Cuba frees prisoners after Biden announces plan to lift terror designation
Cuba started to release some prisoners after President Joe Biden announced Tuesday, Jan. 14, that he’s removing the island nation from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The Catholic church had been negotiating with Cuba’s communist-run government over their release.
Cuba jailed most of the prisoners following unprecedented island-wide government protests in July 2021.
The island nation said it intends to release 553 political prisoners as part of its talks with the Vatican. Cuban officials released more than a dozen people convicted of various crimes, including participating in the 2021 protests, on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
President-elect Donald Trump designated Cuba a state sponsor of terrorism shortly before he left office in January 2021 – five years after President Barack Obama removed it. Biden is now facing pushback from both Republicans and Democrats on the decision.
Pope Francis injured in fall at his residence: Vatican
Pope Francis, 88, injured himself during a fall at his residence at the Vatican on Thursday, Jan. 16. The Vatican issued a statement saying the pontiff injured his forearm at the Santa Marta house but did not suffer any fractures.
In the pope’s memoirs, readers learn he rarely watches television. He said this is because he was offended by something he saw on TV in 1990. Instead, he reads the scores and standings of soccer matches that interest him.
The pope was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina in 1936. In 1961, his father died, leaving him to care for his four younger siblings.
Ever since his papal inauguration in 2013, Catholics have heard the pontiff preach and deliver homilies about taking care of the environment, the poor and the immigrants, as well as his criticism of wealth and war.
As the Pope has aged, many have wondered how long he will live and when he might pass. His memoir explains that Francis does not want to be buried at St. Peter’s Basilica, which is the final resting place of many of his predecessors.
Instead, he wants his funeral to take place at his favorite church in Rome, Santa Maria Maggiore. He calls himself a pastor and a disciple, not a powerful man.
Pope Francis’s autobiography, titled “Hope,” hit bookstores in some 80 countries on Tuesday, Jan. 14, according to the publisher Penguin Random House. It comes at a time when many Catholics are celebrating what is called a Jubilee Year, which includes pilgrimages to Rome.
5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
Five wildfires now burn in the Los Angeles area of Southern California, leaving death, destruction and devastation in their paths. And the infernos led President Joe Biden to cancel his final international trip in office. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
At least five wildfires were burning in the heavily populated Los Angeles area of California on Thursday, Jan. 9, destroying thousands of homes and putting millions of lives in danger. At least five people died from the blaze and more than 100,000 evacuated their homes.
Dry conditions and strong winds continue to fuel the flames.
The newest fire, the Sunset Fire, sparked Wednesday night in the famous Hollywood Hills region. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s latest update at 11:50 p.m. PST on Wednesday, the blaze engulfed 60 acres at 0% contained.
The Palisades Fire remains the biggest threat, covering over 17,000 acres at 0% containment.
Officials said it destroyed at least 1,000 buildings, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
The deadly Eaton Fire near Pasadena and Altadena spanned more than 10,000 acres at 0% contained. All five reported deaths were linked to the Eaton Fire.
Fire crews made headway on the Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley, containing about 10% of the blaze that spread to almost 900 acres, according to CalFire.
Crews made the most progress in fighting the Lidia Fire in Acton, about 50 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. That fire scorched about 350 acres, but CalFire said it was 40% contained.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said more than 7,500 firefighters, including crews from Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington state, are battling the flames.
More than 7,500 firefighting personnel are on the ground working with local and federal partners to respond to California's ongoing historic wildfires.
Southern California residents — please remain vigilant tonight. Listen to local officials and be ready to evacuate if you're…
While mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for certain areas, officials told everyone in the area to pack a go-bag and be prepared to leave.
Celebrities among victims to lose homes in California wildfires
With tens of thousands of people impacted by the ongoing wildfires in California, come countless personal stories of loss, grief, shock and, in some cases, gratitude. Among those affected in the Los Angeles County and Hollywood area are some famous names.
Celebrities shared their accounts of the devastating scenes, something many said is like out of a movie.
