Boeing strikes again: Crash of Intelsat-33e near Russian satellite may cause ‘domino effect'

There is a certain danger of a “domino effect” involving mutual destruction of surrounding satellites by debris from the exploded Intelsat-33e, Dr. Natan Eismont, leading researcher with the Russian Academy of Scientists’ Space Research Institute, told Sputnik.

“A great many debris fragments were formed in the explosion. Each of them poses a real danger in the event of impact with active devices,” the researcher said.

Over 80 fragments of the Boeing-manufactured European communication satellite Intelsat 33e that exploded on October 19 have been detected by Russia's automated system for warning of risky situations in near-Earth space.

When speaking of the closeness of Intelsat 33e to Russia’s Roscosmos constellation of satellites, Eismont pointed out that slots, along with frequencies, are assigned by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). After the service life of a device ends it is removed from this orbit.

“Quite possibly, this particular slot opened up and Russian devices were placed there,” ventured the pundit.

Eismont ruled out a worst-case scenario occurring, which would result in the loss of all satellites in retrograde geostationary orbit.

The mishap with the Boeing-designed satellite adds to the string of woes that have battered the plane maker, currently under scrutiny over aircraft safety.

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Putin holds meeting with UN Secretary-General Guterres in Kazan

A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and UN Secretary-General António Guterres has kicked off in Kazan on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.

Guterres has come to Russia for the first time since 2022. As his office reported on the eve of his visit to the forum in Kazan, the UN Secretary-General plans to reiterate his position on the settlement of the Ukraine crisis based on the UN Charter during his meeting with Putin. In addition, Guterres intends to continue efforts to restore safe navigation in the Black Sea.

Another topic of discussion will be UN reform. Putin has already addressed this issue during the Outreach/BRICS+ format meeting. The Russian President noted that reforming the UN's development institutions and global financial structures is long overdue. Putin emphasized that the UN remains the only universal international organization today.

October 24 marks UN Day, commemorating the anniversary of the organization's charter coming into force in 1945. Putin called it symbolic that the BRICS summit was held on this day.

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Hamas asks Russia, China, Algeria to work to end Israeli aggression against Gaza - official

Palestinian movement Hamas asked Russia, China and Algeria to work to stop Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip, Hamas political bureau member Osama Hamdan said on Thursday.

"We have asked Russia, China and Algeria to put an end to Israeli aggression against Gaza," Hamdan told Lebanese broadcaster Al Mayadeen.

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🇷🇺🇻🇳 Key highlights from the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the sidelines of the BRICS summit

🔸 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that Russia remains one of Vietnam’s most important strategic partners, stating: "For Vietnam, Russia is always one of the paramount comprehensive strategic partners, ... and our feelings will never change."

🔸 Intensive Political Dialogue: President Putin noted that the political dialogue between Russia and Vietnam is both intense and meaningful. He mentioned that next year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and highlighted Vietnam’s growing engagement with BRICS.

🔸 Trade between Russia and Vietnam has increased by 25% in the first eight months of 2024.

🔸 PM Pham Minh Chinh expressed Vietnam’s deep gratitude for Russia’s support during the country's fight for independence and its ongoing development.

#BRICS2024

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Putin begins talks with Republika Srpska leader Dodik on the sidelines of BRICS summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds discussions with Milorad Dodik, the President of the Republika Srpska of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan.

#BRICS2024

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‘This is complete nonsense’ – Putin dismisses accusations of Russian involvement in Western unrest

Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly dismissed accusations that Russia is behind recent unrest in Western capitals. During talks with Milorad Dodik, the leader of Republika Srpska, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Putin called such claims "complete nonsense."

"Today, at a press conference, a question was asked about whether we are behind the unrest in some Western capitals. This is complete nonsense... We do not have such tools," Putin emphasized.

The president stressed that Russia, as part of BRICS, seeks no confrontation and is focused on its own path of development.

"We are not fighting with anyone, we don't want any confrontation. We are simply going our own way, creating new mechanisms of cooperation based on equality and mutual respect. This is how we will continue to work," he stated.

Putin also suggested that these accusations are part of the West's efforts to avoid accountability for its own mistakes.

"This is all to push their own agenda and evade responsibility for the fundamental mistakes the West has made in its dealings with other countries, all in pursuit of domination at any cost," the Russian president added.

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Putin on Russia’s cooperation with Republika Srpska: Built on mutual respect and practicality

Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the strong and respectful cooperation between Russia and Republika Srpska during his meeting with President Milorad Dodik at the BRICS summit in Kazan.

"It is important that our cooperation with Republika Srpska is practical in nature and is developing in the spirit of mutual respect, as it should be between fraternal nations," Putin stated.

The Russian president also emphasized the growing political ties between Moscow and Banja Luka, noting that political contacts are constantly expanding. "Our colleagues from both sides are in constant communication, working on political cooperation," he added.

Putin acknowledged the challenges faced by the citizens of Republika Srpska, expressing confidence in their resilience.

"We know the difficulties you face, but with your character and commitment to defending national interests, all obstacles will be overcome," the Russian president emphasized.

