What to expect from U.S. talks with Russia and Ukraine, N. Carolina wildfires burn thousands of acres, UConn's bid for 3-peat ends

Yahoo

24-03-2025

Good morning, all. It's National Cocktail Day. Celebrate later with one of these spring-themed recipes. (Going boozeless? Try the Strawberry Rose No-Jito.) Now, on to the news.
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NEED TO KNOW
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in February | Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
What to expect from U.S. talks with Russia and Ukraine
Over the weekend, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said he expected 'some real progress' in U.S., Russia and Ukraine talks and criticized Hamas for renewed fighting in Gaza. Meanwhile, Canada's PM called for a snap election.
Russia-Ukraine: The U.S. is meeting with Russia today after officials met with Ukraine yesterday. The talks are expected to revolve around ending attacks on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea, where commercial ships have faced safety risks. [AP]
Gaza fighting: Palestinian officials yesterday said the death toll in Gaza crossed 50,000 as Israeli airstrikes continued throughout the territory, including one that killed a Hamas political leader. Witkoff blamed Hamas for the renewed fighting. [USA Today/Reuters]
Canada election: Citing the 'most significant crisis of our lifetimes,' Prime Minister Mark Carney said a federal election would take place on April 28, and called for a 'strong, positive mandate to deal with President Trump and to build a new Canadian economy.' [CNN]
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Stephanie Scarbrough/AP
🏀 March Madness shapes up
On the men's side, UConn's bid for a three-peat came to an end, while Ole Miss beat Baylor in a down-to-the-wire women's matchup. See all of yesterday's biggest moments, the women's and men's results, and the men's Sweet 16 schedule. [Yahoo Sports]
➡️ Wildfires in Carolinas
Three wildfires in North Carolina have burned more than 3,000 acres, and two were still 0% contained as of last night. Over the weekend, the wildfires prompted evacuation orders and triggered a state of emergency in South Carolina. [ABC News]
⚖️ N.M. suspects arrested
New Mexico authorities yesterday arrested four people, including three teenagers, and charged them with murder in connection to a mass shooting at a car show in Las Cruces on Friday that left three dead and injured 15. [GMA]
⛪ The pope heads home
Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital yesterday, five weeks after he was admitted with double pneumonia. He's expected to continue his recovery at the Vatican. Watch him greet supporters before leaving. [CNN]
🎵 Jo Bros' anniversary
The Jonas Brothers celebrated 20 years of making music together this weekend, during which they dropped a new single, announced 2025 tour dates and took over a Joe's Pizza — I mean, Jonas Pizza — in New York City. [Rolling Stone/CBS News]
WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY
⛹️‍♀️ In the NCAA women's tournament, the round of 32 continues. Among other matchups, top-seeded Texas faces No. 8 Illinois at 2 p.m ET on ESPN. [Yahoo Sports]
📺 On TV: Grant Ellis makes his final decision in the Bachelor finale at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, and the first episode of Hollywood Demons, a docuseries about Hollywood stars and scandals, airs at 9 p.m. ET on ID. [People]
🏀 In pro basketball, the Nuggets, fresh off a win, host the Bulls at 9 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass. [AP]
☀️ And don't forget to: Read your daily horoscope. Play the crossword. Check the forecast in your area.
TODAY IN HISTORY
Illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Courtesy Everett Collection
In 1972, The Godfather, starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, was released. Many consider it the first modern blockbuster. However, in his memoir, Pacino recalled filming the opening scene and thinking it'd be 'the worst picture ever made.' [Business Insider]
3 QUESTIONS
...about allergy season
It's spring. If you deal with allergies, you know what that means: stuffy noses and itchy eyes, among other symptoms. Anthony asked Yahoo Health Editor Rachel Grumman Bender what to expect this season.
Anthony: What should people know about this year's allergy season?
Rachel: Stock up on some tissues — it's expected to be a bad one. Tree pollen, which typically kicks things off, is already on the rise in the South. While allergens surface across the country, they can be especially intense if you live in one of the nation's 'allergy capitals' (looking at you, Wichita, Kan.).
Anthony: Why does it feel like every year's allergy season is worse than the last?
Rachel: Well, you're not imagining things. It is getting worse year after year. So what's going on? Spring is arriving earlier in some parts of the country due to climate change, which is causing the allergy season to become 'longer and more intense,' according to the EPA.
Anthony: What tips do you have for dealing with allergies?
Rachel: I got you. After being outside, change your clothes, which may be coated with pollen. Even better: Hop in the shower before bed to wash any pollen out of your hair. And always check the forecast before heading out — stay home on high pollen count days if you can.
Need more tips? Here's how doctors say they treat their own allergies.
FEEL-GOOD MOMENT
Courtesy of Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust
The blobfish, once named 'the world's ugliest animal,' got some overdue praise recently after more than 5,500 New Zealanders named it Fish of the Year for 2025. 'It's time for the blobfish to have his moment in the sun,' supporters said. [USA Today]
We asked, you answered: What were your favorite poems? There were many. Marisa P. said Sylvia Plath's 'Lady Lazarus,' Ginny H. said Robert Frost's 'Stopping by the Woods,' Pam W. said Rudyard Kipling's 'If' and Lora V. said 'My Children,' a poem her cancer-stricken mom wrote to her and her siblings when they were young. Thank you all for sharing.
💡 P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: Next time you need to have a tough convo with someone, do it while taking a walk with them. That can make it less stressful. [Yahoo Life]
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