For today, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Tass, and Reuters; 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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NEWER ‘Ukraine can’t win without help’ — Zelensky urges European and U.S. allies to unblock aid. From AFP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today urged allies in Europe and the U.S. to continue to back Kyiv, as disputes in Brussels and Washington hold up new aid packages. He spoke ahead of a meeting with the leaders of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, in which . . . READ MORE . . .
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NEWER 53 injured in Russian attack on Kyiv, by Olena Goncharova | The Kyiv Independent A Russian missile attack against Kyiv early today injured 53 people, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. At least 20 people were taken to the hospital, including two children. Some 33 civilians received treatment on the ground. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that all 10 ballistic missiles targeting Kyiv were shot down as well as 10 Shahed drones. In the . . . READ MORE . . .
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U.S. credibility is on the line in Ukraine funding debate, by Chris Megerian | AP WASHINGTON (AP) — One of President Joe Biden’s favorite stories is about his first international summit after taking office, when he declared that “America is back” in the wake of Donald Trump’s erratic and isolationist leadership. “For how long?” responded one of the other leaders in the room. It’s a question that . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM DEC. 12 Zelenskyy visits Washington for a last-ditch effort to secure U.S. aid. Reported by Deirdre Walsh | NPR Ukraine’s president is making a last-ditch trip to Washington to try to convince Congress to give more weapons and aid for his fight against Russia. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.
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Russia says its forces repelled 8 Ukrainian attacks in Kupyansk area, by Alexander Reka | TASS MOSCOW — Units of the battlegroup West repelled eight attacks by Ukrainian assault groups near some settlements in the Kharkov Region and Lake Liman over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a daily bulletin of the special military operation. Here are details of these and other combat . . . READ MORE . . .
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U.S. issues sweeping sanctions targeting Russia over Ukraine war, by Daphne Psaledakis, Simon Lewis and Timothy Gardner | Reuters WASHINGTON — The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on hundreds of people and entities, including in China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, as it targets Russia’s sanctions evasion, future energy capabilities, banks and its metals and mining sector. The U.S. Treasury and State departments targeted more than 250 individuals and entities in . . . READ MORE . . .
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Attacks on health care are on track to hit a record high in 2023. Can it be stopped? Reported by Ari Daniel | NPR The year 2022 set a grim record — 1,989 attacks on health-care facilities and their personnel, the worst total number in the decade since the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition began its sobering count. This year is on track to be even more devastating. In many of the world’s ongoing conflicts — like Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and now between Israel and Hamas — health care has been a target. Click HERE to listen and read.