In a stunning turn of events, Minnesota finds itself at the center of a political and social earthquake that could reshape its future—and send shockwaves through the nation. Representative Ilhan Omar, who has long represented one of the country’s largest Somali communities in Congress, is now facing the unimaginable: thousands of her core voters, many of whom have lived in Minnesota for years under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), are being ordered to leave the United States. The announcement, delivered by former President Donald Trump, has left Omar and her allies reeling, as the consequences are not only personal but political, threatening her very position in Congress.
For years, Minnesota’s Somali community has been a vibrant part of the state’s identity, contributing to its economy, culture, and political landscape. But recent investigations have uncovered a massive fraud scheme tied to social service programs like the Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) and federally funded autism therapy. According to multiple reports, millions of taxpayer dollars have been funneled through fraudulent claims and sent overseas, with some of that money allegedly landing in the hands of terrorist organizations like al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked group in Somalia. The scale of the fraud is breathtaking: what began as a $2 million program in 2020 ballooned to over $122 million by 2024, with hundreds of providers—many linked to the Somali community—accused of exploiting loose eligibility criteria and forging signatures.
The backlash has been swift. Trump’s viral announcement on Truth Social declared an immediate end to TPS for Somali refugees in Minnesota, citing rampant fraud, missing billions, and the alleged terror connections. “Send them back to where they came from. It’s over,” Trump wrote, igniting fierce debate across social media and cable news. Critics accused him of racism and xenophobia, while supporters argued that decisive action was long overdue. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was also called out, with demands for his resignation from taxpayers and even members of his own party, who cited his failure to address mounting evidence of fraud and economic decline.
For Ilhan Omar, the implications are dire. As one of the most prominent Somali-American politicians in the country, she has built her career on advocating for immigrant rights and representing the interests of her community. Now, with thousands of her supporters facing deportation, her political base is in jeopardy. The Somali vote has been a cornerstone of her electoral success, and the loss of TPS status could mean the loss of tens of thousands of voters, many of whom have been deeply involved in local politics and community organizing. Omar’s critics have long accused her of prioritizing Somali interests over American ones, and the current scandal only adds fuel to the fire. Some go so far as to claim she acts as a foreign agent, a charge she fiercely denies.
The fraud allegations have also exposed deep divisions within the Somali community itself. During the last election, tribal rivalries surfaced when many refused to vote for a Somali candidate from a different tribe, highlighting the complex social dynamics at play. Meanwhile, investigative journalists have uncovered stories of individuals like Steven Smith, who found himself billed for thousands of dollars in “housing support” he never received. Such cases have fueled public outrage and calls for reform.
Minnesota’s economic woes compound the crisis. Reports from the Chamber of Commerce show the state failing on nearly every economic measure between 2019 and 2024. Taxpayers are angry that billions in surplus have vanished, with only a fraction returned to them. Instead, much of the money has gone to social service programs now found to be riddled with fraud. The revelation that some of these funds ended up supporting terrorism overseas has pushed even moderate voices to demand accountability.
The political fallout is not limited to Minnesota. Across the country, the debate over immigration, refugee status, and social service fraud is intensifying. Trump’s move to strip TPS from Somali refugees sets a precedent that could be applied elsewhere, raising questions about the future of America’s asylum and refugee programs. For progressives, the challenge is to defend genuine immigrants and refugees while rooting out abuse. For conservatives, the scandal bolsters calls for stricter controls and enforcement.
Ilhan Omar now faces the fight of her political life. With her voter base decimated, her reputation under attack, and her community in crisis, she must navigate a landscape transformed by scandal, fear, and uncertainty. The stakes could not be higher—not just for her, but for the future of Minnesota and the nation’s approach to immigration and social services. As airports fill with families facing deportation, the state watches anxiously, wondering what comes next.
In the end, the story is not just about fraud and politics—it’s about people. The Somali community in Minnesota, like all immigrant communities, is made up of individuals seeking safety, opportunity, and a better life. The actions of a few have cast a shadow over the many, and the challenge now is to find justice without sacrificing compassion. For Ilhan Omar, for Minnesota, and for America, the road ahead will be long, difficult, and fraught with peril. Only time will tell if they can rise to meet it.
‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed concerns about visiting New York City under its newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who has vowed to arrest him over an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
Netanyahu, speaking in an interview with Australian journalist Erin Molan, reacted strongly to Mamdani’s anti-‘Israel’ stance, calling the threats unfounded and predicting a bleak future for the city under socialist policies.
Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic socialist and former New York State Assembly member, made history by winning the 2025 New York City mayoral election on November 4, defeating Independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa with 50.4% of the vote.
As the first Muslim, South Asian, and youngest mayor in over a century, Mamdani’s victory energized progressive voters but drew criticism for his vocal opposition to ‘Israel’.
He assumes office on January 1, 2026, amid debates over his platform, which includes affordable housing and police reform.
During his campaign, Mamdani pledged to honor the ICC’s arrest warrant against Netanyahu for his war crimes in Gaza, stating he would direct the NYPD to detain the ‘Israeli’ leader if he enters the city.
Legal experts have called this promise unenforceable, as local authorities lack jurisdiction over international warrants without federal involvement.
Mamdani doubled down on the vow in October, framing it as a stand against what he termed genocide in the ‘Israeli’ assault on Gaza.
Netanyahu, undeterred, told Molan, “Hell no, of course not,” when asked if he feared arrest in New York.
He criticized Mamdani as a “young uneducated leader” lacking knowledge of economics and antisemitism, urging him to “get his act together” before making such statements.
Netanyahu said he is willing to have dialogue with Mamdani if he educates himself on these issues, per his expression.
The prime minister linked Mamdani’s socialist policies to economic failure, drawing from ‘Israel’s’ own shift away from socialism under his leadership, which he credited with boosting growth and reducing inequality.
He warned that such approaches could bankrupt New York, stating, “That’s where NY might be headed.”
Netanyahu also connected rising antisemitism to societal collapse, noting it “always collapses societies” by targeting Jews first, then other groups.
He predicted a “very dim future” for New York under Mamdani.
A traveler on a recent flight began feeling ill and “dizzy” after the passenger behind her put his bare feet up on her armrest.
Pornpreeya Keng, 27, was traveling on a low-cost airline from Bangkok, Thailand, to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Sept. 2, according to Viral Press.
While on the flight, Keng began to detect a stench in the air.
JUST ‘PLANE’ BAD ETIQUETTE: AIRLINE PASSENGER DRAPES HER LONG, THICK HAIR OVER THE BACK OF HER SEAT
Upon looking down and to her right, she noticed that the passenger in the window seat behind her had put his bare foot up on her armrest.
Keng told Viral Press the passenger continued to move around — apparently trying to find a more comfortable sleeping position.
Pornpreeya Keng, 27, was recently on a flight to Vietnam when she noticed the passenger behind her had propped his bare, smelly feet on her armrest. (Viral Press)
Since Keng said she was uncomfortable with the idea of confronting the person directly about his bad manners, so she decided to take out her phone and record the moment.
WOMAN GETS REVENGE ON FELLOW AIRLINE PASSENGER FOR COVERING HER TV IN VIRAL VIDEO SEEN BY MORE THAN 100M
In the video, Keng can be seen showing the man’s bare feet propped up on her armrest.
She then used a menthol nasal inhaler to try to erase the smell of the feet and feel better.
Keng said she tried to move around in her seat to signal to the man that she wanted his feet moved — but the passenger didn’t catch on. (Viral Press)
“I tried to shift in my seat to make him aware of my discomfort, but he didn’t notice me,” she told Viral Press.
Kend said she signaled to a flight attendant, who then asked the passenger to take remove his feet from Keng’s armrest — and he ultimately complied.
FLIGHT ETIQUETTE SHOULD BE KNOWN BY ALL, INCLUDING NOT WEARING PAJAMAS ON BOARD
“His feet were smelly and dirty — I felt it was unhygienic to have them on the armrest,” she said.
Keng then wiped down the armrest, as seen in her video. (SEE the video at the top of this article.)
After getting a flight attendant to address the issue of the smelly feet, Keng tried to sanitize her armrest. (Viral Press)
She added that passengers should educate themselves on “proper flight etiquette” and inform the flight attendant if they need help with a situation similar to this.
Fox News Digital spoke with Florida-based etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore about the situation — who said the actions by the barefoot passenger were “extremely impolite.”
“The disgruntled passenger should have either politely asked the man to remove his feet from the armrest immediately or alerted a flight attendant as soon as it was safe to move about the cabin,” she said.
Whitmore also said to never assume that others know what might be upsetting you.
“People forget to pack their manners when they travel,” she also said.
Brittany Kasko is a lifestyle production assistant with Fox News Digital.
Air travel has a way of bringing people together from all walks of life. Inside an airplane cabin, strangers share the same space for hours, often sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, breathing recycled air, and adjusting to the rhythm of a journey they cannot fully control. Sometimes, those shared experiences bring warmth and kindness. Other times, they test one’s patience.
One particular flight left me with a memory that blended frustration, creativity, and ultimately, a lesson in handling uncomfortable situations without direct confrontation. It all began when a woman seated behind us decided that the back of my husband’s seat was the perfect resting place for her bare feet.
At first glance, it might seem like a minor irritation—just another quirk of flying—but anyone who has endured a long journey knows how something so seemingly small can become impossible to ignore.
We had boarded a long-haul flight, prepared with snacks, books, and playlists to get us through the hours in the sky. I remember settling into my seat with a sense of calm, ready to doze off after takeoff. My husband adjusted his seatbelt and reached for the in-flight magazine, completely unaware of the small invasion that was about to take place.
Not long after we took off, I noticed movement from the corner of my eye. When I turned, I saw them: two feet, propped up casually against my husband’s seatback. At first, I thought perhaps it was an accidental nudge, something that would disappear once the passenger adjusted herself. But within minutes, it was clear this was no accident—it was intentional, and it wasn’t stopping.
The sight alone made me uneasy. This was more than just invading personal space; it was a breach of basic courtesy. On an airplane, where everyone is already cramped, adding unnecessary discomfort is simply inconsiderate. I looked at my husband, who was trying to ignore it, but I could tell from his tightened jawline that he was uncomfortable too.
In moments like these, the mind races. I had several hours to think about how to respond. The straightforward approach would have been to turn around and ask her politely to move her feet. But here’s the challenge: airplanes are not private spaces. A confrontation, no matter how polite, runs the risk of escalating into a scene. The last thing I wanted was to turn our flight into a spectacle for the rows around us.
I considered writing a note. A little card with a message like, “Please be considerate of others’ space” might have worked. But then I imagined her dismissing it with a laugh or rolling her eyes, which would leave me feeling even more powerless.
Another idea was to involve the flight attendants. After all, part of their role is ensuring comfort and safety for passengers. Yet, I hesitated. It felt a little heavy-handed to summon assistance over something that, while irritating, wasn’t a safety hazard. Besides, I didn’t want to disturb the attendants’ already busy routines.
So there I was, caught between not wanting to ignore the problem and not wanting to escalate it. That’s when a memory popped into my head, and with it, a potential solution that felt just mischievous enough to be satisfying.
In my carry-on bag, tucked between a neck pillow and a book, was a small bottle of lavender essential oil. I always bring it on flights to help me relax; the floral scent calms my nerves, especially during turbulence. But lavender oil isn’t subtle—it’s strong, persistent, and unmistakable.
An idea took shape. If this passenger behind us wanted to intrude into our space, perhaps I could gently invade hers in return—not with words, but with fragrance.
The plan was simple: each time her feet appeared on my husband’s seat, I would uncap the bottle, let the aroma drift, and wait for nature to take its course. The hope was that the strong scent would create just enough discomfort to nudge her into rethinking her actions, without me ever needing to confront her directly.
I waited until the cabin had settled into its mid-flight quiet. The lights dimmed, passengers slipped on headphones, and the hum of the engines became the backdrop to the night. That’s when I spotted the feet again, firmly planted against the seatback.
Carefully, I retrieved the bottle from my bag. I twisted the cap slowly, pretending to be occupied with my magazine, and let the lavender scent fill the air. The aroma spread quickly, as I knew it would. Within moments, I saw the woman shift uncomfortably. She wrinkled her nose, sat back, and began whispering something to her travel companion.
Success. At least for a moment.
A few minutes later, her feet returned. Without hesitation, I repeated the process—open bottle, subtle wave, pretend to stay busy. This time, her discomfort was more obvious. She fidgeted, glanced around suspiciously, and exchanged hushed complaints.
