heavily on mobile technology, would you like to know more about the specific “BRICS-wide” mobile payment standards they are developing to compete with Western systems?

ChatGPT below unchecked

Note

What that means in plain terms

• P/E = how expensive the stock is today
• Earnings growth = how fast profits are expected to grow (usually annual % over the next 2–3 years)
• PEG = how much you’re paying per unit of growth

The first preparatory meeting of the BRICS Women’s Working Group, held virtually on April 30, 2026, focused on setting the agenda for the upcoming year under India’s chairship.
Rather than final legislation, the group “decided” on four specific priority areas that will serve as the foundation for the Ministerial meeting in July. These pillars are designed to move beyond traditional advocacy toward “women-led development.”

The Four Priority Pillars

Priority Area Key Focus Governance & Leadership Increasing the representation of women in decision-making roles within government and corporate boards. Financial & Digital Inclusion Closing the “digital divide” and ensuring women have equal access to banking, credit, and digital literacy. Entrepreneurship & Skills Scaling up vocational training and support for women-owned small businesses across BRICS nations. Climate & Food Security Empowering women as central figures in climate change adaptation, sustainable farming, and nutrition.

What’s Next?

The “decisions” made this week were part of a roadmap leading to two major physical meetings in Kochi, Kerala:

• July 6–7, 2026: Finalizing the Women Working Group outcomes.
• July 8–9, 2026: The BRICS Women Ministerial Meeting, where these priorities are expected to be signed into a formal joint declaration.
  The meeting was notable for including the newly expanded BRICS members (such as the UAE, Iran, and Ethiopia) for the first time in this specific working group, with all members reportedly agreeing to India’s proposed “humanity-first” approach to women’s issues.