Entertainment

'Captain America' star Danny Ramirez takes flight as Marvel's new Falcon

Feb. 17, 2025

Growing up in Miami, Danny Ramirez had two movies running on loop in his house: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Air Force One.” The former was a classic his mother loved, the latter a favorite because Harrison Ford is her hero. So Ramirez costarring alongside the erstwhile Indiana Jones in his first big-screen Marvel movie “Captain America: Brave New World” (in theaters now) is a pretty big deal, though Ramirez is getting used to acting alongside A-listers like Ford and Tom Cruise.

International News

Barred from US-Russia talks on Ukraine, Europe scrambles for response with Paris summit

Feb. 17, 2025

Reeling from shocks delivered by the Trump administration last week, European leaders held emergency talks in Paris on Monday as US and Russian officials prepare to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the war in Ukraine – without European or Ukrainian involvement. Aside from a brief call Monday between French President Emmanuel Macron and his US counterpart Donald Trump, European leaders have been sidelined at the start of a pivotal week for the continent’s security.

International News

Disconnected helplines, undiagnosed HIV cases and unfinished classrooms: Ukraine counts the costs of USAID suspension

Feb. 17, 2025

Some 400 calls for help went unanswered when the helpline at Ukraine’s Veteran Hub went silent for a week after key funding from the United States was abruptly cut last month. The Ukrainian NGO gets all sorts of calls. Some come from military families who have just found out their loved one was killed on the frontline. Some are from injured veterans who are struggling to cope with their return to civilian life or need help navigating the bureaucracy. And some calls can save lives.

Entertainment

Adam Sandler sings a tribute to Lorne Michaels in sweet 'SNL50' sketch

Feb. 17, 2025

For 50 years on "SNL," "none of us were allowed to use the little bathroom in Lorne's office." So sang Adam Sandler, "SNL"cast member from 1990-95, during the sketch comedy show's 50th anniversary special on NBC Sunday. The comedian, actor and sometime singer returned to Studio 8H to sing a ballad all about the half century "SNL" has been on the air, with a few choice jokes thrown in. In the ballad, titled "50 Years," Sandler paid tribute to the series and Lorne Michaels, its creator, as only he could.

International News

China accuses U.S. of 'serious regression' in its Taiwan position after change to State Dept. website

Feb. 17, 2025

The U.S. fact sheet on the self-governing island claimed by Beijing was amended to remove the phrase “we do not support Taiwan independence.”

International News

Why is Saudi Arabia hosting talks between the US and Russia?

Feb. 17, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s hosting of top American and Russian officials for a high-stakes rapprochement meeting underlines the kingdom’s aspirations to become a global actor capable of successfully mediating international conflicts. Another likely aim: added leverage for Riyadh in future talks on the fate of postwar Gaza. At the Tuesday meeting between the US and Russia, the kingdom expects to go beyond hosting to play a mediation role, a Saudi official told CNN. The Saudi team will be led by the country’s national security adviser.

International News

Israel prepares to receive the remains of several hostages

Feb. 17, 2025

Israel is preparing to receive the remains of an unknown number of hostages from Gaza on Thursday, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. The identities of the hostages have not been released. This marks the first handover of deceased hostages since the ceasefire deal with Hamas went into effect in January. The Israeli military had previously retrieved the bodies of multiple hostages in Gaza.

Entertainment

'SNL 50' brings back 'Black Jeopardy!' with Eddie Murphy and Tom Hanks

Feb. 17, 2025

What is the one of the best sketches "SNL" brought back for its 50th anniversary? The answer is, "Black Jeopardy!" NBC is celebrating the 50th anniversary of "Saturday Night Live" with a three-hour live special, and one of the first sketches was an all-star installment of one of the series' best sketches of all time. Hosted as usual by Kenan Thompson's Darnell, this version of "Black Jeopardy!" featured Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan and Eddie Murphy, who was showing off a Tracy Morgan impression that was almost better than the real thing. Or actually one of the best bits Murphy's done in the last decade.

International News

Man hailed as world’s first imam to say he was gay is shot dead in South Africa

Feb. 17, 2025

A man hailed as the world’s first imam to say he was gay was shot dead in South Africa on Saturday, local police said, in what rights groups fear could be a hate crime. Eastern Cape provincial police said in a statement it was investigating the death of Muhsin Hendricks, 58, in Bethelsdorp stating that the motive behind the killing was unclear. The statement said that at around 10 a.m. Saturday, “Hendricks and a driver was inside a gold-colored VW TRoc in Haley Place, Extension 24, Bethelsdorp when a silver-colored Hilux double cab stopped in front and blocked them from driving off.”

Entertainment

LeBron James says being on 'SNL' was 'dream come true'

Feb. 17, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO — LeBron James was the last active NBA player to host “Saturday Night Live” – on Sept. 29, 2007. As the long-running sketch comedy show celebrates its 50th anniversary Sunday, James reflected on his appearance. “To be a part of the ‘Saturday Night Live’ legacy is a dream come true,” James said. “It's been on, obviously, my entire life, and seeing so many great actors grace those skits every single Saturday and so many entertainers that come there and do their bits, as well, it was fun.