For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from the Berkshire Eagle; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Ukraine says it has checked Russia’s offensive in a key town, but Moscow says it will keep pushing, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Ukrainian units locked in street battles with the Kremlin’s forces in the key northeastern Ukraine border town of Vovchansk have halted the Russian advance, military officials in Kyiv claimed today, though a senior Moscow official said . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –    –

Zelenskiy visits embattled Kharkiv region as Russia presses in border areas. From Reuters.  KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelenskiy travelled to the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv today, describing the battlefield situation in the region as “extremely difficult” but under control, as Russia . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine accuses Russia of detaining, killing civilians in Kharkiv region. From AFP. Ukraine today accused Russia of detaining and killing civilians in the border town of Vovchansk in the northeastern Kharkiv region, where Russian forces launched a ground assault last week. Interior  Minister Ihor Klymenko said . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian forces are trying to take Ukrainian village 30km from Kharkiv, says RIA. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Russian forces are preparing to try to take a village called Lyptsi located about 30 km (19 miles) north of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, according to a Russian-installed official quoted by Russia’s RIA state news agency. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Belbek arsenal hit: Russian bomber weapons depot reportedly damaged, by Alisa Orlova | Kyiv Post  A weapons depot at the Belbek airfield, the main base of Russian military aviation in Crimea, suffered significant damage in today’s early hours, following a long-range missile attack, according to reports by Atesh partisans. The strike led to . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian cluster munition attack on Kharkiv Oblast injures 5, including Vovchansk official, by Kateryna Denisova | The Kyiv Independent  Russian forces attacked a village of Vovchansk community in Kharkiv Oblast with cluster munitions today, injuring five people, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Among those injured . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –    –

Russia, China praise dialogue as best form of settling Ukrainian crisis — statement. From Tass. BEIJING — Russia and China emphasize the importance of dialogue as the optimal form of settlement of the Ukrainian crisis while respecting the principle of indivisibility of security, according to a joint statement on deepening the partnership signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. READ MORE . . .

–   –    –

FROM MAY 15  Blinken ends Ukraine trip with promise of U.S. help as Russia goes back on offensive. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR  Secretary of State Antony Blinken ended his trip to Ukraine by promising U.S. help to push Russian troops out. But the lengthy debates in Washington over aid to Ukraine has impacted the battleground. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –    –

Biden officials raise concerns about Russian momentum – NYT. From Kyiv Post. The White House is worried that Russia has figured out how to counter many of the weapons the U.S. has sent to Ukraine, the New York Timesreported on Tuesday, citing American officials. Biden administration . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –    –

FROM MAY 14  Red Square tank speaks volumes of Russia’s growing shortages of military equipment, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle  A lone World War II-era T-34 tank clanked across the cobblestones of Moscow’s Red Square on May 9, passing a triumphant banner proclaiming “1945 2024 Victory!” It begged the question: Where are the others? Click HERE to read with Berkshire Eagle subscription.

For today, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press and Common Dreams; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Fighting intensifies between Israel and Hamas-led militants in north and south Gaza, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  CAIRO — Gun battles between Israel and militants from Hamas, Islamic Jihad and smaller Palestinian factions intensified overnight into some of the fiercest in months in both northern and southern Gaza, both sides said today. Israeli tanks . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

NEWER  Gaxa fighting worsens, Israel asks why armed men at UN site, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and James Mackenzie | Reuters  CAIRO / JERUSALEM — Israeli troops battled militants across Gaza today, including in the southern city of Rafah that had been a refuge for civilians, in an upsurge of the war. Antagonism between Israel and the United Nations worsened as the Israeli army sought an explanation for . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MAY 14  Biden administration is moving ahead on $1 billion arms package for Israel, AP sources say, by Seung Min Kim, Ellen Kickmeyer and Zeke Miller | AP  WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it is sending a new package of more than $1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, two congressional aides said Tuesday. The administration . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Palestinians across the Middle East mark their original ‘catastrophe’ with eyes on the war in Gaza, by Joseph Krauss, Abby Sewell and Samy Magdy | AP  JERUSALEM — Palestinians across the Middle East today are marking the anniversary of their mass expulsion from what is now Israel with protests and other events at a time of mounting concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The Nakba, Arabic for “catastrophe,” . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MAY 14  Hospitals in Gaza are near collapse despite protections under international law. Reported by Juana Summers, Sarah Handel and Jonaki Mehta | NPR  Juana Summers talks with Leonard Rubenstein of Johns Hopkins University about the unprecedented Israeli attacks on hospitals in Gaza, and what international law could do to protect them. Click HERE to listen and, later, read