“This Is Us” star Mandy Moore posted videos to her Instagram account of the fiery destruction in Altadena, writing, “I love you, Altadena. Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late. Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all, so many have lost, including my family … our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together.”
“Seeing our home burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking,” Hilton wrote.
Actor Billy Crystal released a statement with his wife after losing his Pacific Palisades home.
“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979,” Crystal said. “We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”
James Woods, who once starred on the television show “Shark,” openly wept in a CNN interview as he talked about his immense loss and the search for his neighbors.
As the fires spread across the hub of the entertainment world, organizers postponed multiple movie premieres, TV productions and award shows.
The Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 12, have been moved to Jan. 26. The Oscar nominations announcement was pushed back two days to Jan. 19.
An NHL hockey game involving the Los Angeles Kings was postponed Wednesday night. The NFL said it is monitoring the conditions as the Los Angeles Rams are slated to host a playoff game Monday night, Jan. 13.
Biden to deliver eulogy at Carter’s funeral, Trump to attend
On Thursday afternoon, President Joe Biden will deliver the eulogy at the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral.
President-elect Donald Trump will also attend the funeral. Trump, along with his wife Melania, were among those to pay their respects as the 39th president was lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday.
After the funeral, Carter’s body will take one final trip back to his home state of Georgia where he will be buried next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn.
While in Washington on Wednesday, Trump held a private meeting with Republican senators at the Capitol to discuss a strategy for top priorities heading into his second term. While speaking to reporters, Trump called the wildfires in California “a true tragedy.”
Biden announced Wednesday he canceled his final international trip of his presidency. He said he will remain in Washington, D.C., to monitor the deadly fires in Southern California.
Biden was set to take part in a three-day trip to Rome and the Vatican where he would meet with Pope Francis and the Italian president. His announcement came just hours after meeting his first great-grandchild, born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Capitol police arrest man who brought machete to Jimmy Carter viewing
As thousands of Americans paid their respects to Carter at the Capitol, authorities arrested a man Wednesday at a security screening for people waiting to view the late president as he lies in state in Washington.
Capitol police said the man, identified as Washington resident Mel Horne, carried a machete and three knives in a bag. Authorities spotted the weapons as the bag went through an X-ray machine. Horne now faces multiple charges of carrying a dangerous weapon.
Capitol police also said officers arrested a Virginia man who lit a bag containing accelerants on fire on top of his car near the Capitol. They do not believe the two incidents were connected.
Port strike averted after tentative deal reached
Longshoremen reached a tentative new contract deal Wednesday with shipping and port companies along the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S., averting a potentially crippling strike for now.
The United States Maritime Alliance, which represents ship lines and port operators, and union International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) said they’ve agreed on a six-year deal. However, the agreement is not official until ratified by union members.
The ILA represents 50,000 members who fill 25,000 jobs at 14 ports from Maine to Texas. If this deal wasn’t reached, port workers were set to go on strike beginning next Thursday, Jan. 16.
Details of the agreement have not yet been publicly released, but sources close to the matter said it addresses a key sticking point for workers: automation.
In October, Longshoremen agreed to a wage increase of 62% over six years, and the two sides pushed other issues into 2025 to end a three-day strike.
Airbnb.org providing free, temporary housing for displaced California residents
Airbnb.org, the nonprofit founded by Airbnb, is providing free, temporary housing for people displaced by the Los Angeles County fires. The organization partnered with the non-profit 211 LA to connect those who lost their homes or have been forced to evacuate with a free place to stay.
Pope Francis names first woman to lead major Vatican office
For the first time ever, a woman will lead a major office at the Vatican. Pope Francis appointed Sister Simona Brambilla Monday, Jan. 6 to become the head of the department responsible for all the Catholic church’s religious orders.
While women have previously been named to number two spots in Vatican offices, this recent move marks a significant step in the pope adding more female representation in the church hierarchy.
