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US launches wave of strikes in Somalia targeting ISIS, al-Shabab terror threats The U.S. stepped up airstrikes in Somalia in January, targeting al-Shabab and the local affiliate of the Islamic State group, ISS, according to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).In a Jan. 12 release, AFRICOM said U.S. forces , working with the Somali federal government, carried out airstrikes against al-Shabab militants.AFRICOM said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to "degrade the group's ability to threaten the U.S. homeland , U.S. forces and Americans overseas."Airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia were also reported on Jan. 11 and Jan. 9 in northern Somalia, including the Golis Mountains region of Puntland, southeast of Bosaso.  TRUMP VOWS 'VERY SERIOUS RETALIATION' AGAINST ISIS AFTER DEADLY SYRIA AMBUSH KILLS US SOLDIERS Additional airstrikes targeting al-Shabab were reported on Jan. 8, including one in the vicinity of Buur Heybo, about 154 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu.The command said between the evening of Jan. 3-4, strikes were also conducted "in coordination with Somali authorities."AFRICOM said in a release the strikes were part of a broader campaign conducted with Somali partners. No casualty figures were released.The latest spate of operations comes amid a broader intensification of U.S. airstrikes in Somalia.According to information released by AFRICOM, between Feb. 1, when the Trump administration conducted its first strike in Somalia in 2025, and June 10, the U.S. carried out 38 airstrikes against al-Shabab and the Islamic State in Somalia. DEADLY STRIKE ON US TROOPS TESTS TRUMP'S COUNTER-ISIS PLAN - AND HIS TRUST IN SYRIA'S NEW LEADER AFRICOM has said additional strikes have been conducted since June 10.Independent monitoring organizations have reported a rise in strikes since President Donald Trump returned to office in 2024, according to a report by the Combating Terrorism Center.The report cited an April 2025 statement by AFRICOM commander Gen. Michael E. Langley before the Senate Armed Services Committee, in which he referenced the potential threat posed by jihadi groups in Africa to the U.S. homeland."We are acutely aware that if ISIS and al Qaeda groups continue their expansion, they will pose a direct threat to the U.S. homeland," Langley said."Given this environment, US AFRICOM will work collaboratively with the intelligence community and inter-agency partners to keep the risk to U.S. national security interests low," Langley said in a statement. WAR SEC. HEGSETH ISSUES STATEMENT AFTER TWO U.S. SOLDIERS KILLED IN SYRIA ARE IDENTIFIED Al-Shabab, an al Qaeda affiliate , has waged war on Somalia's government since 2007 and continues to control territory in south-central Somalia. ISIS-Somalia is a smaller faction concentrated largely in Puntland's mountainous northeast, where it is also said to compete with al-Shabab for influence.According to the U.S.-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies, Somalia's conflict with armed groups was the third-deadliest in Africa through 2024, killing an estimated 7,289 people.Fox News Digital has reached out to AFRICOM for comment. Trump insists GOPers 'love' DOJ targeting Jerome Powell, says he 'can't help' it if it looks like retribution President Donald Trump insisted there's conservative support behind the DOJ targeting Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and that he "can't help" the perception that it looks like political retribution.Speaking with CBS News' Tony Dokoupil Tuesday, Trump was asked about the probe into Powell , who is facing scrutiny over congressional testimony he gave last summer about the pricey overhaul of the Fed's two main buildings on the National Mall.Trump, an outspoken critic of Powell, previously said he had nothing to do with the launch of the investigation. TRUMP SAYS THE U.S. WILL TAKE 'VERY STRONG ACTION' AGAINST IRAN IF THE REGIME STARTS HANGING PROTESTERS "Even some prominent conservatives say it looks like political retribution," Dokoupil said."And some prominent conservatives also love it - you have to mention that, too," Trump fired back. "As you grow older in this business, you have to mention the other side. More people like it than not."Trump called Powell a "lousy" Fed chair who's been "too high on interest rates." He also insisted he could've fixed the Fed buildings for "$25 million.""He's into billions and billions of dollars, and it looks like they won't open for a long time. And he's either corrupt or incompetent," Trump said. THUNE WARNS DOJ'S PROBE OF FED CHAIR POWELL 'BETTER BE REAL' AND 'SERIOUS' AMID POLITICAL BACKLASH "On the question of corrupt or incompetent, you're right, some prominent conservatives are criticizing this. I'll take your word that others are not," Dokoupil said."You don't have to take my word," Trump interjected. "What you should do is go out and interview some people, and you'll find out.""But on this direct question about political retribution, what it looks like, sir, what's your response?" the anchor asked."I can't help what it looks like," Trump responded before touting his accomplishments on the economy. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST MEDIA AND CULTURE NEWS Several GOP lawmakers have expressed concern about the looming Powell probe, including Trump's allies like Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., who said he doesn't believe Powell is a criminal and that the DOJ investigation should be "put to rest quickly." Brooks Nader slips on her bikini as she embraces natural look on Cabo getaway after dissolving lip fillers Brooks Nader is making the most of a sun-soaked girls' trip in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico .The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model shared a series of vacation moments from the getaway, joined by her younger sister, Sarah Jane Nader, for beach time, dinners out and celebratory moments.Nader posed solo on the sand wearing a cropped white graphic T-shirt featuring a cherry design, paired with a red string bikini bottom. She completed the look with white-rimmed oversized sunglasses and gold hoop earrings as her hair blew in the wind. A bedazzled cigarette lighter was tucked discreetly into the side of her bikini.The 28-year-old also shared a relaxed beachside moment from the trip, posting a photo of herself lounging facedown on a beach chair in a leopard-print string bikini with the ocean in the background. APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST Nader was also seen alongside her sister in coordinating looks , as Sarah Jane opted for an all-red bikini set accessorized with a cowboy hat while the pair strolled together on the sand. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER In another look from the trip, Nader debuted a matching leopard-print top with a plunging neckline, finishing the outfit with oversized sunglasses, a straw cowboy hat and a gold pendant. She pouted her lips in a mirror selfie and captioned the photo, "Old lips, new clothes, same me 👄🌴." BROOKS NADER POSES TOPLESS WHILE REVEALING HOW SHE LEFT HER 'EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE' UPBRINGING FOR MODEL LIFE The Cabo trip comes after Nader recently opened up about making a personal change to her appearance. The vacation carousel also included a more intimate moment, as she shared a close-up photo highlighting her updated look after dissolving her lip fillers. BROOKS NADER STEPS OUT IN BARELY-THERE SHEER LOOK DURING NEW YORK OUTING The image was originally posted to Instagram Stories by a friend, who captioned it, "Cutie girl (& filler-free 🤭)." Nader later reshared the photo to her own Story - which has since expired - using it to spotlight her more natural appearance. BROOKS NADER ADMITS SHE'S HOOKED ON HOLLYWOOD'S FAVORITE WEIGHT-LOSS DRUG DESPITE FAMILY'S WARNINGS In the photo, the "Dancing With the Stars" alum appeared seated indoors while dining out, wearing a cozy gray wrap and gold hoop earrings as her freshly dissolved lips took center stage.Fans quickly took notice, with several commenters praising the change. "Love your more natural look ," one user wrote, while others echoed similar sentiments. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Nader has been open about her decision to dissolve her fillers, previously telling followers she felt more like herself after the procedure and sharing parts of the process on social media ahead of her Cabo trip.The Cabo getaway comes amid a packed travel schedule for Nader. She recently spent the New Year's holiday in Aspen, where she joined her sisters for a festive winter celebration before trading cold-weather looks for beachwear in Mexico. Kiefer Sutherland arrested after alleged altercation with rideshare driver in Los Angeles Kiefer Sutherland was arrested following an alleged altercation with a rideshare driver.According to arrest records obtained by Fox News Digital, the 59-year-old actor was arrested on Monday, Jan. 12, and was released later that day on $50,000 bond.He is scheduled to appear at the Los Angeles Superior Court for his first court date related to the incident on Monday, Feb. 2.The Los Angeles Police Department told Fox News Digital that officers responded to a call about an assault involving a rideshare driver around 12:15 a.m. near Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. KIEFER SUTHERLAND HOPES 'DESIGNATED SURVIVOR' CAN MAKE AMERICA LESS POLITICALLY DIVISIVE "The investigation determined that the suspect, later identified as Kiefer Sutherland, entered a rideshare vehicle, physically assaulted the driver (the victim), and made criminal threats toward the victim," LAPD officials said. "Officers arrested Sutherland at the scene for Criminal Threats." According to authorities , the driver "did not sustain any injuries requiring medical treatment at the scene" and the investigation is still ongoing.Fox News Digital reached out to Sutherland's representatives for comment. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER This is not the first time the actor has been in trouble with the law. In May 2009, the actor was charged with third-degree assault after he head-butted designer Jack McCollough after the Met Gala.The assault charge was ultimately dropped, after Sutherland and McCollough released a joint statement saying they had settled their differences."I am sorry about what happened that night and sincerely regret that Mr. McCollough was injured," Sutherland said in the statement at the time. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "I appreciate Mr. Sutherland's statement and wish him well," McCollough said in the statement. Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright contributed to this report American snowboard star Chloe Kim says shoulder injury won't stop three-peat Olympic gold bid American snowboarder Chloe Kim shared an optimistic update on her status for the Milan Cortina Olympics.The two-time Olympic gold medalist said she's "good to go" for the competition despite dealing with the effects of a torn labrum in her shoulder. Kim sustained the injury during a recent training run in Switzerland.The 2026 Games are scheduled to begin in less than a month, giving Kim a short window to recover and pursue her third consecutive gold medal in the halfpipe. Kim won gold in 2018 in Pyeongchang and again in 2022 in Beijing. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM In an update posted to Instagram Tuesday, Kim said she wasn't surprised to learn she had torn her labrum, the lining of the socket that holds the shoulder together. She did not specify which shoulder was injured when she fell while preparing for the upcoming Laax Open."There are two ways to do it, and the way I did it is less severe than the other, so I'm really happy about that," she said. "Obviously, I'm really disappointed that I can't snowboard until right before the Olympics, which is going to be hard. I haven't gotten nearly the amount of reps that I would have liked, but that's OK." LINDSEY VONN, 41, CONTINUES REMARKABLE COMEBACK WITH WORLD CUP DOWNHILL WIN AHEAD OF OLYMPICS The women's Olympic halfpipe contest begins Feb. 11.The 25-year-old Kim, who has already qualified for the U.S. team, would be the heavy favorite to win in Italy if she's healthy. She said she won't compete this weekend in Laax. She didn't mention the Winter X Games in Aspen later this month, which are the last big contest before the Olympics.Kim has participated in only one competition this season - last month in Copper Mountain - and while warming up for the final there, she sustained a shoulder injury.Last week, she posted video of her fall in Switzerland, which showed her skittering across the halfpipe after losing her bearings on the landing of a jump. At that time, she said she dislocated the shoulder and wasn't in much pain. An MRI from last Friday revealed the labrum tear.In her video, Kim said she'll have to wear a "super-sexy shoulder brace" that is uncomfortable. "I went through a bunch of different waves of emotions, but, honestly, I'm really excited for this week," she said.The end of the video flashed to her picking up her boyfriend, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, at a train station. Earlier this month, Garrett broke the NFL's all-time single-season sack record when he tackled quarterback Joe Burrow in Week 18. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . Maher argues Trump appeals to young men tired of being shamed for who they are Liberal comedian Bill Maher suggested Monday that President Donald Trump's appeal to young White men is that he's one of few voices not condemning them for who they are. On his "Club Random" podcast, Maher sat down with actor Joel Edgerton. While they commiserated over the role of guilt in religion, they both agreed on how modern society preaches new kinds of guilt, from not spending enough time with one's children to shaming young White men."There's too much guilt. There's no reason for you to feel guilt," Maher said. "I'm sure you're, like, a better parent to your kids than, like, everybody was in my era as far as, like, how much time you spend with them. I mean, my parents in that generation, they didn't feel any obligation. It's like, 'We brought you into this world. You have a roof. You have clothes. You have food. And you have your own life.'"And we were better. I had such a free-range childhood of doing whatever the f--- I wanted. 'Just be home by 6. That's when dinner is.'" BILL MAHER SAYS HE NEVER WINS AWARDS BECAUSE 'WOKE' HOLLYWOOD HATES HE CAN 'SPEAK FREELY' Maher criticized the idea of shaming working parents, including movie stars, for not being home with their children enough. "Get the f--- over yourself. Your dad's a movie star, and, you know, OK. So, like that's who he is. We can't change who we are."You know, there's just so much of, like, this shaming," he continued. "You know, people wonder why so many young men vote for Trump. Well, maybe because, you know, he's one guy who doesn't make you feel guilty just for being born with a d---. You know? It's true! It's a lot of his appeal. They make you feel, you know, a lot of - not me, I'm old enough to remember when it was the reverse, so I get the backlash."If you're 22 years old, you don't remember a time when it was the reverse. So, you've only seen the backlash. You've only seen 'White men bad!'" "I remember when he first got voted in and the realization of the sort of lack of awareness of the way dudes felt in the world," Edgerton said. REPUBLICANS RISK LOSING YOUNG MEN TO LEFT'S AFFORDABILITY MESSAGE, BRETT COOPERS WARNS He noted the importance of merit and how the push for inclusivity above merit and common sense has gone too far."'I'm all for inclusivity,' and then you speak to the same person, like a few months later, and like I'm f---ing terrified,'" Edgerton said. "And it's like, why don't you just be f---ing good at what you do?"Maher acknowledged there are dark parts of America's past but suggested people need to acknowledge how much better things have gotten and that society as a whole needs to restore the idea of merit.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE "The pendulum, like, shifts and changes, but in terms of merit, like merit is just a thing," Edgerton said. "And it's like, I mean, I don't know how you solve that problem, especially two White dudes sitting on armchairs talking about it." "OK, but we're - again, that's the guilt thing that I'm not going to buy into," Maher said. "Just because we're White dudes doesn't mean we can't have opinions or that we can't have this discussion." Minneapolis-area leaders condemn ICE, call for removal amid Trump deportation campaign Minneapolis-area leaders on Tuesday formally denounced federal immigration authorities and called for their removal from the region amid the Trump administration's deportation campaign . The Hennepin County Administration, Operations and Budget Committee unanimously passed a resolution condemning ICE and calling for the removal of ICE personnel and assets from Minnesota.In a statement, the seven-member committee said it did "not take this action lightly." MINNESOTA LAWSUIT OVER TRUMP'S ICE 'INVASION' WON'T SUCCEED: LEGAL EXPERT "It comes forward in the context of an additional 1,000 ICE agents due to arrive in the metro area during the largest deployment of DHS resources in our nation's history, anywhere," committee Vice Chair Debbie Goettel said. The committee framed the vote as a stand to protect residents. The board will vote to formally adopt the resolution in its Jan. 27 meeting. "We stand with our immigrant communities, our protesters and observers, and our neighbors standing together to bring accountability to this unconscionable show of force," Goettel said. The vote came hours after President Donald Trump said his administration will withhold federal payments from sanctuary jurisdictions beginning Feb. 1.  HOUSE REPUBLICAN CALLS FOR HEARING AFTER DEADLY ICE SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS In a Truth Social post, Trump said sanctuary cities hamper federal immigration enforcement efforts at the expense of public safety. "And it breeds fraud and crime and all the other problems that come. So we're not making any payment to anybody that supports sanctuary ," Trump wrote. Earlier in the week, the Department of Homeland Security said it would be sending additional federal agents to protect Minnesota immigration officers as they conduct enforcement operations while facing protesters. Minnesota has become a flashpoint in Trump's deportation campaign following last week's fatal shooting of Renee Good, who was shot by an ICE agent as she attempted to ram into him with her vehicle, officials said. The city of Minneapolis is suing the federal government over the law enforcement operations, which local officials said have been marked by racial profiling and excessive force.  