GEOFF BENNETT: In the day's other headlines: Former President Trump appealed a $454 million judgment in his New York civil fraud case.

Judge Arthur Engoron ruled Mr. Trump lied about his financials as he built his real estate business.

The former president's lawyers contend that the judge may have made errors or exceeded his jurisdiction.

The appeals process could take months and could temporarily halt any collection of funds from Mr. Trump.

In Ukraine, government troops have retreated again in the east as Russian forces push forward.

The Ukrainians pulled back today from the village of Lastochkyne.

It's just outside of Avdiivka, which the Russians captured earlier this month.

Ukrainian officials say their soldiers face superior Russian firepower, while additional U.S. aid is blocked in Congress.

A spokeswoman for Alexei Navalny says supporters may try to hold a farewell event in Moscow this week.

The Russian opposition leader died earlier this month in prison.

Another associate claimed today that talks had been under way on a prisoner swap for Navalny.

The U.S. State Department declined to comment.

Sweden cleared the final hurdle to NATO membership today, as Hungary's Parliament voted to ratify its bid.

After 18 months of delays, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban acknowledged Sweden's criticism of his right-wing government.

Still, he urged lawmakers to put aside any resentment.

VIKTOR ORBAN, Prime Minister of Hungary (through translator): There will continue to be differences of opinion because Swedes and Hungarians are not the same.

But we look at our differences with understanding, because that is how serious nations behave.

The Swedish-Hungarian military cooperation and Sweden's accession to NATO will strengthen Hungary's security.

GEOFF BENNETT: Finland also applied to join NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine and won the needed unanimous consent from alliance members nearly a year ago.

Here at home, President Biden and former President Donald Trump now plan visits to the Texas border on Thursday, as the immigration issue intensifies.

Mr. Biden will be in Brownsville, Texas, while Mr. Trump is in Eagle Pass.

That's about 325 miles away.

Both areas have seen a surge in illegal border crossings.

A former FBI informant charged with inventing a bribery scheme about the president and his son Hunter Biden will stay jailed for now.

A federal judge in California ruled today that Alexander Smirnov might flee if he's released.

Smirnov's accusations against Hunter Biden and President Biden were at the heart of a House Republican impeachment inquiry, which Democrats say has now been proven baseless.

The Biden administration is moving to block a proposed merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons.

The deal, valued at $24.6 billion, would be the largest supermarket merger in U.S. history.

The Federal Trade Commission filed suit today, saying it would eliminate competition and drive up prices.

On Wall Street, stocks lost a little ground to start the week.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 62 points to close at 39069.

The Nasdaq fell 20 points.

The S&P 500 slipped 19.

And the first U.S. moon lander in more than 50 years is expected to go dark tomorrow.

Intuitive Machines says its Odysseus craft, seen in this fish-eye view, landed sideways, so it can't operate for a week, as planned.

Meantime, Japan says its moon lander, also resting on its side following a rough landing last month, survived the weeks-long lunar night and is operating again.

Still to come on the "NewsHour": Tamara Keith and Amy Walter look ahead to Michigan's presidential primary; an Afghan activist's memoir details her inspirational fight to educate women; and artificial intelligence helps decipher ancient scrolls buried in volcanic ash.