Middle East evacuations; 28,000 Americans return home

The U.S. State Department has successfully facilitated the return of over 28,000 American citizens from the Middle East as regional tensions continue. Using a combination of military aircraft and specialized charters—including a recognizable New England Patriots team plane—federal officials are working around the clock to clear the backlog of stranded travelers. In a historic move, the department has waived all evacuation fees, providing financial relief to those fleeing the conflict zone.