–   –   –

FROM MAY 12  Israel ‘has gone to war against the entire Palestinian people’: Sanders, by Olivia Rosane | Common Dreams / ScheerPost   “Any objective observer knows,” independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Sunday, “Israel has broken international law, it has broken American law, and, in my view, Israel should not be receiving another nickel in U.S. military aid.” This was in response to a U.S. State Department report released Friday. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Kyiv Post, Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, Reuters, the Moscow Times, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from Indian Punchline; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) —MCM

–   –   –

Blinken announces $2 bn aid to Ukraine, affirms Kyiv’s right to decide on striking targets within Russia. From Kyiv Post. In day two of a visit to Kyiv, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken today announced the release of a further $2 billion in military aid for Ukraine, part of a larger $61 billion package. Addressing the contentious issue of strikes on Russian territory, Blinken said . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia claims advances on 2 fronts during Blinken visit to Kyiv, by Stanislav Doshchitsyn | AFP  Russia said today its forces had pushed deeper into the Kharkiv region and also captured the symbolic town of Robotyne further south, one of the only prizes of Ukraine’s underwhelming counteroffensive last summer. Moscow’s advances on two fronts point to the critical shortages . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukrainian troops pull out of some areas and Zelenskyy postpones foreign trips amid Russian offensive, by Matthew Lee and Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Ukrainian forces withdrew from some areas of the country’s east and battled Russian troops in others today, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy postponed all his upcoming foreign trips. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in Ukraine, sought to reassure the ally of continuing American support, announcing a $2 billion arms deal — most . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Zelenskiy postpones foreign travel, Russian infantry enters Ukraine border town, by Yuliia Dysa and Tom Balmforth | Reuters  KYIV —President Volodymyr Zelenskiy postponed all foreign travel as the battlefield situation continued to deteriorate today and Kyiv said Russian infantry had entered the northeastern border town of Vovchansk in Kharkiv region. The capture of the town would be Russia’s . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia says downed Ukrainian drones, ATACMS missiles. From the Moscow Times. Russian air defense systems have intercepted dozens of Ukrainian drones and U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles overnight and early this morning, Russia’s Defense Ministry said. The attacks caused . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

General Staff: Russian forces ‘partially pushed out’ from Vovchansk, by Martin Fornusek and news desk | The Kyiv Independent  Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks in the Vovchansk direction in Kharkiv Oblast and “partially pushed out enemy forces from the town,” the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said today. The Defense Ministry said earlier today that . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian air defenses down several projectiles near Sevastopol, Belbek airfield. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian air defenses have downed several projectiles over the sea near Sevastopol and near the Belbek airfield, the city’s Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said. READ MORE . . .

–   –    –

FROM MAY 14  Blinken tells Ukraine U.S. aid will make a difference against Russia’s offensive. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  KYIV, Ukraine — In an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said part of a U.S. aid package has arrived and more is on it way, which will “make a real difference” against Russia’s offensive. Click HERE for article and audio of related interview.

