For now, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, a link to analysis from the Moscow Times. Next, links to three pieces of commentary by a Wall Street Journal columnist (for paying subscribers), podcaster Jimmy Dore, and a former NATO assistant secretary general. — MCM
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Ukraine interior minister, others killed in helicopter crash, by Malak Harb | AP BROVARY, Ukraine — Ukraine’s interior minister died today in a helicopter crash near the capital that killed at least another 14 people, including other officials and three children, authorities said. Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyi oversaw Ukraine’s police and emergency services. There was no immediate word on whether the crash, which was near a kindergarten, was an accident or related to the war. . . .READ MORE . . .
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Europeans dial down the heating, heed calls to save energy, by Thomas Escritt | Reuters BERLIN — Europeans have dialled down their heating this winter, apparently heeding government calls to conserve energy amid the Ukraine crisis, with some delaying switching it on by almost a month and setting the temperature lower, data shows. The data, from hundreds of thousands of smart thermometers installed . . . READ MORE . . .
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‘Only lazy ones’ do not call for talks on Ukraine, while U.S. says time is not ripe – Lavrov. From Tass. MOSCOW — “As for negotiations, now only the lazy ones are not calling for them,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said today. “Everyone is urging talks, but then [the assistant to the president of the United States for national security affairs] Jake Sullivan will say at a press conference somewhere, the way he does from time to time: ‘Time is . . . READ MORE . . .
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Germany’s chancellor said he’d boost military. How is the German army doing now? Reported by Rob Schmitz | NPR Nearly a year after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a $100 billion boost for Germany’s military, here’s a look at the state of the armed forces and the industry that depends ontheir survival. Click HERE to listen and read.
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Russia’s attempt to weaponize Orthodox Christianity in Ukraine, by Ksenia Luchenko | The Moscow Times The celebration of Orthodox Christmas in both Russia and Ukraine on Jan. 7 provided ample evidence of what the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War has called Russia’s weaponization of religion in its propaganda war against Ukraine. Just as . . . READ MORE . . .
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The war in Ukraine will be long. Is the West ready? by Yaroslav Trofimov | The Wall Street Journal The bet in Moscow—and the fear in Kyiv—is that the West will lose stamina before Russia suffers a decisive defeat. So far, Russia’s expectations of discord among Ukraine’s backers haven’t materialized. Europe has . . . READ MORE . . .
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NATO chief admits we’re sacrificing Ukraine to bleed Russia! Commentary by Jimmy Dore and guest Nick Cruse | The Jimmy Dore Show The 12-minute segment was recorded this week. Click HERE to watch and listen.
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Ploughshares into swords — NATO spending must rise, by Patrick Turner | Center for European Policy Analysis NATO defense ministers begin discussions on this issue next month in Brussels. NATO Allies must now raise their sights. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine makes . . . READ MORE . . .
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MAY BE CONTINUED