NOTE: This is only the fourth entry since June 8. Thanks to all returning visitors for your patience.

For today, just one link: to a report from the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on its initials below. (UKRAINE 6-8-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA, COVID ETC. and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 10  Russia launches another large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine, killing 3 and wounding 13, by Vasilisa Stepanenko and Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — Russia attacked two Ukrainian cities with waves of drones and missiles early Tuesday, killing three people and wounding at least 13 in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called “one of the biggest” strikes on Ukraine’s capital in the 3-year-old war. READ MORE . . .

NOTE: This is only the third entry since June 8. Thanks to all returning visitors for your patience.

For today, links to two reports: from the Associated Press and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (GAZA 6-8-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  UKRAINE, COVID ETC. and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 10  36 Palestinians killed trying to obtain desperately needed aid in Gaza, officials say, by Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy | AP DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinians desperately trying to access aid in Gaza came under fire again on Tuesday. This time 36 people were killed and 207 wounded, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. Experts and humanitarian aid workers say . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 10  New Israeli-armed militia emerges in Gaza. Reported by Aya Batrawy | NPR  A new anti-Hamas militia, comprising looters and criminals in Gaza, has emerged in Gaza with arms from Israel. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

.

NOTE: This is only the second entry since June 8. Thanks to all returning visitors for your patience.

First, links to reports from National Public Radio and the Associated Press, and to a conversation from the Tucker Carlson Show; some others may be accessible by clicking on their names or initials  below. (COVID ETC., 2-14-25 is HERE; scrolling down for it would take awhile.  UKRAINE, GAZA and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 10  HHS head RFK Jr. is removing all members of a key CDC vaccine policy committee. Reported by Ailsa Chang, Mia Venkat and Jeanette Woods | NPR  Health and Human Services head, RFK Jr, is replacing all current members of CDC vaccine advisory committee. We discuss the potential impact on public health policy. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 9  RFK Jr. ousts entire CDC vaccine advisory committee, by Laura Ungar and Amanda Seitz | AP  Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday removed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a scientific committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to use vaccines, and pledged to replace them with his own picks. Major physicians and public health groups criticized the move . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM LATE MAY  U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson on ‘Big Pharma,’ vaccines, and public health. Tucker Carlson of the Tucker Carlson Show and the Wisconsin Republican talk for about 30 minutes about vaccines, the pharmaceutical industry, and public health. Click HERE for video of interview, in which the segment specified in the headline begins a ways into a 115-minute show.

.

NOTE: This is the first entry since June 8. Thanks to all returning visitors for your patience.

First, a link to commentary from the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (SYRIA 6-5-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  UKRAINE, GAZA and COVID ETC. entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 4  More signs of Britain grooming Syria’s Al-Qaeda-rooted government. From the Cradle. The presence of a 32-year-old British-Syrian activist, Razan Saffour, in Syria’s new ruling circle highlights Britain’s outsized role bringing Al-Qaeda to power, whitewashing its leadership, and embedding UK operatives within its political infrastructure. READ MORE . . .

.

For today, links to seven reports: from Middle East Eye, the Associated Press, Reuters, Middle East Monitor, and Agence France-Presse: to commentary from Consortium News; and, via ScheerPost, to a conversation from DiEM25; others or at least headlines of others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials above and below. (GAZA 6-7-25 is HERE, or scroll down. UKRAINE, WEST BANK, LEBANON and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

NEWER  Death toll rises to at least 31 killed across Gaza. From Middle East Eye. At least 31 people have been killed by Israeli forces across the Gaza Strip today, according to medical sources at local hospitals — up from the 21 deaths reported earlier. At least 13 Palestinians were shot and killed near an aid distribution point . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Palestinians say 5 killed by Israeli fire near aid sites. Israel says it fired warning shots, by Wafaa Shurafa and Kareem Chehayeb | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinian health officials and witnesses say at least five people were killed and others were wounded by Israeli fire as they headed toward two aid distribution points in the Gaza Strip run by an Israeli and U.S.-backed group. Israel’s military said . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Reuters.

–   –   –

Gaza-bound aid flotilla with 12 activists on board nears Gaza coast despite Israeli warning. From Middle East Monitor. The aid ship “Madleen” has entered Egyptian waters on its way to Gaza, despite Israeli warnings to prevent it from docking, the International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza said today. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

Israel orders military to block aid boat from reaching Gaza. From AFP.  “I have instructed the military to prevent the Madleen flotilla from reaching Gaza,” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said today. “To Greta the antisemite and her companions, Hamas propaganda mouthpieces, I say clearly: turn back because you will not reach Gaza.” READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for reports from AP and Reuters.

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 6  What happened to ‘Hamas is ISIS & ISIS is Hamas’? by Joe Lauria | Special to Consortium News   Nine years before Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu was already at it, comparing Hamas with ISIS.  He complained to the UN General Assembly in 2014 . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 6  What’s really happening in Palestine. Mehran Khalili and Yanis Varoufakis of DiEM25 and Mohammed El-Kurd, a Palestinian  organizer and writer, talk about events in Gaza and the West Bank, changing perceptions of them abroad, how to defeat Zionism as the world’s “last colonialist project.”  Click HERE for intro and video.

.

For today, links to five reports: from Agence France-Presse, Reuters, Tass, the Kyiv Independent, and Kyiv Post; others or just headlines of others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. GAZA, WEST BANK, LEBANON and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE,  or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Russia says pushing offensive into Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region. From AFP.  Russia said today it was pushing into Ukraine’s eastern industrial Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time in its three-year offensive — a significant territorial escalation amid stalled peace talks — which would be . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for reports from Reuters and Tass.

