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Ukraine races to bolster air defenses as Putin’s strike pause nears end
Ukraine is racing to reinforce its air defenses as a brief pause in Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities approaches its expiration, with military and diplomatic experts warning the move may do little to change conditions on the battlefield and could ultimately strengthen Moscow’s negotiating position.
Earlier Friday, President Donald Trump said at the White House, "I think we’re getting very close to getting a settlement," expressing optimism about the upcoming Russia-Ukraine talks. "Zelenskyy and Putin hate each other, and it makes it very difficult, but I think we have a good chance of getting it settled."
The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin agreed to a personal request from Trump to halt airstrikes on Kyiv until February 1 in order to create what it described as favorable conditions for negotiations. Ukrainian officials stressed there is no formal ceasefire.
TRUMP SAYS PUTIN AGREED TO HALT KYIV STRIKES FOR ONE WEEK AMID BRUTAL COLD
As temperatures in Kyiv are expected to plunge to minus 26 degrees Celsius beginning Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is moving to strengthen short-range air defenses against drones to protect frontline cities in the south and northeast.
"Protection against Russian drones must be reinforced in our cities, such as Kherson and Nikopol, as well as in the border communities of the Sumy region, where the Russians have essentially set up an ongoing ‘safari’ against civilians," Zelenskyy said on Telegram.
Despite the pause, Russian lawmakers and regional leaders have publicly urged escalation. Russian parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said deputies are calling for the use of more powerful "weapons of retribution," while Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said he opposed negotiations altogether.
Against that backdrop, experts told Fox News Digital the pause appears far more symbolic than transformative.
Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward (Ret.), a former Navy SEAL and deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, said the halt in strikes reflects political signaling rather than a military shift.
PUTIN CALLS TRUMP’S PEACE PLAN A ‘STARTING POINT’ AS HE WARNS UKRAINE TO PULL BACK OR FACE 'FORCE'
"It’s symbolic in the sense of the dialogue and where we are in the negotiations," Harward told Fox News Digital. "President Trump wants to illustrate to the U.S. that his relationship with Putin delivers results. This is a validation of that relationship, which could be an indicator of where the overall negotiations are on ending the war."
Carrie Filipetti, executive director of the Vandenberg Coalition and a former senior State Department and U.S. Mission to the United Nations official, said Russia’s agreement should not be misread as a move toward peace.
"While I am certain that Ukrainian civilians welcome any brief pause, they also aren’t holding their breath because Putin’s war machine will not stop until his calculus is changed on the risks of continuing his war," Filipetti said.
She added that the short duration of the pause leaves Ukraine exposed.
"Given how short the pause is and the duplicity of Russia saying it agreed to a week-long pause that expires in two days, this does not meaningfully change any conditions on the battlefield," she said.
Harward said Ukraine could face diplomatic consequences once the pause expires.
"The risk to Ukraine is that this further weakens and isolates their role and position in the negotiations," he said.
Zelenskyy has also warned that Ukraine’s ability to defend civilians has been strained by delays in Western funding. He said European allies delayed payments under the PURL weapons purchase program, leaving Ukraine without Patriot air defense missiles ahead of recent Russian strikes that knocked out power across parts of Kyiv.
"This is a critical issue for protecting civilians and Ukrainian cities and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the brutally cold winter months," Filipetti said. "As President Zelenskyy has said, there will be no electricity and therefore no heat for civilians if they don’t have enough Patriot missiles to defend against Russia’s ballistic missiles."
Harward noted that the problem extends beyond Ukraine. "Air Defense has been in high demand globally, considering the threats from Russia and the China," he said. "Resources, expenses, and the increased time to deliver and implement the capabilities add to the challenge."
On whether the pause could open the door to broader de-escalation, both experts expressed caution.
"This tactical pause only serves to reinforce Russia’s negotiating position," Harward said. "Putin is showing the world that he is willing to listen and respond, in return he’ll want more support of his position and demands."
