For today, links to reports from the Associated Press and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (UKRAINE 4-24-25 is HERE, or scroll down. GAZA and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM) — MCM

–   –   –

Trump says ‘Crimea will stay with Russia’ as he seeks end to war in Ukraine, by Illia Novikov | AP  KYIV — U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview published today that “Crimea will stay with Russia,” the latest example of the U.S. leader pressuring Ukraine to make concessions to end the war while it remains under siege. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

A Russian general killed by car bomb just outside Moscow. From AP. MOSCOW — Russia’s top criminal investigation agency said Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, was killed by an explosive device placed in his car . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Kyiv recovering from deadly Russian attack as Trump administration presses peace deal. Reported by Joanna Kakissis and A Martínez | NPR  The Ukrainian capital of Kyiv is recovering from Russian attacks on Thursday that killed at least 12 people. Hear the latest on efforts to reach a peace agreement. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

A look at Europe’s response to U.S. peace proposals for Ukraine and Russia. Michel Martin of NPR talks with Johns Hopkins University historian Sergey Radchenko about Europe’s response to U.S. peace proposals for Ukraine and Russia. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 24  Trump rebukes Putin after brutal night of bombing on Ukraine. Reported by Joanna Kakissis | NPR  President Zelensky cuts short a visit to South Africa after Russia launches an overnight attack on Kyiv. Click HERE to listen and read.

.

For now, links to reports from the Cradle and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA 4–24-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

–   –   –

Syria’s interim president ‘interested’ in joining Abraham Accords. From the Cradle. The chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee and the U.S. Armed Services Committee, Congressman Cory Mills, said on Thursday that Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa informed him of Damascus’s openness to normalizing relations with Israel. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Syria’s new foreign minister will appear at the UN in his first U.S. visit, by Abby Sewell | AP  BEIRUT — Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani raised his country’s new flag at U.N. headquarters in New York today where he was set to attend a U.N. Security Council briefing, the first public appearance by a high-ranking Syrian government official in the United States since the fall of former President Bashar Assad . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 23  Syria’s stolen daughters: The HTS campaign to enslave Alawite women. From the Cradle. Since December, when the former Al-Qaeda affiliate, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham toppled the government of Bashar al-Assad, Syria has witnessed a chilling wave of mysterious kidnappings of young women, predominantly from the Alawite community. Evidence continues to emerge  . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

For today, links to four reports: from Reuters and the Cradle; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names below. (SYRIA 4-21-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  IRAN, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

IMF to help Syria rebuild institutions, re-enter world economy, Georgieva says, by Andrea Shalal and David Lawder | Reuters  WASHINGTON — The International Monetary Fund plans to work with Syria to help it reintegrate into the global economy, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said today, citing a meeting on the war-scarred nation held this week. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

UK lifts sanctions to help Syria rebuild financial, energy sectors. From Reuters. LONDON — Britain said today it would support efforts to rebuild Syria’s financial system by removing sanctions to encourage investments in financial services, energy production and other sectors. London also lifted asset freezes on Syria’s defence and interior ministries and a range of intelligence agencies, reversing . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Cradle.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 22  Syrian security forces detain Palestinian resistance leaders. From the Cradle. Two top officials from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in Syria have been detained by Syrian security forces.  Khaled Khaled, head of PIJ operations in Syria, and Yasser al-Zafari, head of the organizational committee, were arrested five days ago. READ MORE . . .

.

For today, links to reports from Middle East Eye, Reuters, and the Cradle; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names below. (IRAN 4-23-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  SYRIA, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Tehran proposes atomic energy partnership with U.S.  Middle East Eye. After Iranian foreign minister announced that Iran is ready to trade with the U.S. and cooperate with American companies on developing atomic reactors, two former Iranian ambassadors emphasised Tehran’s willingness to create such partnerships. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 23  Iran can’t enrich uranium, could only import it for civilian program, Rubio says, by Parisa Hafezi, Humeyra Pamuk and John Irish | Reuters  Iran will have to stop enriching uranium under any deal with the United States and could only import what is needed for a civilian nuclear program, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said ahead of talks between Tehran and Washington on Saturday. However, . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Senior Israeli officers leak classified data, including ‘preparations’ for Iran attack. From the Cradle. The Israeli army has opened an investigation into a recent leak of sensitive military documents by members of the air force’s Squadron 69, which included preparations for a potential attack on Iran. Haaretz reported that the data was uploaded onto . . . READ MORE . . . 

