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

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Putin, Xi vow closer ties as Russia bombards Ukraine again, by Felipe Dana | AP  KYIV — Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping vowed toiday to deepen their bilateral cooperation against the backdrop of Moscow’s 10-month war in Ukraine, which weathered another night of drone and rocket attacks following a large-scale missile bombardment. Putin and Xi . . . READ MORE . . .

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Putin expects China’s Xi to visit soon; Xi holds his line on Ukraine, by Kevin Liffey | Reuters * Putin’s remarks highlight pivot from West to China * Both men share distrust of West * Xi’s reserved remarks contrast Putin’s upbeat tone * No mention of visit in Chinese media reports of video meeting * No sign from Xi of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine | Russian President Vladimir Putin said toiday he was expecting Chinese President Xi Jinping to make a state visit early next year in what would be a public show of solidarity from Beijing as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine falters. But an official Chinese readout . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian troops strike four command posts in Ukraine operation – top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian missile troops and artillery struck four Ukrainian command posts in the past day during the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov said today. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine says fresh Russian drone strike overnight largely repelled. From AFP. The Ukrainian military said toiday that it had repelled an overnight drone attack on the country, including on the capital Kyiv, a day after Russia launched a barrage of missiles on the war-battered nation. “On the night of December 29-30 . . . READ MORE . . .

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Evidence of Russian crimes mounts as war in Ukraine drags on, by Michael Biesecker and Erika Kinetz | AP  KYIV — Ten months into Russia’s latest invasion of Ukraine, overwhelming evidence shows the Kremlin’s troops have waged total war, with disregard for international laws governing the treatment of civilians and conduct on the battlefield. Ukraine is investigating more than 58,000 potential Russian war crimes — . . . READ MORE . . .

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Zelensky says Ukraine has helped the West ’find itself,’ by David DeCamp | antiwar.com In an address to Ukraine’s parliament on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in 10 months of the war, his country has helped the West “find itself again” and provided a “historic opportunity.” “In 10 months of this year, we helped everyone. We helped . . . READ MORE . . .

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After the 77-Years war— why there Is still no peace on earth, by David Stockman | anti war.com After the Berlin Wall fell in November 1989 and the death of the Soviet Union was confirmed two years later as Boris Yeltsin courageously stood down the Red Army tanks in front of Moscow’s White House, a dark era in human history came to an abrupt end. The world had descended into a “77-Years War . . . READ MORE . . .

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Pilots for 9/11 Truth is one of a number of specialized groups with allied goals. Retired United Airlines captain Dan Hanley’s 10-minute account linked below regarding efforts to elicit a truthful response from the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, speaks for itself. — MCM

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Captain Dan Hanley on FAA stonewalling, deceit, and lying. From Pilots for 9/11 Truth. Introduction: “On August 2020, on behalf of 9/11 PIlot Whistleblowers, Captain Dan Hanley filed an FAA Whistleblower Report via the FAA Hotline. For the subsequent 12 months, the FAA stonewalled and deceived him and ultimately lied to him as, according to a response to a FOIA request for all data pertaining to the investigation, no such data existed. The FAA lied.” Click HERE to watch and listen.

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

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Russia is finishing the year with continued strikes on Ukraine’s electrical grid. Reported by Steve Inskeep and Tim Mak | NPR  Lights flickered or went out in some Ukrainian citieS today. More than 300 days into the war, airstrikes and power outages have become part of life. Where do things stand as the year winds down? Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Russia launches massive missile barrage across Ukraine, by Renata Brito and Hanna Arhirova | AP  KYIV — Multiple regions of Ukraine, including its capital, faced a massive Russian missile attack today, the biggest wave of strikes in weeks targeting power stations and other critical infrastructure during freezing weather. Russia dispatched . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine shot down 54 out of 69 Russian missiles: Army. From AFP. Ukraine’s air defence shot down 54 out of 69 missiles launched by Russia in a new wave of attacks today morning, the Ukrainian army said. “According to preliminary data . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. uses civilian satellites to support Ukrainian army – Russian MFA. From Tass. MOSCOW — The United States and its NATO allies are testing an innovative command and control system in Ukraine, using civilian satellites to furnish support for Kiev’s forces in combat, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said today. She said the fundamental treaty on outer space of 1967 provides for the use of near-Earth space exclusively for peaceful . . . READ MORE . . .

