First, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, Tass, Agence France-Presse, and the Moscow Times; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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Russia reports heavy fighting in southern Ukraine, Kyiv silent on counterattack, by Dan Peleschuk | Reuters KYIV — Russia reported heavy fighting along the front in southern and eastern Ukraine today, while Kyiv maintained a strict silence about its long-anticipated counterattack. Ukraine’s counter-offensive is ultimately . . . READ MORE . . .

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A dam collapses and thousands face the deluge — often with no help — in Russian-occupied Ukraine, by Illia Novikov, Yuras Kamanau and Hanna Arhirova | AP  KYIV — For days, the Ukrainian teenager has waited in the attic of her home n the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, marking time with her 83-year-old grandfather and two other elderly people and hoping for help to escape the deluge of a catastrophic dam collapse. But help . . . READ MORE . . .

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Number of flooded homes in Kherson Region rises to almost 22,300 after dam breach. From Tass. MOSCOW — The number of houses flooded after the dam of the Kakhovka hydro-electric power plant (HPP) was breached by Kiev’s shelling increased to almost 22,300, a spokesman for the regional emergency services said today. “According . . . READ MORE . . .

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Before and after satellite images show profound toll of Ukraine dam collapse. From AP. KHERSON, Ukraine — The pre-collapse satellite photos were taken in May and early June. Photos of the same area taken after the dam collapsed Tuesday vividly show how much of it has become unlivable. Brown water as high as people covers . . . READ MORE . . .

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Mapping the damage from the Nova Kakhovka dam collapse, by Mariano Zafra and Dea Bankova | Reuters Analysts from the United Nations Satellite Centre – Unosat have begun to assess the damage caused by the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine on June 6. Preliminary analysis of satellite images of the nearby city of Nova Kakhovka has concluded . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia says ‘repelled’ several attacks on southern front. From AFP and the Moscow Times. The Russian army said today it had repelled several attacks on the southern Ukrainian front, where fighting sharply intensified this week amid expectations of a major Kyiv offensive. “Over the past day, the armed forces of Ukraine continued . . . READ MORE . . .

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West has done everything to make Ukraine ready for counteroffensive, says Biden. From Tass. WASHINGTON — Western countries have done their utmost to prepare Ukraine for its counteroffensive, so Washington is optimistic, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday. “We’ve done everything we could collectively, much individually in the United States, to make them ready, the support is going to . . . READ MORE . . .

First, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, Tass, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, via Consortium News and Popular Resistance, commentary written for ScheerPost. — MCM

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Russia tells UN top court Ukraine attacked dam with artillery. From AFP. Russia accused Ukraine at the UN’s top court today of destroying a key dam with artillery strikes, and alleged that Kyiv was led by neo-Nazis — a claim Moscow has used to try to justify its invasion. “The Kyiv . . . READ MORE . . .

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Drone images of collapsed Ukrainian dam show ruined structure, devastation and no signs of life. From AP. KHERSON, Ukraine — Exclusive drone footage of the collapsed Ukrainian dam and surrounding villages under Russian occupation show the ruined structure falling into the flooded river and hundreds of submerged homes, greenhouses and even a church — and no sign of life. On Wednesday an Associated Press team flew . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine was ready to sign peace deal with Russia but gave up under U.S. pressure – Patrushev. From Tass. MINSK — The Ukrainian leadership was ready to settle the conflict with Russia but gave up under U.S. pressure, Russia’s Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev said today. “Had it not been for . . . READ MORE . . .

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Counting central Ukraine’s military losses, with a spreadsheet, by Dan Peleschuk | Reuters POLTAVA, Ukraine — In peacetime, Viktor Tkachenko tracks local tenders, court registries and other open sources for a news outlet in central Ukraine. These days, the reserved 33-year-old fills a spreadsheet with the names of Ukrainian soldiers from Poltava region killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion began — 1,072 at last count — which . . . READ MORE . . .

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Neo-Nazis in Ukraine? No, yes, no – yes, by Patrick Lawrence | ScheerPost / Consortium News / Popular Resistance  Serving as a New York Times correspondent these days cannot be easy. You have to convey utter nonsense to your readers while maintaining a straight face and a serious demeanor. You have to . . . READ MORE . . .

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The essay linked below appeared yesterday at Behind the Curtain. The author cites, among other things, the second of two commentaries HERE. — MCM

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Rehearsed lives and planned history, by Edward Curtin | Behind the Curtain In The Abolition of Man, C. S. Lewis, a man not opposed to science, tells us: ”There is something that unites magic and applied science while separating both from the ‘wisdom’ of earlier ages. For the wise men of old the cardinal problem had been how to conform the soul to reality, and the solution had been knowledge, self-discipline, and virtue. For magic and applied science alike the problem is how to subdue reality to . . . READ MORE . . .

First, links to reports from Tass, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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Kiev regime delivers over 500 strikes on Russia’s Belgorod Region – governor. From Tass. MOSCOW — Ukraine’s armed forces have shelled Russia’s borderline Belgorod Region more than 500 times over the past 24 hours with 460 shells fired at the Shebekino municipal district, the latter “mostly delivered on residential areas,” regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said today. “Some 460 units of various ordnance . . . READ MORE . . .

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Floodwaters engulf more areas of southern Ukraine after dam breach as hundreds evacuated, by Vasilisa Stepanenko | AP  KHERSON, Ukraine — Floodwaters from a collapsed dam kept rising in southern Ukraine on today, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes. Amid the disaster response, artillery shelling rang out as people scrambled to get out of the danger zone, climbing onto military trucks or rafts. It remained unclear what caused the dam’s collapse. Ukraine accused . . . READ MORE . . .

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Residents flee in southern Ukraine as floodwaters crest from destroyed dam, by Viktoriia Lakezina | Reuters  * Russia, Ukraine blame each other for collapse of dam * Residents wade through floodwaters to evacuate * Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has enough water to cool – UN | KHERSON, Ukraine — Floodwaters in southern Ukraine were expected to crest today, with tens of thousands of civilians fleeing in peril from the destruction of a vast dam that both sides called an act of wartime sabotage. Residents waded through flooded streets carrying children on their shoulders, dogs in their arms and belongings in plastic bags while . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine, Russia say over 2,700 evacuated after dam flooding. From AFP. More than 2,700 people have been evacuated on both sides of the Dnipro River from flooding caused by the destruction of the Russian-occupied Kakhovka dam in Ukraine, Russian and Ukrainian officials said today. A Ukrainian emergency services spokesman gave no information about the dead or injured but said the water level in the city of Kherson had risen by five metres. READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian dam breach: What is happening and what’s at stake, by Jamey Keaten | AP  KYIV — The fallout from the breach of a river dam along a frontline of Russia’s war in Ukraine continued to wreak havoc on lives, livelihoods and the environment today. The dramatic rupture of the Kakhovka dam that upheld Ukraine’s largest reservoir . . . READ MORE . . .

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Belgium investigating whether arms destined to defend Ukraine ended up in Russia fighting. From AP. BRUSSELS — Belgium is investigating whether weapons it sent to help Ukraine defend its territory were used in fighting just over the border following a news report that said equipment produced by a Belgian company turned up around Russia’s Belgorod region. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo . . . READ MORE . . .

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NATO allies prepare unprecedented air deployment exercise over Europe in show of force to Russia. From AP. BERLIN — Germany is preparing to host the biggest air deployment exercise in NATO’s history, a show of force intended to impress allies and potential adversaries such as Russia, German and American officials said today. The Air Defender 23 exercise starting next week . . . READ MORE . . .

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Milley says fighting in Ukraine has increased and cautions the war with Russia will be lengthy, by Tara Copp | AP  AMERICAN CEMETERY, Normandy, France — U.S. Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Mark Milley said Tuesday that fighting in Ukraine has increased but cautioned against reading too much into each day’s operations. “The Ukrainian military is well prepared for whatever they do — fight in the offensive fight or in the defense,” he said. “They’re . . . READ MORE . . .

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The article linked here appeared last Thursday in the reporter’s Substack account; Scheer Post published it yesterday, and Popular Resistance recommended it today. Click HERE for links to related commentary from last week. — MCM

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Russiagate’s missing pieces: What was not said In the Durham report? by Seymour Hersh | Scheer Post / Educate! The first thing to understand about John Durham is that he was a fearless prosecutor who went after organized crime and put in prison retired and active FBI agents who protected the mob for money or other enticements. One of the agents he stopped had enabled James “Whitey” Bulger Jr., once one of America’s most wanted men, the Winter Hill Gang boss who evaded arrest for 16 years. In his 45 years as a state and federal prosecutor in Connecticut and Virginia, Durham worked often and closely with . . . READ MORE . . .

