Links to SEVEN reports: from National Public Radio, Agence France-Presse, Reuters, the Associated Press, and Common Dreams; headlines of others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for MEDIA 2-16-26 and IRAN, UKRAINE, GAZA and VENEZUELA.) — MCM

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CBS in the spotlight as parent company pursues Warner Bros. Discovery deal. Reported by David Folkenflik and Michel Martin | NPR  As CBS’s parent company makes a final play for Warner Bros. Discovery, CBS faces scrutiny over claims it blocked a Stephen Colbert interview while Anderson Cooper stepped down from 60 Minutes. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Mark Zuckerberg arrives at Los Angeles court for socal media addiction trial. From AFP. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is set to testify today at a groundbreaking social media addiction trial, summoned by lawyers representing a plaintiff who alleges Instagram and other platforms were deliberately designed to make young users addicted. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AFP report in French, and HERE for headlines of others.  Click HERE for report from NPR.

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Americans believe Epstein files show the powerful get a pass, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds, by Jason Lange | Reuters  WASHINGTON — Americans believe that wealthy and powerful people are rarely held accountable, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found after the release of millions of records on the late sex offender Jeffrey ‌Epstein’s connections in elite U.S. business and political circles. READ MORE . . .

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Many Democrats are still down on the Democratic Party, a new AP-NORC poll finds, by Linley Sanders | AP  WASHINGTON — Democratic candidates have notched a series of wins in recent special elections — but a new AP-NORC poll finds views of the Democratic Party among rank-and-file Democrats . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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FROM FEB. 17  Big Tech faces more probes over AI-generated child sexual abuse material, by Brad Reed | Common Dreams   Ireland’s Data Protection Commission announced on Tuesday it was invoking the European Union’s data privacy regulations to open an investigation into Grok, the AI chatbot featured on Elon Musk’s X platform. READ MORE . . .

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The last newspaper hawker in Paris honored with knighthood. Reported by Rebecca Rosman | NPR  Ali Akbar, a 73-year-old immigrant from Pakistan, has been hawking papers on the streets of Paris for the last 50 years. French President Emmanuel Macron honored him with a knighthood late last month. Click HERE to listen and read.

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A link to a report from Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (Scroll down for IRAN 2-17-26, and up or down for MEDIA, UKRAINE, GAZA and VENEZUELA.) — MCM

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Iranians dance through tears as they mourn slain protesters. From Middle East Eye. In the days leading up to the 40th day after the mass killing of protesters on Jan. 8 and 9, state media reported the government would hold a commemoration ceremony, a sign that the killings of thousands of demonstrators couldn’t just be swept under the carpet. READ MORE . . .

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A link to a report from the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (Scroll down for UKRAINE 2-17-26, and up or down for IRAN, MEDIA, GAZA and VENEZUELA.) — MCM

NOTE: Again, other perspectives are at the Moscow Times (based in Belgium); Kyiv Post and the Kyiv Independent (both operating under martial law); and Tass (a Russian state news service). Each is a click away. Time no longer permits regular inclusion of links to their content.

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Envoys signal no breakthrough on bridging Russia and Ukraine’s political and military differences, by Jamey Keaten and Illia Novikov | AP  GENEVA — The latest U.S.-brokered talks between envoys from Moscow and Kyiv over Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine ended today with no sign of a breakthrough and with both sides saying the talks were “difficult,” as the war’s fourth anniversary approaches next week. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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Links to THREE reports: from the Associated Press and Common Dreams; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for GAZA 2-17-26, and up or down for MEDIA, IRAN, UKRAINE, and VENEZUELA.) — MCM

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Trump wants his Board of Peace to solve world conflicts. It still has a lot of work to do in Gaza, by Sam Metz and Samy Magdy | AP  JERUSALEM — U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace is set to meet for the first time on Thursday in Washington. Palestinians, including many civilians, are still being killed in near-daily strikes in Gaza that Israel says are aimed at militants who threaten or attack its forces. READ MORE . . .

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UN Security Council to hold high-level meeting on Gaza before Trump’s Board of Peace convenes, by Farnoush Amiri and Edith M. Lederer | AP  UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council is set to hold a high-level meeting today on the Gaza ceasefire deal and Israel’s efforts to expand control in the West Bank before world leaders head to Washington to discuss the future of the Palestinian territories at the first gathering of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. READ MORE . . .

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Candidates sound alarm on stealth AIPAC meddling in Illinois, by Jake Johnson | Common Dreams  Progressive congressional candidates in Illinois sounded the alarm Tuesday over efforts by the pro-Israel lobbying organization AIPAC to influence congressional races in the state using methods that appear designed to conceal its role. READ MORE . . .

