AMNA NAWAZ: In the day's other headlines: President Biden signed into law a massive foreign aid package after months of delay amid Republican opposition.
The $95 billion measure includes assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
President Biden celebrated the achievement today at the White House, saying it was long overdue.
JOE BIDEN, President of the United States: It was a difficult path.
It should have been easier and should have gotten there sooner.
But, in the end, we did what America always does.
We rose to the moment.
We came together and we got it done.
AMNA NAWAZ: President Biden said they will send the first shipment of new aid to Ukraine in the -- quote -- "next few hours."
That initial $1 billion package is expected to include air defense capabilities, armored vehicles and artillery rounds.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked U.S. lawmakers for approving the broader $61 billion aid package for his country.
He said -- quote -- "This vote reinforces America's role as a beacon of democracy and leader of the free world."
That comes as Ukraine, for the first time, used long-range ballistic missiles the U.S. secretly sent them to strike Russian forces.
The weapons can travel nearly twice as far as their mid-range versions.
Meanwhile, officials in China are condemning the new U.S. assistance to Taiwan.
They say the move pushes the self-governing island into -- quote -- "a dangerous situation."
ZHU FENGLIAN, Spokesperson, Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council (through translator): The Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affair and does not tolerate any external interference.
We resolutely oppose it.
We urge the United States to take concrete actions to honor its commitment not to support Taiwan independence and stop arming Taiwan in any way.
AMNA NAWAZ: Beijing's criticisms came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Shanghai.
He's in China for three days of talks with senior officials aimed at stabilizing relations between the two countries.
Israel has launched strikes on Northern Gaza for a second day.
The Israeli military targeted Beit Lahia on the northern edge of the strip after warning locals to evacuate a day earlier.
Residents say the shelling was as intense as during the start of the war.
Separately, Israel says it struck around 40 targets in Southern Lebanon today, as its battle with Iran-based Hezbollah intensifies.
Hamas released a video today of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli hostage who was abducted on October 7.
It features the 23-year-old who lost part of his arm in the attack delivering a statement likely crafted by Hamas.
It's not clear when the video was recorded.
Goldberg-Polin's parents released a video today saying they are relieved to see their son alive, and they urged mediators to reach a hostage deal.
JON POLIN, Father of Hersh Goldberg-Polin: We're here today with a plea to all of the leaders of the parties who have been negotiating to date.
Be brave, lean in, seize this moment and get a deal done to reunite all of us with our loved ones and to end the suffering in this region.
AMNA NAWAZ: Negotiations for a hostage deal and cease-fire remain deadlocked.
Hamas rejected Israel's latest proposal earlier this month because it didn't include a permanent truce, among other terms.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations spread to more colleges today.
The University of Texas in Austin saw hundreds of protesters march through campus, leading to tensions with State Troopers.
Several demonstrators were arrested.
Some of those involved say it went too far.
PROTESTER: From the beginning, we wanted a peaceful protest.
We wanted something that was just like a community gathering that was meant to show our frustration with the university.
But, unfortunately, it did not turn out that way.
AMNA NAWAZ: Meanwhile, at Columbia University, campus officials announced they will extend talks with pro-Palestinian protesters for another 48 hours.
The deadline to remove their encampment was last night.
This afternoon, House Speaker Mike Johnson was interrupted by demonstrators during a visit to the school to address antisemitism on campus.
Arizona's House voted to repeal the state's near-total ban on abortions today.
It now moves to Arizona's Senate.
Three Republicans joined all 29 Democrats in voting to overturn the Civil War era measure, which offers no exceptions for rape or incest.
The vote comes two weeks after Arizona's Supreme Court revived the law, sparking national headlines and putting political pressure on Republicans in the battleground state.
The Biden administration issued new protections today for airline travelers.
They require cash refunds for canceled flights and for flights that are delayed at least three hours for domestic travel and six hours for international.
The rules also require airlines disclose any additional charges, like seat selection or carry-ons, before booking.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said today the changes won't just benefit passengers.
PETE BUTTIGIEG, U.S. Secretary of Transportation: Unsurprisingly, airlines are not enthusiastic about us holding them to a higher standard.
But I believe that this is in the interest of the airline sector because it builds passengers' confidence in airlines as a whole.
AMNA NAWAZ: The new regulations will take effect over the next two years.
On Wall Street today, stocks closed with little change, as interest rate concerns overshadowed some strong corporate earnings.
The Dow Jones industrial average lost 42 points to close at 38460.
The Nasdaq rose 16 points, and the S&P 500 tacked on a single point.
And New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne Jr. died today.
The Democrat and member of the Congressional Black Caucus replaced his father in the seat before serving six terms.
His passing comes as Republicans hold a slim majority over Democrats in the House.
Payne suffered a heart attack earlier this month.
He was 65 years old.
Still to come on the "NewsHour": concerns over the spread of bird flu after fragments of the virus are detected in cow's milk; 25 years after his son was killed at the Columbine mass shooting, a father continues his calls to end gun violence; Judy Woodruff visits a North Carolina community trying to talk through its divisions; plus much more.
