Its 4 00 in New York. A feat of diplomacy and friendship. Thats how President Biden described the largest Prisoner Swap since the cold war. It was a massive effort resulting in four u. S. Residents, Wall Street Journal Report E Paul whelan, finally heading home. Heres President Biden surrounded by the families of the detainees. It feels like this one come with tough calls and there are never any guarantees. Theres nothing that matters more to me than protecting americans at home and abroad. So well continue to work for the release of all wrongful detained americans around the world. In total, russia is releasing 16 prisoners in exchange. Nbc news reports the u. S. Released three russian prisoners, including an Intelligence Operative including Smuggling Ammunition to the russian military, slovenia released two russian prisoners, Norway And Poland each released one. The swap is the result of nearly two years of persistence after Brittney Griner was released in december of 2022. Now the e
Notably michigan, a state that had been of significant to bidens reelection bid. In 2020, particularly in the detroit metro area. Also where he made history last september after the United Auto Workers went on strike, he joined them on the picket line, the first time a sitting president had already done that. As a result, he earned the uaws endorsement in january, which bolstered his aspirations to be quote, the most prounion president in american history. While many unions like the american federation of teachers, and the service employees international Union Workweek to back harris this week, the uaw has held off doing so, at least so far. Michigan exposes some of bidens weaknesses. The president aced fierce opposition from the large arab population over his stance toward the war in gaza, which land to the abandoned Biden Movement that called for primary voters to challenge the reelection bid. It was particularly effective in michigan, even though biden still easily won the primary i
Live from cnn World Headquarters in atlanta to all of you watching us here, this is cnn news room. Americans have been itching to put the pandemic behind them. This memorial Day Weekend looks like they just might do it. Popular Tourist Destinations are reopening as restrictions are lifting. More than 60 more people are expected to travel this year than last year. Half of all american adults have now had at least one shot and as vaccinations have gone up new infections, hospitalizations will go down. While places like Miami Beach are thrilled to have tourists again, the crowds also bring their own challenges. We have more from natasha wchen. A lot of people here say theyre taking their first trips in more than a year. There is a lot of people coming out eager to enjoy themselves under fewer restrictions. The mayor of Miami Beach said the volume of people here is unprecedented. We saw them in the streets at night creating a lot of traffic gridlock. But with the crowds comes a different p
Listen to how he explained it. If you go into a restaurant or a store or any of the places in the public indoors, you are not going to know who is vaccinated or not. We felt that all things considered, given the high degree of effectiveness of the vaccines, that you are okay to do that because your risk is very, very low. Reporter all right. So it is estimated that some 35 of the Adult Population is fully vaccinated now at this point in america, and a list of those states that really have yet to lift any of their Mask Mandates or fully lift their Mask Mandates, including in new york where we are, new jersey, california, hawaii even, which has introduced their Vaccine Passport this week. The faa is also commenting because there is a question about travel. They say when it comes to public travel, airplanes, trains, buses, they will continue to require masks at least until september and that will be enforced. Guys, there are a number of businesses that have announced that they will be dro
Of emergency. This was a disaster in fast motion. All over the course of a half day. Nearly all the damage. Many families having minutes, minutes to get whatever they could, their pets, their kids into the car and leave. This is our community, and to watch it burn so quickly, so unexpectedly, its something that i think were all just struggling to believe and understand. Among the communities dealing with the most devastation from the fire is the town of lewisville which was evacuated entirely. Im now joined by the mayor of lewisville. Mayor, thank you for being with us and our condolences to you and your community. Thank you for helping us get the word out. What does the town look like right now . Well, the good news is im looking outside, and its snowing. And so thats really welcome to see to help put out the remaining fires. There are sections of town that just its undescribable. Its unimaginable, the devastation and tragedy that were seeing. How much have you been able to survey and