First, a link to a report from the Moscow Times, followed by links to earlier reports from National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Finally for today, a link to a column in the Berkshire Eagle of Jan. 7 and linked HERE then. — MCM  

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Flooding in Ukraine’s Kherson region after critical dam destroyed. From the Moscow Times. A Russian-controlled dam near the frontline that supplies southern Ukraine and annexed Crimea with drinking water was significantly damaged early today, flooding the area and threatening the nearby nuclear power plant. Drone footage widely shared online and originally published by pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian bloggers showed the broken Kakhovka dam with water flowing freely downstream. “Well over 18 cubic kilometers of water stored . . . READ MORE . . .

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Major dam near a nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine suddenly collapses. Reported by Michel Martin and Greg Myre | NPR  A major dam near a nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine has suddenly collapsed. The risk of flooding would pose a threat to the nuclear plant which is occupied by Russian troops. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Ukraine accuses Russia of destroying major dam near Kherson, warns of ecological disaster, by Susie Blann | AP  KYIV — The wall of a major dam in a part of southern Ukraine that Moscow controls collapsed today after a reported explosion, sending water gushing downriver and prompting dire warnings of ecological damage as officials from both sides in the war ordered residents to evacuate. Ukraine accused . . . READ MORE . . .

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What is the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine – and what happened? by Guy Faulconbridge | Reuters  A huge Soviet-era dam on the Dnipro River that separates Russian and Ukrainian forces in southern Ukraine was breached today, unleashing floodwaters across the war zone. Ukraine said Russia had destroyed it, while Russian officials gave conflicting accounts, some saying it was destroyed by Ukrainian shelling and others saying it collapsed due to earlier . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kremlin says Kakhovka dam attack ‘deliberate sabotage’ by Kyiv. From AFP. The Kremlin today said an attack on a major dam in Moscow-occupied southern Ukraine was “deliberate sabotage” by Kyiv, which wanted to cut off Russian-occupied Crimea from water. “We can . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kakhovka HPP continues to collapse, water is discharged uncontrollably – mayor. From Tass. MOSCOW  — The Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant continues to collapse, water is being discharged uncontrollably, Novaya Kakhovka Mayor Vladimir Leontyev said today. Ukrainian forces shelled the Kakhovka HPP in the early morning hours, presumably using firing missiles from an Olkha multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). Slide gate valves . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine trying to end battlefield stalemate in what may be start of counteroffensive, by Susie Blann | AP (Made available June 5, 2023) KYIV — Ukrainian forces were making a major effort to end a battlefield stalemate and punch through Russian defensive lines in southeast Ukraine for a second day Monday, in what may herald the start of a long-anticipated counteroffensive after 15 months of war. Russian officials seemed to be trying to portray the Ukrainian attacks as the start of the counteroffensive, . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian dam-busters threaten Kyiv, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle  (Published Jan. 7, 2023) On New Year’s Eve, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised his people a military victory. One potential Russian force multiplier that keeps Ukrainian strategists up at night is dam busting. During the communist era, Soviet engineers built a succession of six dams down the Dnipro, Europe’s second-longest . . . READ MORE . . .

First, a link to a news release from Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth; dated June 4, it contains video from June 3. Next, a link to an AE911Truth news release from May 2, containing an interview between two 9/11 researchers. Then, a link to commentary previously included in the Ukraine, 6-5-23 entry that may apply similarly to coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.— MCM

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After history of attacks on 9/11 Truth, Glenn Beck now dips his toe in the water, by Andy Steele | AE911Truth Following the recent disclosure of allegations by members of the FBI that the CIA not only allowed two of the 9/11 hijackers to enter the United States months before the events of that tragic day, but also tried to recruit them, numerous online commentators have weighed in on the issue. One of the voices speaking out comes from an unlikely source — Glenn Beck. Click HERE for article and a video of Beck’s presentation.

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Why didn’t they stop them? | Court filing: 9/11 hijackers were CIA recruits. From AE911Truth In this episode of 9/11 Free Fall, host Andy Steele speaks with author and researcher Ray McGinnis to discuss the allegation that two 9/11 hijackers had been allowed into the United States despite their known connections to al-Qaeda by U.S. intelligence and were being monitored by members of the CIA, which was also seeking to recruit them. Click HERE for AE911truth’s May 2 news release, a link to a court filing, and a video of the Steele/McGinnis conversation.

