News Wrap: Ukraine says Russian shelling disrupted dam collapse rescue efforts

Geoff Bennett:

In the day's other news: Ukraine charged that Russian shelling disrupted rescue efforts for victims of the dam collapse. The attacks struck in and around the southern city of Kherson.

Stark new drone footage today shows the catastrophic flooding that's killed at least 14 people and forced more than 4,000 others to flee.

Roza, Kherson Evacuee (through translator):

I live on the third floor. The water covers the ground floor. This morning, when it was up to my knees, I was afraid that, if it rises even more, I will not be able to leave at all. That's why I decided to evacuate.

Geoff Bennett:

Meantime, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy toured the flooded Western bank of the Dnipro River. He called for a swift global response.

The Biden administration today dismissed reports that Cuba may let China set up an electronic eavesdropping base on the island. The Wall Street Journal and others reported the facility could gather intelligence on military bases across the Southeastern U.S.

Both the White House and the Pentagon challenged the reports.

Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary:

I can tell you, based on the information we have, that that is not accurate, that we are not aware of China and Cuba developing any type of spy station. Separately, I would say that the relationship those two countries share is something that we continuously monitor.

Geoff Bennett:

Cuba called the reports unfounded. The Journal account said China had agreed in principle to pay Cuba several billion dollars to let it establish the spying post.

Taiwan scrambled fighter jets today as dozens of Chinese warplanes flew near the self-ruled island. Taipei said 37 Chinese aircraft entered a defense zone that it monitors, crossing the southwest corner. They included nuclear-capable bombers. It was China's latest mass flight into the defense zone in recent years. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own.

In France, a man with a knife stabbed four young children and two adults at a public playground in the Alps. The children, 22 months to 3 years old, were critically wounded. It happened in a lakeside town south of Geneva. Emergency workers cordoned off the park and local residents expressed shock.

Robert, Resident of Annecy, France (through translator): It will take time until parents again take their children to playgrounds, since I think the trauma will stay forever in the town of Annecy. Everyone expects this to happen in big cities, like Marseille, Paris, or Lyon, but now the target will be places where no one expects it, to put fear into people.

Geoff Bennett:

Police arrested a 31-year-old Syrian refugee as the attacker. A local prosecutor said his motive was unclear, but did not appear to be terrorism.

Back in this country, the U.S. House of Representatives shut down, as a Republican revolt blocked any action. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called off the week's remaining sessions as he tries to end a standoff with hard-line party conservatives. The rebellion focuses on budget compromises in the debt ceiling deal.

And, on Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 168 points to close at 33833. The Nasdaq rose 133 points, or 1 percent. The S&P 500 added 26 points and entered bull market territory, 20 percent above its low last fall.

Still to come on the "NewsHour": the U.S. Supreme Court forces Alabama to redraw congressional districts that advocates say discriminate against Black voters; we look at the cultural and political influence of the late Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson; and legendary Broadway composer John Kander on his latest musical that's a love letter to New York.