For today, links to four reports: from Reuters, Middle East Monitor, and the Associated Press, and to commentary from Middle East Eye and ScheerPost; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Rainstorms flood tents of Gaza’s displaced as Israel steps up strikes, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Mohammed Salem | Reuters  Heavy rain flooded tent encampments of displaced Palestinians across the Gaza Strip today, adding seasonal winter misery to communities already devastated by 13 months of war, as Israeli forces stepped up strikes in the enclave. READ MORE . . .

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Israeli cabinet to meet Tuesday to approve Lebanon ceasefire deal, by Maayan Lubell and Laila Bassam | Reuters  JERUSALEM — The Israeli cabinet will convene on Tuesday to approve a Lebanon ceasefire deal, a senior Israeli official told Reuters today. Another Israeli official . . . READ MORE . . .

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Netanyahu threatens Palestinians in Gaza with life, or death and destruction. From Middle East Monitor. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has renewed his offer to the residents of the Gaza Strip of a financial reward to anyone who reveals information about the whereabouts of the hostages in Gaza and helps to free them. He also . . . READ MORE . . .

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Here’s where ceasefire talks in the war between Israel and Hezbollah have been stuck, by Abby Sewell and Tia Goldenberg | AP  BEIRUT — Diplomats and other officials say there have been several sticking points in ceasefire talks to end the war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, even as conditions for an agreement appear to be ripe. READ MORE . . .

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Israel turned Jabalia into a barren desert and made our home a grave, by Hamza Salha | Middle East Eye  It was in Jabalia that my father dedicated years of hard work to build a 200 sqm apartment for me — a symbol of hope and stability for my future family. Every tile and ornament was chosen with love, a testament to . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM NOV. 18  Moral suicide, by Michael Brenner | ScheerPost  Europe has an obsession about Jews. For nearly 2 millennia, it shunned them, despised them and persecuted them. Now, after a respite of a few decades, it condemns and abuses Muslims in a similar way — all in the name . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to six reports: from Reuters, the Moscow Times, the Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, and the Associated Press, and to remarks from a discussion at the Cambridge Union, via ScheerPost; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Russian drones, missiles attack Ukraine’s east, south and capital. From Reuters. KYIV — Russian missiles damaged residential buildings in Ukraine’s eastern city of Kharkiv and Odesa in the south, and a blizzard of drones caused temporary power cuts in Mykolaiv region and targeted the capital Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said today. READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia’s Kaluga region target oil depot, sanctioned defense plant. From the Moscow Times. Ukrainian drone strikes in central Russia’s Kaluga region sparked a fire at an industrial site, regional authorities said early today, with Ukrainian sources claiming the targets included a defense plant and an oil depot. READ MORE . . .

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Russia claims Ukraine fired 8 ballistic missiles, likely ATACMS again. From Kyiv Post. Russia announced today that its air defense systems intercepted and shot down eight ballistic missiles fired by Ukraine. READ MORE . . .

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Russian missile attack on central Kharkiv injures 23, by Martin Fornusek, Boldizsar Gyori and news desk | The Kyiv Independent  Russia launched an attack against the central part of Kharkiv this morning, injuring at least 23 people, officials reported. READ MORE . . .

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British military instructor captured, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region. From Tass. MOSCOW — James Scott Rhys Anderson, a military instructor from Britain, was captured in the Kursk area, according to a source in the security services. Other war-related . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE to a report from AP.

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FROM NOV. 21  The Russia-Ukraine war explained, by Jeffrey Sachs | Columbia University / The Cambridge Union / ScheerPost  Let me just explain in two minutes, the Ukraine war. This is not an attack by [Vladimir] Putin on Ukraine in the way that we are told every day. This started in 1990, Feb, 9, 1990. Click HERE for transcript, and video of the author’s response to a question.

 

 For tody, links to eight reports: from Reuters, the Anadolu Agency, the Associated Press, National Public Radio and the Associated Press, and to commentary from Middle East Monitor and Consortium News; other articles are accessible by clicking on its name below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Israeli army orders Gaza City suburb evacuated, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  CAIRO —The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders to residents in areas of an eastern Gaza City suburb, Shijaia, setting off a new wave of displacement today, and a Gaza hospital director was injured in an Israeli drone attack, Palestinian medics said. READ MORE . . .