"Only time will tell," Filipetti said. "Diplomacy can always appear fruitless until there is a real deal. If this short pause, delivered by President Trump's continued engagement and pressure on Putin, can be used to build additional progress in the trilateral talks, that would be a very positive outcome."
Reuters contributed to this report.
Behind the scenes: Trump and White House rally behind Noem as ‘radicals’ demand ouster
President Donald Trump fully supports Department of Homeland (DHS) Security Secretary Kristi Noem as Democrats call for her ouster over the handling of the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities, Fox News Digital has learned.
"I think she's doing a very good job," Trump told reporters Tuesday in just one example this week of the president backing his DHS chief. "The border is totally secure. You forget, we had a border that I inherited where millions of people were coming through. Now, we have a border where no one is coming through."
The president and administration have stayed consistent throughout the week that Noem has their full support, as Democratic lawmakers call for her ouster following a pair of fatal shootings in Minneapolis amid an immigration crackdown operation born out of the sweeping fraud scandal rocking the state.
A source close to Noem told Fox News Digital that Trump spoke to Noem ahead of the Cabinet meeting Thursday to relay that she’s doing well leading DHS — which is home to agencies including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
WHY TRUMP SENDING TOM HOMAN TO MINNESOTA IS A STROKE OF ABSOLUTE GENIUS
The source added that Noem is in communication with border czar Tom Homan, who was tapped to lead the administration's immigration crackdown in Minnesota Monday, and added that when the likes of Democratic Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine or House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are "calling for your head," you're not at risk at losing your job with Trump.
Democrats repeatedly have slammed Noem in recent days, demanding she be fired or impeached, including Jeffries threatening that she needs to be "put on ice permanently."
"She’s got to go — we are dead serious," Jeffries told reporters at the Capitol Thursday, threatening, "She needs to be put on ice permanently."
"If Kristi Noem is not fired immediately, impeachment proceedings will commence," he added.
Noem joined Fox News' "Hannity" Thursday evening and defended that she's on a mission to enforce the president's law and order immigration policies.
"These radicals are attacking me, but I'm just doing my job," Noem said. "I'm following the law, enforcing the laws like President Trump promised that he would do to keep people safe in this country."
"We're going to continue to go after these criminals," she continued. "We're going to remove them before they have the chance to murder more Americans, to create more Angel moms and to go out and harm our children and our grandchildren. We have had violent crimes and murders drop dramatically in this country, the lowest they've been in over 100 years, because of President Trump's leadership. I'm proud of the work that the Department of Homeland Security does."
Trump held his monthly Cabinet meeting Thursday, which generated heightened attention as media outlets focused on the fact Noem did not speak during the meeting. The president explained at the top of the gathering that he wanted to keep the meeting more concise after hosting marathon Cabinet meetings, including the longest televised such meeting in U.S. history in August, which lasted three hours and 16 minutes.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and Noem were among officials who did not address the meeting, but headlines have mostly focused on Noem specifically.
DHS SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM ADDRESSES CALLS FOR HER FIRING, NEW ALEX PRETTI VIDEO
An administration official confirmed to Fox News Digital on Friday morning that Trump continues to fully support his DHS chief's ability and leadership, and that the president personally told her as much ahead of the Cabinet meeting.
The White House swiftly defended Noem Monday in the fallout of a fatal shooting Saturday when U.S. Border Patrol agents opened fire on Alex Pretti, who was armed with a 9mm pistol, while recording federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection/Border Patrol agents were placed on administrative leave, as is standard operating procedure, and an investigation into the shooting continues.
The operation has been underscored by agitators staging protests and chaotic confrontations targeting federal law enforcement officials while demanding the agents leave Minneapolis.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS HOLD 'SHADOW HEARINGS' AS THEY BUILD CASE TO IMPEACH KRISTI NOEM
When asked for comment on the president's support of Noem, the White House directed Fox News Digital to a series of comments made by Trump, as well as Leavitt, showing Trump and his administration have been consistent in their support of Noem.
"Secretary Noem still has the utmost confidence and trust of the president of the United States, and she's continuing to oversee the entire Department of Homeland Security and all of the immigration enforcement that's taking place across the whole entire country," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing Monday when asked if the president was dissatisfied with how the officials on the ground handled the shooting.
