To begin, links to reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on their names below. — MCM

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Russia and China slam NATO after alliance raises alarm, by Jill Lawless, Joseph Wilson and Sylvie Corbet | The Associated Press MADRID — NATO faced rebukes from Moscow and Beijing on today after it declared Russia a “direct threat” and said China posed “serious challenges” to global stability. The Western military alliance was wrapping up a summit in Madrid, where it issued a stark warning that the world has been plunged into a dangerous phase of big-power competition and myriad threats, from cyberattacks to climate change. NATO leaders also formally invited Finland and Sweden to join the alliance, after overcoming opposition from Turkey. READ MORE . . .

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Russian forces withdraw from Ukraine’s strategic Snake Island, by Max Hunder | Reuters KYIV — Russian forces have withdrawn from Ukraine’s Snake Island, a strategic outpost in the Black Sea, Russia’s defence ministry and Ukraine’s president’s office said today. . . .”KABOOM! No Russian troops on the Snake Island anymore. Our Armed Forces did a great job,” Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s office, wrote on Twitter. Russia’s defence ministry confirmed Russian troops had withdrawn from Snake Island, calling it a “goodwill gesture” . . . . [It] added the move showed Russia was not impeding U.N. efforts to organise a humanitarian corridor to export agricultural products out of Ukraine. READ MORE . . .

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Secretary Blinken and Spanish Foreign Minister Albares on new NATO Strategic Concept. Michel Martin of National Public Radio moderated a panel on Wednesday with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares at the NATO Public Forum in Madrid about Ukraine and immigration. NATO leaders approved a new strategic concept, a blueprint for the alliance going forward. Among its priorities . . . Click HERE to listen and read.

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Biden is wrapping up a week of high-level meetings with allies in Europe. Reported by A Martínez and Tamara Keith | NPR While in Europe, President Biden committed more U.S. troops to NATO and worked with G-7 leaders on Russia. Before heading home, he’ll take questions about the domestic issues waiting for him. Click HERE to listen and, tomorrow, read.

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TO BE CONTINUED