News Wrap: Zelenskyy says new weapons from U.S. aid give Ukraine a ‘chance for victory’

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• John Yang:

  Good evening, I`m John Yang. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed yesterday`s vote to resume aid to his embattled nation. He called it a sign of unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Other Western leaders also welcomed the $61 billion aid package.

  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called it a strong signal. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the much delayed funding is better late than too late. The Kremlin on the other hand, said it would further ruin Ukraine and result in the deaths of even more Ukrainians. On NBC`s Meet the Press today, Zelenskyy said that the new weapons will give his fighters a chance for victory.

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President (through translator):

  We really need to get this to the final point we need to get approved by the Senate. And then we want to, well, get things as fast as possible so that we get some tangible assistance for the soldiers on the frontline as soon as possible not in another six months so that they would be able to move ahead.

• John Yang:

  Senate approval and President Biden`s signature are both widely expected in the coming days. Both are necessary before the desperately needed aid can start flowing.

  Palestinian health officials said 22 people died today and Israeli strikes on Rafah in southern Gaza. 18 of the dead were children. Israel is bombarded Rafah from the air almost daily saying they were targeting Hamas terrorist.

  Israeli officials say a ground offensive there is still in the works despite international calls for restraint. The Hamas run Gaza health ministry says the Palestinian death toll since the war began has now surpassed 34,000.

  And Roman Gabriel has died he was one of the leading pro quarterbacks of the 1960s in the 1970s. He played in 16 seasons in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. He was voted MVP in 1969 the year he led the league and touchdown passes. Gabriel was the first Filipino-American NFL quarterback and retirement Gabriel works as a broadcaster coached and dabbled in acting appearing on such TV shows as Gilligan`s Island and Wonder Woman. Roman Gabriel was 83 years old.

  Still to come on PBS News Weekend. What`s at stake for the unhoused across the country and Monday Supreme Court case and how one Montana City is grappling with the issue of homeless people living in cars and RVs.