For today, links to commentary from craigmurray.org.uk via Consortium News, and from the New York Post; other articles are accessible by clicking on the sources below. (GAZA, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, and a MEDIA entry for Jan. 8 is HERE.) — MCM

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FROM JAN. 7   Twisting the terrorism narrative. by Craig Murray | CraigMurray.org.uk / Consortium News  There was absolutely nothing stopping them. But not one single member of Western mainstream media ever visited a bomb site in Lebanon to verify whether Israeli claims it was a Hezbollah base or missile site were true because . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 2  Editorial: No. 1 media fail of 2024. From the New York Post. President-elect Donald Trump is forcing the Democratic politicians who spent years lying about President Biden’s senility to take their bitter medicine, but we’re more concerned about the toady media who played along. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to four reports: from Reuters, the Associated Press, and Newsweek; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Israeli strikes kill dozens in Gaza amid stepped-up ceasefire push, by Nidal al-Mughrabi | Reuters  CAIRO — Israeli military strikes across Gaza killed at least 27 people today, Palestinian medics said, as international mediators stepped up efforts to seal a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. READ MORE . . .

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The remains of at least 1 Israeli hostage are found in Gaza, army says, by Tia Goldenberg and Melanie Lidman | AP JERUSALEM — Israeli soldiers recovered the body of a 53-year-old hostage in an underground tunnel in southern Gaza, the military said today, and the army was determining if another set of remains belongs to the man’s son. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Newsweek.

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Hostages in Gaza endure another winter as their families plead for a ceasefire, by Tia Goldenberg | AP  TEL AVIV — Dozens of hostages kidnapped in Israel by Hamas-led militants in October 2023 are still in captivity in Gaza, often experiencing the same dire circumstances as hundreds of thousands of of Palestinians there. “Winter makes it . . . READ MORE . . .

For today, links to two reports: from Middle East Monitor and National Public Rado; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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UN warns of ‘very real threats’ to Syria’s sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity. From Middle East Monitor. The UN today cautioned about “very real threats” to Syria’s sovereignty amid the recent collapse of the Assad regime, Anadolu Agencyreports. “Syria seeks to chart . . .  READ MORE . . .

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After Assad, how can Syrians reconcile to rebuild the nation? Reported by Leila Fadel | NPR  After the downfall of the Assad regime, how can Syrians reconcile and form an inclusive government for all citizens? Mona Yacoubian of the United States Institute of Peace looks at the situation. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

For today, links to three reports: from Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, and Reuters, and to an article of commentary from Indian Punchline; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA, SYRIA and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and  HERE.) — MCM

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Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia kills at least 13. From AFP. A Russian strike on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia has killed at least 13 people, Ukrainian officials said, in one of the deadliest single air attacks for weeks. Moscow has . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for reports from AP and Reuters.

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FROM JAN. 7  Europe isn’t the real threat to Ukraine peace, but UK, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  Trump is well aware of the UK’s pivotal role in hatching the “Russia collusion” plot, which hobbled his presidency. Downsizing Britain’s role can be a game changer for peace in Ukraine. READ MORE . . .

Links to two reports: from MintPress News via Consortium News, and from Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting via ScheerPost, and to an interview from BuzzFeed;  others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM JAN. 3  BBC Middle East editor collaborated with CIA, Mossad, by Alan MacLeod | MintPress News / Consortium News  Raffi Berg, an Englishman who heads the BBC’s Middle East desk, is currently the subject of considerable scrutiny after 13 BBC employees spoke out . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JAN. 3  Why didn’t NYT tell us what Ben Smith stood to gain from his media reporting? by Ari Paul | Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting / ScheerPost  In a time of downsizing and consolidation, Ben Smith has had a journalistic career many would envy, as editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News, media writer for the New York Times, and now as co-founder and editor-in-chief of Semafor. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for transcript of a 2015 interview from BuzzFeed News.

For today, links to six reports: from Middle East Eye, the Cradle, Middle East Monitor, National Public Radio, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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UN warns Israeli actions pushing Gaza aid efforts to collapse. From Middle East Eye. The United Nations’ relief operations in Gaza are teetering on the brink of collapse, according to Tom Fletcher, head of the UN’s humanitarian agency (OCHA). He accused Israeli forces of targeting aid workers and obstructing . . . READ MORE . . .

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Gaza Health Ministry warns of ‘real disaster sweeping hospitals.’ From the Cradle. The Health Ministry in Gaza warned today that the medical sector in the strip is facing a disaster due to crippling shortages of essential supplies and humanitarian aid. READ MORE . . .

