For today, links to eight reports from Reuters, the Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, and the Associated Press, and to an article from the Kucinich Report; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Russian hackers claim cyberattack on website of Spain firm preparing tanks for Ukraine. From Reuters. MADRID — A unit of General Dynamics’ Spain-based Santa Barbara Systems, which is refurbishing Leopard tanks for delivery to Ukraine, suffered a cyber attack that took its website down, a pro-Russian hackers group said. READ MORE . . .

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Russia destroys over half of Ukraine’s power generation – FT. From Kyiv Post. Russian air strikes have severely impacted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leading to the destruction or seizure of over half of Ukraine’s power generation capacity along with widespread blackouts and concerns about future energy supplies, Financial Times reported today. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 4  Peace in Ukraine doesn’t mean NATO membership, Biden says, by Kateryna Denisova and news desk | The Kyiv Independent  Peace in Ukraine means a guarantee that Russia will never occupy the country again, but Kyiv’s membership in NATO is not necessary for this, U.S. President Joe Biden said in an interview with Time. READ MORE . . .

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Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian armament, military hardware depots over past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops destroyed armament and military hardware depots of Ukraine’s Khortitsa combat group over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .

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Industrial facility suffers damage in Ukraine’s Poltava Region.  From Tass. MOSCOW — An industrial facility has suffered damage following explosions in the Poltava Region in northeastern Ukraine, regional administration head Filipp Pronin said without providing further details. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 2  Nearly 1,000 people honor a young Ukrainian journalist and volunteer combat medic killed in action, by Hanna Arhirova | AP  KYIV — Nearly 1,000 people attended a ceremony Sunday honoring the memory of Ukrainian journalist Iryna Tsybukh, who was killed in action while serving as a volunteer combat medic a few days before her 26th birthday. Tsybukh had left a note describing how . . . READ MORE . . .

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On China visit, Ukraine official urges Beijing to join peace summit. From AFP.  A Ukrainian foreign ministry official in Beijing today urged Chinese officials to participate in a Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland this month, the foreign ministry in Kyiv said. Beijing said it would be “difficult” for China to attend if its ally Russia, which was not invited, did not also . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 4  White House insists solution for frozen Russian assets must be done with other countries. From Reuters.  WASHINGTON — The White House on Tuesday said a solution for monetizing some $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine must be hammered out together with allies and other countries. Spokesperson John Kirby . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 4  U.S. targets journalists who criticize administration’s foreign policy, by Dennis Kucinich | The Kucinich Report  Scott Ritter was pulled off a N.Y.-to-Istanbul flight yesterday by U.S. officials and his passport confiscated in a startling new development in the government’s open drive to censor and silence . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for related article from Kucinich.

For now, links to articles from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, USA Today, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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The power of people near protected bikelanes. From ITDP.  For years, cities and governments have focused on length or number of kilometers as a measure of how comprehensive or impactful their cycling infrastructure is. A new “Atlas” indicates that this approach is outdated. The data shows it’s not just how many kilometers of lanes that makes the most impact—it’s also . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 10  ITDP and World Bank report highlights economic and environmental benefits of financing active mobility infrastructure in cities, by David Stubblefield | USA Today  The ITDP and World Bank report, “The Path Less Travelled,” reveals that cycling and pedestrian infrastructure are more cost-effective and quicker to complete than polluting counterparts like highways. Consequently, this . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY. 8  People over parking: The U.S. cities that are reclaiming their streets, by Amy Nguyen | Reuters  In a small but growing number of cities across the United States, parking reform is gaining momentum. How a city approaches parking is deeply rooted in . . . READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED

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

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Senior Hamas official criticizes U.S., West’s calls on group to accept Biden’s Gaza proposal. From Reuters.  CAIRO — Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri criticised Washington and the West’s calls for it to accept a ceasefire proposal advanced by U.S. President Joe Biden, saying today it was “as if it is Hamas who is hampering the deal”. READ MORE . . .

