Status

Ukraine, 4-20-22

To start, Associated Press and Reuters stories, both linked to others related to the war. Then, five stories heard on NPR’s “Morning Edition” program. Next, some suggestions by Sarah Morris, head of instruction and engagement at the Emory University Libraries, whose focus is media literacyMore news and commentary to follow. — MCM

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Russia pressures Mariupol as it focuses on Ukraine’s east, by Adam Schreck | The Associated Press KYIV — Russian forces pressured a stubborn pocket of resistance in Mariupol amid renewed hopes today for an evacuation of thousands of civilians from the shattered port city that is a key battleground in Moscow’s new onslaught to take control of Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland. In addition to pounding the holdout in Mariupol, Russian forces have intensified . . . Click HERE for rest of report including photos.

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No surrender in Mariupol as Russian ultimatum expires; refugees from Ukraine top 5 million,by Natalia Zinets | Reuters * Russia told Ukrainians at Mariupol plant to lay down arms * U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Germany promise more help * U.S. plans new military aid package in next few days – sources | A Russian ultimatum to Ukrainian troops in Mariupol to surrender or die expired this afternoon with no mass capitulation, but the commander of a unit believed to be holding out in the besieged city said his forces could survive just days or hours. The United Nations said on today the number of refugees . . . Click HERE for rest of report including photos.

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Ukrainian fighters are making their last stand in a steel mill in Mariupol. Reported by Leila Fadel and Tim Mak | National Public Radio A Ukrainian fighter calls on the world to save their lives and extract them and civilians out of the destroyed city of Mariupol. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, to read.

   

Ukrainian forces in Mariupol are refusing to surrender to Russian forces. NPR’s Leila Fadel talks to retired Gen. Ben Hodges about how the Russian assault in eastern Ukraine will be different from Russian President Putin’s initial plan to take Kiev at the end of February. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, to read.

   

To fight climate change, and now Russia, too, Zurich turns off natural gas. Reported by Dan Charles | NPR European officials are debating whether they can stop buying natural gas imports from Russia. Many say it can’t be done. But the biggest city in Switzerland – Zurich – is already taking ambitious steps to wean itself off gas. It’s shutting down the flow of gas to whole parts of the city. Zurich started down this path a decade ago in order to save money and fight climate change. The plan . . . Click HERE to read more and listen.

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It’s planting season in Ukraine, and that means problems for global food supply. Reported by Ayen Bior | NPR. The day after Russia invaded Ukraine, Lebanon’s economy minister announced the country of 6.8 million people had enough wheat reserves to last just one month. Russia and Ukraine are major exporters of agriculture, which Lebanon depends on. Ukraine alone exported more than $27 billion in agricultural products to the world last year. About 80% of Lebanon’s wheat comes from Ukraine. So when the war started, so did worries of food shortages and price hikes. “You could say . . . Click HERE to listen and read today.

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Decades after the USSR collapsed, Eurasian countries struggle to maintain democracy. NPR’s Steve Inskeep talks to Michael Abramowitz of Freedom House about the state of democracy in 29 formerly communist nations of Central Europe and Central Asia following Russia’s war on Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, to read.

   

Disinformation, Propaganda, and the War in Ukraine, by Sarah Morris | The Carter Center The war in Ukraine is a terrible situation that is keeping many of us glued to our devices, looking for updates and ways to help Ukraine. Unfortunately, large amounts of misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda are swirling around, creating confusion and disruption. How can you spot and prevent the spread of dangerous mis/disinformation and propaganda and support high-quality, factual coverage and reporting on the war? The five tips below can help. [1] Be extra thorough with fact-checking. During periods of turmoil, it is crucial . . . READ MORE . . .

   

TO BE CONTINUED