Biden allows Ukraine to strike Russia with long-range US missiles

With North Korea entering the war, the Biden administration is now allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles inside Russia. And President-elect Donald Trump returned to New York for a UFC showdown this weekend while also making more presidential picks. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Biden allows Ukraine to strike Russia with long-range US missiles

It’s been nearly three years since Russia invaded Ukraine, and while the U.S. has supported Ukraine since the start, President Joe Biden is now easing limitations on how U.S.-supplied weapons can be used.

U.S. officials said the president has authorized Ukraine to use long-range missiles provided by the U.S. to strike inside Russia for the first time. This comes as Russian ally North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to the Kursk region.

The policy shift comes as President Biden’s time in office winds down and President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to limit U.S. support for Ukraine. Trump has also promised to quickly put an end to the war with Russia but has yet to say how.

Biden’s decision comes as Russia unleashed a barrage of its own missiles in Ukraine Sunday, Nov. 17. Ukrainian authorities said 10 people, including two children, were killed and dozens injured in a Russian strike on a residential building in Sumy, near the Russian border.

Earlier in the day, Russia launched its largest attack against Ukraine since August, once again targeting power plants and energy infrastructure across the country. Ukrainian authorities said at least five people were killed in those strikes.

On the social site Telegram, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said about 120 missiles and 90 drones were fired into the country, with Ukrainian air defenses downing more than 140 targets.

Israeli strike in Beirut kills Hezbollah’s top spokesman

An Israeli strike on a neighborhood in Beirut killed Hezbollah’s top spokesman, according to the militant group. 

Mohammed Afif was an adviser to the late Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, whom Israel killed in an attack on Beirut in September. Afif had been responsible for Hezbollah’s media relations since 2014. 

Lebanon’s health ministry said no evacuation warning was issued before the strike, which happened in the middle of the day, and four people were killed.

🔴ELIMINATED: Chief Propagandist and Spokesperson of Hezbollah, Mohammed Afif

Afif was a senior Hezbollah military operative, in contact with senior officials and directly involved in advancing and executing Hezbollah’s terrorist activities against Israel.

Messages broadcasted… pic.twitter.com/Iw3WFynSIz

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 17, 2024

The Israel Defense Forces said it carried out a “precise, intelligence-based strike” that “eliminated the terrorist Mohammed Afif, the chief propagandist and spokesperson of the Hezbollah terrorist organization.”

Trump attends UFC event in New York City, makes more picks for 2nd term

Over the weekend, President-elect Trump returned to Madison Square Garden to see the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s pay-per-view event. It was the first time Trump was back at the New York City venue since his rally last month and he received roaring applause from the UFC crowd Saturday night, Nov. 16, including chants of “USA!” 

Trump was joined by friend and UFC President Dana White, as well as some of the names he’s recently picked to join his administration, including Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Tulsi Gabbard. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump’s oldest sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, were also in attendance.

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The president-elect also shook hands with Joe Rogan, one of the commentators for the event. Trump was a guest on Rogan’s podcast in the days leading up to the election. 

Trump’s weekend also involved filling more key positions in his administration, including nominating Chris Wright to lead the Department of Energy. Wright is the chief executive of Liberty Energy, a Denver, Colorado based fracking company. 

He also picked current FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr to be the agency’s chairman. Carr recently made headlines after claiming Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearance on Saturday Night Live violated FCC rules. 

More nominations from the president-elect are expected to come this week.

Biden becomes first sitting president to visit Amazon rainforest

President Biden made history Sunday, Nov. 17, becoming the first sitting president to visit the Amazon rainforest. 

While there, Biden met indigenous leaders and visited a museum at the gateway to the amazon. He also toured the drought-shrunken waters of the Amazon River’s greatest tributary and signed a U.S. proclamation designating Nov. 17 International Conservation Day, highlighting his commitment to the preservation of the region. 

He also touched on concerns the incoming Trump administration might change U.S. climate policy. 

“It’s no secret that I’m leaving office in January,” Biden said. “I will leave my successor and my country in a strong foundation to build on if they choose to do so.”

Today I issued an official proclamation to support the conservation of nature around the world.

Because the fight to protect our planet is a fight for humanity. pic.twitter.com/dIhhaTxDh9

— President Biden (@POTUS) November 18, 2024

That was the most that Biden publicly referenced President-elect Trump during his South American tour. 

The transition was briefly mentioned during Chinese president Xi Jinping’s remarks on Saturday, Nov. 16 during his final meeting with Biden. While he also did not mention Trump by name, Xi appeared to signal his concern over what the new administration could mean for China’s relationship with the U.S. During his campaign, Trump promised to levy 60% tariffs on Chinese imports.

Reports: WBD, NBA settle with 11-year deal; ‘Inside the NBA’ to air on ABC

Warner Brothers Discovery is back in the game when it comes to the NBA. Though the company will no longer be airing games on its TNT network after this season, the Wall Street Journal and other outlets report the two sides have come to an agreement to keep NBA programming in the Warner Bros. family.  

The reports said the new deal will settle Warner Brothers Discovery’s breach of contract lawsuit, which it filed against the league after the NBA signed rights deals with Disney’s ESPN, Comcast’s NBC, and Amazon. 

This 11-year agreement will see NBA content remain on Warner Bros. Discovery’s digital platforms Bleacher Report and House of Highlights. It also gives Warner Brothers Discovery the right to distribute games overseas in places such as northern Europe and parts of Latin America, excluding Mexico and Brazil.  

Reports said Warner Brothers Discovery also struck a deal with Disney to license its popular TNT show “Inside the NBA,” featuring former-players-turned-commentators Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley starting next season. The show will air throughout the season on ABC and ESPN.  

The deals are expected to be officially announced this week.

Netflix says 60 million households tuned in live for Tyson vs. Paul

Netflix says 60 million households tuned in live to watch the boxing match between former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul Friday night, Nov. 15. The fight peaked at 65 million concurrent streams. 

After eight rounds, the 27-year-old Paul defeated the 58-year-old Tyson in a unanimous decision.

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Netflix also said 50 million households watched the co-main event that saw Katie Taylor retain her championship against Amanda Serrano. The streaming giant said that would make it the most-watched professional women’s sporting event in United States history. 

Netflix said more information, like total viewers, will be released later this week. 

Netflix’s future live sporting events will include NFL games on Christmas Day and WWE weekly programming starting next year.