🌍🌍🌍 How much of the world’s gold reserves are held by BRICS nations?

Over 20 percent of the world's gold reserves are held by BRICS countries, with Russia and China leading the field, according to Sputnik’s calculations based on World Gold Council data.

As of the second quarter of 2024, global gold reserves totaled 29,030 tons, with BRICS (excluding Iran and Ethiopia) holding 6,200 tons, or 21.4 percent of the world's total. Russia leads within BRICS with 2,340 tons or 8.1 percent of the world's gold, followed by China with 2,260 tons (7.8 percent).

Other BRICS members—India, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Egypt, South Africa, and the UAE—hold smaller shares, collectively less than 3 percent of global reserves. India has 840.76 tons, Saudi Arabia 323 tons, Brazil 129.7 tons, Egypt 126.57 tons, South Africa 125.44 tons and the UAE 74.5 tons.

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📹 Around seven strikes hit the southern suburbs of Beirut within an hour, according to local media. The raids are still ongoing. Local residents have shared footage showing the aftermath of one of the strikes at the site of a destroyed building in the Jnah neighborhood.

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❗️ Four people killed, 24 injured in Israeli strike near Rafik Hariri University Hospital – Lebanese Health Ministry

According to preliminary data, an Israeli strike near Rafik Hariri University Hospital in southern Beirut has killed four people, including a child, and injured 24 others. The strike also caused significant damage to the medical facility, the Lebanese Ministry of Health's Emergency Response Center reported.

Earlier in the day, a residential building near the hospital was attacked by Israel, a Sputnik correspondent said. So far, more than 15 ambulances and two fire trucks have arrived at the scene of the attack.

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📹 More footage of Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs

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🥴 Only ‘pre-determined questions’ allowed at Harris campaign event

On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris held a campaign event in Malvern, a Philadelphia suburb, where the audience was prohibited from asking any questions, as the host explicitly stated.

“You're not, unfortunately. We have some pre-determined questions and hopefully I'll be able to ask some of the questions that might be in your head. I hope so,” the host proudly remarked.

It is “called discipline,” Harris asserted last week.

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🇷🇺🇧🇾 Belarus to contribute to BRICS efforts to rebuild security architecture - Russian ambassador

Minsk will make a important contribution to the common efforts of the BRICS countries to build a new global security architecture, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Boris Gryzlov said in an interview with Sputnik.

"I am confident that Minsk will make a significant contribution to the common efforts of the BRICS countries to build a new global security architecture based on the principles of indivisibility, equality, mutual respect and consideration of interests, as well as the unconditional supremacy of international law," Gryzlov said.

Belarus has much to offer the BRICS countries in economic and financial cooperation, as well as in the field of humanitarian ties, he said.

"At the same time, the final decision on the parameters of further expansion of BRICS will be made on the basis of a consensus of opinions of all participating countries. We intend to work closely with our Belarusian allies to ensure that the republic is among the first to be included in the list of potential partners of the club," he stressed.

The ambassador emphasized that Russia strongly supported the initiative of Belarusian friends to involve them in BRICS activities. In addition, he highlighted Moscow's consistent support for Minsk at various multilateral venues.

#BRICS2024

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BRICS economic dominance taking shape, West can do nothing about it - French politician

The economic dominance of the BRICS countries is already taking shape, and Western countries will not be able to do anything about it, Florian Philippot, the leader of the French Patriots party, told RIA Novosti.

"The West will not be able to do anything about the expansion of BRICS. BRICS economic dominance is already taking shape. For two years now, the BRICS GDP has exceeded the G7 GDP. The economic growth of the BRICS countries is twice as high as the G7 growth rate," the politician noted.

According to Philippot, the strengthening role of the BRICS countries is noted both in economic and geopolitical terms.

"We see that the sanctions against Russia have not worked. The dollar, despite the fact that it still dominates, continues to fall. In major global crises, the BRICS countries come out ahead, trying to find a solution, as in the case of the crisis in the Middle East, while Western countries reflexively submit to NATO," he added.

#BRICS2024

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