For today, links to six reports: from the Moscow Times, the Kyiv Independent, Tass, Reuters, the Associated Press, and National Public Radio, and to commentary from Kyiv Post; others or headlines at least are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (MEDIA, YEMEN, SYRIA, WEST BANK and GAZA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.  UKRAINE 3-25-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Russian military accuses Ukraine of violating energy ceasefire. From the Moscow Times. Russia’s Defense Ministry today accused Ukraine of violating a 30-day pause on attacks against energy infrastructure, which Moscow claims has been in effect for more than a week. The accusations follow earlier reports . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine approves Bird of Prey drone system for combat, by Tim Zadorozhnyy | The Kyiv Independent  Ukraine’s Defense Ministry announced today it has approved the domestically produced Bird of Prey unmanned aviation system for combat operations. READ MORE . . .

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Kiev deliberately targets journalists, law norms for protecting them — Russian diplomat. From Tass. MOSCOW — “The terrorist Kiev regime deliberately targets both reporters and those international law norms that should have protected them,” Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, commenting . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 25  Russia, Ukraine agree to truce at sea and ban on energy attacks. From Reuters. WASHINGTON / MOSCOW / KYIV — The United States reached separate agreements on Tuesday with Ukraine and Russia to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea and to implement a ban on attacks by the two countries on each other’s energy facilities. If implemented, the agreements . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for a report from AP and HERE for a March 26 report from NPR.

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Is Russia running out of tanks? by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post  Most analysts estimate that two out of three Russian tanks, on average, have been taken out by a Ukrainian drone. These days, on Ukraine’s battlefields, there are fewer Russian tanks to hit. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to to two reports from the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (WEST BANK, SYRIA, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date and a POETRY entry are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.  LEBANON 3-23-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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FROM MARCH 24  Lebanese delegation to visit Syria for ‘border security’ talks. From the Cradle. A delegation from Lebanon is set to travel to Syria this week for talks with the new government in Damascus to discuss border security and coordination following recent clashes between Lebanese tribesmen and Syrian security forces on the border. READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 24  Lebanon in ‘intense talks’ with Washington, Paris to prevent new Israeli strikes on Beirut. From the Cradle. Lebanese officials have been in “intensive contact” with the U.S. and France to prevent any Israeli bombardment of the country’s capital, Beirut, according to a Lebanese official cited by AFP on Monday. 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. (LEBANON, SYRIA, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date and a POETRY entry are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  WEST BANK 3-23-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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FROM MARCH 24  West Bank refugee camps ‘reduced to ruins and dust’: MSF. From the Cradle. The French medical aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Monday that tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians in northern parts of the occupied West Bank are living in a “precarious situation” without proper shelter, essential services, or access to healthcare. Over 40,000 Palestinians have been . . . READ MORE . . .

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For now, links to four reports: from the Cradle and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. Also, from WorldAtlas.com, a map of Syria.  (LEBANON, WEST BANK, GAZA and UKRAINE entries for this date and a POETRY entry are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  SYRIA 3-23-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Multiple casualties following new Israeli attacks on Syria. From the Cradle. At least seven people were killed in Israeli attacks on the town of Koya west of southern Syria’s Deraa on 25 March, the latest of several recent strikes on the country. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from AP.

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Hamas condemns Israeli attacks on Syria’s Daraa. From Middle East Eye. Hamas issued a statement today condemning Israel’s attack on Daraa in Syria. “This fascist aggression,’ it said, “represents a serious escalation of Zionist violations against the Syrian Arab Republic and its brotherly people, and a new war crime.” READ MORE . . .

FROM MARCH 24  Lebanese delegation to visit Syria for ‘border security’ talks. From the Cradle. A delegation from Lebanon is set to travel to Syria this week for talks with the new government in Damascus to discuss border security and coordination following recent clashes between Lebanese tribesmen and Syrian security forces on the border. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to five reports: from the Cradle, National Public Radio, and Middle East Monitor; to a video clip via Middle East Monitor, and to commentary from Middle East Eye. Other published material is accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (LEBANON, WEST BANK, SYRIA and UKRAINE entries for this date and a POETRY entry are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down. GAZA 3-24-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israeli jets pummel Gaza from north to south killing dozens.  From the Cradle. Dozens of Palestinians were killed and hundreds injured by Israeli attacks across Gaza in the past 24 hours in Tel Aviv’s renewed campaign against the strip. The Gaza Health Ministry reported today that “62 martyrs and 296 injuries arrived at Gaza Strip hospitals during the past 24 hours.” READ MORE . . .

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Israeli strikes in Gaza targeted key hospital and journalists, by Aya Batrawy | NPR  Israel’s war against Hamas has killed tens of thousands of people, with the latest strikes targeting a hospital and journalists. Click HERE to listen and read.

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FROM MARCH 24  Gaza ceasefire talks ‘collapse’ after Israel rejects all proposals: report. From the Cradle. Gaza ceasefire negotiations in the Egyptian capital have fallen apart after an Israeli delegation rejected Egypt’s new proposal and left Cairo, according to sources cited by Al-Araby al-Jadeed on Monday. READ MORE . . .

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UN to ‘reduce footprint’ in Gaza citing Israeli attacks on staff. From the Cradle. The UN said Monday it would “reduce its footprint” in the Gaza Strip after an Israeli tank strike hit one of its compounds last week, killing one staffer and wounding five others. READ MORE . . .

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Israel to seize more of Gaza if Hamas keeps refusing to free hostages, says defence minister. From Middle East Monitor. Israel will take more territory in Gaza and fight until Hamas is wiped out if the Palestinian resistance movement keeps refusing to free remaining hostages, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said today according to Reuters. READ MORE . . .

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‘Blame Hamas for Israel killing Gazans’: U.S. Gov. From Middle East Monitor. “Every single thing that is happening is a result of Hamas,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said. Israel has “every right to defend itself.” Click HERE and scroll down for video.

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Why Israel is waging war on Palestinian children, by Soumaya Ghannoushi | Middle East Eye  Earlier this month, before the sun rose, nearly 200 children were killed in a coordinated barrage of Israeli strikes. This did not happen in combat, nor by mistake. READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to 10 reports: from Kyiv Post, Tass, Agence France-Presse, Reuters, the Kyiv Independent, the Associated Press, and National Public Radio; others or just headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (LEBANON, WEST BANK, SYRIA and GAZA entries for this date and a POETRY entry are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.  UKRAINE 3-24-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Russia blames ‘Ukrainian position’ as Riyadh talks hit deadlock, by Alisa Orlova | Kyiv Post  The United States and Ukraine held brief talks in Saudi Arabia today, a day after U.S.-Russia negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine concluded without any breakthroughs. “The talks are over,” a Ukrainian source said. “All details will be announced . . . READ MORE . . .

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Talks in Riyadh technical, content not to be made public — Kremlin. From Tass. MOSCOW — “After all, this is about technical talks,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today of consultations in Riyadh between Russian and U.S. delegations. “Technical — meaning the talks with getting into details so . . .” READ MORE . . .

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Russian army says Kyiv launched three attacks on civilian energy infrastructure during Russia-U.S. talks. From Reuters. Russia’s defence ministry said today that Ukraine on Monday launched attacks on energy infrastructure owned by the Rosseti state-owned company, on the Svatovo gas distribution station in Russia-controlled eastern Ukraine, and on an underground gas storage facility in Crimea. READ MORE . . .

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Russian negotiator calls Ukraine talks with U.S. ‘useful,’ eyes UN involvement. From AFP. Russia will continue talks with the United States over the war in Ukraine and hopes to involve the United Nations and other countries, Russian negotiator Grigory Karasin said today. READ MORE . . .

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Russia says it will sign Black Sea deal if U.S. gives ‘order’ to Zelenskiy. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said today Russia was willing to strike a new agreement on the safety of shipping in the Black Sea — a possible stepping stone towards a ceasefire with Ukraine — but only if . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE and HERE for reports from the Kyiv Independent and Tass.

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Negotiations on a Ukraine ceasefire enter third day in Saudi Arabia with renewed U.S.-Ukraine talks, by Hanna Arhirova | AP  KYIV — A series of separate meetings between American, Russian and Ukrainian interlocutors entered their third day on today as U.S. negotiators shuttled back to discussions with their Ukrainian counterparts in the Saudi capital — a continuation . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for March 24 report from NPR.

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Sweden set to deliver Ukraine’s first AEW&C aircraft. From Kyiv Post. A Swedish Ministry of Defense spokesperson said in an interview that the transfer of the two Saab 340 airborne early warning and control aircraft (also known as the ASC890), announced last May, was on schedule. READ MORE . . .

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For today, a lyrical poem from Ireland, written to fit a melody composed years before. (LEBANON, WEST BANK, SYRIA, GAZA and UKRAINE entry for this date, so far, are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.  POETRY 2-14-25 is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Teddy Bears’ Picnic
By Jimmy Kennedy

If you go down to the woods today
You’re sure of a big surprise.
If you go down to the woods today
You’d better go in disguise!

For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain,
Because today’s the day the
Teddy Bears have their picnic.

Picnic time for Teddy Bears
The little Teddy Bears are having
A lovely time today.
Watch them, catch them unawares,
And see them picnic on their holiday.