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Links to three reports: from the Associated Press and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (Scroll down for VENEZUELA 2-15-26.  Scroll up for MEDIA, IRAN, UKRAINE, and GAZA.) — MCM

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FROM FEB. 17  Strikes on 3 more alleged drug boats kill 11 people, U.S. military says, by Ben Finley and Konstantin Toropin | AP  WASHINGTON — The U.S. military said Tuesday that it carried out strikes on three boats accused of smuggling drugs in Latin American waters, killing 11 people in one of the deadliest days of the Trump administration’s monthslong campaign against alleged traffickers. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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FROM FEB. 4  What U.S. history with Iraq’s oil can tell us about what could happen in Venezuela. Reported by Julia Simon | NPR  Since the U.S. ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro last month, oil analysts have been remembering the U.S. removal of another foreign leader more than twenty years ago. In 2003, the U.S. removed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and occupied the country until 2011. Click HERE for report including graph.

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FROM FEB. 17  Venezuela’s oil revival brings hope — but little relief for workers. Reported by Manuel Rueda | NPR  As U.S. sanctions ease and oil money begins to trickle back after Nicolás Maduro’s removal, Venezuelans weigh hopes for recovery against the harsh reality of surviving on wages that barely cover food. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Links to SIX reports: from Agence France-Presse, the Cradle, the Associated Press, China Global Television Network, Kuwait News Agency, and National Public Radio; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for GAZA 2-16-26 and WEST BANK, IRAN and UKRAINE.) — MCM

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Hamas says Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ must compel Israel to stop Gaza truce violations. From AFP. GAZA — Hamas said today that U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly formed “Board of Peace” should pressure Israel to halt its ongoing violations of the Gaza ceasefire. READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for same AFP report in French, and HERE for headlines of others.

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FROM FEB. 16  African Union backs full UN membership for Palestine. From the Cradle. The African Union issued a landmark declaration during its 39th summit on Feb. 15, calling for Palestine to be granted full UN membership and rejecting forced displacement of Palestinians as a “violation of international law.” READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for Feb. 14 report from AP.  Click HERE and HERE for reports from CGTN and KUNA.

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A look at how the Trump administration is approaching Iran, Ukraine and Gaza. Steve Inskeep of NPR talks with Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute about how the Trump administration’s approach to Iran, Ukraine and Gaza aligns with national security. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Links to FIVE reports: from the Cradle and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for WEST BANK 2-16-26, and up or down for GAZA, IRAN and UKRAINE.) — MCM

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FROM FEB. 16  Israel’s new West Bank registration process declares Palestinian land ‘state property.’ From the Cradle. The Israeli government has approved a land registration process, which will allow Israel to claim territory in the occupied West Bank as “state property” if Palestinians cannot prove ownership, a move that has been described as “de facto annexation.” READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 16  African Union backs full UN membership for Palestine. From the Cradle. The African Union issued a landmark declaration during its 39th summit on Feb. 15, calling for Palestine to be granted full UN membership and rejecting forced displacement of Palestinians as a “violation of international law.” READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for Feb. 14 report from AP.  Click HERE and HERE for reports from CGTN and KUNA.

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Links to 10 reports: from Agence France-Presse, Middle East Eye, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and the Cradle, and to a discussion from ScheerPost; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials and those of participants below. (Scroll down for IRAN 2-16-26, and up or down for GAZA, WEST BANK and UKRAINE.) — MCM

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NEWER  Iran FM says agreed with U.S. ‘on guiding principles’ for deal. From AFP. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said today the latest talks with the United States saw them agree on “a set of guiding principles” that would pave the way for a deal. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for longer AFP report in French, and HERE for headlines of others.  Click HERE for report from Middle East Eye.

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Iran temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz as it held latest round of indirect talks with U.S., by Jamey Keaten and Stephanie Liechtenstein | AP  GENEVA — Iran announced the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz today for live fire military drills in a rare show of force as its negotiators held another round of indirect talks with the United States in Geneva over its disputed nuclear program. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.  Click HERE for earlier report from NPR.

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Khamenei vows to send U.S. aircraft carriers ‘to the bottom of the sea’ amid round two of talks.  From the Cradle. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned on 17 February that Tehran will sink US aircraft carriers “to the bottom of the sea,” coinciding with a second round of negotiations between Washington and the Islamic Republic in Geneva. READ MORE . . .

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Iran-U.S. talks restart as Khamenei warns Islamic Republic will not be destroyed. From Middle East Eye. Talks mediated by Oman have begun near Geneva between Iranian and U.S. delegations over Iran’s nuclear programme, as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned President Donald Trump he would not be able to “destroy” the Islamic Republic. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 16  IRGC launches ‘smart control’ naval drills in Strait of Hormuz. From the Cradle. The naval forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have begun military drills in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Press TV reported on Monday, amid the ongoing U.S. buildup of military power in the region. READ MORE . . .

