Ukrainian Military Uses Kamikaze Drone at Residential Area in Energodar, Zaporozhye

"Around 2:20 p.m [11:20 GMT], the Security Service of Ukraine [SBU] used the kamikaze
drone on the residential area in Energodar," the spokesman said.

He added that the SBU attempted to deploy one more kamikaze drone at the residential area." Sputnik

Biden says Saudis will help lower gas prices — after denying he’d beg for more oil

"Biden told reporters in Saudi Arabia that gas prices are likely to come down in ‘the next
couple of weeks” after he discussed oil production with killer crown prince Mohammed bin Salman — despite claiming 15 days ago that the issue had nothing to do with his visit.

Biden mentioned energy prominently while describing a private meeting with bin Salman — as high pump prices and the worst inflation in 41 years have sent the president’s approval rating as low as 33%." NYP

Russia’s defense minister pays surprise visit to Ukraine

"Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has inspected Russian troops involved in the ongoing military operation in neighboring Ukraine, the ministry revealed.

Shoigu met the commanding officers of the ‘South’ and ‘Center’ troops, Army General Sergey Surovikin and Colonel General Alexander Lapin, as well as other senior commanding officers." RT

WaPo Condemns Biden For "Shameful" MBS Fist-Bump; "Worse Than A Handshake"

"Biden on Friday that Saudi Crown Prince MBS said he wasn't responsible for the 2018
murder of WaPo columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

"He basically said that he was not personally responsible for it. I indicated I thought he was," said Biden.

"What happened to Khashoggi was outrageous," he added.

 The Washington Post, Jamal Khashoggi's former employer, has slammed President Biden for his "shameful" fist-bump with Mohammed bin Salman, writing in a statement that it "projected a level of intimacy and comfort that delivers to MBS the unwarranted redemption he has been desperately seeking." ZH

US House passes amendment to exempt India under CAATSA over Russia’s S-400 missile deal

"In a major shot in the arm of India over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile system, the US
House of Committee has passed a legislative amendment through voice vote that exempts New Delhi from the punitive CAATSA sanctions.

The CAATSA was introduced in 2017 to punish those countries with sanctions who engage in transactions with the Russian defence and intelligence sectors." WION

A new dominant omicron strain in the U.S. is driving up cases — and reinfections

"The BA.5 variant is now the most dominant strain of COVID-19 in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And while it's hard to get an exact count — given how many people are taking rapid tests at home — there are indications that both reinfections and hospitalizations are increasing. Dr. Bob Wachter, the chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, says BA.5 is highly transmissible and manages to at least partially sidestep some of the immunity people may have from prior infections and vaccinations." NPR

 

Russian forces destroy platoon of US M777 howitzers in Ukraine operation

"A battery of multiple launch rocket systems near Slavyansk and a platoon of multiple rocket
launchers in the area of Nikolayevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic were also destroyed in counter-battery fire." Tass

Germany Plans ‘Warm Up Spaces’ in Response to Gas Shortages

"Cities across Germany are planning to use sports arenas and exhibition halls as ‘warm up
spaces’ this winter to help freezing citizens who are unable to afford skyrocketing energy costs.

Bild newspaper reveals how the the nation’s Cities and Municipalities Association has urged local authorities to set aside public spaces to help vulnerable citizens in the colder months." SummitNews

"The Damage Could Be Huge": Chinese Banks Tumble, Swept Up In Mortgage Nonpayment Scandal As Borrowers Revolt

"Shares of China’s banks extended their slide to a two-year low amid fears widespread

mortgage non-payments would spark contagion within the banking sector even after the local banking and insurance regulator said it will maintain continuity and stability of financing policies for the real estate sector.

China Central Television said on its WeChat page that the regulator will guide financial institutions to participate in risk disposals based on market conditions, after researcher China Real Estate Information Corp. reported that home buyers had stopped mortgage payments on at least 100 projects in more than 50 cities as of Wednesday, spurring concerns that the quality of home loans is in rapid decline and could culminate in a 2007-like credit/housing bubble blow up.

The boycotts raise the risk of mortgage defaults, a new set of troubles for banks that are already squeezed by exposure to ailing property developers. Mortgages make up almost 20% of total bank loans outstanding, amounting to about $5.8 trillion." ZeroHedge

US crypto investor reported held by separatists

"The US state department has said it is aware of reports an American national living in
Ukraine is being held captive by pro-Russian separatists. 

Suedi Murekezi, 35, a Rwandan-born crypto investor, is said to have been arrested last month in the Russian-occupied port city of Kherson. Friends and family say the US Air Force veteran has been falsely accused of joining pro-Ukraine protests. He is reportedly in the same jail as two US fighters captured last month." BBC

Russians ‘destroying everything they see’ in the Donbas; many dead and wounded after missiles hit Ukrainian city

"Eastern Ukraine continues to see intense assaults from Russian forces, according to the
Ukrainian military, but the British Defense Ministry has questioned whether Russia has made any significant advances in the last 72 hours.

Russian forces have attacked the west-central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia, with at least 21 dead and 90 wounded, according to latest report from the emergency services on the scene." CNBC

Hungary declares energy emergency

 "The Hungarian government declared a state of emergency over tightening energy supplies on
Wednesday. 

 With the EU cutting itself off from Russian energy imports, Gulyas told reporters that the bloc will likely not have enough gas from Autumn onwards. In response to the supply crunch, he announced a seven-point plan, effective from August." RT

Russian state TV warns war will expand to Poland if US continues to arm Ukraine

"A Russian state TV host warned Tuesday that President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine
could expand to Poland if the US continued to arm Kyiv’s forces.

On a broadcast of Russia Channel 1’s “60 minutes,” TV host Olga Skabeyeva made the veiled warning saying that if the West continued to send aid to Ukraine the conflict could intensify, Newsweek reported.

“If God forbid, Americans deliver missiles that can travel 186 miles. Then we simply can’t stop,” the TV host said.

“We’ll go all the way to Warsaw.” Sun

Dutch Farmers Rise Up Against Food System ‘Reset’

"The Netherlands intends to halve its nitrogen and ammonia pollution by 2030. To reach that
goal, the Finance and Agriculture Ministry now wants to reduce the number of livestock by 30%. As a result, many farmers will be driven out of business. As with current energy shortages, the resulting reductions in farming are said to be an “unavoidable” part of the Green Agenda to improve air, soil and water quality.

In a public statement about the new emissions targets, the Dutch government admitted that “The honest message … is that not all farmers can continue their business.” Those who do continue will have to come up with creative solutions to meet the new emissions restrictions.

In response to the new nitrogen and ammonia restrictions, an estimated 40,000 Dutch farmers have gathered in protest, arguing the attack on farming is irrational and unfair, as other industries responsible for far greater amounts of pollution — such as transport, construction and aviation — aren’t facing the same restrictions. They’ve blocked a number of highways with tractors and even sprayed manure on the town hall in Lochem. Local police have reportedly responded by shooting at some of the farmers." NW

Rich Russians fleeing sanctions are pumping up Dubai’s property sector

"The influx of buyers from Russia has pumped up the UAE’s property sector in the wake of
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions. ....DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The team at Dubai property firm Mira Estate have reason to celebrate. 

The luxury real estate company just clocked a 100% year-on-year increase in sales to buyers from Russia and other former Soviet states in the first half of 2022." CNBC