For today, links to nine reports: from the Associated Press, the Cradle, Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor, Anadolu Ajansi, and Reuters; others or at least headlines are available by clicking on their names and initials below. (GAZA 9-18-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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UN votes to let Palestinian leader address General Assembly by video after U.S. visa denial. From AP. UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations General Assembly voted today to allow Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to address its annual meeting of world leaders by video after the United States revoked his visa last month. The motion passed by a vote of . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. foreign affairs committee approves expansion of secretive arms stockpile for Israel. From the Cradle. The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee today voted 27-24 to approve the State Department Reauthorization bill (H.R. 5300), which, among other provisions, permits unlimited transfers of U.S. arms to a special Israel-based stockpile in the next fiscal year. READ MORE . . .

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Israel threatens ‘unprecedented force’ against Gaza City. From Middle East Eye. Israel has threatened to use “unprecedented force” in its assault on Gaza City, even as an increasing number of countries have condemned its attack on the urban centre. READ MORE . . .

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WHO chief calls for ceasefire, warns Gaza hospitals on the verge of collapse. From Middle East Monitor. The World Health Organization chief today called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza . . . READ MORE . . .

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Internet restored in Gaza after 2-day outage amid Israeli attacks, by Mohamed Majed and Zeynep Tüfekci Gülay | Anadolu Ajansi  GAZA / ISTANBUL  — Internet and landline services in Gaza have been restored after being disrupted for two days due to Israeli attacks targeting the city’s infrastructure. READ MORE . . .

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FROM SEPT. 18  U.S. vetoes UN Security Council resolution demanding immediate Gaza ceasefire and hostages, by Farnoush Amiri | AP  UNITED NATIONS — The United States once again vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution Thursday that had demanded an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, saying that the effort did not go far enough in condemning Hamas. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Middle East Eye.

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FROM SEPT. 18  U.S., Israel criticize UN staff over Israel-Hamas War stance amid protests, documents show. From Reuters. The United States and Israel have sent complaint letters to top United Nations officials contesting the impartiality of their staff over the Israel-Hamas War, documents showed, as hundreds of UN staff protested outside its European headquarters on Thursday. READ MORE . . .

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Pope Leo condemns Israel’s mass killing in Gaza, says ‘not ready’ to call it genocide. From the Cradle. Pope Leo XIV has said on Thursday the Vatican is not ready to label Israel’s campaign in Gaza genocide, stressing that “officially, the Holy See does not believe that we can make any declaration at this time about that.” READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to reports from Agence France-Presse, the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post, Tass, the Associated Press, and Reuters; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE 9-18-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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EU moves to speed up ban on Russian gas imports in latest sanctions package. From AFP. The EU proposed Friday to speed up its ban on Russian natural gas imports, part of a new sanctions package aimed at weakening the Kremlin’s ability to continue with its war against Ukraine. Under the plan, the bloc . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post and Tass.

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Ukraine aims to expand its weapons industry to deter Russia and help allies, by Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — With little chance of NATO membership for Ukraine, the country’s Western allies have bought into an alternate strategy for helping it repel Russian aggression: invest billions in Ukraine’s weapons industry so it can better defend itself. READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine advances security ties with allies, vows to keep hitting Russian energy, by Olena Harmash and Mike Collett-White | Reuters  KYIV – Ukraine is making progress in intensive talks to formalise legally binding security guarantees with the United States and European allies, a key part of its bid to end the war with Russia, First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya said. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to an interview from the Chris Hedges Report via Consortium News, to three reports from the Associated Press and to an interview from NPR; other published material is available by clicking on their names or initials as highlighted above or below. (MEDIA 9-18-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  UKRAINE and GAZA entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

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FROM SEPT. 15  Israel, Kirk & the coming repression. Chris Hedges of the Chris Hedges Report talks with Max Blumenthal of the Grayzone about aspects of the relationships of wealthy Zionists and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with conservative U.S. activist Charlie Kirk, the latter’s assassination and its aftermath, news and social media on these subjects, and what it all may portend for freedom. Click HERE for video and a transcript of interview and introduction.

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FROM SEPT. 18  Kimmel’s future hangs in balance after ABC suspends his late-night show over Charlie Kirk comment, by David Bauder | AP  NEW YORK — Jimmy Kimmel’s television future hung in the balance Thursday after ABC suspended his late-night show following the host’s comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, leaving the network’s parent company to decide whether supporting him is worth the risk to . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM SEPT. 18  Kimmel’s suspension raises free speech questions in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death. Reported by Domenico Montanaro | NPR  After comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show was suspended “indefinitely” by ABC, questions about free speech in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder reach a new level. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM SEPT. 18  Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension shows how the FCC is wielding its power. Reported by Jaclyn Diaz and Ari Shapiro | NPR  Various people talk about the Federal Communication Commission and Jimmy Kimmel being pulled off the air after comments on the right’s reaction to the killing of Charlie Kirk. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM SEPT. 18  What’s the FCC’s role in what stations broadcast? Reported by Marc Rivers, Sarah Handel and Ari Shapiro | NPR  Shapiro talks with former FCC chairperson Tom Wheeler about ABC pulling Jimmy Kimmel off the air after comments on the right’s reaction to the killing of Charlie Kirk. Click HERE to listen and read.