"No," Trump told reporters Tuesday when asked whether Noem would step down.
BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN VOWS TO STAY IN MINNESOTA 'UNTIL THE PROBLEM'S GONE'
"She was there with the border," Trump told Fox News' Will Cain Tuesday when asked about his confidence in Noem. "Who closed up the border? She did, with Tom Homan, with the whole group. I mean they closed up the border."
Democrats have come out in full force against the administration's immigration crackdown, claiming ICE and Border Patrol agents are terrorizing communities with their presence and referring to Pretti's fatal shooting, and the fatal shooting of Renee Good earlier in January by an ICE agent, as "murder."
Speculation built among Democrats and media outlets that Noem allegedly was on shaky footing with the president over the operation, which was amplified Monday when Trump announced he was deploying Homan to Minnesota to oversee the immigration crackdown operation, replacing Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, who had been running point in Minneapolis.
Federal law enforcement officials converged on the Twin Cities at the start of the new year amid a sweeping fraud scandal gripping the state that has led to dozens of arrests of individuals, most of whom are from the state's Somali population. Immigration officials deployed to crack down on violent illegal immigrants in the area as details of the fraud scandal came to light.
Fox News Digital reached out to Department of Homeland Security Friday for any additional comment on the president's support and Democrats calling for her ouster.
US escalates sanctions on Iranian officials as Trump considers military options
As the threat of a possible U.S. attack against Iran looms, President Donald Trump's administration has announced additional sanctions targeting Iranian figures.
The Treasury Department announced Friday that its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) "took additional action against Iranian officials responsible for the regime’s brutal crackdown on its own people."
"Among the officials sanctioned today is Eskandar Momeni Kalagari, Iran’s minister of the interior who oversees the murderous Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF), a key entity responsible for the deaths of thousands of peaceful protesters," the department said.
"OFAC also designated Babak Morteza Zanjani, a criminal Iranian investor who previously embezzled billions of dollars in Iranian oil revenue that rightfully belonged to the Iranian people and was never fully recovered. Freed from imprisonment in order to launder money for the regime, Zanjani has provided financial backing for major projects that support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian regime more broadly."
The Treasury Department also noted that OFAC designated two digital asset exchanges linked to Zanjani that "have processed large volumes of funds associated with IRGC-linked counterparties."
The announcement comes as the Trump administration prepares for the possibility of military action against Iran.
Trump issued a saber-rattling Truth Social post Wednesday warning that the U.S. will attack if Iran does not negotiate a nuclear deal.
Trump suggested in a Truth Social post Wednesday that the U.S. could use force against Iran if a nuclear deal is not reached soon.
"A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela. Like with Venezuela, it is, ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary. Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal - NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS - one that is good for all parties," the president warned in a Truth Social post Wednesday.
IRAN RESPONDS TO TRUMP PRESSURE WITH WARNING OF RETALIATION: ‘FINGERS ON THE TRIGGER’
The commander in chief has in recent days been supplied with an expanded list of possible military actions against Iran to inflict additional damage on the foreign nation's nuclear and missile sites or weaken the Islamic Republic's supreme leader, The New York Times reported on Thursday, citing U.S. officials.
The military options go further than those the president was previously mulling earlier this month to fulfill his pledge to stop the slaughter of protesters, officials reportedly said.
The current list of options includes the prospect of U.S. forces executing raids inside the nation of Iran, according to the Times, which indicated that the protests have been crushed.
Under Armour data breach claims trigger alerts for millions of users
Sportswear and fitness brand Under Armour is investigating claims of a massive data breach after customer records were posted on a hacker forum.
The breach became widely known after millions of people received alerts warning their information may have been compromised. While Under Armour says its investigation is ongoing, cybersecurity researchers reviewing the leaked data say it appears to include personal details potentially linked to customer purchases.
