Trump admin deals major blow to Minnesota hotel after ICE agents denied rooms

FIRST ON FOX: The General Services Administration (GSA) said it is terminating the Hampton Inn Lakeville in Minnesota from its list of approved lodging sites for all federal employees after the hotel refused to accommodate ICE agents and immigration officers. 

Several emails posted by the Department of Homeland Security and ICE on Monday showed that the hotel was “not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property.”

“After I was informed that a local Hilton property canceled rooms reserved for ICE, GSA immediately reviewed the matter and found the hotel to be in clear violation of its government lodging program requirements,” GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst told Fox News Digital in a statement. “The property has been removed from the programs and booking tools effective immediately. GSA unequivocally supports our federal law enforcement partners.”

The GSA is a federal agency responsible for managing and supporting the basic functioning of federal agencies. Forst was nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the agency, and he was sworn in on Christmas Eve after being confirmed by the Senate in mid-December.

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The formerly Hilton-branded hotel was stripped of its Hilton label by the hotel chain Tuesday morning after a video surfaced appearing to show that the location continued to deny immigration officers despite Hilton Hotels saying that the venue had apologized and that “properties are open to everyone, and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination.” 

The hotel participated in a government lodging program partnership, known as GSA FedRooms, between federal employees and the location. After the Hampton Inn Lakeville denied federal agents rooms, GSA removed the property from all lodging programs and travel systems.

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FedRooms is a GSA-managed transient lodging program providing Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) compliant hotel accommodations to U.S. government and military travelers at or below federal per diem rates.

GSA also terminated emergency lodging services and long-term lodging at the property. 

Fox News Digital learned through sources that the hotel accommodated federal agents for roughly 130 total nights last year.

FEDS LAUNCH ‘MASSIVE’ INVESTIGATION AFTER VIRAL VIDEO ALLEGES MINNESOTA DAYCARE FRAUD

Including active-duty military members along with civilian employees, the total number of federal workforce exceeds 4 million.

Hilton Hotels noted in its initial statement that the Hampton Inn Lakeville is independently owned and operated and said that officials from the property took “immediate action to resolve this matter and are contacting impacted guests to ensure they are accommodated.”

However, a viral video posted to X by freelance journalist Nick Sortor Tuesday morning showed an employee at the counter continuing to deny federal agents, going against Hilton’s statement.

Hilton Hotels took action shortly after, separating the individual hotel from their network.

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“A recent video clearly raises concerns that they are not meeting our standards and values,” Hilton Hotels said in a statement. “As such, we are taking immediate action to remove this hotel from our systems. Hilton is — and has always been — a welcoming place for all.”

Hampton Inn Lakeville appears to have been removed from Hilton’s website.

Sanctioned tanker flees US forces, now under Russian naval escort off Irish coast

A Venezuela-linked oil tanker operating in the so-called “dark fleet” painted a Russian flag on its hull, changed its name, and reflagged to Russia in an apparent bid to evade the U.S. Coast Guard, according to reports.

The vessel has since been spotted off Ireland, with the U.S., U.K., France and Ireland reportedly conducting aerial surveillance after it escaped U.S. interception in December, The Times reported.

Meanwhile, Russia has reportedly since deployed a submarine and naval assets to escort the tanker to its own waters, the Wall Street Journal reported late Tuesday.

Russia’s state-controlled foreign media outlet RT shared a video filmed from the tanker’s deck, allegedly showing a U.S. Coast Guard cutter following the vessel. 

The tanker, Bella 1, had renamed itself Marinera and registered under the Russian flag after fleeing the region, according to an intelligence report from AI maritime analytics firm Windward.

TREASURY TARGETS OIL TRADERS, TANKERS ACCUSED OF HELPING MADURO EVADE U.S. SANCTIONS

“Runaway Venezuela-trading tanker Bella 1 painted a Russian flag on its hull, changed its name, and reflagged to Russia mid-voyage last week to avoid capture by the U.S. Coast Guard in the Atlantic Ocean,” Windward said.

Multiple reports said Tuesday the vessel is now under U.S. military surveillance roughly 230 miles off the Irish coast.

According to reports, U.S. P-8 surveillance aircraft have tracked the tanker off Ireland only in recent days.

CBS News reported that U.S. forces have pursued the vessel since December, as Washington intensified enforcement against Venezuelan oil shipments.

Intelligence sources said Venezuela had considered placing military personnel aboard oil tankers disguised as civilians to help vessels evade U.S. blockades and that U.S. forces are likely preparing to intercept the tanker.

The pursuit of the vessel follows strikes in Venezuela under the Trump administration and the Jan. 3 capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

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Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges and said he was a “prisoner of war.”

On Jan. 1, Russia had formally asked the U.S. to stop its pursuit of the vessel, according to Reuters.

Citing two people familiar with the matter, Reuters reported that Moscow made the diplomatic request as U.S. forces continued tracking the vessel for nearly two weeks in the Atlantic.

The request came as Trump simultaneously sought to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, Reuters added.

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TankerTrackers.com alleges the vessel previously transported millions of barrels of Iranian and Venezuelan crude to China between 2021 and 2025.

“Bella 1, now known as Marinera, is not alone,” Windward said.

The tanker has been under U.S. Treasury sanctions since June 2024, accused of transporting illicit oil cargoes linked to a Hezbollah-connected company.

“The very large crude carrier is joining a growing fleet of Western-sanctioned tankers seeking protection under Russia’s national flag,” the firm added.

“Over the past six months, a dozen or more of the darkest tankers operating globally have switched from open registries to Russia. This trend accelerated in December as the flag state emerged as a critical shield against drone strikes and vessel seizures.”

VENEZUELA ORDERS NATIONWIDE MANHUNT FOR SUPPORTERS AFTER MADURO’S ARREST BY US FORCES

Windward also identified two additional Western-sanctioned tankers currently in Venezuelan waters that have reflagged to Russia in recent days to prevent U.S. naval interception.

The tanker Hyperion departed Venezuela on Jan. 1 flying the Russian flag, while Premier signaled via AIS that it changed its flag from Gambia to Russia on Dec. 22.

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“Premier remains at the José Terminal in Venezuela,” Windward said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard and the White House for comment.

US allies vow ‘boots on the ground’ to counter Russia if Ukraine peace deal fails

The U.K. and France signed a declaration Tuesday pledging troops for Ukraine under a future peace deal and with security guarantees supported by the U.S. and allied partners.

The declaration was adopted in Paris by the Coalition of the Willing and sets out what leaders said was a framework for lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia, set in international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, triggered Europe’s largest conflict since World War II.

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The new agreement says that Ukraine’s sovereignty and its ability to defend itself are non-negotiable elements of any peace deal and warned that its self-defense is essential to its own security and wider Euro-Atlantic stability.

Under the plan, a multinational force for Ukraine would be deployed once a ceasefire is in place, aimed at deterring any Russian aggression and supporting the rebuilding of Ukraine’s military.

The force would be European-led with proposed support from the U.S.

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The declaration also commits the Coalition to security guarantees that would be activated once a ceasefire begins.

These include commitments to support Ukraine militarily, diplomatically and economically in the event of a future armed attack by Russia.

A key U.S. role is outlined in plans for a continuous, U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism, with contributions from partners.

The U.S. would participate in a special commission to manage ceasefire breaches, attribute responsibility and determine solutions.

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Coalition members also agreed to carry on with long-term military support for Ukraine and pledged defense cooperation, including training, defense production and intelligence sharing.

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Leaders also announced the creation of a permanent U.S.-Ukraine-Coalition coordination cell based at the Coalition’s headquarters in Paris.

The declaration was unveiled at a joint news conference by French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

This followed talks in Paris which were attended by Jared Kushner and the U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Iran on the brink as protesters move to take two cities — and make plea to Trump

Iranian protesters issued a direct appeal for help from President Donald Trump on Tuesday as unrest continued to spiral across the nation for the tenth day.

The appeal, shared on X, showed a woman holding up a sign with the words “Trump, a symbol of peace. Don’t let them kill us,” on it.

The woman’s cry for help came amid reports of at least 29 deaths and more than 1,200 arrests, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

HRANA also reported an escalation in force by security units, including the use of pellet guns, tear gas and direct assaults on demonstrators.

