Category: News
La defensa de los Broncos pasa a tener una mayor responsabilidad en campeonato de la AFC
Por ARNIE STAPLETON
ENGLEWOOD, Colorado, EE.UU. (AP) — La defensa de Denver llevó a Peyton Manning hasta la meta en el Super Bowl 50 y el grupo de Vance Joseph casi con certeza tendrá que liderar el camino para que los Broncos regresen al Levi’s Stadium en la Bahía de San Francisco para el Super Bowl 60.
Los Broncos (15-3) recibirán el domingo a los Patriots de Nueva Inglaterra (16-3) en el juego de campeonato de la AFC el domingo con un mariscal de campo suplente experimentado que tendrá su primera titularidad en más de dos años, un golpeado grupo de receptores y poco juego terrestre del que hablar, a menos que J.K. Dobbins regrese de alguna manera de una operación en el pie a mediados de noviembre.
Una persona con conocimiento de la situación le dijo a The Associated Press que los Broncos están abriendo el margen de práctica para Dobbins, cuya lesión se sospechaba originalmente que sería de fin de temporada, dando a los Broncos la oportunidad de recuperarlo el domingo. La persona habló bajo condición de anonimato porque el equipo no anunció el movimiento.
Bo Nix se rompió el tobillo derecho en la serie ganadora de Denver en tiempo extra mientras los Broncos lograban su mayor victoria en una década contra Josh Allen y Buffalo con un emocionante 33-30 que provocó tanto lágrimas como críticas en el vestuario de los Bills.
Jarrett Stidham, quien ha aparecido en 20 juegos en seis temporadas de la NFL, comenzando cuatro y ganando uno, reemplazará a Nix, quien será operado el martes en Birmingham, Alabama. A excepción de la pretemporada, Stidham no ha comenzado un juego, ni siquiera lanzado un pase, en más de dos años.
“Estará listo para salir y preparado para el momento”, dijo el entrenador Sean Payton.
Debido a que la lesión de Nix no se anunció hasta una hora después del juego y el vestuario ya estaba cerrado, el lunes fue la primera oportunidad para que los compañeros de equipo comentaran sobre la lesión de Nix y su situación de mariscal de campo.
“En primer lugar, obviamente es increíblemente desgarrador para Bo”, dijo el tackle derecho Mike McGlinchey. “Ha trabajado muy duro para llegar aquí. Ha liderado a este equipo en cada paso desde que llegó a este edificio. … En cuanto a Stiddy, creo que también voy a enfatizar la confianza que Sean expresó porque al estar cerca de Stiddy durante los últimos tres años … este tipo simplemente ama el fútbol. Y ha estado absorbiendo todo lo que hemos estado haciendo. Ha estado listo para esta oportunidad”.
El defensivo All-Pro Zach Allen compartió esos sentimientos, diciendo: “Bo es una gran parte de que lleguemos a este punto, así que nos sentimos terribles por él … pero tenemos plena fe en Stiddy”, de quien dijo que siempre es el primero en llegar cada día y siempre ponía a prueba a la defensa en la práctica, “así que estamos emocionados de ver lo que hace esta semana”.
En cuanto al posible regreso de Dobbins, McGlinchey lo llamó “una gran fuente de energía para nuestro equipo” y dijo: “Sería un gran impulso si está saludable”.
Stidham casi con certeza no contará con dos de los mejores receptores de los Broncos después de que Troy Franklin sufriera un tirón del isquiotibial y Pat Bryant sufriera su segunda conmoción cerebral en un mes durante la primera victoria de los Broncos en los playoffs desde el Super Bowl 50.
Lo que está funcionando
La defensa de Denver atendió la orden de Payton antes de los playoffs de producir más pérdidas de balón después de que los Broncos terminaran con un diferencial de -3 en pérdidas de balón durante la temporada a pesar de liderar la NFL y establecer un récord de franquicia con 68 capturas. Forzaron a los Bills a cometer cinco pérdidas de balón.
Lo que necesita ayuda
El juego terrestre de los Broncos fue casi inexistente contra los Bills con Nix liderando con 29 yardas en una docena de acarreos. Jaleel McLaughlin tuvo 21 yardas en cuatro carreras y el novato R.J. Harvey tuvo 20 yardas en seis entregas.
