First, links to reports from National Public Radio, Reuters, the Associated Press, Agence France Presse, and Tass; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. — MCM

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Allied nations — including the U.S. — met Friday to talk military support for Ukraine. Reported by Tom Bowman | NPR  Having announced one of its biggest aid packages yet, U.S. military officials met with allied nations to talk military support for Ukraine. German support for the war remains an unresolved question. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Allies offer more weapons to Ukraine, but no decisions made on tanks, by Idrees Ali and Tom Balmforth | Reuters  * U.S. urges Ukraine to hold off offensive * No agreement reached on Leopard tanks at Ramstein meeting * U.S. general says it will be hard to eject Russian forces * Improvised memorials laid in Russia for Dnipro victims | RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany/KYIV — Western allies on Friday dampened Ukraine’s hopes for a rapid shipment of battle tanks to boost its firepower for a spring offensive against Russian forces, with the United States urging Kyiv to hold off from mounting such an operation. In Ramstein, U.S. General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said . . . READ MORE . . .

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German caution on Ukraine arms rooted in political culture, by Geir Moulson | AP  BERLIN — Germany has become one of Ukraine’s leading weapons suppliers in the 11 months since Russia’s invasion, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz also has gained a reputation for hesitating to take each new step — generating impatience among allies. Berlin’s perceived . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S. designates Russia’s Wagner military group an int’l ‘criminal organization.’ From AFP. The United States on Friday designated Russia’s Wagner group as a “transnational criminal organization,” piling pressure on the private Russian army fighting in Ukraine. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said . . . READ MORE . . .

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U.S., allies agree to impose two separate price caps on Russian oil products – statement. From Tass. WASHINGTON — Representatives of the so-called Price Cap Coalition have agreed to impose two separate price caps for Russian oil products based on their category, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced after Deputy Secretary Adewale Adeyemo’s meeting with counterparts with Coalition states. “The Deputies . . . READ MORE . . .

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Marine mammal casualties of Russia’s war. From Living on Earth/ NPR. Freelance journalist Alex Kroeber spoke with researchers about the war’s impacts on marine mammals in the Black Sea, where scientists have documented recent mass strandings of dolphins and porpoises. A key suspect is military sonar, which . . . Click HERE to listen.

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MAY BE CONTINUED