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For now, links to reports from Reuters, the Cradle, Middle East Monitor, and Consortium News; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA 9-17-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for today, so far, are HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Gaza hit by telecoms blackout as Israeli tanks advance. From Reuters. CAIRO — Israeli tanks were seen in two Gaza City areas that are gateways to the city center, residents said today, while Internet and phone lines were cut off across the Gaza Strip, a sign that ground operations were likely to escalate imminently. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for report from the Cradle and Middle East Monitor.

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Watch live beginning at 2 p.m. EDT: UN Security Council on Gaza ceasefire, by Joe Lauria | Special to Consortium News As it has done five times before, the United States is expected on Thursday afternoon to defy the will of the other U.N. Security Council members and veto a resolution calling for an end to the hostilities in Gaza. AFP reported that the resolution “demands . . . Click HERE to read more and view live-streaming of event when available.

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TO BE CONTINUED

For today, links to four reports: from the Kyiv Independent, Tass, the Associated Press, and Kyiv Post, and to an article of commentary from the Moscow Times; others or least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names below. (UKRAINE 9-16-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA and MEDIA entries for today, so far, are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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Ukraine liberates 160 km square in ‘counteroffensive operation’ in Donetsk Oblast, Zelensky says, by Kateryna Denisova | The Kyiv Independent  Citing a report from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that seven settlements have been retaken in the Dobropillia and Pokrovsk sectors. READ MORE . . .

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Over 40 Ukrainian UAVs attack Russian regions at night — Defense Ministry. From Tass. MOSCOW — Air defense systems destroyed 43 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions during the night, the Russian Defense Ministry said today. READ MORE . . .

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FROM SEPT. 17  Ukraine expects $3.5 billion fund for U.S. weapons to sustain fight against Russia, Zelenskyy says, by Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — Ukraine expects there will be around $3.5 billion by next month in a fund to buy weapons from the United States, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday.  The financial arrangement pools contributions from NATO members, except the United States, to purchase . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Kyiv Post.

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FROM SEPT. 17  Russia inflates battlefield gains after a costly summer offensive, by Bashir Kitachayev | The Moscow Times  The chief of Russia’s General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, declared in late August that his forces had achieved major victories across eastern and southern Ukraine in their summer offensive, citing . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to four reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from ScheerPost; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (MEDIA 9-17-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA and UKRAINE entries for today are HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

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ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely over his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death, by David Bauder | AP  NEW YORK — ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely beginning Wednesday after comments that he made about Charlie Kirk’s killing led a group of ABC-affiliated stations to say it would not air the show and provoked some ominous comments from a top federal regulator. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for a report from Reuters, and HERE and HERE for two from NPR.

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To whom goes the good? by Patrick Lawrence | Original to ScheerPost  Charlie Kirk’s murder abruptly confronts us with the disintegration of what little remains of any shared identity and purpose among Americans, with the force of ideology, the invisibility of power, how much may be left out or simply falsified when . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to 13 reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, National Public Radio, Politico, and Sludge, and to commentary from Middle East Eye; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 9-16-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  YEMEN and MEDIA entries are HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israeli troops press forward into Gaza City as Palestinians flee, by Julia Frankel and Samy Magdy | AP  JERUSALEM — Israeli troops and tanks were pushing deeper into Gaza City today, the second day of a ground offensive that was widely condemned internationally, as Palestinians fled the devastated area en masse. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters and Middle East Eye.

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Israel to flood Gaza City with ‘unprecedented’ number of booby-trapped vehicles: report. From the Cradle. The Israeli military is set to deploy an “unprecedented” number of remote-controlled armored personnel carriers loaded with explosives into Gaza City as part of operation “Gideon’s Chariots 2,” Hebrew news outlet Walla reported today. READ MORE . . .

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FROM SEPT. 16  Israel begins large offensive in Gaza City as airstrikes kill scores. Reported by Aya Batrawy | NPR  Israel says new phase of the war in Gaza has begun as troops make push to takeover and occupy Gaza City. Click HERE to listen and, later read.

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FROM SEPT. 16  One million Palestinians ‘reject displacement’ from north Gaza amid Israeli carnage: officials. From the Cradle. About one million Palestinians in Gaza City and northern Gaza are refusing or are unable to be forcibly displaced to overcrowded “safe zones” in southern Gaza, according to a statement issued by the Gaza Government Media Office on Tuesday. READ MORE . . . 

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FROM SEPT. 16  Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, a UN inquiry says. Reported by Ailsa Chang, Jonaki Mehta and Patrick Jarenwattananon | NPR  Chang interviews Navi Pillay, who chairs a United Nations commission on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.    Click HERE to listen and, later read

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EU Commission proposes suspending free-trade arrangements on Israeli goods. From Reuters. BRUSSELS — The European Commission today proposed suspending a trade arrangement affecting about 5.8 billion euros ($6.87 billion) of Israeli exports due to the Gaza war, although the measure does not currently have enough support . . . READ MORE . . .

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Top U.S. firm ends contract with Israel to whitewash Gaza war crimes.  From the Cradle. U.S. public affairs giant SKDK on Aug. __ ended a $600,000 contract with the Israeli government that “promoted Israel’s perspective” about the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, according to Politico. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for Sept. 16 and Sept. 15 reports from Politico and Sludge.

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FROM SEPT. 16  Israeli foreign minister lobbies U.S. state lawmakers to fight BDS. From Middle East Eye. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar lobbied 250 US state lawmakers on a visit to Israel to pursue anti-Boycott Divestment and Sanctions legislation . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for related report.

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FROM SEPT. 16  At UN, western powers push phantom ‘Palestine’ recognition to safeguard Israel, by Joseph Massad | Middle East Eye  On Sept. 12, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in support of the “New York Declaration” to revive a two-state solution. In recent months, a chorus of western governments has lined up behind this French– and Saudi-led statehood scheme. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to reports from the Associated Press and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (YEMEN 9-7-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA and MEDIA entries are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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FROM SEPT. 16  Israel strikes the Yemeni port of Hodeida as Houthi rebels activate air defenses, by Ahmed Al-Haj and Fatma Khaled | AP  ADEN, Yemen — Israel on Tuesday launched airstrikes on the Yemeni city of Hodeida as Iranian-backed Houthi rebels activated air defenses. The Israeli military said it struck “military infrastructure” used by the Houthis . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Cradle.

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For today, links to reports from National Public Radio and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (MEDIA 9-16-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  YEMEN and GAZA entries are HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

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FROM SEPT. 16  Remembering Robert Redford, in front of and behind the camera. Reported by Bob Mondello and Linda Holmes | NPR  Hollywood star Robert Redford died Tuesday at 89. Redford may have once been known for his glowing looks, but he was never content as a matinee idol.  Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE and HERE for two reports from AP.

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For today, links to nine reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, Middle East Eye, the Cradle, and Anadolu Ajansi, and to commentary via Middle East Monitor; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 9-15-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  UKRAINE, MEDIA and 9/11 TRUTH entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israel’s military says its expanded operation in Gaza City has begun and warns residents to leave, by Melanie Lidman, Jon Gambrell and Samy Magdy | AP  JERUSALEM — The Israeli military began a ground offensive targeting Gaza City today, slowly squeezing in on the Palestinian territory’s largest city that has seen block after block already destroyed in the Israel-Hamas war. Residents still in the city were warned they must leave and head south. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters and Middle East Eye. 

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UN commission of inquiry joins rising chorus that accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, by Jamey Keaten | AP  GENEVA — A team of independent experts commissioned by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, issuing a report today that calls on the international community . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters and Middle East Eye.

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What is the meaning of genocide? by Sondos Asem | Middle East Eye  In December 2023, South Africa accused Israel of genocide before the International Court of Justice for its war on Gaza. More than a year later, and the ICJ, the world’s highest court, is still hearing the case. In the meantime . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM SEPT. 15  Rubio pledges unwavering U.S. support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza, calls Palestinians ‘barbaric animals.’ From the Cradle. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday affirmed on 15 September Washington’s “steadfast support” for Israel to achieve its goals in Gaza. READ MORE . . .

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FROM SEPT. 15  Contrary to U.S. claims, Israel informed Trump of Qatar attack beforehand: report, by Muhammed Yasin Güngör | Anadolu Ajansi   ISTANBUL — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed U.S. President Donald Trump of plans to strike Hamas leaders in Qatar before the attack took place, contradicting White House claims that it was notified only after missiles were launched, Axios reported Monday. READ MORE . . .

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The Doha attack: Exposing the collapse of international order, by Zarqa Parvez | DrZarqa3 / Middle East Monitor  On Sept. 9 Israel conducted its first-ever direct military strike on Qatar, targeting Hamas negotiators in Doha’s diplomatic quarter while they were . . . READ MORE . . .

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