–   –   –

FROM MAY 10  Countdown begins for Russia’s summer offensive, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  Receiving bad news activates the desire to make sense of chance processes, and in turn, activating this desire enhances the tendency to dislike bearers of bad news. In the current churning around the Ukraine war . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, and Middle East Monitor, and to an interview on Useful Idiots, via ScheerPost; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

More than half a million people flee fighting in Rafah and northern Gaza, UN says. From AP.  Around 450,000 Palestinians were driven out of Rafah in Gaza’s south over the past week, the United Nations’ agency for Palestinian refugees said today. Israeli forces are also battling Hamas militants in northern Gaza, where . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israeli tanks push into Gaza’s Rafah, as displaced civilians flee again, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  Israeli tanks forged deeper into eastern Rafah today, reaching some residential districts of . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

In Gaza, a hidden threat could kill Palestinians even after a cease-fire. Reported by Lauren Frayer and Anas Baba | NPR  KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip and TEL AVIV, Israel —The rule of thumb, explosives experts say, is that 10% of munitions do not detonate on impact. That means an estimated 7,500 metric tons of live munition may be scattered throughout Gaza, according to the United Nations. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

Oxford University faculty and staff endorse Gaza solidarity encampment. From Middle East Monitor. As of this morning, just over a week since the establishment of Oxford’s “Liberated Zone” for Gaza, over 500 members of faculty and staff at the University of Oxford have pledged support in writing for the solidarity encampment and its demands, and more signatures are being added daily. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israeli strikes on aid convoys are not unusual, Human Rights Watch says. Leila Fadel of NPR talks with Belkis Wille of Human Rights Watch, which examines casualties among aid workers in Gaza. She says there have been at least eight strikes on convoys and shelter homes. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM MAY 13  ‘Insanity’— Mearsheimer on the U.S. role in Gaza and Ukraine. Katie Halper and Aaron Maté of Useful Idiots talk with the political scientist and international relations scholar John Mearsheimer. The 25 minutes pertaining to Gaza begin roughly 63 minutes in. Click HERE for introduction and video.

For today, links to reports from National Public Radio, Reuters, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, the Kyiv Post, Tass, and the Moscow Times, and to an interview on Useful Idiots, via ScheerPost; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Russian troops press toward Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv. Reported by Leila Fadel and Joanna Kakissis | NPR  Ukraine says it is struggling to contain a new Russian offensive in a northeastern border region. Its army is short on troops and ammunition. How has Russia gained momentum in this war? Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

Ukraine sees signs Kharkiv front stabilising, but warns of buildup near Sumy region, by Yuliia Dysa and Tom Balmforth | Reuters  Ukraine’s top military spy said today there were signs the northeastern front was stabilising amid a Russian ground attack into the Kharkiv region, but warned . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Blinken in Kyiv says U.S. arms will make a difference as Ukraine reels from a new Russian offensive, by Matthew Lee | AP  KYIV — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today that American military aid on its way to Ukraine will make a “real difference” on the battlefield, as the top diplomat made an unannounced visit to reassure . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Macron condemns surge in Russian strikes on Ukraine: French presidency. From AFP. French President Emmanuel Macron today condemned an “intensification of Russian strikes” in Ukraine and Moscow’s offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region in a phone call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky. Macron gave Zelensky details of the French arms deliveries Ukraine . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MAY 13  Russian troops push further in Kharkiv Oblast; nearly 6,000 people evacuated from region.  From the Kyiv Independent. At least 5,900 people have been evacuated from Kharkiv Oblast since Russian forces launched a new offensive in the region, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said Monday. The new offensive began May 10, mainly . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Senior Ukraine commander sacked in wake of big Russian advance in Kharkiv Region, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post  A top Ukrainian general responsible for defenses swamped by a surprise Russian offensive into the northeastern Kharkiv region was sacked on Monday. Brig. Gen. Yury Halushkin, commander of joint forces Kharkiv, the . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian troops liberate Bugrovatka community in Kharkov Region over past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops liberated the community of Bugrovatka in the Kharkov Region over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today. “Battlegroup North units . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ex-Ukrainian president says US delay in war aid was ‘colossal’ waste, let Putin inflict more damage, by Hanna Arhirova and Tassanee Vejponosa | AP  PHILADELPHIA — Former Ukrainian President Viktor  Yushchenko said the long delay by the U.S. Congress in approving military aid for his country was “a colossal waste of time,” allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MAY 13  Russia says shot down 31 Ukrainian drones overnight. From AFP. Russia’s Defense Ministry said early Monday that its anti-air systems had shot down 31 Ukrainian drones over severaL Russian regions and annexed Crimea. “During . . . READ MORE. . .