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Biden says ‘every reason’ to believe Netanyahu prolonging war for self-preservation. From Middle East Eye. U.S. President Joe Biden has told Time magazine that people have “every reason” to believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the war in Gaza for his reasons of self-preservation. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 3  Zelenskyy: Ukraine is ready to help Gaza. From Middle East Monitor. Ukraine’s President has insisted that Kyiv recognises both Israel and Palestine, calling to an end to the Israeli offensive on Gaza and urging for a two-state solution. In Singapore on Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was asked . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israeli strikes kill 11 overnight in Gaza, including a family of 3 at a refugee camp. From AP. Palestinian health officials in the Gaza Strip said Israeli strikes killed at least 11 people overnight into today, including a family of three in the built-up Bureij refugee camp and eight police officers. . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israel declares 4 more hostages are dead in Gaza, including 3 older men from Hamas video, by Julia Frankel | AP  JERUSALEM — Four more hostages kidnapped on Oct. 7 were declared dead by the Israeli military — includinG three older men seen in a Hamas video begging to be released. Monday’s announcement . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 3  The state of Hamas as it reasserts itself in the north in a weakened form. Reported by Daniel Estrin | NPR  Hamas has not been hit badly enough for a defeat in Gaza, according to US and Israeli officials. What are the group’s capabilities and strategy nearly eight months into the war? Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Famine and the rising death toll in Gaza, by Wafa Aludaini | Middle East Monitor  Two Palestinian children died last week of starvation, dehydration and lack of medicine amid desperate conditions in the southern areas of the besieged Gaza Strip. The Ministry of Health . . . READ MORE . . .

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WHO official says at least 7,000 Palestinians need immediate medical evacuation. From Middle East Eye. The World Health Organisation has warned that 7,000 to more than 11,000 Palestinian patients need immediate medical evacuations from the Gaza Strip. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to seven reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and Middle East Monitor, and to commentary from Indian Punchline; others are accessible by clicking on its their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date and a BIKES, ETC. entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Kremlin says Swiss summit on Ukraine is waste of time without Russia. From Reuters. The Kremlin said today it was understandable that some countries were declining to take part in a Swiss-hosted peace summit on Ukraine this month because the gathering lacked clear goals and it was absurd to hold it without Russia. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 3  Russia intercepts 20 Ukrainian drones in Kursk, governor says. From Reuters. Russian air defence units intercepted 20 Ukrainian drones on Monday in southern Russia’s Kursk region bordering Ukraine, regional Governor Alexei Smironov said. He said Ukrainian forces had attacked four villages in his region using attack drones and helicopters, but . . . READ MORE . . .

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Western army trainers in Ukraine not immune from strikes, Kremlin says. From AFP. Western army instructors training Ukrainian soldiers in the country would have no “immunity” from Russian strikes, the Kremlin said today. Ukraine’s army chief Oleksandr Syrsky had said that French military instructors would soon arrive in the country, but Kyiv’s Defense Ministry later . . . READ MORE . . .

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Zelensky personally calls CIS leaders, asks them to come to Switzerland, all refused — MFA. From Tass. MOSCOW — Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and his Western “friends” personally called all the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States and asked them to come to the so-called peace summit in Switzerland, but they all refused, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 3  Zelenskyy: Ukraine is ready to help Gaza. From Middle East Monitor. Ukraine’s President has insisted that Kyiv recognises both Israel and Palestine, calling to an end to the Israeli offensive on Gaza and urging for a two-state solution. In Singapore on Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was asked . . . READ MORE . . .

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Sanctioned VTB Bank to open branches in occupied Ukraine. From the Moscow Times. Russia’s second-largest lender VTB Bank announced today it plans to open new offices in occupied Ukraine this year — two in Luhansk in July and, by the end of the year . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine says Italy will supply another air defense battery. From AFP. Kyiv said today Italy would supply Ukraine with another air defense system, weapons that senior Ukrainian officials have been urging their allies to send to fend off Russian aerial . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 31  Russia won’t escalate, U.S. will, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  The United States’ proxy war with Russia is at another inflection point. The battleground is shifting dramatically to Russian territory. How this pans out will be a momentous event in 21st century politics. There are three defining issues here. One, the. . . READ MORE . . .

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

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Israeli strikes in central Gaza kill at least 11 as the U.S. pushes a cease-fire plan. From AP. Palestinian health officials said Israeli strikes killed 11 people overnight into today, including a woman and three children, in central Gaza. A strike on a home in the built-up Bureij refugee camp . . . READ MORE . . .

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UN experts urge all countries to recognise Palestinian statehood. From Reuters. GENEVA — A group of United Nations experts called today for all countries to recognise a Palestinian state to ensure peace in the Middle East. READ MORE . . .

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Over a million flee Rafah as Israel weighs truce proposal. From Middle East Eye. The ongoing Israeli invasion of southern Gaza’s Rafah has forcibly displaced over one million Palestinians into damaged and destroyed facilities in nearby Khan Younis, the UN said today. Conditions for families there. . . READ MORE . . .

