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Hezbollah threatens to strike Israeli gas production facilities amidst border dispute over reserves
A dispute between Lebanon and Israel over offshore drilling rights has devolved into threats against Israeli natural gas facilities leveled by the leader of Lebanese political and militant group Hezbollah. "All fields are under threat...no Israeli target at sea or on land is out of the reach of the resistance's precision missiles," said Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah in a Tuesday night interview. While Israel and Lebanon have no diplomatic relations -- and are officially at war ever since Israel's 1948 inception -- the U.S. government has been brokering indirect talks over the maritime border dispute for nearly two years. At stake: A share of many billion dollars in revenue from a potentially gas-rich area in the Eastern Mediterranean off the coasts of the two countries.
https://www.sott.net/article/470367-Hezbollah-threatens-to-strike-Israeli-gas-production-facilities-amidst-border-dispute-over-reserves

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Uganda's President praises Russia's help in decolonization amidst Lavrov's tour of Africa
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Uganda on Tuesday as part of his Africa tour aimed at rallying support for the sanctions-hit country. He was received at the Entebbe International Airport by his Ugandan counterpart Abubaker Jeje Odongo. Lavrov earlier visited Egypt and the Republic of Congo. He will head to Ethiopia after a two-day stop in Uganda. After a closed-door meeting with Lavrov, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni said in a joint news conference that Russia has been supporting the anti-colonial African movement for the last 100 years.
https://www.sott.net/article/470369-Ugandas-President-praises-Russias-help-in-decolonization-amidst-Lavrovs-tour-of-Africa

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Japanese city alarmed by biting, clawing, attacking monkeys
People in a southwestern Japanese city have come under attack from monkeys that are trying to snatch babies, biting and clawing at flesh, and sneaking into nursery schools. The attacks — on 58 people since July 8 — are getting so bad Yamaguchi city hall hired a special unit to hunt the animals with tranquilizer guns. The monkeys aren't interested in food, so traps haven't worked. They have targeted mostly children and the elderly.
https://www.sott.net/article/470370-Japanese-city-alarmed-by-biting-clawing-attacking-monkeys

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SOTT FOCUS: Objective:Health - Is No-Virus Theory a Psy-Op?
Once in awhile, conspiracy theorists tend to go off the rails and start going down labyrinthine rabbit holes that lead nowhere. The no-virus theory seems to be the latest of these, especially as it relates to Covid. We did a show on this back in March of 2021 and, despite our thinking it was a flash in the pan, it seems to be popping up a lot lately. Many people in the alternative realm seem to be more receptive than ever and are more than happy to smear those who refute it (including Dr. Robert Malone). As with many off-the-rails conspiracy theories, one can easily get caught up in the minutiae. But what is lacking in the no-virus theory is a coherent explanation for what we all see daily and has been studied extensively in complex field of study. Do virologists get everything right? Of course not, and you'd be unlikely to find one who said otherwise. But does that mean an entire field of science is bunk? Should we throw away hundreds of years of research in order to refute the...
https://www.sott.net/article/470371-Objective-Health-Is-No-Virus-Theory-a-Psy-Op

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Japanese city alarmed by biting, clawing, attacking monkeys
People in a southwestern Japanese city have come under attack from monkeys that are trying to snatch babies, biting and clawing at flesh, and sneaking into nursery schools. The attacks — on 58 people since July 8 — are getting so bad Yamaguchi city hall hired a special unit to hunt the animals with tranquilizer guns. The monkeys aren't interested in food, so traps haven't worked. They have targeted mostly children and the elderly.
https://www.sott.net/article/470372-Japanese-city-alarmed-by-biting-clawing-attacking-monkeys

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Lightning has killed 750 people across India since April
Indian police say that seven people, mostly farmers, have been killed by lightning in a village in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state, bringing the death toll by lightning to 49 people in the state this week Seven people, mostly farmers, were killed by lightning in a village in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state, police said Thursday, bringing the death toll by lightning to 49 people in the state this week. The farmers had taken shelter under trees during a drenching monsoon rain when they were struck by lightning Tuesday and died instantly. The victims included four members of a family and some cattle grazers near the city of Kaushambi, according to police officer Hem Raj Meena.
https://www.sott.net/article/470373-Lightning-has-killed-750-people-across-India-since-April