White House says Trump gave 'appropriate' response after heckler confrontation is caught on video President Donald Trump was caught on video appearing to mouth an expletive and make an obscene gesture toward a heckler during a visit to a Ford factory in Michigan Tuesday, a moment the White House later defended as an "appropriate and unambiguous response."The video, first published by TMZ , shows Trump briefly turning toward someone shouting from the crowd as he walked through the Ford River Rouge complex in Dearborn.In the video, Trump appears to mouth the words "f--- you" twice and gestures with his middle finger. TRUMP TO CUT FEDERAL PAYMENTS TO SANCTUARY CITIES STARTING FEB 1 OVER IMMIGRATION POLICIES TMZ reported that the exchange followed a heckler shouting an insult at the president off camera. The outlet described Trump's reaction as "flipping the bird" while continuing to walk away. White House communications director Steven Cheung defended the president's reaction, telling Fox News Digital, "A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response." TRUMP WEARS 'HAPPY TRUMP' PIN ALONGSIDE AMERICAN FLAG DURING WHITE HOUSE OIL EXECUTIVE MEETING Trump visited the plant as part of a scheduled appearance focused on U.S. manufacturing and the auto industry when the exchange occurred during a tour of the factory.The White House did not specify whether the individual shouting at Trump was a Ford employee or an attendee, and Fox News Digital has not independently confirmed the identity of the person heard in the video. Suspected Venezuelan gangster in Portland CBP attack tied to shooting at apartment complex: police An illegal immigrant and suspected Venezuelan gang member shot by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers during a Jan. 8 confrontation in Portland had been linked to an earlier shooting months before. The Washington County Sheriff's Office told Fox News Digital deputies responded to reports of a shooting in July 2025 at an apartment complex in unincorporated Washington County. No one was injured, and the suspects fled before deputies arrived.A neighbor who witnessed that incident described it as shocking for a normally peaceful area.Justin Pitones told KGW8 he was home at the time and heard breaking glass before seeing sheriff's deputies moving through his yard with weapons drawn. TWO WOUNDED IN PORTLAND, OREGON, SHOOTING INVOLVING FEDERAL AGENTS: CITY "It was broad daylight. That was kind of the weird part," Pitones said. "This is a quiet neighborhood." He said officers later described the incident to him as "a deal gone bad," adding that neighbors never expected it would escalate into a federal shooting months later.Detectives later identified Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, who is now charged in the CBP case, as a person of interest in the July shooting. Because the investigation spanned multiple jurisdictions and potentially included federal violations, the case was referred to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office, where it remains active.Authorities declined further comment, directing additional questions to federal investigators. Portland police also declined to comment beyond statements made during recent news conferences. ICE OFFICER WHO SHOT MINNESOTA WOMAN WAS DRAGGED BY CAR OF ILLEGAL ALIEN SEX OFFENDER MONTHS EARLIER The July shooting adds new context to the Jan. 8 confrontation, when CBP officers attempted to stop Zambrano-Contreras and her husband, Luis Nino-Moncada, in Portland.Federal prosecutors say Nino-Moncada and Zambrano-Contreras, described as having ties to the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, were inside a Toyota Tacoma when Border Patrol agents moved to conduct a targeted traffic stop.Prosecutors allege Nino-Moncada, who entered the United States illegally in 2022 and was subject to a final order of removal, refused to exit the vehicle and instead reversed with force into a Border Patrol vehicle, causing significant damage and repeatedly striking it in forward and reverse motions. FORMER DHS OFFICIAL CALLS OUT PORTLAND POLICE CHIEF'S TEARFUL REMARKS ON GANG SUSPECTS WHO ATTACKED FEDS Fearing for their safety, a Border Patrol agent opened fire, striking both suspects, prosecutors allege.During questioning, Moncada allegedly admitted he intentionally rammed the CBP vehicle in an attempt to flee. Both suspects were treated for gunshot wounds and later charged with federal offenses.The Justice Department said there was no body-worn camera video from the six Border Patrol agents involved, and efforts to locate video of the confrontation through surveillance cameras or social media were unsuccessful. MINNEAPOLIS ICE SHOOTING OFFICER FOLLOWED TRAINING AS POTENTIALLY 'DEADLY THREAT' DROVE AT HIM: FORMER AGENT Prosecutors highlighted Moncada's immigration history and criminal background, including prior arrests for driving under the influence and unauthorized use of a vehicle, noting he had been released into the country by the Biden administration despite his status. Zambrano-Contreras also entered the United States illegally in 2023 and is accused of playing an active role in a Tren de Aragua-linked prostitution ring.The Portland shooting came just days after a controversial and fatal ICE agent-involved shooting in Minneapolis , where 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was killed during a separate immigration enforcement operation. Federal officials said Good was shot after she allegedly attempted to weaponize her vehicle against ICE agents. Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano contributed to this report. Trans athlete's lawyer avoids questions about West Virginia AG's comments about sexual harassment allegations American Civil Liberties Union attorney Joshua Block walked away from questions regarding a recent statement by West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey addressing allegations of harassment against Block's client, a transgender athlete from West Virginia. McCuskey, who is leading his state's legal defense against the trans athlete after the athlete sued to block the state's law to keep biological males out of girls' sports, addressed the allegations at a news conference Monday. "Any time you think of a child being harassed, it gives you pause as a parent. And it isn't really part of our case, but harassment of any child of any kind in this country is inappropriate. And it's wrong, and we all need to stand up to ensure that children aren't being harassed in any of their venues, particularly athletics," McCuskey said.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Fox News Digital attempted to question Block about McCuskey's statement after oral arguments for the case in the Supreme Court Tuesday, but Block walked away from the first wave of questioning to take a picture with his team and client.After the photo op, Fox News Digital again pursued Block to inquire about McCuskey's statement, but Block again walked away from the questions with assistants surrounding him. The allegations were leveled against the trans athlete by Bridgeport High School student Adaleia Cross, who was a track and field teammate of the trans athlete when the two were at Bridgeport Middle School.Cross' mother, Abby, told Fox News Digital what the trans athlete allegedly said to her daughter when they shared the girls' locker room during the 2022-23 school year. Adaleia was in eighth grade, and the trans athlete was in seventh. Abby Cross alleges the trans athlete made graphic and vulgar sexual threats to her daughter and other girls on the team.The trans athlete's legal representatives at the American Civil Liberties Union denied the allegations. "Our client and her mother deny these allegations, and the school district investigated the allegations reported to the school by A.C. and found them to be unsubstantiated. We remain committed to defending the rights of all students under Title IX, including the right to a safe and inclusive learning environment free from harassment and discrimination," an ACLU statement provided to Fox News Digital said.The Cross family's attorneys at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) responded to the ACLU's statement."Our client has sworn under oath and under penalty of perjury in numerous cases about the events that took place between her and the male athlete. As a result of the situation, [Cross] had to step away from the sport she loved entirely and sacrifice a key element of her school experience to protect herself," an ADF statement provided to Fox News Digital said.The trans athlete personally denied the allegations to The New York Times in a story published Monday."I was not raised like that," the athlete said. TOP DEMS SILENT AFTER TRANS ATHLETE THEY BACKED IN SCOTUS CASE IS ACCUSED OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION The outlet obtained a letter from the Harrison County School District, stating an investigation determined Cross' allegations "could not be substantiated." The Cross family said when they reported the alleged harassment to the school, nothing was done to reprimand the trans athlete to their knowledge."They told me they would do a full investigation into what I told them," Adaleia said. "And then, all of a sudden, it was like nothing else was happening. It was done, and it seemed like they thought nothing of it because they didn't talk to us about it at all. They just left it there and didn't tell us anything else. So, it just made it seem like, 'Yup it's done.'"Her father, Holden Cross, said, "We received no response from the school after filing the report."Fox News Digital made repeated requests to the ACLU and the Harrison County School District, which oversees Bridgeport Middle School and Bridgeport High School, seeking documentation related to the school's investigation and clarification on whether an investigation occurred and, if so, why only the Cross family was not notified of the results. Those requests have not been met.Meanwhile, former Lincoln Middle School girls track and field runner Emmy Salerno alleges the trans athlete used "intimidation tactics" against her after Salerno refused to compete against the trans athlete during an event in the 2024 spring season.Salerno's protest came on April 18, 2024, when she and the trans athlete were in eighth grade. Salerno, along with four other girls, refused to compete in the girls shot put competition that day at a local meet. Salerno claims her team was disqualified from the following meet and then began to face intimidating stares from the trans athlete at public events."After we stepped out, it was an immediate personality change. He didn't want to talk to me. He just wanted to stare at me and just stare down," Salerno told Fox News Digital. Salerno has also provided Fox News Digital a screenshot of a Snapchat post, which appeared to be sent by the trans athlete, showing a photo of Salerno with a caption that says, "Reminder that she has more testosterone than me."Salerno said there was an incident in which the trans athlete followed her while they were at a local basketball game, making intimidating stares, and Salerno was concerned the trans athlete would try to "fight" her."At the basketball game when he just followed me everywhere, I kind of felt like, 'Is he gonna try to fight me?'" Salerno said. "'Is he going to try and sneak up behind me and punch me?'" Salerno and her father say they believe the stares, following patterns and social media posts were "intimidation tactics," and there have been "lingering discomforts" stemming from the situation. TRANS ATHLETE'S ATTORNEY SUGGESTS SEX SHOULD NOT BE DEFINED DURING SCOTUS TITLE IX CASE "I've always tried to avoid him everywhere I went," Salerno added.The ACLU has not responded to Fox News Digital's request for a response to Salerno's allegations. Salerno said she avoided competing against the trans athlete the following season, but rather than making a public protest, she told her coach not to include her in the lineup for the meets against the trans athlete to avoid a penalty to the team.Salerno claims she has also heard other girls in the community speak about the sexual harassment allegations made by Cross against the trans athlete. Salerno said she has never been in a locker room or bathroom with the trans athlete. "Around track season, it gets more talked about," Salerno said of the sexual harassment allegations. "I heard through my school, people were talking about it."  