Category: News
Today in History: Rupert Murdoch’s media empire apologizes for hacking scandal
Today is Monday, Jan. 19, the 19th day of 2026. There are 346 days left in the year.
Today in history:
On Jan. 19, 2012, Rupert Murdoch’s media empire apologized and agreed to cash payouts to 37 people whose telephones had been hacked by its tabloid press.
Also on this date:
In 1853, Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Il trovatore” premiered in Rome.
In 1861, Georgia became the fifth state to secede from the Union; it would join the Confederacy the following month.
In 1937, Howard Hughes set a new transcontinental speed record in his H-1 Racer aircraft, flying from Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey, in seven hours, 28 minutes and 25 seconds.
In 1942, a German submarine sank the Canadian liner RMS Lady Hawkins off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, killing 251 people; 71 survived.
In 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower held the first televised presidential press conference.
In 1966, Indira Gandhi was elected to her first term as prime minister of India.
In 1987, H. Guy Hunt became Alabama’s first Republican governor since 1874 as he was sworn into office, succeeding Democrat George C. Wallace.
Related Articles
Vintage Chicago Tribune: Bears playoff appearances — including the ‘Sneakers Game,’ ‘Fog Bowl’ and ‘Double Doink’
South Side worship ceremony honors MLK’s legacy, calls listeners to action
Revived East Chicago NAACP ready to tackle “fierce urgency of now”
Today in History: Jason Van Dyke sentenced
Today in Chicago History: Motorman ignores red light causing head-on train collision that kills 7 near Gary
In 2024, Japan became the fifth country to reach the moon when its unmanned spacecraft touched down on the lunar surface with a pinpoint landing. The milestone put Japan in a club previously occupied by the United States, the Soviet Union, India and China.
Today’s birthdays: Actor Tippi Hedren is 96. Actor-singer Michael Crawford is 84. Actor Shelley Fabares is 82. Country musician Dolly Parton is 80. Actor Katey Sagal is 72. Comedian Paul Rodriguez is 71. Basketball coach and commentator Jeff Van Gundy is 64. Tennis Hall of Famer Stefan Edberg is 60. Actor Shawn Wayans is 55. Actor Drea de Matteo is 54. Football Hall of Famer Walter Jones is 52. Comedian-impressionist Frank Caliendo is 52. Actor Jodie Sweetin is 44. Film director Damien Chazelle is 41. Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Shawn Johnson is 34. Race car driver Bianca Bustamante is 21. Actor Jackson Dollinger is 19.
The best N95 masks for breathability and safety
Which N95 masks are best?
Many people rely on N95 masks to keep them protected from illness, smoke, dust, pollen and more. The best, most effective N95 mask keeps the wearer safe from potentially hazardous or unhealthy conditions while helping keep others around them safe from any infectious virus the wearer might have.
There are several factors to consider when choosing the best N95 mask. If you are looking for a secure and breathable option, the KIMTECH N95 Pouch Respirator is great at providing protection from small airborne particles. Not all N95 masks are made with the same quality, which is why it is important to research a few main features so you can make an informed decision.
What to know before you buy an N95 mask
Why wear an N95 mask?
Many people choose to wear an N95 mask as a way to reduce exposure to harmful viruses such as COVID-19, influenza and other airborne viruses. Masks are worn in both medical and public settings.
Those who live in areas that often have wildfire smoke also would benefit from an N95 respirator mask. Due to filtering out both large and small particles, an N95 can help those suffering from respiratory issues avoid problems and irritation caused by smoke and ash.
Others may wear an N95 mask when working in dusty conditions, usually in construction zones or similar environments, to reduce the inhalation of fine particles. N95 masks can even be beneficial for those suffering from seasonal allergies, which is why some people may benefit from wearing an N95 mask while mowing their lawns or performing other types of outdoor maintenance.
How an N95 mask works
An N95 respirator mask uses multiple nonwoven layers, usually consisting of polypropylene along with other synthetic polymer fibers. These layers, in conjunction with an electrostatic component, help block at least 95 percent of airborne particles and liquid droplets with a diameter greater than .3 microns.
The “N” in the name refers to the mask’s “nonoil” designation, meaning it is not designed for use against oil-based particles. Those looking for protection against chemicals and vapors should use a different style of mask.
