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PUTIN’S POWER

Simon Shuster’s report on Russia’s behavior before and after the Malaysia Airlines crash prompted an outpouring from readers, some of whom were chilled by memories of Hitler. “The leaders of the free world, cowards all, especially the European leaders, will have only themselves to blame for whatever the tin-pot dictator Putin does next,” wrote Bruce McPhee of West Yarmouth, Mass. “Bullies don’t understand subtle actions like sanctions,” added James McIntyre of Streetsboro, Ohio, suggesting a “punch in the nose” approach to Putin, like removing Russia from the U.N. Security Council. Others took issue with TIME’s cover line. “This dustup in Ukraine, while tragic, is no Cold War,” said John Graham of Alameda, Calif. And although he praised Shuster’s article, Tom Powell of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., did not appreciate the images of the Malaysia Airlines crash site: “Your readers don’t need to see the gruesome remains of these victims to understand how horrendous this crime was.”

ISRAEL VS. GAZA

“Kudos to Joe Klein,” wrote Judy Eisenman of Quincy, Calif., for supporting some of Israel’s actions in Gaza while other media paint Israel as “an unspeakable monster.” Others, like Valerie Weiss of Kapaa, Hawaii, countered, “Not a mention of Israel’s blockade of Gaza’s port, airport and borders … leaving Gazans in an open-air prison with only the barest of supplies.”

COMMUNITY SANS PRAYER

Josh Sanburn’s report on the rise of atheist “churches” was welcomed by many readers. “Faith in your fellow man and a desire for like-minded fellowship are evidence of an ability to believe in something bigger than one’s self,” wrote David Fraser of Clearwater, Fla. A war-weary Jane Parrish of Columbia, Md., found the piece refreshing after “reading about the bloated bodies in the Ukraine and the dead children in Gaza. Those who want a sense of community care about other people. I say their movement can serve good.”

NOW ON MONEY.COM

Which colleges give the most bang for the buck? MONEY ranked 665 four-year U.S. schools, factoring in tuition cost, alumni earnings and educational quality. The overall top five are below; see the full list at money.com/colleges.

1 $59,700

(average graduate salary within five years)

BABSON COLLEGE

2 $65,400

WEBB INSTITUTE

3 $68,600

MIT

4 $56,100

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

5 $61,300

STANFORD UNIVERSITY

NOW ON LIGHTBOX

As the death toll rises in the war between Israel and Hamas, TIME profiles two photographers–Oliver Weiken and Andrew Burton–who have spent weeks covering the opposing sides. “I try to be as invisible as possible yet still be close and actually capture a moment,” says Weiken, who’s working in Gaza. See more at lightbox.time.com.

SCHOOL UNDER FIRE

A Palestinian girl who was injured at a U.N. school that was hit by shells receives care at a hospital in Gaza

WALKING WOUNDED

Injured Israeli soldiers are escorted to a relief helicopter near Kfar Aza, Israel, about two miles from the Gaza border

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