Nightly News Full Broadcast - Feb. 20

tonight President Biden shocked the world with a historic trip to Ukraine the unannounced visit to the active war zone just days before Ukraine marks one year since the Russian invasion began Air raid sirens sound as President Biden walks alongside Ukrainian President Zielinski the trip shrouded in secrecy the president left on a pre-dawn flight and took a 10-hour train ride to Key and why Russia knew it before most Americans. Our team on the ground also tonight the new 6.3 magnitude earthquake that shakes Turkey and Syria almost two weeks after 45,000 people died new reports of deaths and building collapses the Catholic bishop shot dead in Los Angeles tonight there was

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of an arrest what police say the winter storm is approaching with heavy snow and freezing rain we're following the massive explosion in Ohio just 70 miles next to that trained derailment what we're learning about former president Jimmy Carter's injuries in palliative care at his home tributes coming tonight big legal victory for Alec Baldwin in deadly Rust shooting case and the Navy veteran who used his battlefield skills to reunite a girl in the

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of his beloved dog with Lester Holt.

Good evening and thank you for joining us. We've seen American presidents slip quietly into war zones before, but never like what we saw today. Americans woke up to the news that President Biden had arrived in kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, in an unannounced and secrecy-shrouded visit that included the president taking a 10-hour train ride through Ukraine and venturing on a country actively at war and where there is no sustained United States government. military presence the risk underscored by the siren of an airstrike as the president walked outside with President Velodimir Zielinski the visit came just before the first anniversary of the Russian invasion Mr.

Biden expressed his unwavering support for Ukraine and pledged that the United States I would support a battered country for as long as necessary Kristen Welker begins our coverage tonight President Biden arrives in Poland after his historic and highly secret trip inside a war zone in Kiev alongside Ukrainian President Zielinski thank you very much to come Mr. President, it is a great time to support Ukraine I thought it was essential that there be no doubt about the United States' support for Ukraine, a show of unity and defiance directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin, days before the first anniversary of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Americans are with you and the world is with you on the momentous date that begins with President Zielinski and the first lady of Ukraine greeting Mr.

Biden. Uniformed Ukrainian military officers lined the streets as the two presidents walked through the Ukrainian capital closed for security, air raid sirens in the distance then this dramatic moment placing a wreath on the wall in remembrance of the fallen Ukrainian soldiers interrupted by a moment of silence ceremonies have a powerful impact on Ukrainians NBC's Aaron McLaughlin is there all day Ukrainians have been paying their respects at this wall of fallen Ukrainian soldiers, they tell me President Biden's visit shows them that the The world sees his sacrifice, we feel that the world supports us and tonight we are learning more about the risky operation that took months to carry out.

President Biden gave the final go-ahead Friday and left. In the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, these newly released images show him arriving in kyiv after a 10-hour train ride across the Ukrainian border, the Kremlin was notified hours in advance and the visit comes as Ukraine , which depends on Western military aid, is pressuring the United States for more President Biden announces another $500 million in military aid and makes this promise for as long as it takes and that is how long we will be with you, Mr. President , the youth has given Ukraine more than a hundred billion dollars in AIDS so far, but But that's for President Biden.

Americans are divided over taxpayer money for Ukraine. 49 say Congress should provide more funding and weapons and 47 percent say Congress should not. Republican House Speaker McCarthy says he is against a blank check for Ukraine, all while Russia has begun its major new offensive in the east and Christian, the risks remain high on this trip for the president with some key meetings in Poland and other key allies in the region and tomorrow night he will give a major speech here where he is expected to build on the argument that Putin has committed crimes against humanity Lester Kristen Welker, starting with us, thank you, let's move on now to Richard Engel in eastern Ukraine.

Richard, this surprise visit comes while Russia's massive offensive is underway where you are tonight and that is why this visit was so important because of the timing because Russia has launched a new offensive here in the East and as we are now in on the first anniversary or almost the first anniversary of this war, things could have turned out very differently, as it seemed when Russia first invaded having a huge military advantage. that Russia would win and it could have been Vladimir Putin in that square today celebrating the victory, instead it was President Biden and the Ukrainians are deeply grateful that President Biden in the United States has been with them all this time and now they say that The United States needs to stay with them and push for more weapons and they want to see as quickly as possible more weapons directed at this country in order to stop this offensive that Russia has launched and in this offensive it seems to be gaining more strength.

Lester Richard Angle, thank you. President Biden's visit drew no official reaction from the Kremlin tonight Kier Simmons headed to Belarus, Russia's key ally bordering Ukraine, where tensions are rising as Russian President Vladimir Putin steps up his new offensive . It is another side of the border with Ukraine, the Russian side. We are inside Russia's critical ally, Belarus, where tonight there are fears in the west that Russia's new offensive in Ukraine could include sending troops from here and that is Ukraine, just over the border. There you can see how heavily fortified it is. Ukrainians are clearly not taking risks.

