To start, the beginning of an Associated Press report on damage to the flagship of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea, with links to others related to the Ukraine war. Second, the beginning of a Reuters report on Elon Musk’s move to take over the social media platform Twitter, which some users accuse of censorship, including two HERE and HERE. Next, the beginning of a Reuters report on the Moskva missile cruiser reportedly hit by a Ukrainian strike. Then, links to several reports from today’s “Morning Edition” program on National Public Radio. — MCM

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Fate of Russia warship unclear after Ukrainians claim strike,  by Adam Schreck | The Associated Press KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials said that their forces hit the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea fleet with missiles overnight, with one saying today it sank. Russia said the Moskva was badly damaged by a fire that forced the warship’s evacuation but that it was still afloat. The loss of the warship named for the Russian capital would be a major military and symbolic defeat for Moscow as its troops regroup for a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine after retreating from much of the north, including the capital. Russia did not acknowledge any attack but said a fire aboard the warship, which would typically have 500 sailors .   .   . READ MORE . . .

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Elon Musk targets Twitter with $41 billion cash takeover offer, by Uday Sampath Kumar and Chavi Mehta | Reuters Elon Musk took aim at Twitter (TWTR.N) with a $41 billion cash offer today, with the Tesla CEO and billionaire entrepreneur saying the social media giant needs to be taken private to grow and become a platform for free speech. “Twitter has extraordinary potential. I will unlock it,” Musk, who is already the company’s second-largest shareholder, said in a letter to Twitter’s board on Wednesday. The offer was made public in a regulatory filing today. READ MORE . . .

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Russia to tow crippled warship back to port after what Ukraine says was a missile hit, by Pavel Polityuk and Oleksandr Kozhukhar | Reuters  * Moskva missile cruiser damaged after ammunition blew up * Russia says all crew evacuated, fire under investigation * Ukraine military says vessel hit by missile * Zelenskiy warns of new Russian offensives ‘to avenge defeats’ * Ukraine deputy PM says agreement to open humanitarian corridors |KYIV/LVIV, Ukraine — Russia said the crew of its Black Sea fleet flagship were evacuated on Thursday and measures were being taken to tow the stricken ship back to port, after an explosion of ammunition on board that Ukraine said was caused by a missile strike. Russia’s defence ministry said the fire on the Soviet-era missile cruiser Moskva had been contained but left the ship badly damaged. It did not acknowledge . . . READ MORE . . .

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Ukraine’s probe into Russian war crimes will get help from the U.S. and others. Reported by Leila Fadel and Ryan Lucas | National Public Radio. The U.S. and European allies have accused Russia of war crimes in Ukraine. The Biden administration says it’s helping Ukraine investigate. The Justice Department and State Department are assisting. Click HERE to listen or, tomorrow, read.

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We meet One of the first Ukrainian families to arrive in the U.S. Reported by A Martinez | NPR A few hundred Ukrainian refugees have made it to the U.S. A family in Arlington, Va., has been hosting a Ukrainian refugee and her two children since March 8. Click HERE to listen or, tomorrow, read.

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Russian warship is damaged, but Ukraine and Russia offer different explanations. Reported by Steve Inskeep and Brian Mann | NPR Ukraine says a Russian warship in the Black Sea has been “seriously damaged” by a Ukrainian missile attack. Russia’s Ministry of Defense tells a different story. Click HERE to listen or, tomorrow, read

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TO BE CONTINUED