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Heavy rains add to plight of displaced civilians in Gaza amid Israeli war, by Mohamed Majed | Anadolu Agency  GAZA CITY, Palestine — Heavy rains have worsened the plight of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amid a deadly Israeli war on the enclave, the Civil Defense Service said today. READ MORE . . .

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Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza, by Sam McNeil | AP  UMM AL-FAHM, Israel — Israel’s yearlong crackdown against Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza is prompting many to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society, while some still find ways to dissent — carefully. READ MORE . . .

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As Israel cuts ties with UNRWA, Palestinian refugees could lose vital services. Reported by Scott Neuman | NPR  Israel has voted to end cooperation with UNRWA, the United Nations agency providing aid to Palestinian refugees. The move threatens key services for hundreds of thousands of refugees in the West Bank.. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Hezbollah fires more than 180 rockets and other projectiles into Israel, wounding at least 7, by Kareem Chehayeb and Tia Goldenberg | AP  BEIRUT — Hezbollah fired at least 185 rockets and other projectiles into Israel today, wounding seven people in the militant group’s heaviest barrage in several days, in response to deadly Israeli strikes in Beirut. And an Israeli strike on a Lebanese army center killed one soldier and wounded 18 others . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israeli drones kill 2 paramedics, injure 4 in southern Lebanon’s Tyre district, by Wassim Seifeddine | Anadolu Agency  BEIRUT — Israeli drones chased paramedics Saturday in the Tyre district of southern Lebanon, killing two and injuring four others. READ MORE . . .

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Israeli strike targets the heart of Beirut, killing 20 people, by Lauren Frayer | NPR  There was a rare airstrike in the heart of Lebanon’s capital Saturday. Israeli media say it was targeting a Hezbollah leader. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Netanyahu brushed off concerns over Hamas ahead of Gaza war, report says. From Middle East Eye.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly rejected proposals to assassinate Hamas leaders, including during a meeting six days before the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, according to a report by Israel’s Channel 12. READ MORE . . .

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Israel’s criminal responsibility is shielded by political complicity, by Ramona Wadi | Middle East Monitor  It remains to be seen how world leaders of the 124 states that are party to the Rome Statute will comply with the international arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM NOV. 21  Israel: Beginning of the end, by Stefan Moore |  Special to Consortium News  Contrary to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s bellicose July 24 speech before a joint session of the United States Congress pledging to achieve “total victory” over Hamas, Israel is being decisively defeated – militarily, economically and as a society. READ MORE . . .

 

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

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Russia is using its new technology in its attacks on Ukraine. Reported by Charles Maynes and Ayesha Rascoe | NPR  Attacks between Ukraine and Russia are escalating, with Russia using what it describes as new missile technology. Click HERE to listen and, later, read. Click HERE for reports from AP and Sky News.

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Ukraine shows fragments of new Russian missile after ‘Oreshnik’ strike. From AFP. Ukraine today showed journalists fragments of the Russian missile used to strike the city of Dnipro last week, after Moscow said it had tested its new Oreshnik ballistic missile. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine needs better air defences, Zelenskiy says after Russian drone attack. From Reuters. KYIV — President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defences to protect people after its air defence units shot down 50 of 73 Russian drones launched overnight over many regions. READ MORE . . .

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FROM NOV. 23  Putin signs law forgiving debt arrears for new Russian recruits for Ukraine war. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Saturday on debt forgiveness for new army recruits signing up to fight in Ukraine, a Russian government website showed. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from AP.

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Ukraine military says it destroyed Russian S-400 system in Kursk. From Kyiv Post.  The Armed Forces of Ukraine said today they had struck an advanced air-defense system in the Kursk region in an overnight attack Saturday and today. READ MORE . . .

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Russia attacked Ukraine with over 800 KAB bombs, 460 drones, 20 missiles this week, Zelensky says, by Daria Shulzhenko and news desk | The Kyiv Independent  Over the past week, Russia launched over 800 KAB-guided aerial bombs, nearly 460 attack drones, and more than 20 missiles, President Volodymyr Zelensky said today. READ MORE . . .