–   –   –

Ukraine denies Russian troop presence in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast amid offensive, describes situation as ‘tense,‘ by Tim Zadorozhnyy and Dmytro Basmat | The Kyiv Independent  Russian forces continue their efforts to break into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces reported on June 8, saying that the situation around the 31st Separate Brigade’s positions remains “tense.” READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

‘White Swan’ strategic bombers withdrawn to Russia’s far east. From Kyiv Post. Following Ukraine’s Spiderweb drone attacks on Russian strategic aircraft a week ago, the Kremlin has begun to disperse its TU-160 “White Swans” (NATO: “Blackjack”) strategic bombers “out of harm’s way”as far from Ukraine as possible – including  Russia’s Far East. READ MORE . . .

.

For today, links to a report from Middle East Monitor and, via ScheerPost, to a conversation from DiEM25; others are accessible by clicking on their names above or below.  GAZA, UKRAINE, LEBANON and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE,  or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Israeli army arrests 11 in West Bank, raids Al Jazeera office again. From Middle East Monitor. Israeli forces arrested at least 11 Palestinians across the occupied West Bank early Saturday in raids that included a second closure notice for Al Jazeera’s office in Ramallah, as illegal settlers escalated attacks on farmland and residents, Anadolu reports. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 6  What’s really happening in Palestine. Mehran Khalili and Yanis Varoufakis of DiEM25 and Mohammed El-Kurd, a Palestinian  organizer and writer, talk about events in Gaza and the West Bank, changing perceptions of them abroad, how to defeat Zionism as the world’s “last colonialist project.”  Click HERE for intro and video.

.

For today, links to reports from Middle East Monitor and the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. GAZA, UKRAINE, WEST BANK and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE,  or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Lebanon warns citizens to avoid communication with Israeli media, army. From Middle East Monitor. Lebanon on Saturday warned all citizens, particularly influential figures, artists and journalists, to avoid any form of “direct or indirect” communication with Israeli army spokespersons or affiliated media outlets, regardless of the reason, Anadolu reports. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 6  ‘No calm in Beirut, no stability in Lebanon’ until Hezbollah disarmed: Katz. From the Cradle.  Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Friday threatened to escalate attacks against Lebanon if Hezbollah is not disarmed, following nighttime attacks targeting Beirut’s southern suburbs. READ MORE . . .

.

Links to commentary from Middle East Eye and Lionel Nation; other published material is accessible by clicking on their names below. (MEDIA 6-5-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA, UKRAINE, WEST BANK and LEBANON entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 6  Trump-Musk fight creates unprecedented elite power struggle in the U.S., by Sean Mathews | Middle East Eye  The Trump-Musk feud is a decidedly American affair — partly performative, very populist, and made for social media. Musk posts on X, the social media platform he bought before the U.S. election, and Trump posts on Truth Social, owned by Trump Media & Technology Group. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 6  This is not about politics, by Michael William Lebron | Lionel Nation  Yes, the game is rigged. Anyone paying attention can feel it. The headlines are a distraction, the outrage cycles are choreographed, and behind the scenes . . . READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 5  Douglas Macgregor on media, wars, economy. Lionel of Lionel Nation considers this moment with the retired U.S. Army colonel, former Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, and author, most recently, of Margin of Victory: Five Battles that Changed the Face of Modern War.  Click HERE to watch and listen.

.

For today, links to five reports: from the Associated Press and Middle East Eye, and to two articles of commentary from Middle East Monitor; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 6-6-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK, LEBANON and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

–   –   –

Israel backs an anti-Hamas armed group known for looting aid in Gaza. Here’s what we know, by Julia Frankel, Sam Mednick, Samy Magdy and Lee Keath | AP  JERUSALEM — Israel is supporting armed groups of Palestinians in Gaza in what it says is a move to counter Hamas. But officials from the U.N. and aid organizations say the military is allowing them to loot food and other supplies from their trucks. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 6  Gaza marks the start of Eid with outdoor prayers in the rubble and food growing ever scarcer, by Wafaa Shurafa | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinians across the war-ravaged Gaza Strip marked the start of one of Islam’s most important holidays with prayers outside destroyed mosques and homes early Friday, with little hope the war with Israel will end soon. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

UK and France abandon plans to recognise Palestinian state at conference, by Alex MacDonald | Middle East Eye  The UK and France will abandon previous plans to recognise a Palestinian state at an upcoming conference, according to diplomats. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 6  Israel has sold record amount of debt in U.S. since war on Gaza erupted: report. From Middle East Eye. Israel has sold a record amount of debt in the U.S. since its war on Gaza erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, according to a report by Bloomberg on Friday. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 6  Ex-CIA officer running Gaza aid security advised Boston Consulting Group, by Dania Akkad | Middle East Eye  Former CIA paramilitary officer Phil Reilly, who heads a private military company that is guarding Israel’s newly set up food distribution sites in Gaza, was a senior advisor at the U.S. consultancy that is the latest partner to withdraw from the controversial aid project. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 6  Netanyahu’s latest gamble: A ‘third-force’ headed by a criminal gang leader, by Iqbal Jassat | Middle East Monitor  The genie is now out of the bottle, despite Benjamin Netanyahu’s vain efforts to suppress news of his devious third-force created to counter the Palestinian resistance. READ MORE . . .

–   –   –

FROM JUNE 4  Israeli lies and western complicity: How deceit became a weapon of war, by Jamal Kanj | Middle East Monitor  Throughout its long history of ethnic cleansing and occupation, Israel has remained consistent in its tactics. READ MORE . . .

.