First, links to reports from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and teleSUR; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. Finally, a link to televised analysis of recent diplomatic and economic developments, delivered two days ago on the New Delhi station WION. — MCM
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School in east Ukraine hit by Russian strike, bodies found, by Susie Blann | The Associated Press KYIV — Ukrainian emergency workers recovered three bodies from a school hit by a Russian strike in the east of the country, officials said today, as attacks continued in several parts of the nation. The reported casualties follow a barrage Thursday on a densely populated area of Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, that killed at least three people and wounded 23 others. . . . . Russia this week has reiterated its plans to seize territories beyond eastern Ukraine, where . . . READ MORE . . .
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Deal for Ukraine grain exports due to be sealed in Istanbul. From the Associated Press. ISTANBUL — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were due today to oversee the signing of a key agreement that would allow Ukraine to resume its shipment of grain from the Black Sea to world markets and Russia to export grain and fertilizers — ending a standoff that has threatened world food security. . . . The deal foresees the establishment of a control center in Istanbul, to be staffed by U.N., Turkish, Russian and Ukrainian officials, which would run and coordinate the grain exports, officials have said. Ships would be inspected to ensure that they are carrying grains and fertilizer and not weapons. It also . . . READ MORE . . .
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There soon may be a deal to free up Ukrainian grain shipments blocked by Russia. Reported by Charles Maynes | National Public Radio Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Russian has blocked shipment of grain. Negotiations have taken place for weeks, mediated by Turkey and the U.N., to oversee safe passage of the shipments. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.
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Fertilizer cargo from Russia heads to U.S. as many worry about food shortages, by Arathy Somasekhar and Timothy Gardner | Reuters HOUSTON/WASHINGTON — A tanker carrying a liquid fertilizer product from Russia is about to arrive in the United States, sources and vessel tracking data showed in recent days, at a time of widespread worry that sky-high global fertilizer prices could lead to food shortages. President Joe Biden’s administration has not blacklisted Russian agricultural commodities, including fertilizers, in the aftermath of the Ukraine invasion. Still, many . . . READ MORE . . .
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East Ukraine pro-Russians block Google. From Agence France-Presse. MOSCOW — The pro-Russian authorities of eastern Ukraine’s separatist republics said today they had blocked Google, accusing the U.S. giant of promoting “violence against Russians”. “We took the decision to block Google on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic,” rebel leader Denis Pushilin said on Telegram, accusing it of promoting “violence against Russians, in particular the people of the Donbas”. The neighbouring Lugansk People’s Republic blocked Google on Thursday. . . . Pushilin accused Google of working “openly on the orders of its curators in the American government”. He claimed . . . READ MORE . . .
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Russia Expands Its ‘Unfriendly Nations’ List. From teleSUR. “Greece, Denmark, Slovenia, Croatia and Slovakia have been added to the list of countries that commit unfriendly acts against Russia, in particular against its diplomatic and consular missions abroad,” the Russian Presidency said today. . . . The Kremlim’s list establishes restrictions on countries that have sought to limit Russia’s international economic and political . . . READ MORE . . .
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‘The mouth of a bear’: Ukrainian refugees sent to Russia, by Lori Hinnant, Cara Anna, Vasilisa Stepanenko and Sarah el Deeb | Associated Press Nearly 2 million Ukrainians refugees have been sent to Russia, according to both Ukrainian and Russian officials. Ukraine portrays these journeys as forced transfers to enemy soil, which is considered a war crime. Russia calls them humanitarian evacuations of war victims who already speak Russian and are grateful for a new home. An Associated Press investigation based on dozens of interviews has found . . . READ MORE . . .
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Putin’s big win against the U.S.; Iran, Russia strike $40 billion energy deal. From WION. Among the topics summarized on the evening program Gravitas Live: Cooperation between Russia, Iran and Turkey, and the dilution of Western sanctions. Click HERE to watch.