IRAN PROTESTS TURN DEADLY AS ANTI-REGIME DEMONSTRATIONS ENTER FIFTH DAY

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) also claimed the cities of Abdanan (Ilam province) and Malekshahi were effectively “taken over” by protesters.

“Today there was a major development in two cities in Western Iran that have been effectively taken over and people are actually celebrating in the streets,” Ali Safavi, told Fox News Digital. “They were chanting, ‘Death to Khamenei!’“

“Despite everything the regime has done, the fear factor seems to have shifted because people have made the suppressive forces flee,” Safavi added.

Maryam Rajavi, NCRI president-elect also shared a post on X saluting the protesters in Malakshahi and Abdanan who she said, “drove the regime’s enforcers into retreat.”

Demonstrations, strikes and street gatherings have also been reported across dozens of cities in multiple provinces.

In Ilam province, witnesses and rights groups reported that tear gas was fired inside Imam Khomeini Hospital as authorities attempted to arrest wounded protesters transferred from nearby towns, according to reports.

Amnesty International said on Tuesday, “The Iranian security forces’ attack on a hospital in Ilam, where injured protesters are seeking medical care or shelter, violates international law.”

IRANIAN PROTESTERS CLASH WITH SECURITY FORCES AS TEAR GAS FILLS TEHRAN STREETS AMID NATIONWIDE UNREST

Similar accounts emerged from Tehran, where security forces were reportedly seen entering Sina Hospital, prompting fear among patients and families.

As previously reported by Fox News Digital, the unrest has been driven by a mix of economic desperation and political anger.

What started as labor strikes and merchant protests over currency collapse and inflation has expanded into widespread street demonstrations and student protests.

Parts of Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and major commercial centers in Mashhad were also partially or fully closed, according to recent reports.

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“What makes the 2025 protests different to before is that the knife has reached the bone for Iranian citizens,” Safavi continued.

“People feel they have nothing anymore and have reached a breaking point,” he added.

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi also urged Iranians to chant protest slogans nationwide on Thursday and Friday evenings.

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Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., warned Iran’s leadership that continued violence against protesters could carry serious consequences, writing on X that regime leaders should understand they act “at their own peril.”

His remarks came after a recent warning from Trump, who said on Truth Social that the U.S. was “locked and loaded and ready to go,” in the wake of the rising protests.

HEAR IT: Woman made 911 call for ‘domestic dispute’ at home where dentist, wife were killed

FIRST ON FOX: Months before a dentist and his wife in Ohio were found shot to death in their own home, a woman called 911 from the same address to report what the dispatcher described as a “domestic dispute.” After hanging up initially, the caller told the 911 operator, “me and my man got into it,” according to newly obtained records.

Police responded to the Columbus, Ohio house around 10 a.m. on Dec. 30 when they found Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, both dead with apparent gunshot wounds, officials said. Two young children were located inside the house unharmed. Police don’t believe their deaths were a murder-suicide, adding there were no signs of forced entry and no weapon was found, according to WSYX.

Fox News Digital obtained a 911 call placed by an unknown female at the same house where Spencer and Monique were killed, who told the operator, “me and my man got into it.” The call was placed on April 15 at 2:45 a.m., according to records. The woman could be heard crying throughout the call before telling police she no longer needed officers to come.

Columbus officials didn’t include a name for the caller in the dispatch logs.

FRANTIC 911 CALLS DETAIL MOMENTS BEFORE COLUMBUS DENTIST AND WIFE FOUND DEAD: ‘THERE’S A BODY’

Read a transcript of the call below:

Operator: “Hi, this is 911. We just got a hang-up call. Is everything OK?”

Female voice: “Yeah, I’m sorry. I’m OK.”

Operator: “Are you sure?”

Female voice: “Yeah, yeah, I’m OK, sorry.”

Operator: “Well, it sounds like you’re crying. Do you need police, paramedics or anything?”

Female voice: “No, no. No, I’m OK. I promise. I’m just emotional. [inaudible]”

Operator: “Well, can I ask what had you called 911 in the first place?”

Female voice: “Because me and my man got into it, but I’m OK, I promise.”

Operator: “Did anything ever get physical?”

Female voice: [Crying] “No.”

Operator: “You guys were just arguing, nobody hit each other?”

Female voice: “M’hm, yes.”

Operator: “Well, I have the information here. I can go ahead and tell the officers to cancel heading over to your address…If anything changes, call us back.”

Female voice: “Yes, yes, yes, I’m sorry…OK, I’m sorry.”

A dispatcher at the Columbus Emergency Communications Center coded the call as a “domestic dispute,” later writing that assistance was “no longer needed.”

The Columbus Division of Police on Monday evening released surveillance video showing a “person of interest” walking in the alley near the Tepes’ residence in the early morning hours of Dec. 30. Detectives believe the murders took place between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Dec. 30.

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The video, released by the Columbus Division of Police, shows the man walking slowly in an alley near the Weinland Park home where Spencer and Monique lived. He’s seen in what appears to be a dark coat and light-colored pants.

The first 911 call placed on Dec. 30 came from Spencer’s employer, Mark Valrose, who owns Athens Dental Depot. While Valrose said he was vacationing in Florida at the time, several of Spencer’s co-workers became worried after he didn’t show up for work, saying that’s extremely unlike him.

“Spencer works with me and he did not show up to work this morning and we cannot get ahold of him or his family,” Valrose said. “He is always on time and he would contact us if there is any issues whatsoever… we’re very, very concerned because this is very out of character and we can’t get in touch with his wife, which is probably the more concerning thing.”

At 10:03 a.m., one of Spencer’s friends went to the Tepes’ house and told a 911 operator that he could see a body inside.

“There’s a body,” the person can be heard saying. “Our friend wasn’t answering his phone. We just did a wellness check. We just came here and he appears dead. He’s laying next to his bed, off of his bed in this blood. I can’t get closer to see more than that.”

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In a statement released Friday, the couple’s family said they are “heartbroken beyond words,” and called the deaths “tragic and senseless.”

“They were extraordinary people whose lives were filled with love, joy, and deep connection to others,” read the statement. “Spencer, a graduate of The Ohio State University, was known as a devoted and proud father, a loving partner, and a friend to everyone he met,” the family statement said, adding that he was “intelligent, warm, and endlessly welcoming.”

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Monique was described by family members as a “loving, patient and joyful mother whose warmth defined her.”

Rob Misleh, Spencer’s brother-in-law, told WSYX that the couple was going to celebrate their five-year anniversary next month after getting married in 2021.

Golden Globes host explains why one celebrity is off-limits for jokes at awards show

Nikki Glaser revealed the one A-Lister that she doesn’t dare to roast when she returns as host of the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday. 

The 41-year-old comedian, who became the first woman to host the awards ceremony solo last year, was tapped as emcee again after earning overwhelmingly positive reviews for her debut. 

During a Tuesday appearance on “CBS Mornings,” Glaser shed some light on what the awards attendees and viewers can expect from her performance this year. She explained that she has been testing her material for the upcoming show at some of her stand-up gigs and admitted that there was one star that she would avoid mocking. 

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“I’m trying out my monologue around LA at the clubs here and just even any joke about Julia Roberts, they are not there for,” she said. 

“You cannot make fun of America’s sweetheart,” she continued. “Whatever I end up saying about her, that is the most fine-tuned joke that I’ve worked on so hard, because it is very delicate.”

“I mean, they were booing, and I was like, ‘Is she here?’” Glaser added. “It’s insane.”

“Nikki, Julia is everywhere,” “CBS Mornings” host Gayle King said.

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“Yeah, she’s all around us always,” Glaser agreed. 

King noted that Glaser had contacted some celebrities last year for their input regarding jokes she planned to make about them and asked if she had reached out to anyone this year. 

“Not yet, but I was wondering if anyone there had Sean Penn’s number because I would like to get his approval,” she said with a laugh. “Last year I was able to reach out to Benny Blanco. I had a friend of a friend who knew him and he seemed like someone I could kind of cold text, but I don’t even know if Leo [DiCaprio] has a phone.”

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“There’s certain people that I don’t even know what I would say,” Glaser continued. “It’s almost like some of these jokes you think about, ‘OK, if I got their number, would I write them and ask them?’ And then I go, ‘You know what, they might say no.’ And I know the joke isn’t that mean. I would rather ask for forgiveness later at the after party when they’re drunk.”

The “Trainwreck” actress explained that she viewed the Golden Globes hosting gig as a “covert mission” since she has to please both the viewers at home and the stars in the audience at the ceremony. 

