For today, links to nine reports: from Reuters, Middle East Monitor, the Associated Press, the Anadolu Agency, and Common Dreams, and to commentary from Common Dreams and Middle East Eye; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 4  Israeli strikes hit Gaza schools, hospital compound after talks fail, by Nidal Al-Mughrabi | Reuters  CAIRO — An Israeli air strike hit two schools in Gaza City on Sunday, killing at least 25 people, the Palestinian official news agency said, while the Israeli military said it struck a Hamas military compound embedded in the schools. Earlier . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Common Dreams.

–   –   –

Israel announces assassination of Gaza’s deputy Minister for Economy. From Middle East Monitor. Israeli forces have claimed responsibility for the assassination of Gaza’s deputy Minister for Economy, amid a flurry of assassinations of Palestinians officials in recent months. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 4  U.S. and allies prepare to defend Israel as Netanyahu says it’s already in ‘multi-front war’ with Iran, by Natalie Melzer and Samy Magdy | AP  TEL AVIV — Israel is already in a “multi-front war” with Iran and its proxies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a Cabinet meeting Sunday, as the United States and allies prepared to defend Israel from an expected counterstrike and prevent an even more . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Proxy forces armed by Iran could take part in retaliation against Israel over Hamas leader’s killing, by Jon Gambrell | AP   DUBAI — As Iran threatens to respond to the suspected Israeli assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the regional militias that the Islamic Republic has armed for decades could play a role in any attack. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian Security Council head arrives in Iran’s capital Tehran, by Burç Eruygur | Anadolu Agency  ISTANBUL — Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergey Shoygu arrived today in Iran’s capital Tehran on a working visit, the Russian state news agency Tass reported. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Iran says it does not want regional escalation but must ‘punish’ Israel. From Reuters. DUBAI — Iran is not looking to escalate regional tensions but believes it needs to punish Israel to prevent further instability, the foreign ministry spokesperson said today, following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week. “Iran seeks . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Torture, sexual violence against Palestinian detainees ‘war crime,’ says Amnesty International, by Zuhal Demirci | Anadolu Agency  LONDON — Israel’s inhumane treatment of Palestinian detainees at Sde Teiman Prison in southern Israel, including torture and sexual violence, are “war crimes,” according to an official of Amnesty International. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Arundhati Roy: India must stop arming Israel or ‘forever be linked to genocide,’ by Brett Wilkins | Common Dreams / ScheerPost  Acclaimed Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy this week joined prominent jurists, diplomats, artists, and others in urging their government to . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israeli minister laments that ‘nobody will let us’ starve 2 million Gazans to death, by Edward Carver | Common Dreams  Far-right Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich said today it might be “justified and moral” to cause two million Palestinian civilians to starve to death until Hamas returns Israeli hostages, drawing criticism . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

War on Gaza: Two Al Jazeera journalists were killed — and the West is silent, by Linah Alsaafin | Middle East Eye  “After 300 days of continuous coverage with my friend and companion . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to six reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, the Kyiv Post, Tass, and the Kyiv Independent; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 4  Ukraine’s Zelenskyy displays newly arrived F-16 fighter jets to combat Russia in the air, by Andrew Meldrum | AP  SOMEWHERE IN UKRAINE — Ukraine’s newly arrived F-16 fighter jets were put on display Sunday by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said the planes will boost the country’s war effort against Russia. “These jets . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters and Kyiv Post.

–   –   –

F-16s received by Kiev to have no impact on Russia’s special op — Chechen commander. From Tass. MOSCOW — The six F-16 fighter jets delivered to Ukraine will have no bearing on the course of Russia’s special military operation in any way, according to Maj. Gen. Apty Alaudinov, deputy chief of the Russian Armed Forces’ Main Military-Political Department and . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –  

Ukraine receives $3.9 bln grant from US, prime minister says. From Reuters.  KYIV — Ukraine has received a $3.9 billion grant from the United States via the World Bank, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said today. “This . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian Su-34 jet destroyed in Ukraine’s strike on Morozovsk airfield, Kyiv says, by Kateryna Denisova | The Kyiv Independent  The Ukrainian military destroyed a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber aircraft and an ammunition depot at the Morozovsk airfield in Russia’s Rostov Oblast on Saturday, Ukraine’s military intelligence said today, citing satellite imagery. Prior . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to six reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, Middle East Monitor, and the Anadolu Agency, to commentary from Middle East Eye,  and to an interview from ScheerPost via Consortium News; other news and commentary are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (VENEZELA entry for this date is HERE— MCM

–   –   –

Strikes on Gaza kill 18 and stabbing in Israel kills 2 as fears of wider war spike, by Natalie Melzer and Samy Magdy | AP  TEL AVIV — Israeli strikes early today killed 18 people in Gaza, including four who were sheltering in a tent camp for displaced Palestinians inside a hospital complex, while a stabbing attack carried out by a Palestinian killed two people in a Tel Aviv suburb. READ MORE . . . Click HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters, and HERE for report from Middle East Monitor.

–   –   –

Blinken speaks with UK, French counterparts to ‘deescalate’ rising Mideast tensions, by Rabia İclal Turan | Anadolu Agency  WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his British and French counterparts Saturday via telephone about the need to deescalate rising tensions in the Middle East and prevent further escalation of the conflict. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

How Netanyahu’s Washington visit paved the way for regional war, by Sami Al-Arian | Middle East Eye  As Israel ramps up its military provocations, it is now more apparent than ever that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bellicose address in Congress last week was the opening salvo of a wider regional war — to the rapturous applause of U.S. lawmakers. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

A diary of genocide. Chris Hedges of ScheerPost talks with Atef Abu Saif, the Palestinian novelist who chronicled his experience surviving the most recent onslaught in Gaza. Born in the besieged territory, Saif has known war his whole life. Click HERE to listen, and for transcript.

For today, links to nine reports: from the Kyiv Post, Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, Reuters, Tass, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

New railway from Rostov to occupied Mariupol launched by Russian forces. From Kyiv Post. Russian forces have completed and launched a new railway from Rostov to the occupied city of Mariupol, according to Petro Andryushchenko, the adviser to the mayor of Mariupol. He said the new railway could . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia says captured another eastern Ukraine village. From AFP. Russia said today its armed forces seized the village of Novoselivka Persha in eastern Ukraine, the latest in a string of frontline advances Moscow has claimed in recent weeks. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Egyptians recruited by Russia fight in Kharkiv Oblast, by Daria Shulzhenko and news desk | The Kyiv Independent  Russia has been deploying foreign volunteers, namely residents of Egypt, to fight in its war against Ukraine in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine’s Operational Tactical Group “Kharkiv” said today. “In Vovchansk . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine accuses Russian forces of killing, dismembering prisoner-of-war. From Reuters. KYIV — Ukraine’s human rights commissioner urged the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations to investigate an image widely shared online on Saturday that he said likely showed a Ukrainian prisoner-of-war killed and dismembered by Russian forces. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russia’s East battlegroup defeats four Ukrainian brigades. From Tass.  MOSCOW — Units of Russia’s East battlegroup defeated four Ukrainian brigades, the enemy lost up to 95 servicemen and two ammunition depots, the Russian Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Ukraine intensifies its long-range strikes, sinking a Russian submarine and striking an airfield, by Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — Ukraine has sunk a Russian submarine and hit a Russian airfield in the past 24 hours, in line with a surge of long-range attacks against Russian targets, officials said. Russia said Ukrainian drones also hit an apartment building, killing one person. READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for Aug. 3 reports from Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, and Reuters.

For now, links to six reports: from National Public Radio, Reuters, the Associated Press, and the Orinoco Tribune and to commentary from Counter Punch, both articles via Popular Resistance; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA entry for this date, so far, is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Protests over election results in Venezuela aren’t losing steam. Reported by Carrie Kahn and Ayesha Rascoe | NPR  Venezuela’s president, Nicolas Maduro, continues to insist he won last week’s election, but proof is scarce. Meanwhile, Venezuelans continue to protest. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE for report from Reuters.

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 3  Opposition leader joins rally calling for Venezuela presidential election results to be overturned, by Fabiola Sánchez | AP  CARACAS — Thousands of people rallied in the streets of Venezuela’s capital Saturday, waving the national flag and singing the national anthem in support of an opposition candidate they believe won the presidential election by a landslide. Authorities . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 2  Venezuela’s opposition secured over 80% of crucial vote tally sheets. Here’s how they did it, by Regina García Cano | AP  CARACAS — The statement that upended Venezuela came 24 hours after polls closed in the presidential election. With the reassuring tone of someone who has consistently been considered an underdog, opposition powerhouse Maria . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 2  U.S., European lawmakers jointly condemn Venezuela’s handling of election, by Patricia Zengerle | Reuters  WASHINGTON — The leaders of foreign affairs committees of the U.S. Congress and legislatures across Europe have joined to condemn the Venezuelan government’s handling of last weekend’s disputed election, according to . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 1  President Masduro files Supreme Court appeal for election protection, by Victoria Torres | Orinoco Tribune / Popular Resistance  The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, has filed an appeal before the electoral chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice  for protection of results, in order to resolve the attacks and the attempted coup d’état that took place on Monday. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 2  Venezuela: An attempted coup by any other name, by Maria Paez Victor | Counter Punch / Popular Resistance  Once again, as in 2002, Venezuela has been the victim of a combined media and diplomatic coup attempt, but this time with the added element of organized crime and a cyber-attack. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

