Minnesota ICU Nurse Alex Pretti Fatally Shot by Federal Agent in Minneapolis

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot and killed by a federal Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis, triggering protests and serious questions about the use of force by federal officers.
The shooting happened during a federal immigration enforcement operation in the city. According to the Department of Homeland Security, agents claimed Pretti approached them with a handgun and was shot after they were unable to disarm him.
However, bystander video tells a very different story.
Footage from the scene shows Pretti holding a phone in one hand, with his other hand raised, as multiple federal agents confront him. The video appears to show agents forcing him to the ground before an officer removes a firearm from his waistband. Moments later, a Border Patrol agent opens fire.
Witnesses say Pretti was shot multiple times in just a few seconds while lying on the ground.
Minneapolis Police later confirmed that Alex Pretti was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry and had no criminal record. Police also stated that federal agents blocked local authorities from accessing the scene immediately after the shooting.
Pretti’s death came just weeks after another fatal shooting involving federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, intensifying public anger and concern. Demonstrations erupted across the city, with protesters accusing federal agents of excessive force and a lack of accountability.
Minnesota officials have called for an independent investigation, while civil rights groups say the incident highlights growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local communities.
As investigations continue, Pretti’s family and supporters are demanding answers — and justice — over how an ICU nurse became the latest casualty of federal law enforcement operations.

Nadhim Zahawi Joins Reform UK After Conservatives Reject Peerage Bid

Former UK Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, becoming the most senior former Tory to join Nigel Farage’s party so far.
Zahawi announced his move on Monday, describing Britain as being in a “dark and dangerous” place and saying the country needed what he called a “glorious revolution”. He said Reform UK was the team he believed could deliver real change.
However, senior Conservatives claimed Zahawi’s decision followed his failed attempt to secure a peerage. Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said Zahawi had made several approaches to party leader Kemi Badenoch seeking a seat in the House of Lords, but was turned down.
Hollinrake said the party was concerned about Zahawi’s past tax issues, which previously led to his dismissal from a senior role, and decided he was not suitable for elevation to the Lords.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage unveiled Zahawi at a press conference, dismissing claims that Reform was becoming “Conservatives 2.0”. He said many current Tory MPs had approached Reform, though not all were being accepted.
Zahawi, who served as chancellor for two months under Boris Johnson, said the Conservatives were a “defunct brand” and predicted they would soon cease to be a national party following elections in Scotland, Wales and English councils later this year.
A source close to Zahawi denied claims he had pushed for a peerage, saying instead that Badenoch had contacted him for advice on saving the party, prompting him to decide Reform UK was the better option.
Zahawi was sacked as Conservative Party chairman in January 2023 after an ethics investigation found he had failed to properly disclose that his tax affairs were under investigation by HMRC. He later admitted errors in his declarations but said this should not prevent him from serving the country.
Labour and Liberal Democrat figures criticised the move, describing Reform UK as a “retirement home” for disgraced former Conservative politicians.
Born in Iraq in 1967, Zahawi fled the country with his family as a child and grew up in the UK. He previously served as vaccines minister during the Covid pandemic, overseeing the rollout of the UK’s vaccination programme.

Impeachment Crisis: APC, Rivers Assembly Clash Over Fubara and Deputy

PORT HARCOURT — Political tensions in Rivers State escalated yesterday as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) clashed with the Rivers State House of Assembly over impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu. The proceedings were launched over allegations of gross misconduct and misappropriation of funds.

Lawmakers reconvened earlier than their scheduled recess, which was set to end on January 26, to begin the removal process, before adjourning to January 15. The move has sparked significant controversy across the state’s political landscape.

Several groups, including Rivers APC, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), condemned the impeachment efforts and urged legislators to resist attempts to destabilize Fubara’s administration.

The APC emphasized that Fubara had not committed any wrongdoing by not presenting a 2026 budget, noting that the National Assembly-approved budget during the six-month emergency rule would remain in effect until August 2026.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appeared divided: the Wike-backed faction supported the impeachment, while the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) took a cautious, watchful approach. Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said it was monitoring developments closely before taking a stance.

Why the Assembly Wants Fubara and Odu Removed

Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, stated that the impeachment initiative stems from the governor and deputy’s alleged failure to present the state’s budget. Lawmakers claim Fubara blocked the Assembly from contributing to appropriation bills, citing this as grounds for impeachment.

The motion was presented by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol and seconded by Silvernus Nwankwo. Relying on Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Majority Leader Major Jack listed seven allegations against Fubara, including:

• Demolition of the Assembly Complex
• Extra-budgetary spending
• Withholding funds for the Assembly Service Commission
• Defiance of the Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy of the House

Following this, Deputy Leader Linda Stewart presented a notice of gross misconduct against Deputy Governor Prof. Odu. Accusations against her include:

• Reckless and unconstitutional use of public funds
• Obstructing the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties
• Allowing unauthorized individuals to occupy offices without proper Assembly approval
• Seeking budgetary approvals from alternative groups instead of the legitimate House
• Seizing salaries and allowances due to the Assembly and its Service Commission

The impeachment saga has intensified political tensions in Rivers State, with both sides digging in for what could be a protracted and contentious battle.

Portland Police Arrest Six During Protest Near ICE Facility

PORTLAND — Portland police arrested six individuals Thursday night during a protest outside an ICE facility in the southern part of the city. Authorities said they asked protesters around 9 p.m. local time to move to the sidewalk and stop blocking traffic.

The arrests follow heightened tensions after two people were shot by a Border Patrol agent in Portland, coming shortly after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota on Wednesday.

The six people taken into custody were between 24 and 48 years old. All were from the Portland area except one from nearby Clackamas County. They were booked on suspicion of second-degree disorderly conduct.

Portland police said these arrests bring the total number linked to ICE-related protests in the city to 79. Officers added that charges could still be filed later against others who were not arrested at the scene.

Protests in Minneapolis Continue After Fatal ICE Shooting

MINNEAPOLIS — Hundreds of protesters marched Thursday night in Minneapolis to the site where Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by ICE, braving freezing rain to make their voices heard.

The demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Say Her Name! Renee Nicole Good!” and “Money for jobs and education, not for cops and deportation.”

Caroline, 46, who asked that her last name be withheld to protect her family, said, “It’s obviously not safe here. They are attacking our neighbors.” She described the protest as a reflection of Minnesota’s community spirit.

“This is our community. This is America. This is Minnesota,” she said.

Muna Hassan, 28, shared a similar view, emphasizing solidarity. “We’re just one people. We are here to protect each other as a community,” she said.