Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan; Detroit prepares for NFL draft

Hot Off The Wire

On the version of Hot off the Wire posted April 24 at 7:15 a.m. CT:

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed $95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars. The bill passed the Senate on Tuesday after the House had approved the package Saturday. Biden is expected to quickly sign the legislation and start the process of sending the money to Ukraine. The legislation would also send $26 billion in wartime assistance to Israel and humanitarian relief to citizens of Gaza, and $8 billion to counter Chinese threats in Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific. Also passed Tuesday was legislation that would force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that’s expected to face legal challenges and disrupt the lives of content creators who rely on the short-form video app for income.

NEW YORK (AP) — What began last week when students at a New York Ivy League school refused to end their protest against Israel’s war with Hamas has turned into a much larger movement. Students across the nation set up encampments, occupied buildings and ignored demands to leave Tuesday. Protests against Israel’s war with Hamas had been bubbling for months. They kicked into a higher gear after more than 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had camped out on Columbia University’s upper Manhattan campus were arrested last week. Dozens more protesters have been arrested at other campuses since. Many now face charges of trespassing or disorderly conduct.

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's public broadcaster says smoke was seen coming from an All Nippon Airways plane as it landed safely at Shin Chitose airport in northern Japan. NHK television says the ANA flight was carrying about 200 people, and no injuries were reported when it landed Wednesday. It says the smoke, coming from the wing area, subsided when the engines stopped.

Tesla’s first-quarter net income plummeted 55%, but its stock price surged in after-hours trading Tuesday as the company said it would accelerate production of new, more affordable vehicles. The company said it made $1.13 billion from January through March compared with $2.51 billion in the same period a year ago.

In other headlines:

• Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Donald Trump campaign's "eyes and ears" during 2016 race.
• Casey, McCormick to face each other as nominees in Pennsylvania's high-stakes U.S. Senate contest.
• Moscow court rejects Evan Gershkovich's appeal, keeping him in jail till at least June 30.
• Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired.
• Ashley Judd, Aloe Blacc help announce White House campaign on suicide prevention.
• NFL draft has been on tour for a decade and the next stop is Detroit, giving it a shot in spotlight.
• The Pacers snap a long postseason losing streak, the Mavericks come back to even their playoff series, the Timberwolves earn a second straight win over the Suns, the Rangers use special teams to defeat the Capitals, the Panthers earn an overtime win over the Lightning, the Avalanche and Predators get road wins to even up their respective first round series, Shohei Ohtani's blast helps lead the Dodgers over the Nationals, the Mariners use their hot run to springboard into first place in the American League West and Caitlin Clark adds one more award to her historic collegiate career.

—The Associated Press

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.