Próximos pasos
Los Broncos reciben a los Patriots, que han perdido sus cuatro juegos de playoffs en Denver, por el derecho a jugar contra los Seahawks de Seattle (15-3) o los Rams de Los Ángeles Rams (14-5) en el Super Bowl el 8 de febrero.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
NBA announces 10 starters for the 1st All-Star Game with a US-vs.-the-World format
The first World team for the NBA All-Star Game already looks loaded. And the fate of LeBron James’ record streak of All-Star selections now will be decided by coaches — or perhaps even Commissioner Adam Silver.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić, Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Dončić and San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama were among those announced Monday as starters — an inexact term this year — for next month’s All-Star Game at the Los Angeles Clippers’ home arena in Inglewood, Calif.
Those five likely are heading to the World team, which will take on two teams of U.S. players as part of yet another new format for the midseason showcase.
The NBA announced 10 starters, five from each conference. The Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham, Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey and Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown are presumably headed to the U.S. squads that will play in the three-team, round-robin tournament Feb. 15 — all 12-minute mini-games, with the top two teams advancing to a 12-minute championship game.
“It’s still as special as the first one was, honestly,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of the All-Star nod. “I grew up watching All-Star games as a kid, dreaming about playing in them. To be able to play in them will always have that same feeling. All the players that I looked up to, that I imitated my game after, played in those games, played on that stage. And for me to be able do so, it’s a blessing and an honor.”
Starters were selected through a weighted formula, with fan voting counting for 50% of a player’s ranking, the votes of a 100-member panel of broadcasters and reporters counting for 25% and voting by NBA players counting for the remaining 25%.
Dončić got the most fan votes with about 3.4 million, with Antetokounmpo next at around 3.2 million. Wembanyama and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards tied for the fifth Western Conference starter spot; the nod went to Wembanyama because he had the edge over Edwards in fan voting.
The U.S.-vs.-the-World concept was talked about for years before finally becoming a reality this season. The NBA and National Basketball Players Association unveiled the long-awaited plan earlier this season after trying yet again to figure out the latest way to spark renewed interest in the game.
It seemed like the right time to try a game with national pride at stake, given that it will happen this year around the midway point of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The NBA’s All-Star events, like the Olympics in the U.S., will be broadcast on NBC’s family of networks.
What is the format?
There will be three teams of at least eight players. Games will be one standard NBA quarter, or 12 minutes long.
Team A will play Team B in Game 1. The winner of that game will play Team C in Game 2. The loser of Game 1 will play Team C in Game 3.
The teams with the best two records will play in the championship game. If all three teams are 1-1, point differential would be the tiebreaker.
Where things stand
The league typically has 10 starters picked by the weighted formula voting, then 14 reserves by the coaches, and that’s also the case this year.
It’s just different.
In a standard All-Star Game — two teams, 12 players per side — the old voting formula works out perfectly. But this is three teams, with eight players per side. That means at least 15 players will “start” a game in the All-Star tournament.
Therefore, it’s guaranteed that some players who weren’t announced as starters Monday will be starting Feb. 15.
And it is possible some rosters may have more than eight players, if the NBA needs to keep adding in order to get to 16 on the U.S. side or eight on the World side.
LeBron’s status
James, for the first time in 22 years, wasn’t among the group selected as starters.
His record run of 20 consecutive All-Star Game appearances — not selections, that streak continued — ended last season when he bowed out of another mini-tournament format, citing foot and ankle injuries. He still could make it as a reserve, with those 14 spots to be decided by a polling of NBA head coaches.
And he also could get an invitation as an injury replacement if one is needed, with Silver picking those players when necessary.
James is in his record-setting 23rd season. His record streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with at least 10 points ended in December, and he already has missed 17 games — meaning he’ll probably have to play in every Lakers game for the rest of the season to be eligible for most postseason awards, such as All-NBA honors. James was an All-NBA selection in 21 of his first 22 seasons, including a second-team nod last season.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/19/nba-all-star-game-starters/
Brothers plead guilty to defrauding $365k from Medicaid for fake dental surgeries
Two brothers pleaded guilty Friday in federal court after admitting using their father’s dentistry to bill Medicaid for $365,000 from 2015 to October 2017 for surgeries that never happened.
Trystan Arch, 36, of DeMotte, and Justyn Arch, 39, of Valparaiso, both admitted in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Indiana to healthcare fraud and filing a false tax return, records show.
At the time, both men were office managers at Arch Complete Family Dentistry’s Chesterton and Crown Point offices, respectively. A Knox location was also briefly open.
Their father, the late Dr. Joseph Arch Sr., was president of the business at the time until his death on Oct. 23, 2017.
A sentencing date was not immediately available.
Authorities allege the money was deposited into the business’ bank account and partially withdrawn by the men.
The brothers will have to repay nearly $120,000 to the Indiana Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and $63,000 in additional restitution to the IRS.
The duo created a scheme to bill Medicaid for osseous surgeries, a painful procedure dealing with tooth removal and preparation of the area due to gum disease, that were never performed on patients. Medicaid reimburses authorized providers like Arch Complete Family Dentistry between $500 and $1,000 per procedure, according to the grand jury indictment.
Post-Tribune archives contributed.
Kansas School Bans Students From Naming Kirk, Trump Or Jesus As Role Models
Kansas School Bans Students From Naming Kirk, Trump Or Jesus As Role Models
Yet another example of why American parents are increasingly pulling their kids out of public institutions and turning to home schooling. Parents at an elementary school in Kansas are upset after students were reportedly told that they were not allowed to list President Donald Trump, late conservative activist Charlie Kirk and even Jesus Christ as their role models for an assignment.
The incident at Marshall Elementary School in Eureka, Kansas occurred in October and only recently came to light because students were originally instructed not to tell their parents about what happened. The American Center for Law & Justice, described as “a politically conservative, Christian-based legal organization,” has filed a formal civil rights complaint with the school.
The complaint accuses the district and Marshall Elementary School of religious discrimination, political or viewpoint discrimination, violation of free speech rights and retaliation. Students say a school guidance counselor, Kacey Countryman, gave sixth-graders an assignment called “Find Your Voice” as part of their “Leader In Me” program. They were asked to identify their role models, but conservative role models were apparently not allowed.
“When a student identified Charlie Kirk as a role model, the guidance counselor got very uncomfortable and refused to allow this name to be written on the board, yelling that he was ‘not a hero,’ and that he was not a role model,” the complaint says. When a student chose Trump as their role model, the guidance counselor reportedly had the same response.
Another parent says their child picked Jesus and was also denied.
Unreal. Sixth grade students at a Kansas public school were told they could not name Charlie Kirk as a role model for an assignment.
The assignment was called “Find Your Voice,” in which the students were asked to identify their role models.
“When a student identified Charlie… pic.twitter.com/S3yS39qBlW
— Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) January 16, 2026
The complaint notes that “When a student selected President Donald J. Trump as a role model, the guidance counselor reiterated her prohibition even more angrily, stating that students could not write political or religious figures on the board, and in fact excluded political and religious topics altogether.”
Reports note that children picking secular and potentially controversial figures did not receive the same backlash from the counselor.
The ACLJ has investigated a number of similar incidents in the past involving public school officials, including a recent controversy involving a Hawaiian school teacher who was punished by the district for allowing her students to talk about the assassination of Charlie Kirk during a Constitution Day discussion on free speech.
Adminstrators placed a disciplinary memo in her file threatening future sanctions and told her she must immediately “shut down” any spontaneous student discussions on undefined “controversial issues.”
These kinds of censorious policies run completely contrary to the spirit of the First Amendment and basic civics once taught in US schools in previous generations. The common conservative accusation that public schools have become poisonous indoctrination centers for the political left is proved correct weekly by similar stories of students being silenced for normal speech.
The crackdown accelerated during the Biden Administration, along with the invasion of woke political propaganda into many taxpayer funded schools. The agenda is clear: Children are being bullied and extorted into abandoning conservative ideals. They are forced to embrace progressive talking points as a way to keep peace in their academic lives.
