For today, links to seven reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, Anadolu Agency, Agence France-Presse, Middle East Monitor, and Middle East Eye; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 5-24-25 is HERE, or scroll down. WEST BANK, UKRAINE, IRAN and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israel’s latest strikes in Gaza kill 38 people including children, by Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours killed at least 38 people in Gaza, including a mother and her two children sheltering in a tent, local health officials said today, with no data available for a second straight day from now-inaccessible hospitals in the north. READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from Reuters.

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Israel deploys regular infantry, armored brigades to Gaza amid escalating genocide: report, by Said Amori and Rania Abu Shamala | Anadolu Agency  JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL — Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reports that within the last 24 hours the Israeli army has deployed regular infantry and armored brigades to the Gaza Strip as part of a military buildup following its decision to expand a ground offensive in the enclave that is facing genocidal attacks. READ MORE . . .

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ICRC says two Red Cross workers killed in Gaza strike, pleads for ceasefire. From AFP. Two Red Cross workers were killed Saturday in a strike on their home in the Gaza city of Khan Younis, the ICRC said today as it made an “urgent” appeal for a ceasefire in the conflict. READ MORE . . .

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Israel’s Netanyahu chooses ‘obscure’ U.S. firm for Gaza aid distribution ‘behind back of security agencies,’ by Betul Yilmaz | Anadolu Agency  ISTANBUL — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu selected an “obscure” and “inexperienced” U.S. company called SRS to distribute aid in the Gaza Strip behind the back of security agencies, Israeli media said today. READ MORE . . .

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UNRWA calls for allowing more aid to ease starvation in Gaza. From Middle East Monitor. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) today called for the entry of hundreds of aid trucks into the Gaza Strip to ease starvation in the war-torn enclave, Anadolu reports. READ MORE . . .

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Aid NGOs distance themselves from Gaza Humanitarian Foundation after leaked letter, by Dania Akkad | Middle East Eye  Aid organisations named in a letter from a newly formed foundation bidding to deliver food aid in Gaza have sought to distance themselves from the controversial plan, which is expected to launch this week. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to two: reports: from the Cradle and Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (WEST BANK 5-24-25 is HERE, or scroll down. GAZA, UKRAINE, IRAN and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israeli settlers escalate violence, forced displacement across occupied West Bank. From the Cradle. The last few days have witnessed a dangerous escalation of violence, theft, and vandalism against Palestinians by illegal Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. Settlers today attacked . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Middle East Eye.

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For today, links to six reports: from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, the Kyiv Independent, the Moscow Times, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (UKRAINE 5-24-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK, GAZA, IRAN and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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NEWER   Russia launches war’s largest air attack on Ukraine, by Max Hunder | Reuters  Russian forces launched a barrage of 367 drones and missiles at Ukrainian cities overnight, including the capital Kyiv, in the largest aerial attack of the war so far, killing at least 12 people including three children and injuring dozens more, officials said. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for reports from the Kyiv Independent, and AP, and HERE for AP photos.

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EU top diplomat calls for ‘strongest’ pressure on Russia over Ukraine. From AFP. The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, today called for “the strongest international pressure” on Russia, after a new night of air strikes on Ukraine killed 12 people. READ MORE . . .

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Russia, Ukraine complete record prisoner swap – Moscow. From the Moscow Times. Russia said today it had exchanged another 303 Ukrainian prisoners of war for the same number of Russian soldiers held by Kyiv — the last phase of the largest-ever such swap between the warring countries. READ MORE . . .

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Russian army creating security zone along border after liberating Kursk Region. From Tass. MOSCOW — The units of Russia’s battlegroup are accomplishing the mission of creation a security zone along the state border of the Russian Federation, according to Battlegroup North spokesman Yaroslav Yakimkin. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to four reports: from the the Cradle and Reuters; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names below. (IRAN 5-15-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK, GAZA, UKRAINE and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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FROM MAY 23  Uranium enrichment dispute hangs over fifth round of US, Iran nuclear talks. From the Cradle. Iran and the U.S. concluded a fifth round of negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program on Friday in Rome, with Iran’s ability to enrich uranium domestically emerging as the key point of difference. READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from Reuters.

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FROM MAY 18  Leaders from 53 countries attend Tehran Dialogue Forum to tackle regional, global challenges. From the Cradle. The fourth Tehran Dialogue Forum officially opened on May 18 at the Institute for Political and International Studies of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, bringing together 200 delegations and high-level officials from 53 countries to discuss regional cooperation, diplomacy, and global peace. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 16  Iran ‘exchanges views’ with European powers during nuclear summit in Turkiye. From the Cradle. Iranian diplomats held talks with representatives of the British, French, and German governments on May 16, marking the first such discussions since the start of nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington. READ MORE . . .

For today, links to three reports: from the Cradle and Anadolu Agency, and to commentary from the Cradle; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names below. (SYRIA 5-17-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK, GAZA, UKRAINE and IRAN entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

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FROM MAY 24  Syrian, Turkish presidents hold first meeting in Istanbul. From the Cradle. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa for the first time in Istanbul on Saturday, Turkish and foreign media reported — the same day the U.S. Treasury Department issued a general license authorizing . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 24  Türkiye-Syria cooperation will grow in all areas: Turkish President Erdogan tells Syrian counterpart, by Asiye Latife Yılmaz | Anadolu Agency  ISTANBUL — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday emphasized the strengthening of Türkiye-Syria bilateral ties and cooperation in all areas, especially energy, defense, and transportation, during his meeting with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 21  The World Bank and the path to devouring Syria’s assets. From the Cradle. At record speed, and despite Syria’s crushing political, security, and economic instability under western sanctions, the World Bank has reinitiated intensive contacts with the country’s new Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led administration. The World Bank’s sudden openness to cooperation coincided . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor, and the Cradle; to an interview from Democracy Now! via ScheerPost; and to commentary from Z Network via Consortium News; others are accessible by clicking on their names below or as highlighted. (GAZA 5-23-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israeli use of human shields in Gaza was systematic, soldiers and former detainees say, by Sam Mednick and Samy Magdy | AP  TEL AVIV — Several Palestinians and soldiers told the AP that Israeli troops are systematically forcing Palestinians to act as human shields in Gaza, sending them into buildings and tunnels to check for explosives or militants, saying the practice has become ubiquitous. Israel’s military,, however, says . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israel may change tack to allow aid groups in Gaza to stay in charge of non-food aid, by Sam Mednick | AP   TEL AVIV — As pressure mounts to get more aid into Gaza, Israel appears to be changing tack and may let aid groups operating in the battered enclave remain in charge of non-food assistance while leaving food distribution to a newly established U.S.-backed group, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press. READ MORE . . .

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Gaza doctor, pediatrician Alaa al-Najjer, receives charred bodies of her nine children while on duty at hospital, by Maha Hussaini | Middle East Eye  GAZA CITY, occupied Palestine  The nine are dead, a tenth was wounded but survived, and her husband sustained serious injuries and is in intensive care. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Middle East Monitor.

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FROM MAY 23  UN says more food needed in Gaza as looting hampers deliveries, by Nidal al-Mughrabi and James Mackenzie | Reuters  CAIRO / JERUSALEM — Getting the supplies to people sheltering in tents and other makeshift accommodation has been fitful and UN officials say at least 500 to 600 trucks of aid are needed every day. So far, an umbrella network of Palestinian aid groups said, 119 aid trucks . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for related May 24 report from Reuters.

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FROM MAY 22  U.S.-Israeli aid scheme for Gaza hits roadblock as bidders say ‘nobody able to fill demand.’ From the Cradle. Israeli suppliers say “nobody” is able to fulfill the “huge” requirements of a U.S.-Israeli aid mechanismset to begin operations before the end of the month in the south of Gaza. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 23  UK MP Jeremy Corbyn & EU MP Lynn Boylan on Europe pressuring Israel to halt atrocities in Gaza. Amy Goodman and Nermeen Shaikh of Democracy Now!  talk with Corbin and Boylan, independent members, respectively, of the British Parliament and of the European Parliament, about some recent changes in British government and European Union policies toward Israel, what caused them, and what they recommend. Click HERE for an intro, video of interview, and transcript.

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FROM MAY 21  Israel’s final solution for Gaza, by Vijay Prashad | Z Network / Consortium News  In early May, the security cabinet of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met and agreed that Israel would “capture” Gaza and remove its Palestinian population “to protect it.” To achieve this . . . READ MORE . . .

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First, a report from Anadolu Agency; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (WEST BANK 5-23-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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Israeli army conducts raids as settlers ramp up attacks across occupied West Bank, by Aysar Al-Ayas and Ahmed Asmar | Anadolu Agency  RAMALLAH, Palestine / ANKARA  Israeli forces detained multiple Palestinians during military raids today, while settlers escalated attacks on Palestinian properties in separate incidents across the occupied West Bank. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED

For today, links to reports from the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse (in English and French), Reuters, Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, National Public Radio, the Moscow Times, and Tass; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE 5-23-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA and WEST BANK entries for this date, so far, are HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

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NEWER  Russia and Ukraine swap hundreds more prisoners hours after a massive attack on Kyiv, by Illia Novikov and Alex Babenko | AP  KYIV — Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds more prisoners today as part of a major swap. The exchange came hours after Kyiv came under a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack that left at least 15 people injured. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE for reports in English from AFP, Reuters, Kyiv Post and the Kyiv Independent, and in French from AFP.

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After Istanbul talks, Russia-Ukraine conduct largest prisoner exchange since war began. Reported by Joanna Kakissis and Scott Simon | NPR  Ukraine and Russia have traded the largest number of prisoners since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE for report from Reuters.

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FROM MAY 23  Russian army downs over 100 Ukrainian drones in third night of air attacks. From the Moscow Times. Russia’s Defense Ministry said early Friday that it had downed more than 100 Ukrainian drones in a third consecutive night of air attacks across the country and annexed Crimea, as regional officials reported several injuries in the strikes. READ MORE . . .

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Upgraded Russian Iskander ballistic missiles outfox Patriots, Ukraine warns, by Julia Struck | Kyiv Post  Russia has modernized its ballistic missiles used to strike Ukraine, making it more difficult for the Patriot missile defense systems to intercept them, said the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ihnat, who revealed that . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russia to send draft memorandum on Ukraine to Kiev in coming days — senator. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russia will transfer to Kiev its draft memorandum on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine in the next few days, work on the document being close to an end, according to Russian Federation Council Vice Speaker Konstantin Kosachev. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to seven reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, Middle East Eye, Middle East Monitor, and Anadolu Agency, and to an analysis from MintPress News via Consortium News; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 5-22-25 is HERE, or scroll down. WEST BANK, YEMEN, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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At least 60 people killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza as Israel lets minimal aid in, by Wafaa Shurafa | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — At least 60 people were killed by Israeli strikes across Gaza in a 24-hour period, Gaza’s health ministry said today, as Israel pressed ahead with its military offensive and let in minimal aid to the strip. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 22  Gaza’s main hospital is overwhelmed with children in pain from malnutrition, by Mohammed Jahjouh, Wafaa Shurafa, Sarah el Deeb, and Sam Mednick | AP  KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — More than 9,000 children have been treated for malnutrition this year, according to the U.N. children’s agency. Food security experts say tens of thousands of cases are expected in the coming year. The World Health Organization said last week that people are already starving. READ MORE . . .

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Israeli strikes kill Palestinians protecting Gaza aid trucks, Hamas says, by Nidal al-Mughrabi and James Mackenzie | Reuters  CAIRO / JERUSALEM — Israeli airstrikes killed at least six Palestinians guarding aid trucks against looters, Hamas officials said today, underlining the problems hindering supplies from reaching hungry people in Gaza following Israel’s 11-week-long blockade. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Middle East Eye.

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Lack of equipment in Gaza prevents rescuing 50 Palestinians after Israeli deadly strike in northern Gaza. From Middle East Monitor. Lack of heavy equipment in Gaza has halted rescue efforts to save over 50 Palestinians trapped under the rubble of a house destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Jabalia, northern Gaza, Gaza’s Civil Defence said Thursday. READ MORE . . .

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Israel allows only ‘teaspoon of aid’ into Gaza amid ‘atrocious levels of death and destruction’: UN chief, by Merve Aydogan | Anadolu Agency  HAMILTON, Canada — “For nearly 80 days, Israel blocked the entry of life-saving international aid,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said today at the UN headquarters in New York. “Finally, a trickle of aid has crossed over.” READ MORE . . .

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Germany reiterates opposition to Trump’s Gaza relocation plan, by Oliver Towfigh Nia | Anadolu Agency  Germany today reaffirmed its opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to other countries. And a survey said 80% of respondents believe Israel’s military operation, with its significant casualties among Palestinian civilians, is unjustified. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 20  The hostile takeover of Gaza relief, by Robert Inlakesh | MintPress News / Consortium News  A new, U.S.-backed private aid scheme staffed by former C.I.A. operatives, ex-Marines, and mercenaries tied to Israeli intelligence and Wall Street elites has been deployed in Gaza under the guise of relief. READ MORE . . .

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For today, a link to a report from the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (WEST BANK 5-17-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down. down.  GAZA, YEMEN, UKRAINE and MEDIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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Illegal Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian homes in newest West Bank attack. From the Cradle. Illegal Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank carried out violent attacks on Palestinians and their properties late on Thursday and into early today, injuring several people and setting homes and vehicles ablaze. READ MORE . . .

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