See them gaily gad about.
They love to play and shout,
They never have any care;
At six o’clock their Mommies and Daddies
Will take them home to bed,
Because they’re tired little Teddy Bears

Every Teddy Bear who’s been good
Is sure of a treat today.
There’s lots of marvelous things to eat
And wonderful games to play.

Beneath the trees where nobody sees
They’ll hide and seek as long as they please
‘Cause that’s the way the
Teddy Bears have their picnic.

. . .

If you go down to the woods today,
You’d better not go alone!
It’s lovely down in the woods today,
But safer to stay at home!

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For today, links to four reports: from National Public Radio, the Associated Press, and Reuters, and to commentary from Jonathan-Cook.net via Consortium News; headlines of others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this dateis HERE or scroll down. GAZA 3-23-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Israel’s latest war plans: To occupy Gaza and rule Palestinians. Reported by Daniel Estrin, Itay Stern, Anas Baba and Michel Martin | NPR  TEL AVIV — The Israeli military has drawn up plans for a major ground invasion into Gaza to fully occupy the territory within a few months and establish military rule there, according to two people who reviewed the war plans.  Click HERE to listen and read. 

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Israeli strikes kill scores in Gaza as Egypt offers new ceasefire proposal. From AP. Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip have killed more than 60 Palestinians, including women and children, the Gaza Health Ministry said today, nearly a week after Israel ended its ceasefire with Hamas with a surprise bombardment. Meanwhile, officials say . . . READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Reuters.

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Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israel has struck the territory’s south, by Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israel’s military on Sunday night struck the largest hospital in southern Gaza, killing two people, wounding others and causing a large fire, the territory’s Health Ministry said. The strike hit the surgical building of Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis, days after . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM MARCH 20  Israel doesn’t care about the captives, by Jonathan Cook | Jonathan-Cook.net / Consortium News  The excuses has Israel given for renewing the genocide:  1. Israel says it is trying to force Hamas to release the captives . . . READ MORE . . .

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For today, links to nine reports: from Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, Reuters, the Associated Press, National Public Radio, Tass, and the Floutist via Natylie’s Place; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. Also, a map from WorldAtlas.com; a map from Map-Library.com is HERE.  (GAZA entry for this date is HERE.  UKRAINE 3-22-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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The Ukrainian army invades the Russian Federation – again, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post  Ukrainian tank and armored infantry units invading Russia’s western Belgorod Oblast have held a modest but sensitive chunk of Russian Federation territory against Kremlin counterattacks for the past 96 hours, official and independent news sources said today. READ MORE . . .

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Russian missile strike on Sumy injures 74, including 13 children, by Martin Fornusek | The Kyiv Independent  A Russian missile strike that hit the northeastern regional capital of Sumy today injured 74 civilians, including 13 children, according to the Sumy City Council. The acting mayor said the attack was launched against residential areas and infrastructure facilities, including a children’s hospital. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for earlier report from Reuters.

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U.S. holds separate talks with Russians after meeting Ukrainians to discuss a potential ceasefire, by Illia Novikov and Jon Gambrell | AP  DUBAI — U.S. negotiators worked on a proposed partial ceasefire in Ukraine today, meeting with representatives from Russia a day after holding separate talks with the Ukrainian team. Each side . . . READ MORE . . .   Click HERE for report from Reuters.

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Ukraine holds ceasefire talks with U.S. officials. Reported by Michel Martin and Eleanor Beardsley | NPR  Ukrainian met with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss a possible ceasefire, a day before Russia’s representatives do the same. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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Russia says a Ukrainian drone attack damaged another gas distribution station on Saturday. From Reuters. MOSCOW — Ukraine conducted two drone strikes on the Valuika gas distribution station in the Belgorod region on Saturday, damaging equipment there, the Russian Defence Ministry said today. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from Tass.

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FROM JULY 1, 2024  Report from Donbas, Part 2 (Excerpt), by Guy Mettan | The Floutist / Natylies’s Place  To destroy the shared past of a people is to go some way toward destroying a people—the coherence and solidity of their identity, their ability to think and act collectively, their collective confidence in themselves, altogether their place in the world. READ MORE . . .  NOTE: Part 1, posted on this website, is HERE, or scroll down.

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First, a link to a report from the Cradle; others are accessible by clicking on its name below. (YEMEN, WEST BANK, GAZA, LEBANON and UKRAINE entries for this date, so far, are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll down.   SYRIA 3-22-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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FROM MARCH 21  Turkiye confirms long-term presence in Syria, ‘deeper cooperation’ with Damascus. From the Cradle. The Turkish Ministry of Defense said on Friday its military forces will continue their presence in Syria, as well as the possible appointment of military advisors to the Syrian army or liaison officers within the two countries’ Defense Ministries. READ MORE . . .

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TO BE CONTINUED