First, links to reports from Reuters, Tass, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Agence France-Presse; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Then, a veteran investigative reporter’s latest self-published article. NOTE: The NPR item, from Thursday’s “All Things Considered,” was added after 12 noon EDT. — MCM
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Ukrainians said to pull back in Bakhmut as Moscow launches new push, by Kai Pfaffenbach and Manuel Ausloos | Reuters * Britain says Russian mercenaries, troops improve cooperation * Ukrainian officials say Russia diverting forces to Bakhmut * Capturing city would be Moscow’s first big gain in eight months * Ukraine preparing for counteroffensive | NEAR BAKHMUT, Ukraine — Ukrainian troops have been forced to withdraw from some parts of Bakhmut in the face of a renewed Russian assault on the ruined battlefield city, Britain said on Friday, with Moscow pressing to achieve a victory before Ukraine’s expected counteroffensive. Ukrainian officials say . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian artillery destroys two Ukrainian howitzers in Kherson area. From Tass. GENICHESK — Russian artillery destroyed two Ukrainian howitzers on the right bank of the Dnieper River in the Kherson Region, a spokesman for the regional emergency services reported today, in a report that included . . . READ MORE . . .
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G7 diplomats to grapple with Ukraine, China, N. Korea crises, by Foster Klug | AP TOKYO (AP) — The top diplomats from some of the world’s most powerful democracies will have plenty to discuss when they gather in the hot spring resort town of Karuizawa on Sunday for the so-called Group of Seven foreign ministers’ meeting. The agenda will be dominated by worries over Russia, China and North Korea, and an awareness of the unmistakable interconnectedness of . . . READ MORE . . .
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New Russian law would make it difficult to avoid being drafted into war in Ukraine. Reported by Charles Maynes | NPR Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to sign a new law cracking down on draft dodging. The proposed law raced through Russia’s lower and upper houses of parliament this week. Click HERE to listen and read.
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German FM urges China to ‘call on the aggressor Russia to stop the war.’ From AFP. BEIJING — “It is good that China has signalled its commitment to a solution,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said today after a meeting with her Chinese counterpart Qin Gang, “but I have to say frankly that I wonder why the Chinese position so far does not include a call . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russian oil exports hit near three-year high In March: IEA. From AFP. Russian oil exports jumped to their highest level in almost three years in March despite Western sanctions, but revenues were down sharply from last year, the International Energy Agency said today. The West has imposed . . . READ MORE . . .
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Trading with the enemy, by Seymour Hersh | Substack The Ukraine government has been using American taxpayers’ funds to pay dearly for the vitally needed diesel fuel that is keeping the Ukrainian army on the move in its war with Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky has been buying the fuel from Russia, and the Ukrainian president and many in his entourage have been skimming untold millions from the American dollars earmarked for diesel fuel payments. One estimate . . . READ MORE . . .
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MAY BE CONTINUED