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Former deputy special envoy for Iran discusses U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. Reported by Steve Inskeep | NPR  As the U.S. and Iran continue to engage indirectly in nuclear talks, Richard Nephew, former deputy special envoy for Iran in the Biden administration, talks about some of the remaining challenges. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Trump administration tries to resolve three crises with Iran, Ukraine and Gaza. Reported by Greg Myre and Leila Fadel | NPR  This week, the Trump administration seeks diplomatic deals on three fronts, as it tries to make a nuclear deal with Iran, end the Russia-Ukraine war and advance a ceasefire in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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A look at how the Trump administration is approaching Iran, Ukraine and Gaza. Steve Inskeep of NPR talks with Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute about how the Trump administration’s approach to Iran, Ukraine and Gaza aligns with national security. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM FEB. 15  The World This Week. From ScheerPost. Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern, Consortium News editor-in-chief Joe Lauria and international affairs writer Patrick Lawrence speak about Russia and Europe (for an hour) and Iran and Israel (for another) — amid Trump administration turmoil concerning ongoing Epstein files revelations and Constitutional questions. Click HERE for video and introduction.

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Links to FOUR reports: from the Associated Press and National Public Radio, and to a discussion from ScheerPost; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials and those of participants below. (Scroll down for UKRAINE 2-15-26.  Scroll up for GAZA, WEST BANK and IRAN.) — MCM

NOTE: Again, other perspectives are at the Moscow Times (based in Belgium); Kyiv Post and the Kyiv Independent (both operating under martial law); and Tass (a Russian state news service). Each is a click away. Time no longer permits regular inclusion of links to their content.

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Russian and Ukrainian officials are in Geneva for U.S.-brokered talks after almost four years of war, by Emma Burrows and Jamey Keaten | AP  GENEVA — Delegations from Moscow and Kyiv were in Geneva today for another round of U.S.-brokered peace talks, but expectations for any breakthroughs in Geneva were low. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.  Click HERE for report from Reuters.

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Trump administration tries to resolve three crises with Iran, Ukraine and Gaza. Reported by Greg Myre and Leila Fadel | NPR  This week, the Trump administration seeks diplomatic deals on three fronts, as it tries to make a nuclear deal with Iran, end the Russia-Ukraine war and advance a ceasefire in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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A look at how the Trump administration is approaching Iran, Ukraine and Gaza. Steve Inskeep of NPR talks with Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute about how the Trump administration’s approach to Iran, Ukraine and Gaza aligns with national security. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM FEB. 15  The World This Week. From ScheerPost. Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern, Consortium News editor-in-chief Joe Lauria and international affairs writer Patrick Lawrence speak about Russia and Europe (for an hour) and Iran and Israel (for another) — amid Trump administration turmoil concerning ongoing Epstein files revelations and Constitutional questions. Click HERE for video and introduction.

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For now, a link to commentary from Common Dreams, and links to SEVEN reports: from National Public Radio, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for GAZA 2-14-26 and LEBANON, IRAN, WEST BANK and MEDIA so far.) — MCM

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Happy Presidents Day to the squalid Epstein class, by Robert Reich | Common Dreams  These people are an interconnected world of hugely rich, prominent, entitled, smug, powerful, self-important (mostly) men. Trump is honorary chairman. READ MORE . . .

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With no Gaza disarmament deal, UN group hasn’t begun major work to clear explosives. Reported by Daniel Estrin | NPR  The United Nations group that clears explosives from conflict zones says it has not started major clearing operations in Gaza, because Israel and Hamas have not yet agreed on the terms for disarmament of the territory. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM FEB. 15  Israel kills 10 Palestinians in Gaza ahead of ‘Board of Peace’ meeting. From Middle East Eye. Israeli forces killed at least 10 Palestinians in air strikes across the Gaza Strip late on Saturday and into Sunday, according to the health ministry. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 15  Israel continues to block Gaza technocrats from entering strip as killings continue unabated. From the Cradle. The High Representative for Gaza of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace stated at the Munich Security Conference on Friday that the Palestinian technocratic committee tasked with governing Gaza in place of Hamas cannot enter the strip if violations of the ceasefire continue. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 12  Palestinians living along the ‘Yellow Line’ endure daily Israeli attacks, by Ahmed Dremly and Ahmed Alsammak | Middle East Eye  Since the ceasefire was signed in October, Israeli forces have repeatedly violated it through numerous air strikes, shootings, home demolitions and detentions. Many of the 591-plus killings have occurred near the so-called Yellow Line stretching across northern, eastern and southern Gaza. READ MORE . . .

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Indonesia says 8,000 troops ready for possible peacekeeping mission in Gaza by June, by Niniek Karmini | AP  JAKARTA — Indonesia’s military said Sunday that up to 8,000 troops are expected to be ready by the end of June for a potential deployment to Gaza as part of a humanitarian and peace mission, the first firm commitment to a critical element of U.S. President Donald Trump’s postwar reconstruction plan. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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Occupation, PA inaction and financial troubles drive education crisis in Palestine, by Aziza Nofal | Middle East Eye  RAMALLAH, occupied Palestine — An ongoing financial crisis within the Palestinian Authority has led to cuts in teaching hours and reduced salaries for public sector workers, including teachers, undermining the quality of education. READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 13  Israeli army closes dozens of cases involving killing of Palestinians inside torture camps. From the Cradle. The Israeli military has closed dozens of war-crimes investigations into its soldiers arising from the first two years of its genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, the Jerusalem Post reported on Feb. 8. READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED