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

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Ukraine sets fire to missile ship in Russia’s Kaliningrad, intel source says, by Kateryna Zakharchenko | Kyiv Post  A Russian missile ship in the Kaliningrad region, the Serpukhov, was set fire to and sustained heavy damage on Sunday due to a special operation by Ukrainian military intelligence on Sunday, a source in Ukrainian intelligence said. READ MORE . . .

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Up to 80% of Ukraine’s coal, gas power plants hit by Russian attacks: Minister. From AFP. Russia has hit up to 80% of Ukraine’s conventional power plants and half its hydroelectric plants in recent weeks in the heaviest attacks since the war began, Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said today. Moscow has . . . READ MORE . . .

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Military intelligence: Ukraine directly controls Black Sea oil rigs, undermining Russia’s reconnaissance capabilities, by Kateryna Denisova and news desk | The Kyiv Independent  Russia’s reconnaissance capabilities in thE sky, on the water, and on land suffered after Ukraine regained control of a set of oil drilling platforms located in the Black Sea last autumn, Ukraine’s military intelligence said today. READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 7  Attacks on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant significantly increase accident risk, IAEA head says. From AP.  KYIV — The head of the U.N.’s atomic watchdog agency on Sunday condemned a Ukrainian drone strike on one of six nuclear reactors at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, saying such attacks . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 7  Ukraine’s energy system stabilizes, Zelenskiy makes plea for Kharkiv. From Reuters.  KYIV — The Ukrainian energy system that was severely damaged by Russian missile attacks in recent weeks is now almost completely stabilized, and the energy ministry on Sunday said no major imports were expected. Ukraine’s electricity imports . . . READ MORE . . .

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French billionaire Xavier Niel to buy 2 Ukrainian telecoms companies in one of largest acquisitions in country’s history, by Liliane Bivings | The Kyiv Independent  French billionaire Xavier Niel’s investment company NJJ Capital will acquire two telecom businesses in Ukraine in what is set to be one of the largest. . . READ MORE . . .

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

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NEWER  lsrael is pulling some troops from southern Gaza. But clearing Hamas from Rafah is still a goal, by Jack Jeffrey and Tia Goldenberg | AP  JERUSALEM — Israel’s military announced today it was drawing back some forces from a Hamas stronghold in southern Gaza, bringing troop presence in the territory to one of the lowest levels since the six-month war began.  The forces will recuperate and . . . READ MORE . . .

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NEWER  Israel reduces troops in south Gaza, Egypt to host new talks, by Ari Rabinovitch and Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  Israel said today it had withdrawn more soldiers from southern Gaza, leaving just one brigade, as it and Hamas sent teams to Egypt for fresh talks over a potential ceasefire. Israel has been reducing numbers in Gaza since the start of the year to relieve reservists and is . . . READ MORE . . .

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6 months of war: Palestinians say the U.S. government lacks empathy for their plight. Ayesha Rascoe of NPR speaks with Palestinian researcher Yousef Munayyer about Palestinian sentiment six months since the start of Israel’s war on Hamas. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Israel says its strike that killed aid workers was a mistake. Rights groups say it was no anomaly, by Lee Keath | AP  CAIRO — Two basic mistakes, according to the Israeli military. First, officers overlooked a message detailing the vehicles in the convoy. Second, a spotter saw someone . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israeli military says it reduces troops in south Gaza. From Reuters. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military has withdrawn all ground troops from the southern Gaza Strip except for one brigade, a military spokesperson said today. It was unclear whether . . . READ MORE . . .

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Anger grows even in Arab countries having peace treaties with Israel. Reported by Jane Arraf | NPR  Six months of war in Gaza have sent shock waves through the Arab world. Public anger is growing in Jordan and Lebanon, two countries that have peace treaties with Israel. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Israelis say Netanyahu isn’t doing enough to bring home the hostages. Ayesha Rascoe of NPR  Six months after Hamas attacked Israel, how do Israelis regard the the war in Gaza? NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe asks senior fellow Tamar Hermann of the Israel Democracy Institute. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM APRIL 6  We’re at a tipping point for Biden and Israel, says diplomat. Scott Detrow of NPR talks with former Middle East Envoy Dennis Ross about the latest developments in Israel’s war with Hamas. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM APRIL 5  British rebellion grows against arming Israel, by Joe Lauria | Special to Consortium News  On Wednesday more than 600 British lawyers, academics and retired senior judges wrote to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak imploring him to cut off military aid and even called for sanctions against the most senior Israeli leaders. The rebellion is erupting in both major parties and in the . . . READ MORE . . .

 

For today, links to reports from the Kyiv Post, Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, Reuters, and Tass, and to commentary from the Berkshire Eagle; other articles are accessible by clicking on its name below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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NEWER  Continued attacks in Kharkiv. From Kyiv Post. Explosions rocked Kharkiv city this afternoon in Russian dronea and glide bomb attacks. Mayor Igor Tereskhov said . . . READ MORE . . .

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NEWER  Ukraine to lose war if U.S. Congress withholds aid: Zelensky. From AFP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that Kyiv will lose the war against Russia if the U.S. Congress does not approve military aid to battle Moscow’s invasion. Republicans in Congress . . . READ MORE . . .

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NEWER  Drones attack the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, according to plant officers. From AP.  KYIV — Officials at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant said that the site was attacked today by Ukrainian military drones. Later today, Russian state-owned nuclear agency Rosatom said three people were wounded in . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia says Ukraine strikes dome above shutdown reactor at nuclear plant. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Ukraine struck the dome above a shutdown reactor at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear station today, though radiation levels were normal and there was no serious damage, the plant’s Russian-installed administration said. The nuclear plant was taken by Russian forces shortly after . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine says situation ‘difficult’ around Chasiv Yar. From AFP.  The situation around eastern Ukraine’s frontline city of Chasiv Yar is “difficult and tense,” the army said today, adding that the Russian invaders were now “in retreat.” Russian forces . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces destroy warehouse with drone boats handed over to Kiev by NATO countries. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Russian armed forces destroyed a warehouse with drone boats handed over to Kiev by NATO countries, as well as two S-300 surface-to-air missile systems and a P-18 surveillance and targeting radar, the Russian Defense Ministry said. In addition . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 2  Ukraine’s attacks on oil refineries generate political heat — and not just in Russia, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle  Using bombs where Western sanctions failed, Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s oil industry has four objectives. First, it seeks to deprive Russia’s war machine of diesel, gasoline and jet fuel — the lifeblood of . . . READ MORE . . .

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

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Israel finds the body of a hostage killed in Gaza, while talks will resume on a cease-fire, by Samy Magdy and Sam Metz | AP  CAIRO — Israel’s military said today it had recovered the body of Elad Katzir, a 47-year-old farmer who was held hostage in Gaza, while negotiators prepared to begin another round of talks on brokering a cease-fire and securing the release of the remaining hostages, six months into the war. READ MORE . . .

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Hamas says delegation to go to Cairo on April 7 for Gaza ceasefire talks. From Reuters. CAIRO — A Hamas delegation headed by the group’s deputy chief in Gaza, Khalil Al-Hayya, will go to Cairo on April 7 for Gaza ceasefire talks, in response to an invitation extended by Egyptian mediators, the group said in a statement today. Participants are expected to include . . . READ MORE . . .

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How 6 months of Israel’s war in Gaza have upended the Middle East. Reported by Daniel Estrin, Jane Arraf and Greg Myre | NPR Three NPR correspondents look at the war since a surprise early morning rampage by Hamas in Southern Israel last Oct. 7 ignited the deadliest war ever between Israelis and Palestinians. Click HERE to read and listen.