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FROM NOV. 23  After an eventful week, what’s the latest in Ukraine? Scott Detrow of NPR talks with Oliver Carroll, Kyiv correspondent for The Economist. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM NOV. 22  Washington has ‘understood’ Putin’s warning after hypersonic missile strike, Kremlin says. From AFP. The Kremlin said Friday it was confident that the U.S. had grasped the implications of President Vladimir Putin’s warning following Russia’s missile strike on Ukraine with a weapon capable of carrying nuclear warheads. READ MORE . . .

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

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The week that upped the stakes of the Ukraine war, by Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — This past week has seen the most significant escalation in hostilities that Ukraine has witnessed since Russia’s full-scale invasion and marks a new chapter in the nearly three-year war — one tinged with uncertainty and fear. It began . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine has lost over 40% of the land it held in Russia’s Kursk region, senior Kyiv military source says, by Olena Harmash | Reuters  KYIV — Ukraine has lost over 40% of the territory in Russia’s Kursk region that it rapidly seized in a surprise incursion in August as Russian forces have mounted waves of counter-assaults, a senior Ukrainian military source said. READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces capture settlement of Novodmytrivka in eastern Ukraine. From Reuters.  Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Friday that its forces had captured the settlement of Novodmytrivka in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, their latest gain in what Defence Minister Andrei Belousov described as an accelerated advance. READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces eliminate Ukrainian MiG-29 on ground. From Tass.  MOSCOW — Russian units have wiped out a Ukrainian MiG-29 stationed on the ground, the Russian Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .

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FROM NOV. 22  Trump considers ex-intelligence chief Richard Grenell for Ukraine post, sources say, by Gram Slattery, Humeyra Pamuk and Nathan Layne | Reuters  WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump is considering tapping Richard Grenell, his former intelligence chief, to be a special envoy for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to four sources familiar with the transition plans. READ MORE . . .

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North Korean troops in Russia expected to enter combat soon, Pentagon says. From AFP.  U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said today that thousands of North Korean troops currently stationed in Russia are expected to enter combat against Ukraine “soon.” READ MORE . . .

 

For today, links to nine reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, Middle East Eye, National Public Radio, Substack, and Middle East Monitor, and to commentary from Indian Punchline; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) – MCM

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Many in Gaza are eating just once a day, as hunger spreads amid aid issues, by Wafaa Shurafa and Fatma Khaled | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, the Gaza Strip — Nearly everyone in Gaza is going hungry. In the north experts say a full-blown famine may be underway. On Thursday . . . READ MORE . . .

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Little hope in Gaza that arrest warrants will cool Israeli onslaught, by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Hussam al-Masri | Reuters  CAIRO / GAZA — Gazans saw little hope today that International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli leaders would slow down the onslaught on the Palestinian territory, where medics said at least 24 people were killed in fresh Israeli military strikes. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Middle East Eye.

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FROM NOV. 21  Israel’s ambassador to the UN weighs in on ICC’s warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant. Ailsa Chang of NPR talks with Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, about the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for PM Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM NOV. 21  Reactions to the ICC warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders. From Reuters. These are reactions to the International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Ibrahim al-Masri, who is believed to be dead. The warrants are for . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM NOV. 21  A closer look at how armed gangs steal tons of aid in Gaza. Reported by Aya Batrawy and others | NPR  Gangs of armed looters are stealing the little aid trickling into Gaza as people starve, and it’s happening under Israel’s surveillance. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM NOV. 21  ‘I would have dropped three nuclear bombs,’ by Seymour M. Hersh | Substack  I have two friends in Israel who share the history of constant turbulence, amid open war with neighbors since Ben-Gurion declared Israel to be a state in 1948 and the U.S. and the United Nations recognized it the same day. They have fought and suffered grievous wounds for their country. Click HERE to read, and HERE for Nov. 20 report.

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Arab countries unite behind Palestinian cause as they look to Saudi Arabia to moderate Trump. From Middle East Monitor. Arab nations are increasingly viewing Saudi Arabia as their primary diplomatic channel to moderate Donald Trump’s Middle East policies, particularly regarding the Palestinian cause, which . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM NOV. 21  Is Donald Trump a neo-con? by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  The announcements by United States President-elect Donald Trump on his choices for top government posts in the incoming administration have triggered speculations . . . READ MORE . . .