MAY BE CONTINUED

For today, links to seven reports: from the Anadolu Agency, the Associated Press, Reuters, Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from Nader.org via ScheerPost; other articles are accessible by clicking on their  names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Israel, U.S. preparing for Iranian retaliation: WSJ report, by Diyar Güldoğan | Anadolu Agency  WASHINGTON — Israel and the U.S, are preparing for an “unpredictable Iranian retaliatory strike on Israel as soon as this weekend,” the Wall Street Journal reported Friday. The newspaper quoted an Iranian diplomat . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israel’s army says airstrikes in the northern West Bank kill 9 Palestinian militants, by Aref Tufaha and Jack Jeffery | AP  ZEITA, West Bank — Two Israeli airstrikes in the northern West Bank killed nine Palestinian militants today, Israel’s army said, as violence flared again in the Israeli-occupied territory with tensions high over the war in Gaza. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Reuters.

–   –   –

Iran says Haniyeh assassinated by ‘short-range projectile,’ accuses Israel and U.S., by Ikrame Imane Kouachi | Anadolu Agency  TEHRAN — The assassination of Hamas political bureau leader Ismail Haniyeh was “designed and executed” by Israel with support from the U.S., using a short-range projectile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said today. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 2  Haniyeh killed by a projectile fired at his room, eyewitnesses say, by Faisal Edroos and Simon Hooper | Middle East Eye  Three individuals who were in the heavily guarded building in Tehran where Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated say the Hamas political chief was killed by a projectile fired at his room and not a planted bomb. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Meshaal: ‘We will not recognise Israel.’ From Middle East Monitor. The head of the Hamas movement abroad, Khaled Meshaal, reiterated on Friday that the movement “will not recognise Israel” and that “killing one of our leaders only makes our people stronger.” This came in a speech during the funeral ceremony in Doha for the head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, and . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 2  Is Israel provoking a regional war in the Middle East? Reported by Jonaki Mehta, Katia Riddle and Ailsa Chang | NPR Former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas talks about whether Israel might be provoking an escalation in the Middle East that could drag the U.S. into conflict. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

Israeli soldiers will soon find ways to tell their media about the terror inside Gaza, by Ralph Nader | Nader.org / ScheerPost  Israeli soldiers, like soldiers in other countries, bask in the self-serving effusive praise showered upon them by politicians, but privately they know BS when they hear it. Right from the start . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to seven reports: from the Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Reuters, National Public Radio, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Ukrainian armed forces sink Russian submarine, destroy four S-400 systems in Crimea, by Alisa Orlova | Kyiv Post   Ukraine’s armed forces conducted a significant operation in the temporarily occupied Crimea early this morning, successfully targeting a Russian kilo-class submarine capable of deploying Kalibr cruise missiles and four S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems. According to . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

–   –   –

Russia reports Ukrainian drone barrage on its regions. Kyiv says it hit an airfield. From AP. Russian officials said today Ukrainian forces overnight targeted multiple Russian regions with a massive drone barrage. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from AFP.

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 2  Russian troops inch forward in Ukraine’s east with waves of bombs and infantry, by Anastasiia Malenko and Max Hunder | Reuters  KYIV / POKROVSK, Ukraine — Russian assaults are raising pressure on the strategic eastern logistics hub of Pokrovsk, Ukraine said on Friday, as waves of guided bombs and infantry lead to some of Moscow’s largest territorial gains since the spring. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian troops are gaining ground in eastern Ukraine. Reported by Greg Myre and Scott Simon | NPR  Russian forces are making small but steady gains in eastern Ukraine and seem to be targeting a key town. Ukraine is getting more Western weapons, but Russia still has more firepower and more troops. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

Russian forces hit two S-125 missile launchers, temporary base of foreign mercenaries. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian forces hit two S-125 missile launchers and a temporary base of foreign mercenaries in the past day, the Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .

For now, links to eight reports: from Common Dreams, Reuters, Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor, the Associated Press, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from Middle East Monitor and Consortium News; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE and VENEZUELA entries for this date are HERE.) and HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 1  UN finds ‘appalling acts’ of torture against Palestinians, by Edward Carver | Common Dreams / Consortium News  The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Wednesday released a report detailing torture and abuse of Palestinians at Israeli detention centers, including sexual violence, waterboarding, and the use of dogs. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Slain Hamas leader Haniyeh’s funeral held in Qatar, Israel is warned of revenge, by Tala Ramadan and Jana Choukeir | Reuters  DUBAI — The funeral of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh took place in Qatar today following his assassination two days ago in Iran’s capital Tehran — one in a series of killings of senior figures in the Palestinian militant group as the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza rages. Mourners . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Middle East Eye.

