First, a link to an essay from Behind the Curtain that pertains to all of the subjects addressed in the more than four years of this blog. Next, a link to a column from this weekend’s Berkshire Eagle, also by a fellow Berkshirite, concerning up-to-the-moment matters in the sixth month of the war in Ukraine. Then, links to recent reports from Tass, Agence France-Presse, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, and Reuters; additional reports from these organizations are accessible by clicking on their names below. NOTE: A few days off plus technical difficulties explain gaps since last Wednesday. — MCM

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At the Lost and Found, by Edward Curtin | Behind the Curtain Today is a time of unprecedented official lies about everything, endless wars hot and cold, class wars of the rich against the poor, medical wars of international elites against everyone, etc. –  it is a daily electronic digital  barrage meant to pound people into the deepest despair.  Call it “The Lost World of the Information Superhighway.”  These lies have sown a vast sense of bewilderment, as intended.  Lostness for so many, including . . . READ MORE . . .

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My time in Kherson, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle “Stalingrad in reverse” is how military analysts are describing a key battle shaping up to liberate Kherson. This regional capital in southern Ukraine is the biggest city to fall under Russian occupation since the war started six months ago. Back in January 1943, Soviet soldiers fought in a pincer movement across the steppe, trapping Nazi invaders in a semi-circle stronghold, their backs against the Volga River. This time, . . . Eagle subscribers, and perhaps others, can read more by clicking HERE.

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Head of Zaporozhye Region signs order to hold referendum on accession to Russia. From Tass. MELITOPOL, Ukraine The head of the Zaporozhye Region, Yevgeny Balitsky, says he has signed an order to hold a referendum on accession to Russia. “I am signing an order to the Central Election Commission to start preparations for a referendum on the Zaporozhye Region’s reunification with Russia,” he said at the forum “We are Together with Russia.” The resolution on holding the referendum was read out by a member of the chief council of the Zaporozhye Region’s military-civilian administration, Vladimir Rogov. . . . “We, participants in the forum, declare that we pin our future on being together with Russia,” the resolution begins. “Time is ripe to restore historical justice. We are confident that as a member of Russia the Zaporozhe Region will be protected from any encroachments. . . . Based on the principle of free choice, regarding the opinion of every resident of our region as the main value, we declare . . .” READ MORE . . .

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Kremlin accuses Kyiv of nuclear plant shelling, warns of ‘catastrophic consequences. From Agence France-Presse. The Kremlin on Monday accused Ukrainian forces of firing on the Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant, warning of potential “catastrophic consequences” for Europe. “The shelling of the territory of the nuclear plant by the Ukrainian armed forces is a potentially extremely dangerous activity… fraught with catastrophic consequences for a vast area, including the territory of Europe,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. He called on Ukraine’s allies “to use . . . READ MORE . . .

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As Russian missiles struck Ukraine, Western tech still flowed, by David Gauthier-Villars, Steve Stecklow, Maurice Tamman, Stephen Grey and Andrew Macaskill | Reuters KYIV — Russian weaponry shown to Reuters collected on the battlefield by Ukraine’s military contain Russian electronics bearing Cyrillic markings, sometimes handwritten. But many of the most important electronic components inside are . . . stamped with the names of American chip-makers, including Texas Instruments Inc; Altera . . . ; and Maxim Integrated Products Inc, . . . READ MORE . . .

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Experts widely condemn Amnesty International report alleging Ukrainian war crimes. Reported by Julian Hayda | National Public Radio (From All Things Considered Saturday evening.) Ukrainian and international experts and commentators have responded critically to an Amnesty International report implicating Ukrainian troops in potential war crimes. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Are Russian sanctions working? Alina Selyukh of NPR talks with UCLA economics professor Oleg Itskhoki about the effects of sanctions on the Russian economy. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Moscow’s ex-chief rabbi warns of growing pressures fraying Russia’s Jewish community. Reported by Daniel Estrin | NPR Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt was chief rabbi of Moscow for nearly three decades, until early March of this year. He speaks about why he fled Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and read.

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TO BE CONTINUED TODAY