For today, links to six reports: from the Associated Press, Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, Reuters, Tass, and The Moscow Times; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (WEST BANK and GAZA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll down.  UKRAINE 4-16-25 is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Russia strikes Dnipro as Ukrainian officials seek security pledges in Paris. From AP. KYIV — Russian forces launched a massive drone attack on the southeastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, killing three people including a child and wounding dozens, officials said today. It was the latest in a string of Russian attacks . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine retaliates against bloody Russian missile attack with rare follow-up drone strike, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post  Ukrainian strike planners today hit a Russian missile base with long-range drones that destroyed buildings and targeted service personnel for the second day in a row, in retaliation for a bloody Russian Sunday strike that killed dozens of civilians and injured more than a hundred. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s future is at the center of talks in Paris with Rubio, Witkoff and top European officials. From AP. PARIS — U.S. Secretary of State Marco and presidential envoy Steve Witkoff were having lunch discussions today with French President Emmanuel Macron and “talks with European counterparts to advance President Trump’s goal to end the Russia-Ukraine war and stop the bloodshed,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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Russian contacts with Witkoff are very productive, Putin envoy says. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump‘s special envoy Steve Witkoff was extremely productive but various countries are trying to disrupt dialogue between Moscow and Washington, Putin’s investment, Kirill Dmitriev, envoy said today. READ MORE . . .

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Russian troops liberate Preobrazhenka community in Donetsk region over past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops liberated the community of Preobrazhenka in the Donetsk region 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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FROM APRIL 16  In occupied Ukraine, Russia’s security forces target schools for recruitment, by Angelina Trefilova | The Moscow Times  Since late February, Russian security forces have increasingly visited schools and colleges in the occupied territories of Ukraine in a professional training program run by the Russian National Guard, or Rosgvardia. READ MORE . . .

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