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15 reasons why media don’t do journalism, by Caitlin Johnstone | caitlinjohnstone / Consortium News If you watch Western news media with a critical eye you eventually notice how their reporting consistently aligns with the interests of the U.S.-centralized empire, in almost the same way you’d expect them to if they were government-run propaganda outlets. The New York Times has reliably supported every war the U.S. has waged. Western mass media focus . . . READ MORE . . .

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 MAY BE CONTINUED

First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, the Moscow Times, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Finally for today, via Consortium News, commentary by an Australian observer. — MCM

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Russia claims it thwarted Ukrainian attacks in provinces annexed by Moscow, by Susie Blann | AP  KYIV — Russian officials said today their forces thwarted large Ukrainian attacks in two provinces of Ukraine illegally annexed by Moscow. The Ukrainian military suggested a rare early morning video was part of a Russian misinformation campaign as Kyiv prepares . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia says it thwarted major Ukrainian offensive, Kyiv says Moscow spreads lies, by Guy Faulconbridge | Reuters. * Russia says has destroyed tanks equipment * Russia says Ukraine attacked with 8 battalions * Ukraine silent on Russian claims * Ukraine did not respond to requests for comment | MOSCOW — Russia said today its forces had thwarted a major Ukrainian offensive at five points along the front in the Ukrainian region of Donetsk and killed hundreds of troops while Ukraine accused Moscow of spreading lies. It was not immediately clear . . . READ MORE . . .

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Regional governor says ‘combat’ ongoing in Russian border village. From AFP. The governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, hit by increased Ukrainian shelling this week, said Sunday there was ongoing “combat” in the border village of Novaya Tavolzhanka. “A sabotage group came, there is combat now in Novaya Tavolzhanka,” Vyacheslav Gladkov said. “I hope they will all be destroyed.”

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Ukrainian forces step up operations on several sectors south of Donetsk – DPR official. From Tass. DONETSK — The Ukrainian army has stepped up operations along several sectors of the line of contact near Donetsk, with Marinka, Ugledar, and Avdeyevka remaining the hottest spots, Yan Gagin, an adviser to Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Acting Head Denis Pushilin, said today. Russian artillery and aviation strikes neutralized the Ukrainian attacks. The enemy . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine operates sabotage cells, smuggles drones in Russia – CNN. From the Moscow Times. Kyiv has cultivated sabotage cells inside Russia and has started supplying them with Ukrainian-made drones, CNN reported today, citing multiple unnamed sources familiar with U.S. intelligence. Kyiv reportedly supplies drones via the “vast and very difficult to control” Russian-Ukrainian border. As a result . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian workers describe fleeing the Russian-occupied nuclear power plant. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  Workers fleeing the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine describe arrests and torture at the hands of Russian forces they say have turned the plant into a military base. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Zelenskyy accepts Ukraine cannot become a NATO member until the war ends. Scott Simon of NPR talks with John R. Deni, a research professor at the U.S. Army War College, about developments in Ukraine’s bid to join NATO. Click HERE to listen and read.

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15 reasons why media don’t do journalism, by Caitlin Johnstone | caitlinjohnstone / Consortium News If you watch Western news media with a critical eye you eventually notice how their reporting consistently aligns with the interests of the U.S.-centralized empire, in almost the same way you’d expect them to if they were government-run propaganda outlets. The New York Times has reliably supported every war the U.S. has waged. Western mass media focus . . . READ MORE . . .

First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Next, a link to an article in the May 29 New Yorker. Then, via Popular Resistance, a link to related commentary from ScheerPost. — MCM 

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Ukraine keeps up pressure following Russian declaration of victory in Bakhmut, by Mstyslav Chervov and Jamey Keaten | AP  OUTSIDE BAKHMUT, Ukraine — Russian forces declared victory in the eastern city last month after the longest, deadliest battle since their full-scale invasion of Ukraine began 15 months ago. But Ukrainian defenders like battalion commander Oleg Shiryaev aren’t retreating. Instead, they . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine minister in ‘disbelief’ at closed Kyiv bomb shelters. From Reuters. KYIV — A senior Ukrainian government official expressed “disbelief” today after learning that nearly half of Kyiv bomb shelters inspected during an initial audit were closed or unfit for use. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy ordered an inspection of all Ukrainian shelters on Friday, a day after . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kyiv says Russia hit airfield in central Ukraine. From AFP. Kyiv said today that Russian missiles had struck an airfield near the city of Kropyvnytskyi in central Ukraine. “Six missiles and five attack drones” were launched by Russia, Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said. The attack comes as . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia’s newest satellites to change course of Ukrainian conflict – former UN inspector. From Tass. NEW YORK — Russia’s new radar surveillance satellites will allow Moscow to change the course of the conflict in Ukraine, former U.S. intelligence officer and UN weapons inspector to Iraq Scott Ritter said. He said the Russian Federation recently launched “the first of several radar surveillance satellites that have a resolution of up to one meter, which means . . . READ MORE . . .

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Two weeks at the front in Ukraine, by Luke Mogelson | The New Yorker The term “infantry” derives from “infant,” and was first applied to low-ranking foot soldiers in the sixteenth century. Five hundred years later, infantrymen remain the most disposable of troops. But in Ukraine they are also the most essential. Syava and his comrades belonged to an infantry . . . Click HERE to read or listen to the article, and see 10 photos by Maxim Dondyuk.

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The war we’re finally allowed to see, by Patrick Lawrence | Scheer Post / Educate! There are many things to think about and say as we read this piece by Luke Mogelson and look at the accompanying photos by Maxim Dondyuk. The first is that their work suggests Western media may at last begin to cover the Ukraine war properly. This could mark a significant turn not only for the profession — which could use a significant turn — but also in public . . . READ MORE . . .

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First, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, Bloomberg, and Tass,; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Next, a link to commentary from Bloomberg Opinion. Then, a link to commentary from antiwar.com, in which the text of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s speech in  Heksinki is linked. — MCM

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China Ukraine envoy urges governments to ‘stop sending weapons to the battlefield,’ negotiate peace, by Joe McDonald | AP  BEIJING — China’s Ukraine envoy called on other governments Friday to “stop sending weapons to the battlefield” and appealed . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. Defense Secretary Austin says Washington won’t stand for ‘coercion and bullying’ from China, by David Rising | AP  SINGAPORE — American Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin vowed today that Washington would not stand for any “coercion and bullying” of its allies and partners by China, while assuring . . . READ MORE . . .

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Indonesia proposes demilitarized zone, UN referendum for Ukraine peace plan. From Reuters. SINGAPORE – Indonesia’s defence minister today proposed a peace plan for the war in Ukraine, calling for a demilitarised zone and a United Nations referendum in what he called disputed territory. Mr Prabowo Subianto proposed a multi-point plan, including . . . READ MORE . . .

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What Secretary of State Antony Blinken sees as Russia’s strategic failings in Ukraine. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR  Visiting NATO’s newest member, Finland, Secretary of State Antony Blinken gives a speech about what he sees as Russia’s strategic failings in Ukraine and promises NATO support for Kyiv. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Zelenskiy says Ukraine ready to launch counteroffensive. From Reuters. Ukraine is ready to launch its long-awaited counteroffensive to recapture Russian-occupied territory, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in an interview published today. READ MORE . . .

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Zelenskyy accepts Ukraine cannot become a NATO member until the war ends. Scott Simon of NPR talks with John R. Deni, a research professor at the U.S. Army War College, about developments in Ukraine’s bid to join NATO. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Debt-limit deal won’t restrict U.S. ability to fund Ukraine, by Jordan Fabian and Justin Sink | Bloomberg The bipartisan deal to avert a debt default won’t constrain the Biden administration’s\s ability to provide more . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian precision weapons hit Ukraine’s air defenses shielding key military sites. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia’s Aerospace Forces delivered a strike by air-launched precision weapons against Ukrainian air defenses shielding key military sites over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Friday in a general briefing. “At night, the Russian Aerospace Forces delivered . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine war may become a proving ground for AI, by James Stavridis | Bloomberg Opinion For better and worse, the arenas of warfare and geopolitics lend themselves to a variety of ways in which new technologies can suddenly break apart paradigms. Think of Agincourt in 1415, where the flower of the French nobility . . . READ MORE . . .

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Blinken dismisses calls for a ceasefire, says U.S. must build up Ukraine’s military, by Kyle Anzalone | antiwar.com The United States will focus its efforts on arming Ukraine and not attempting to bring the war to a negotiated settlement, America’s top diplomat said Friday in Finland. Secretary of State Antony Blinken laid out a plan to massively expand Kiev’s military before talks . . . READ MORE . . .

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