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Magnitude-6.2 earthquake occurs in northern Chile
Magnitude-6.2 earthquake occurs in northern Chile at around 14:58 July 27. No immediate reports of damage or injuries. Event A magnitude-6.2 earthquake occurred in northern Chile at 14:58 July 27. The epicenter was about 56 km (35 miles) northeast from the city of Calama. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 99 km (62 miles), and light-to-moderate shaking was probably felt throughout the Arica y Parinatoca, Tarapaca, and Antofagasta regions of Chile, the Jujuy and Salta provinces of Argentina, and the Potosi department of Bolivia. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, minor damage is possible in areas close to the epicenter. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light and moderate aftershocks are likely over the coming days.
https://www.sott.net/article/470374-Magnitude-6-2-earthquake-occurs-in-northern-Chile

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6.1-magnitude earthquake hits off the coast of Antofagasta, Chile
An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 jolted 30 km WNW of Tocopilla, Chile at 0415 GMT on Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The epicenter, with a depth of 44.45 km, was initially determined to be at 21.9814 degrees south latitude and 70.4681 degrees west longitude.
https://www.sott.net/article/470375-6-1-magnitude-earthquake-hits-off-the-coast-of-Antofagasta-Chile

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Meteor fireball seen over Hungary and nearby countries on July 26
We received 49 reports about a fireball seen over Žilina Region, Žilinský kraj, Banskobystrický kraj, Bratislavský kraj, Burgenland, Celje, Domžale, Grad Zagreb, Međimurska županija, Moravskoslezský kraj, Nitra Region, Nitriansky kraj, Novo mesto, Osječko-baranjska županija, Sisak-Moslavina County and South Mo on Tuesday, July 26th 2022 around 19:19 UT.
https://www.sott.net/article/470376-Meteor-fireball-seen-over-Hungary-and-nearby-countries-on-July-26

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Woman mauled to death by family pit bull on Long Island, New York
A Long Island woman was killed and her body found mutilated in her backyard after she was attacked by a dog that belonged to her step-son, who died just weeks ago, according to police. After leaving for work Wednesday morning, the woman's husband returned to the home on Terrace Court in Albertson around 1 p.m. to find his 70-year-old wife mangled and mauled in the backyard, the pit bull still going at her body, police said. The man called police, and an officer who responded to the scene shot the dog after the canine turned and charged at him. The officer was taken to the hospital, police said, traumatized after what he had seen in the yard.
https://www.sott.net/article/470377-Woman-mauled-to-death-by-family-pit-bull-on-Long-Island-New-York

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Biological male swimmer Lia Thomas loses bid for 'Woman of the Year' to female fencer
The NCAA has announced a biological woman as their choice to represent the Ivy League to compete for the "Woman of the Year" title over Lia Thomas, the transgender athlete who made headlines after leaving men's swimming to compete against women. Columbia University fencer, Sylvie Binder, will be the Ivy League's pick. The award is meant to honor women student-athletes who have "distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics and in academics throughout their college career." Binder, a senior from Armonk, New York, won the NCAA Fencing Championship in 2019.
https://www.sott.net/article/470378-Biological-male-swimmer-Lia-Thomas-loses-bid-for-Woman-of-the-Year-to-female-fencer

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Huge tornado filmed in Stratton, Colorado
Incredible view!! Monster tornado in Stratton, CO, US! It was a tornado-warned supercell! Tornado yesterday off of country road 21 and 170, next to Vona, Colorado. (July 26, 2022)
https://www.sott.net/article/470379-Huge-tornado-filmed-in-Stratton-Colorado

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BEST OF THE WEB: 'The Special Relationship': How the British Reconquered the United States and Established an Anglo-American Empire
"Neither the sure prevention of war, nor the continuous rise of world organisation will be gained without ... a special relationship between the British Commonwealth and Empire and the United States...not only the growing friendship and mutual understanding between our two vast but kindred systems of society, but the continuance of the intimate relationship between our military advisers". — Winston Churchill, 'Iron Curtain Speech', 1946 This will sound like an outrageous statement to many. How could the British have reconquered the United States?! They never won any war against her and by the 20th century had always fought alongside the United States as a trusted ally. And isn't it rather the opposite, doesn't the United States dictate British foreign policy at this point? It is true, Britain never won a war against the United States, and it was understood by the mid-19th century that the British would never succeed in conquering the United States externally. Rather, if they were...
https://www.sott.net/article/470380-The-Special-Relationship-How-the-British-Reconquered-the-United-States-and-Established-an-Anglo-American-Empire

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UK Home Office 'unlawfully' approved MI5 bulk surveillance warrants
MI5 provided 'false information' to the Home Office to secure bulk surveillance warrants, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal heard The Home Office has unlawfully allowed MI5 to gather vast amounts of the public's data by wrongly approving bulk surveillance warrants, Britain's most secret court heard on 25 July 2022. The human right's groups Liberty and Privacy International told the Investigatory Powers Tribunal that MI5 has provided false information to obtain warrants for bulk surveillance. The Home Office failed to investigate breaches by MI5, some of which date as far back as 2010, the court heard. Liberty lawyer Megan Goulding said that the case showed that the UK's surveillance laws are not fit for purpose and fail to offer adequate safeguards to protect the public from abuse.
https://www.sott.net/article/470381-UK-Home-Office-unlawfully-approved-MI5-bulk-surveillance-warrants

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New Jersey Asks Residents To Reduce Water Usage Over Drought Fears
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's office asked residents and businesses to conserve water amid a persistent heatwave, where some metro areas cracked over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for five consecutive days through Sunday. "Now is the time for New Jersey to be especially mindful of water usage and proactively moderate our consumption," said Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. "Although our reservoirs and other indicators are healthy, persistent hot and dry weather coupled with the high water demands of summer can quickly impact water supply. Simple steps, like reducing lawn and landscape watering, go a long way in preserving our water supplies and avoiding the necessity of significant restrictive measures," LaTourette continued. For the last three months, rainfall has been 11% to 25% below average in the state's south and north -- the combination of below-average precipitation plus excessive temperatures paints an ominous outlook.
https://www.sott.net/article/470382-New-Jersey-Asks-Residents-To-Reduce-Water-Usage-Over-Drought-Fears

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Ukraine compiles list of supposed Russian propagandists
An occupational hazard of suggesting that the US, NATO or Ukraine's own government did things that made Russia's invasion of Ukraine more likely is that you will be accused of being a "Putin apologist" or "stooge of the Kremlin". This is clearly an attempt to win the argument through name-calling (like claiming it's "racist" to criticise Black Lives Matter). But that hasn't stopped it becoming a standard debating tactic. Of course, there may be commentators who genuinely support Putin, in which case "Putin apologist" would be an accurate descriptor. But most do not. The latest example of the 'compare your opponent to Putin' tactic is a list of individuals who "promote narratives consonant with Russian propaganda", compiled by the Ukraine Government's "Centre for Countering Disinformation". This has been described as a "blacklist" by some critics, although so far as I'm aware, it does not call for any sanctions against the individuals listed. It really is just name-calling. Specific...
https://www.sott.net/article/470383-Ukraine-compiles-list-of-supposed-Russian-propagandists

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Mayor of Donetsk: Ukraine 'bombarding' city with banned landmines
The Donbass official urged residents to stay vigilant for banned explosive devices Ukrainian forces airdropped banned PFM-1 anti-personnel landmines on the capital of the Donetsk People's Republic on Wednesday night, Mayor Aleksey Kulemzin said. The mayor wrote on his Telegram channel that mines were discovered on several streets in the northwestern part of the city. "A bomb squad and rescuers have been working on the site since the early morning. A vehicle equipped with a loudspeaker is alerting local residents," Kulemzin said, urging people to be vigilant and not approach the mines.
https://www.sott.net/article/470384-Mayor-of-Donetsk-Ukraine-bombarding-city-with-banned-landmines