–   –   –

Death toll in missile attack on Russia’s Belgorod climbs to 16. From the Moscow Times. Rescue workers today retrieved a woman’s body from beneath the rubble of an apartment building in the western Russian city of Belgorod that collapsed after being struck by a Ukrainian missile over the weekend, raising the death toll . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MAY 13  ‘Insanity’— Mearsheimer on the U.S. role in Gaza and Ukraine. Katie Halper and Aaron Maté of Useful Idiots talk with the political scientist and international relations scholar John Mearsheimer. The 42 minutes pertaining to Ukraine begin roughly 22 minutes in. Click HERE for introduction and video.

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Roya News, Turkish Minute, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from Multinational Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date and a PAYNE entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Misery deepens in Gaza’s Rafah as Israeli troops press operation, by Wafaa Shurafa, Joseph Krauss and Samy Magdy | AP   RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Aid workers are struggling to distribute dwindling food and other supplies to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by what Israel says is a limited operation in Rafah, as the two main crossings . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israeli protesters block aid convoy headed to Gaza. From Reuters.  JERUSALEM — Israeli protesters blocked aid trucks headed for Gaza today, strewing food packages on the road in the latest in a series of incidents that have come as Israel has pledged . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israeli forces push into Gaza from north and south, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  Israeli forces pushed deep into the ruins of Gaza’s northern edge today to recapture an area where they had claimed to have defeated Hamas months ago, while at the opposite end of the enclave tanks and troops pushed across a highway into Rafah. Intense fighting . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

NEWER  Turkey hospitalizes over 1,000 Hamas members. From Roya News. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said today that “more than 1,000 members” of the Islamic Resistance Group (Hamas) are being treated in Turkish hospitals, saying he considers Hamas a “resistance organization.” In response, the Greek Prime Minister said . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for article from Turkish Minute. 

–   –   –

FROM MAY 12  Israel moves deeper into Rafah and fights Hamas militants regrouping in northern Gaza, by Wafaa Shurafa, Joseph Krauss and Samy Magdy | AP  RAFAH, Gaza Strip — The exodus of Palestinians from Gaza’s last refuge accelerated Sunday as Israeli forces pushed deeper into the southern city of Rafah. Israel also pounded the territory’s devastated north, where some Hamas militants have regrouped in . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –    –

With eyes on Rafah, Israel renews attacks elsewhere to prevent Hamas from regrouping. Reported by Michel Martin and Lauren Frayer | NPR  A third of the city of Rafah is under evacuation orders, as Israel presses its offensive into southern Gaza. Israel is also expanding attacks in central and northern areas of the Gaza Strip. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

Doctors say patients in Gaza are dying because medical supplies are limited. Leila Fadel of NPR talks with Dr. Ismail Mehr of the Islamic Medical Association of North America about the collapsed medical care in Rafah, a region of Gaza that Israel threatens to invade. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

Unremarkable peer recruited by Zionist lobby to stop Palestine Action, by Yvonne Ridley | Middle East Monitor  Palestine Action burst onto the scene around four years ago using a blend of unrivalled direct action, anarchy and good, old-fashioned peaceful resistance to disrupt and wreck Israel’s war machine factories in the UK. Despite numerous arrests, very few PA members have been prosecuted successfully, largely because . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, National Public Radio, the Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, and Tass, and to analysis from Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their  names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date and a PAYNE entry are HERE and HERE.)  — MCM

–   –   –

Putin readying for long war with West with reshuffle: Ukraine security chief. From AFP. A reshuffle in Russia’s security apparatus suggests the Kremlin is preparing for a long war in Ukraine and standoff with the West, Kyiv’s new security council chief Oleksandr Lytvynenko said today. “This suggests . . . READ MORE . . . Scroll down for related analysis from Reuters.

–   –   –

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says his army is locked in ‘fierce’ border battles amid a Russian assault, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Ukrainian troops are locked in intense battles with the advancing Russian army in two border areas, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday, while the death toll from a Russian apartment building collapse blamed on Ukrainian shelling rose to 15. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for later AP report.

–   –   –

Russia widens Kharkiv front in Ukraine with small assault groups, governor says, by Yuliia Dysa and Olena Harmash | Reuters  KYIV — Moscow’s troops entered Ukraine near its second city, Kharkiv, on Friday, opening a new, northeastern front in a war that has for almost two years been largely fought in the east and south. The advance could . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Woman killed in Ukrainian drone strike on Russia’s Kursk Region. From AFP. A Ukrainian drone strike in western Russia’s Kursk region has killed one woman and injured three others, regional authorities said today.“Today . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Battles rage in Ukraine’s northeast region amid Russia’s cross-border assault. Michel Martin of NPR  talks with retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, ex-director of European Affairs for the National Security Council, about whether the Russian troop push is a turning point in the war. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

Intense fighting near Vovchansk, Russian troops gain tactical ground. From Kyiv Post. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported ongoing battles for the border town of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region, with Russia achieving tactical success. “The enemy deployed significant forces, up to five battalions,” it said, and “is disregarding”losses of more than 100 soldiers in one day in that sector alone. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Civilians flee Vovchansk under Russian bombardment as ground offensive on Kharkiv begins, by Francis Farrell | The Kyiv Independent  VOVCHANSK, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine — The glide bombs arrive in groups of three. Their flight can be heard from far away, but only in the last second before impact is it clear where one will hit. Click HERE for article, maps, and video.

–   –   –

Kharkov authorities acknowledge advance of Russian troops. From Tass. MOSCOW — Oleg Sinegubov, the head of the military administration of the Kharkov Region, has acknowledged the expansion of the frontline and linked the failures of the Ukrainian troops to the delay in Western military aid. “Essentially,” he said in an interview with Sky News, “the frontline is expanding as the enemy . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia’s surprise defence minister Belousov; economist out to boost war budget, by Guy Faulconbridge, Darya Korsunskaya and Andrew Osborn | Reuters  MOSCOW / LONDON — With zero military experience, Andrei Belousov, a wiry white-haired economist and Orthodox churchgoer who enjoys rock climbing, seems an odd pick to be Russia’s new defence minister at a time . . . READ MORE . . .

Links to articles from A Little Herstory and Snopes, two days after the birthday of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (1900 – 1979). (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for today, so far, are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

The woman who discovered what the universe is made of. From A Little Herstory. When it comes to the composition of our universe, the textbooks just say that hydrogen is the most common atom in the universe. And nobody is mad that someone had to find out. Cecilia Payne was the one. She was the author of the greatest doctoral thesis in astronomy ever written. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for article from Snopes.

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, National Public Radio, and Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Israel lacks ‘credible plan’ to safeguard Rafah civilians, says Blinken, by Jonathan Landay | Reuters WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today Israel lacked a “credible plan” to protect some 1.4 million Palestinian civilians in Rafah and warned an Israeli attack could create an insurgency by failing to kill all Hamas fighters in the southern Gazan city. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israel pushes deeper into Rafah and battles a regrouping Hamas in northern Gaza, by Wafaa Shurafa, Joseph Krauss and Samy Magdy | AP  RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli forces pushed deeper into Gaza’s southern city of Rafah today and battled Hamas in parts of the devastated north that the military said it had cleared months ago but where militants have regrouped. Warnings continued against . . . READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from Reuters.

–   –   –

Hamas says Biden remarks on Gaza hostages ‘setback’ for negotiations. From AFP. Remarks by U.S. President Joe Biden that a ceasefire in Gaza would be possible if Hamas released its hostages are a “setback” to negotiations, the Palestinian militant goup said today. “We condemn this position by . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Rafah’s main hospital has shut down, people try to flee as Israel launches an attack, by Ayesha Rascoe and Aya Batrawy | NPR  About half of Gaza’s southern area of Rafah is under Israeli evacuation orders as aid groups race to assist those fleeing. Click HERE to listen and, later, read

–   –   –

Gaza civil defense says unable to reach Jabalia camp due to intense Israeli fire. From Middle East Monitor.  Gaza civil defense has said its teams are unable to access the Jabalia refugee camp and Gaza City where Israel on Sunday launched fresh bombings, Anadolu Agency reports. “The direct . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MAY 11  Name and shame: Pro-Israel website ramps up attacks on pro-Palestinian student protesters, by Gabriella Borter, Joseph Ax and Andrew Hay | Reuters  WASHINGTON — Weeks after attending a pro-Palestinian demonstration, Egyptian-American student Layla Sayed received a text message from a friend drawing her attention to a website dedicated to exposing people it says promote hatred of Jews and Israel. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MAY 11  The U.S. is used to drawing red lines for adversaries. How does it work for allies? Reported by Scott Simon and Greg Myre | NPR  The White House says it will withhold military aid if Israel conducts a major ground operation in Rafah. Red lines are often set for enemies, but how do they work with one of America’s closest allies? Click HERE to listen and read.

For today, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, the Kyiv Independent, the Kyiv Post, Reuters, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

‘All areas’ of border In Ukraine’s Kharkiv Region under Russian fire: governor. From AFP. The whole northern border of Ukraine’s Kharkiv region is under Russian fire “almost around the clock”, the regional governor said today, as Moscow continues . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia claims more advances in Ukraine’s Kharkiv Region. From AFP.  Russia’s Defense Ministry said today its forces had captured four more villages in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region as thousands of residents were evacuated amid Moscow’s surprise ground offensive. The ministry said . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MAY 11  Russia says it has captured 5 villages in northeast Ukraine as more than 1,700 civilians flee, by Vasilisa Stepanenko and Evgeniy Maloletka | AP  VOVCHANSK, Ukraine — Moscow’s forces captured five villages in a renewed ground assault in northeastern Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday, and Associated Press journalists in the city of Vovchansk described . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for AFP report; HERE for one from Kyiv Post, and HERE for one from the Kyiv Independent.

–   –   –

FROM MAY 11  Military: Russian forces in Kharkiv Oblast contained, fighting continues, by Chris York | The Kyiv Independent  Russian forces involved in the new offensive operation targeting Kharkiv Oblast are contained and have not advanced further, Ukraine’s military said on Saturday. “The enemy is contained in the gray zone, and it is not . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

‘Gray zone’ expands in Kharkiv Region amid rising fighting with Russian troops, governor says. From Kyiv Post. The head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Synegubov, said today that both the “gray zone” and the number of settlements experiencing fighting with Russian troops have increased in the region. “The enemy continues its . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MAY 11  Girding Russia for war, Putin gives extra duties to two top officials, by Guy Faulconbridge | Reuters  MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday gave extra duties to two key government officials who oversee the defence industry and energy sectors, he girds the world’s second-largest oil exporter for a longer war in Ukraine. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM MAY 11   What is the U.S. endgame in Ukraine? Scott Detrow of NPR speaks with Emma Ashford, columnist for Foreign Policy, about her latest article “What Does America Want in Ukraine?” Click HERE to listen and read.  

–   –   –

In a Ukrainian border town, the local newspaper keeps watch on returning POWs. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  A profile of a small frontline newspaper that has been reporting on Ukrainian POWs released from captivity in Russia. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM MAY 11   Ukrainian journalist Illia Ponomarenko on his memoir about the war. Scott Simon of NPR speaks with Ukrainian journalist Illia Ponomarenko about his memoir of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, “I Will Show You How It Was: The Story of Wartime Kyiv.” Click HERE to listen and read.