For today, links to four reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, and the Cradle; others or headlines of others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (LEBANON, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  GAZA 4-15-25 is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Israeli defense minister says troops will remain in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely, by Isaac Schaffer, Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy | AP  JERUSALEM — Israel’s defense minister said today that Israeli troops will remain in so-called security zones in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely, remarks that could further complicate talks with Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage release. Meanwhile, local health officials said Israeli strikes across Gaza killed another 22 people . . . READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from Reuters.

–   –   –

Blocking humanitarian aid Israel’s ‘main tool’ in Gaza: Katz. From the Cradle. “No humanitarian aid is about to enter Gaza,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said today, adding that aid prevention is “one of the main tools” that Israel is using to pressure Hamas, “in addition to the other steps that Israel is taking.” READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from Reuters.

.

For today, links to seven reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, Tass, National Public Radio, Kyiv Post, the Moscow Times, and the Kyiv Independent; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (LEBANON, SYRIA and GAZA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up. UKRAINE 4-15-25 is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Russian glide bombs and artillery strike a Ukrainian city, killing 1, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Russian glide bombs and artillery struck Kherson, a city in southern Ukraine, today, killing one person and wounding five others as Moscow forces continued daily attacks across the country. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –   

Russia says it repelled drone attack on region hosting brigade Ukraine accuses of deadly strike. From Reuters. MOSCOW — The Russian military said today its air defence forces had destroyed seven Ukrainian drones over Russia’s Ivanovo region, the location of one of two missile brigades which Kyiv accuses of a deadly weekend attack on the city of Sumy. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Tass.

–   –   –

Ukrainian teen saves passengers from burning bus after Russia’s deadly attack on Sumy. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  After Russia’s devastating strike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy that killed at least 35 people, a 13-year-old boy trapped inside a burning bus faced a dilemma. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

Ukraine runs large scale ground drone trial — results exceed expectations. From Kyiv Post. Ukraine this week carried out the mass testing of unmanned ground vehicles under the auspices of its Brave-1 defense technology coordinating agency. The trials involved more than 70 UGV of all shapes and sizes put forward by around 50 domestic manufacturers. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 15  Witkoff says Putin open to ‘permanent peace’ deal with Ukraine. From the Moscow Times. U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to a “permanent peace” deal with Ukraine, but did not indicate whether any of the Kremlin leader’s previous demands for a ceasefire in Ukraine had changed. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine, U.S. to conclude minerals deal in ‘near future,’ Deputy PM says, by Martin Fornusek and news desk | The Kyiv Independent  U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have made “significant progress” in talks on a minerals deal, which will be concluded in the “near future,” Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said today. READ MORE . . .

.

For today, belatedly, links to just two reports: from the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse. Others from AP are available by clicking on its initials below. (YEMEN, IRAN, WEST BANK, LEBANON, SYRIA and GAZA entries for this date, so far, are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.  UKRAINE 4-14-25 is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

NATO chief reaffirms support for Ukraine during visit to Odesa. From AP. ODESA, Ukraine — NATO’s support for Ukraine remains “unwavering,” the alliance’s secretary-general said today, emphasizing that more than 20 billion euros in security assistance have already been pledged by NATO allies in the first three months of 2025. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from AFP.

.

For today, links to two reports: from the Cradle and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (UKRAINE, IRAN, WEST BANK, LEBANON, SYRIA and GAZA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  YEMEN 4-14-25 is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

U.S. airstrikes in Yemen lay groundwork for ‘ground invasion,’ UAE-backed militias: report. From the Cradle. With U.S. support, UAE proxy militias in Yemen are planning a ground offensive to take the port city of Hodeidah from the Ansarallah-led Yemeni government and armed forces, the Wall Street Journal reported today . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Another U.S. aircraft carrier in Mideast waters ahead of second round of Iran-U.S. nuclear talks, by Jon Gambrell | AP  DUBAI — A second U.S. aircraft carrier is operating in Mideast waters ahead of the next round of talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, satellite photos showed. READ MORE . . .

.

For now, links to two reports: from Reuters and the Associated Press, and to commentary from Reuters, the Cradle and Indian Punchline; other articles or just headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE, YEMEN, WEST BANK, LEBANON, SYRIA and GAZA entries for this date, so far, are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  IRAN 4-14-25 is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Khamenei downplays U.S. talks prospects as some Iranians’ hopes stir, currency gains. From Reuters. DUBAI — Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today sought to play down expectations of a breakthrough in nuclear talks with the U.S., following stirrings of hope among some Iranians weary of economic hardships that have at times sparked public unrest. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Another U.S. aircraft carrier in Mideast waters ahead of second round of Iran-U.S. nuclear talks, by Jon Gambrell | AP  DUBAI — A second U.S. aircraft carrier is operating in Mideast waters ahead of the next round of talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, satellite photos showed. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Would military strikes kill Iran’s nuclear programme? Probably not, by François Murphy and John Irish | Reuters  VIENNA — The recent U.S. deployment of B-2 bombers, the only planes able to launch the most powerful bunker-busting bombs, to within range of Iran is a potent signal to Tehran . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 14  The U.S. and Iran: March to war – or a backroom deal? From the Cradle. The rhetoric surrounding a potential U.S.–Israeli strike on Iran has intensified, fueled by veiled threats, media leaks, and what appeared to be an unofficial ultimatum from the Trump administration to Tehran. While no concrete consequences were outlined, the implication of direct military action looms large. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 13  U.S., Iran take a leap forward in trust building, from M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  With the foreplay over and U.S.-Iranian talks commencing in Muscat on Saturday, a constructive engagement has begun in right earnestness. The sure sign of it . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

First, link to a report from Reuters and to commentary from Middle East Monitor; other articles or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names below. (UKRAINE, YEMEN, IRAN, LEBANON, SYRIA and GAZA entries for this date, so far, are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down. (WEST BANK 4-7-25 is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 14  EU to boost financial support for Palestinian Authority, by Andrew Gray | Reuters  BRUSSELS — The European Union will increase its financial support for the Palestinian Authority with a three-year package worth around 1.6 billion euros ($1.8 billion), said Dubravka Suica, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, in an interview. READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for same report in French.

–   –   –

Funding the PA is for the benefit of Israel and the EU, not the Palestinians, by Ramona Wadi | Middle East Monitor Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas met with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, in March. The meeting was replete with the usual hyperbole that still clings to the defunct two-state paradigm, the PA’s reform and funding for this purpose. . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

For now, links to three reports: from the Cradle and Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (UKRAINE, YEMEN, IRAN, WEST BANK, SYRIA and GAZA entries for this date, so far, are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.  LEBANON 4-13-25 is HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

–   –   –

‘New page in history’: Lebanese PM visits Damascus for talks with Sharaa. From the Cradle. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited Damascus on Monday and met with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa — the former Al-Qaeda chief known previously as Abu Mohammad al-Julani. Salam said in the meeting . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Lebanese president vows to ‘bring all weapons under state control’ in 2025. From the Cradle. “Hezbollah has no intention of being dragged into a new war,” Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told Al-Araby al-Jadeed today in Qatar. “I’m working to make 2025 the year when all weapons are exclusively under state control.” READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

UN says Israel killed 71 civilians in Lebanon since ceasefire. From Middle East Eye. “According to our initial review, at least 71 civilians have been killed by Israeli forces in Lebanon since the ceasefire came into effect,” UN human rights office spokesman Thameen al-Kheetan said today, speaking in Geneva. “Among the victims are 14 women and nine children.” The fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah began on Nov. 27. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

For now, links to reports from the Cradle and Reuters; others or just headlines of others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (UKRAINE, YEMEN, IRAN, WEST BANK, LEBANON and GAZA entries for this date, so far, are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  SYRIA 4-12-25 is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

‘New page in history’: Lebanese PM visits Damascus for talks with Sharaa. From the Cradle. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited Damascus on Monday and met with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa — the former Al-Qaeda chief known previously as Abu Mohammad al-Julani. Salam said in the meeting . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 14  Saudi Arabia plans to pay off Syria’s World Bank debts, sources say, by Timour Azhari, Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Pesha Magid | Reuters  BEIRUT / AMMAN — Saudi Arabia plans to pay off Syria’s debts to the World Bank, three people familiar with the matter said, paving the way for the approval of millions of dollars in grants for reconstruction and to . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

For today, links to four reports: from the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, National Public Radio, and Middle East Monitor, and to commentary from Middle East Monitor; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE, YEMEN, IRAN, WEST BANK, LEBANON and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.  GAZA 4-14-25 is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Israeli airstrike hits hospital entrance in Gaza, killing medic and wounding 9, by Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli airstrike hit the northern gate of a field hospital in the Gaza Striptoday, killing a medic and wounding nine other people, a spokesman for the hospital said. It hit the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in the Muwasi area, where . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israeli ceasefire proposal crosses ‘red lines’: Hamas leader to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. From Middle East Eye. Hamas leadership says its internal assessement indicates that the recent round of negotiations in Cairo have failed, according to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Gaza’s territory is shrinking as Israel alters tactics to seize more land. Reported  by Aya Batrawy and Anas Baba | NPR  More than half of Gaza’s territory is no longer accessible to Palestinians as Israel’s military seizes more land in buffer zones. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 14  More than 70% of Gaza schools directly hit by Israel: UN agency. From Middle East Monitor. More than 70 per cent of schools in the Gaza Strip have been directly hit by Israeli attacks since October 2023, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said on Monday. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Funding the PA is for the benefit of Israel and the EU, not the Palestinians, by Ramona Wadi | Middle East Monitor Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas met with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, in March. The meeting was replete with the usual hyperbole that still clings to the defunct two-state paradigm, the PA’s reform and funding for this purpose. . . . READ MORE . . .

.

For today, links to reports from the Cradle and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (IRAN, GAZA, YEMEN, UKRAINE and 9/11 TRUTH entries, for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.  SYRIA 4-12-25 is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 13  Syria, SDF strike deal to end clashes over Aleppo’s strategic Tishreen Dam. From the Cradle. Damascus has reached an agreement with the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces on the strategic Tishreen Dam in the Aleppo countryside, which is Kurdish-held and has recently been the focal point of heavy clashes between Kurds and Turkish-backed militants. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

How Trump’s cuts to U.S. foreign aid have hobbled Syria’s war crimes investigations. Reported by Lauren Frayer | NPR When Syria’s Assad regime fell, victims gained access to archives on 130,000 missing people. Organizations compiling those documents lost U.S. funding under Trump, hobbling war crimes investigations. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 12  A Syrian city known for gold jewelry faces rising crime. Reported by Lauren Frayer | NPR  Since antiquity, Aleppo has been famous for gold. But a post-war crime wave means jewelers no longer display gold in windows. The city is installing solar-powered streetlights to fight crime. Click HERE to listen and read.

.