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Republika Srpska would like to participate in BRICS – Dodik

Milorad Dodik, the President of Republika Srpska (RS BiH), expressed interest in having Republika Srpska participate in BRICS in some capacity, and is determined to raise this issue at the level of the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"We also would like to be involved in some form, as Republika Srpska, in this organization. Of course, there are certain opportunities to pursue this within Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will make efforts, although it doesn’t solely depend on us, but we will try to gain support at the level of the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina," Dodik said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan.

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🇧🇴 BRICS summit shows there's an alternative to the Western-led global order – Bolivian President

Bolivian President Luis Arce, in an interview with Sputnik, expressed strong support for the BRICS summit, highlighting that the organization offers a platform where countries can share their ideas and be heard, fostering fairer and more inclusive pathways for those labeled as “jungle” by the West.

"It is important to consolidate [positions] and to show the whole planet that there is an alternative, that there is no single path, but there is an alternative to be able to act differently, but more justly, more equitably, providing more opportunities, especially for those countries – including ours – that have never had the opportunity to be heard," Arce emphasized.

The president also noted that the summit is historic, as BRICS expands to welcome new members, strengthening the organization's role in shaping global affairs. Bolivia, he added, feels honored to be part of such a monumental event and is eager to contribute to the bloc's continued growth.

"There is a bloc that is emerging and there is a bloc that is evidently weakening, diminishing its ability to influence the planet like the typical old bloc," Arce clarified.

The BRICS summit, held in Russia’s Kazan on October 22–24, also dispelled Western propaganda about Russia's alleged isolation. Arce emphasized that the participation of many countries proves Russia is far from alone and that the BRICS group is gaining momentum.

“A lot of countries came to this BRICS summit, and it shows that not only Russia is not alone, but BRICS is not alone. On the contrary, there are many countries that want to be part of it, that want to participate in the creation of our new bloc,” the president stressed.

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❗️ Israeli strike kills three journalists in southern Lebanon – reports

Three journalists, including a correspondent for the Lebanese TV channel Al-Mayadeen, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a press team's residence in the town of Hasbaya, southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Al Jadeed broadcaster reported.

Footage from social media

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‘Collective West has self-isolated and condemned itself to irrelevance’ – analyst

International relations analyst Gilbert Doctorow, in an interview with Sputnik, praised Russian President Vladimir Putin's firm stance at the recent BRICS summit, highlighting Russia's growing influence on the global stage despite Western efforts to isolate the country.

“Because of the important guests, numbering more than 25 heads of government, it has been impossible for major media in the West to ignore BRICS and Russia," Doctorow said, noting how this undermines the narrative of Russia's supposed isolation.

The analyst further speculated how Russia leveraged its BRICS presidency to advance innovative goals, such as establishing commodity exchanges and a reinsurance pool, positioning the country as a constructive leader. Doctorow emphasized that these achievements send a clear message: “Russia is not isolated; on the contrary, the Collective West has self-isolated and condemned itself to irrelevance.”

"The BRICS message of a multipolar world, of respect for the sovereignty and unique cultures of each nation will surely have an impact on Europeans' perception of Russia and of themselves," Doctorow added, stressing the long-term significance of BRICS in shaping global politics.

The analyst also predicted the Ukraine crisis will conclude in 2025, regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election.

“This will be all the more the case when the United States puts an end to the Ukraine war by withdrawing its financial and military assistance to Kiev. That day will come very early in 2025 if Trump wins on 5 November; it will come with a slight delay in 2025 if Harris wins because Congress will resist any further appropriations to Kiev,” Doctorow speculated.

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🇮🇩Indonesia intends to join BRICS, the country's Foreign Ministry announced

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Missouri Attorney General to sue Google for censorship against conservative speech ahead of election

The Attorney General of the US state of Missouri, Andrew Bailey, announced the launch of an investigation into Google's censorship:

"I am launching an investigation into Google - the biggest search engine in America - for censoring conservative speech during the most consequential election in our nation’s history," he wrote on his X page. 

The attorney general accused Google of "waging war on the democratic process", but he did not provide details about what actions of the tech giant he considers illegal.

Fox Business reports that Bailey plans to subpoena Google to "investigate its algorithms and how conservative speech is deemphasized."

"We have reason to believe that Google is manipulating their search results to deemphasize information about the Trump campaign prior to Election Day," Bailey told Fox Business.

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🇧🇴Bolivia to join BRICS as partner state

"Our plurinational State of Bolivia takes a fundamental step towards joining BRICS, having been informed of the acceptance by the member countries to be an associate state," the country's president Luis Arce wrote on his X page. 

Bolivia also took part in the BRICS summit, which was held from October 22 to 24 in the Russian city of Kazan.

#BRICS2024

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🔸‘Collective West has self-isolated and condemned itself to irrelevance’ – analyst

🔸BRICS summit proves there's an alternative to the Western-led global order – Bolivian President

🔸Putin met with UN Secretary-General Guterres at BRICS summit

🔸Israeli strike kills three journalists in southern Lebanon

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