According to breach notification service Have I Been Pwned, the dataset contains email addresses linked to approximately 72 million people, prompting the organization to notify affected users directly. The scale of the exposure has raised new concerns about how consumer data can be misused long after a breach occurs.
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THIRD-PARTY BREACH EXPOSES CHATGPT ACCOUNT DETAILS
The stolen data is reportedly linked to a ransomware attack that occurred in November 2025. At the time, the Everest ransomware group claimed responsibility and attempted to extort Under Armour by threatening to leak internal files. In January 2026, customer data from that incident appeared publicly on a popular hacking forum. Soon after, breach notification service Have I Been Pwned obtained a copy of the data and alerted affected users by email. According to reports, the seller claimed the stolen files came directly from the November breach and included millions of customer records.
The leaked dataset reportedly includes a broad range of personal information. While payment card details have not been confirmed, the exposed data is still valuable to cybercriminals.
Compromised information may include:
Researchers also found email addresses belonging to Under Armour employees within the data. That increases the risk of targeted phishing and business email compromise scams.
"We are aware of claims that an unauthorized third party obtained certain data," an Under Armour spokesperson told CyberGuy. "Our investigation of this issue, with the assistance of external cybersecurity experts, is ongoing. Importantly, at this time, there's no evidence to suggest this issue affected UA.com or systems used to process payments or store customer passwords. Any implication that sensitive personal information of tens of millions of customers has been compromised is unfounded. The security of our systems and data is a top priority for UA, and we take this issue very seriously."
Even without passwords or payment details, this breach still poses serious risks. Names, email addresses, birth dates and purchase history can be used to create highly convincing scams. Cybercriminals often reference real purchases or account details to gain trust. As a result, phishing emails tied to this breach may appear legitimate and urgent. Over time, exposed data like this can also be combined with other breaches to build detailed identity profiles that are harder to protect against.
To see if your email was affected, visit the Have I Been Pwned website. It is the first and official source for this newly added dataset. Enter your email address to find out if your information appears in the leak. When done, come back here for Step 1 below.
If you received a breach alert or believe your information may be included, taking action now can reduce your risk later.
If you reused the same password on other sites, change those passwords right away. Even if Under Armour says passwords were not affected, exposed email addresses are often used in follow-up attacks. A password manager makes this easier. It creates strong, unique passwords for each account and stores them securely. That way, one breach cannot unlock multiple accounts.
Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.
Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.
Cybercriminals often move fast after a breach. As a result, emails that appear to come from Under Armour or fitness brands may land in your inbox. Be cautious of messages that claim there is an issue with your account or a recent purchase. Do not click links or open attachments in unexpected emails. Instead, go directly to the company's official website if you need to check your account. Using strong antivirus software can also help block malicious links and attachments before they cause harm.
ILLINOIS DHS DATA BREACH EXPOSES 700K RESIDENTS' RECORDS
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of protection. Even if someone gets your password, they still need a second step to log in. Turn it on for email accounts first. Then enable it for shopping, fitness and financial accounts. This single step can stop many account takeover attempts linked to breached data.
After a breach, attackers often test stolen email addresses across multiple sites. That activity can trigger password reset emails you did not request. Pay close attention to these alerts. If you see one, secure the account immediately by changing the password and reviewing recent activity.
This breach included purchase information, which makes scams more convincing. Attackers may reference real products or order details to earn your trust. Treat any message that pressures you to act quickly as suspicious. Legitimate companies do not demand immediate action by email or text.
Over time, exposed personal data often ends up with data brokers. These companies collect and sell profiles that scammers use for targeting. A data removal service can help you request the deletion of your information from these databases. Reducing what is publicly available makes it harder for criminals to build detailed profiles.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren't cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It's what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.
The Under Armour data breach is a reminder that even major global brands can become targets. While payment systems appear unaffected, the exposure of personal data still creates long-term risks for millions of customers. Data breaches often unfold over time. What starts as leaked records can later fuel scams, identity theft and targeted attacks. Staying alert now can reduce the chance of bigger problems later.