NIOSH rating
When choosing an N95 mask, look for a model that features an NIOSH certification. Those that do not sport an official rating are not guaranteed to filter out the maximum amount of airborne particulates.
What to look for in a quality N95 mask
Seal
The seal surrounding the wearer’s nose and mouth should be tight enough so there are no noticeable gaps around the edge. This will allow the air to flow mainly through the filtered layers, providing the most comprehensive protection.
Pressure
When wearing an N95 mask, it is important to have adequate positive and negative pressure, which is dependent on the quality of the seal. You can check the pressure of your mask by watching to see if the mask itself bends slightly inward on deep inhales and outward on exhales.
Some N95 masks may feature a respirator valve designed to maintain negative and positive pressure while making it easier for the wearer to exhale. Masks featuring a valve are great for protecting the wearer and can be more comfortable for prolonged periods. However, they don’t prevent the expulsion of viral particles into the surrounding air, which can make them ineffective in crowded areas and situations where you’ll be around other exposed people.
Fit
Along with the seal, the overall fit of your N95 mask is important. The best N95 masks sometimes feature adjustable elastic straps so you can securely attach them around your ears or the back of your head.
Aside from the straps, look for models that feature an adjustable nose piece. Most will be made of bendable metal to help create a tighter and more comfortable seal around the lower half of your face.
Layering
Having multiple layers allows your N95 mask to filter out the maximum amount of harmful droplets, particles and dust. Some N95 face mask models include more advanced layers, such as a carbon filter, helping to neutralize certain odors.
How much you can expect to spend on an N95 mask
Many N95 masks are sold in bulk packs that range from approximately $10-$40 or more depending on quantity and quality. Individually, N95 masks usually cost $1-$3.
N95 mask FAQ
Can you reuse an N95 mask?
A. The majority of N95 face masks are designed to be thrown away after each use. However, in times of shortage or in emergencies, you often can reuse them for a limited duration, and they potentially can be decontaminated under certain circumstances.
Can I wear an N95 mask if I have a beard?
A. Facial hair such as beards, mustaches and goatees can have a negative effect on the quality of the seal. If there is too much hair, the mask often does not provide an effective barrier.
What’s the best N95 mask to buy?
Top N95 mask
KIMTECH N95 Pouch Respirator- Pack of 50 Masks
What you need to know: This bulk pack of breathable N95 respirator masks comes with 50 individual masks, for those who think they need to wear one often.
What you’ll love: Users will appreciate the NIOSH approval as well as the double elastic bands and customizable nose piece to conform to individual face shape. These are known for creating a tight seal.
What you should consider: Some people won’t like the bulky shape of the mask.
Top N95 mask for the money
3M Paint Sanding Valved N95 Cool-Flow Respirator
What you need to know: Designed with a respirator valve, these N95 masks are meant specifically for those who want protection while working in construction zones or while sanding, sawing, sweeping or performing similar activities.
What you’ll love: You won’t end up overheating in these masks, as the valve helps create a cooling airflow compared to standard masks. The bendable nose strip allows you to achieve a comfortable and secure fit.
What you should consider: The strap design may confuse first-time wearers.
Worth checking out
What you need to know: The AccuMed N95 face mask is a great everyday option that can protect you from a variety of airborne particles and pollutants.
What you’ll love: Employing five layers of protection, this comfortable mask easily stores when not in use and utilizes double headband straps that prevent the mask from sliding up and down.
What you should consider: The overall breathability isn’t as ideal as other options.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/19/the-best-n95-masks-for-breathability-and-safety/
Starmer condena la “errónea” amenaza arancelaria de Trump y la idea de una guerra comercial
Associated Press
LONDRES (AP) — El primer ministro británico, Keir Starmer, afirmó el lunes que la amenaza de Donald Trump de imponer aranceles a los aliados por Groenlandia es “completamente errónea” y que una guerra comercial no interesa a nadie.
Trump dijo el sábado que fijaría un impuesto de importación del 10% a partir de febrero sobre los productos de ocho naciones europeas, incluido el Reino Unido, debido a su oposición al control estadounidense de Groenlandia, estableciendo una prueba potencialmente peligrosa para las relaciones de Estados Unidos con Europa. Groenlandia es un territorio semiautónomo de Dinamarca, un aliado de la OTAN.
El presidente indicó que los aranceles eran una represalia por el despliegue la semana pasada de una cantidad simbólica de tropas de los países europeos en Groenlandia, que según ha dicho es esencial para el sistema de defensa antimisiles “Cúpula Dorada” estadounidense. También ha argumentado que Rusia y China podrían intentar apoderarse de la isla.
Starmer expresó que Reino Unido apoya el “derecho fundamental” de Groenlandia y Dinamarca a decidir el futuro de la isla ártica.
Starmer, quien ha trabajado para forjar una relación sólida con Trump, manifestó que la relación entre el Reino Unido y Estados Unidos es vital y “estamos decididos a mantener esa relación fuerte, constructiva y enfocada en resultados”. Sin embargo, señaló que eso no significa fingir que no existen diferencias.
En una conferencia de prensa en Londres, comentó que “ser pragmático no significa ser pasivo y la asociación no implica abandonar principios”. Pero buscando calmar la agitación, Starmer dijo que Reino Unido trabajará con aliados en Europa, la OTAN y Estados Unidos y “mantendrá el diálogo abierto”.
Indicó que Londres no planea considerar aranceles de represalia. “No hemos llegado a ese punto. Mi enfoque está en asegurarme de que no lleguemos a ese punto”, dijo.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
El primer ministro británico tacha la amenaza de aranceles de Trump de “totalmente errónea”
Associated Press
LONDRES (AP) — El primer ministro británico tacha la amenaza de aranceles de Trump de “totalmente errónea.”
Brits Hold Mass Protest Against Chinese ‘Super-Embassy’ In London
Brits Hold Mass Protest Against Chinese ‘Super-Embassy’ In London
Hundreds of people on Saturday rallied in London against Beijing’s controversial new “mega” embassy – days after the Daily Telegraph revealed that Chinese officials plan to construct secret underground chambers right next to some of Britain’s most sensitive communications infrastructure.
British politician Kemi Badenoch, a leader of the Conservative Party, took to the mic to excoriate Labour over the plans:
“For those of you who don’t know, I grew up under a dictatorship,” she said. “I know what it is like to live under a Government that you are terrified of. I know what it is like to be afraid of what will happen to you if you speak out.
“China is a country that has harassed and sanctioned our MPs like Iain. China is a country that has harassed and abused British nationals connected to China. It helps our enemies, like Russia. It keeps slaves. It disrupts the global trade system.”
“And what worries me is that we have a Government right now that seems to be scared of China. We have a Government that is afraid, too weak, no backbone.“
🔴 Watch: Badenoch excoriates Labour over Chinese super-embassyhttps://t.co/Xf1Cfurq2a pic.twitter.com/Se23eeUisx
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) January 17, 2026
Meanwhile, former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith compared China to Nazi Germany, saying at the protest: “As we come forward now and watch the government trying to give away so much of what we believe in to an overarching, overweening, powerful dictatorship in China, we must remember that we have faced this before in the United Kingdom.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith at the protest Credit: Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph
“We have faced it in the 1930s and 40s, when we made big mistakes in not recognising that a totalitarian state had its mind to overtake and overcome this marvellous democracy with its freedoms enshrined in law.
“Well, they failed then and almost too late. Did we realise that and stand against them? This embassy isn’t just about an embassy. This embassy is a token of what we believe in. It will be a blister on the face of freedom in the United Kingdom and all that we stand for.”
I believe the Government is acting recklessly in moving towards approving the new Chinese mega-embassy. I think this will prove to be a major failure and, frankly, a disaster for the UK. It would place an even larger Chinese presence right in the heart of London. China already…
— Iain Duncan Smith MP Chingford & Woodford Green (@MPIainDS) January 17, 2026
A protester holds a placard saying ‘No to China’s mega embassy’ Credit: Lucy North/PA Wire
Plans for the embassy are expected to move forward if PM Keir Starmer approves them next week, however a residents’ group has vowed to bring legal action.
Illustration via The Telegraph
As we noted last week via the Telegraph; The chamber forms part of an extensive subterranean complex comprising 208 rooms beneath the embassy site at the former Royal Mint.
The drawings show that a single concealed chamber will sit directly alongside fibre-optic cables transmitting financial data to the City of London, as well as email and messaging traffic for millions of internet users.
The same hidden room is fitted with hot-air extraction systems, possibly suggesting the installation of heat-generating equipment such as advanced computers used for espionage. The plans also show that China intends to demolish and rebuild the outer basement wall of the chamber, directly beside the fibre-optic cables.
The revelations have prompted sharp criticism from senior UK Conservative figures, including Alicia Kearns, the shadow national security minister, who described approving the plans as providing “a launchpad for economic warfare at the heart of the central nervous system of our critical national infrastructure”.
Illustration via The Telegraph
“The unredacted plans reveal a concealed room running immediately alongside the fibre-optic cables critical to the City and Canary Wharf. Telegraph readers don’t need me to spell out the obvious threats posed, nor China’s subterfuge – so why does the Labour Government?” Ms. Kearns told the newspaper.
Illustration via The Telegraph
The Telegraph further reports on why the proximity to the cables is cause for national security concerns:
Carrying signals bearing the innermost financial secrets of the British economy, the cables stretch between the Telehouse group of data centres in Docklands and other centres around the capital. Linked together, these form the core of the London Internet Exchange (Linx). Beyond London, they connect to Atlantic cables linking to the US.
Linx is one of the biggest internet exchange points in the world, handling vast volumes of data spanning everything from financial transactions to instant messages and emails.Its cables carry the financial transaction data relied upon by banks to update withdrawals and deposits, such as ordinary people’s salary packets and payments for goods bought online.
Professor Alan Woodward, a security expert at the University of Surrey, told The Telegraph that China’s plans pose a “red flag.”
“There’s a long history of cable-tapping by East and West alike. Anyone who can do it has done it,” Woodward said. “Espionage isn’t just about state secrets. Economic intelligence is central to the mission of foreign intelligence services.”
“If I were in their shoes, having those cables on my doorstep would be an enormous temptation,” he added.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/19/2026 – 04:35
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/brits-hold-mass-protest-against-chinese-super-embassy-london
Trump’s Planned Mediation Between Egypt & Ethiopia Might Worsen Regional Tensions
Trump’s Planned Mediation Between Egypt & Ethiopia Might Worsen Regional Tensions
Trump declared in a letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi that he shared on social media that “I am ready to restart U.S. mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to responsibly resolve the question of ‘The Nile Water Sharing’ once and for all’, adding in tacit support of Egypt’s position that “no state in this region should unilaterally control the precious resources of the Nile”.
He concluded that “Resolving the tensions around the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is at the very top of my agenda”.
The fact is that “GERD Is Just A False Pretext For Egypt To Pressure Ethiopia” and “Ethiopia’s Final Filling Of Its Grand Renaissance Dam Debunked Years Of Egyptian Disinformation” in 2023. It was also assessed last summer that “Trump’s Latest Remarks About GERD Raise Questions About His Understanding Of This Dispute”, which weren’t corrected as proven by the substance of the abovementioned letter. Egypt might therefore be manipulating him into supporting its regional containment campaign against Ethiopia.
To explain, GERD is a pretext for Egypt to justify meddling inside of and around Ethiopia by resuming its Old Cold War-era policy of backing armed anti-government groups and allying with Eritrea, whose independence was achieved with the help of Egyptian military aid during the decades-long civil war. The Ethiopian Foreign Minister suggested late last year that Eritrea is becoming an anti-Ethiopian state at its Egyptian patron’s behest just like Ukraine became an anti-Russian one at its NATO patrons’ behest.
Egypt also exploited Ethiopia’s MoU with Somaliland in early 2024 for recognizing its 1991 redeclaration of independence in exchange for access to the sea to assemble a containment coalition with Somalia and Eritrea. Last week, Bloomberg reported that Saudi Arabia is finalizing an alliance with Egypt and Somalia for removing Emirati influence from Somaliland, which follows the Somali Defense Minister requesting that the Saudis replicate their successful South Yemeni campaign there sometime soon.
Circling back to Trump’s letter to Sisi, his tacit support of Egypt’s position on GERD – which is a faux dispute since this megaproject is purely about powering Ethiopia’s economic rise and not cutting off water to Egypt – might embolden Cairo to more aggressively contain Ethiopia.
After all, Trump’s implicit backing of Egypt could predispose him to believing that any Ethiopian response to its potentially intensified regional containment is “unprovoked aggression”, which could lead to US pressure upon it.
For example, Ethiopia might use force to expel the Eritrean troops that still occupy parts of its restive Tigray Region and/or deter a Saudi-led coalition campaign against Somaliland by recognizing it and deploying troops there (possibly in coordination with Israel).
Given the influence that Sisi now clearly wields over Trump due to how pleased Trump is with Sisi mediating the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire, which Trump considers to be an historic achievement, Trump might lash out at Ethiopia in those scenarios.
Ethiopia might therefore soon find itself in a difficult position where it’s coerced by the US through various means, from tariff threats to support for Egypt’s regional containment campaign, into strategic concessions at the expense of its sovereignty.
If Ethiopia can’t incentivize Trump via a minerals deal into pivoting to its side or being neutral, then maybe its close Israeli partner can help due to their convergent interests in Somaliland, Israel’s own tensions with Egypt, and its much greater influence with Trump.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/19/2026 – 04:00
Chicago Bears season ends with no Ben Johnson postgame victory speech, only a ‘crushing’ loss
The kick went up from the cold, wet ground at the 42-yard line.
In those final, tense moments, the Chicago Bears needed one more miracle. In a season chock-full of unlikely comebacks and wild last-minute victories, the 2025 Bears needed one more prayer answered.
“We wholeheartedly believed we were going to block that kick,” Bears special teamer Daniel Hardy said.
As he has been all season, Hardy was on the field-goal block unit, trying to fight through the Los Angeles Rams protection to get a finger on the football. Hardy had been on the field earlier this season when the Bears blocked a potential game-winning kick against the Las Vegas Raiders. Blocking this kick in overtime of Sunday’s divisional-round playoff game against the Rams was not out of the question.
The conditions were less than ideal, with snow swirling throughout Soldier Field for much of the night. The Bears would take their miracle any way they could get it.
“I thought he was going to miss it, especially with it being cold, windy, snowy,” said safety Jaquan Brisker, who watched from the sideline.
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Nate Landman celebrates after a pass to Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is incomplete on fourth-and-goal in the fourth quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
But the powers that be had already granted the Bears one miracle Sunday night. Quarterback Caleb Williams backpedaled some 20 yards on fourth down before lofting a last-ditch effort that tight end Cole Kmet somehow caught in the end zone for a game-tying touchdown to force overtime.
In overtime, the Bears finally ran out of miracles. Rams kicker Harrison Mevis booted the kick through the uprights, giving the Rams a 20-17 victory that sent them into next week’s NFC championship.
In the brief, stunning seconds that followed, what struck Hardy most was the silence. A hush fell over the 60,253 fans at Soldier Field who just watched coach Ben Johnson’s comeback kids, the monsters of the miracle, come to their cruel finale.
“Nothing from the crowd,” Hardy said. “I don’t even think I heard anything from the opposite sideline. It was just quiet.”
It really, truly was over.
The Bears battled the Rams, with their No. 1-ranked offense, to the bitter end. Williams, who threw three interceptions in the game, still found a way to keep his team in it against MVP favorite Matthew Stafford. But Williams threw his final interception in overtime, with his offense driving into Rams territory, and it proved to be the beginning of the end.
So much about this team felt like some sort of divine intervention. In the first season since her death, franchise owner Virginia Halas McCaskey must have been watching over her beloved Bears. Or perhaps it was the fact that a pope with Chicago roots was elected on the day before rookie minicamp began.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson watches from the sideline as his team faces the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
And then there’s Johnson, the first-year head coach who had no problem ripping off his shirt in celebration or telling the Green Bay Packers that he plain doesn’t like them.
Johnson’s postgame “good, better, best” celebratory speeches became must-watch content this season. The energy in the room as Johnson stood in front of his team was unmatched. Every player, coach, staff member — even the team’s president — hung on his every word, and fans could watch it week in, week out as if they were right there in the room.
There was no such victory speech Sunday.
“It’s crushing,” offensive lineman Theo Benedet said. “It’s devastating. You never expect it.”
Teams don’t share those postgame speeches after a loss, but one can imagine the pain in the room when the season ends. Johnson’s message to the team after the game was about that hurt, that pain.
“It hurts, but it hurts for a reason and it’s because we put so much into it,” Hardy said. “For everything that happened this season, nobody gave us a chance to be here or do what we did this season and when the pressure was on, it just made us tighter.”
It was one year ago that the Bears hired Johnson. He took over a five-win football team and turned it into an 11-6 division champion. His Bears somehow erased an 18-point halftime deficit a week ago against the Packers in the wild-card round.
They were poised for another comeback Sunday. Williams and the offense were driving into enemy territory in overtime with a chance to send these Bears to the NFC championship, a realm they haven’t seen in 15 years.
Williams’ overtime interception proved fatal. But that’s life in the NFL. The Bears — who played in 13 one-possession games in the regular season and postseason combined — know that as well as anyone.
Every team needs a lucky break here or there, but these Bears don’t believe it was divine intervention that led them to this point.
“We know that we put our best foot forward,” defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said. “This game went back-and-forth all day against a really great team and I’m proud of that. The guys — don’t get it twisted, we hurt, we hurt — but we are also proud of the effort and the commitment that it took to get to this point.”
Johnson knows this team was special.
“I believe that to my core,” he said.
Fans will remember these Bears for a long time. As veteran safety and team captain Kevin Byard III said, this Bears team gave the fans “their money’s worth.”
Byard was one of the few players on this team with any significant playoff experience. A 10-year veteran, he’s seen it all. And this was the most fun he’s ever had playing football, he said.
The city of Chicago might know how he feels.
“This is a special group,” Byard said. “I wish we had a little bit more time.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/19/chicago-bears-los-angeles-rams-ben-johnson/
Sube a al menos 39 el número de muertos en choque de trenes en España mientras buscan más cuerpos
Associated Press
ADAMUZ, España (AP) — Al menos 39 personas murieron el domingo en la colisión de un tren de alta velocidad en el sur de España y que los esfuerzos de rescate continuaban, según informó la policía española.
La colisión ocurrió el domingo por la tarde cuando un tren de alta velocidad descarriló, saltó a la vía en dirección opuesta y chocó contra un tren que venía en dirección contraria cerca de Adamuz.
Los esfuerzos de rescate continuaban el lunes por la mañana. Decenas de personas resultaron heridas por el accidente.
La Cruz Roja Española estableció un centro de ayuda en la localidad de Adamuz, cerca del lugar del accidente, ofreciendo asistencia a los servicios de emergencia y a las personas que buscaban información. Miembros de la guardia civil y la defensa civil de España trabajaron en el lugar durante toda la noche.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Caleb Williams’ season in a nutshell: Another miraculous TD and an overtime INT in Chicago Bears’ playoff loss
Two plays during Sunday’s NFC divisional playoff game not only defined whether Caleb Williams could pull off another miracle performance for the Chicago Bears, but they also illustrated the very hot-and-cold nature of his season.
On fourth-and-4 from the Los Angeles Rams 14-yard line, Williams backpedaled to the 40-yard line, launched a moon shot into the night sky and snow flurries blanketing Soldier Field, and dropped it into the waiting hands of tight end Cole Kmet for a game-tying touchdown with 27 seconds left in regulation.
Then, in overtime — after the Bears drove to the Rams 48, tantalizingly 10 yards or so short of field-goal range — Williams threw deep to DJ Moore, but Rams safety Kam Curl dove in front of the pass and intercepted the ball.
The Rams drove down the field in 10 plays and Harrison Mevis booted the game-winner from 42 yards.
There would be no Houdini act this time, no eighth come-from-behind win for Williams and company.
Williams finished his second professional year with a 1-1 record in his first postseason: A spectacular 31-27 rally against the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round, followed by a disappointing three-interception game in Sunday’s 20-17 divisional loss to the visiting Rams.