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FROM APRIL 5  Biden urges Egypt, Qatar leaders to press Hamas to come to agreement for Israeli hostages in Gaza, by Aamer Madhani | AP  WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday wrote to the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, calling on them to press Hamas for a hostage deal with Israel, according to a senior administration official, one day after Biden called . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 5  After six months of war, Israel’s isolation grows with no end in sight, by Josef Federman | AP  JERUSALEM — When Israel declared war against Hamas last October, it stood unified at home and enjoyed broad backing from around the world following an unprecedented attack by the Islamic militant group. Six months later . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 5  The lives of other aid workers killed in Gaza. Reported by Linah Mohammad, Christopher Intagliata and Ari Shapiro | NPR  Ari Shapiro talks with Juliette Touma, director of communications for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, about some of the hundreds of aid workers killed in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM APRIL 5  Half a year into the war in Gaza, here’s a look at the conflict by the numbers, by Julia Frankel | AP  JERUSALEM — The Israel-Hamas war has stretched on for half a year and become one of the most destructive, deadly, and intractable conflicts of the 21st century. Since Hamas’ Oct. 7 cross-border attack . . . READ MORE . . .

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

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NEWER  Russian missile strikes in Ukraine kill 8 and wound 12. From AP. KYIV — Russian missile strikes in Ukraine overnight and today killed eight people and wounded 12 more, officials said. According to the governor of the Kharkiv . . . READ MORE . . .

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Eight dead in two Russian strikes on Kharkiv, officials say. From Reuters. Two Russian strikes on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, killed eight civilians and injured at least 10 early today and in the afternoon, regional officials said. Ukraine’s national police said . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian Armed Forces occupy more advantageous positions in Donetsk direction. From Tass. MOSCOW — Units of the Southern Group of the Russian Armed Forces occupied more advantageous positions in the Donetsk direction, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense in a bulletin that includes . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia says found link to Ukraine on concert attack suspect’s phone. From the Moscow Times. Russian investigators said Friday that they had uncovered more evidence of Ukraine’s alleged involvement in the deadly March 22 concert hall attack, including photos of Ukrainian flags found on one of the suspected assailant’s phones. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine faces key battle in Chasiv Yar, a ‘door’ to Donbas. From AFP. Chasiv Yar, a strategic town for troops fighting for control of the eastern Donbas region, lies some 20 kilometres (12 miles) west of Bakhmut, which Russia seized last May after . . . READ MORE . . .

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Zelensky meets bipartisan U.S. Congress delegation, calls to pass Ukraine aid bill, by Dinara Khalilova and the news desk | The Kyiv Independent  President Volodymyr Zelensky met with a bipartisan delegation of U.S. Congress members in Chernihiv Oblast and called to pass Ukraine aid bill as soon as possible, the Presidential Office said today. U.S. aid to Ukraine . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 5  U.S. House Republican infighting threatens to further delay Ukraine aid package, by David Morgan | Reuters  WASHINGTON — Infighting among Republicans who control the U.S. House of Representatives, and a threat to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his leadership role, have put him under pressure to further delay action on a long-sought aid bill for . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s victory remains in reach, by Alexander Vindman | Kyiv Post  The negative news coverage of the Ukraine-Russia conflict has unleashed a flood of dire predictions. However, doomsayers’ forecasts are overly grim and the outcome can be much more favorable for Ukraine with the right support and proper . . . READ MORE . . .

 

For today, links to reports from National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Reuters, and Al Jazeera; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Netanyahu promises to increase aid to Gaza after a phone call with Biden. Reported by Leila Fadel and Daniel Estrin | NPR  President Biden warned Israel its behavior would determine future U.S. policy on Gaza, after an Israeli airstrike killed seven workers from the food charity World Central Kitchen. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Blinken says Israeli offers to increase flow of aid to Gaza are welcome but may not be sufficient, by Matthew Lee | AP  LEUVEN, Belgium U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today that the measures the Israeli government has announced to expand the flow of aid into Gaza are welcome but may not be enough to meet the Biden administration’s demands for dramatic improvements in humanitarian conditions in the territory. Blinken said . . . READ MORE . . .

