Minneapolis Protestor Killed, Vaccine Pioneer, & a Speedy Trash Can

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Adam Rogers
January 26, 2026

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A federal immigration agent shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, in Minneapolis on Saturday morning during an immigration enforcement operation, the second fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota this month. Pretti, an intensive care nurse, was protesting the operation and legally owned a gun. Multiple eyewitness videos captured the shooting.
The videos show Pretti helping a person who had been pushed to the ground by agents. An officer sprayed Pretti in the face before dragging him to the ground, where several agents surrounded him. The agent then fired multiple shots. The Department of Homeland Security said Pretti was armed and violently resisted efforts to disarm him, and the agent feared for his life. DHS did not say whether Pretti had drawn his weapon.
In response, Senate Democrats have threatened to block a government funding package over Department of Homeland Security funding, raising the possibility of a shutdown next Friday. Democrats are demanding restrictions on how immigration officers conduct enforcement operations before approving DHS funding.

Dr. William Foege, who helped develop the strategy that led to the global eradication of smallpox, died Saturday in Atlanta at age 89. Working as a medical missionary in Nigeria in the 1960s, Foege pioneered “ring containment,” which ultimately eliminated one of the deadliest diseases in human history by 1980.
Smallpox had killed about one-third of those it infected for centuries, and efforts to eliminate it were stalling. Ring containment stopped outbreaks by identifying each case and quickly vaccinating close contacts, an approach that worked when limited vaccine supplies couldn’t cover entire populations.
Foege later served as CDC director from 1977 to 1983 and held leadership roles at the Carter Center and Gates Foundation. President Obama awarded him the Medal of Freedom in 2012.

American rock climber Alex Honnold climbed the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan on Sunday without ropes or protective equipment, reaching the top of the 1,667-foot tower in about 90 minutes. The climb was broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay and was originally scheduled for Saturday but delayed due to rain.
Honnold climbed one corner of the 101-floor building using small outcroppings as footholds and pulling himself up with his bare hands. The hardest section was the middle 64 floors, where he navigated eight steep segments followed by balconies where he rested.
Honnold, known for his ropeless ascent of Yosemite's El Capitan, is the first to climb Taipei 101 without ropes. The only previous ascent was by a French climber who used ropes in 2004.

Winter storm Fern knocked out power to 900,000 homes and canceled 11,000 flights on Sunday. Forecasters are warning of "catastrophic ice" continuing through Monday. (More)

120 House Democrats now support impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after Alex Pretti's killing in Minneapolis. (More)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney denied pursuing a free trade deal with China after Trump threatened 100% tariffs, saying he only agreed to cut tariffs on a few recently targeted sectors. (More)

Myanmar completed a three-stage military-controlled election Sunday that ensures the ruling generals and their allies will dominate parliament. (More)

French President Macron wants to fast-track a ban on social media for children under 15, aiming to have the law passed by September to protect kids' mental health and development. (More)

Japan's last two pandas, twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, return to China on Tuesday after their final public viewing on Sunday, leaving Japan without pandas for the first time in 50 years. (More)

US stock markets closed mixed on Friday (S&P +0.03%, Nasdaq +0.28%, Dow -0.58%). The S7P and Nasdaq finished the week positive. (More)

The Trump administration is investing $1.6 billion in USA Rare Earth for a 10% stake to help build a domestic rare earth mine and magnet factory and reduce US dependence on China. (More)

Gold hit a record high above $5,000 per ounce on Monday as investors rushed to the safe-haven metal amid rising geopolitical tensions and concerns about global government debt. (More)

Scottie Scheffler cruised to his 20th PGA Tour win Sunday, joining Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as the only golfers with 20 wins and four majors before turning 30. (More)

The Seahawks upset the Rams 31-27 to reach the Super Bowl on Sam Darnold's three-touchdown performance and a clutch fourth-down defensive stop in the end zone. (More)

Drake Maye's 6-yard touchdown run powered the Patriots to a 10-7 win over Denver, sending New England to its 12th Super Bowl and capping a turnaround from last season's 4-13 record. (More)

ADHD medication use in Europe more than tripled since 2010, driven by surging diagnoses in adults, especially women whose prescriptions rose twentyfold in the UK. (More)

Researchers built a lightweight ring that lets you actually feel touch in virtual reality, using sensors and air pressure to push back on your finger when you grab virtual objects. (More)

Doctors are studying 'AI-associated psychosis' after treating patients who developed delusions while heavily using chatbots, though they don't yet know if the apps trigger mental illness or just reflect existing symptoms. (More)

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Ferrari Enzo sells for $18.75 M — triple its previous sale price.

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