Follow Fox News Digital's  sports coverage on X , and subscribe to  the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . Secret room to be built at Chinese embassy near cable lines, sparking widespread espionage fears Recently unredacted construction plans for China's new super embassy in London have ignited a storm of national security concerns across the United Kingdom, as blueprints reveal a hidden underground room positioned alarmingly close to some of Britain's most sensitive communication cables.Major critics of the proposed site, which will run as close as three feet to the internet infrastructure, warned that the secret room could serve as a hub for Chinese espionage. While the British government reportedly assured its allies that the lines do not carry sensitive government data, the cables transmit financial transactions as well as communication traffic for millions of internet users.  The blueprints were publicly unredacted Monday by The Telegraph , just one week before Prime Minister Keir Starmer is widely expected to approve the plans before his visit to see President Xi Jinping in China.  A government spokesman told the outlet that despite the security concerns, "national security is our first duty and government security experts have been involved throughout the process so far." CCP-LINKED FIRMS QUIETLY HOLD STAKES IN US SOLAR COMPANIES FUELING DEMS' GREEN PUSH According to the blueprint, the facility will be located at the former Royal Mint and will become Europe's largest Chinese embassy. Construction plans indicate that China intends to demolish and rebuild a basement wall, placing officials and equipment just over three feet from critical fiber-optic cables. Security experts have warned that such proximity could create opportunities for "cable-tapping," which involves inserting wiretaps or reading light signals leaking from the lines.Professor Alan Woodward, a security expert at the University of Surrey, highlighted the technical feasibility of espionage given the physical layout, The Telegraph reported. He described the demolition as a "red flag" and noted, "If I were in their shoes, having those cables on my doorstep would be an enormous temptation." NAVY SAILOR CONVICTED AFTER SELLING MILITARY SECRETS TO CHINA FOR $12,000 PAYMENT Additionally, the concealed chamber appears to be equipped with at least two hot-air extraction systems designed to ventilate heat-generating equipment. Experts reportedly inferred that this infrastructure suggests that the room is designed to accommodate high-powered technology such as advanced computers typically used for espionage and data processing. Beyond the single chamber near the cables, the unredacted plans also revealed a network of 208 secret rooms beneath the diplomatic site. The basement appears to allow for emergency backup generators, sprinkler systems, communications cabling and showers, suggesting that officials could remain underground for extended periods, potentially to operate or monitor equipment.The construction plans have generally raised fears that the London complex could serve as a Beijing intelligence hub. According to U.K. outlet  The Times , Britain has been pressured to reassure the United States and other intelligence partners that the cables do not transmit any sensitive government data.Alicia Kearns, the shadow national security minister and prominent critic of the project, described the approval of the embassy as handing Beijing a strategic advantage against British interests.  "Giving China the go-ahead for its embassy site would be to gift them a launchpad for economic warfare at the very heart of the central nervous system of our critical financial national infrastructure," she said in a post on X.   Grand Theft Auto blacklists 'Charlie Kirk' as players try to recreate his killing in the game Rockstar Games, the company behind the popular video game Grand Theft Auto, has reportedly added " Charlie Kirk " to a list of blocked terms for user-generated content in the online game after some players created missions recreating Kirk's assassination.Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University Sept. 10, 2025.In December, GTA Online rolled out a new Mission Creator tool allowing players to design and share their own missions for others to play. Variety and gaming outlets reported Tuesday that some players used the feature to create assassination-style missions that appear to recreate Kirk's murder. CHICAGO SCHOOLS SILENT ON PUNISHMENT OR PUBLIC CONDEMNATION OF TEACHER WHO MOCKED CHARLIE KIRK'S DEATH A viral video cited by gaming outlet Kotaku shows one such mission, "We are Charlie Kirk," which has since reportedly been taken down. The mission puts a player with a sniper rifle on a rooftop overlooking a college campus setting, similar to that of the Utah Valley University setting where Kirk was shot. The player's mission is to shoot a character named Charlie Kirk, who is standing under a tent in front of a crowd of people. Rockstar Games has reportedly responded by adding "Charlie Kirk" to its "profanity filter" in the game's code. FEDERAL APPEALS COURT SIDES WITH WASHINGTON PROFESSOR PUNISHED FOR MOCKING UNIVERSITY LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT According to Variety , the gaming company plans to change the filter's name to more appropriately describe content it does not want users to bring into the game, such as real-life events like Kirk's assassination.Kotaku reported that some players have tried to get around this filter by using the name "Charlie Pink" or other variations of his name to continue making these missions referring to his killing.Rockstar Games did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE After Kirk was killed, some figures on the left took to social media to mock or celebrate his murder, resulting in discipline or terminations in some cases.Last week, a Clemson University professor who was fired over a social media post calling Kirk's murder "karma" reached a settlement with the university.  Austin Peay State University also reportedly agreed to pay $500,000 to settle a dispute with a professor fired after sharing a headline about Kirk's views on guns after his death. Iran regime opened fire with live ammunition on protesters, doctor says: 'Shoot-to-kill' Iranian security forces escalated from pellet guns to live ammunition during protests, sharply increasing casualties, a doctor who treated wounded demonstrators told the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI).Speaking after fleeing the country, the doctor told CHRI the use of live fire increased the death toll days after protests erupted Dec. 28."Law enforcement forces were firing pellet shotguns that scatter pellets. During those days, I received five or six calls per day about people who had been hit by two pellets in the back or pellets to the head or scalp," the doctor claimed.The doctor said he noticed the situation shifted on Jan. 8, when authorities imposed internet blackouts and cut off communication nationwide. NETANYAHU AND RUBIO DISCUSS US MILITARY INTERVENTION IN IRAN AMID ONGOING NATIONWIDE PROTESTS: REPORT "From about 8:10 to 8:20 pm, the sound of bullets, gunfire, screams, and sporadic explosions could be heard. I was called to the hospital. When I arrived, I saw that the nature of the injuries and the number of gunshot wounds had changed completely," the doctor said of the days around the blackout."The situation was totally different. Shots from close range, injuries leading to death."Human rights groups say thousands have been killed as security forces moved to suppress the demonstrations, with some estimates placing the death toll above 3,000, Fox News' chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst reported Tuesday.The protests were fueled by anger over economic hardship, rising prices and inflation before expanding into broader anti-government demonstrations. TRUMP SAYS IRAN 'STARTING TO' CROSS US RED LINES AS PROTESTERS DIE IN GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN "The calls I received on my home phone for medical advice were no longer about pellet wounds," the doctor said. "People were saying they had been shot, with bullets entering one side of the body and exiting the other. Live ammunition."Describing scenes in Isfahan, which is a major protest hub , the doctor said streets were stained with blood as security forces deployed heavier weapons."A large amount of blood, about a liter, had pooled in the gutter and blood trails extended for several meters," the doctor claimed."The level and intensity of violence increased step by step," he said before describing a change in aggression on Jan. 9. IRANIAN HOSPITALS OVERWHELMED WITH INJURIES AS PROTESTS RAGE ACROSS ISLAMIC REPUBLIC "On Friday night, I heard automatic gunfire. I am familiar with weapons and can distinguish their sounds. I heard DShK heavy machine guns. I heard PK machine guns."These weapons are in the possession of IRGC units - DShKs, PK machine guns, and Kalashnikovs," the doctor said. "The trauma cases I saw were brutal, shoot-to-kill."Victims ranged from teenagers to elderly men, the doctor said. Some injuries were so severe that bodies were unrecognizable."One colleague said that during a night shift, eight bodies were brought in with gunshot wounds to the face; their faces were unrecognizable. Many bodies are not identifiable at all," he added.The account comes as President Donald Trump publicly voiced support for Iranian protesters. On Tuesday, Trump urged Iranians to "take over" their institutions, saying he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the crackdown ends. Eagles move on from offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo after uneven season, coach Nick Sirianni says In keeping with a trend that has developed over the past several years, another Philadelphia Eagles season is ending with the team's offensive coordinator moving on.Kevin Patullo, who had been under fire for much of the season, will not return for a second year as the play caller in Philadelphia. On Tuesday, head coach Nick Sirianni said he met with Patullo to discuss "the difficult decision" to part ways."I have decided to make a change at offensive coordinator. I met with Kevin [Patullo] today to discuss the difficult decision, as he is a great coach who has my utmost respect. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "He has been integral to this team's success over the past five years, not only to the on-field product but behind the scenes as a valued leader for our players and organization. I have no doubt he will continue to have a successful coaching career."Despite an NFL-leading investment in the offense, the offense under Kevin Patullo struggled with inconsistency and failed to meet expectations, a trend that came into focus in the second half of Sunday's wild-card loss to the 49ers.Philadelphia failed to score in the second half and came up empty on a fourth-down attempt late in the fourth quarter. The 49ers held on for a 23-19 win , ending the Eagles' bid to repeat as Super Bowl champions. San Francisco advanced to face the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round. EAGLES COACH'S CLASH WITH STAR WIDE RECEIVER DRAWS TERSE RESPONSE FROM NFL GREAT The Eagles finished No. 21 in offensive points per game and ranked 24th in yards per game with Patullo as the play caller. On a positive note, Patullo's offensive scheme excelled in the red zone, with Philadelphia leading the NFL in efficiency in that area. Saquon Barkley , last year's NFL Offensive Player of the Year, did not believe Patullo should have been solely responsible for the team's offensive struggles."I think you have to point the finger at one person, that's what you guys have to do in your job," Barkley told reporters after the Eagles were eliminated from the postseason. "Somebody's got to catch the blame - especially when we had the season we had the year before. Do I think that's fair? No, I don't think that's fair at all."Patullo joined the Eagles in 2021 as pass game coordinator. Nick Sirianni was named the team's head coach that same year and previously worked with Patullo in Indianapolis when both were with the Colts.Patullo was promoted to offensive coordinator after Kellen Moore left to take the New Orleans Saints' head coaching job. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman avoids criminal charge after incident at wrestling match Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman avoided a criminal charge on Monday after he was accused of battery in an incident at his son's high school wrestling match, officials said.St. Joseph's County Prosecutor's Office in Indiana declined to bring charges against the longtime football coach. New Prairie High School assistant coach Chris Fleeger filed a police report alleging that Freeman pushed him following a match that Freeman's son, Vinny, was wrestling in. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM The Mishawaka Police Department launched an investigation into the incident but left it in the prosecutor's hands."On January 3, 2026, officers with the Mishawaka Police Department responded to a complaint of a battery that occurred at a high-school wrestling tournament hosted at Mishawaka High School involving Marcus Freeman," the prosecutor's office said, via the South Bend Tribune . "The incident occurred at the exit doors to the gymnasium and was captured on video surveillance. Numerous witnesses were interviewed by police. That investigation was thereafter tendered to this office."After reviewing the Mishawaka Police Department's investigation into this incident, the Prosecutor's Office has determined that no criminal battery occurred. As such, no criminal charges will be filed against Mr. Freeman." JOEL KLATT: THREE WAYS TO FIX THE TRANSFER PORTAL TO AVOID CFB'S 'DOOM' SCENARIO The alleged incident occurred during the Al Smith Wrestling Invitational. Freeman and Penn coach Brad Harper allegedly exchanged words with Fleeger as Freeman, his son and the Penn coach were walking out of the gym. Freeman's wife, Joanna, was also accused of getting into a shouting match with Fleeger before police intervened, according to the paper.Notre Dame defended Freeman in a statement on Sunday."Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman's son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach," the statement read. "Marcus and Joanna Freeman intervened and removed Vinny from the situation."At no point did Coach Freeman physically engage with anyone. We believe that the police report, which includes video evidence, fully exonerates Coach Freeman and makes clear these accusations are unfounded."Freeman is set to return to the Fighting Irish for the 2026 season. Follow Fox News Digital's   sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . New York heiress Belle Burden recounts the voicemail that torched her husband's double life: memoir When New York heiress Belle Burden and her then-husband, Henry Davis, decided to quarantine their family at their home in Martha's Vineyard when the pandemic first started, she had no idea it would be the end of her marriage.The granddaughter of legendary magazine editor and heiress Babe Pailey wrote in an excerpt of her new memoir "Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage" published in The Sunday Times that six days after their family arrived at their vacation home, after a normal dinner in their kitchen, she received a phone call from a number she didn't recognize, so she didn't answer.When she played the voicemail left, it was a man's voice."He said, 'I'm trying to reach Belle.' He paused," she wrote. "'I'm sorry to tell you this, but your husband is having an affair with my wife.'" CHERYL HINES BREAKS SILENCE ON HUSBAND RFK JR.'S ALLEGED ONLINE AFFAIR AHEAD OF JOURNALIST'S TELL-ALL She didn't even have to confront her husband, who seemed to know she knew.He initially claimed the affair, which he said had only been going on for weeks, meant nothing, and that he loved only her.While still trying to hide her world shattering from her children, and baking them turnovers as they requested that night, she called back the husband, who revealed he couldn't talk because his wife had just tried to kill herself. DENISE RICHARDS' ESTRANGED HUSBAND AARON PHYPERS SAYS HE'S 'BEGGING FRIENDS FOR MONEY' AS DIVORCE TURNS UGLY She moved through the next few hours in a daze, and after sleeping separately, and staying awake most of the night trying to decide if she could forgive him, he gave her another shock.The heiress wrote that her husband of 20 years walked into their bedroom, fully dressed, and told her matter-of-factly that he wanted a divorce, and he was leaving - right at that moment, apparently.He later told her she could have custody of their children."In the days that followed, I tried to hide the truth from the girls," she continued. "A therapist I spoke with said I should wait to tell them until the pandemic was less scary." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER She added, "But instead of easing, the pandemic became more frightening. And so did I, appearing at dinner with swollen eyes and unwashed hair. I cried as I did laundry and scrubbed our lavatories. I spent hours behind the closed door of my bedroom. I decided not to drink, knowing it would make me sadder, but also found it hard to eat."She said her husband never explained to her what went wrong, and after initially supporting her, her husband's family eventually cut her off. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS "Had life been normal, had we been in New York , had I been able to find him on the street and make him look me in the eye, maybe I would have had some understanding of what was happening," she mused. "But I was on one island and he was on another, and I knew nothing - only the shock of his disappearance."Five years later, she says she's no wiser about what went wrong.Burden wrote that her husband hasn't remarried, and he works at a hedge fund and travels. He sees their children occasionally, but hasn't changed his mind about not wanting to co-parent."I don't know why he left," she added. "I don't think I ever will.""Strangers" was released on Tuesday.  