FRONTEND_MVC/views/site/index/_topic_widget_item.php

<?php
/**
 * @var $model \app\models\News
 */
?>
<div class="topic-widget-item col-md-3">
    <div class="cont">
        <h2 class="title">
            <a href="<?=$model->url?>"><?=$model->title?></a></h2>
        <?php
        $count=$model->getCommentsAll()->count();
        ?>
        <?php if($count>0 || 1):?>
            <p class="comments">&nbsp;<svg class="icon icon-comments"><use xlink:href="/svg/symbol/sprite-clear.svg#comments"></use></svg><?=$count?></p>
        <?php endif;?>
    </div>
</div>