breaking overnight secretaries blinken and austin speaking to reporters hours ago after a face-to-face meeting with ukraine's president details just moments away. france's emmanuel macron appears to have held off a tgh challenge from far right candidate marine le pen. fire and ice a rare and deadly wildfire surging towards tornado alley in nebraska, while a blizzard is taking hold in the dakotas jaw-dropping rent increases for homes and apartments

u.s. places doubling for some residents. our morgan chesky with news you need to know the heart stopping moment. a baby dropped from the apartment of a burning building. and the bad guys deliver big-time at the weekend box office as we kick off a new week "early today" starts right now good morning i'm vinita nair. >> glad you're starting your week with us i'm frances rivera secretary of state antony blinken and lloyd austin took an unplan trip to ukraine to meet with zelimkahn yandarbiyev they are the highest level to meet with ukraine since the war began in february. the pair spoke in poland after their meeting. >> the bottom line is this we don't know how the rest of this war will unfold, but we do know that a sovereign independent ukraine will be around a lot longer than vladimir putin's on the scene. and our support for ukraine going forward will continue.

it will continue until we see final success. >> for more on this, we bring in nbc's raf sanchez, who is joining us live from lviv. raf, this was almost supposed to be secretive we knew about it ahead of time what actually happened >> vinita, this was a trip planned in secrecy, carried out in secrecy but now we know secretary of state blinken, secretary of defense austin took a train into kyiv, the capital of this war-torn country they spent about three hours with president zelenskyy and his team in the bunker in the presidential palace there. and this was a trip about symbolism and substance. the symbolism is clear these are two very senior members of president biden's cabinet. they are the first senior american officials to meet president zelenskyy face-to-face since the russian invasion of his country began. this was an important gesture of solidarity with the ukrainian government, with the ukrainian

people but the substance was there too. secretary blinken said there were three what he said deliverables number one, president biden will today nominate a new u.s. ambassador to ukraine. her name is bridget brink. she is the current u.s. ambassador to slovakia she will be the first full u.s. ambassador since 2019. number two, american diplomats will start returning to ukraine next week. they will begin hear in lviv this relatively safe city in the west, and they will eventually reopen the embassy in the capital city kyiv. now president zelenskyy has wanted this for a long time. this is slower than what the europeans are doing. the british are reopening their embassy in kyiv this week. some of those embassies never closed but it's better late than never, as far as president zelenskyy is concerned. and finally, $700 million in new military financing, the vast majority of that going to

ukraine, some of it going to other eastern crane companies that is to finance advanced air systems. but vinita, also some of that soviet era weaponry, the small arms which are the bread and butter of the ukrainian forces >> what we're seeing in mariupol right now, hundreds of ukrainians trapped in a steel plant there. what can you tell us about that situation? >> that situation is almost unimaginable those soldiers and civilians have for weeks now been holed up in what remains of that steel plant in mariupol. president putin said he saw no need for his forces to storm the plant, yet that plant remains under attack every single day. there are civilians sheltering with young children in the tunnels under that plant, and it is hard to know how muchlonger they can hold out. vinita >> hearing about the children is often the hardest part of all this reporting

raf, thank you so much ukrainian official says russian forces killed at least eight people including a baby during a missile strike in the port city of odesa over the weekend. richard lui is at the big board following the latest >> good morning, frances you know, by itself, odesa is a prize for russia nearly half of ukraine's trade flows through its port and yesterday russian missiles struck at its core here is a map. what the strategic bomb was like that actually launched the missile from the caspian sea for about a thousand miles to od odesa. typically, missiles would come from the black sea there is a question why are they firing from here six of them traveling that distance now what we understand is that ukrainian air defenses were able to take down two, but then two of the missiles did hit a military target in odesa and two struck this residential building that we see here where nbc was. president zelenskyy saying a

3-month-old baby was among the eight dead odesa is vulnerable. notably from the sea, by the way. ukrainian military analysis saying russia was capable and is capable of launching 12 ships here and with battalions of about 400 each, they could launch and attack odesa now addition to that, the weak ukrainian naval resistance would be minimal russian artillery and air attacks could bombard oh december sack, not to mention the 1500 troops that are here in moldova that could create a second front to take over odesa. however, there is something important to notice here and these little yellow lines here, these are estuaries. these are rivers and they are natural kill zones that are spaces where ukrainian forces have an advantage so all of this red does not necessarily mean it's going to be easy to come from the east to attack odesa, making an amphibious landings even more

costly are potential mines that ukraine could also put in here russia remembers how costly odesa can e. during world war ii, the soviets were the ones defending this port city. they were outnumbered by as much as ten to one, but made the axis powers pay for this. the siege of odesa is what it was called and frances, ukraine remembers and does not want that story told again >> richard, we appreciate the thorough breakdown thank you. let's turn now to france's morning where the results are in and emmanuel macron has won a second term as president [ cheering ] >> macron is france's youngest president and the first in two decades to win reelection. he will serve five more years after defeating his far right challenger macron is projected to defeat his far right rival by about 16 points but this is the strongest electoral nationalist marine le pen has gotten

overnight protests erupted in central paris after those results were announced police used tear gas during clashes with demonstrators breaking overnight in new york city, firefighters are mourning the loss of one of their own. six-year veteran firefighter timothy klein died fighting a massive house fire in brooklyn klein came from a family of firefighters his father was one and so were some of his relatives. authorities say he became trapped after a roof partially collapsed on him at and another person a second body was recovered, but has not been identified. more than 100 firefighters were battling the blaze eight firefighters were injured, some taken to the hospital in south carolina, a police officer was shot and killed on duty early sunday morning. 28-year-old drew barr was one of three police officers responding to a domestic disturbance call in the city of casey authorities say a suspect opened fire from inside the house, killing barr police then negotiated with the suspect for seven hours before the man shot and killed himself. barr was a six-year veteran of the force.

he was also a captain with the mineta volunteer fire department we are nearly done with april, but winter isn't letting up in some parts of the country. a blizzard slammed north dakota, dropping a whopping 18 inches of snow with wind gusts of up to nearly 80 miles an hour. the storm cut power to hundreds and shut down roads. this is the second to hit the dakotas this month the area known as tornado alley is battling surging wildfires. fires have been reported in 12 counties across nebraska authorities say a retired fire chief who was volunteering as a spotter was killed at least 15 firefighters have been injured the state's national guard has been called in to help strong winds are fuelling the out of--control tunnel fire in arizona where nearly 2700 acres have burned near flagstaff and in new mexico 20 active fires are burning about half of the state. let's turn now to nbc meteorologist michelle grossman for a look at your monday ahead. hi, michelle good morning >> germany to you both

we are looking at unsettled weather once again today we have a cold front courtesy on this match, stretching from the great lakes all the way to the southern plains. and we're looking at heavy rainfall in parts of the southern plains and mid mississippi valleys. let's take a look at radar that's what we're going to be tracking all day long as we zoom in a little closer here. we're looking at heavy rainfall, where you see the darker colors, the yellow, the reds, the oranges in parts of the southern plains and the mid mississippi valley we're also looking at a lot of lightning too. excessive rainfall from 1 to 2 inches and we could see 2 upper midwest. so battles of the season continues. 34 in fargo. all right, guys. we'll continue to watch that unsettled weather. also looking at the rest of the week ahead >> we'll check in with you in a

bit. thank you, michelle. through the streets of key west, racers had a day under the sheets as part of the 40th annual coverage republic celebration. beds on wheels started racing down key west's famed duval street it's a famed fundraiser for the sister season fund which helps local hospitality and tourism employees in need. >> i read they were saying it's the most fun you can have in bed with your clothes on. >> that's a great way to put it. pretty accurate. coming up next, a red bull midair stunt with two planes that did not go as planned this is some video you've got to see, coming up next. and the heart poundi fngire rescue all caught on camera. those details in just 60 seconds. its revolutionary rollerball design delivers fast, powerful, long-lasting pain relief. aleve it, and see what's possible. make mom's day with kohl's! get stylish dresses starting at $19.99. comfy pajamas for $20.79. and save on timeless jewelry. plus, shop online to take an extra 20% off your gifts.

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weekend. in the thick black smoke you hardly see him, but he makes his way up, grabs a 1-year-old girl from her mom and lowered the baby to his colleagues below everyone after all of this made it out of the fire okay. >> nerves of steel on that guy wow. the faa is investigating after a plane crashed during aress ski midair stunt >> out of control. >> wow >> luke akins and andy farrington were trying to complete the first plane swap. but one of the aircraft's spiraled out of control, forcing farrington to parachute to safety akins was able to get into the other plane and land it. both pilots unheart. prior to the stunt, the faa had denied the pilots' request for

exemption from federal relations to depart the flight deck. >> it's terrifying to watch that i can't imagine what it's like to experience it now to the soaring cost of rent it's going up everywhere but in some places monthly rates are doubling, leaving millions of renters wondering just how high prices will go. morgan chesky is in dallas with more >> reporter: tonight skyrocketing rents forcing a growing number of americans to think twice about where home is. >> definitely priced out of boston in general. >> it was 3.5 thousand and which is now 6.8. >> reporter: from coast to coast, rents are rising at the fastest pace in decades. a record 11.3% increase nationwide the biggest spikes hitting the south where many moved post-pandemic enticed by remote work and warmer weather. florida home to the top three cities where rents have risen the most naples on the gulf coast averaging a 39% spike during the pandemic

just a few hours south evan ross faced a brutal wake-up call when his miami beach landlord told him rent was nearly doubling >> i could either pay $6,500 a month and pay it every month or if i paid the entire year up front, i could write one check for $72,000 which would be equivalent to $6,000 a month, and they would accept that. >> reporter: he and his wife wanted to by a home. with home values and interest rates pricing them out, they are now trying to rent elsewhere. >> no matter where you are looking, you are anticipating a pretty hefty rise? >> there is no question we will be paying more in rent than we ever have before it's just a question of where we'll go and what we'll sacrifice. >> reporter: in texas, the fight to find affordable options getting tougher, too dallas rents spiking 21% the last year according to realtor.com. >> we have so many people moving to dallas and not enough apartments. >> reporter: they recommend

renters work with an apartment locater to find the best deal. even with the rise in rent, it's likely cheaper than finding a property with the same amenities. >> i can't tell you how many times just this month of april that okay, i'm going apply for it okay, let's do it. they go home that evening and it's gone. and then nothing else that they're looking for is available. >> reporter: with experts forecasting rising prices through this year, keeping home where the heart is could cost you. morgan chesky, nbc news, dallas. still to come on this busy monday morning, sorry, super heroes, it is the bad guys' time to shine a new animated comedy hitting big at the box office. and the pelicans soar while the warriors miss the sweep. all the highlights from the nba play-offs. with personalized attention from an assigned team. 24/7? that's...a lot of attention. they're not actually with you 24/7, they're just available whenever you need them. oh, ok good, because i took an online quiz and it turns out i'm an introvert.

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here, kitty kitty! >> who says bad guys never win the animated comedy "the bad guys" took the number one spot at the box office, earning $24 million during its debut weekend. now to a full sunday slate of play-off games in the nba back and forth in the big easy with the eighth seed pelicans getting a monster third quarter from brandon inge gram to fly them above the top seeded suns ingraham finished with 30 points in the series and head back to phoenix tied at two games apiece the pelicans win 118-103 the eastern conference, the one seed had little trouble getting their third win of the series jimmy butler caught fire for the 36 points as the heat smothered the hawks 110-86 and down to the wire in denver the warriors were looking fos e on a 7-0 run to stay alive in the final minutes. the series shifts back to san francisco, but denver, they get the win, 116-121 and the defending champion

bucks head back home with a commanding 3-1 series lead milwaukee looked dominant in game four, beating the bulls 119-95 nice to see all the courtside seats and seats as a whole filled again >> right. michelle will have your weather for the weekend next and a heartwarming reunion a mother gets a chance to thank the firefighters who saved her family mine. emerge tremfyant®. with tremfya®, most people saw 90% clearer skin at 16 weeks. the majority of people saw 90% clearer skin even at 5 years. tremfya® is the first medication of its kind also approved for adults with active psoriatic arthritis... and it's 6 doses a year after 2 starter doses. serious allergic reactions may occur. tremfya® may increase your risk of infections and lower your ability to fight them. tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms or if you had a vaccine or plan to. emerge tremfyant®. with tremfya®...