That's Ukraine right there looking at Ukraine how tense this border is, very tense this border guard tells me Belarus wanted us to see their special forces showing their capabilities they want peace they say that despite supporting Russia you are ready to fight if necessary fight, You are ready to fight, of course, he tells me that we will tear you apart with our teeth among his military equipment, troop transport vehicles made in China after a tour of Europe. China's top diplomat will be in Moscow for talks. The United States accuses China of considering supplying lethal weapons. arms to Russia, what the Chinese government calls fake news, another big news story we are following tonight, a new powerful earthquake shaking Turkey and Syria, two weeks after the massive earthquake that killed almost 45,000 people across the region;

The latest magnitude 6.3 earthquake killed at least three. More than 200 people have been injured in Turkey and there are reports of casualties in Syria, as well as a search cruise once again surveying the damage and searching for survivors who may be trapped. among the rubble. Authorities in the Los Angeles area announce an arrest for a crime. that has left the community shocked the shooting death of a catholic bishop investigators giving an update a short time ago Miguel Al McGuire has late details and Miguel what do the authorities say the motive could be here well Esther good evening the sheriff says the suspect in This case Carlos Medina, 65, believes that Bishop David O'Connell owed him money and that a dispute over cash for manual labor could be a factor in this shocking murder.

The 69-year-old bishop was murdered Saturday in a home owned by the Catholic archdiocese authorities say they are using surveillance video to track a car leaving the crime scene, which led them to their suspect today. Police sources say O'Connell was found in his bed with a single gunshot wound. There were no signs of forced entry. Authorities say the suspect's wife was a housekeeper at the house where the bishop known as Peacemaker dedicated his life to helping immigrants and the poor. His shocking murder has shaken the community. Lester, it's okay, Miguel Almager here in Los Angeles, thank you.

Lots of snow falling in Minnesota today ahead of a massive winter storm moving in, snow and wind will affect much of the Rocky Mountains and Northern Plains on Tuesday as it moves from coast to coast later into the weekend bringing a mix of snow and ice to the great lakes and the northeast, but in the southeast. this week some states could see record temperatures. Well wishes are pouring in for the country's oldest president, Jimmy Carter. The Carter Foundation announced over the weekend that the 98-year-old entered Hospice Care at his home with his family at his side Kelly O' Donnell is in Plains Georgia for us with the final President's Day having a special meaning in Plains Georgia today, where decades of community pride embrace a favorite son.

It's a good opportunity to say that you know we recognize what you've done for our country. We appreciate. That's why Bill Clinton made note of this holiday to send good wishes to Jimmy Carter, the 39th president, who returned to this home here in Plains to spend his remaining days in hospice care near Roseland, his wife of 76 years. . Do you feel this personally? Oh, definitely him. He deserves to know that he should know what he meant to people and what he will always mean to people and what he will represent to this country, secure in his faith and his place in history at 98 years old.

Jimmy Carter has lived longer than any American president he reflected upon as he faced his end. days after surviving brain cancer in 2015. I have had a wonderful life, I have had thousands of friends and I have had an exciting, adventurous and rewarding existence. Today, the Carter Center and his local church are posting messages and memories from the public, while today Habitat for Humanity honored his nearly four decades of sweat and spirit by wishing him comfort and well-being in choosing a hospice, the former president can still receive care to keep him comfortable, but not MediCal intervention that would prolong his life.

Lester, it's okay, Kelly. O'Donnell thanks them for an emotional day at Michigan State University. Students are returning to classes for the first time since a gunman killed three people in a horrific shooting. Jesse Kirsch is on a campus still on edge a week after a campus massacre claimed three lives and five more students were seriously injured tonight. Michigan State University is back in session. I think I had my share of time to cry, to mentally prepare myself last Monday. Freshman Connor Dunn ran as the shooting unfolded hidden in a nearby ice cream shop. Today we checked in with the 18 year old before his first class came back.

I'm not really sure what to expect and I checked back in after he felt fine, almost like a peace of mind. Both buildings that became crime scenes are now closed. memorials handwritten notes cover the campus and demonstrations continue why this is the right time to return you know it's important to all of us, returning today allowed people to enter spaces and places that were familiar to them, returning with people they knew and trusted and begin to find their next best step forward in their first one-on-one national interview since mass shooting msu interim president says today is a day to move forward there is no right way for a person to do their grief there is no right way for people to return to this environment in light of What has happened here?

Can a campus stay this open? We'll have to work on it. We will have to find ways in which we can manage our freedoms at the same time as some of these social things put pressure on us. Hospital officials say tonight only two of the five injured students remain in critical condition the final funeral is tomorrow Lester Jesse curses tonight thanks in just 60 seconds the new massive explosion in Ohio that occurred immediately after the toxic train disaster and the important legal victory for Alec Baldwin on those rust gunshot charges, we return with a dramatic explosion that took place this afternoon at a manufacturing plant near Cleveland.

A fire sent black smoke into the sky creating a cloud that could be seen by Miles. The teams ofemergency are responding. Following the incident and there have been reports of several injuries, the condition of the individual is unknown at this time, but all have been accounted for and frustration is growing among residents of East Palestine weeks after a train derailed while transporting toxic chemicals. George Solis is there tonight. Anger is rising in East Palestine, we are so far away and we still have no answers. Shelby Walker's house is near the site of the toxic train derailment.

We have no option to live here right now. Walker says that a few days after the derailment she began to feel sick. I have lost my sense of smell and taste since then. Some respiratory problems. She says her Covid test came back negative and her doctor couldn't explain her symptoms. EPA's ongoing air and water testing has not yet shown a threat to the community according to the agency yet some residents say they are not convinced I am very frustrated because we do not believe they have taken care of all the contamination that they should be. U.S.

Transportation Secretary Pete Budajesh urging Norfolk Southern and other rail companies to drop past resistance to certain regulations the agency says would improve safety on America's railroads in a strongly worded letter to the CEO Alan Shaw Judge Buda says the people of East Palestine cannot be forgotten nor can their pain simply be seen as the cost of doing business Shaw makes an unannounced visit this weekend to East Palestine Norfolk Southern says it has paid more 2.6 million to residents and business owners for their losses, but Walker says the damage has been done, he wants answers, I'm not here to blame him it was an accident, it was a horrible, horrible accident, but I blame them for not say, hey, this is what we have to do tomorrow.

The Ohio Department of Health will open a health clinic at this church. The head of the EPA will also be coming to town to announce. additional measures and hold Norfolk Southern accountable Lester, okay George, thanks, there is a new development in the case against Alec Baldwin accused of the death of a cinematographer in the movie Rust. Prosecutors have reduced the manslaughter charges against Baldwin, reducing the amount of time he could face prison if sentenced to a maximum of 18 months instead of a minimum of five years when we return for spring break travel Rush is here the new price changes and when you should book your trip we're back now with spring break travel Just a few weeks away from a rush and a big change at one of the biggest airlines to ensure families can sit together right when the price you'll pay this spring will increase, here's NBC's Tom Costello's countdown to spring break and United Airlines like all airlines under pressure from the White House. is changing its family seating policy, making it easier for accompanying adults to sit next to children under 12 without paying extra, this comes after President Biden targeted additional fees for airlines during his speech on the State of the Union.

Exchange rates are bad enough. Airlines can't treat your child like a piece of luggage United says its reservation system will automatically place children under 11 with an adult traveling with them when necessary, making preferred seats available at no charge. The airline industry says airlines often tried to seat families together at the gate, but families sometimes reserve seats together that cost more. In the meantime, whether you're looking for snow or sun this spring, airfares cost up to 40 percent more than a year ago. Domestic fares in March and April now average 264 per ticket, hundreds more for some destinations, hotels averaging 3 16. per night, a 64 percent increase in one year start monitoring flight prices now to the destinations you have in mind expect to book before the first week of March for the lowest prices be flexible leave on your flight midweek to save an average of a hundred dollars airfare don't expect empty middle seats from the TSA screened two and a half million people on Friday, the most since Thanksgiving weekend, if you haven't checked your ticket reservation soon, prices could increase by hundreds of dollars as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. spring Lester all right, Tom Costello, thanks as we return from tracking down Al Qaeda to Bringing the Nappers to Justice, how a Navy veteran rescued a dog that was being held for ransom.

Finally, tonight, the incredible story of a Navy veteran who used his tracking skills. and save a dog that is being held for ransom. Our Katie Beck has details. She is a terrifying image for any dog ​​owner. A stranger is lurking outside to steal your pet. She made my heart hurt. You know, the hero cries and couldn't sleep. captured Samaje Witherspoon's 12-year-old Yorkie Avery as a dog napping outside her home in Landover, Maryland. A teenage girl is seen luring the dog with treats, then she and an accomplice run away with the dog in sight immediately, a missing flyer appeared and then a text message arrived. message from Nappers dog with a rescue Demand for a photo of poor Avery in a cage Raquel Witherspoon first called the police and then the news that she was out here, we don't know her story caught the attention of the former Navy veteran , highly trained tracking expert, Rick.

MC Hammer, who once tracked members of Al Qaeda, also owns a dog. I can imagine if someone kidnapped my dog ​​and put their paid job on the back burner and made it their mission to find Avery by tracing the rescue number to a social media page where they saw a similar image of the woman in the ring video. It was getting really cool, it's really cool, he found that the dogs shared their information with the police with a search warrant. Avery was recovered and a suspect charged How does this rank in terms of Victories? I've had in your oh, this is probably the best Avery is still a little skittish at home safe and sound a return home and a first in-person meeting for the rescue team thank you very much, what does that mean to you?

I am very grateful that many people would spring into action a wrong done right a mission that matters those of us who have dogs understand how important they are even when the hostage has four legs Katie Beck NBC News Landover Maryland and that's Nightly News for This Monday, thank you for looking at everyone. I'm Lester Holt, please take care of yourselves and each other. Good evening everyone, thank you for watching our YouTube channel. Follow today's top stories and breaking news by downloading the NBC News app.