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What is Zelenskiy’s 10-point peace plan? From Reuters. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been vigorously promoting his 10-point peace plan, discussing it with U.S. President Joe Biden among others, and urging world leaders to hold a Global Peace Summit based on it. The plan calls for . . . READ MORE . . .

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Lavrov: Ukraine must demilitarize or Russia will do it, by E. Eduardo Castillo | AP  KYIV — Russia’s foreign minister on Tuesday warned anew Ukraine that it must demilitarize, threatening further military action and falsely accusing Kyiv and the West of fueling the war that started with Moscow’s invasion. Sergey Lavrov said Ukraine must remove any military threat to Russia . . . READ MORE . . .

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First, from early last night, a few lines linking to a column provided by Consortium News. Then, links to reports from National Public Radio, the Associated Press and Reuters and to a photograph from Agence France-Presse. — MCM

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A war of rhetoric & reality, by Patrick Lawrence | Consortium News There are numerous indications that Russia is preparing to launch a major offensive in coming weeks or months. The Biden administration and the Democrat-controlled Congress have drastically, recklessly increased their investment in the Ukrainian president’s regime — a good-money-after-bad judgment if ever there was one. In this war between rhetoric and reality, the former, one waged with immense volumes of Western weaponry in defense of ideological bombast, is far more dangerous than the latter, a war waged on the ground with clearly . . . READ MORE . . .

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A Russian missile stops a Ukrainian city from returning drinkable water to residents. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  Mykolaiv, Ukraine, was poised to start piping drinkable water to its residents for the first time in months, but a Russian missile struck a major pump station in a recently liberated area. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Minister: Ukraine aims to develop air-to-air combat drones, by Hanna Arhirova | AP  KYIV — Ukraine has bought some 1,400 drones, mostly for reconnaissance, and plans to develop combat models that can attack the exploding drones Russia has used during its invasion of the country, according to the Ukrainian government minister in charge of technology. In a recent interview . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ship insurers to cancel war cover for Russia, Ukraine from Jan 1, by Carolyn Cohn, Jonathan Sau and Muralikumar Anantharaman | Reuters LONDON — Ship insurers said they are cancelling war risk cover across Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, following an exit from the region by reinsurers in the face of steep losses. Reinsurers, who insure the insurers, typically . . . READ MORE . . .

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Photo: A medic works at a hospital maternity unit in Kherson. By Dimitar Dilkoff | AFP  Click HERE to see. (NOTE: In line with the news service’s practice of changing the featured photograph on its main English-language page roughly every 24 hours, the image of a worker routinely going about her work in a Ukrainian hospital corridor is no longer available.)

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2022 was a very bad year for Russia and its president. Reported by Charles Maynes | NPR Russia is isolated, sanctioned and struggling militarily in Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Ukrainian refugees in France find work at factories that produce luxury handbags. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | NPR  The war in Ukraine is transforming Europe in more ways than one. Ukrainian refugees in France are helping to fill jobs in places where there aren’t enough French workers. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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A flood of Russians arrive in Uzbekistan to avoid being drafted and sent to Ukraine. Reported by Philip Reeves | NPR  While there are many people in Uzbekistan welcoming Russians fleeing conscription to the war in Ukraine, others are irritated by their presence. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

For now, links to reports from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Tass, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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Ukraine FM aims for February peace summit, by E. Eduardo Castillo and Hanna Arhirova | AP  KYIV — Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kulebula, said today that his nation wants a summit to end the war but he doesn’t anticipate Russia taking part, a statement making it hard to foresee the devastating invasion ending soon. He told The Associated Press his government wants a “peace” summit within two months at the United Nations with Secretary-General António Guterres . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian officials say they want to host a peace summit at the U.N. in February. Reported by A Martínez and Julian Hayda | NPR  That would be a year since Russia launched its full-scale invasion against Ukraine. The proposal comes a day after Russia’s president accused Ukraine of being unwilling to negotiate an end to the war. Click HERE to listen.