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and get free store pickup. more style. more savings. kohl's. want more from your vitamin brand? get more with nature's bounty. from the first-ever triple action sleep supplement... ...to the only 24-hour vitamin c... ...to heart-healthy support every day. get more with nature's bounty. welcome back on this monday. we're watching showers from the ohio valley all the way to the southern plains with a flood risk through the southern plains, and also the lower mississippi valley we're looking at record highs in the southeast. temperatures in the upper 80s in a lot of spots by wednesday, lingering showers. but most of the country we are dry. we're looking at lots of sunshine plenty of sunshine through the south and also the mid "atlatlantic temperatures in the 80s and 90s and lots of sunshine for the northeast. back to you guys. >> thank you, michelle when firefighters reunite with the people they rescued

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wonderful time of the year. live claritin clear. an indianapolis mother was reunited with the officers who saved her life and the life of her two children after their home caught fire reporter rachel krouse of affiliate wthr has the sweet reunion. >> i'm grateful that they were able to come and the quickness that they did and saved our lives, truly i am grateful. >> reporter: it's been more than a week now since a fire broke thought the night inside christine culp's apartment building >> the grace of god that i woke up in the middle of the night and i just all the flames and everything in the front room, i

grabbed the kids, went to my room, put up a blanket, kicked out a window and called 911. i stayed on praying, and staying on the phone with dispatch >> impd officers arrived within minutes, with body cameras capturing culp frantically working to get her kids out. >> please, i can't breathe to get my kids air. >> where are they at >> on my bed. >> how old >> 2 and 3. >> >> reporter: as the apartment filled with smoke, police asked christine to pass the kids out the window and let go. with officer aaron laird waiting below. >> 100% ready. i was willing to put myself at risk, and i know the officers were also. >> i just kept praying i just felt that in my heart my kids were in good hands. >> reporter: now with 3-year-old elena and 2-year-old ezekiel safely by her side, christine is getting another chance >> hi. >> reporter: to say thank you. >> how are you doing >> hi! >> officers thrilled to see them all safe and sound >> i just felt it in my heart.

i just knew that you guys would save me and my kids. i really appreciate it truly from the bill of my heart thank you. >> reporter: and these officers' quick action giving her 3-year-old quite a story to share. >> she tells mommy threw me out a window. we jumped out a window >> reporter: seeing smiles on faces, making the work well worth it >> a lot of times we don't get to see good outcomes of situations, given what we're called to. so a situation like this, it feels good, it feels really good >> reporter: after she and her family jumped through the fire >> the great of god, and you guys thank you so much, truly. >> reporter: grateful to be here to say thank you. >> i'll remember this for the rest of my life. and i hope she does too. >> our thanks to rachel krouse for that report. of course they will remember that for the rest of their life. but great to have that opportunity for both of them to spend their time together. >> they say they're not heroes, but that's pretty impressive.

>> we want to thank you for starting your week with "early today. i'm vinita nair. >> and i'm frances rivera. coming up on "today," a second life for your online returns the company breathing new life into millions of products that are sent back. you ever wonder what hans to them we'll show you here on "today. have are monday. gat

i want to continue in detail the very important conversations we've been having with all of your colleagues on the agenda that you cited but let me just say at the outset what a pleasure it is to see you in person. we've gotten used to seeing you on video around the world. >> breaking just moments ago, secretaries blinken and austin speaking in poland after meeting in ukraine with president zelenskyy. we'll tell you what was discussed and why the important meeting had to take plac