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Netanyahu says Gaza plan can begin before terms fully agreed — media. From Reuters. JERUSALEM — Israeli media quoted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying today that the first phase of a U.S.-promoted plan to wind down the Gaza war, entailing a limited hostage release by Hamas, could be undertaken without necessary agreement on what follows. The leaked quotes . . . READ MORE . . .

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Rafah border crossing can’t reopen unless Israeli forces quit Gaza side, Egypt says. From Reuters. DUBAI — The Rafah border crossing critical to aid deliveries into Gaza from Egypt cannot operate again unless Israel relinquishes control and hands it back to Palestinians on the Gaza side, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said today. READ MORE . . .

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U.S. pressures Hamas and Israel to permanently end the war in Gaza. Reported by Daniel Estrin and A Martínez | NPR  President Biden surprised Israeli leaders on Friday when he went public with a ceasefire proposal that Israel had offered behind closed doors. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM JUNE 2  Israel seeks a ‘governing alternative’ to Hamas in Gaza. It’s been tried and failed before, by Melanie Lidman | AP  JERUSALEM — Israel is looking into an alternative local governing body for Gaza, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Sunday, proposing a future beyond Hamas but . . . READ MORE . . .

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Biden’s road map basically signals the Zionist entity’s defeat, by Amira Abo el-Fetouh | Middle East Monitor  What prompted U.S. President Joe Biden to deliver his urgent speech, in which he tried to fool the Arabs and pacify them with a “new” . . . READ MORE . . .

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

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Ukraine tries to rally support in the Asia Pacific for a peace conference. Reported by Emily Feng and A Martínez | NPR  Ukraine’s president alleges China is helping Russia to undermine a global peace summit as he turns to Asian nations for help in ending a war. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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U.S. VP Harris to attend Ukraine summit in Switzerland. From AFP. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will attend a Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, the White House said today. She will be joined by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan for the June 15 meeting in Lucerne, and will . . . READ MORE . . .

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Zelenskyy in Manila to promote peace summit, which he says China and Russia are trying to undermine, by Jim Gomez | AP  MANILA — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. today in a rare Asian trip to urge regional leaders to attend a Swiss-organized global peace summit on the war in Ukraine. He arrived unannounced and under heavy security in Manila late Sunday . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia’s strikes pound Ukrainian army, equipment in 118 areas over day — top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops inflicted damage on Ukrainian army units and military hardware in 118 areas over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today. READ MORE . . .

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U.S.-made M270 and HIMARS hammer targets inside Russia, first cross-border strikes since Biden green light, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post  Ukrainian forces waited less than 24 hours after getting the green light from Washington, London, Paris and Berlin to hammer targets inside Russia with precision-guided munitions fired by top-end made-in-the-USA artillery, according to reports, firing dozens READ MORE . . .

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Russia warns U.S. against ‘fatal’ miscalculation in Ukraine.  From Reuters. MOSCOW — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said today the United States could face “fatal consequences” if it ignored Moscow’s warnings not to let Ukraine use weapons provided by Washington to strike targets inside Russia. READ MORE . . .

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Chechen special forces deployed in Ukraine’s Kharkiv, commander says. From the Moscow Times. Fighters from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s Akhmat military unit have been deployed to northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region amid Russia’s recent offensive, the unit’s commander Apti Alaudinov said today. READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian special sorces and Syrian rebels decimate Russian mercenaries in Syria, by Kateryna Zakharchenko | Kyiv Post  Exclusive videos obtained by Kyiv Post from sources in Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate show Ukrainian special forces and Syrian rebels destroying Russian mercenaries in Syria. The video is dated March 2024. READ MORE . . .

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

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Aid workers in Gaza say nowhere is safe after Israeli attacks on ‘humanitarian zones.’ Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchi | NPR  Aid workers in Rafah describe horrific scenes of devastation as airstrikes kill dozens of Palestinians in Gaza, as the U.N. warns of a looming famine. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Biden’s Gaza plan ‘not a good deal’ but Israel accepts it, Netanyahu aide says, by Dan Williams | Reuters  JERUSALEM — An aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed today that Israel had accepted a framework deal for winding down the Gaza war now being advanced by U.S. President Joe Biden, though he described it as flawed and in need of much more work. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 1  Gaza mediators urge Israel and Hamas to accept truce plan. From AFP. Qatari, Egyptian and U.S. mediators called on Israel and Hamas Saturday to “finalise” the truce deal outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden, as Israeli forces pounded Rafah in southern Gaza. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for a report from Reuters.

