Ukraine says Russia fires intercontinental ballistic missile

Ukraine has accused Russia of launching intercontinental ballistic missiles. The FBI says it thwarted an attack on the New York Stock Exchange. And the Pacific Northwest is experiencing a one-two punch as a “bomb cyclone” combines with an atmospheric river. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

Ukraine says Russia fires intercontinental ballistic missile

Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile during a morning attack Thursday, Nov. 21. If confirmed, this would be the first time Russia has used the powerful long-range weapon since the start of the war.

Russia’s actions follow Ukraine reportedly firing U.S. and British-made missiles at targets inside Russia this week. Russia has said Ukraine’s use of western weapons to strike inside the country would be seen as an escalation in the war. 

Ukraine said Thursday’s attack from Russia targeted critical infrastructure. Ukraine’s air force said it shot down six cruise missiles during the attack.

‼️ The Ukrainian city of Dnipro became the first city in human history to be struck by an intercontinental ballistic missile. It is a historic turning point. An intercontinental ballistic missile used not on a firing range, but against a city of a million people. pic.twitter.com/TyXjY3TjFz

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) November 21, 2024

It is not clear yet what, specifically, the intercontinental ballistic missile targeted or whether it caused any damage in Ukraine.

Florida man charged in plot to blow up New York Stock Exchange

A Florida man is facing charges after being accused of planning to blow up the New York Stock Exchange. The FBI said agents arrested Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, 30, on Wednesday, Nov. 20. 

The investigation started in February after the FBI received a tip that Yener was keeping bombmaking supplies in a storage unit. Investigators said they found bombmaking sketches, watches with timers, electronic circuit boards and other electronics that could be used for building explosive devices in Yener’s Coral Springs storage unit. 

Court documents indicate Yener also told undercover FBI agents he wanted to set off the bomb the week before Thanksgiving. He’s also quoted as saying “tons of people” would support an attack on the stock exchange and that his goal was to “reset” or “reboot” the U.S. government.

House Ethics Committee reaches ‘no agreement’ on release of Gaetz report

The House Ethics Committee was not able to come to an agreement Wednesday, Nov. 20, on whether to release the report on its investigation into former Congressman Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general. 

Since 2021, the committee had been looking into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use against the Florida lawmaker, though, it paused its investigation for a time while the Justice Department conducted a probe of its own. The DOJ ultimately did not file any charges due to credibility problems with the witnesses. 

The House committee ended its investigation last week after Gaetz resigned as a member of Congress following Trump’s nomination. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing. 

Wednesday’s closed-door meeting in Washington, D.C. lasted a little over two hours. 

Republican Congressman Michael Guest of Mississippi, who chairs the committee, told reporters before the start of the meeting that some of the reservations he had about releasing the report were that it was not complete and had “not gone through the review process.” 

Meanwhile, ranking Democrat Congresswoman Susan Wild of Pennsylvania said the decision came down to party lines with the five Republicans on the panel siding against releasing the report and the five Democrats voting in favor of it. Wild said the committee will convene again on Dec. 5 to “further consider the matter.” 

Following the panel’s meeting, two Democratic congressmen each moved to compel a vote from the full House on the issue. 

The Trump transition team has called the accusations against Gaetz “baseless.” 

Vice President-elect JD Vance was at the Capitol Wednesday accompanying Gaetz to meetings with Republican senators. Vance was looking to shore up support prior to a confirmation hearing next year. Gaetz told reporters Wednesday night that senators have been “supportive,” and they have promised “a fair process.”

Deadly ‘bomb cyclone’ combines with atmospheric river to wreak more havoc

Parts of the west coast are now facing a new threat as a deadly “bomb cyclone” winds down: it’s now combining with an atmospheric river. The combination is expected to cause heavy downpours and lead to life-threatening flooding throughout the rest of this week.

Video from Bellevue WA of very strong wind gusts knocking down a tree onto powerlines and tree branches flying in the air.

📷: Sada Saleel #BCStormWatch #wawx #BombCyclone pic.twitter.com/Hxkp33U49u

— michael_wx_ (@michaelwx6) November 20, 2024

At least two people were killed, and more than 200,000 homes and businesses remain without power in Washington state after hurricane-force winds from the bomb cyclone roared through, triggering mudslides, blocking roads and damaging homes. 

Now, the atmospheric river is expected to bring up to 16 inches of rain and snow to parts of northern California and Oregon. It will turn into wet snow at higher elevations in the Cascade Mountains creating blizzard conditions there.

DOJ asks judge to force Google to sell off its Chrome web browser

The U.S. government wants to break up Google. The Department of Justice has asked a federal judge to force the sale of the Google Chrome web browser to keep the company from continuing to squash competition through its dominant search engine. 

This comes after a landmark ruling earlier this year found Google violated U.S. antitrust law to maintain an abusive monopoly over the past decade. 

In a 23-page document, the Justice Department also called for tighter restrictions to prevent Android from favoring Google’s search engine. 

Bloomberg reported that if the move is approved by a judge, Chrome could sell for as much as $20 billion.

UConn’s Geno Auriemma becomes winningest coach in NCAA Division I history

History was made at the University of Connecticut Wednesday night. The Huskies’ Geno Auriemma became the winningest coach in NCAA Division I basketball history — men or women’s. 

No. 2 ranked UConn defeated Fairleigh Dickinson 85-41, giving Auriemma his 1,217th career win in front of a sold-out hometown crowd, 60-plus former players, and a live goat — to signify he is now the GOAT.

The GOAT with a goat 🐐 pic.twitter.com/Vs5I5Gqkl8

— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) November 21, 2024

Auriemma surpassed legendary Stanford coach Tara Vanderveer’s record. She had set the record last season before retiring. Vanderveer took over the title of wins leader from longtime Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. 

The 70-year-old Auriemma is in his 40th season at UConn. He has led the Huskies to six undefeated seasons, 23 final fours and 11 national titles.