If your personal shopping or fitness data were exposed in a breach like this, would you keep using the brand or move on to a competitor? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Venezuela's acting president overhauls oil industry amid pressure from Trump administration
Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodriguez signed a law overhauling the nation's oil sector, opening it to privatization. The move reverses a core policy of the socialist movement that has ruled the country for more than two decades.
Rodriguez's policy shift, aimed at luring the foreign investors needed to rework the industry, comes less than one month after the U.S. captured former Venezuelan dictatorial leader Nicolás Maduro. The acting president, who served as Maduro's vice president prior to his capture, was facing pressure from the Trump administration, which was eyeing Venezuela's oil industry after imposing sanctions.
On Jan. 10, Trump hosted nearly two dozen top oil and gas executives at the White House. He said American energy companies will invest $100 billion to rebuild Venezuela’s "rotting" oil infrastructure and push production to record levels.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION EASES SANCTIONS ON VENEZUELAN OIL INDUSTRY AFTER MADURO’S CAPTURE
That same day, Trump signed an executive order titled "Safeguarding Venezuelan Oil Revenue for the Good of the American and Venezuelan People," blocking U.S. courts from seizing Venezuelan oil revenues held in American Treasury accounts.
"We’re talking about the future. We are talking about the country that we are going to give to our children," Rodríguez said of the reform, according to The Associated Press.
AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE GIVES US THE POWER TO FEND OFF ENEMIES AND RESCUE VENEZUELA
The legislation ends the state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela SA’s (PDVSA) monopoly over the production and sale of oil, as well as pricing, and allows private companies to take control, the AP reported.
The new law states that a private company "will assume full management of the activities at its own expense, account, and risk, after demonstrating its financial and technical capacity through a business plan approved by" Venezuela's Oil Ministry, according to the AP. However, the outlet added that the law leaves control of hydrocarbon reserves operated by private companies with the government.
The law also allows for independent arbitration of disputes, ending the requirement that they be settled in Venezuelan courts controlled by the ruling party, according to the AP. Additionally, it modifies extraction taxes, setting a royalty cap rate of 30%, the AP reported.
President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Rodriguez on Thursday, the AP reported. The call came just one day after the secretary explained to senators how the administration was planning to handle the sale of tens of millions of barrels of oil from Venezuela, the AP added. The outlet noted that Venezuela has the largest reserves of crude oil in the world.
"What we hope to do is transition to a mechanism that allows that to be sold in a normal way, a normal oil industry, not one dominated by cronies, not one dominated by graft and corruption," Rubio said at a Senate hearing on Wednesday.
The secretary said that the U.S. would retain control of the oil revenue and that Venezuela would submit monthly budget outlining what they need funded. Subsequently, the funds will be moved into an account over which the U.S. will have oversight. He explained that the money would not be in the hands of the U.S., but Washington would control its disbursement to ensure it benefits the Venezuelan people.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
'Home Alone' star Catherine O'Hara dead at 71
Catherine O’Hara, the Emmy-winning actress, known for her work in "Home Alone," "Schitt's Creek" and more, has died. She was 71.
"Prolific multi-award-winning actress, writer, and comedian Catherine O’Hara died today at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness," her reps confirmed to Fox News Digital.
O’Hara’s career spanned decades, defining moments in Hollywood comedy — from her scene-stealing performance as the exasperated yet endearing mother in the blockbuster "Home Alone" films to her unforgettable turn as the eccentric Moira Rose in "Schitt's Creek."
Born and raised in Toronto, O’Hara got her start in sketch and improvisational comedy, later helping shape the groundbreaking series "SCTV" before breaking into film and TV roles that would cement her legacy.
This is a developing breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz enters hospice care: report
National champion head coach Lou Holtz has reportedly entered hospice care at the age of 89.
Best known for manning the sidelines at Arkansas and Notre Dame, Holtz coached college football for 33 years. He was the head coach of the Fighting Irish for 11 seasons from 1986-1996, where he finished with a 110-30-2 record.
ABC57 in Indiana was one of the first to report the news.
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In 1988, Notre Dame finished with a perfect 12-0 record and claimed the Fiesta Bowl, which remains their last national championship. He went 249-132-7 in his coaching career.
