FILE: Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant.
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© AFPThe Druzbha oil pipeline between Hungary and Russia, seen at the Hungarian MOL Group's Danube Refinery in Szazhalombatta, Hungary
The Polish operator, PERN, announced, on Sunday, that it had closed off one of the two streams of the Russian Druzhba oil pipeline, which crosses to Germany through Poland.
The leading company in crude and fuel logistics stated that "PERN's automation systems detected a leak" on Saturday evening, which led to the decision that the main section of the stream be "immediately turned off." According to the company, emergency teams have been working to secure and repair the pipeline with the support of the Polish Fire Services.
Comment: Considering how the EU had proposed to shut off the pipeline as part of the sanctions package, it's possible that this as of yet unexplained incident could have been due to sabotage: Russian oil floods global markets via major Asian intermediaries
Net central bank gold purchases totaled 387 tons through the first half of the year, according to data compiled by the World Gold Council. That was the highest first-half total since the organization started compiling quarterly data in 2000.
Net central bank purchases were down in Q2 after setting a first-quarter record due to net sales of 132 tons between April and June. On net central banks added 102.9 tons of gold to their reserves in the second quarter.
Turkey was the biggest gold buyer in the first quarter but turned to selling in March. In a three-month span, Turkey reduced its gold holdings by 160 tons. According to the World Gold Council, this was a response to local market dynamics and didn't likely reflect a change in the Turkish central bank's long-term gold strategy.
© unknownNew Rules
Earlier this year, the state expanded its Parental Rights in Education guidelines to bar gender and sexuality discussions up through the twelfth grade.
"We have heard from teachers across Florida who are heartbroken that they are being forced to drop AP and instead teach alternatives that have been deemed legal because the courses exclude these topics," the College Board said, per The Hill.
At issue is the AP course's inclusion of requirements that students "describe how sex and gender influence socialization and other aspects of development."
The state reportedly told school districts that it would permit them to continue teaching the AP course provided they excluded the sections on gender and sexuality. The College Board, however, has indicated that it would not offer credit for the course should districts opt to do so.
Comment: Florida curtails certain requirements for grads:
- Florida's Education Department rejects dozens of math textbooks containing CRT, other 'indoctrinating concepts'
- Florida Governor DeSantis signs bill to protect women's and girls' sports from trans lobby
- DeSantis administration blocks AP African American Studies course from school curriculum
- Florida proceeds with ban on 'puberty blockers' and 'sex reassignment surgeries' for minors
- Life skills: Florida may require high school students take financial literacy course in order to graduate
© Sputnik/Vitaly Timkiv/File PhotoRussian tanker off coast Crimea
Russian maritime rescue units were deployed early on Saturday to assist an oil tanker off the coast of Crimea. The vessel was left without propulsion after what reports suggest was a strike by a Ukrainian drone.
In a statement on Telegram, Russia's Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport said that the oil carrier had its hull breached near the engine room "presumably, as a result of a sea drone attack." The agency said that the incident occurred south of the Crimean Bridge, which had been targeted by a Ukrainian drone raid last month.
It added that none of Sig's 11 crew had been wounded and that the vessel remains afloat and is no longer taking on water. Two tugboats dispatched to help the ship have already arrived and repair works are underway, officials said.
Comment: More details emerge:
Ukraine hit a Russian oil tanker in the Kerch Strait, near the Crimean Bridge, with a naval drone equipped with explosives, the military and Russian state reports said on Saturday, August 5.Down the drones:
The strike on the oil tanker Sig was carried out by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and the navy, Ukrainian state broadcaster Suspilne said, citing sources. The drone was packed with 450 kg of explosives.
Tass said oil tanker was in the Kerch Strait, which runs between the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.
United24, which is associated with the president's office, said the Sig was previously supplying aviation fuel for Russian warplanes in Syria.
It is the second such surface drone attack on a Russian vessel around the Black Sea in as many days after Ukraine said on Friday that it had struck the Ropucha-class landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak at Russia's naval base in Novorossiysk.
The Russian military has prevented an attempted "terrorist attack" on Crimea's critical infrastructure. Air defense systems engaged and destroyed ten plane-type UAVs, while "three more drones were suppressed by electronic warfare," the military said in a brief statement on Friday morning.
In a separate attack on Friday, Ukrainian forces attempted to strike the Russian Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk in Krasnodar Region using naval drones.
"If you were unfairly treated by your employer due to posting or liking something on this platform, we will fund your legal bill," Elon Musk tweeted on Saturday evening. "No limit. Please let us know."
Musk, who has championed himself as a "free speech absolutist," was forced to follow through on his promise to acquire the company for around $44 billion last October.
Comment: Some people have already replied to Elon:
© Kevin C. Downs for NY PostKaren Vergata was identified as Jane Doe No. 7 in the Gilgo Beach killings.
Karen Vergata is believed to have disappeared around Feb. 14, 1996, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Friday morning.
Two months later, on April 20, her legs were found in a plastic bag at Davis Park on the bayside of Fire Island's Blue Point Beach.
At the time of her disappearance, Vergata was living on West 45th Street and is believed to have been working as an escort.
She was not reported missing, Tierney said.
Comment:
- Gilgo Beach serial killings suspect in police custody on Long Island, ID'd as architect and married dad of two Rex Heuermann
- Rex Heuermann's arrest 'tip of the iceberg' in Gilgo Beach murder cold case
- US, New York: New Twist in Long Island Murder Mystery
- US: More Human Remains Found In Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Probe
He appeared to work at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and was eventually tackled to the ground by a police officer and another staff member
He appeared to work at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and was eventually tackled to the ground by a police officer and another staff member.
The ordeal lasted around four minutes and it was filmed by a shocked passenger at the airport who uploaded it on to social media.
Footage shows the man taking off his clothes while screaming as travelers in the airport were picking up their bags.
He then walked around baggage claim before he was eventually confronted and restrained.
Comment: Whilst it seems the causes might be varied, airports and flights certainly seem to be seeing an increase in people losing it lately; and, notably it's often, but not always, in the US:
A minimum age for referral to gender identity clinics has been set for the first time.
In details of the new service to replace the controversial Tavistock clinic, NHS England has set out how it will limit the use of puberty blockers and ban activists and teachers from referring children for treatment.
For the first time, it has set a minimum age of seven for referral to the gender identity clinics.
Comment: See also:
- Common sense: Children who think they're trans are probably just going through a 'phase', NHS says
- Busted: Medical groups are memory-holing their trans guidance
- The document that reveals the remarkable tactics of trans lobbyists
- Trans school conspiracy exposed: Midwest teachers trade tips on 'subversively and quietly' transitioning kids without telling their parents in workshop funded by federal government
- Largest US children's hospital bans trans surgeries
- Majority of Americans oppose gender-affirming care for minors, trans women participating in sports: poll
© U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan/Handout via REUTERSU.S. District Judge Stephen Murphy of the Eastern District of Michigan appears in an undated handout photo.
The Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday removed U.S. District Judge Stephen Murphy from Leron Liggins' case, saying the judge should have recused himself after making the "unacceptable remarks" at a pre-trial hearing.
U.S. Circuit Judge Eric Clay, writing for the three-judge panel, said Murphy's "troubling" comments that Liggins "looks like a criminal to me" at a January 30, 2020, pre-trial hearing called into question his partiality.
Comment: It sounds like the real story here is Liggins' efficiency at playing the system by delaying trial ad infinitum, not that the judge said he looked like a criminal.
Comment:
See also: IAEA issues results of probe into Kiev's claim of mines at nuclear plant