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FROM JUNE 1  Israeli leader Netanyahu faces growing pressure at home after Biden’s Gaza proposal, by Sam Mednick and Wafaa Shurafa | AP  TEL AVIV — Israel’s prime minister faced growing pressure Saturday after U.S. President Joe Biden announced a proposed agreement to end the fighting in Gaza, with many Israelis urging Benjamin Netanyahu to embrace the deal but . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 1  Israel’s Netanyahu says ‘thrilled’ to address U.S. Congress. From AFP. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday he was “thrilled” to accept an invitation to address the U.S. Congress, where he plans to “present the truth” about the Gaza war. Democratic and Republican leaders . . . READ MORE . . .

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It’s not about Jews and Arabs, by Russell Mokhiber | CHC  The other day, when talking about the slaughter in Gaza, a friend of mine in West Virginia said to me matter of factly that the Palestine issue will never be resolved because “Jews and Arabs have been killing each other over there for hundreds of years.” In response, I . . . READ MORE . . .

 

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

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Ukraine’s Zelenskiy dominates Asia security conference as China, Taiwan trade barbs, by Xinghui Kok and Fanny Potkin | Reuters  SINGAPORE — Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskiy today asked governments at the Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore for support and participation at a summit in Switzerland later this month aimed at bringing peace to his war-ravaged nation. READ MORE . . .

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Zelenskyy accuses China of pressuring other countries not to attend upcoming Ukraine peace talks, by David Rising and Ken Moritsugu | AP   SINGAPORE — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused China today of helping Russia to disrupt an upcoming Swiss-organized peace conference on the war in Ukraine. Speaking at Asia’s premier security conference . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia claims capture of Umanske village in Donetsk Oblast, by Chris York and news desk | The Kyiv Independent  Russia’s Defense Ministry today claimed its forces captured the village of Umanske in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk Oblast, and the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said Russian forces were “trying to advance” in the direction of Sokil, a village around 10 kilometers to the north. READ MORE . . .

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Russian air defenses down two Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft in past day — Defense Ministry. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian air defenses downed two Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft in the past day, in addition to destroying 50 Ukrainian drones, 23 HIMARS rockets, two Tochka U missiles, a Neptune missile and three French-made Hammer air bombs, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. READ MORE . . .

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Ukhta oil refinery in Russia rocked by explosions and fire, casualties reported. From Kyiv Post. In Ukhta, in the Russian Republic of Komi, a fire broke out at a local oil refinery owned by Lukoil, following a series of explosions, as reported by the Russian Telegram channels. Russian media reported that the possibility of a UAV attack is not being considered. READ MORE . . .

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Bookstores have come under attack in Ukraine. But interest in reading is only growing. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR After the missile strike, the Factor Druk printing factory looked like a crime scene. Firefighters hosed down piles of burning books and there was blood on the wall. Seven people died. Most of the thousands of destroyed novels, textbooks and children’s books in the Ukrainian language came from . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM JUNE 1  China’s defence minister, Zelenskiy dominate Shangri-La Dialogue’s last day, by Gerry Doyle | Reuters  SINGAPORE — Chinese defence chief Dong Jun will discuss global security in an address at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday that is often the highlight of the summit’s last day, but may be overshadowed by the presence of Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskiy. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to 10 reports from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Tass, Reuters, the Anadolu Agency, Middle East Monitor, and Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

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Hostage families call for a cease-fire deal pushed by Biden. Israel says conditions must be met, by Sam Mednick | AP  TEL AVIV — Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas called for all parties to immediately accept a proposal detailed by U.S. President Joe Biden to end the nearly 8-month-long war and bring their relatives home, but Israel’s government said conditions for a cease-fire still must be met. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 31  President Biden announces details of Israeli cease-fire proposal. Reported by Asma Khalid | NPR  Biden announced at the White House that Israel offered a “comprehensive new proposal” that offers a “roadmap to an enduring cease-fire and the release of all hostages.” Click HERE to listen and read.

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Israel ready to continue talks on releasing hostages with Hamas – embassy in Russia. From Tass. MOSCOW — Israel has confirmed its resolve to continue negotiations with Hamas toward releasing hostages, according to Deputy Israeli Ambassador to Russia Yulia Rachinsky-Spivakov. READ MORE . . .

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Israel’s Netanyahu says there cannot be permanent Gaza ceasefire until Hamas destroyed. From Reuters. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today there would be no permanent ceasefire in Gaza until Hamas’ military and governing capabilities were destroyed. READ MORE . . .