.

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and the Cradle, and to commentary from Middle East Monitor; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 4-23-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  SYRIA, IRAN and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 50, many of them women and children. From AP. Israeli strikes across the Gaza Striphave killed at least 28 people, mostly women and children, the territory’s Health Ministry said today. Israel ended its ceasefire with Hamas and renewed its air and ground war over a month ago. It has . . . READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from Reuters.

–   –   –

UN warns of ‘dangerously low’ food supplies in Gaza due to Israeli siege. From the Cradle. The UN warned on Wednesday that food supplies in Gaza are “dangerously low,” as Israel continues to besiege the strip and prevent the entry of humanitarian aid. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Palestinian voices are throttled by the promotion of foreign agendas, by Ramona Wadi | Middle East Monitor  Almost all political rhetoric about Israel’s genocide in Gaza completely misses the point. That includes the Palestinian Authority’s purported concern about Palestinians in Gaza, which does not extend to any concern about Israel’s ultimate colonial vision of creating “Greater Israel.” READ MORE . . .

.

For today, links to ten reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post, National Public Radio, Agence France-Presse, Tass, and Consortium News; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE 4-23-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  SYRIA, IRAN and GAZA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

–   –   –

Russian strike on Kyiv kills 12 in biggest attack on Ukrainian capital since last summer, by Vasilisa Stepanenko and Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — Russia attacked Kyiv with an hourslong barrage of missiles and drones, killing at least nine people and injuring more than 70 in its deadliest assault on the Ukrainian capital since last July and just as peace efforts are coming to a head. READ MORE . . .   Click HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters and the Kyiv Independent.

–   –   –

In rare criticism of Putin, Trump urges the Russian leader to ‘STOP!’ after a deadly attack on Kyiv, by Aamer Madhani | AP  WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump today offered rare criticism of Vladimir Putin, urging the Russian leader to “STOP!” after a deadly barrage of attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Kyiv Post.

–   –   –

White House pushes Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to accept a U.S.-backed peace deal. Reported by Charles Maynes and Michel Martin | NPR  The White House is pushing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept a U.S.-backed peace deal or risk, in President Trump’s words, “losing the whole country” to Russia. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

Kremlin says agrees with Trump that Ukraine ‘lost’ Crimea long ago. From AFP. The Kremlin said today it agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump, who said on social media that Ukraine had “lost” the Crimean peninsula seized by Russia in 2014 “years ago.” The Trump administration has been trying to broker a deal between . . . READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from Tass.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 23  Officials met in London to discuss peace talks on Russia’s war on Ukraine. Reported by Willem Marx | NPR  President Trump lashed out on social media after Kyiv rejected U.S. terms to end the war with Russia. Peace talks scheduled in London were downgraded after Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled out. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 20*  On neo-Nazi influence in Ukraine, by Joe Lauria | Special to Consortium News  Subhead: “A short history of neo-Nazism in Ukraine in response to some who say, ‘There is no evidence that Nazism has substantial influence in Ukraine.’” Click HERE for report, which includes two video clips from BBC Newsnight and one from Fox News.

–   –   –

* This report has been updated from its original publication on Dec. 29, 2022.

.

For today, links to five reports: from Reuters and the Cradle; others or headlines to others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (IRAN 4-22-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  YEMEN, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Iran fortifying buried nuclear sites as talks with U.S. continue, report says, by Jonathan Landay | Reuters  WASHINGTON — Iran is ringing two deeply buried tunnel complexes with a massive security perimeter linked to its main nuclear facility, a report said today, amid U.S. and Israeli threats of attack. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Iran FM calls for cooperation against ‘bullying, unilateralism’ during China visit. From the Cradle. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited China and held talks with Chinese officials today, discussing several matters including bilateral cooperation and developments in West Asia, while also briefing Beijing on ongoing nuclear talks with Washington. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 22  Washington issues new Iran sanctions amid ‘positive’ nuclear talks. From the Cradle.  The U.S. Treasury Department issued new sanctions on Tuesday targeting Iranian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) magnate Asadoollah Emamjomeh and his corporate network amid ongoing talks with Tehran on its nuclear program. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Iran says new U.S. energy sanctions show ‘lack of goodwill’ in Iran-U.S. talks. From Reuters.  New U.S. sanctions against Iran’s energy sector point to Washington’s “lack of goodwill and seriousness” over dialogue with Tehran, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said today ahead of Iran-US nuclear talks this weekend. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 22  Trump names former Israeli Defense Ministry staffer as Israel–Iran director at NSC. From the Cradle. “Merav Ceren’s appointment as Director for Israel and Iran at the NSC has not previously been reported, but her work with Israel’s MoD is well known among GOP circles,” DropSite reported on Monday. READ MORE . . .