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Biden to Netanyahu: Protect civilians in Gaza or U.S. policy will change, by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland | Reuters  — U.S. President Joe Biden effectively gave Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an ultimatum on Thursday: protect Palestinian civilians and foreign aid workers in Gaza or Washington could rein in support for Israel in its war against Hamas militants. The message, after months of U.S. calls . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israel dismisses 2 officers over deadly drone strikes on aid workers in Gaza, by Julia Frankel | AP  JERUSALEM — The Israeli military said today that it dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for their roles in drone strikes in Gaza that killed seven aid workers on a food-delivery mission, saying they had mishandled critical information and violated the army’s rules of engagement. The findings . . . READ MORE . . .

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Six months into Gaza war, Israel faces deepening isolation, by James Mackenzie and Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  Six months into the war in Gaza, the killing of a group of aid workers by an Israeli air strike summed up both the dire humanitarian crisis and the lack of a clear way out of a conflict that is leaving Israel increasingly isolated. The attack on Monday . . . READ MORE . . .

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Diplomatic spat erupts between Poland and Israel after WCK killings in Gaza. From Al Jazeera. A diplomatic crisis has erupted between Poland and Israel following the death of a Polish aid worker in Gaza, with the Polish president denouncing a comment by the Israeli ambassador as “outrageous” and the foreign ministry in Warsaw saying it was summoning him for a meeting. A Polish man was among . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 4  A closer look at U.S. military support for Israel. Reported by Greg Myre | NPR  President Biden says Israel is inflicting too many civilian casualties in Gaza. Yet he’s also proposing $14 billion in fresh military assistance to help Israel wage the war. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM APRIL 4  Some Democratic House members face opposition because of their criticism of Israel. Reported by Susan Davis | NPR  Forces normally aligned with the Democratic Party are working to defeat some of the most liberal members of the House over their criticism of Israel. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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

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NEWER  Ukraine claims it destroyed Russian warplanes in one of its biggest drone attacks of the war, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Ukrainian officials claimed today they used a barrage of drones to destroy at least six military aircraft and badly damage eight others at an airfield in Russia’s Rostov region. Russian defense officials, however, claimed . . . READ MORE . . .

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Sources: SBU attack against Russia’s Morozovsk airbase destroys 6 planes, by Martin Fornusek | The Kyiv Independent  An overnight attack against the Russian Morozovsk airbase was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in cooperation with Ukraine’s military, sources familiar with the matter said today. Su-34 fighter-bombers and Su-27 fighters . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kyiv confirms Ukrainian drones destroyed 6 Russian planes at air base, as many as 3 sites blasted, by Kateryna Zakharchenko and Alisa Orlova | Kyiv Post  Sources within Ukraine’s Special Services have confirmed that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), in collaboration with the military and the Defense Forces, orchestrated the nighttime assault on the Morozovsk airfield, resulting in the destruction of at least six aircraft. The airfield housed Su-24, Su-24M, and . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian warplanes reportedly destroyed in overnight drone attacks. From the Moscow Times. Russia’s Defense Ministry said today that it downed 53 Ukrainian drones, most of which targeted the southern Rostov region, where sources in Ukraine’s security services claim to have destroyed several Russian warplanes. “During the night and on the morning of April 5, the Kyiv regime . . . READ MORE . . ..

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Ukraine says fighting rages near Chasiv Yar, but denies Russia reached suburbs. From Reuters. KYIV — The Ukrainian military said today the battlefield situation was tense near the eastern town of Chasiv Yar, but denied Russian reports that Moscow’s troops had reached its suburbs. Russian forces . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kiev attacks borderline Belgorod Region with 159 shells, 20 UAVs over past day — governor. From Tass. BELGOROD, Russia — The Ukrainian military launched at least 159 munitions and 20 unmanned aerial vehicles in attacks on the borderline Belgorod Region over the past day, Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said today. They targeted . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia renews big attacks on Ukrainian power grid using better intelligence and new tactics, by Samya Kullab | AP  In March 22 attack, Russia unleashed more than 60 exploding drones and 90 missiles across Ukraine — the worst assault on the country’s energy infrastructure since the full-scale invasion began in early 2022. The fusillade . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 4  U.S. spends billions on its undeclared war against Russia — U.S. journalist. From Tass. NEW YORK — The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has spent hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars to wage its undeclared war on Russia, U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson said. “No one in all that time,” he said, “has explained really the purpose of this war.” He added that . . . READ MORE . . .

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Over the next 3 decades, Ukraine’s population is expected to drop dramatically. From NPR. Ukraine’s population is estimated to be some 36 million people. It could drop by 10 million people in just three decades — and the war isn’t the only factor. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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The true toll of the war in Ukraine is measured in bodies. This man brings them home, one at a time. Reported by Erika Kinetz and Solomiia Hera | AP  DOVHENKE, Ukraine — Oleksii Yukov, a 38-year-old martial arts instructor, leads a team of volunteer body collectors in Ukraine. He is on the phone with a mother. She heard her son was injured in battle and left behind, but she’s not sure where. READ MORE . . .

 

For today, links to a reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Consortium News, and via ScheerPost to a Real News Network interview; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.)  — MCM

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Israel signals probe of lethal strike on Gaza aid convoy to take weeks. From Reuters. JERUSALEM — Israel signalled today that its military’s investigation of an air strike that killed seven aid workers in the Gaza Strip, and which it has already described in preliminary statements as an operational accident, could take weeks. “We will be transparent and . . . READ MORE . . .

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Food aid charity demands independent investigation of Israeli strike. From AP. World Central Kitchen on Wednesday demanded an independent investigation into the Israeli strikes that killed seven of its staff in Gaza. Wednesday night, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told his Israeli counterpart . . . READ MORE . . .

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A member of Benjamin Netanyahu’s war Cabinet calls for elections in Israel. Reported by Steve Inskeep and Jennifer Ludden | NPR Benny Gantz, who leads an opposition party and also regularly faces the prime minister as part of the war Cabinet, is calling to set a date for elections. Polling shows Netanyahu would lose to him. Click HERE to listen and read.

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In the U.K., calls to stop the export of weapons to Israel are growing. Reported by Fatima Al-Kassab | NPR  Protests continue at factories where parts for F-35 jets are made — while some in the ruling party want to halt arms sales. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM APRIL 2   UK ignores its lawyers’ warnings on arms to Israel, by Joe Lauria | Special to Consortium News  Pressure is growing on the British government to stop arming Israel after a leaked audio recording revealed that it is ignoring the advice of its own lawyers that Israel is breaking international humanitarian law and that Britain is in danger of also violating international law by continuing to ship Israel arms. READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 1  How Israel created its own nemesis. Chris Hedges of The Real News Network talks with historian and journalist Paola Caridi, author of Hamas: From Resistance to Regime, about the origins and development of Hamas, and Israel’s roles over decades. Click HERE or HERE to watch and read a transcript.

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

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Ukrainian soldiers, engineers toil round the clock to build defences, by Anna Voitenko and Sergiy Chalyi | Reuters  CHERNIHIV REGION, Ukraine — Ukraine is working round the clock to build defensive fortifications to stop Russia’s troops advancing any further 26 months into their full-scale invasion.  The Ukrainian government has allocated . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. Secretary of State Blinken says Ukraine will be NATO member. From Reuters. BRUSSELS — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today that Ukraine will eventually join NATO as support for the country remains “rock solid” among member states. “Our purpose at the summit is to help build a bridge to that membership,” he said.

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4 killed, including first responders, 12 injured in Russian attacks on Kharkiv, by Dmytro Basmat | The Kyiv Independent  Russian strikes on the city of Kharkiv killed at least four people and injured 12, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said early today. READ MORE . . .

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Units of battlegroup West improve forward positions in Kupyansk area. From Tass. MOSCOW — Ukraine lost up to 125 troops as units of the battlegroup West improved positions in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a daily bulletin of the special military operation. Here are the details of this and other . . . READ MORE . . .

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How 44 countries voted to create tribunal to investigate Russian crimes against Ukraine. From Kyiv Post. Forty-four nations attending the “Restoring Justice for Ukraine” conference on April 2 signed a declaration creating a tribunal to investigate Russian war crimes. The nations condemned Russia’s full-scale Ukraine invasion as a violation of . . . READ MORE . . .

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As Zelensky’s party falters, Ukrainian parliament drifts to standstill, by Andrea Januta | The Kyiv Independent  The government has been struggling in recent months to gather necessary votes during sessions, according to experts and lawmakers who spoke to the Kyiv Independent. The reason is not because of disagreement over pending legislation, but . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 3  Ukraine lowers its conscription age to 25 to replenish its beleaguered troops, by Hanna Arhirova and Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — Ukraine lowered its draft-eligible age for men from 27 to 25 on Wednesday, reflecting the strain that more than two years of war with Russia has put on its military and the need to infuse its depleted ranks with new conscripts. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 3  Russia: U.S. shares blame in a concert hall attack claimed by Islamic militants, by Jim Heintz | AP  TALLINN, Estonia — The head of Russia’s national security council on Wednesday contended that the United States shares blame for the attack by gunmen on a Moscow concert hall that killed 145 people, even though a branch of the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility. Since . . . READ MORE . . .

 

 

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

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NEWER  Bodies of 6 foreign aid workers slain in Israeli strikes are transported out of Gaza, by Mohammad Jahjouh and Samy Magdy | AP  RAFAH, Gaza Strip — The bodies of six foreign aid workers killed in a series of Israeli strikes were transported out of the Gaza Strip and into Egypt today ahead of their repatriation, Egypt’s state-run Qahera TV reported. The deadly strikes have . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ambulances carrying slain aid workers arrive at Gaza-Egypt border: AFP. From AFP. Ambulances arrived today at Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt carrying the remains of foreign aid workers killed in the territory in an Israeli strike, an AFP journalist saw. Once the six charity workers’ remains arrive in Egypt . . . READ MORE . . .

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Food aid groups forced to suspend operations after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. Steve Inskeep of NPR asks Rebecca Abou Chedid of the aid organization Anera about its decision to stop operations in Gaza after the death of seven World Central Kitchen staff. Click HERE to listen and read.

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After deadly Israeli airstrike, aid workers may be more reluctant to risk their lives. Reported by Adrian Florido | NPR After seven of its workers were killed in Gaza, World Central Kitchen suspended work there. The nonprofit has become a major player in efforts to feed people in regions devastated by disaster or war. Click HERE to listen and, later, read

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FROM APRIL 2  World leaders condemn Israeli airstrike on disaster relief workers in Gaza. Reported by Carrie Kahn | NPR  Fallout continues over the Israeli airstrike on a convoy of World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza, killing seven. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apologized. Click HERE to listen and read.

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NEWER  Pope deplores deaths in Gaza and Ukraine from ‘folly of war.’ From Reuters. VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis today issued a fresh appeal for peace in Gaza and Ukraine, deploring the killing of aid workers in an Israeli airstrike and paying tribute to a Ukrainian soldier who died in the war against Russia. READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 2  Survivors recount horrors of Israeli siege on Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital. Reported by Aya Batrawy | NPR  Isreali forces concluded a two-week siege of Gaza’s largest hospital. Survivors say forces destroyed the complex beyond repair, killed medics, detained hundreds of innocent people and burnt homes. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM APRIL 1  The White House planned a smaller Ramadan gathering as the war in Gaza continues. Reported by Asma Khalid | NPR  Sources said the White House had initially planned to host a small, solemn Ramadan dinner Tuesday evening, but plans changed after a number of Muslim invitees said they did not feel comfortable dining at the White House while scores of Palestinians are on the brink of starvation. Click HERE to listen and read.