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 1  Haniyeh killed by bomb smuggled into guesthouse months ago, NYT reports. From Middle East Monitor. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated on July 31 by an explosive device which had been smuggled two months ago into the guesthouse he is known to stay, the New York Times has reported. Quoting five Middle Eastern officials . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

International calls for cease-fire grow after assassinations in the Mideast. From AP. United States President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were among the growing voices internationally calling for a cease-fire cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in recent days, saying . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Reuters.

–   –   –

Calls for revenge grow as Hezbollah and Hamas bury assassinated leaders. Reported by Jane Arraf and Leila Fadel | NPR  Israel and Lebanon are bracing for the possibility of even stronger attacks after Israel’s killing of three top leaders from the militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah — in three different countries. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 1  Hezbollah and Hamas bury slain leaders as Iran eyes revenge. Reported by Jane Arraf | NPR  Hezbollah and Hamas have buried their slain leaders. The leader of Iran-backed Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, said the war in Gaza had now entered a new phase. Click HERE to listen and read.

–   –   –

Haniyeh fulfilled with great honour his duty towards Palestine, by Sayid Marcos Tenório | Middle East Monitor  The treacherous murder of Ismail Haniyeh will not slow the struggle of the Palestinian people for their liberation. His struggle, his example and . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

The Israeli nihilist state, by Craig Murray | CraigMurray.org.uk / Consortium News  It is no longer possible to categorise the nihilistic violence of the Israeli state. It appears to have no objective other than violence and an urge for desolation. In 24 hours . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to four reports: from Reuters, the Kyiv Post, and the Kyiv Independent; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA and VENEZUELA entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Russian drone hits bus in Kharkiv region, injuring six, official says. From Reuters. KYIV — A Russian drone hit a bus in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region early today, injuring six construction workers, including one who was in a critical condition, the regional governor said. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 1  Fresh Russian advances in eastern Ukraine send locals fleeing, by Max Hunder | Reuters  POKROVSK, Ukraine — Pressing home their advantages in manpower and weapons, Russian forces have fought their way towards major towns and supply routes in pursuit of their goal of full control of Ukraine’s industrialized and mineral-rich Donbas. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Russian forces reportedly preparing new assault on Vovchansk in Kharkiv Region. From Kyiv Post. The situation in the Kharkiv region remains critical as Russian forces continue their attempts to seize new territories. Ukraine’s Kharkiv operational-tactical group reported that Russian troops are focusing their efforts on the settlement of Vovchansk. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Poland and Ukraine to form a military unit from Ukrainians in Europe. Will it be effective? by Dinara Khalilova | The Kyiv Independent  Kyiv and Warsaw have agreed to form and jointly train a new army brigade on Polish soil, betting the initiative could help recruit some of the scores of Ukrainian men living in Poland and other EU countries. The so-called . . . READ MORE . . .

Links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Common Dreams, to a news release from the Carter Center, and to commentary by a British observer. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

–   –   –

Masked assailants ransack Venezuela opposition leader’s headquarters as post-election tensions mount, by Regina Garcia Cano, Joshua Goodman, Gabriela Sá Pessoa and E. Eduardo Castillo | AP  CARACAS — A half-dozen masked assailants ransacked the headquarters of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado today in the latest escalation of violence against opponents of Nicolás Maduro following the country’s disputed presidential election. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM AUG. 1  U.S. recognizes Maduro’s opponent as winner in Venezuela election, by Kanishka Singh and Matt Spetalnick | Reuters  WASHINGTON — The United States on Thursday recognized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s opponent and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner of Venezuela’s disputed presidential election, rejecting Maduro’s claim of victory. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

As Venezuela court probes election results, U.S. declares victory for right-wing opposition, by Jake Johnson | Common Dreams  The U.S. State Department has formally recognized opposition candidate Edmundo González as the winner of Venezuela’s election as the nation’s highest legal body began an investigation of the vote at the request of President Nicolás Maduro, who . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JULY 30  Carter Center statement on Venezuela election. News release from the Carter Center. ATLANTA — Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election did not meet international standards of electoral integrity and cannot be considered democratic. The Carter Center cannot verify or corroborate the results of the election declared by . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE for news release in Spanish.

–   –   –

FROM JULY 29  The relative value of life and death, by Craig Murray | CraigMurray.org.uk  Many congratulations to Nicolas Maduro on his re-election in Venezuela. I have to confess I got this wrong. I thought the huge . . . READ MORE . . .