International News

Rebels seen in center of key DR Congo city after claiming takeover

Feb. 16, 2025

Rebel forces have been seen in the center of Bukavu, the second largest city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on Sunday, residents told CNN, as the fighters push to expand their foothold in the mineral-rich region. Rebel coalition, Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), which includes the M23 armed group, said in a statement Saturday it had taken control of the Kavumu airport in South Kivu and forced government forces to retreat “in disarray, abandoning the city of Bukavu.” Bukavu is the provincial capital, where residents also reported looting and fighters in the streets Saturday.

International News

Top Trump administration officials to head to Saudi Arabia for Russia-Ukraine peace talks

Feb. 16, 2025

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff plan to head to Saudi Arabia to initiate negotiations toward peace between Russia and Ukraine, two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News. Witkoff told Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" that he is traveling to Saudi Arabia with Waltz on Sunday night.

International News

Zelenskyy outlines his vision for peace talks, NATO's future and what he would say to Putin

Feb. 16, 2025

In an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy laid out his vision for ending the war in his country in partnership with President Donald Trump — making clear that he would never accept a peace deal negotiated by the U.S. and Russia without Ukraine at the table. “I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine, never,” Zelenskyy told “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker on Friday in Munich, Germany. “This is the war in Ukraine, against us, and it’s our human losses.”

International News

Read the full transcript: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy interviewed by 'Meet the Press' moderator Kristen Welker

Feb. 16, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sat down with "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker to discuss potential talks to end Russia's war against Ukraine, his conversations with President Donald Trump, the future of NATO, and more.

International News

Europe scrambles for a seat at the table on Ukraine after Vance spells out collapse in relations

Feb. 16, 2025

European leaders, who meet for a summit on Ukraine next week, now have no doubt about where they stand with the Trump administration after Vance’s bracing speech.

Travel

‘White Lotus’ is expected to lure more tourists to Thailand. These are the locations featured on season 3 of the hit show

Feb. 16, 2025

In recent years, no TV series has gotten viewers excited about luxury travel quite like “The White Lotus.” It’s easy to understand why. It’s got murder. Sexy scandals. Gorgeous beaches. And, perhaps most importantly, wealthy travelers behaving terribly. Seasons one and two of the satirical dark comedy-drama, written and directed by Mike White, were set in luxury hotels in two stunning places — Hawaii and Sicily, respectively. In both seasons, guests and employees experience a transformative week as the truths behind the characters’ seemingly idyllic lives are exposed.

Weather

At least 10 deaths blamed on powerful winter storm pushing strong winds and heavy snow further East

Feb. 16, 2025

At least 10 people died this weekend as a powerful storm swept through a large swath of the United States, bringing widespread flooding and damaging winds to Southern and Eastern states. In Kentucky, where flooding inundated roads and homes, at least nine are dead, Gov. Andy Beshear said in a post to social media Sunday. “We just confirmed another weather-related death out of Pike County, bringing our total loss to 9 people,” Beshear said. At least one other person died in Georgia, an official there said.

Sports

UFC star Conor McGregor faces lawsuit over alleged sex assault during 2023 NBA Finals game

Feb. 16, 2025

UFC star Conor McGregor was sued on Tuesday over sexual assault allegations stemming from a bathroom incident at the Kaseya Center during a Miami Heat NBA Finals game in 2023. The woman, who is described as a 49-year-old senior vice president at a Wall Street financial firm, alleged that McGregor assaulted her in the bathroom in Miami during Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 9, 2023.

International News

Rubio says Iran is ‘behind every terrorist group’ as he vows full U.S. support for Netanyahu

Feb. 16, 2025

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that Iran remains the “single greatest source of instability” in the Middle East and threw his full support behind Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A meeting between the two in Jerusalem came as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas — a militant group backed by Iran — lasted into a second month despite being tested to its limit this week.

International News

Australia struggles to address a surge in antisemitic attacks

Feb. 16, 2025

With homes vandalized, synagogues on fire and residents on edge, Australia is grappling with a surge in antisemitic attacks that has prompted dozens of arrests across the country in what its leaders say is a “national crisis.” Australian lawmakers and experts say there has been a rise in both antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023.