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

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Israel strikes Lebanon’s Baalbek for first time since start of Gaza war, security sources say. From Reuters. BEIRUT — At least two simultaneous Israeli strikes hit around Lebanon’s city of Baalbek today, two security sources told Reuters, the first bombardment of eastern Lebanon since regional hostilities erupted following the start of the war in Gaza. The Israeli military said . . . READ MORE . . .

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Israel’s air force strikes deep inside Lebanon, killing 2 people, after Hezbollah downs a drone, by Bassem Mroue | AP  BEIRUT — The Israeli military said its air force today struck targets of the militant Hezbollah group “deep inside Lebanon,” where residents reported explosions near the northeastern city of Baalbek. At least two people . . . READ MORE . . .

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FROM FEB. 25  Netanyahu says a cease-fire deal would only delay ‘somewhat’ an Israeli military offensive in Rafah, by Tia Goldenberg, Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy | AP  TEL AVIV — An Israeli military offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah could be “delayed somewhat” if a deal is reached for a weekslong cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, and claimed that . . . READ MORE . . .