To start, Reuters and Associated Press reports, linked to others from the news services. Next, via Consortium News and ScheerPost, the beginning of a post by Chris Hedges; among other things, the post links to the video of a discussion on “information warfare” (promoted HERE), of which Hedges was a part, and it provides an opportunity for readers to compare his take on propaganda and disinformation with that of Sarah Morris of The Carter Center (linked HERE yesterday). Other items of news and analysis may follow. — MCM
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Putin claims victory in Mariupol despite leaving defenders holed up, by Pavel Polityuk | Reuters * ‘No need to climb into these catacombs,’ says Putin * Ukraine seeks talks on fate of defenders and civilians * Fight for Mariupol has been biggest battle of war | KYIV — President Vladimir Putin claimed victory in the biggest battle of the Ukraine war today, declaring the port of Mariupol “liberated” after nearly two months of siege, despite leaving hundreds of defenders still holed up inside a giant steel works. Ukraine said Putin’s attempt to avoid a final clash with its forces in the city . . . READ MORE . . .
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Putin claims Mariupol win but won’t storm Ukrainian holdout, by Adam Schreck | The Associated Press KYIV — Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed victory in the strategic city of Mariupol today, even as he ordered his troops not to risk more losses by storming the last pocket of Ukrainian resistance in the war’s iconic battleground. Russian troops have besieged the southeastern port city since the early days of the conflict and largely reduced it to ruins. Top officials have repeatedly claimed it was about to fall, but . . . READ MORE . . .
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American Commissars, by Chris Hedges | ScheerPost.com The ruling class, made up of the traditional elites that run the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, is employing draconian forms of censorship on its right-wing and left-wing critics in a desperate effort to cling to power. . . . [N]ow they have launched a new and sophisticated McCarthyism. Character assassination. Algorithms. Shadow banning. De-platforming. Censorship is the last resort of . . . READ MORE . . .
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TO BE CONTINUED