First, links to reports from the Associated Press, the Cradle, and Anadolu Agency; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (SYRIA 6-17-25  is HERE, or scroll down. WEST BANK, GAZA, IRAN and MEDIA entries for today are HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up or down.) — MCM

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FROM JUNE  23  Suicide bomber kills at least 22 in Greek Orthodox church in Syria during Divine Liturgy, by Abdulrahman Shaheen and Kareem Chehayeb | AP  DWEIL’A, Syria — A suicide bomber in Syria opened fire then detonated an explosive vest inside a Greek Orthodox church filled with people praying on Sunday, killing at least 22 and wounding 63 others, state media reported. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Cradle.

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FROM JUNE 23  Mideast governments condemn suicide bombing of Syrian church as death toll rises to 25, by Ghaith AlSayed and Kareem Chehayeb | AP  DAMASCUS — The death toll from a suicide bomb attack on the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus at the weekend has risen to 25, state media said Monday. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 23  EU ‘strongly condemns’ deadly church attack in Syria, by Melike Pala | Anadolu Agency  BRUSSELS — The EU on Monday “strongly” condemned the “terrorist attack” that targeted the Mar Ilyas Church in Damascus, and expressed support for the Syrian people. A suicide bomber from the ISIS (Daesh) terror group opened fire Sunday . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 24  Israel confirms ‘direct normalization talks’ with Syria. From the Cradle. Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi confirmed on Tuesday that Israel is engaged in direct, daily communication with Syria’s interim authorities, with the aim of exploring normalization. READ MORE . . .

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MAY BE CONTINUED