GEOFF BENNETT: In the day's other headlines: A federal judge temporarily blocked the Pentagon from punishing Arizona Senator Mark Kelly for participating in a video that called on troops to resist unlawful orders.

District Judge Richard Leon ruled that officials violated Kelly's rights and -- quote -- "threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees."

The retired Navy pilot sued the administration after he was censured last month and threatened with a demotion and cut in retirement pay.

Speaking to reporters today, Kelly called the ruling a critical moment and lashed out at President Trump.

SEN.

MARK KELLY (D-AZ): However this thing ends, I'm going to stand up to him and stand up to this administration, because what they are doing is not right.

GEOFF BENNETT: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the Pentagon will appeal today's ruling.

It comes just days after a grand jury refused to indict Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers over their appearance in the video.

Democrats on a U.S.

Senate committee criticized this week's closure of the El Paso airspace, saying real communication issues led to the unprecedented shutdown.

SEN.

MARIA CANTWELL (D-WA): Yesterday's incident at El Paso reminds me of why this interagency coordination is so important.

GEOFF BENNETT: Lawmakers on the Senate Commerce Committee pointed to a lack of communication between the FAA and the Pentagon for the closure.

At issue were Pentagon plans to test a laser to shoot down drones used by Mexican drug cartels.

It's believed the target turned out to be a party balloon.

The head of the NTSB also expressed her shock at the lack of coordination at today's hearing.

JENNIFER HOMENDY, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board: I will say there has been miscommunication or no communication between at least the Army and FAA for years.

The lack of communication even within a large agency and between agencies is terrible.

I don't understand it.

People can't talk?

It's astounding to me.

GEOFF BENNETT: Homendy was called to testify to the committee about the NTSB's findings on last year's air collision between an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter that killed 67 people.

Today's hearing focused on a long-running NTSB recommendation that aircraft be equipped with multiple location systems that some believe could have prevented the tragedy.

House Democrats are looking to build on momentum against President Trump's tariffs after lawmakers voted last night to roll back levies against Canada.

The rare bipartisan vote must go to the Senate next, and President Trump can veto the measure, but it could open the door to further votes that would target other tariffs, like those on Mexico and Brazil.

Speaking to reporters today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the tariff policies must stop.

REP.

HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): We're in an extraordinary situation right now where Republican policies led by Donald Trump and House GOP members are actively hurting everyday Americans.

GEOFF BENNETT: President Trump has threatened lawmakers of his own party who vote against the tariffs, writing on social media last night that anyone who does would seriously suffer the consequences come election time, and that includes primaries, he says.

And there was global reaction today to the Trump administration's policies, starting in India, where farmers in trade unions mounted a one-day nationwide strike against a trade deal with the U.S.

Protesters say the framework agreement would flood the market with cheap products and threaten the livelihoods of millions of small farmers.

The government has defended the deal, saying it would lower tariffs and deepen ties with the U.S.

Closer to home, two Mexican Navy ships carrying humanitarian aid arrived in Cuba today, as the U.S.

blocks oil supplies from reaching the island.

President Trump has threatened tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba.

Officials there say the energy crisis is getting worse.

A federal judge in Florida rejected an attempt by the BBC to delay proceedings in a $10 billion lawsuit brought by President Trump.

Instead, the judge set a trial date of February of next year.

Mr.

Trump sued the broadcaster in December over the editing of a speech he gave on January 6, 2021, shortly before some of his supporters stormed the U.S.

Capitol.

The BBC apologized to the president, but denies it defamed him.

On Wall Street today, stocks tumbled amid concerns about the negative effects of A.I.

on the business world.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell nearly 670 points on the day.

The Nasdaq dropped nearly 500 points, or about 2 percent.

The S&P 500 saw its worst day since November.

We turn now to the Winter Olympics and the fate of a Ukrainian athlete who has been barred from competing due to his helmet.

Vladyslav Heraskevych says it honors more than 20 athletes and coaches who have been killed since Russia invaded his country.

The International Olympic Committee found that the helmet breaks rules against political statements in competition and disqualifies him.

The Ukrainian flag bearer says he does not entirely understand what regulations he violated and that he hopes to appeal the decision.

VLADYSLAV HERASKEVYCH, Ukrainian Olympian: I just want to memorialize my fellow athletes.

I want to be part of Olympic Games and to compete and try to get my chance to win a medal.

GEOFF BENNETT: As for today's action, a warning, we have some spoilers ahead.

Team USA star snowboarder Chloe Kim finished with silver in the women's halfpipe, falling just short of a third straight Olympic gold.

Some heavyweights hit the ice in men's hockey, with the U.S.

and Canadian teams both winning.

This is the first Olympics in 12 years to allow NHL athletes to play for their home countries.

As for the medal leaderboard, the U.S.

is now tied with Norway for second overall with 14 medals apiece.

Host country Italy leads all nations with 17.

And 54-year-old curler Rich Ruohonen is now the oldest American to ever compete in a Winter Olympics.

The personal injury lawyer from Minnesota subbed in late in today's match against Switzerland.

He got a standing ovation, saying his dream came true.

Still to come on the "News Hour": what scientific discoveries an expedition to Antarctica is revealing, despite setbacks; European and American leaders convene, as global alliances shift; and how theater is helping Ukrainian children facing Russia's relentless bombardment.