According to data from the Holy See and Vatican City State, the percentage of women in the Vatican from 2013 to 2023 has increased from 19.2% to 23.4%.
However, a ban on female priests and deacons remains in place, which resulted in a man being named as Brambilla’s co-leader in order to celebrate mass and perform other sacramental functions that currently can only be done by men.
Brambilla will oversee the office officially known as the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, which is considered one of the most important in the Vatican. It leads every religious order from the Jesuits and Franciscans to newer movements.
Brambilla’s background includes missionary experience in Mozambique, as well as being a nurse before joining the Consolata Missionary Sisters Institute in 2011.
She will take over the religious orders department from a retiring cardinal.
Rome considers timed ticket system for Trevi Fountain
It’s no secret that over tourism has been an ongoing issue in Italy, particularly at its famous landmarks like Rome’s Trevi Fountain. Now, city officials are considering new measures to tackle the problem.
The government is reportedly looking at a timed ticket system to help manage the crowds at the Trevi Fountain. According to The Washington Post, the plan would involve free tickets for Romans and a small fee of one or two euros for tourists. The goal is to protect and preserve the monument while allowing visitors to have a more peaceful experience.
The idea of a ticket system is gaining traction, with Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri calling it a “concrete possibility.” Tourism in Italy is booming, with record numbers in 2023. Amidst all the debate the Vatican’s Jubilee is coming in 2025, with another 30 million pilgrims expected to flood to Rome.
Not everyone is on board with crowd control measures. Katie Parla, a Rome-based author and tour guide, is concerned visitors and locals won’t benefit from restricting access to such an intensely trafficked part of the city.
While debates continue, one thing is clear, finding the balance between preserving Italy’s heritage and maintaining its massive tourism influx is in the spotlight.
Catholic church to canonize first millennial saint
A teenager known as “God’s influencer” will officially become the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint. Carlo Acutis — who died from leukemia at 15 years old in 2006 — was known for using his computing skills to spread awareness of the Catholic faith. He also set up a website that documented miracles.
To become a saint, a person must have two miracles attributed to them. His first miracle was in 2020, when a Brazilian boy with a pancreatic birth defect healed after his mother prayed to Acutis.
The second was in 2022, when a mother said she prayed at Acutis’ tomb and her daughter recovered from a severe brain injury doctors didn’t think she’d survive.
A date has not yet been set for the canonization ceremony, but the Vatican said it will likely be during the 2025 jubilee celebrations.
The latest miracle attributed to Acutis happened in 2022. A mother said she believes her prayers at the tomb of Acutis in Assisi, Italy, led to her daughter’s recovery from a severe brain injury after her daughter fell off of her bicycle in Florence. Doctors did not believe that her daughter would survive. However, two days after her prayers, her mother said that a CT scan showed that her daughter’s brain hemorrhage had vanished.
The first miracle recognized by Pope Francis happened in 2020. The miracle involved a Brazilian boy being healed from a pancreatic birth defect after his mother prayed to Acutis.
As the path to sainthood continues, Pope Francis said he will convene a meeting of cardinals to set a date for canonization. To become a saint, the first step involves an investigation of the person’s life and acts. After thorough review, a person can then be deemed eligible.
The life of Acutis was reportedly one of devout faith. When he was seven years old, he wrote that his life plan was to “always be close to Jesus.”
In January, Pope Francis urged young people to learn from Acutis. Pope Francis said, “he did a great deal of good things,” in his 15 years of life.
“Above all, he was impassioned by Jesus; and since he was very good at getting around on the internet, he used it in the service of the gospel, spreading love for prayer, the witness of faith and charity toward others,” Pope Francis said.
Acutis was born in 1991 in London, but shortly after moved to Italy. Acutis has drawn a major following for his website and faith.
In 2020, Acutis was beatified. The following year, around 117,000 people came to see the tomb where his body lay on display.
In addition to Acutis, Pope Francis also approved the canonization of 11 martyrs in Syria.
Vatican document on human dignity rejects sex change, gender theory
The Vatican has unveiled the “Dignitas Infinita” — also recognized as the “Infinite Dignity” declaration — a culmination of five years’ work focusing on human dignity. The document outlines “grave violations” against human dignity, spanning a spectrum of issues including poverty, warfare, human trafficking, sexual abuse, violence against women, abortion, surrogacy, sex change, gender theory, euthanasia and assisted suicide.
According to the declaration, when addressing “gender theory,” the church emphasizes the respect for every individual’s dignity, irrespective of sexual orientation.
“Every person ought to be respected in his or her dignity and treated with consideration,” the declaration said.
It also underscores that human life, both physical and spiritual, is a divine gift to be acknowledged with gratitude and utilized for the greater good.
The document condemns the notion of personal self-determination advocated by gender theory, portraying it as an inclination toward self-deification, contrary to the gospel’s teachings.
The declaration reaffirms the church’s stance against sex change, emphasizing Pope Francis’ teaching on respecting the natural order of human beings.
Regarding abortion, the church maintains its longstanding opposition, asserting the intrinsic dignity of every human being from conception to natural death.
On the subject of surrogacy, the document emphasizes the violation of dignity for both the surrogate mother and the child, rejecting the idea of a “right to a child” that overlooks the child’s dignity as a gift of life.
The church denounced the exploitation of impoverished women in poorer countries by wealthy couples seeking surrogacy arrangements.
The declaration takes a firm stance against assisted suicide, advocating for accompanying individuals toward death without hastening it or facilitating any form of suicide. It underscores the prioritization of care and treatment for all, particularly the vulnerable elderly and sick, emphasizing life as a fundamental right to be embraced, not administered.
In the document’s conclusion, Pope Francis asserts an ongoing commitment to human rights, declaring that the declaration should serve as a blueprint, with human dignity at the core of every legal framework.
Israel withdraws troops from Gaza’s largest hospital after two-week operation
Israel withdraws its troops from Gaza’s largest hospital after a two-week military operation. And AT&T has a warning for millions of current and past customers after data was found on the dark web. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, April 1, 2024.
Israel withdraws troops from Gaza’s largest hospital
After 14 days, the Israel Defense Forces said its troops had withdrawn Monday, April 1, from the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, ending its second military operation at the territory’s largest medical facility. Video from the scene showed buildings destroyed in the area.
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The IDF said it had exited the hospital after completing “precise operation activity in the area” and has exited the hospital.”
“The troops killed terrorists in close-quarters encounters, located numerous weapons and intelligence documents throughout the hospital, while preventing harm to civilians, patients and medical teams,” the IDF statement read.
A Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson told CNN the facility has been “completely destroyed and burned down,” adding “injured and burned bodies fill the hospital grounds.”
The withdrawal comes after Israel targeted the area outside another medical facility, Al-Aqsa in central Gaza, on Sunday, with hospital officials there saying two people were killed by the drone strike. Israeli officials said it struck terrorists that were operating from that hospital’s courtyard.
🔴An IAF aircraft struck an operational Islamic Jihad command center and terrorists positioned in the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Hospital in the area of Deir al Balah.
Following the precise strike, the Al-Aqsa Hospital building was not damaged and its function was not affected.
Netanyahu underwent surgery for a hernia on Sunday. Hospital officials said the surgery was successful.
Pope calls for end of conflicts in Easter message
In his Easter message on Sunday, Pope Francis hoped for an end to conflicts across the world, appealing for peace in Israel, Gaza and Ukraine.
Francis spoke in front of tens of thousands of worshipers at the Vatican, calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the release of all hostages and prisoners of war.
Following Sunday’s mass, the pontiff toured St. Peter’s Square in his vehicle before delivering his annual Easter message.
The Vatican has said the 87-year-old pope has been battling the flu all winter leading him to skip the Way of the Cross procession on Good Friday to “preserve his health.”
Work continues to remove wreckage after bridge collapse
The Captain of the Port of Baltimore is preparing to establish a temporary alternate channel to allow commercially essential vessels to travel around the area of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Over the weekend crews removed a 200-ton piece of the bridge that plunged into the water after being struck by a cargo ship last week.
However, that’s just the start of the cleanup operation.
Work at the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is entering a new phase with a massive salvage operation underway. @nbcaaron reports on the latest details. pic.twitter.com/1boj1hzsK6
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said tons of the wreckage of the Key Bridge still needs to be cleared, as this will allow crews to continue searching for the missing four victims and to continue work to reopen the port.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg told ABC News on Sunday there is no timeline for reopening the main channel or rebuilding the bridge.
“The Army Corps of Engineers and the Navy are working on it. They have not wanted to speculate yet on a timeline because the operation is so complex. It’s not that you just have to remove the wreckage, it’s that you have to do it in a way that doesn’t cause portions of the bridge that are there across the water to shift,” Buttigieg said. “They’ve been under a lot of compression, tension; they could behave almost like a spring if they are not expertly managed.”
Buttigieg added crews are also working to prevent the 213-million-pound cargo ship from swinging into the channel.
AT&T alerts millions of customers of data breach
Millions of AT&T customers were alerted over the weekend of a breach that resulted in their data, including social security numbers and passcodes, being released on the “dark web.” AT&T said it reset passcodes belonging to the affected 7.6 million current customers.
Approximately 65.4 million former account holders were also impacted by this breach, the company said.
AT&T confirms data of 73 million customers leaked on dark web, investigation ongoing https://t.co/9qXVHn4pxk
AT&T released a notice on Saturday saying the compromised data appears to be from 2019 or earlier and does not contain any personal financial information. The company is investigating the breach with cybersecurity experts.
It is not yet known if the customer data originated from AT&T or one of its vendors.
$20 an hour minimum wage begins for Calif. fast-food workers
Starting Monday, April 1, half a million workers in California will see their pay increase as the state’s new minimum wage for fast-food employees takes effect.
Workers at places like McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks will start making a minimum wage of $20 an hour. That’s a 25-percent raise for many.
The nation’s highest minimum wage for fast-food workers takes effect in California on Monday. pic.twitter.com/OJVnUlQo1o
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the “Fast Act” back in September, which requires fast-food chains with 60 or more locations around the country to pay this new minimum wage.
Fast-food chains like Chipotle, McDonald’s, and Jack in the Box have warned prices could increase to offset these higher wages. Other changes fast-food restaurants are said to be taking include increasing automation and cutting workers’ hours.
Men’s NCAA Tournament Final Four is set
The Final Four four is set in the men’s NCAA tournament and it wouldn’t be March Madness without a few more shockers.
Eleventh-seeded North Carolina State continues its run to the national championship by upsetting No. 4-seeded Duke Sunday, March 31, 76-64, making it to the Final Four for the first time since 1983.
NC State will meet No.1 seed Purdue after the Boilermakers took down Tennessee 72-66 earlier in the day.
Another No. 1 seed UConn, looking for back-to-back championships, defeated Illinois 77-52 on Saturday — a win which included the Huskies scoring 30 unanswered points.
Trump speaks out after pleading not guilty to charges: The Rundown August 4
Former President Donald Trump spoke out after pleading not guilty to the latest charges filed against him, and a majestic display on the water made one man’s birthday extra special. These stories and more highlight The Rundown for Friday, Aug. 4, 2023.
Trump pleads not guilty to four felony charges
Former President Trump pled not guilty to four felony charges in a Washington district court on Thursday, Aug. 4. Trump is accused of trying to illegally overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
If Trump is convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States, he would face a maximum sentence of five years in prison. He could face 20 years each for the two counts related to obstruction of an official proceeding, and an additional five years for conspiracy to violate rights.
The magistrate judge agreed to release Trump on the condition that he does not break federal law and that he makes all required court appearances. After pleading not guilty to the charges, Trump made a statement in which he called the case a persecution of a political opponent.
The first hearing before the district court judge who will oversee the trial is scheduled for Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. The judge agreed to waive Trump’s appearance for that hearing.
The trial has not been scheduled. Trump’s defense team said they want as much time as possible to review the evidence.
Navy sailors arrested, charged with sending secrets to China
The Justice Department said two U.S. Navy sailors have been arrested in two separate cases for transmitting sensitive military information to China. In one case, Navy sailor Patrick Wei is accused of sending pictures and videos of an amphibious assault ship to a Chinese intelligence officer.
Wei was also accused of sending approximately 30 technical and mechanical manuals. The department said Wei was paid $5,000 for doing that.
The sailor allegedly had sensitive information regarding the ships’ weapons, propulsion and desalination systems. He was indicted for conspiracy to send national defense information to an intelligence officer working for the People’s Republic of China.
In the other case, Navy sailor Thomas Zhao has been charged with receiving bribes in exchange for transmitting sensitive U.S. military information to an intelligence officer posing as a maritime economic researcher. Zhao allegedly sent the officer plans for a large-scale U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific region.
He’s accused of giving details on the specific location and timing of naval force movements, amphibious landings, maritime operations and logistics support. The sailor is also accused of photographing electrical diagrams and blueprints for a radar system on a U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan.
The department said Zhao received nearly $15,000. If Zhao is convicted, he would face up to 20 years in prison.
Saudi oil cut could further strain gas prices
Saudi Arabia’s ministry of energy announced it will extend an oil production cut of 1 million barrels per day through September of 2023. The ministry also said it’s possible the reduction could be further extended, deepened or both.
The Kingdom’s daily production is expected to be about 9 million barrels per day. The cut was first implemented in July of 2023, when the average price of gas in the U.S. was about $3.54 per gallon. On Thursday, Aug. 3, the average was $3.82 per gallon.
Pope addresses climate, poverty during World Youth Day visit
Pope Francis addressed an estimated 500,000 pilgrims at World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal Thursday. He told the crowd there is room for everyone in the church.
During a separate address at a Catholic university, the pope called on the students to address climate change and economic inequality. He said earning a degree should not be seen as a license to pursue well-being, but a mandate to work for a more inclusive and just society.
When Pope Francis arrived in Portugal on Wednesday, Aug. 2, he met with victims of clergy sexual abuse.
He is scheduled to stay in Portugal until the end of the weekend. While there, he’s expected to hear confessions, visit shrines and participate in a mass before returning to the Vatican.
College Board: Florida banned AP psychology course
The College Board said Florida has “effectively banned” advanced placement psychology classes in the state over a section on gender and sexual orientation. Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act restricts the instruction of those topics in the state’s classrooms.
In a statement Aug. 3, the College Board said it would not modify the course, and any class that does not address gender and sexual orientation should not be labeled advanced placement. The state’s Department of Education responded to the College Board’s accusations, saying the board was “playing games with Florida students.”
The state said the department did not ban the course, and it remains listed in Florida’s course code directory for the 2023-24 school year. The back-and-forth comes after Florida’s decision to block AP African-American studies classes, calling the course not “historically accurate.”
Whale ballet caught on camera
A New Hampshire man by the name of Robert Addie recently went tuna fishing off Cape Cod with his three daughters. It was the latest edition of an annual trip he goes on for his birthday.
This year during the trip, three humpback whales jumped out of the water in near perfect unison. It’s being described as a whale ballet.
A fourth whale breached seconds later. Addie described the scene as once in a lifetime.
“I’ve seen thousands of whales because I’ve spent time working, sword-fishing and tuna, out of Gloucester as a young man and work fish up in Alaska. So, I’ve seen a lot of whales,” Addie said. “I’ve certainly never seen three breach, and somebody said it was it was a representation of the joy I had having all of my three daughters in town for my birthday and it was a welcome home.”
Addie had just returned from a humanitarian aid trip to Ukraine.