News Wrap: Extreme winter weather causes disruptions across the continental U.S.

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• John Yang:

  Good evening, I'm John Yang. Heavy snow biting cold pouring rain. For much of today there's been only one state in the continental United States without a severe weather watch or warning, Arizona. Everywhere else a massive winter storm is spanning the country up ending life for millions of Americans. It's disrupting presidential politics.

  In Iowa they're digging out from blizzard conditions and under the first contest of the 2024 elections. Republican candidates Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley trim to their campaign schedules and former President Donald Trump's shifted to tele-rallies, and the storm is affecting the NFL playoffs.

  Tomorrow's Bills-Steelers game has been moved to Monday as more than a foot of snow is expected and Buffalo. But fans are still showing up for tonight's Dolphins-Chiefs game despite wins that will make it feel like 30 below in Kansas City.

  Taiwanese voters rebuffed China by electing as president a candidate who rejects China's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan. The victory of Lai Ching-Te gives the ruling party an unprecedented third presidential term. In his victory speech Lai promise to safeguard Taiwan's autonomy.

• Lai Ching-Te, President-Elect, Taiwan (through translator):

  We are telling the international community that between democracy and authoritarianism we stand on the side of democracy. Taiwan will continue to walk side by side with democracies from around the world.

• John Yang:

  China responded with a statement saying Taiwan is China's Taiwan. This election will not change the basic landscape. The Biden administration congratulated Lai but responding to a reporter's question this morning, President Biden said the United States does not support independence for Taiwan. Lai's to be inaugurated in May.

  President Biden also told reporters that he's confident the United States is well prepared after a second round of U.S. strikes against Iranian backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Biden in the United States sent a private message to Tehran. U.S. officials say they expect the Houthis to retaliate, stoking concerns of a wider Middle East conflict.

  In Gaza, predawn Israeli airstrikes killed more than 30 Palestinians, including young children. The Hamas run Gaza health ministry says nearly 24,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began.

  Still to come on PBS News Weekend, the rise of impeachment as a partisan weapon and you might be eating and drinking more microplastics then you think.