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The Monkeypox Puzzle
It was inevitable that the World Health Organisation (WHO) would up the pandemic ante regarding monkeypox. All the signs were there such as the possibility of more dangerous variants, airborne spread and asymptomatic spread; mandatory isolation for cases, and those old chestnuts: test and trace and mass vaccination. It is reported that any reluctance on behalf of the WHO members to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern over monkeypox was overruled by Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. So, what are the facts to date regarding monkeypox? The latest estimate from the WHO is that there are now around 15,000 cases of monkeypox across the globe, a mere 0.0001% of the world population (one in a million) and a grand total of five deaths. If these deaths were evenly spread across the globe, then the case fatality rate would be 0.03% (three in 10,000). Since these are estimates and with such a disparity between cases and deaths this is also a reasonable...
https://www.sott.net/article/470385-The-Monkeypox-Puzzle

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Germans warned of toilet paper shortage
Germany may face shortages of such staples as toilet paper and cardboard if Russian gas supply dwindles in the coming months, German outlet Zeit Online reported on Wednesday. Operating paper plants may become unprofitable if they are forced to produce at reduced capacity because of gas shortages, the publication cites Jürgen Schaller, Chairman of the Board of the Bavarian Paper Associations, as warning. Producing paper requires a lot of water, electricity and gas, Schaller explained, adding that the technology is tried and tested and cannot be changed quickly. Shaller told Zeit Online: "Many employees in my company are already very worried. I can't blame them. Because if we can only produce 50 or 60 percent, the operation is not worthwhile for us. To be honest, I worry too." Germany and the EU as a whole have recently seen a reduction in natural gas supplies from Russia, which led to numerous warnings of possible industrial shutdowns. The Nord Stream 1 pipeline is currently...
https://www.sott.net/article/470386-Germans-warned-of-toilet-paper-shortage

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Convenience store spy cameras face legal challenge
The Southern Co-Op chain is facing a legal challenge to its use of facial recognition technology to cut crime. Big Brother Watch has complained to the Information Commissioner's Office about biometric surveillance at its shops. The privacy campaign group says the system at the convenience stores breaches data protection and people may end up on a watch-list without knowing. But Southern says it is only using the Facewatch system in shops with a history of crime, to protect its staff. The co-operative runs 200 convenience stores across southern England, of which 35 have the system installed. A single camera captures the faces of people who enter the shops, and the images are analysed and converted into biometric data. This is then compared with a database of people the co-operative says have stolen from its shops, or been violent. A spokeswoman said the watch-list was not a list of people with criminal convictions, but of people for which the business had evidence of criminal or...
https://www.sott.net/article/470387-Convenience-store-spy-cameras-face-legal-challenge

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Austrian politician wants Ukrainian oligarchs sanctioned
An Austrian MP has called for the EU to impose sanctions on Ukrainian oligarchs, who he claims are the real culprits behind the military conflict between Kiev and Moscow. Martin Graf described the bloc's current policy on Ukraine deeply flawed. He wrote a lengthy post on Facebook which featured excerpts from a recent interview: "I demand that the EU authorities impose sanctions on Ukrainian oligarchs: Seize their yachts, assets and other property and use these funds to help Ukrainian refugees and to offset the losses suffered by the EU citizens due to sanctions [on Russia]." Graf, who represents the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), claimed the oligarchs had "sucked Ukraine dry" and "consistently funded" regime changes in Kiev with little regard for the consequences of political turmoil on the country's economy and society. He said these same people, who had "bought" the right to do as they please, are now funding Ukrainian nationalists and illegal armed groups. The MP...
https://www.sott.net/article/470388-Austrian-politician-wants-Ukrainian-oligarchs-sanctioned