* A NOTE on access is at the bottom of this page.

For now, links to eleven reports: from Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, Kyiv Post, Le Monde, National Public Radio, and the Associated Press; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for UKRAINE 12-11-25, and scroll up for LEBANON and GAZA so far today.) — MCM

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Ukraine says recaptured 2 settlements in northeastern Kharkiv region. From AFP. Ukraine said today it had retaken two settlements in the northern Kharkiv region and pushed Russian troops back in Kupiansk, a key railway hub that Russia claimed to have seized last month. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for shorter version of same AFP report in French, and HERE for headlines of others. Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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Casualties in Tver, 90 drones: aftermath of overnight attack on Russian regions. From Tass. MOSCOW — Air defense forces shot down 90 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the Russian Regions during the past night, the Russian defense ministry said today in a statement. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine denies Donbas ‘buffer zone’ deal, calls talks ‘theoretical,’ by Kateryna Zakharchenko | Kyiv Post  The Presidential Office today denied reports of an agreed Donbas buffer zone, saying the discussions are “theoretical” and no decisions have been made. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for beginning of earlier Le Monde / Le Monde report in English and in French.

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Zelenskyy wants Ukrainians to have a say in the talks to end the war with Russia. Reported by Joanna Kakissis and Michel Martin | NPR  Ukraine’s president says he will look into changing the constitution to hold wartime elections or a referendum on ceding territory to Russia amid ongoing peace talks to end the war. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Kremlin aide says all of Donbass is Russian territory. From Tass. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan — “Donbass is Russian,” Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said today, citing a provision in the Russian Constitution. “All of Donbass is Russian.” On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the question of territory as part of a peace plan . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for related report from Kyiv Post and later one from AP.

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Former National Security Council official on the current state of the war in Ukraine. Steve Inskeep of NPR speaks with retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman about the current state of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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EU set to lock up Russia’s frozen assets so Hungary and Slovakia can’t veto their use for Ukraine, by Lorne Cook | AP  BRUSSELS — The European Union is expected on Friday to lock up Russia’s assets held in Europe until it gives up its war in Ukraine and compensates its neighbor for the heavy damage that it has inflicted for almost four years. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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TO BE CONTINUED

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* NOTE: Sometimes entries or additions to entries on this website do not appear on some browsers or computers until hours or even a day or more after they are posted, even after visitors “refresh” by clicking on the little circular arrow at top of screen. If you sense what you are reading is a bit stale, please try switching browsers or computers. Or return another time. Thank you.

For today, links to three reports: from the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for GAZA 12-10-25, and for UKRAINE and MEDIA.) — MCM

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Winter storm rips through Gaza, exposing failure to deliver enough aid to territory, by Wafaa Shurafa and Bassem Mroue | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Rains drenched Gaza’s tent camps and dropping temperatures chilled Palestinians huddling inside them today as winter storm Byron descended on the war-battered territory. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others, and HERE for report from Middle East Eye.

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FROM DEC. 10  Gaza officials reveal nearly 400 Palestinians killed since October in over 700 Israeli ceasefire violations. From the Cradle. Israel has carried out at least 738 violations of the Gaza ceasefire, killing nearly 400 people since October, the Government Media Office in the strip said in a report released on Tuesday. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to nine reports: from Agence France-Presse, Reuters, the Moscow Times, Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, and the Associated Press; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for UKRAINE 12-10-25 and up or down for GAZA and MEDIA.) — MCM 

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U.S. proposing no-troop ‘free economic zone’ in eastern Ukraine: Zelensky. From AFP. The United States is pushing for a demilitarised “free economic zone” between Russian and Ukrainian troops in the east of the country as part of a settlement to end the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for longer AFP version of AFP report in French, and HERE for headlines of others.

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Ukraine hits Russian oil rig in Caspian Sea for first time, official says. From Reuters. Ukrainian aerial drones struck a Russian oil platform in the Caspian Sea for the first time today, halting production at the facility owned by Lukoil, according to an official from Ukraine’s Security Service. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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Overnight Ukrainian drone attacks target chemical plants, disrupt Moscow airports. From the Moscow Times. Russian forces shot down 287 Ukrainian drones overnight in one of the highest single-night totals since the war began, the Defense Ministry and officials said today. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Kyiv Post.

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Russian troops liberate Liman community in Kharkov Region — top brass. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops liberated the community of Liman in the Kharkov Region over the past 24 hours in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .

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U.S. presses Ukraine, not Russia, to pull back troops for proposed Donbas buffer zone: FT, by Kateryna Hodunova | The Kyiv Independent  The Financial Times cited a Ukrainian official concerning the proposed pullback of troops in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts near the eastern border of a potential demilitarized zone. READ MORE . . .

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Zelenskyy will hold urgent talks with 30 countries as Trump pushes for swift peace deal with Russia, by Illia Novikov | AP   KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was due to hold urgent talks today with leaders and officials from about 30 countries that support Kyiv’s efforts to obtain fair terms for halting nearly four years of war following Russia’s full-scale invasion. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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Lavrov talks security guarantees and negotiations with US at a roundtable with ambassadors. From Tass. MOSCOW — The Russian side has submitted additional proposals regarding collective security guarantees to the United States, Russia’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov said at a roundtable discussion on Ukraine with ambassadors. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to four reports: from National Public Radio and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (Scroll down for MEDIA 12-10-25, and scroll up for GAZA and UKRAINE.) — MCM

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Elizabeth Warren says both bids to buy Warner Bros. Discovery are bad for consumers. Steve Inskeep of NPR speaks with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, who is calling for scrutiny of two bids to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. She say either deal raises serious concerns about antitrust and would reduce competition for viewers and workers. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Denmark plans to severely restrict social media use for young people, by James Brooks | AP  COPENHAGEN — As Australia began enforcing a world-first social media ban for children under 16 years old this week, Denmark is planning to follow its lead. READ MORE . . .

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New film tells the story of the desperate attempt to rescue a girl in Gaza. Leila Fadel of NPR speaks with the director of “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” a film based on the true story of Palestinian emergency workers trying to save a girl in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM DEC. 10  Why a classic wide-screen movie format from the 1950s is making a comeback. Reported by Mandalit del Barco | NPR  VistaVision is back in style, resurfacing in a string of high-profile films from “One Battle After Another” and “Bugonia” to last year’s “The Brutalist.” Click HERE to listen and read.

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For today, links to two reports: from Middle East Monitor and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (Scroll down for SYRIA 12-8-25 and for UKRAINE, MEDIA and GAZA.) — MCM

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Israeli minister says war with Syria is now inevitable. From Middle East Monitor. An Israeli minister has said that war with Syria “has become inevitable,” following developments near the Syrian town of Quneitra on Tuesday. The Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, made the comment after . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. ‘frustrated’ with Israel’s attacks on Syria as Tel Aviv claims war ‘inevitable’: WSJ. From the Cradle. U.S. President Donald Trump is “frustrated” with Israel’s “aggressive posture” against Damascus and is urging for a quick solution, the Wall Street Journal wrote wrote on Tuesday, coinciding with threats from Israeli officials that war with Syria has “become inevitable.” READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to two reports: from Agence France-Presse and Kyiv Post, and to an article of commentary from the Kyiv Independent; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for UKRAINE. 12-9-25, and up or down for SYRIA, MEDIA and GAZA.) — MCM

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Zelensky announces new U.S. talks as Kyiv finalizes documents, by Alisa Orlova | Kyiv Post  President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that new discussions with the U.S. would take place today as Kyiv and its allies continue refining a set of documents that could outline the terms for ending Russia’s full-scale war. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine allies to hold Thursday video call: France. From AFP. Leaders of Ukraine’s allies will hold a new video call on Thursday, France said, as U.S. President Donald Trump keeps pressure on Kyiv to accept a deal ending Russia’s nearly four-year war. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AFP report in French, and HERE for headlines of others.

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Trump’s new security doctrine gives Putin exactly what he wants, by Martin Fornusek, Tim Zadorozhnyy | The Kyiv Independent  The new U.S. National Security Strategy stunned Washington’s allies, casting doubt on the entire post-Cold War security order in Europe. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to four reports: from Reuters, National Public Radio, Anadolu Ajansi, and News Minimalist; others or just headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for MEDIA 12-9-25, and up or down for SYRIA, UKRAINE and GAZA.) — MCM

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Australia begins enforcing world-first teen social media ban, by Byron Kaye and Renju Jose | Reuters  SYDNEY — Australia today became the first country to ban social media for children under 16, blocking access in a move welcomed by many parents and child advocates but criticised by major technology companies and free-speech advocates. READ MORE . . .  Scroll down to MEDIA, 12-8-25 for Dec. 5 NPR report.

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Remembering NPR’s Kevin Drew. Reported by Leila Fadel | NPR  We remember supervising editor Kevin Drew, an award-winning journalist and esteemed colleague, who passed away last weekend. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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France : des librairies parisiennes privées de subventions pour avoir exposé des livres sur la Palestine, par Ümit Dönmez | Anadolu  PARIS — L’exposition d’ouvrages consacrés à la Palestine a conduit plusieurs librairies parisiennes à subir des pressions, des actes de vandalisme et à perdre des subventions, à la fois de la part de la municipalité de Paris et du Conseil régional d’Île-de-France. READ MORE . . .  Anadolu did not publish this report in English; an English version of first paragraph follows just below.

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Paris bookstores lose subsidies for displaying books on Palestine, by Ümit Dönmez | Anadolu  PARIS — Prominently displaying authors’ works on Palestine has put several bookstores in Paris under pressure, from acts of vandalism to the loss of their subsidies from the municipal government and the Regional Council of Île-de-France. [Longer English version possible another day.]

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FROM AUG. 13  Paris bookstore faces threats over Palestine books. From News Minimalist. The feminist and LGBTQ+ bookstore Violette and Co has reported a campaign of intimidation, vandalism, and threats from the far-right — following their decision to feature books on Palestine, racism, and colonialism in their window display. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to three reports: from National Public Radio, Middle East Eye, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (Scroll down for GAZA 12-9-25. , and scroll up for SYRIA, UKRAINE and MEDIA.) — MCM

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Hamas signals willingness to disarm, but Israel may reject key condition. Reported by Daniel Estrin | NPR  Hamas says it is willing to lay down its weapons after two years of war in Gaza, but Israel may not agree to its main condition. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE for Dec. 9 report from Middle East Eye.

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FROM DEC. 9  Hamas calls for more international pressure on Israel before ceasefire’s next phase, by Megan Janetsky and Julia Frankel | AP   JERUSALEM — Hamas on Tuesday called for more international pressure on Israel before the militant group moves forward with the next phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, with a Hamas leader saying it wants Israel to open a key border crossing, cease deadly strikes and allow more aid into the strip devastated by the two-year war. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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For today, a link to a report from the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (Scroll down for MEDIA 12-8-25 and for GAZA and WEST BANK.) — MCM

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Takeover bid of parent company means limbo for CNN and some fellow cable networks, by David Bauder | AP  Paramount Skydance’s hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros. Discovery places CNN and its sister cable networks squarely back into what is likely to be an extended period of management limbo. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to seven reports: from Common Dreams, Anadolu Ajansi, Agence France-Presse, National Public Radio, the Associated Press, Middle East Monitor, and the Cradle, and to commentary from Antiwar.com; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for GAZA 12-8-25 and up or down for MEDIA and WEST BANK.) — MCM

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Military budget bill would ramp up Israel aid to fill In ‘gaps’ when other countries impose embargoes over genocide, by Stephen Prager | Common Dreams  A provision of the latest National Defense Authorization Act would direct the U.S. to create a plan to fill the “gaps” for Israel whenever other nations cut off arms shipments in response to its acts of genocide in Gaza, as Prem Thakker reported Monday for Zeteo. READ MORE . . .

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Israeli army continues to shell northern, southern Gaza Strip despite ceasefire, by Ramzi Mahmud and Betul Yilmaz | Anadolu  GAZA CITY, Palestine / ISTANBUL — The Israeli army has carried out a new wave of airstrikes and artillery shelling of army-controlled areas in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, violating . . . READ MORE . . .

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Hamas says no Gaza truce second phase while Israel ‘continues violations.’ From AFP. GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories — Hamas said on Tuesday that the Gaza ceasefire plan cannot proceed to its second phase as long as Israeli “violations” persist and called on mediators to pressure Israel to respect the agreement. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AFP report in French, and HERE for headlines of others.

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FROM DEC. 8  Hamas leader tells NPR group could lay down weapons in Gaza, with conditions. Reported by Aya Batrawy | NPR  Hamas is changing its long-held position that its weapons are a red line, now saying it would be willing to lay down arms but with certain conditions. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan faces pitfalls in a complicated second phase, by Josef Federman | AP  DOHA — With the remains of one hostage still in Gaza, the first phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas is nearly complete, after a two-month process plagued by delays and finger-pointing. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 8  Egypt insists Palestinians alone will govern Gaza after the war. From Middle East Monitor. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed on Monday in Doha that Palestinians alone will administer the Gaza Strip once the Israeli genocide ends, stressing Cairo’s categorical rejection of any foreign authority or . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 8  Qatar, Turkiye unveil plan for two-year ‘disarmament period’ in Gaza: report. From the Cradle. Qatar and Turkiye have unveiled a new initiative that would give Hamas a two-year period to carry out a disarmament process, Hebrew media reported on Monday. READ MORE . . .

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If Trump is serious about peace, Marco Rubio has to go, by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies | Antiwar.com  Donald Trump campaigned on ending endless wars and now boasts he has resolved eight wars. In reality, this claim is delusional, and his foreign policy is a disaster. The United States remains mired . . . READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED