4 Big News Stories Overnight - Sunday, January 25, 2026

U.S.: The Man Shot Was an ICU Nurse and Was Holding a Phone

Based on all available videos and reports, Jeffrey Pretti was an ICU nurse. In his hand at the time he was shot, he was holding a phone and not a gun.

He was a U.S. citizen

He had no criminal record.

He had a firearms permit, required by state law in Minnesota to carry a handgun, Minnesota officials said.

PHOTO taken from behind Pretti seconds before he was shot - Screen grab from video, fair use.

U.S.: Senate Democrats to Block Spending Bill

Saturday night, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that Democrats would block the pending spending bill:

What’s happening in Minnesota is appalling—and unacceptable in any American city. Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans’ refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE. I will vote no. Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included.

Taiwan: Climb

Rock climber Alex Honnold climbed the Taipei 101 skyscraper on Saturday without any ropes or protective equipment.

The structure is 1,667 feet tall.

Honnold’s free solo climb of the iconic building in Taiwan’s capital city was broadcast live on Netflix with a 10-second delay. 

“It was like what a view, it’s incredible, what a beautiful day,” Honnold said after scaling the building. “It was very windy, so I was like, ‘don’t fall off the spire’. I was trying to balance nicely. But it was, what an incredible position, what a beautiful way to see Taipei.”

Photograph: Corey Rich/Netflix, promotional

Israel: Witkoff and Kushner meet Netanyahu 

Times of Israel reports:

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were in Israel on Saturday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss efforts to advance Washington’s 20-point plan for ending the Gaza war, the White House said.

The US on Thursday announced plans for a “New Gaza” rebuilt from scratch, to include residential towers, data centers and seaside resorts, part of US President Donald Trump’s push to advance an Israel-Hamas ceasefire shaken by repeated violations.

US officials briefing reporters ahead of the meeting said the administration was working closely with Israel to recover the body of the last remaining hostage, Ran Gvili. The Trump aides were also planning to discuss with Netanyahu efforts to demilitarize Gaza and advance long-term peace, one of the US officials on the briefing said.