South Carolina GOP lawmakers introduce bill to criminalize abortion as murder South Carolina Republican lawmakers have introduced a new bill that would criminalize abortion as murder, applying existing homicide and wrongful death laws from the moment of conception.The Prenatal Equal Protection Act, introduced in the South Carolina House of Representatives, would be the strongest anti-abortion law in state history if enacted. The legislation has been scheduled for a hearing in the South Carolina House Constitutional Laws Subcommittee on Wednesday.Supporters argue current heartbeat laws merely regulate abortion and still allow the procedure in certain cases, prompting Republican state Sen. Lee Bright to introduce the legislation as a way to extend full legal protections to unborn children. PRO-LIFE PREGNANCY CENTERS SEE CLIENT INCREASE AFTER SUPREME COURT DECISION: STUDY "These children deserve equal protection. I will be filing a bill of equal protection today. I know we've got hearts and minds to change," Bright said Tuesday at a press conference at the South Carolina State House.South Carolina State Representative Rob Harris said that in 2023, the Legislature and the Governor revised the heartbeat law that regulates abortion and still allows the procedure under certain circumstances. SUPREME COURT RULES AGAINST PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN MEDICAID FUNDING DISPUTE "Incredibly, in one section of that bill, it asserts that life begins at conception, but in another section, it writes into law where, when, and how someone may legally murder a baby in South Carolina," Harris said.The legislation would apply to all parties involved, including the pregnant woman.Republicans hold large majorities in both chambers of the South Carolina General Assembly, meaning the bill could pass if GOP lawmakers remain unified. But similar abortion legislation has previously stalled amid divisions within the GOP, raising questions about whether the bill can advance. SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN OKS BAN ON PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERAL FUNDING IN TRUMP MEGABILL A November bill sought to further restrict abortion under existing law but stalled after some Republicans objected. The Prenatal Equal Protection Act goes much further, treating abortion as homicide from the moment of conception and applying criminal penalties, including for pregnant women - a shift supporters say is necessary to fully eliminate abortion.Supporters argue the earlier bill failed because it regulated abortion rather than abolishing it, and say incremental restrictions have repeatedly stalled or been struck down, leaving a full equal-protection approach as the only lasting solution.The new bill is backed by national anti-abortion activists who have warned Republican lawmakers they could face primary challenges if they do not support it.Critics are expected to raise concerns about criminal penalties, enforcement and constitutional issues. Trump envoy reportedly meets with exiled Iranian prince as regime faces protests White House envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly held a secret meeting with exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi over the weekend as the regime faces intensifying protests.The alleged meeting was first reported by Axios , which cited a senior U.S. official, and said the conversation occurred over the weekend. This would represent the first high-level meeting between the Trump administration and the Iranian opposition since the anti-regime protests erupted 15 days ago. Axios noted that Pahlavi has been trying to paint himself as the "transitional" leader if the regime falls.Pahlavi's father, the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was deposed during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which transformed the country from a monarchy to an Islamic republic. IRANIAN DISSIDENT UNLOADS ON AMERICAN LEFT'S SILENCE ON DEADLY PROTESTS A U.S. senior official who reportedly spoke to Axios was surprised that Pahlavi's name was being chanted at many of the demonstrations."There has been an ascendance of Pahlavi. They are chanting his name in demonstrations in many cities and it seems to be happening organically," the U.S. official told Axios.Pahlavi has recently urged President Donald Trump to intervene, praising him as a "man of peace.""Mr. President, this is an urgent and immediate call for your attention, support, and action," Pahlavi wrote in a Jan. 9 post on X. He accused Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of using the blackout to carry out a brutal crackdown and encouraged Trump to "be prepared to intervene to help the people of Iran ." IRAN REGIME FACES 'BEGINNING OF THE END' AS EXILED CROWN PRINCE SEES 'GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY' Trump recently said in an interview with Hugh Hewitt that Iran has "been told very strongly, even more strongly than I'm speaking to you right now, that if they do that, they're going to have to pay hell," according to The Associated Press . However, in the same interview, the president seemed to cast doubt on the idea that he would meet with Pahlavi. Witkoff's meeting would present a significant departure from the president's recent statements.While the president has yet to take a public stance in favor of Pahlavi, he has been open about his support for the people of Iran."Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Tuesday. "I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!"In the early days of the protests, Trump warned the regime that the U.S. was "locked and loaded" and ready to take action if the Iranian government used violence against protesters. However, the U.S. has yet to make concrete moves despite reports of protesters being killed and Trump's latest statement.The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. NASA returns humans to deep space after over 50 years with February Artemis II Moon mission NASA plans to return humans to deep space next month, targeting a Feb. 6 launch for Artemis II, a 10-day crewed mission that will carry astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years."We are going - again," NASA said Tuesday in a post on X, saying the mission is set to depart no earlier than Feb. 6.The first available launch period will run from Jan. 31 to Feb. 14, with launch opportunities on Feb. 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11.If the launch is scrubbed, additional launch periods will open from Feb. 28 to March 13 and from March 27 to April 10. For the former, launch opportunities will be available on March 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11, and for the latter on April 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6. NASA SAYS AMERICA WILL WIN 'THE SECOND SPACE RACE' AGAINST CHINA The mission is scheduled to lift off from Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard the Space Launch System, the most powerful rocket the agency has ever built.Preparations are underway to begin moving the rocket to the launch pad no earlier than Jan. 17. The move involves a four-mile journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B aboard the crawler-transporter 2, a process expected to take up to 12 hours."We are moving closer to Artemis II, with rollout just around the corner," Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, said. "We have important steps remaining on our path to launch and crew safety will remain our top priority at every turn, as we near humanity's return to the Moon." TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY DUFFY TO ANNOUNCE NUCLEAR REACTOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE MOON The 322-foot rocket will send four astronauts beyond Earth orbit to test the Orion spacecraft in deep space for the first time with a crew aboard, marking a major milestone following the Apollo era, which last sent humans to the Moon in 1972.The crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, making Artemis II the first lunar mission to include a Canadian astronaut and the first to carry a woman beyond low Earth orbit.After launch, the astronauts are expected to spend about two days near Earth checking Orion's systems before firing the spacecraft's European-built service module to begin the journey toward the Moon . BLUE ORIGIN LAUNCHES NEW GLENN ROCKET TO MARS AFTER DELAYS That maneuver will send the spacecraft on a four-day trip around the far side of the Moon, tracing a figure-eight path that carries the crew more than 230,000 miles from Earth and thousands of miles beyond the lunar surface at its farthest point.Instead of firing engines to return home, Orion will follow a fuel-efficient free-return path that uses Earth and Moon gravity to guide the spacecraft back toward Earth during the roughly four-day return trip.The mission will end with a high-speed reentry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego , where NASA and Department of War teams will recover the crew.Artemis II follows the uncrewed Artemis I mission and will serve as a critical test of NASA's deep-space systems before astronauts attempt a lunar landing on a future flight.NASA says the mission is a key step toward long-term lunar exploration and eventual crewed missions to Mars. Johnson: 'No boots on the ground' for Trump's Greenland acquisition plans amid military speculation House Speaker Mike Johnson , R-La., pushed back on the idea that the U.S. would intervene militarily in Greenland, saying he does not anticipate war or U.S. troops being deployed there.Johnson told The Hill there is no declaration of war pending for Greenland and said he does not expect any boots on the ground."We've been very clear. I mean, the Article 1 branch is clear. There's no declaration of war pending for Greenland," Johnson said. "It's just not a thing. I don't anticipate any boots on the ground anywhere, anytime soon."Johnson echoed the foreign policy objectives of President Trump, noting the administration views Greenland as strategically important to U.S. interests. STEPHEN MILLER DISMISSES THE IDEA DENMARK WOULD FIGHT FOR GREENLAND, CLAIMS IT SHOULD BE PART OF THE US "Look, there are negotiations. There is interest in Greenland. For U.S. interests, America's first interest," Johnson said."It has to do with national security and critical minerals and many other reasons. And we've long acknowledged that," he added.Trump has made acquiring Greenland a key strategic and national security objective, warning last week that if the United States does not acquire the territory, superpowers Russia or China could move in.He said Sunday the U.S. must acquire Greenland - not lease it - arguing the Arctic territory lacks adequate defenses and warning that Russia or China would move in if Washington does not act, a move he said is critical to U.S. and NATO security.Greenland has rejected Trump's repeated advances, and on Tuesday the island's prime minister said the country would prefer to remain part of Denmark rather than become a U.S. territory."We face a geopolitical crisis, and if we have to choose between the U.S. and Denmark here and now then we choose Denmark," Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said while appearing alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at a joint press conference in Copenhagen. TRUMP ADMIN REPORTEDLY CONSIDERS PAYING EACH GREENLAND RESIDENT UP TO $100K AMID US TAKEOVER TALKS "We stand united in the Kingdom of Denmark."Johnson's comments come as bipartisan lawmakers move to restrict any unauthorized U.S. military action against NATO allies amid growing debate over Trump's remarks about Greenland.Rep. Bill Keating, D-Mass., is leading legislation that would block funding for military action taken without congressional approval, arguing the effort is aimed at preventing U.S. intervention against allied nations."This isn't just about Greenland. This is about our security," Keating said.The push follows Trump's statement Friday that the U.S. would act on Greenland " whether they like it or not," raising alarm among European leaders over a potential violation of NATO's collective defense commitments.The developments also come as Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and Greenland's foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, are expected to meet Wednesday with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance at the White House, according to Reuters. Fox News' Greg Norman and Landon Mion, as well as Reuters contributed to this report. 11 House Dems buck party to side with Republicans in reversal of Biden-era shower regulation The House of Representatives voted 226-197 along bipartisan lines Tuesday to reverse Biden-era regulations on shower heads, a move Republican lawmakers framed as a quick and easy way to return choice to homeowners."Washington bureaucrats have gone too far in dictating what happens in Americans' own homes," Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., the sponsor of the legislation, said of his bill. "This is about defending consumer choice, pushing back on regulatory overreach and standing up for commonsense policy." WHITE HOUSE 'LASER FOCUSED' ON AFFORDABILITY AS TRUMP SOFTENS TARIFF STRATEGY Asked what his thoughts were on the bill, Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine., kept his thoughts simple."Shower pressure is a good thing," Golden said. Golden was one of 11 Democrats who joined Republicans to pass the Saving Homeowners from Overregulation with Exceptional Rinsing Act, or SHOWER Act.The bill looks to codify an executive order President Donald Trump issued in April of last year, directing the Department of Energy to repeal the way the Biden administration interpreted water pressure in showers.Under current law, shower heads can only produce a set amount of pressure.That Biden-era regulation interpreted that to mean that the combined flow of showers with multiple nozzles had to stay below that bar. In other words, the more shower heads, the less pressure the individual nozzles could have. JOHNSON WARNS OF 'UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES' IN TRUMP'S CREDIT CARD RATE CAP IDEA Rep. John McGuire, R-Va., characterized it as a way Democrats had gone out of their way to create unnecessary restrictions."It seems like the Democrats want to tax you out of existence and overregulate you. So, [the bill] is a step in the right direction. Less regulation," McGuire said. Fry, the sponsor of Tuesday's bill, said the legislation would reinstate what he viewed as the common interpretation of what a "shower head" meant to most audiences."That rule was widely criticized as overreach and emblematic of a broader regulatory agenda targeting everyday household appliances," Fry said in a statement. "The SHOWER Act is a smart fix that reaffirms each shower nozzle is just that - its own shower head - and should be treated accordingly under the law. " Rep. Brett Guthrie, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, echoed the comments from Fry. MIKE JOHNSON SAYS HOUSE GOP WORKING FULL STEAM AHEAD ON TRUMP'S 'AFFORDABILITY AGENDA' "For far too long, federal regulations and red tape have limited consumer choice and forced Americans to live with limited water pressure," Guthrie said. "By codifying how different nozzles are categorized, the SHOWER Act offers a commonsense fix that will allow households to choose what meets their needs, not what Washington mandates."The bill now heads to the Senate, where it must receive the support of at least seven Democrats before making its way to President Trump's desk. Tennessee Highway Patrol debunks viral claims protester was struck by trooper's vehicle Dashcam video shows a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper navigating around a protester in Memphis, Tennessee, who appeared to play possum in front of a patrol car, leading the agency to swat down viral claims the man was actually hit.Video posted to social media by the Tennessee Highway Patrol shows the trooper trying to work his way around a group of protesters. A man who appeared to be one of the protesters walked into frame from behind a white SUV.The man, wearing a bright orange construction vest and holding a handheld radio, raised his hands and stepped in front of the trooper.The trooper can be heard on camera shouting, "Move! Get out of my way! Get out of my way! Move!" ANTI-ICE AGITATORS SWARM VEHICLE OF CONSERVATIVE INFLUENCER NICK SORTOR Instead, the protester shook his head and raised his index finger as if signaling the trooper to "hold on."The protester then grabbed the patrol vehicle's push bars and fell backward, appearing to act as if he had been hit by the trooper's vehicle. LA PROTESTERS SWARM U-HAUL TRUCK THAT DROVE THROUGH ANTI-IRANIAN REGIME GATHERING He then pulled himself up, raised his index finger at the trooper once more and walked back to his vehicle.The video circulated on social media with claims the man was hit by a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper, claims the agency called false. IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER BLAMES TRUMP FOR INCREASINGLY INTENSE DEMONSTRATIONS "We respect and protect the right of people to protest peacefully ," the Tennessee Highway Patrol said. "That right, however, does not include entering active roadways or placing themselves in danger."In this case, video clearly shows the individual holding onto the front of the trooper's vehicle, lying down, then standing back up afterward and leaving the scene under his own power," the statement continued. "At no point does the video show the individual being run over or injured, despite the narratives circulating on social media."The agency added that its priority is public safety for protesters, motorists and troopers."When someone enters the roadway, it creates a serious and immediate risk, and troopers are trained to respond to prevent injuries or worse outcomes," the agency added. 'Home Alone' star Daniel Stern charged with soliciting prostitution in California motel incident Authorities charged "Home Alone" star Daniel Stern with soliciting prostitution, Fox News Digital can confirm.Stern allegedly made the solicitation on Dec. 10 at a motel in Camarillo, a spokesperson for the Ventura County District Attorney's Office told Fox News Digital.The actor was charged Jan. 12. His arraignment, originally scheduled for Jan. 13, was pushed to Feb. 6. 'HOME ALONE' STAR DANIEL STERN DITCHED HOLLYWOOD FOR QUIET LIFE ON A FARM Stern is known for his role as "Wet Bandit" Marv in the '90s Christmas classic "Home Alone." His character was one of the two criminals who broke into the Chicago home to rob the McCallisters.Now 68, the actor left Hollywood behind to live a slower-paced life with his wife.He moved to a farm in Ventura to tend cattle and grow produce, according to People magazine . LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Stern also appeared in "Breaking Away," "City Slickers" and "The Wonder Years." He claimed he made "enough money that I didn't have to work" during his success in the '80s and '90s. According to Stern, he had "an obligation to take advantage of [his] good fortune." However, his success didn't come without a couple of near missteps."I almost blew it a couple times," he told the Los Angeles Times of certain career moves.In fact, Stern, who starred alongside Joe Pesci and Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone" and "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," said he almost lost out on playing Marv as a result of "the stupidest decisions in my show business life." Stern said he initially backed out of the deal due to disagreements in the contract. The role was recast, but after a couple of days of rehearsals, the producers urged him to return. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Stern gave fans a glimpse into what his life has been like since stepping away from the entertainment industry, showcasing his farm life on TikTok."Hello, as you will come to discover, I live on a farm, and we grow tangerines here," Stern showed fans in December 2024."I juice them up and then freeze them and give them away to my friends," he added before giving viewers a glimpse of his work station. Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report. Looming war powers Senate vote ramps up pressure on Hawley after MAGA backlash Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is facing backlash from the MAGA base after voting with Democrats and a small group of Republican senators to advance a war powers resolution related to Venezuela - marking a break with President Donald Trump. On Wednesday, the Senate is expected to hold a full vote on the resolution that would limit Trump's ability to conduct future military operations against Venezuela without Congressional approval, teeing up a test for Hawley with MAGA and its base. The vote comes after Trump announced Jan. 3 that the U.S. military carried out a successful operation in Venezuela, capturing dictatorial president Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The couple is now being held in a New York City jail on sweeping narco-terrorism conspiracy and drug trafficking charges. The operation set off condemnation among Democrats who took issue with Trump ordering the mission and strike on Venezuela without prior congressional approval.  