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PRCS: Israel killed 1,056 medical personnel, arrested 350 others since October 2023. From Middle East Monitor. The Israeli occupation has systematically and deliberately targeted Palestinian medical teams, killing more than 1,056 and arresting 350 others since Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. READ MORE . . .

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Hamas and Israel are negotiating the release of hostages. Reported by Daniel Estrin and Abu Bakr Bashir | NPR  Israel and Hamas are eyeing a hostage release and ceasefire deal before Donald Trump’s inauguration. Click HERE to read, and HERE for report from Middle East Eye.

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UAE discusses post-war Gaza government with U.S., Israel. From Reuters. The United Arab Emirates has discussed with Israel and the United States participating in a provisional administration of post-war Gaza until a reformed Palestinian Authority is able to take charge, according to people familiar with the talks. READ MORE . . .

For now, links to three reports: from the Cradle and National Public Rado; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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FROM JAN. 6  The incoming ‘Islamic State’ of Syria. From the Cradle. Three weeks after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham seized power in Damascus, signs in Idlib, Aleppo and Damascus reveal that a fundamentalist religious state, accompanied by a brutal security apparatus, is emerging. READ MORE . . .

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Syria’s interim government faces a new, serious challenge — bread lines. Reported by Diaa Hadid | NPR  Bread lines have become a feature of the new Syria, posing a critical challenge to the country’s rebel rulers who ousted President Bashar al-Assad last month. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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How ISIS is adapting its tactics to survive. Is ISIS having a resurgence? A Martínez of NPR talks with Aaron David Miller, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, about how ISIS is adapting its tactics to survive. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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TO BE CONTINUED

For today, links to five reports: from Reuters, the Moscow Times, the Kyiv Independent, and Moon of Alabama; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (GAZA and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM   

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Russia says it is hitting Ukrainian forces in Kursk region. From Reuters. Russia’s defence ministry said today its troops had inflicted heavy strikes on Ukrainian units in Russia’s western Kursk region, where Ukraine’s military reported an escalation in fighting in the previous 24 hours. READ MORE . . . Click HERE and HERE for report from the Moscow Times and the Kyiv Independent.

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FROM JAN. 6  ‘Negative lesson’ — Ground forces chief acknowledges desertions, mismanagement in French-trained brigade, by Tim Zadorozhnyy and Emmanuelle Chaze | The Kyiv Independent  Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, on Monday acknowledged significant challenges within the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade, including high desertion rates and poor organization. READ MORE . . . Click HERE and scroll down for Jan. 2 report from Moon of Alabama.

For now, links to three reports: from Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Neonatal doctor Thabat Saleem killed by Israel in central Gaza strike, by Mera Aladam | Middle East Eye  Condolences have been pouring in for a Palestinian neonatal doctor following her killing in an Israeli attack in central Gaza. Thabat Saleem, who worked as a volunteer at the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, was killed in a strike on a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp during overnight bombing. READ MORE . . .

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No rape allegations filed from Oct. 7, reveals Israeli prosecutor. From Middle East Monitor. Israeli authorities have admitted that no allegations of rape or sexual assault have been filed from the Oct. 7 cross-border infiltration by Palestinian resistance factions, despite extensive investigations. READ MORE . . .

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Blinken calls for truce to get Gaza truce deal over ‘finish line.’ From Reuters. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken today called for a final push for a Gaza ceasefire before President Joe Biden leaves office, after a Hamas official told Reuters the group had cleared a list of 34 hostages as first to go free under a truce. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED

For now, links to three reports: from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, and Reuters; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE and  HERE.) — MCM

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Residents of Syria’s Quneitra are frustrated by lack of action to halt Israeli advance, by Abby Sewell | AP  QUNEITRA, Syria — Israeli forces entered the Quneitra governate in southwestern Syria soon after the fall of President Bashar Assad last month. The Israeli military has also . . . READ MORE . . .

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Locals in Syria’s Golan Heights fear Israeli operations in area could be a land grab. Reported by Hadeel Al-Shalchi | NPR  Locals in Syria’s Golan Heights told NPR that they fear a recent Israeli military operation in the area could be a land grab. Israel says the move is necessary to secure its borders. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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U.S. to ease Syria aid restrictions while keeping sanctions in place, sources say. From Reuters. The U.S. is set to imminently announce an easing of restrictions on providing humanitarian aid and other basic services such as electricity to Syria while still keeping its strict sanctions regime in place, according to people briefed on the matter. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED