For today, belatedly, links to four reports: from Reuters, the Kyiv Independent, and Tass, and to commentary from the Associated Press and Kyiv Post; other articles or just headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE 5-1-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  SYRIA, GAZA and MEDIA entries for today’s date are HERE, HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Russia says it is creating ‘security strip’ in Ukraine’s Sumy region. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Russia said today its forces were continuing to create a “security strip” in border areas of Ukraine’s Sumy region after driving Ukrainian troops out of the Kursk region, just across the border in western Russia. READ MORE . . .

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Trump’s team prepares economic options against Russia, Bloomberg reports, by Kateryna Denisova and news desk | The Kyiv Independent American officials prepared a number of options for U.S. President Donald Trump to increase economic pressure on Moscow in response . . . READ MORE . . .

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Peace in exchange for land? For many Ukrainians, it’s too painful to contemplate, by Olena Harmash | Reuters  KYIV — Vitali Klitschko, the former heavyweight boxer who is now mayor of Kyiv, ventured last month into hazardous political territory: he delicately suggested in an interview that Ukraine might need to . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. keeps on trying to settle conflict in Ukraine — Rubio. From Tass. NEW YORK — The United States does not give up on the matter of settling the conflict in Ukraine but realizes that there are plenty of more important problems across the globe, acting National Security Adviser and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Fox News. READ MORE . . .

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A U.S.-led effort to end the war in Ukraine looks favorable to Russia, but mixed signals emerge, by Dasha Litvinova | AP  TALLINN — What has emerged so far from the Washington-led effort to end the war in Ukraine  . . . READ MORE . . .

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The Trump bid to end the Russia-Ukraine war fast ends in shambles, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post  A 100-day attempt by the United States led by President Donald J. Trump to impose a quick end to the Russo-Ukrainian War has failed and so the White House will wash its hands of the mess and move on, administration officials admitted on Thursday. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to five reports: from the Cradle, the Associated Press, Reuters, and Middle East Monitor; others or just headlines of others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA 5-1-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  UKRAINE, GAZA and MEDIA entries for today’s date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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Israel bombs vicinity of Syrian presidential palace in ‘clear warning’ to Sharaa. From the Cradle. Israel bombed the vicinity of Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s residential compound near the Presidential Palace in Damascus early today, in what it described as “a clear message to the Syrian regime.” READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for reports from AP and Reuters.

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Islamic, Druze senior elders call for civil peace in Syria. From Middle East Monitor. The head of the Islamic Movement in Israel, Sheikh Raed Salah, and senior Druze elders have called for spreading and maintaining civil peace in Syria, stressing that the Druze “do not need external protection from anyone.” READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 1  Syria signs 30-year deal with French shipping giant to operate Latakia Port. From the Cradle. Syria’s de facto authorities signed a 30-year contract with French shipping giant CMA CGM on Thursday to develop and run the port of Latakia, Syria’s main maritime gateway. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to five reports: from the Associated Press, Reuters, Middle East Eye, and Agence France-Presse, and to articles of commentary from or via Middle East Eye; others or headlines anyway are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 5-1-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  UKRAINE, SYRIA and MEDIA entries for today’s date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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Drones strike ship carrying aid to Gaza, organizers say, by Sam Mednick and Renata Brito | AP  TEL AVIV — Drones attacked a vessel carrying aid to Gaza while it was in international waters off Malta today, the group organizing the shipment said. A fire broke out but was brought under control, according to authorities. A nearby tugboat . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Reuters, and HERE and HERE for May 2 and April 19 reports from Middle East Eye.

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Gaza humanitarian work on ‘verge of total collapse’: Red Cross. From AFP. GENEVA — The Red Cross warned today that the humanitarian response in Gaza was on the “verge of total collapse” after two months of Israel blocking aid to the war-torn Palestinian territory. READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 25  All those who have stood by as Israel exterminates Gaza are guilty, by Ahmed Abu Artema | Middle East Eye Israel’s genocide in Gaza, now into its 19th month, aims to destroy all life and dismantle the very foundations of survival in the besieged territory. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 1  Why I wrote an expert report against the UK’s classing Hamas as a terror group, by Jonathan Cook | jonathan-cook.net / Middle East Eye  This is the first time I have had to begin an opinion column with both a journalistic disclosure and a legal disclaimer. But hey ho, these are dystopian times we live in. The disclosure: I was one of . . . Click HERE to read article and for video of an interview from Unapologetc.

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For now, links to four reports: from National Public Radio, Reuters, and the Associated Press, and for commentary via Middle East Eye; others or just headlines are are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (MEDIA 3-31-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  SYRIA and GAZA entries for today’s date, so far, are HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

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President Trump orders end to federal funding for NPR and PBS. Reported by Ryland Barton and Leila Fadel | NPR  President Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s board of directors to “cease federal funding for NPR and PBS.”  NOTE: Audio may be unavailable. Click HERE and HERE to read reports from NPR and Reuters.

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FROM MAY 1  Trump signs executive order directing federal funding cuts to PBS and NPR. From AP. WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order aiming to slash public subsidies to PBS and NPR as he alleged “bias” in the broadcasters’ reporting. The order instructs . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from NPR.

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FROM APRIL 12  America’s news TV channel for the Mideast fires its staff and goes off the air after funding cuts, by Sam Magdy and Ellen Knickermeyer | AP  CAIRO — The head of a U.S.-funded Arabic-language television and online news outlet that claims a 30 million-strong audience in the Middle East and North Africa terminated most staff and TV programming Saturday, accusing the Trump administration and Elon Musk . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MAY 1  Why I wrote an expert report against the UK’s classing Hamas as a terror group, by Jonathan Cook | jonathan-cook.net / Middle East Eye  Several independent British journalists and commentators — those whose careers are not dictated, and protected, by billionaires or the UK state broadcaster — have had their homes raided at dawn by counter-terrorism police or been arrested at the border as they return home. Click HERE to read article and for video of an interview from Unapologetc.

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MAY BE CONTINUED

For today, links to five reports: from Middle East Monitor, the Anadolu Agency, and Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. (WEST BANK 4-20-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israel seals off Palestinian village of Beita in southern Nablus. From Middle East Monitor. Israeli occupation forces imposed a complete closure on Beita village in southern Nablus yesterday, according to the Palestinian Information Centre — this after an Israeli occupation soldier was seriously injured when an explosive device went off in a military vehicle. READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 30  100 days of Israeli assaults wreak havoc on Palestinian refugee camps in occupied West Bank, by Qais Abu Samra and Ahmed Asmar | Anadolu Agency  RAMALLAH, Palestine / ANKARA —Palestinian health officials say the military offensive, begun on Jan. 21, has killed at least 52 Palestinians. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said over 40,000 residents have been displaced from their homes and hundreds of buildings demolished . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 27  Israeli settlers loot and vandalise school in occupied West Bank. Middle East Eye. Israeli settlers have looted a school in the village of Zanouta, east of the city of ad-Dhahiriya, south of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, Wafa reports. They reportedly stole classroom dividers, iron doors and wooden panels, and vandalised the school. READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 28  Israeli settlers build new settler road as soldiers loot Palestinian homes in Masafer Yatta. From Middle East Monitor. Israeli settlers have begun constructing a new settlers-only road while soldiers, dressed in military uniforms, stole money during raids on Palestinian homes in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron. READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 29  Documentary on Israeli settlers in occupied West Bank triggers online firestorm. From Middle East Eye.  “The Settlers,” created by British documentary filmmaker Louis Theroux, gives the viewer a glimpse into the occupied Palestinian territories beset by Israeli settlers. Click HERE for article and video clips.

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For today, links to four reports: from Reuters, the Anadolu Agency, National Public Radio, and the Cradle; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA 4-30-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.)— MCM

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Looting of Gaza stores signals worsening hunger crisis. From Reuters. CAIRO — Increased looting of food stores and community kitchens in the Gaza Strip, including five incidents today, shows growing desperation as hunger spreads two months after Israel cut off supplies to the Palestinian territory, residents and aid officials say. READ MORE . . .

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Severe dust storm sweeps 9 Arab states, worsening Gaza’s plight, by Ibrahim Khazen and Rania Abu Shamala | Anadolu Agency  CAIRO / ISTANBUL  A wide-reaching dust storm driven by a seasonal khamsin low-pressure system swept across nine Arab countries today, deepening the crisis in Gaza and prompting alerts across the region. Palestinian media said high winds . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 30  U.S. supports ally Israel at the International Court of Justice. Reported by Carrie Kahn | NPR  The UN’s highest court has been hearing testimony regarding Israel’s conduct in providing aid to Palestinians, especially in Gaza where it has imposed a blockade of any goods entering the territory. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM APRIL 30  Israel’s total siege of Gaza reaches day 60 as ICJ hearings on genocide case continue. From the Cradle. Israel’s complete blockade of humanitarian aid shipments to the Gaza Strip reached its 60th day on Wednesday as famine conditions continue to spread across the besieged enclave. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to four reports: from Reuters, National Public Radio, the Cradle, and the Associated Press; others or at least headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA 4-30-25 is HERE, or scroll down.   WEST BANK, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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Israel strikes Syria, saying it hit group that attacked the Druze, who blame the government for failure to protect them. From Reuters. JERUSALEM / DAMASCUS — Israel said it carried out a strike in Syria against “an extremist group” that attacked members of the Druze community. A Syrian Foreign Ministry statement rejected . . . READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from NPR.

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Syria’s Druze leadership makes ‘urgent appeal’ for international support. From the Cradle. Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Syria, made an “urgent appeal” for international support today, the third day of violent clashes between armed members of the minority group and state security forces in the country’s south. READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 30  Israel says it carried out operation against gunmen attacking Druze fighters in Syria, by Omar Sanadaki and Omar Albam | AP  SAHNAYA, Syria — Israel said Wednesday that it carried out an attack in Syria on a group targeting members of a minority sect as a new round of clashes left at least 11 people dead, most of them members of the country’s security forces. The clashes on the edge of this town . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to nine reports: from the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Reuters, Kyiv Post, Meduza, Tass, and the Kyiv Independent; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (UKRAINE 4-30-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  WEST BANK, SYRIA and GAZA entries for this date are HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.) — MCM

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Ukraine and the U.S. have finally signed a minerals deal. What does it include? by Samya Kullab | AP  KYIV — After months of tense negotiations, the U.S. and Ukraine signed a deal that is expected to give Washington access to the country’s critical minerals and other natural resources, an agreement Kyiv hopes will secure long-term support for its defense against Russia. Ukrainian officials say . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from NPR, Reuters, and Kyiv Post.

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U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg says Ukraine agreed to 22 specific conditions for peace deal with Russia. From Meduza. During talks in London on April 23, Washington and Kyiv reached an agreement on 22 specific conditions for a peaceful settlement of Russia’s war in Ukraine, U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg said in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Tass.

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Russian drone attack kills two, injures 15 in Ukraine’s Odesa. From Reuters. KYIV — Russian drones attacked Ukraine’s Black Sea port city of Odesa early today, killing two people and injuring 15 more, in addition to sparking fires and damaging infrastructure, emergency services said. READ MORE . . .

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Attack in Russian-occupied Ukrainian region leaves 7 dead, Moscow-appointed officials say. From AP. KYIV — A Ukrainian drone attack left at least seven people dead in the partially-occupied Ukrainian region of Kherson today, Russia-appointed officials there said. It struck a market in the town of Oleshky, killed seven and wounded “more than 20” people . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. to bring Ukraine, Russia together over the next 100 days, Vance says, by Anna Fratsyvir | The Kyiv Independent  The Trump administration is now focused on brokering a “durable solution” to the Russia–Ukraine war within the next 100 days, Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with Fox News digital published on Wednesday. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to seven reports: from Agence France-Presse, Reuters, the Cradle, and the Anadolu Agency, and to commentary from the Cradle and Middle East Eye; other articles or just headlines of others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. SYRIA 2-29-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  GAZA and UKRAINE entries are HERE and HERE, or scroll down.)— MCM

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Syria says 16 security personnel killed in clashes near Damascus. From AFP. Syria’s interior ministry said today that 16 security personnel had been killed in clashes that erupted overnight near Damascus, a day after deadly sectarian violence elsewhere near the capital. The ministry said “outlaw groups” attacked . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israel says it carried out warning strike in defence of Druze in Syria. From Reuters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today, in a joint statement with Defense Minister Israel Katz, that the Israeli army carried out a warning strike against “extremists” who were preparing to attack the Druze community in the Syrian town of Sahnaya. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for reports from the Cradle and Anadolu Agency.

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FROM APRIL 29  Syrian govt forces move to take control of strategic Tishreen Dam. From the Cradle. Syrian army forces deployed near the Tishreen Dam in eastern Aleppo province on Tuesday, signaling a potential transfer of control from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to the Syrian government. READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 29  Iraqi MP files lawsuit against Syrian president over ‘terrorist’ past. From the Cradle. Iraqi Member of Parliament Alaa al-Haidari has filed a lawsuit with the Iraqi Public Prosecution against the new Syrian President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, Shafaq News reported on Tuesday. READ MORE . . .

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Minutes to leave: Syria’s Alawites evicted from private homes at gunpoint, by Amina Ismail | Reuters  Syria’s minority Alawites are an offshoot of the Shi’ite faith and the sect of former strongman Bashar al-Assad. Since Syria’s current president, Ahmed al-Sharaa seized power in December . . . READ MORE . . .

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Hell freezeth over as Sharaa gets invited to Baghdad, by Rasool Majeed | The Cradle  Syrian interim President Ahmad Sharaa’s return to Iraq — once unimaginable following his departure in 2011 — now seems possible with Iraq set to host the Arab summit on May 17. But whether Sharaa will attend . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 29  Israel wants nothing less than the end of Syria. It will fail, by Soumaya Ghannoushi | Middle East Eye  On Tuesday, a chilling declaration echoed from Tel Aviv. Speaking to a gathering of supporters, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich proclaimed: “The fighting will not end until hundreds of thousands of Gazans leave . . . and Syria is partitioned.” READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to seven reports: from the Associated Press, Middle East Eye, Reuters, Middle East Monitor, the Cradle, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. GAZA 2-29-25 is HERE, or scroll down.  SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date are HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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At least 12 killed overnight by Israeli strikes in Gaza. From AP. At least 12 people including children were killed overnight in Gaza by Israeli strikes, hospital workers said today. READ MORE . . .

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U.S. tells ICJ that law allows Israel to attack UN agencies that aren’t ‘impartial,‘ by Sondos Asem | Middle East Eye  THE HAGUE, Netherlands  A U.S. official addressing the International Court of Justice today defended Israel’s attacks on United Nations agencies in Gaza as potentially lawful, as Israel’s full ban on humanitarian aid to the enclave nears two months. READ MORE . . .   Click HERE and HERE for reports from AP and Reuters.

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Saudi Arabia tells ICJ Israel considers itself above all laws. From Middle East Monitor. A representative of Saudi Arabia told the International Court of Justice on Tuesday that Israel considers itself above all laws and refuses to comply with the court’s advisory opinion on halting its aggression against the Gaza Strip. READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 29  Hamas, Israel deny reports of ‘breakthrough’ in Gaza ceasefire talks. From the Cradle. Reports of a breakthrough in the Gaza ceasefire talks are “inaccurate,” Israeli official were cited as saying on Monday and Tuesday in media reports, and a Hamas official confirmed . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM APRIL 29  Gaza’s hungry and malnourished kids suffer under Israeli blockade. Reported by Aya Batrawy and Anas Baba | NPR  Israel has blocked vital supplies from entering Gaza for two months now. Children in Gaza are malnourished and dying as the UN runs out of food. Click HERE to listen and read.

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