For today, links to two reports: from Middle East Monitor and the Cradle, and to an article of commentary from the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (Scroll down for WEST BANK 12-5-25, and up or down for SYRIA, GAZA, LEBANON, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries.) — MCM

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FROM DEC. 5  Illegal Israeli settlers torch vehicles, cut water lines in Friday attacks. From Middle East Monitor. Illegal Israeli settlers carried out two separate attacks early Friday in the occupied West Bank, torching vehicles east of Ramallah and cutting water lines in the northern Jordan Valley, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported, Anadolu reports. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 5  Israel moves to extend army service to 36 months. From the Cradle. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Friday a plan to extend mandatory military service to 36 months — which would . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 5  Gaza’s smoke clouds the West Bank’s flames, by a correspondent | The Cradle  On the morning of Oct. 7, 2023, while the world braced for the fallout of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, another front of war opened quietly. Not with airstrikes or artillery, but with bulldozers, laws, and settler militias. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to two reports: from Middle East Eye and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (Scroll down for GAZA 12-4-25, and up or down for SYRIA, WEST BANK, LEBANON, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries.) — MCM

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Qatar and Egypt call for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. From Middle East Eye. Qatar and Egypt, the states serving as guarantors of the Gaza ceasefire, on today called on Israel to withdraw from Gaza and for an international stabilisation force be deployed, steps they say are essential to fully carry out the fragile agreement. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 5  Israel moves to extend army service to 36 months. From the Cradle. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Friday a plan to extend mandatory military service to 36 months — which would . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to three reports: from Anadolu Ajansi, the Associated Press and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for LEBANON 12-5-25, and up or down for SYRIA, WEST BANK, GAZA, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries.) — MCM

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Syrian president meets Lebanese prime minister, Qatar’s emir in Doha, by Mohammad Sıo | Anadolu  ISTANBUL — Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, which kicked off today. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 5  Lebanon tells a UN team the country will need a back-up force once peacekeepers’ term ends, by Bassem Mroue | AP  BEIRUT — The Lebanese prime minister told a visiting U.N. delegation on Friday that his country will need a follow-up force in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel to fill the vacuum once the U.N. peacekeepers’ term expires by the end of next year. Click HERE for report including locator map.

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FROM DEC. 5  Israel moves to extend army service to 36 months. From the Cradle. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Friday a plan to extend mandatory military service to 36 months — which would . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to seven reports: from the Cradle, the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post, and Tass, and to an article of commentary from the Moscow Times; others or just headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (Scroll down for UKRAINE 12-5-25, and up or down for SYRIA, WEST BANK, GAZA, LEBANON and MEDIA entries.) — MCM

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Zelensky ‘systematically sabotaged’ Ukraine anti-corruption efforts: NYTimes report. From the Cradle. Over the past four years, the Ukrainian government “systematically sabotaged” oversight of the country’s state-owned companies and weapons procurement processes, “allowing graft to flourish,” according to a New York Times investigative report published today. READ MORE . . . 

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Russia unleashes massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine as diplomatic talks continue, by Susie Blann | AP   KYIV — Russia unleashed a major missile and drone barrage on Ukraine overnight after U.S. and Ukrainian officials said they’ll meet on today for a third day of talks aimed at ending the nearly 4-year-old war. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others. Click HERE and HERE for AFP report in English and French, and HERE and HERE for at least headlines of others, and HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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Ukraine’s intelligence hackers cripple major Russian logistics network: sources, by Alisa Orlova and Kateryna Zakharchenko | Kyiv Post  Ukraine’s Military Intelligence cyber unit knocked out a major Russian logistics company in a sweeping overnight attack timed to Ukraine’s Armed Forces Day, according to sources in Ukraine’s special services. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine loses around 1,450 troops in special military operation area in past 24 hours: Russian ministry. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian military personnel destroyed around 1,450 Ukrainian militants in the area of the special military operation in the past 24 hours, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 5  Ukraine, U.S. to meet for third day, agree ‘real progress’ depends on Russia. From AFP. Ukrainian and U.S. officials will hold a third straight day of talks in Miami on today, with Washington saying the two sides agreed that “real progress” would depend on Russia’s willingness to end the war. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AFP report (with Le Parisien) in French, and HERE for headlines of others.

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FROM DEC. 4  Trump’s Ukraine peace push was always a naked cash grab, by Casey Michel | The Moscow Times  The Trump administration’s 28-point peace plan for the Ukraine war, leaked last month, was all about constructing financial deals between insiders in Russia and the U.S., and how to enrich the elites of both countries at everyone else’s expense, especially Ukraine’s. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to two reports from National Public Radio and — in between — to two articles of commentary from Jonathan-Cook.net and MintPress News, both via Consortium News; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names below. (Scroll down for MEDIA 12-5-25, and scroll up for SYRIA, WEST BANK, GAZA, LEBANON and UKRAINE entries.) — MCM

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Skip the holiday parties. Books We Love offers many fantastic recommendations. Reported by Katie Daugert, Sarah Handel, Rebecca Hersher, Matteen Mokalla and Rachel Treisman | NPR  Ahead of the holidays, NPR staffers give their recommendations for some of their favorite books of the year, covering everything from a sci-fi graphic novel to historical fiction. Click HERE later to listen, and perhaps later to read.

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FROM DEC. 5  UK hunger strike is not being televised, by Jonathan Cook | jonathan-cook.net / Consortium News  If we truly had a free media in the UK, rather than one serving the interests only of the state and billionaire class, this would be a front-page news story: . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM NOV.  25  The richest men in the world are media moguls, by Alan MacLeod | MintPress News / Consortium News  Trump loyalist and CIA contractor Larry Ellison’s purchase of CNN appears imminent, and would mark the latest venture into media for the world’s second-richest individual. But Ellison is not alone. READ MORE . . .

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Musician Tobias Jesso Jr. explores ‘s h i n e,’ his first album in a decade. Eyder Peralta of NPR speaks with singer-songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr. about “s h i n e,” his first new album in 10 years. Click HERE later to listen, and perhaps later to read.

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

First, a link to a report from the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (Scroll down for LEBANON 12-4-25, and for today’s WEST BANK, MEDIA and UKRAINE entries so far.) — MCM

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Israeli bombs south Lebanon one day after direct talks with Beirut. From the Cradle. The Israeli army launched violent attacks on south Lebanon on Thursday after issuing threats ordering the evacuation of residents in several towns. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED

* From time to time, for whatever reason, new entries or additions to entries are delayed for hours for visitors depending on, I guess, what computers or browsers are being used, no matter what I do to “flush cache” (whatever that means), shut my computer down and restart, or take other measures. If you sense what you are reading is stale, you can try to “restart” by clicking on the little circle with clockwise arrow up top, which may help. If that doesn’t work, please return later. Thank you.

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

For now, links to three reports: from Middle East Monitor and Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (Scroll down for WEST BANK 12-4-25, and up or down for today’s LEBANON, MEDIA and UKRAINE entries so far.) — MCM

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Palestinian man killed by Israeli army fire. From Middle East Monitor. A Palestinian man was killed today by Israeli army fire during clashes south of Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, authorities said, Anadolu reports. READ MORE . . .

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UN says 95,000 Palestinians hit by intensifying Israeli operations in northern West Bank. From Middle East Eye. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in its weekly briefing that Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank — particularly in Jenin and Tubas — affected more than 95,000 Palestinians over the past week. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 4  Four Palestinians hit by Israeli army, illegal settlers in occupied West Bank. From Middle East Monitor. Four Palestinians were injured Thursday in attacks by the Israeli army and illegal settlers in the occupied West Bank, medics said, Anadolu reports.

READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED

* From time to time, for whatever reason, new entries or additions to entries are delayed for hours for visitors depending on, I guess, what computers or browsers are being used, no matter what I do to “flush cache” (whatever that means), shut my computer down and restart, or take other measures. If you sense what you are reading is stale, you can try to “restart” by clicking on the little circle with clockwise arrow up top, which may help. If that doesn’t work, please return later. Thank you.

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

For now, links to five reports: from the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and National Public Radio; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (Scroll down for MEDIA 12-4-25, and up or down for today’s LEBANON, WEST BANK and UKRAINE entries so far.) — MCM

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Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. studio and streaming business for $72 billion. From AP. NEW YORK — Netflix has struck a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to buy the legacy Hollywood giant’s studio and streaming business for $72 billion — which would bring two of the industry’s biggest players in film and TV under one roof. READ MORE . . .

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EU slaps 120-mn-euro fine on X for breaking digital rules. From AFP. BRUSSELS —The European Union today hit Elon Musk’s X with a 120-million-euro ($140-million) fine for breaking its digital rules, in a move that risks a fresh clash with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AFP report in French, and HERE for others.

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FROM DEC. 4  Former ‘Morning Edition’ host on his newest venture — a local newspaper. Reported by Alejandra Marquez Janse, Patrick Jarenwattananon, and Mary Louise Kelly | NPR  Kelly speaks with former NPR host David Greene who is set to take over LNP, the Pennsylvania newspaper where he was once an intern.. Click HERE to read and — only with some diligence and technical creativity — listen to.

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FROM DEC. 4  Remembering Steve Cropper, guitarist and member of Stax Records’ Booker T & the M.G.’s. Reported by Chloe Veltman | NPR  Steve Cropper, the Booker T. & the MG guitarist, songwriter and producer who was instrumental in the rise of R&B powerhouse Stax Records, died in Nashville at 84. Click HERE to read and — only with some diligence and technical creativity — listen to.

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Zac Brown shares his harrowing childhood story on ‘Love & Fear.’ Reported by Steve Inskeep | NPR  The Zac Brown Band’s first five albums hit #1 on the Billboard Country Charts. Their latest is “Love & Fear,” and the band is celebrating with a set of shows at The Sphere in Las Vegas. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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MAY BE CONTINUED

* From time to time, for whatever reason, new entries or additions to entries are delayed for hours for visitors depending on, I guess, what computers or browsers are being used, no matter what I do to “flush cache” (whatever that means), shut my computer down and restart, or take other measures. If you sense what you are reading is stale, you can try to “restart” by clicking on the little circle with clockwise arrow up top, which may help. If that doesn’t work, please return later. Thank you.

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

For now, links to two reports: from the Associated Press and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (Scroll down for UKRAINE 12-4-25, and scroll up for today’s LEBANON, MEDIA and WEST BANK entries so far.) — MCM

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Russian drone strike kills 12-year-old boy in Ukraine as peace talks kept under wraps, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — Russian drones struck a house in central Ukraine, killing a 12-year-old boy, officials said, while long-range Ukrainian strikes reportedly targeted a Russian port and an oil refinery as U.S. peace efforts continued out of public view. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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FROM DEC. 4  Corruption investigation rocks Ukraine’s leadership. Reported by Eleanor Beardsley | NPR  A corruption scandal in Ukraine hits Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s inner circle but not the president himself. Click HERE to listen and read.

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TO BE CONTINUED

* From time to time, for whatever reason, new entries or additions to entries are delayed for hours for visitors depending on, I guess, what computers or browsers are being used, no matter what I do to “flush cache” (whatever that means), shut my computer down and restart, or take other measures. If you sense what you are reading is stale, you can try to “restart” by clicking on the little circle with clockwise arrow up top, which may help. If that doesn’t work, please return later. Thank you.

First, a link to a report from Anadolu Ajansi; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (Scroll down for WEST BANK 12-3-25, and for today’s LEBANON, GAZA, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries so far.) — MCM

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FROM DEC. 1  4 foreign activists injured by illegal Israeli settlers’ attack in occupied West Bank, by Betul Yilmaz and Aysar Alais | Anadolu  ISTANBUL — The Israeli army launched a large-scale arrest campaign in the occupied West Bank as illegal settlers attacked foreign activists and Palestinians on Sunday, according to local sources. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for Dec. 4 Anadolu report in French, and HERE for others.

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TO BE CONTINUED