News Wrap: Biden meets with German chancellor to discuss Ukraine aid

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• Amna Nawaz:

  In the day's other headlines: President Biden huddled with Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz on getting new military aid to Ukraine. The president said it will be — quote — "close to criminal neglect" if Congress fails to act.

  Scholz said U.S. and European support is vital to let Ukraine defend itself against Russia. The Senate is now working on a $95 billion package for Ukraine and Israel after Republicans blocked a separate bill this week.

  Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the U.S. today to get Ukraine to agree to peace talks. He spoke in an interview with former FOX host Tucker Carlson that aired last night on the Tucker Carlson Network Web site. Putin also suggested a possible prisoner swap for Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter jailed in Russia.

  Putin's remarks were dubbed into English.

• Vladimir Putin, Russian President (through interpreter):

  By the end of the day, it does not make any sense to keep him in prison in Russia. We want the U.S. special services to think about how they can contribute to achieving the goals our special services are pursuing.

  We are ready to talk.

• Amna Nawaz:

  Gershkovich has been held since last march on espionage charges, which he denies.

  In Pakistan, independent candidates backed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan took a surprisingly strong lead today in elections for Parliament. Khan himself is in prison and banned from running, but allies claimed 95 of the 235 seats with most of Thursday's results reported. As the outcome became clear, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reversed course and called for a coalition government.

  Back in this country, former President Trump is celebrating more election wins as he works to clinch the Republican presidential nomination. He swept all the delegates in last night's GOP caucuses in Nevada as the only major candidate taking part. He's also won caucuses in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

  Earthquakes shook millions of people across Hawaii and Southern California today. The first struck the Big Island of Hawaii on the southern flank of Mauna Loa. The second hit near Malibu and sent shockwaves across the Los Angeles region. There were no reports of major damage or injuries.

  On Wall Street, big tech stocks led much of the market higher, but blue chips lagged behind. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 54 points to close at 38671. The Nasdaq rose 197 points or 1 percent. The S&P 500 added 28 and closed above 5000 for the first time.

  And a passing of note in the arts. Famed Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa has died in Tokyo after suffering heart failure. He led the Boston Symphony Orchestra for 29 years until 2002. His animated style captivated crowds, and he broke barriers for East Asian musicians. Here he is in 1975 conducting the Boston Symphony in Mahler's Symphony No. 2.

  (Music)

• Amna Nawaz:

  Seiji Ozawa was 88 years old.

  Still to come on the "NewsHour": multiple governors turn down a summer food assistance program, putting millions of children at risk; David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart weigh in on the week's political headlines; bestselling author Kwame Alexander on his new collection of Black poets' work, poems of hope, heart and heritage; plus much more.