News Wrap: New fighting erupts in Ethiopia’s Tigray region

Amna Nawaz:

In the day's other news: A Russian rocket attack in Central Ukraine claimed scores of victims, as Ukraine marked its Independence Day and six months since the war began. President Zelenskyy said the attack killed 22 people and wounded dozens at a train station.

Meanwhile, the U.S. announced another $3 billion in military aid for Ukraine. The Pentagon said it sends a strong message to Russian President Putin.

Colin Kahl, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy: His theory victory is that he can outlast everybody. Packages like this that signal we're not just providing assistance to Ukraine right now, but it's going to be a steady stream of assistance that will stretch out over many months and years is precisely challenging Putin's miscalculation, we believe, that he can just grind it out and wait it out.

Amna Nawaz:

The U.S. has now supplied Ukraine with nearly $14 billion in military assistance since the war began.

The U.S. military says it traded fire today with Iranian-backed militia fighters in Eastern Syria. That followed U.S. airstrikes in Deir ez-Zor, an oil-rich province bordering Iraq. Local reports say at least six militia fighters were killed. U.S. Central Command says the militias had attacked American troops in the region last week.

In Ethiopia, new fighting has erupted in the Tigray region after a months-long cease-fire. Tigrayan officials accused Ethiopia of launching a — quote — "large-scale offensive" today. Ethiopia claims Tigray's forces attacked first.

In New York, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres insisted that the fighting stop.

Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General:

I am deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the resumption of hostilities in Ethiopia. My strong appeal is for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the resumption of peace talks.

Amna Nawaz:

The fighting in Tigray has claimed thousands of lives since 2020 and left millions of people starving. Mediation efforts have struggled to make any progress.

In this country, meanwhile, a congressional report has new details on how the Trump White House interfered with the FDA early in the pandemic. A House select subcommittee says then-President Trump and his aides pressured FDA officials to reauthorize hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID. By then, studies had found that the anti-malarial drug did not work on the virus and could cause heart complications.

First lady Jill Biden has COVID-19 again. The White House says she tested positive today, apparently suffering a rebound case, as the president did earlier this month. Mrs. Biden tested negative on Sunday, ending her initial bout with COVID. Officials say she has no new symptoms, but will re-isolate and remain in Delaware.

A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked federal officials from enforcing new guidance on emergency abortions. The guidance requires hospitals to end pregnancies that endanger the mother, even if state law sharply limits abortions. The White House today called the court ruling — quote — "a blow to Texans."

Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary:

We have been very clear as you look at what's — what is — what happened last night in Texas. Republicans legislators are working to roll back of the freedoms of Americans that they have relied on for a half-a-century, a half-a-century.

And it's more and more clear that this is against the will of a majority of Americans.

Amna Nawaz:

The federal judge's ruling applies only to Texas, but a similar case is playing out in Idaho.

Students in Ohio's largest school district started the year remotely and with substitute teachers today. The regular teachers and other staffers in Columbus went on strike on Monday. They are demanding smaller class sizes and better conditions, including guaranteed air conditioning.

Twitter's chief executive has rejected claims that the company lied about its defenses against hackers and spam accounts. Reuters reports the CEO held an employee meeting today and said the allegations are — quote — "foundationally, technically and historically inaccurate."

The company's former security chief had accused Twitter of misleading federal regulators.

On Wall Street, stocks inched higher today. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 59 points to close at 32969. The Nasdaq rose 50 points. The S&P 500 added 12.

And a passing to note. Football Hall of Famer Len Dawson has died. In 1970, as quarterback, he led the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl championship over the Minnesota Vikings. And he set numerous records that stood for half-a-century. Later, he worked for years as a broadcast analyst for NFL games. Len Dawson was 87 years old.

Still to come on the "NewsHour": Ukrainians mark their independence from the Soviet Union, even as they fight Russia's invasion; Afghans who fled their homes during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal reflect on the last year; the late actor Michael K. Williams' posthumous memoir details how his life informed his career; plus much more.