HOUSE REPUBLICANS RIP SENATE WAR POWERS PUSH AS 'POLITICAL THEATER' AFTER TRUMP'S VENEZUELA RAID Days later, on Jan. 8, the Senate advanced a bipartisan war powers resolution by a 52-47 vote that would require the president to seek congressional authorization before engaging U.S. armed forces in "hostilities within or against Venezuela." The procedural vote set up a full Senate vote slated for Wednesday. Hawley joined Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Rand Paul, R-Ky.; Susan Collins, R-Maine; and Todd Young, R-Ind., in voting with Democrats to require Trump obtain congressional approval prior to military action in Venezuela, sparking condemnation and surprise from the MAGA base on social media earlier in January. "The Republicans who sided with Democrats today on the War Powers resolution are STUPID & WEAK," former campaign aide Alex Bruesewitz posted to X following the procedural vote. "It came as no surprise to see Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, or Todd Young vote against President Trump, they've all shown clear signs of Trump Derangement Syndrome in the past."Bruesewitz added that he was "surprised and disappointed" by Hawley for aligning "himself with the anti-Trump faction and Democrats, particularly since he represents Missouri, one of the most staunchly pro-Trump states in the nation.""Shameful," he added. Hawley previously defended his procedural vote by framing it as a constitutional issue rather than a rebuke of the administration. "My read of the Constitution is that if the President feels the need to put boots on the ground there in the future, Congress would need to vote on it," Hawley posted to X explaining the vote. Fox News Digital spoke to a longtime Republican campaign operative working on midterm races, who said Hawley has broken with the administration over a handful of issues, and compared him to former Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who frequently take shots at the president and his policies and draw media attention.   DEMOCRATS' OWN WORDS BACK UP TRUMP ACTION IN VENEZUELA, TOP INTEL LAWMAKER SAYS "It seems like every other month he does something that's opposed to the president and the party more broadly," the source said. Trump needs two of the five Republicans to switch their positions ahead of Wednesday's vote. The president put the five senators on notice following the procedural vote, warning on social media that they "should never be elected to office again.""This Vote greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the President's Authority as Commander in Chief," he wrote earlier in January. "In any event, and despite their 'stupidity,' the War Powers Act is Unconstitutional, totally violating Article II of the Constitution, as all Presidents, and their Departments of Justice, have determined before me."MAGA allies echoed Trump's Truth Social message in their own posts, describing Hawley as a "RINO" whose political career is allegedly teetering over the vote. "President Trump ERUPTS on the Republican senators who just voted to approve the War Powers resolution that would rein in his Venezuela operations, says NEVER ELECT THEM AGAIN," Eric Daughtery posted to X Jan. 8. "Remember this in November. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again! We are sick of compromised GOP dirtbags going against our President," another MAGA-aligned social media account, Farm Girl Carrie, posted . Hawley told Fox News Tuesday, when asked how he plans to vote, that he's spoken with Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and DOJ officials about his top concern of having American troops on the ground. He said they "assured me there are no ground troops in Venezuela" and that there "are not going to be ground troops in Venezuela." "My big concern has been ground troops in Venezuela and, making sure that if there's going to be ground troops in Venezuela, (which) I would hope we would not do, that Congress authorizes that. But I will tell you, I've talked to the president. I talked to the secretary of state. I talked to the Department of Justice here in the last few days and have had tremendous conversations in the Secretary of State, who I just talked to recently, assured me there are no ground troops in Venezuela. There are not going to be ground troops in Venezuela," he said. "The administration will notify Congress, will seek congressional approval where necessary." Hawley has drawn Trump's ire before, including during a fight over Hawley's stock-trading ban proposal in July. Trump, who previously said he liked the idea "conceptually," accused Hawley of siding with Democrats to block a GOP-backed effort tied to reviewing Nancy Pelosi's stock trading."Why would one 'Republican,' Senator Josh Hawley from the Great State of Missouri, join with all of the Democrats to block a Review, sponsored by Senator Rick Scott, and with the support of almost all other Republicans, of Nancy Pelosi's Stock Trading over the last 25 years. The information was inappropriately released just minutes before the Vote - Very much like SABOTAGE!" Trump wrote on Truth Social .Hawley has also broken with the administration on domestic policy, repeatedly criticizing Medicaid reforms included in Trump's "big, beautiful bill" back in 2025, even as he ultimately voted in favor of the sweeping package when it came to the Senate floor. REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: GOP REBELS DEFY TRUMP AS CONGRESSIONAL GRIP CONTINUES TO WEAKEN ACROSS MULTIPLE VOTES  The Republican campaign operative said it is unclear why Hawley has broken with the administration on certain policies, speculating he might have 2028 aspirations."The polling I've seen shows that Republicans are in favor of the president's actions in Venezuela," the sourced added. "He would be out of step with our voters. I don't think it'd bode well for him. I think this was one of the most unifying moments on the right, when the president successfully arrested Maduro and took him out the country. Him siding with the Democrats is bizarre." "How has that worked out for Rand Paul or Massie," the operative said, referring to Kentucky lawmakers' ongoing policy spats with the president and administration.  Woman seen on video allegedly blocking Minnesota ICE operation with car as agitators surround agents Less than a week after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot while allegedly blocking an ICE operation in Minneapolis, another woman was seen on video blocking a Minnesota road with her vehicle as anti-ICE agitators gathered in support.Video showed federal agents on Tuesday breaking the passenger side window of the car while attempting to stop the female driver, who appeared to be wedging agents between her vehicle and another car blocking the road."Go, go, go, go, go," agitators shouted in the surrounding crowd.The woman, who has not yet been identified, was pulled from the car as she clung onto the driver's side door. NEW VIDEO SHOWS MINUTES LEADING UP TO DEADLY MINNEAPOLIS ICE SHOOTING Agents pushed her up against the side of the car and handcuffed her as others yelled, "stop," "that's so f----- up," "all you do is hurt."Minutes later, agitators wearing black hoodies and gas masks were seen banging against the federal agents' cars, as tear gas, pepper balls and pepper spray were deployed in an attempt to get control of the unruly crowd."Nazis," another agitator yelled. "You will pay for your crimes." JEFFRIES SAYS DHS SECRETARY NOEM 'SHOULD BE RUN OUT OF TOWN' AMID ICE SHOOTING BACKLASH Footage showed multiple people being detained in the snow as others recorded the interactions on their phones.Meanwhile, another crowd of about 70 to 80 protesters gathered Tuesday at Minneapolis' Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building , where they were seen blocking and throwing rocks at federal agents' cars.One agitator near the building was caught on video opening up the back of a federal vehicle as it drove away, and another was arrested after allegedly throwing water bottles and kicking agents' vehicles. SQUAD MEMBER BRANDS ICE 'RACIST' AND 'ROGUE' IN CALL TO ABOLISH AGENCY Marcos Charles, ICE ERO acting executive associate director, told Fox News' Martha MacCallum on Tuesday that 60 agitators have been charged with impeding or assaulting immigration agents in Minnesota within the last five days."We will be arresting anybody that interferes or impedes in any of these enforcement actions," Charles said. "We've already arrested 60 ... that have got in our way, impeded us or assaulted an officer."Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have blamed the Trump administration for the unrest following Good's death, filing a lawsuit to block the ongoing federal immigration enforcement surge. TRUMP PLEDGES TO UNCOVER LEFTIST GROUPS COUNTERING ICE Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison claimed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s law enforcement action have caused "serious harm" to the state, labeling the operations a "federal invasion.""DHS agents have sown chaos and terror across the metropolitan area," Ellison said. "Schools have gone [into] lockdown. Entire districts have had to cancel school for tens of thousands of students to ensure safety and offer online education. ... Revenues are down, and some retail stores, daycares and restaurants have actually closed because people are afraid to go out."DHS officials pushed back, accusing Minnesota leaders of undermining public safety and obstructing federal law enforcement."Keith Ellison made it abundantly clear today he is prioritizing politics over public safety," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. "It really is astounding that the Left can miraculously rediscover the Tenth Amendment when they don't want federal law enforcement officers to enforce federal law-which is a clear federal responsibility under Article I, Article II and the Supremacy Clause-and then go right back to federalizing every state responsibility possible when they get back in power. Spare us."

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