There is no doubt that the rise of woke insanity in American society directly coincides with the decline of parental rights and participation in educational institutions. School officials believe their job is not to simply teach basic academic mastery; they think their job is to program the next generation with far-left software. Activist teachers and administrators believe their mission is to “correct” the principles instilled in children by their parents, and condition students to join the liberal hive mind.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/19/2026 – 16:45
Antetokounmpo y Bucks vencen 112-110 a Atlanta y rompen racha de tres derrotas
ATLANTA (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo anotó 21 puntos y capturó 17 rebotes, y los Bucks de Milwakee rompieron una racha de tres derrotas consecutivas al derrotar el lunes 112-110 a los Hawks de Atlanta tras desperdiciar una ventaja de 23 puntos en la segunda mitad.
Los Hawks lideraron 105-104 con un triple de Jalen Johnson a falta de 1:11 antes de caer por cuarta vez consecutiva en el juego anual del Día de Martin Luther King Jr., celebrado en la ciudad natal del ícono de los derechos civiles.
AJ Green y Bobby Portis encestaron triples consecutivos, Johnson perdió el balón y Antetokounmpo se impuso en el interior para anotar una canasta que puso el marcador 109-105 con 36 segundos por jugar.
Los Hawks aún tenían una oportunidad después de que Nickeil Alexander-Walker conectara desde fuera del arco y Ryan Rollins fallara un tiro libre para los Bucks. Pero CJ McCollum perdió el control del balón y terminó lanzando un tiro casi sin balance que rebotó en el aro, sellando la victoria para Milwaukee.
Atlanta casi ganó después de fallar sus primeros 21 tiros desde la línea de tres puntos. Los Hawks perdían 54-38 al descanso y 74-51 acercándose a la mitad del tercer período antes de finalmente reaccionar.
Alexander-Walker lideró a los Hawks con 32 puntos, mientras que Johnson sumó 28 puntos y 16 rebotes. Los Bucks fueron más equilibrados, con seis jugadores en cifras dobles.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Más de 100 vehículos involucrados en un choque múltiple en Michigan durante tormenta de nieve
Associated Press
HUDSONVILLE, Michigan, EE.UU. (AP) — Más de 100 vehículos chocaron entre sí o se despistaron de una autopista interestatal en Michigan el lunes, mientras las intensas nevadas cubrían el estado.
El enorme choque obligó a la Policía Estatal de Michigan a cerrar la autopista interestatal 196 en ambas direcciones cerca de Grand Rapids la mañana del lunes, mientras los agentes realizaban labores para retirar a todos los vehículos involucrados, incluidos más de 30 camiones de semirremolque. La Policía Estatal informó que varias personas resultaron heridas, pero no se habían reportado muertes.
Pedro Mata Jr. dijo que, antes del accidente, apenas podía ver los los autos que estaban enfrente debido a la intensa nevada, mientras conducía a 30 o 40 kilómetros por hora (20 a 25 mph). Logró frenar su camioneta a tiempo, y luego decidió apartar el vehículo del lugar para evitar que otro auto lo golpeara por detrás.
“Fue un poco aterrador tan sólo escuchar todo, los golpes y estruendos detrás de ti. Vi lo que tenía enfrente. No pude ver exactamente lo que tenía detrás de mí”, declaró Mata.
El accidente es el más reciente impacto de una enorme tormenta invernal que se desplaza por el país. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional emitió advertencias sobre temperaturas extremadamente bajas o posibles tormentas invernales en varios estados, desde el norte de Minnesota y extendiéndose hacia el sur y el este hasta Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pensilvania y Nueva York.
Un día antes se registraron nevadas incluso en lugares de la franja noroeste de Florida, y el clima extremo afectó los partidos de fútbol americano en Massachusetts y Chicago. Los meteorólogos advirtieron el lunes sobre la posibilidad de temperaturas por debajo del punto de congelación para buena parte del centro-norte de Florida y el sureste de Georgia durante la noche y hasta el martes.
La policía del condado de Ottawa, en Michigan, señaló que se registraron varios accidentes viales y que un gran número de camiones de carga y vehículos se salieron del camino. Los automovilistas varados estaban siendo trasladados en autobús hacia la Escuela Secundaria Hudsonville, desde donde podían llamar para pedir ayuda o conseguir transporte.
Las autoridades anticipan que la carretera permanezca cerrada durante varias horas como parte de las labores de limpieza.
Una de las empresas que ayudaba a retirar los autos varados, Grand Valley Towing, envió más de una decena de sus camiones al lugar del accidente.
“Estamos tratando de sacar la mayor cantidad de vehículos del lugar lo más rápido posible, para que podamos reabrir la carretera”, declaró el gerente Jeff Westveld.
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Los periodistas de Associated Press Julie Walker, en Nueva York y Josh Funk, en Omaha, Nebraska, contribuyeron con este despacho.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Caleb Williams’ teammates say the Chicago Bears QB ‘put it all out there on the line’ this season
Caleb Williams felt a little bit empty as he drove home from Soldier Field on Sunday night.
Yes, the 20-17 divisional playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams weighed on him. And, sure, the overtime interception he threw was probably in the back of his mind.
But at the forefront was the fact his Monday schedule was practically empty.
“You’re expecting to wake up the next day and come into the facility, watch the film and do all these different things,” Williams said. “You get into such a routine.”
And then it’s over.
Photos: Chicago Bears clean out their lockers after playoff loss ends season
Instead of wrapping up film review of the Rams game and looking ahead to the next opponent, Williams and his teammates spent the morning going through exit interviews with the coaching staff at Halas Hall.
A magical, special season came to an end with a brutal overtime loss Sunday night. The Bears were driving into enemy territory in a sudden-death situation, needing just a field goal to win. Williams threw an interception deep down the right side of the field, intended for wide receiver DJ Moore.
Whatever happened, Moore and Williams were clearly not on the same page. Williams on Monday suggested he saw open space short of where Moore’s original route was taking him. Moore would’ve had to adjust the angle of his route slightly to find that space.
“It was just a miscommunication,” Williams said Monday. “Trying to just flatten him off on the safety. Since the other safety was down, I felt like we had enough space over there, so I tried to flatten him off.”
Rams safety Kam Curl came down with the interception that wound up turning the tide. Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford drove his offense 54 yards in the other direction to set up Harrison Mevis’ game-winning, 42-yard field goal.
It was a bitter way for the season to end. Williams threw three interceptions in the game, but he also made a game-saving play on what coach Ben Johnson called a “ridiculous” touchdown pass to Cole Kmet to send the game into overtime in the first place.
On Monday, everyone still was processing all that happened, even the players who were on the field.
What’s not up for debate, though, is how this Bears team took the city by storm. Williams called Johnson’s arrival almost exactly one year ago the “catalyst” that helped turn the team’s fortunes around. The Bears went from a five-win team to 11-6 and champions of the NFC North for the first time since 2018.
After a taste of playoff football — with both a wild comeback win and a bitter heartbreak — the Bears will be hungry for more next season.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams addresses the media Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Halas Hall after the season ended with a loss to the Rams in an NFC divisional playoff game. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
“You get into these playoff games and you’re winning and you play these good teams and you see what you have to go against,” Williams said. “You see what (a) championship level is. You see what you need to do to be at the position that you want to be at the end of the year.”
It takes a year’s worth of work just to reach the postseason, let alone win games once a team gets there. With their current coach-quarterback pairing, the Bears don’t figure to be a team that would fall off the map next year. Sustaining any sort of success in the NFL, though, is difficult.
The Bears haven’t made back-to-back playoff appearances since 2005 and 2006. But the 2025 Bears bucked all recent trends, and the No. 1 reason for optimism is probably the heroics they saw out of their quarterback this season.
Playoff photos: Los Angeles Rams 20, Chicago Bears 17 (OT)
“I can’t tell you the amount of times he’s helped us out when we’ve struggled or made huge plays for the team to keep us in games or to win games,” center Drew Dalman said. “I don’t know what else you can ask for.”
Sunday night’s touchdown pass to force overtime was yet another example. Dalman snapped the ball from the 14-yard line. Williams fell under pressure and wound up backpedaling all the way to the 40 before he tossed the ball into the night. On the receiving end, Kmet shed a defender and came down with the tying touchdown.
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The league’s official stat sheet read, “C. Williams pass short left to C. Kmet for 14 yards,” which might be the understatement of the year. It was one of those plays that had to be seen to be believed.
And how many times could Bears fans say that about their quarterback this season?
“Just looking at some of the plays Caleb was making out there this season, he definitely put it all out there on the line,” receiver Rome Odunze said.
Any level-headed Bears fan would admit there’s still meat on the bone, so to speak, with Williams. This was far from a perfect season for the 2024 No. 1 draft pick. It took time for this offense to jell after an 0-2 start.
Williams came up 58 passing yards shy of 4,000, and the bar for next season should be much higher. He completed 58.1% of his passes, well below Johnson’s preseason goal of 70%. This is still a young player ascending as he heads into Year 3.
The Bears are hoping it’s only the beginning.
“I’m very encouraged about where he’s at,” Johnson said after Sunday’s game. “I think we’re going to be able to watch this tape from this first year together, and I expect us to really learn from a lot of things and be better next year.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/19/chicago-bears-caleb-williams-2025-season/
US Lender Newrez To Accept Crypto Holdings In Mortgage Approval
US Lender Newrez To Accept Crypto Holdings In Mortgage Approval
Authored by Nate Kostar via CoinTelegraph.com,
Newrez plans to treat eligible cryptocurrency holdings as qualifying assets in its mortgage underwriting process, a move that could broaden access to home loans for crypto holders.
The change is expected to take effect in February across the lender’s non-agency products, covering home purchases, refinancings and investment properties.
While borrowers can already use assets such as stocks and bonds in underwriting, crypto holders have typically been required to sell their positions.
At launch, Newrez said it will recognize Bitcoin, Ether, spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) backed by those assets, and US dollar-backed stablecoins.
The crypto assets must be held with US-regulated crypto exchanges or fintech platforms, brokerages or nationally chartered banks, the company said.
Under the policy, cryptocurrency holdings considered in underwriting may have valuations adjusted to reflect market volatility, while borrowers would still be required to cover closing costs and make mortgage payments in US dollars.
Newrez chief commercial officer Leslie Gillin said about 45% of Gen Z and Millennial investors own cryptocurrency, adding that the policy is aimed at broadening access to homeownership among younger buyers.
US regulators weigh crypto’s role in mortgage underwriting
The move by Newrez follows policy discussions in the US over whether digital assets should be considered in mortgage risk assessments.
In June 2025, the US Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) instructed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to develop proposals examining how to consider cryptocurrencies as assets in single-family mortgage risk assessments without conversion to US dollars.
Less than two months later, Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced the 21st Century Mortgage Act, which would codify the FHFA directive.
Lummis said the bill addresses housing affordability challenges for younger Americans, adding that “the American dream of homeownership is not a reality for many young people” and that the legislation reflects the growing number who hold digital assets.
The bill was read twice in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, where it has not advanced further.
Although limited in scope, a market already exists for crypto-backed home financing, allowing borrowers to use BTC or ETH as collateral.
Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, co-founder of Ledn, told Cointelegraph in June that some Bitcoin holders have used their assets to finance real estate purchases without liquidating them.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/19/2026 – 16:20
https://www.zerohedge.com/crypto/us-lender-newrez-accept-crypto-holdings-mortgage-approval
Donald Trump’s Board of Peace has several invited leaders trying to figure out how it’ll work
Israel has been asked to join U.S. President Donald Trump’s new Board of Peace that will supervise the next phase of the Gaza peace plan, an Israeli official said Monday, while France is holding off accepting for now.
It’s not known whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted the offer, said the Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing a behind-the-scenes diplomatic matter.
Russia, Belarus, Slovenia, Thailand and the European Union’s executive arm also were among the latest to receive invitations.
It’s unclear how many leaders have been asked to join the board, and the large number of invitations being sent out, including to countries that don’t get along, has raised questions about the board’s mandate and decision-making processes. Also unknown is Israel’s potential role on a board in charge of implementing the ceasefire agreement that directly involves them.
A Trump reference in the invitation letters saying that the body would “embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict” suggested it could act as a rival to the U.N. Security Council, the most powerful body of the global organization created in the wake of World War II.
France, though, does not plan to join the Board of Peace “at this stage” despite receiving an invitation, a French official close to President Emmanuel Macron said Monday. The issue is raising questions, particularly with regard to respect for the principles and structure of the United Nations, said the official, speaking anonymously in line with the French presidency’s customary practices.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI accepted a spot Monday, becoming the first Arab leader and at least the fifth world leader to join. Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary and Argentina also have signed on.
Russian President Vladimir Putin received the invitation, and the Kremlin is now “studying the details” and will seek clarity of “all the nuances” in contacts with the U.S., said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is ready to take part, according to the country’s Foreign Ministry. The Thai Foreign Ministry said it was invited and reviewing the details.
European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said that Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the commission, would be speaking to other EU leaders about Gaza. Gill didn’t say whether its invitation had been accepted, but that the commission wants “to contribute to a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict.”
Israel’s objections
to the board
Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday dismissed the Board of Peace as a raw deal for Israel and called for its dissolution.
“It is time to explain to the president that his plan is bad for the State of Israel and to cancel it,” Smotrich said. “Gaza is ours, its future will affect our future more than anyone else’s. We will take responsibility for what happens there, impose military administration, and complete the mission.”
Smotrich, a hard-liner who opposed the Gaza ceasefire, even suggested that Israel renew a full-scale offensive on the territory to destroy Hamas if it doesn’t abide by a “short ultimatum for real disarmament and exile.”
Netanyahu said later on Monday that while there are differences with the U.S. about the composition of the advisory committee accompanying the next phase in Gaza, it would not harm his relationship with Trump.
“There will not be Turkish soldiers and Qatari soldiers in the (Gaza) Strip,” he said.
Netanyahu’s office earlier said the formation of an executive board that will work to carry out the vision of the Board of Peace wasn’t coordinated with the Israeli government and “is contrary to its policy” without clarifying its objections. Turkey, a key regional rival, is among those invited to join the committee.
The final list
The U.S. is expected to announce its official list of members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Board members will oversee an executive committee that will be in charge of implementing the tough second phase of the Gaza peace plan that includes the deployment of an international security force, disarmament of Hamas and reconstruction of the war-devastated territory.
A $1 billion contribution secures permanent membership on the board, with the money going to rebuild Gaza, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity about the charter as he wasn’t permitted to speak publicly about details of the board, which hasn’t been made public. A three-year appointment has no contribution requirement.
According to the World Bank’s Gaza and West Bank Interim Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (IRDNA) report released last year, it’ll take $53 billion to rebuild the strip.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday the United Kingdom is talking to allies about the Board of Peace.
Running Gaza
Egypt’s top diplomat on Monday met with the leader of the newly appointed committee of Palestinian technocrats who will be running Gaza’s day-to-day affairs during the second phase.
Foreign Minister Bader Abdelatty met with Ali Shaath, a Palestinian engineer and former official with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, who was named last week as chief commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.
Abdelatty expressed the Egyptian government’s “complete support” of the committee and affirmed its role in running Gaza’s daily affairs until the Palestinian Authority takes over the territory, said a statement from the Egyptian ministry.
Gaza humanitarian situation still fragile
The U.N. World Food Program on Monday said it has “significantly expanded” its operations across Gaza 100 days into the ceasefire, reaching more than a million people each month with hot meals and food parcels. But it warned the situation remains “extremely fragile.”
It noted that malnutrition has been prevented for 200,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under 5.
Still, the most recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis in December indicated that 77% the population is facing crisis-level food insecurity.
Israeli forces move into Hebron
Israeli military and security forces launched what they called a large-scale counterterrorism operation in the West Bank city of Hebron to dismantle “terrorist infrastructure, eliminating illegal weapons possession and strengthening security.”
The Israeli military said Monday the operation is expected to continue for several days. Israeli armored vehicles and soldiers patrolled city streets and put up barriers where operations were being conducted.
Hebron Mayor Khaled Dudin said Israeli forces targeted the area that’s home to 80,000 people because it obstructs the construction of additional Israeli settlements.
Three Palestinians killed
Israeli forces on Monday killed three Palestinians, including a teenager, in southern Gaza, hospital authorities said.
Two men crossed into Israeli-controlled areas east of Khan Younis before being shot dead, while 17-year-old Hussein Tawfiq Abu Sabalah was shot and killed in the Muwasi area of Rafah, according to the Nasser hospital. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the teen had crossed into or came close to the Israeli-controlled area.
More than 460 people were killed by Israeli fire and their bodies brought to hospitals since the ceasefire went into effect just over three months ago, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts
Associated Press writers Josef Federman and Sam Metz in Jerusalem, Jill Lawless in London, Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Grant Peck in Bangkok, Thailand contributed to this report.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/19/trumps-board-of-peace/
Penguin Project production makes waves for artists, mentors and audience
Friday night’s Hide Tide Cabaret lived up to its motto, “We’re making waves,” as family members and community members came to see a talented group of mentors and artists with The Penguin Project.
Sold-out shows over the weekend at the Memorial Opera House had an audience full of smiling faces to support the 21 artists and 25 mentors from Porter County performing songs like “Walkin’ on Sunshine,” “Kokomo” and “Surfin’ USA.”
“This year’s cabaret hoped to lift the spirits of everyone in our community with summer- and beach-themed performances,” said Alexandria Ingram, director and choreographer of the show.
Penguin Project productions are unique because all the roles are filled by young artists with developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, visual or hearing impairments, and other neurological disorders, according to the project’s website. They are joined onstage by a dedicated group of “mentors,” who work side-by-side with them for rehearsals.
Established in 2004, The Penguin Project has evolved into a national program with chapter sites throughout the United States. The program provides a supportive environment for those with disabilities to explore their creative talents.
The first Penguin show at Memorial Opera House was “Annie Jr.” in 2023, and there have been five total productions. This season’s performance of the High Tide Cabaret was for Penguins over the age of 18.
Mentor Maddox Jordan (left) with artist Johnny Policastri (right) perform as a team the Penguin Project’s High Tide Cabaret Friday, Jan. 16, 2025, at the Memorial Opera House. (Deena Butterfield/for Post-Tribune)
“We didn’t want to do a junior musical production since we were working with adults, and we are also one of the very first Penguin Player chapters in the country,” said Ingram. “So that’s how we decided on the cabaret style, so we could tailor the production directly to the adults in our program.”
Artists and mentors have been rehearsing once or twice a week since the end of October, getting ready for the weekend’s performances.
“Our crew consists of six artists and six mentors who designed the projections, ran the sound and light board, operated the spotlight, and coordinated everything backstage,” said Ingram.
Lillian Clark, of LaPorte, and a student at South Central Jr/Sr High School, has been a
mentor for all the productions and her experiences have helped her make a decision about her career path.
Members of the Penguin Players perform their High Tide Cabaret Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at the Memorial Opera House. The program featured songs with a beach and water theme. (Deena Butterfield/for Post-Tribune)
“I had thought about nursing, law, biology, even genetics,” said Clark. “That was before The Penguin Project.”
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be than teaching these kids,” said Clark, who will study special education at Ball State University. “Theater is for all, and being able to share this gift with kids who would otherwise miss out is an honor.”
Liv Hanlon, 23, of Valparaiso, was an artist in the show with her mentor, Charlee Reedy.
“My favorite thing about Charlee is that she always has my back,” said Hanlon. “She believes in me and she is a great friend.”
“I like singing my solo in ‘Copacabana’ because it tells the story of a showgirl like Taylor Swift,” said Hanlon.
Nico Shellito, a 13-year-old artist who attends Duneland Schools, was mentored by Audrey Sutherland and worked behind the scenes in tech for the show, running the lights.
“My mentors are friends,” said Shellito. “They help me and they love me.”
From left to right, mentor Josiah Carter with artist David Barnes, and mentor Luke Snow with artist Simon Figueroa read introductions to songs performed at the Penguin Project’s High Tide Cabaret Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at the Memorial Opera House. (Deena Butterfield/for Post-Tribune)
“I am so proud to see the growth of every artist and mentor and the support they show one another,” said Cassie Reedy, co-artist/mentor coordinator.
“I am backstage to make sure everything runs smoothly and everyone is feeling excited and ready to perform,” said Reedy.
A tradition at the end of any Penguin rehearsal production is the song “Don’t Stop Believing,” where all mentors, artists, tech and crew go on the stage and sing and dance. Friday night’s show ended with the finale song and a standing ovation.
The Penguin Project will produce “Finding Nemo Jr.” this summer. For more information on how to get involved, visit valpoparks.org.
Deena Butterfield is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
