News Wrap: DRC and Rwanda sign peace deal mediated by Trump administration

Amna Nawaz:

We start the day's other headlines with a major development towards ending a decades-long conflict.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda signed a peace agreement in Washington today. The Trump administration mediated the deal. The African nation's top diplomats put pen to paper at the State Department alongside Secretary Marco Rubio. Experts doubt it will end the fighting right away, but Rubio hailed it as an important first step toward peace.

Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State: For all the things that make life worth living, those things become impossible when there's war and when there's conflict. So we're grateful to have played the role we have played. We acknowledge and recognize there's still more work to be done.

Amna Nawaz:

Today's agreement follows decades of conflict that has its roots in Rwanda's 1994 genocide. It's been driven by fighting between two ethnic groups, among other factors. Analysts say millions have lost their lives.

The deal also comes as the U.S. competes with China for influence in Africa and access to minerals that are critical for much of the world's technology.

In Pakistan, a surprise flood swept away dozens of tourists as they picnicked along a river, killing at least eight people. It happened in Pakistan's northwest Swat Valley. The annual monsoon season begins in July, but much of the country has been hit with heavy rain all week.

Local residents looked on at the still swollen river as nearly 100 rescuers searched for the missing. At least 58 people have been rescued so far. Eyewitnesses say the deluge came out of nowhere.

Shiraz Khan, Eyewitness:

(through interpreter): The flow was so fast that a regular person could not dare enter the river. Then the water flow got so strong that it got difficult for even rescue personnel to enter it.

Amna Nawaz:

Officials say at least 18 people have now died in rain-related incidents across Pakistan in just the past day.

Back in this country, Minnesota's former House Speaker Melissa Hortman lay in state today at the Capitol Rotunda in St. Paul. She is the first woman ever to be afforded the honor in Minnesota. Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed in their home earlier this month in what authorities call the politically motivated attack.

Their golden retriever, Gilbert, was also shot and had to be euthanized. Governor Tim Walz and his wife were among the hundreds of mourners who paid their respects. Meanwhile, their accused killer appeared briefly at a federal court just a mile away, though proceedings have been delayed until next week.

California Governor Gavin Newsom is suing FOX News for alleged defamation over its coverage of a phone call he had with President Trump earlier this month. He's seeking $787 million in damages. That's the same amount FOX paid Dominion Voting Systems to settle its defamation lawsuit.

Newsom also wants an on-air apology from Jesse Watters, saying that the FOX anchor accused him of lying about the call on his show. Newsom and Trump did speak around the time of the recent protests in Los Angeles, though they disagree over the timeline. FOX News dismissed the lawsuit as a — quote — "publicity stunt."

The U.S. military is officially stripping the name of gay rights activist Harvey Milk from a Navy ship.

Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary:

We are taking the politics out of ship naming.

Amna Nawaz:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the move on social media earlier today. It's part of a broader Trump administration push against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, or DEI. Harvey Milk served in the Navy before entering politics, where he became one of the nation's first openly gay elected officials. He was assassinated in 1978.

Hegseth says the ship will be renamed for Oscar V. Peterson, a Navy chief who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for Valor during World War II.

On Wall Street today, stocks closed at record highs. That's despite President Trump saying he is canceling trade talks with Canada over its plans to tax technology firms starting on Monday. The Dow Jones industrial average added more than 400 points, or exactly 1 percent. The Nasdaq gained around 100 points on the day. The S&P 500 topped its previous record set back in February.