Holtz rose to even further prominence during his time as a college football analyst on ESPN.
He played at Kent State before moving into coaching as an assistant in 1960, then got his first head coaching job in 1969 at William & Mary. Holtz later left for N.C. State, spending four seasons in Raleigh, before giving the NFL a shot. That stint didn’t work out, though, as the Jets went 3-10 and he stepped down.
MIAMI STAR LINEBACKER EYEING RETURN FOR 8TH SEASON OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL: REPORTS
In recent years, Holtz has been a stern supporter of President Donald Trump. In February 2024, Holtz posted to social media that the country "need[ed] to coach America back to greatness!"
Holtz, who spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention, was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Trump in 2020, shortly after former President Joe Biden defeated him in the election.
"It’s the highest honor or award you could possibly receive, and I receive it with mixed emotions. First of all, I’m humbled," Holtz told "Fox & Friends" afterward. "There are many more people far worthy than me, I can assure you. Nobody is more appreciative than me. So, I’m excited to have this opportunity and at the same time, I’m excited to receive it from President Trump. The president I admire and respect. I think he did a tremendous job."
At the time, Holtz also called Trump "one of the great presidents of my lifetime."
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Why the federal probe into Alex Pretti’s death isn’t about gun rights
The killing of Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minnesota spurred backlash from Second Amendment advocates after some Trump administration officials initially claimed Pretti was armed and dangerous, but the unfolding investigation has not centered on gun-carrying policies.
Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and licensed concealed-carry holder, was killed during an immigration enforcement operation Saturday, and the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice are investigating it through the lens of typical use-of-force policies, despite a national narrative that emerged about gun rights.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed Friday that the FBI was conducting alongside DHS' investigative unit a "standard investigation … when there's circumstances like what we saw last Saturday," in reference to the many instances of federal officers using deadly force during altercations.
ALEX PRETTI SHOULD HAVE FACED CHARGES FOR SPITTING ON AGENT BEFORE FATAL SHOOTING: FORMER PROSECUTOR
Blanche noted that the DOJ's Civil Rights Division lawyers would be involved as needed, suggesting the agencies were scrutinizing the officers' actions and whether they were appropriate.
Amy Swearer, a senior legal fellow at Advancing American Freedom who specializes in firearm issues, said some of the initial statements made by members of the Trump administration about Pretti were "so extraordinarily unhelpful" in terms of the public perception about the incident.
Videos circulating online showed a chaotic mix of Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection agents wrestling Pretti to the ground. After one agent disarmed Pretti by pulling his firearm, which he legally owned and carried, from his waist, he was shot roughly ten times and died at the scene.
"I think it would have been a lot more helpful if the Trump administration had been more careful with their words and had more clearly conveyed that the problem wasn't he publicly carried a firearm in any of his capacity," Swearer said. "It was the fact that — by being armed and then getting into this confrontation with law enforcement — that gun became a factor in the use-of-force analysis."
The Second Amendment conversation was exacerbated by several officials in the Trump administration in the immediate aftermath of the incident, prior to videos and analyses revealing that Pretti had not brandished his weapon and was disarmed at the time he was shot.
Perhaps most prominently, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, the lead federal prosecutor in Central California, wrote on X: "If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you. Don't do it!"
Essayli's remarks led to a rare rebuke from the National Rifle Association, which called his comments "dangerous and wrong." The NRA noted that "responsible public voices should be awaiting a full investigation, not making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens."
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller called Pretti an "assassin" and a "domestic terrorist" in social media posts.
Greg Bovino, who was head of Border Patrol operations in Minneapolis at the time but has since been reassigned, claimed after the incident that Pretti wanted to "massacre law enforcement."
DHS SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM ADDRESSES CALLS FOR HER FIRING, NEW ALEX PRETTI VIDEO
Swearer noted that the gun rights conversation that emerged "just confused a lot of people as to why he was shot in the first place."
"It really did turn the broader national conversation into this idea of, ‘Well, this is a Second Amendment issue,’" she said. "It almost conveyed to people that, 'Well, the reason he was shot wasn't because he's physically on the ground with officers.'"
Israel set to reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt for first time since May 2024
Israel announced Thursday that it will reopen the Rafah border crossing for people to travel between Gaza and Egypt for the first time since May 2024.
Israel’s Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which oversees humanitarian and civil efforts in Gaza, said the crossing "will open this coming Sunday (February 1st) in both directions, for limited movement of people only."
"The return of residents from Egypt to the Gaza Strip will be permitted, in coordination with Egypt, for residents who left Gaza during the course of the war only, and only after prior security clearance by Israel," COGAT said.
"In addition to initial identification and screening at the Rafah Crossing by the European Union mission, an additional screening and identification process will be conducted at a designated corridor, operated by the defense establishment in an area under IDF control," it continued.
WITKOFF CELEBRATES 'NEW DAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST' AFTER FINAL ISRAELI HOSTAGE IS RETURNED FROM GAZA
This will be the first opening of the Rafah crossing for people since Israel seized the area in May 2024, according to Reuters. Israeli forces captured the territory as part of an effort to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza by the terrorist group Hamas.
In early 2025, there was an evacuation of medical patients along the route during a temporary ceasefire, The Associated Press reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office had said Sunday that Israel agreed to a "limited reopening" of the crossing under President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan.
ISRAEL ANNOUNCES LIMITED REOPENING OF RAFAH CROSSING UNDER TRUMP'S 20-POINT PLAN
"As part of President Trump’s 20-point plan, Israel has agreed to a limited reopening of the Rafah Crossing for pedestrian passage only, subject to a full Israeli inspection mechanism," the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel wrote.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the reopening was contingent on the return of all living hostages and what it described as a "100 percent effort" by Hamas to locate and return the remains of all deceased hostages.
Israel on Monday then confirmed that the remains of Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza, have been recovered and returned home after 842 days.
Fox News Digital’s Rachel Wolf and Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.
Las Vegas casino owner offers unique deal to entice visitors back amid slump
Las Vegas casino owners are coming up with creative ways to entice visitors back to Sin City.
Many officials, hotel owners and travel folks are citing a drop in Canadian tourists as a major reason that tourism numbers have been down.
Now, Circa Resort & Casino has launched an "at par" promotion — making the exchange rate for Canadians equal at its properties.
LAS VEGAS TOURISM CRASHES TO EARLY 2000S LEVELS AS VISITORS FLEE THE CITY
Casino owner Derek Stevens told Fox News Digital he was inspired by his upbringing in Detroit.
"When the Canadian exchange rate got too far off a par with the U.S. dollar, I remember many times that restaurants, hotels, bars and such would put a sign out in front of their establishment," he said.
The sign "showed a Canadian flag and a U.S. flag with an equal sign between them — or a Canadian dollar and a U.S. dollar with an equal sign," he said.
Stevens said it was a welcome signal for Canadians from those establishments.
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He said that right now, Canadian tourism is "down so dramatically," not just in Las Vegas but also in Hawaii and Miami.
"Canadian [visitors] are down anywhere from 20% to 50%, depending on what month you look at over the course of the last year," said Stevens.
So far, the response from Canadians has been "bifurcated."
"I would say half or maybe a little less are saying, ‘No, I'm not coming, no chance. I'm upset. I don't feel welcome in the United States,'" said Stevens.
"The other half are like, ‘I appreciate the gesture. I appreciate the welcome. I'm going to make sure that I think about booking with you, because I appreciate the fact that there's someone welcoming us, because we didn't feel welcome,'" he also said.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LCVA) released its year-to-date summary for 2025, which includes numbers through the month of November.
There were 35,457,000 people who visited Sin City — down 7.4% from 2024, the report says.
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The latest month-end summary for November indicates that international visitors were down, with 239,500 tourists, compared to 303,834 tourists last year.
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Total occupancy in 2025 was 80.7% — with average room rates at $183.51 and a convention attendance of 5,682,200.