.

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press and Reuters, and to an interview from the Grayzone; other material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials below.  (YEMEN 4-21-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  IRAN, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Yemen’s Houthi rebels fire a missile toward northern Israel, a rare target for the group, by Jon Gambrell | AP  DUBAI — Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a missile early today toward northern Israel, a rare target for the group as a monthlong intense U.S. airstrike campaign continues to target them. The Houthis separately claimed shooting down another MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Reuters.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 21   ‘A battle between right and wrong’: Houthi spokesman on confronting the U.S. and Israel. Max Blumenthal of the Grayzone speaks with Muhammad Al-Bukhaiti, senior political officer and spokesman for Ansar Allah (the Houthi movement), for his views on Yemen’s direct confrontation with “a U.S. military machine hellbent on destroying its ability to resist Israel.” Click HERE for video.

.

For today, links to four reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, the Cradle, and Middle East Eye, and to commentary from Middle East Monitor; others or headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 4-22-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  YEMEN and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Mediators work on proposal for long-term truce as Israeli strike on Gaza kills 23, by Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Arab mediators are working on a proposal to end the Israel-Hamas war that would include a five to seven year truce and the release of all remaining hostages, officials said today. Local authorities said an Israeli strike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters, and the Cradle.

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 22  Israel expects ‘significant crisis’ in Gaza as it plans to continue total blockade, by Nadav Rapaport | Middle East Eye  TEL AVIV — Israel will continue its complete blockade of Gaza, with the army expecting a “significant crisis” to unfold in the Palestinian enclave in two weeks “regarding food, medical equipment and medicines,” Walla reported. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM APRIL 22 Gaza’s unquenchable thirst: The water tragedy amid relentless bombardment and total blockade, by AbdulMajed Al-Aloul | Middle East Monitor  Under the weight of war and a suffocating blockade, more than two million people in the Gaza Strip are facing an unprecedented water crisis that threatens their daily survival. What was already dire . . . READ MORE . . .

.

For today, links to eight reports: from Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, the Associated Press, Reuters, National Public Radio, the Moscow Times, and Tass; others or headlines of others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE 4-22-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  YEMEN and GAZA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up.)— MCM

–   –   –

Russia hammers major Ukraine city transformer station, multiple cities, ‘ceasefire’ is over, by Stefan Korshak |  Kyiv Post  Russian drones and artillery blasted transformers and electricity transformers in Kherson on Wednesday, ending a nearly month-long tacit agreement between Kyiv and Moscow not to hit each other’s power grids. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine insists on ‘immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire,’ Zelensky says, by Martin Fornusek | The Kyiv Independent  Ukraine insists on an “immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said today amid strained peace efforts and intensifying Russian attacks. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

London talks on ending Russia-Ukraine war pared down as Russian drone attack on bus kills 9, by Illia Novikov, Aamer Madhani and Jill Lawless | AP   KYIV — A planned meeting today between top U.S., British, French and Ukrainian diplomats to push for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine was scrapped at the last minute amid little sign of progress in international efforts to end the more than three-year war. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters, NPR and the Moscow Times.

–   –   –

Vance tells Russia and Ukraine to accept peace terms or risk U.S. abandoning talks. From Moscow Times. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance today warned that Washington may abandon efforts to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine unless Moscow and Kyiv agree to terms currently under discussion. His comments echoed those issued earlier . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian combat engineers survey 45 communities in Kursk border area for explosives. From Tass. KURSK — Russian combat engineers have surveyed 45 communities in border areas of the Kursk Region for the presence of explosives, and similar efforts are underway in 28 more settlements, acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein said today. READ MORE . . .

.