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Ukraine not ready for talks, Kuleba’s ideas a ‘smoke screen,’ lawmaker says. From Tass. MOSCOW — Leonid Slutsky, head of the Russian State Duma committee on international affairs, today characterized Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba’s statement about a peace summit as a “smoke screen.” He underscored that it was the Ukrainian side that withdrew from the Istanbul peace process, instead choosing . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian rouble falls to 70 vs dollar as sanctions weigh.  From Reuters.  * This content was produced in Russia where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in Ukraine | MOSCOW — The Russian rouble weakened on Tuesday, struggling to consolidate a slight recovery from last week’s slide as the market comes to terms with the prospect of lower export revenue in the wake of restrictions on Russian oil. The rouble lost about 8% against the dollar last week and is on course for a monthly decline after an oil embargo and price cap came into force. The finance ministry has said the recent slump was related to . . . READ MORE . . .

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First, links to reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Tass, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Finally for today, via Global Research and Monthly Review, an article that places the current war in Ukraine in a decades-long historical context; it first appeared in CovertAction Magazine in September. — MCM

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Ukrainian drone hits bomber base inside Russia, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters Moscow said today its forces had shot down a Ukrainian drone close to a long-range bomber base deep inside Russia, while Ukraine said the Russians had unleashed heavy artillery barrages on its cities in the past 24 hours. The drone was allegedly flying . . . READ MORE . . .   

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Russia says it shot down Ukrainian drone near airbase, by E. Eduardo Castillo and Hanna Arhirova | AP  KYIV — The Russian military reported today it shot down a Ukrainian drone approaching an airbase deep inside Russia, the second time the facility has been targeted this month. Russia’s Defense Ministry said three servicemen were killed by debris . . .  READ MORE . . .

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Putin reiterates claims he’s willing to negotiate but attacks on Ukraine continue. Reported by Steve Inskeep and Charles Maynes | NPR  Russian President Putin has started referring to the invasion of Ukraine as a war — after insisting it was an operation. It’s been more than 10 months since Russia invaded Ukraine. Click HERE to listen.

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Russian forces wipe out M777 howitzer that shelled Donetsk – top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW Russian troops destroyed a U.S.-made M777 howitzer used by the Ukrainian military to shell Donetsk residential areas, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov reported today. In the counter-battery warfare, Russian forces destroyed two Ukrainian Grad multiple rocket launchers in. . . READ MORE . . .

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FSB says killed Ukraine ‘sabateurs’ trying to cross border. From AFP. Russia’s FSB domestic security service said today it had killed four saboteurs from Ukraine that attempted to cross into a Russian border region. It added that they were carrying . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine calls for Russia’s removal from UN. From AFP. KYIV — Ukraine today called for Russia to be removed from the United Nations, where Moscow can veto any resolution as a permanent member of the Security . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine: The CIA’s 75-year-old proxy, by Gerald Sussman | CovertAction Magazine It takes a musical artist to cut through the morass of propaganda to educate American mainstream media (MSM) about the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the role of the United States in instigating that conflict for its own nefarious ends. The MSM have constructed an undiluted narrative about “Putin’s War” that . . . READ MORE . .

I close with the observation that, insofar as Americans participate in this anti-imperialist movement, their activities will be deeply patriotic, because they will be seeking to call our nation back to its moral ideals, which stand diametrically opposed to the values implicit in the global domination project. — David Ray Griffin (1939 – 2022)

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Modern prophet in the age of U.S. empire

By Michael Welch, Richard Gage, Carol Brouillet, Barrie Zwicker. and Elizabeth Woodworth

Near the end of last month, the last fading breaths of a special person with extraordinary intellect offset by almost a humble and unassuming personality finally petered out, and left much of the public diminished in a fundamental way.

A friend. A mentor. A prophet. A conspiracy theorist. David Ray Griffin was considered all of these things and more.

His philosophical journey which started in academia found a sideline into investigating and communicating about the truth about the problems with the official story of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. And it was not a diversionary track. For him, it was consistent with his commitment as a theologian and one who follows the truth no matter where it leads and no matter the cost to his reputation and life.

