Russia-Ukraine peace talks resume but siege of Mariupol goes on

Russia-Ukraine peace talks resume but siege of Mariupol goes on

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2022 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Today we look at the dire humanitarian crisis facing the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol, while at home Donald Trump poses questions for the Republican Party.   Here's what we're watching this Friday morning. Peace talks set to continue as Mariupol siege goes on and humanitarian crisis intensifies Peace talks were set to resume Friday between Ukraine and Russia, amid fresh efforts to evacuate civilians trapped in a humanitarian crisis in the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol.   Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said a convoy of 45 buses had been blocked by Russian forces, adding that Russian forces had taken hold of 14 tons of food and medicine intended for Ukrainian civilians.   Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he stripped two generals of their military rank after they had "violated their military oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people."   Follow Friday's live blog and NBC News Now for all the latest developments. As war rages in neighboring Ukraine, Hungary's hardline leader benefits from closeness to Putin Baltics nations fear NATO membership isn't sufficient to protect against Russia The Biden administration will release 1M barrels of oil a day from reserves These four Ukrainians thought it would be easy to cross the Mexican border into the U.S. They were wrong. Friday's Top Stories Republicans squirm as Trump presses Putin for dirt on Bidens A handful of Republicans rebuked Trump for asking the Russian president to hand over damaging information about Biden's son, but most chose to stay silent on the matter. READ MORE Oscars producer says police were prepared to arrest Will Smith after slap The Los Angeles Police Department has said comedian Chris Rock declined to file a police report after the incident on the Oscars stage. READ MORE Experts alarmed by large number of teens experiencing emotional abuse New CDC data found that more than half of U.S. high school students suffered emotional abuse from a parent or someone else in their home since the start of the pandemic. READ MORE OPINION The federal probe into Hunter Biden is going as it should. With his dad being hands-off. President Biden's hands-off approach during the federal investigation into his son is one way he's trying to repair the damage the Trump administration did to the Justice Department, writes legal analyst Shan Wu. READ MORE Also in the News Old Trump-Crist bromance hangs over Florida Democratic primary for governor Police shoot 'hero' after he disarms gunman, is mistaken for suspect, lawyer says Pakistan's leader rejects calls to quit ahead of vote to oust him Researchers decode a full human genome in major scientific breakthrough  Pennsylvania officer killed, 2 others wounded in shooting 5 fetuses found in home of anti-abortion activist, D.C. police say Editor's Pick Michelle Yeoh, beloved star of Asian cinema, lands a well deserved leading role in Hollywood Yeoh and James Hong star in "Everything Everywhere All at Once," a sci-fi comedy in which her character travels through the multiverse. READ MORE Select Check out these expert-recommended weight-lifting benches from brands like Rogue Fitness, Perform Better, FlyBird and more One Fun Thing  Native Hawaiian hula teacher to be featured on U.S. quarters next year The late Native Hawaiian hula teacher Edith Kanaka'ole is among five women who will be individually featured on U.S. quarters next year as part of a program that depicts notable women on the coins. The U.S. Mint said Wednesday the other side of each quarter will show George Washington. It described Kanaka'ole, who died in 1978, as a composer, chanter, dancer, teacher and entertainer. "Her moʻolelo, or stories, served to rescue aspects of Hawaiian history, customs and traditions that were disappearing due to the cultural bigotry of the time," it said. Read the full story here.  Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: patrick.smith@nbcuni.com If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Patrick Smith FOLLOW US Want to receive NBC Breaking News and Special Alerts in your inbox? SIGN UP HERE Check out all of NBC Newsletters here. Get the NBC News Mobile App 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 View in browser | Unsubscribe | Manage Subscription | Contact | Privacy