 

For today, links to 10 reports: from Reuters, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, and Tass, 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

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Russian drone attack on Sumy kills two, injures 12, local authorities say. From Reuters. KYIV — A Russian drone attack on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy killed two people and injured 12 this morning, regional authorities said. The Sumy regional governor said Russian forces had equipped drones with shrapnel for the attack on a densely populated area of the city. READ MORE . . .

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Russia’s Putin taking even more aggressive posture toward Ukraine and the West. Reported by Greg Myre and Michel Martin | NPR  Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country has the right to strike NATO countries that arm Ukraine in certain circumstances. We break down the latest in his posture toward Ukraine and the West. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM NOV. 21  Putin touts Russia’s new missile and delivers a menacing warning to NATO. From AP.  The new ballistic missile fired by Russia struck a military-industrial facility in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday. Hours later President Vladimir Putin made a rare and surprise appearance on Russian television to talk about it. READ MORE . . .

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Zelensky urges strong global response to Russian hypersonic missile strike. From AFP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called for decisive action from world leaders following Russia’s use of an experimental hypersonic missile against Ukraine, warning that the strike marked a major increase in the war’s “scale and brutality.” “This is . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia launches experimental ballistic missile at Ukraine. Reported by Geoff Brumfiel | NPR  Russia launched an experimental ballistic missile at Ukraine. It appears to be intended for one thing: to send a nuclear warning to the West. appearance on Russian television to talk about it. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM NOV. 21  What we know about the experimental missile Russia fired at a Ukrainian city today. Reported by Greg Myre | NPR  Russia fired an experimental missile at a city in eastern Ukraine today, inflicting damage and injuries. Exactly what type of missile is this and what message is Russia trying to send? Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE and HERE for a Nov. 22 report from AFP and a Nov. 21 report from the Kyiv Independent.

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Eliminating best enemy units: Defense minister visits special op area. From Tass. MOSCOW — Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, during his visit to the special military operation zone, said that the best units of the Ukrainian armed forces have been eliminated and that the Russian army has successfully thwarted the entire enemy’s 2025 campaign. READ MORE . . .

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FROM NOV. 20  At the 1,000 day mark of war, a Ukrainian activist looks ahead. Reported by Elena Burnett, Mary Louise Kelly and Patrick Jarenwattananon | NPR  Hanna Hopko, from the International Center for Ukrainian Victory, spoke as Russia’s invasion of her country approached 1,000 days. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM NOV. 21  Is Donald Trump a neo-con? by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  The announcements by United States President-elect Donald Trump on his choices for top government posts in the incoming administration have triggered speculations . . . READ MORE . . .

 

For now, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Middle East Eye, and Middle East Monitor, and to the first of two reports from a Substack journalist — he promised the second for today — and to a report from National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on the name Substack as highlighted or NPR’s initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date, so far, is HERE.) — MCM

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Top war-crimes court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas officials, by Molly Quell | AP  THE HAGUE — The world’s top war-crimes court today issued arrest warrants for the leaders of Israel and Hamas, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with their war that began more than a year ago. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters, Middle East Eye and Middle East Monitor.

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FROM NOV. 20  Force evacuation and smash the camps: A report from inside Gaza, by Seymour M.Hersh | Substack  Control over all of Gaza and the West Bank is the core demand of the religious right in Israel that now dominates the government. A well-informed Washington official says the Israeli leadership will formally annex the West Bank in the very near . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM NOV. 20  Israeli destruction makes large parts of south Lebanon ‘uninhabitable.’ Reported by Ruth Sherlock | NPR  Israel’s war against Hezbollah has driven hundreds of thousand of civilians from their homes in southern Lebanon. Satellite data and eye witness testimony indicate the scale of the destruction. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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TO BE CONTINUED

First, links to reports from the Assocated Press and NBC News; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date, so far, is HERE.) — MCM

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Ukraine says Russia launched an intercontinental missile in an attack for the first time in the war, by Hanna Arhirova and Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Ukraine claimed today that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight at one of its cities. If confirmed, it would be the first time . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia did not fire an ICBM at Ukraine, U.S. officials say, disputing a claim by Kyiv, by Dan De Luce and David Hodari | NBC News  Russia did not fire an intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukraine today, a U.S. official and a military officer with knowledge of the matter told NBC News, disputing a claim by Kyiv. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED