day 22 of the war enukraine. president biden calls vladimir putin a war criminal as more and more civilian areas are hit by russian military strikes with ukraine's zelenskyy imploring u.s. congress for much more military support. and as we enter the fourth week, ukraine's refugee crisis is growing more dire for those still trying to escape their homeland and for the masses gathering in neighboring countries. this morning we're learning more about the victims of that tragic college van crash that took the lives of multiple

athletes, a coach and more and dubbed operation march sadness 2. law enforcement said it nabbed more than 100 suspected sex traffickers including people who worked at disney along with a judge. and the power of music amidst the unspeakable crisis in ukraine. a busy thursday and st. patrick's day ahead. "early today" starts right now good morning i'm frances rivera >> and i'm steven romo president joe biden using his strongest language yet about russia president vladimir putin, c calling him a war criminal >> he is a war criminal. >> a spokesperson for the kremlin called his words unacceptable and unforgivable. this came after ukrainian president volodymyr zelenskyy addressed congress making an emotional plea to help stop putin. >> president biden, you are the leader of the nation, of your

great nation i wish you being the leader of the world. being the leader of world means to be the leader of peace. >> his speech was met with a standing ovation later zelenskyy sat down with the exclusive interview with lester holt with the help of a government provided ukrainian tournamenter he suggested world war 3 is already upon us. >> president biden has made clear he's worried about provocations that could trigger world war 3? do you understand his concerns there and agree it wouldn't take much to end up in world war 3? >> translator: nobody knows whether it may have or it started. nobody would be able to predict when the full-scale war would

start and how it will end. in this case we have the whole civilization at stake. >> meanwhile, russia's vicious attacks on cities in ukraine continue we turn now to molly hunter who's live in lviv hundreds of civilians sheltering were struck in mariupol. what's the latest there. >> reporter: that's right. a civilian target, not even close to a military target it's just the russians targeting civilians. and not only that, according to satellite imagery we've seen of the theater, it was in the heart of the city. it was serving as a refuge the word kids was written in russian, in white clearly visible from both sides of the building from the air and yet the russians still struck it our understanding at least the 1,200 people were sheltering inside, but according to president zelenskyy there is no death toll and may take several hours this morning to sort that

out if we get that information civilians are starting to get out of that city, that besieged city so private vehicles have been ferrying people out of that city, 6,000 people alone yesterday including 2,000 children and about 30,000 in the last couple of days. but our understanding is it's a city of 400,000 people >> and give us a sense how well ukrainians are holding back russian forces >> reporter: i think safe to say a lot better than anyone thought. the latest news overnight as ukrainians had taken -- the russians took that air base very early on according to the staff of the ukrainian military he said russia's force on the ground has stalled. and we've seen the consequences of that. that's why our richard engel has

reported an increase, a stepped up bombing indiscriminately besieging some of these cities in the east like kharkiv, like mariupol they're now firing indiscriminately into the city to try to gain ground and they're firing on civilian targets, francis >> thank you for the update. the u.s. is reinforcing ukraine's military to help defend against russia's continuing violent onslaught president biden announced another $800 million in aid shortly after zuelenskyy's passionate plea to congress. >> reporter: this latest package drastically increases the military support going into ukraine. the added assistance bring the total authorized by president biden to about $2 billion. while he did not commit to president zelenskyy's request for a no-fly zone the package

does include hundreds of drones, thons of anti-aircraft systems and millions in ammunitions. >> we are united in our abhorrence of putin's depraved onslaught, and we're going to continue to have their backs as they might for their freedom, their democracy, their very survival >> the white house is facing pressure from congress to go a step further some lawmakers calling to provide fighter jets to help ukraine protect its skies. >> our country has got to do more as well as other nations around the world in this case he was highly specific about the things we can do to help not just aircraft but also s300 and other intercepting-type systems that will allow hem to have a more safe sky >> a new monmouth poll shows 81%

support for economic sanctions and nearly 70% support sending troops to our european allies. now, according to the same poll about half of americans approve how mr. biden has handled the situation so far the president has promised there will be more assistance in the future from both the u.s. and our allies abroad. steven >> right, brie, thanks for that update russia's relentless attacks are fueling a humanitarian crisis in europe the number who have fled into pole nds is greater than the population of warsaw which is poland's largest city. has the influx of families slowed at all? >> reporter: it's coming in waves at this point. maybe fewer families but they are still coming in en masse, and that's why places like this are necessary. we're inside what was an empty warehouse just a month ago

it's now the headquarters for the world central kitchen. they are preparing here 10,000 meals a day for those who are making the run to freedom. daybreak brings another attack on kyiv, crumbling buildings littered the capital city as russian air strikes continue around the clock in the battered city of mariupol the shelling continues even as they unload the wounded. doctors at this hospital, one of the last standing in the region, treat the victims of war while villages across ukraine honor their fallen heroes. >> these guys are like angels for us they died here protecting us physically, and then probably they're going to be protecting us in heaven >> reporter: as so many go through the hell of trying to

escape already more than 3 million have rushed from the fighting, mothers clutching their babies just across the border safe but uncertain of what comes next. >> whatever is happening here is going to be happening for a long time and people are going to need a lot of things and lot of supplies and clothing and everything >> reporter: because they've left most everything behind. >> all right, we're losing jay gray as you see him speaking there at the world central kitchen. and thanks to jay for that report texas authorities are investigating a collision that killed nine people including college students, a coach and two others officials say this crash happened after a pickup truck and a van carrying the university of southwest men's and women's golf teams collided. six kids and their coach were

among those killed and two students also left in the hospital in critical condition authorities said the team's van was headed home from a texas tournament when the pickup truck veered into their lane smoke was visible for miles near indianapolis after a wal-mart distribution center went up in flames. the plainsfield fire chief said they don't know what caused it but it seems a lot of clothing was stored then area where it start. all of the employees got out safely people in the area were warned not to touch any debris falling in their yards because the material could be toxic. wal-mart says it'll continue working with police and fire officials. time now for a check of our st. patrick's day weather with bill karins. >> good morning to you guys. and if you remember back in the beginning of winter everyone was like where is the snow in the last two months it won't stop snowing and happening again this morning already 4 inches on the ground in denver and snowing pretty

hard and continue right through your early morning commute the heaviest snow totals will be from denver southwards down to colorado foothills and the other concern later today severe weather from new orleans all the wal getting sevr later today and another storm moving up the east coast going to bring some rain to southern new england. and that rainy forecast is going to bring some unwelcomed rain drops to the new york city parade we'll give you the other forecast coming up >> people are excited to

celebrate especially after two years being out of covid and there will be many people who will be out there celebrating today. these are the states where st. patrick's day revellers consume the most beverages with averages of at least four drinks per person celebrating st. patrick's day with alcohol it's always a good idea to enjoy responsibly. japan just experienced a 7.2 earthquake that shaking lasted almost two full minutes details on that. and almost 100 people rounded up human trafficking sting operation including a judge. we're back in just one minute. l. metamucil psyllium fiber, gels to trap and remove the waste that weighs you down. it also helps lower cholesterol and slows sugar absorption to promote healthy blood sugar levels. so you can feel lighter and more energetic metamucil. support your daily digestive health.

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killed and more than 90 hurt the quake registered a 7.4 magnitude by japan pfls meteorological agency and also led to widespread power outages and tsunami warning. now to florida where over 100 people were arrested in a human trafficking sting including four disney employees. >> he thought he was chatting with a 14-year-old and he sent photos of himself doing things that's totally inappropriate oh, did i mention that he just happens to be a lifeguard at the polynesian resort for disney you think there's a few children around there >> the six-day undercover operation was dubbed operation march sadness 2. a 66-year-old retired judge from chicago was also arrested. it's no surprise now the price of gas is at all all-time

and leading to a growing trend, fuel theft the chevron gas station in spring, texas, near houston has become the latest victim gas station owners said over the weekend suspects were caught on camera filling up on stolen diesel and leaving and coming right back for more. in an interview with nbc affiliate kprc the gas station owner said he discovered about 2,000 gallons of gas totaling about $10,000 was missing. surveillance video showed the thieves used a key taaccess that diesel still to come on "early today," the reaction on wall street as the fed cracks down on soaring inflation. bacteria could be left behind. not anymore. with microban 24, just one spray, fights bacteria all day. it forms a defensive shield that keeps killing 99.9% of bacteria for up to 24 hours. these leading disinfectants do not. so surfaces stay sanitized, touch after touch.

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wall street cheering the fed's first move to fighting inflation. markets rallied after the federal reserve hiked interest rates for the first time since 2018 and signaled six more hikes this year. the dow rallied more than 500 points while the nasdaq was up

nearly 4%. one of the big winners was burkeshire hath away closing $500,000 a share for the first time ever. now the question is will the markets be able to build on that momentum hi, good morning >> frances, good morning yesterday was really a roller coaster for markets. as you just outlined we did see u.s. stock markets end the day sharply higher but it wasn't smooth sailing initially we saw the s&p 500 pull back into negative territory, but then this was the game changer during the press conference yesterday the fed chair jerome powell he said the probability of a recession was not particularly elevated and that the economy is very strong and can handle higher interest rates, and that commentary seems to be continuing to keep markets up, and we're looking at a modestly positive start to trade

today, according to u.s. futures. now, in the corporate story we've been following closely starbucks, we learned that starbucks ceo kevin johnson plans to retire in april and now former ceo howard schultz will step in as interim chief. he's only planning on holding that role, though, until the autumn who will succeed him on a permanent basis? a few prospects being floated out there. coo holstead and another one howard could stick in the role for the long-term or choose one of their board members possibility and the possibility they go external, so that remains to be seen >> thank you as always coming up this morning get ready to shake those shamrocks phil's got your saint paictrk's day forecast and ahead the healing power of music in times of crisis. nne. definitely after meatloaf. like clockwork. do it! run your dishwasher with cascade platinum

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to harper. harper for three, it's good. >> to the wire rutgers and notre dame played in a double overtime called game, he gets the put back and lays it in with 2 seconds to go. with the luck of the irish notre dame advances with an 89-87 victory. >> erin waylan led the way with 48 points and soars high, 88-57 win. two more matchups and the women's first four are set for today. >> the men's round of 64 tips off today with colorado state and michigan just after noon eastern. the number one seed kansas plays texas southern in the night cap. >> let's get one more check of your st. patrick's day weather here's bill karins >> we have some good weather out there especially areas from say tennessee to kentucky, up to indiana looks perfect, nice weather conditions we will be watching, unfortunately some rain moving in toward the new york city

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always discreet boutique pallets of supplies from the u.s. are making their way to aid the ukrainian army the department of defense released this video of the 436 aerial port squadron loading supplies to be sent to ukrainian soldiers the shipment contains body armor and helmets. this as the united nations refugee agency reports companies, foundations and philanthropists have donated over $2 million toward its emergency response in ukraine. papa johns is facing backlash after an american franchise owner refused to close 190 stores in russia even after the company said it would suspend business in that

country. the operator chris wynn told "the new york times" the best thing he could do was show compassion for his employees and customers without judging them the french open said it would allow russian athletes to compete under a neutral flag netflix announced it's bringing the show servant of the people to its service. and a zoo in the czech republic recently welcomed an endangered baby rhino the zoo named him kyiv in honor of ukrainian heroes. our very own molly hunter spoke to some musicians who are providing much needed comfort during the chaos in lviv, ukraine. >> reporter: far from the front line this track is different from the rest. the orchestra is giving everything they've got 33-year-old daniel grateful to

play >> a little gift, a little sunshine in heart. >> reporter: you see the sunshine in their heart? >> yeah, yeah. >> reporter: and like so many young ukrainian men next week might look different >> if our army will meet >> reporter: some musicians, some new arrivals fighting in their own way. music producer maxine fled the eastern city of kharkiv about a week ago yesterday he heard singing and today it's a duet of a ukrainian folk song. and around the corner he's donating all his tips to the military there are lots of ways to support your country, and this is how you're doing it right now. >> yes i can play i play it. >> reporter: this is also the

sound of a country at war. molly hunter, nbc news, lviv >> wow gives you chills they're picking up their instruments instead of weapons doing their part >> and hopefully that is the case they can hang onto those instruments and not have to

destruction and chaos. russia's attacks on ukraine continue to leave the capital city in rubble. the new challenges thousands attempting to flee are now facing. plus -- >> we've got to make sure we keep kids safe and put lead forces in place to support them. >> we are moving you forward out of the pandemic. we'll show you what state leaders are doing to keep children safe in their classrooms. this is "today in the bay." good morning to you and thanks for joining us. i'm kris sanchez. marcus washington is off.