He may not have been the first voice out of the gate spreading the word, but with his background as an academic and his skills as a teacher, he was definitely a giant in the field of 9/11 investigation. He exposed the evidence that officials within the U.S. military, political and intelligence apparatus had full knowledge of the terrorist attacks in advance and either allowed or made them happen on purpose. People came to him by the hundreds, and tuned into radio by the thousands to hear about his understanding of what really happened on that horrible day.

The Global Research News Hour, and Global Research itself remain committed to similarly getting to the bottom of the vicious event which propelled the U.S. and the world into a new venture of war-making abroad and diminished rights at home. We recognize the particular importance of Dr Griffin on the roster of champions who would not be forced into silence when the growling hounds of conformity try to coerce a more “respectable” opinion out of him.

For the entire hour, we will get the perspectives of people who have been in contact with him and value his work, to share perspectives not only about his 9/11 work, but also in his other pursuits from theological studies to his role in revealing the U.S. empire in all its horrible glory. We coax them to reveal more about him on a personal level – both his strentgths and his Persian flaws. Our guests include . . . READ MORE and ACCESS AUDIO  . . .

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

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Kremlin tries to steal Ukraine’s Christmas, by James Brooke | The Berkshire Eagle  Silence the church bells! This was the order the Bolsheviks gave out one century ago. Competing for the hearts and minds of the Russian people, one million bronze bells were still ringing out after the fall of the Russian Empire. Sometimes called “singing icons,” bells summoned Orthodox faithful to baptisms, burials and Christmas services. By 1941, the communists had closed or destroyed 92 percent of Russia’s churches. In an echo of this not-so-distant past, Russian soldiers now . . . READ MORE . . .

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A Christmas without its traditional glow in Ukraine, by Hanna Arhirova | AP KYIV — Just a year ago, Sophia Square in Kyiv was all about the big Christmas tree and thousands of lights spreading over the plaza. These final days of 2022, a more modest tree stands there, its blue and yellow lights barely breaking the gloom of the square that is otherwise dark apart from the headlights of cars. In recent . . . READ MORE . . .

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Putin tells defence industry to up its game for Ukraine war, by Andrew Osborn | Reuters President Vladimir Putin, who has cast Russia’s war in Ukraine as part of an historic effort to push back against what he says is excessive Western influence over global affairs, made the comments Friday during a visit to Tula, a centre for arms manufacturing. “The most . . . READ MORE . . .

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Zelensky blasts Russian ‘terror’ after Kherson City shelled. From AFP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today blasted Russian “terror” after shelling on Christmas Eve left at least eight dead and 17 injured in Kherson city, which Kyiv’s forces recaptured in November. Despite Russia’s retreat from . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces obliterate almost 400 air defense systems in Ukraine op – top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Russian Armed Forces have obliterated about 400 Ukrainian surface-to-air missile systems since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov said today. “In all, the following targets have been destroyed since the beginning of . . . READ MORE . . .

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How the Christmas tree became a symbol of national resistance in Ukraine. Reported by Julian Hayda | NPR  How the Christmas tree became . . . Click HERE to listen.

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The light of Hanukkah shines in Ukraine. By Scott Simon | NPR  Many have compared President Zelenskyy’s address to a joint session of Congress to the appearance Winston Churchill made 81 years ago. But I was reminded of when Churchill addressed the Canadian House of Commons a few days later. He said . . . READ MORE . . .

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First, links to reports from Yahoo News, Tass, Reuters, the Moscow Times, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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Zelenskyy’s team to present peace formula in February. From Yahoo News. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s team plans to present a peace formula on or around 24 February 2023, according to a Wall Street Journal article that referred to European and Ukrainian sources. According to the newspaper, Zelenskyy’s team is currently fleshing out the plan. U.S., Ukrainian and NATO officials have . . . Click HERE for Yahoo summary.

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Kremlin unaware of Kiev’s latest preparations for ‘peace formula’. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Kremlin is unaware of Ukraine’s alleged preparation of a peace plan, while Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s recent statements about a peaceful solution are detached from reality, the Russian presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters today. On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. to approve Ukraine aid including arms after Zelenskiy visit, by Steve Holland, Dan Peleschuk and Olena Harmash | Reuters  * New package would bring U.S. aid to almost $100 billion * U.S. officials say one Patriot system won’t change war * Russia threatens oil output cut in response to price cap | WASHINGTON/KYIV, Dec 23 (Reuters) – U.S. lawmakers were expected to approve a $45 billion aid package for Ukraine on Friday, as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy returned from Washington with the promise of Patriot missiles to help fend off Russia’s invasion. The military and economic assistance, part . . . READ MORE . . .

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Moscow warns of ban on oil sales to countries joining price cap. From the Moscow Times. A senior Russian official warned today that Moscow would ban oil sales to countries that join a Western price cap on the country’s crude. President Vladimir Putin said he plans to lay out next week the Kremlin’s response to the $60 per barrel price cap imposed this month by the European Union, G7 countries and Australia . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukrainian activist, former politician and mom looks back on a year of war. Reported by Jonaki Mehta, Courtney Dorning and Mary Louise Kelly | NPR  Mary Louise Kelly talks with Ukrainian activist Hanna Hopko about what 2022 has been like for her and her family living through the war. Click HERE to listen.

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Why Christmas in Ukraine may be celebrated on Dec. 25 or Jan. 7. Reported by Tim Mak | NPR  Even the day that Christmas falls on is a matter of vigorous dispute in Ukraine. In the context of the ongoing war with Russia, the question has taken on new meaning. Click HERE to listen.

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Foe now, links to reports from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Reuters, Tass, and AFP; others are accessible by clicking on their names and initials below. Then, via Consortium News, an article by a former president of Veterans for Peace. — MCM

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Zelenskyy thanks ‘every American,’ sees ‘turning point,’ by Zeke Miller, Lisa Mascaro and E. Eduardo Castillo | AP   WASHINGTON — Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy told cheering U.S. legislators during a defiant wartime visit to the nation’s capital on Wednesday that against all odds his country still stands, thanking Americans for helping to fund the war effort with money that is “not charity,” but an “investment” in global security and democracy. The whirlwind stop in Washington . . . READ MORE . . .

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Zelenskyy visits Washington to meet with Biden and address Congress. Reported by Asma Khalid, Tim Mak and Michele Kelemen | NPR  Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes a dramatic visit to Washington, while his country is at war, for meetings at the White House and address Congress. Click HERE to listen.

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Russia says U.S. Patriot missiles will not help end Ukraine conflict, by Steve Holland and Pavel Polityuk | Reuters  * U.S. announces new $1.85 bln military aid package * U.S. Patriot air defence battery part of new assistance * Kremlin-Patriots won’t stop it from achieving its goals * Putin backs increasing size of Russian military by 30% | WASHINGTON/KYIV — Russia said today that supplies of U.S. Patriot missile systems to Ukraine, announced during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s visit to Washington, would not help settle the conflict or prevent Russia from achieving its goals. In a call . . . READ MORE . . . 

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U.S. actions in Ukraine may lead to unpredictable consequences, warns Russian diplomat. From Tass. WASHINGTON — The United States’ provocative actions in Ukraine will inevitably lead to escalation, the consequences of which could be unpredictable, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said today, commenting on Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s visit to Washington. “Despite . . . READ MORE . . .

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Kremlin says Biden, Zelensky refusing to hear ‘Russia’s concerns.’ From AFP. The Kremlin today said that Washington and Kyiv were turning a deaf ear to Russia’s concerns following a historic visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States. Zelensky enjoyed a hero’s welcome on a lightning trip to Washington where U.S. President Joe Biden committed nearly $1.8 billion in military supplies including, for the first time, the Patriot missile defence system. “We can  . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. veterans join calls for ending war in Ukraine, by Gerry Condon | Common Dreams  Winter’s arrival in the northern hemisphere brings increased concern about the war in Ukraine — now in its 10th month. Concern about the suffering of civilians under siege, and the fate of millions of refugees. Concern about the energy crisis and militarization in Europe. Concern about . . . READ MORE . . .

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