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Biden has introduced a plan to end the Israel-Gaza war. Either side has yet to agree. Reported by Asma Khalid and Scott Simon | NPR  President Joe Biden has announced a multi-phase plan to bring the war in Gaza to an end. The Israelis and Hamas have yet to agree to it. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM MAY 31  Biden details Gaza truce proposal, Hamas responds positively, by Steve Holland and James Mackenzie | Reuters  WASHINGTON / JERUSALEM  — U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday laid out what he described as a three-phase Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza in return for the release of Israeli hostages. The first phase involves . . . READ MORE . . .

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Thousands rally near U.S. Embassy in Jakarta to protest Israeli bombardment of Gaza. From AA. Thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters amassed in front of the US Embassy in the Indonesian capital Jakarta today to condemn Israel’s ongoing violation of international law amid heavy bombardment of the Rafah refugee camp. The protest . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 31  EU to dispurse $17.3m to UN agency for Palestinian refugees. From Middle East Monitor.  The European Union decided on Friday to disburse €16 million ($17.3 million) to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Anadolu Agency reports. This new payment to UNRWA brings to . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israel maintains a shadowy hospital in the desert for Gaza detainees. Critics allege mistreatment, by Julia Frankel | AP  JERUSALEM — Eight months into the Israel-Hamas war, accusations of inhumane treatment at the Sde Teiman military field hospital are on the rise, and the Israeli government is under growing pressure to shut it down.  READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 31  Resentment against U.S. grows in Egypt’s defence establishment as Rafah heats up, by Sean Mathews | From Middle East Eye  The Biden administration’s near unconditional support for Israel’s war on Gaza is stoking resentment towards the U.S. among Egypt’s powerful defence establishment, complicating the administration’s bid to revive ties between Cairo and Israel to reach a Gaza ceasefire. READ MORE . . .

 

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

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Russian missiles and drones target Ukrainian energy sites. From AFP.  Russia fired a combined 100 missiles and drones at Ukraine overnight, in a barrage that targeted energy sites across the country, Ukrainian officials said today. READ MORE . . .

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At least 19 injured as Russia hits Ukraine’s power grid with fresh barrage. From AP. KYIV — Russia pummeled Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with a large-scale drone and missile attack today, injuring at least 19 people, local officials said. The strikes were part of a series of sustained attacks by Russia against Ukraine’s power grid, which has been ongoing since March. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 31  Ukrainian drone attack sparks oil depot fire in southern Russia. From the Moscow Times. An overnight Ukrainian drone strike in southern Russia’s Krasnodar region sparked a large fire and injured at least two workers at an oil depot, regional authorities said Friday. READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian attacks in Russian-held east kill 5.  From AFP. Ukrainian shelling attacks killed five people in Russian-occupied areas of the eastern Donetsk region on Friday, Moscow installed authorities said. READ MORE . . .

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Russian air defenses down 62 Ukrainian drones, 14 HIMARS rockets, three Hammer bombs — Ministry. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian air defense forces downed 62 Ukrainian drones, 14 U.S.-supplied HIMARS multiple launch rockets and three French-made Hammer guided aerial bombs in the past day, Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a report. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine signs security agreements with 3 Nordic states. From Kyiv Post. President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky signed bilateral security agreements in Stockholm yesterday with Sweden, Norway and Iceland. He met . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 31  Kharkiv residents welcome green light to use U.S. weapons on Russian targets. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  Beleaguered residents of Kharkiv, Ukraine, welcome the United States’ green light to hit Russian targets with American weapons. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM MAY 31  Ukraine stabilizes Kharkiv front after brutal Russian offensive, by Francis Farrell | The Kyiv Independent  KHARKIV OBLAST – In battles fought under a sky swarming with enemy drones, even . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 31  NATO ministers meet in Prague as allies ease restrictions on Ukraine’s use of their weapons, by Matthew Lee and Karel Janicek | AP  PRAGUE — NATO foreign ministers were meeting in the Czech capital Friday to prepare for this summer’s leaders’ summit as the alliance boosts support for Ukraine and countries one-by-one remove restrictions on how Kyiv can use western-supplied weaponry to combat Russia’s invasion. READ MORE . . .

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Biden tip-toes deeper into Ukraine conflict with arms decision, by Phil Stewart, Jonathan Landay and Max Hunder | Reuters  WASHINGTON / KYIV — President Joe Biden’s decision to relax some restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S. weaponry inside Russia is a small but significant step deeper into the two-year-old war that experts say could help blunt Russia’s cross-border Kharkiv offensive. READ MORE . . .

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