National Newscast: Apr. 21

EMILY SCHUTZ: From Columbia Radio News in New York, I’m Emily Schutz.

Russia test-launched an intercontinental missile yesterday, which Russian President Vladimir Putin claims is capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The Pentagon said today in a statement that they did not consider the missile a serious threat. Also today President Joe Biden announced an additional $800 million package in military assistance to Ukraine…

And also a ban on all Russian-affiliated ships from U.S. ports. The Biden administration says they have extensively reviewed last year's traffic of Russian vessels off the coasts to determine whether this would drastically impact U.S. Supply chains. This is the latest in U.S. sanctions against Russian since their initial invasion of Ukraine.

Floods in South Africa this week have left over 4000 homes destroyed and nearly 500 people dead. Record storms in the Southeast of the country dropped close to four typical months' of rain in just 24 hours. South Africans are sifting through the damage and preparing for more rainfall this weekend.

The Justice Department has filed an appeal of the recent ruling ending the mask mandate on public transit. The mandate was overturned Tuesday in a decision by a U.S. District Court Judge in Florida. In the appeal, the Justice Department cites a CDC statement that the mask mandate remains necessary for public health.

Elon Musk says he’s gathered $46.5 billion in an attempt to buy Twitter. This comes after his previous offer to buy the social network for $54.20 a share, totaling $43 billion. Last Friday, Twitter implemented a temporary shareholder rights plan to prevent a hostile takeover.

Recording artist and New York native, A$AP Rocky, was arrested this morning in connection to a non-fatal shooting that took place last November in Hollywood. A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was apprehended at LAX Airport. He was later released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court in August.

Stocks were down today. The Dow dropped 368 points, to close at 34,792.

This is Emily Schutz, Columbia Radio News.