For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio, and to commentary via 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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FROM MARCH 13 Israel says it plans to direct Palestinians out of Rafah ahead of anticipated offensive, by Tia Goldenberg | AP TEL AVIV, Israel — The Israeli military said Wednesday it plans to direct a significant portion of the 1.4 million displaced Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip’s southernmost town of Rafah toward “humanitarian islands” in the center of the territory ahead of its planned offensive in the area. The fate of . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM MARCH 13 Israeli tank strike killed ‘clearly identifiable’ Reuters reporter — UN report, by David Gauthier-Villars, Laila Bassam and Tom Perry | Reuters ISTANBUL — An Israeli tank killed Reuters reporter Issam Abdallah in Lebanon last year by firing two 120 mm rounds at a group of “clearly identifiable journalists” in violation of international law, a U.N. investigation into the Oct. 13 incident has found. The . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM MARCH 13 An Israeli responder’s work on Oct. 7 shows the challenges of investigating atrocities. Reported by Becky Sullivan | NPR PETAH TIKVA, Israel — By the time first responders reached the site of the Nova rave, it was 10 p.m. on Oct. 7, 2023, and the rockets and gunfire were still ringing out. The bodies were everywhere. Among the responders was Chaim Otmazgin, an officer in the Israeli . . . Click HERE to listen and read.
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FROM MARCH 13 In Jordan, American companies see boycotts sparked by the U.S.’s support for Israel. Reported by Jane Arraf | NPR Consumers are boycotting U.S. products and companies to protest Washington’s support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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FROM MARCH 13 A medieval object with Arabic and Hebrew writings shows the collaboration of its time. Reported by Ari Daniel | NPR Scientists identified an 11th-century astrolabe with Arabic inscriptions and Hebrew writings, highlighting a period when Muslims ruled in present-day Spain and scholarship and idea-sharing flourished. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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FROM MARCH 12 The debate over Israel as ‘U.S. aircraft carrier,’ by Diana Johnstone | Special to Consortium News Our recent article on “The Myth of Israel as ‘U.S. Aircraft Carrier’ in Middle East,” far from settling this controversial issue, aroused numerous objections. We see these disagreements as an invitation to respond, in the hope that a friendly debate can contribute to clarifying the issues. READ MORE . . .