“You have to be very delicate about making jokes that aren’t going to ruin anyone’s night, but you also want to give the people at home something to laugh at, and you want to poke fun at the people that they’re dying for you to make fun of,” she said. “Like people at home want you to make fun of the A-listers.”

“They want you to make them feel a little bit uncomfortable,” Glaser added. “So, it’s covert in the sense that I want to get away with those jokes without just ruining the vibe in the room. So, it’s really strategic, and it’s one of the most difficult jobs I’ve ever had is picking the perfect jokes.”

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Glaser has previously participated in several celebrity roasts, including those of Rob Lowe, Bruce Willis and Tom Brady and she has become known for her scathing jabs and fearless takedowns. The comedian was hailed as one of the standout performers at Brady’s roast in May 2024, which significantly raised her profile and led to her selection as the Golden Globes host for the 2025 awards show. 

During her appearance on “CBS Mornings,” Glaser noted that her approach to performing at a roast differed from how she handles Golden Globes hosting duties.

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“I leave the mean for the roast,” she said. “I think people have known me as like, ‘Wow, she tells really mean jokes.’ I really save that for the roast because that’s the place to do them. People have signed up for that.” 

“This, I feel like, I don’t know, I am a huge fan of these people, and this year’s a little bit different because we have so like many huge A-listers that I grew up kind of really admiring, and it’s easy for me to take down the newer batch of actresses and actors who are younger than me,” Glaser explained.

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“It’s like ‘OK, I can make fun of you. I’m like a veteran,'” she continued. “But when it’s like people that I grew up admiring, it’s ‘Oh my gosh.’” 

“It’s a different approach this year.”

Southern restaurant chain brings back beloved dishes after menu makeover backlash

Cracker Barrel is now putting the “old” back into “Old Country Store” with the return of two classic menu items.

The Tennessee-based restaurant chain revealed Tuesday that its Hamburger Steak, plus its Eggs in the Basket — both comfort food staples — are “returning by popular demand.”

“Winter calls for comfort and connection, and nothing delivers that better than the classics,” Thomas Yun, Cracker Barrel’s vice president of menu strategy and innovation, said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. 

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“Bringing back Hamburger Steak and Eggs in the Basket was an easy choice,” he also said. “Not only are they timeless favorites with deep roots on our menu, but they’re also among the most requested dishes from our guests.”

Hamburger Steak appeared on the Cracker Barrel menu when the restaurant first opened in 1969. It is described as a “juicy, seasoned beef topped with a savory buttery garlic sauce and served with two or three classic sides.”

Eggs in the Basket is a “nostalgic breakfast favorite featuring two slices of golden-grilled sourdough bread with an egg nestled in the center, served with bacon or sausage and one classic side,” the company said. 

Both dishes are featured as part of Cracker Barrel’s Meals for Two value deal, available all day Monday through Friday for $19.99.

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“These dishes are uniquely Cracker Barrel — rooted in tradition and loved for generations — and we’re thrilled to bring back classics our guests know and love, made the way they remember,” Yun said.

Atlanta-based cookbook author Kelli Ferrell said the return of the classic dishes suggests Cracker Barrel is returning to its Southern roots after last year’s bungled logo redesign and makeover alienated many customers.

“Cracker Barrel is known for Southern comfort, you know what I mean?” Ferrell told Fox News Digital. 

“It’s one of those things where you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner. I think that they should stick to their staple pieces.”

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Ferrell said the Hamburger Steak sparked childhood memories for her. 

“Anything hamburger, for me, is a go,” she said.

The return of Eggs in the Basket has also generated buzz among longtime fans.

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Rachel Love, a self-described Cracker Barrel enthusiast from Tennessee, said the announcement instantly reminded her of how much she missed the dish.

“I remember when they took them off the menu,” she told Fox News Digital.

Love recalled visiting a Nashville-area location with her best friend when they were told it had been discontinued.

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“We were distraught,” she said.

“Literally eggs in a cutout piece of bread … one of the easiest things to make for breakfast.”

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Love called it a “Southern staple” that deserves its comeback.

Jessica Alba rings in 2026 with bikini photos and PDA from vacation with ‘Top Gun’ star

Jessica Alba is kicking off the new year in the sun — and she’s not doing it solo.

The 44-year-old actress escaped to Los Cabos, Mexico, to celebrate her final moments of 2025, sharing a series of bikini-clad vacation photos that doubled as a subtle — and affectionate — glimpse into her romance with actor Danny Ramirez.

“Easing into the first Monday of the new year feeling recharged, grounded & present,” she wrote on Instagram.

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“Grateful for a dreamy final week of ’25 filled with a few of my favorite things. Forever memories locked — heart full, soul open and ready for 2026.” 

Among the sun-soaked snapshots was a sweet clip of the actress cozied up beside the 33-year-old “Top Gun: Maverick” star.

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The two were all smiles as Ramirez leaned in to kiss the “Honey” star.

The PDA-filled moment marked another step for the couple, who went Instagram-official late last year.

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Alba previously confirmed the relationship after posting photos with Ramirez during a trip to Australia, where fans quickly noticed the chemistry between the two.

While Alba has kept details of her personal life largely private in recent months, her Mexico getaway may suggest she’s entering the new year feeling relaxed, present — and very much smitten. 

Between beach days, bikinis and quiet romantic moments, Alba’s tropical escape proved it wasn’t just a vacation — but perhaps a soft launch into 2026, with Ramirez right by her side.

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After she split from her husband of 16 years, Cash Warren, in February 2025, Alba was soon linked to Ramirez, according to divorce filings obtained by Fox News Digital.

Alba and Ramirez first fueled dating rumors in July 2025 after being spotted returning to Los Angeles from a getaway in Cancún, Mexico.

According to Us Weekly, citing a source, “They were friends before it turned romantic and have a lot of mutual friends.”

While early summer brought mixed signals about how serious the romance really was, the speculation faded by late July, when Alba and Ramirez were spotted leaving a Los Angeles dinner all smiles — and later photographed sealing the night with a kiss.

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The affectionate moment marked their first unmistakable public display as a couple. 

A source, according to People, shared, “She doesn’t feel the need to hide it anymore … She’s pretty unapologetic about her life just in general and wants to enjoy as much as possible.”

McRib mystery deepens as McDonald’s is sued over what’s really inside

McDonald’s is facing a class-action lawsuit that accuses the fast-food giant of deceiving customers about what meat is used in its McRib sandwich. 

The lawsuit, filed by four plaintiffs in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois last week, alleges that the McRib “does not contain any actual pork rib meat at all,” despite its advertising.

McDonald’s says the claims are “meritless.”

In the suit, the plaintiffs argued that “despite its name and distinctive shape—its meat patty has been deliberately crafted to resemble a rack of pork ribs.”

The meat patties are instead made up of ground-up portions of lower-grade pork products such as, interalia, pork shoulder, heart, tripe and scalded stomach, the lawsuit stated.

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The sandwich, which returned to menus at certain McDonald’s in November, is described by the company as “seasoned boneless pork dipped in a tangy BBQ sauce, topped with slivered onions and tangy pickles, all served on a toasted homestyle bun.” The sandwich has cultivated a significant following from fans who eagerly await its return to menus. It debuted in 1981, but was removed from the regular menu in the early 2000s. Since then, it returns only as a limited-time offering.

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The lawsuit argued that the company’s use of the name “McRib” amounts to “a deliberate sleight of hand” and that because of this marketing, customers expect “pork ‘rib’ meat, which is prized by consumers for its high fat content and rich flavor.”

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“By including the word ‘Rib’ in the name of the sandwich, McDonald’s knowingly markets the sandwich in a way that deceives reasonable consumers, who reasonably (but mistakenly) believe that a product named the ‘McRib’ will include at least some meaningful quantity of actual pork rib meat,” the lawsuit read.

But McDonald’s argued that the “lawsuit distorts the facts.”

McDonald’s said it has “always been transparent about our ingredients.” McDonald’s said the sandwich starts with 100% seasoned boneless pork dipped into a tangy BBQ sauce. 

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“Food quality and safety are at the heart of everything we do – that’s why we’re committed to using real, quality ingredients across our entire menu. Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S. – there are no hearts, tripe or scalded stomach used in the McRib patty as falsely alleged in this lawsuit,” a spokesperson for the company said.