A link to the third weekly episode of whatever they call it, from ScheerPost, recorded on Wednesday; other published material is accessible by clicking on its initials below. (Scroll down for MEDIA 2-19-29 and today’s LEBANON, IRAN and GAZA.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM FEB. 18  The Epstein files and the naked ruling class. Robert Scheer of ScheerPost and media scholar Nolan Higdon of the University of California, Santa Cruz and California State University talk about some of the topics in this week’s news. Click HERE for video and text of introduction. NolanHigdon.substack.com is HERE.

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

A link to a report from the Crade; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (Scroll down for LEBANON 2-16-26, and up or down for MEDIA, IRAN and GAZA.) — MCM

–   –   –

Israel plans ‘unprecedented strikes’ in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq as part of U.S.–Iran war: report. From the Cradle.  The Israeli army is preparing to carry out “massive and unprecedented” strikes against Iran-backed resistance movements in the region should they support the Islamic Republic in any war against Israel, Al-Sharq al-Awsat reported today. READ MORE . . .

.

Links to FIVE reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, and Middle East Eye; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names below. (Scroll down for IRAN 2-19-26, and up or down for MEDIA, LEBANON and GAZA.) — MCM

–   –   –

–    –   –

Tehran prepares counterproposal as Trump weighs strikes, by Steve Holland, Bo Erickson and Susan Heavey | Reuters  WASHINGTON – Iran’s foreign minister said today he expected to have a draft counterproposal ready within days following nuclear talks this week as U.S. President Donald Trump said he was considering limited military strikes. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

–   –   –

Trump warns Iran of ‘bad things’ if no deal made, sets deadline of 10-15 days. From Reuters. WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump warned Iran on Thursday it must make a deal over its nuclear programme or “really bad things” will happen, and set a deadline of 10 to 15 days, drawing a threat from Tehran to retaliate against U.S. bases in the region if attacked. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JAN. 30  What military assets does the U.S. have in the Middle East? by Rayhan Uddin | Middle East Eye  Middle East Eye takes a look. READ MORE . . .

.

Links to FIVE reports: from the Associated Press and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (Scroll down for GAZA 2-19-26.  Scroll up for MEDIA, LEBANON and IRAN.) — MCM

–   –   –

Trump gets pledges for Gaza reconstruction and troop commitments at inaugural Board of Peace talks, by Aamer Madhani and Matthew Leed | AP  WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Thursday at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting that nine members have agreed to pledge $7 billiontoward a Gaza relief package and five countries have agreed to deploy . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

–   –   –

Trump unveils big plans for Gaza at Board of Peace’s first meeting. Reported by Franco Ordoñez and Leila Fadel | NPR  President Trump hosted the first ever Board of Peace meeting Thursday in Washington, D.C., with about 40 countries attending. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM FEB. 19  Trump’s Board of Peace pledges billions of dollars, thousands of troops for Gaza. Reported by Michele Kelemen | NPR  President Trump announces 10 billion dollars for rebuilding Gaza at the first meeting of his “Board of Peace.” Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

Palestinian ambassador to the UK on the first meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace. Michel Martin of NPR speaks with Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the U.K., about the developments from President Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in Washington. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM FEB. 19  Palestinians describe challenges to entering Gaza, despite Trump plan. Reported by Aya Batrawy and Anas Baba | NPR  Trump’s ceasefire plan calls for Palestinians to be able to enter and leave Gaza — but the reality on the ground is challenging. Click HERE to listen and read.

.

Links to SIX reports: from National Public Radio, Common Dreams, and Reuters; and to TWO articles of commentary: from Indian Punchline and Common Dreams; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for IRAN 2-18-26 and WEST BANK, GAZA, UKRAINE and MEDIA.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM FEB. 18  U.S. military buildup continues as Iran faces possible strikes. Reported by Greg Myre | NPR  The U.S. is sending even more Navy ships and top-of-the-line warplanes into the Middle East — as the U.S. and Iran are talking about that country’s nuclear program. HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

FROM FEB. 18  Trump says ‘it may be necessary’ to use UK bases to attack Iran, by Brett Wilkins | Common Dreams  President Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested that the United States could launch attacks on Iran from British territory with or without the permission of the UK government. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM FEB. 18  U.S. military movements spike fears of imminent attack on Iran, by Jessica Corbett | Common Dreams   An adviser to President Donald Trump told Axios on Wednesday that “I think there is 90% chance we see kinetic action” against Iran in the next few weeks following nuclear talks in Switzerland. Meanwhile, U.S .military movement fueled fears of an imminent attack. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia urges restraint as U.S . builds up military assets near Iran. From Reuters. MOSCOW – Russia said today it was seeing an unprecedented escalation of tension around Iran as the United States moved military assets into the Middle East, and the Kremlin urged both Tehran and “all parties” to exercise prudence and restraint. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM FEB. 18  Former Pentagon official on the latest talks between the U.S. and Iran. Michel Martin of NPR speaks with former Pentagon official Dana Stroul about the latest round of Iran talks and the potential for military action. ClickFormer Pentagon official on the latest talks between the U.S. and Iran. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM FEB. 18  As Trump marches U.S. toward Iran war, critics ask: Where’s the ‘pushback’ from Dems and media? by Stephen Prager | Common Dreams  Amid reports that President Donald Trump is pushing the U.S. toward a “massive” war in Iran, critics have found themselves shocked by the lack of “pushback” from top Democrats and mainstream media institutions. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –  

FROM FEB. 17  Trump takes hands-on role in Iran talks, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  U.S. President Donald Trump who has, of late, been both threatening and cajoling Tehran, is now openly identifying himself with diplomacy. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

U.S. war on Iran would be a cynical, lawless, and catastrophic escalation, by Nicolas J.S. Davies | Common Dreams  There is a grave danger that the U.S .government is preparing to exploit the genuine sympathy of people all over the world for the Iranian civilians massacred during protests in December and January as a pretext for an illegal military assault on Iran. READ MORE . . .

.

First, links to TWO reports: from the Associated Press and Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for WEST BANK 2-17-26, and up or down for IRAN, GAZA, UKRAINE and MEDIA.) — MCM

–   –   –

Clashes in the West Bank kill a 19-year-old Palestinian-American, Palestinian officials say, by Melanie Lidman | AP  TEL AVIV — Clashes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank killed a 19-year-old Palestinian-American man late Wednesday night, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

–   –   –

FROM FEB. 18  Explained: The Israeli measures imposing de facto annexation in the West Bank, by Mera Aladam | Middle East Eye  Israel has introduced sweeping measures in recent days that will reshape reality for millions of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. READ MORE . . .

.

Links to THREE reports: from National Public Radio and Agence France-Presse; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (Scroll down for GAZA 2-18-26, and up or down for WEST BANK, IRAN, UKRAINE and MEDIA.) — MCM

–   –   –

President Trump’s Board of Peace will meet today for the first time. Reported by Aya Batrawy and Michel Martin | NPR  As President Trump’s Board of Peace prepares to meet for the first time Thursday, he says the group has raised $5 billion for Gaza reconstruction. But key challenges remain. Click HERE later to listen and, still later, read.

–   –   –

Head of Gaza technocrat committee in Washington for ‘Board of Peace’ meeting: officials. From AFP. The head of the Palestinian technocratic committee formed to handle day-to-day governance of Gaza, Ali Shaath, was in Washington today to attend the inaugural “Board of Peace” meeting, according to two Palestinian officials. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AFP report in French, and HERE for headlines of others.

–   –   –

Can President Trump’s Board of Peace bring lasting peace to Gaza? Leila Fadel of NPR speaks with Middle East expert Aaron David Miller of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace about the prospect of lasting peace in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

.

Links to TWO reports: from National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (Scroll down for UKRAINE 2-18-26, and up or down for IRAN, GAZA and MEDIA.) — MCM

–   –   –

Trump administration balances Ukraine talks and Russia deal prospects. Reported by Charles Maynes and Michel Martin | NPR  The U.S. concluded another round of talks to end the war in Ukraine as the White House pressured Ukraine while exploring potential business opportunities with Russia amid a reported economic proposal. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

Russia expert discusses the role of investments in pursuit of peace. Leila Fadel of NPR talks with historian Sergey Radchenko about the role of investment in the pursuit of peace. Ukraine’s president says Russia offered the U.S. a $13 trillion economic proposal. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

.

Links to SEVEN reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for MEDIA 2-18-26.  Scroll up for WEST BANK, IRAN, GAZA and UKRAINE.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM FEB. 18  Mark Zuckerberg quizzed on kids’ Instagram use in social media trial, by Kaitlyn Huamani and Barbar Ortutay | AP  LOS ANGELES — Mark Zuckerberg and opposing lawyers dueled on Wednesday in a Los Angeles courtroom where the Meta CEO answered questions about young people’s use of Instagram, his congressional testimony, and internal advice he’s received. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others. Click HERE for report from Reuters.  Click HERE to listen to today’s NPR report and, later, read it; and HERE for Feb. 18 NPR report.

–   –   –

FROM FEB. 18  Two new children’s books capture the sights, sounds and community-building of Ramadan. Reported by Linah Mohammad, Ashley Brown and Ailsa Chang | NPR  As millions of Muslims begin observing Ramadan, Chang speaks with Aya Khalil and Nadine Presley, authors of two new children’s books about this holy month. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM FEB. 16  Trump administration ordered to restore George Washington slavery exhibit it removed in Philadelphia, by Hannah Schoenbaum | AP  PHILADELPHIA —  U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe ruled Monday that all materials must be restored in their original condition while a lawsuit challenging the removal’s legality plays out. She began her written order by quoting from George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984” and compared the Trump administration to the book’s totalitarian regime whose Ministry of Truth revised historical records to align with its own narrative. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

–   –   –

FROM FEB. 18  In China, a meme is worth a thousand words. Reported by Ashish Valentine | NPR  As China celebrates the lunar new year, the year of the horse has taken on an uncanny association with Draco Malfoy of the Harry Potter series. Click HERE to listen and read.

.

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

–   –   –

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.

–   –   –

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.

–   –   –

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 . . .

–   –   –

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.

–   –   –

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 . . .

–   –   –

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.

.