Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
1. SHELLING MOVES CLOSER TO UKRAINIAN PORT
Russian-backed rebels press their offensive in the strategically key city of Mariupol just hours ahead of talks in Belarus that are widely hoped to bring a cease-fire.
2. ALLIANCE TURNS ATTENTION TO UKRAINE CRISIS
NATO outlines plans for stationing a rapid response force in Eastern Europe to serve as a deterrent to Moscow and ease Russia’s neighbors’ fears.