For today, links to reports from the Associated Press and National Public Radio, and to a photo selection from AP; other published material is accessible by clicking on their initials below. (UKRAINE 8-23-25 is HERE, or scroll down. GAZA and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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Moscow says Kyiv has struck a nuclear power plant as Ukraine marks independence day. From AP. Russia accused Ukraine today of launching drone attacks overnight that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight, as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence. Officials said several power and energy facilities were targeted. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s independence-era voices say Russia’s effort to keep control has lasted decades, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — As Ukraine today marks 34 years since more than 90% of voters in a referendum chose autonomy from the Soviet Union in 1990 . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for photos from AP.

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How Ukraine and Russia will view Trump’s attempts to broker a peace deal. Ayesha Rascoe of NPR speaks with Yaroslav Trofimov of the Wall Street Journal about how President Trump’s attempts to end the war in Ukraine will be viewed in Moscow and Kyiv. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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