I kept my composure, never acknowledging her or revealing that I was behind it. After two or three rounds of this, the outcome was exactly what I had hoped for: she finally withdrew her feet and planted them firmly on the floor.
The rest of the flight continued without incident. I read, napped, and enjoyed the peace of knowing I had defended my husband’s comfort without ever raising my voice or creating a scene.
When the plane finally landed and passengers stood to collect their belongings, I noticed her glance at me. Her expression was a mix of annoyance and something else—maybe reluctant respect. She didn’t say a word, but her silence was telling. In her own way, I think she realized her behavior had been selfish.
As for me, I walked off the plane feeling both triumphant and reflective. It wasn’t just about keeping someone’s feet off our seat; it was about finding a way to handle rudeness with creativity instead of confrontation.
This experience made me think more deeply about the importance of courtesy in shared spaces. Air travel is inherently stressful. Everyone is dealing with cramped seating, limited privacy, and the physical strain of long hours in the air. Small acts of respect—like keeping your feet to yourself, speaking quietly, or being mindful of armrests—can make the journey more bearable for everyone.
When one person disregards those unspoken rules, it creates a ripple effect of discomfort. Something as simple as a misplaced foot can ruin the travel experience for others. Yet, when passengers choose to be mindful, the entire cabin feels lighter, calmer, and more humane.
Though this story unfolded at 30,000 feet, the lesson extends far beyond air travel. In everyday life—whether in a waiting room, a café, or public transportation—we constantly share space with others. In those shared moments, courtesy becomes the glue that keeps our interactions smooth.
But here’s the challenge: not everyone practices it. And when we encounter rudeness, we often face a difficult choice. Do we confront it directly, risking escalation? Do we ignore it, sacrificing our own comfort? Or do we find a middle path, one that gently nudges others toward better behavior without creating unnecessary conflict?
My lavender-oil strategy may not work in every situation, but it revealed the power of creative problem-solving. Sometimes the best response isn’t the loudest or most obvious one. Sometimes it’s subtle, indirect, and clever enough to change behavior without a single word spoken.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the experience—not because it was pleasant, but because it taught me something valuable. I realized that standing up for oneself doesn’t always mean confrontation. It can also mean finding ways to reclaim dignity and comfort quietly, with a touch of creativity.
On future flights, I’ll continue to carry my lavender oil. Not just as a relaxation aid, but as a gentle reminder that we always have options when faced with rudeness. We can escalate, we can ignore, or we can innovate.
That day, I chose innovation. And it worked.
So, to the woman on that flight—if you ever think back to the journey where lavender filled the cabin, I hope it serves as a small reminder: in shared spaces, courtesy matters. And sometimes, the quietest lessons are the ones that linger longest.
Travelling by air is seldom a breeze. Passengers often face the discomfort of cramped spaces, especially dreaded middle seats with limited legroom, wishing to reach their destinations without hassle.
The experience can turn sour when fellow travellers overstep boundaries by claiming more than their fair share of space with knee-spreading or elbow nudges. However, one man’s ordeal aboard a flight took an even more unpleasant turn.
Attempting to enjoy some peace, he glanced downward only to discover something so distasteful that he felt compelled to intervene. Digital creator Cam Casey captured the incident and commented that the woman involved experienced “instant karma on the airplane” for her behaviour, which he slammed as “nasty”.
The woman, wearing flip-flops, had stretched her legs forward, positioning her bare toes right beneath his seat – a sight most unwelcome to those who shudder at feet.
So he decided to teach her a lesson – and slightly tilted his water bottle until a significant amount of water poured out. It drenched her exposed toes, leading to her gasping and pulling her feet backwards.
Viewers in the video’s comment section suggested they would have handled the situation with their own petty acts of revenge. One wrote: “Warm water or coffee would’ve been better.” And another suggested: “Or a nice sticky soda.”
Another person recommended a more extreme approach, admitting: “I would have fake sneezed on their toes with just a sprinkle of water. That would have been way more impactful.”
Others, however, were less sympathetic towards the woman. One said: “Isn’t it possible she fell asleep and didn’t realise her feet moved or that she was beyond the chair edge? People are so extra.” And another wrote: “I was going to comment something, but I am a tall girl, so I fear getting in this situation.”