Williams was stoic in his postgame address, but on the inside, “it’s a frustration. It’s a fire. Those are the two words that I’d go with.
“I’m excited, though, also. Obviously, not happy about the outcome. Obviously frustrated about the outcome. But that’s over with, and I can’t go back and change it. Going to go back and watch, figure out how I can be better for the near future and help this organization get to where we want to be.”
Here’s a breakdown of both plays.
The touchdown
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet catches the game-tying touchdown on fourth down in the final seconds of the fourth quarter in front of Los Angeles Rams safety Quentin Lake on Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
At times this season, Williams had made the seemingly impossible pass look routine, and the scoring lob to Kmet was no exception.
The Bears defense forced the Rams to punt after five plays and Rams punter Ethan Evans shanked a 33-yarder that landed at midfield.
The Bears drive started well with an 18-yard pass to Colston Loveland and stalled after a 6-yarder to Luther Burden III on first-and-10.
Williams threw incompletions to Burden and Moore, then faced a fourth-and-4 from the Rams 14.
The Rams’ rush broke through, and Williams turned tail and ran backward as Jared Verse and two other Rams gave chase. Williams planted at the 40-yard line and heaved a pass to Kmet in the left corner of the end zone.
“It just felt like a pop fly in center field,” Kmet said. “A lot of those DBs have a tough time tracking it. I don’t know what happened to the guy kind of guarding me.
“But it just felt like a pat-and-go situation that we do every Friday. Felt like a pretty easy pitch and catch, kind of felt like it was in slow motion.”
Bears coach Ben Johnson said, “Ridiculous. That’s ridiculous.”
The ball dropped in behind cornerback Cobie Durant and arrived before safety Quentin Lake could help.
Williams said he felt the pressure and tried to break contain to slow down the pass rushers and give himself some depth when he did turn around to throw.
“I saw Cole one-on-one over there with everybody else on the other side, at least near the goal post, and understanding that (Durant) was on him, he’s a little bit of a smaller guy, and Cole is obviously a 6-foot tight end. I just wanted to give him my best ball and give him a shot, understanding it’s fourth down and game’s on the line.”
Williams pulled off similar theatrics against the Packers in the wild-card round, when he made his now iconic “Jumpman” throw to Rome Odunze on fourth-and-8 to preserve a rally.
He had several highlight-reel plays before that game, too.
“You talk about that fourth-and-8 from last week and how outstanding that was, and I think this one was probably even another level ahead of that,” Johnson said. “There’s some things that you just can’t coach. He’s got that bottom, he’s got a knack, he’s clutch.”
Kmet added, “Can’t believe Caleb, again, just the nutty throws he can make. Obviously (we were) glad to send it into overtime there but just came up short.”
The interception
Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl makes an interception of Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams’ throw in front of wide receiver Luther Burden III in overtime on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in an NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Bears defense had forced a three-and-out, and the offense started its fateful drive at the 16-yard line.
The march started well enough with Williams’ 12-yard connection with Kmet.
Williams later picked up a first down on a 4-yard scramble on third-and-4, and plowed for 3 yards on fourth-and-1 to reach midfield.
Kyle Monangai picked up two yards to cross into Rams territory.
On second-and-8, Williams dropped back into shotgun and spied Moore deep right. But the two weren’t on the same page.
Williams threw for a sideline route and Moore kept going, clearing the way for Curl to snag it.
“Just a miscommunication between him and I,” Williams said. “Tried to flatten him off under the safety, and he kept it vertical from what I saw, obviously, in the moment.”
Johnson said he was standing beside the defensive players, so he didn’t get a full view.
“I did see space. I saw grass,” he said. “I didn’t see that (Rams) defender from my perspective, so I’ll have to see it (on film). But I did think as the play was going on, ‘Oh, crap, we’ve got something.’ But great play by that player.”
It was one of three picks Williams threw on the night. He had never thrown more than one interception per game this season and never more than two in his career.
Johnson said, “I’ll go back, and I’ll look at all three interceptions, but no, I didn’t think he had any jitters or anything like that.
“I thought he was the normal Caleb that I’ve grown accustomed to. Like I said, those guys made plays, and we didn’t.”
Williams also completed 23 of 42 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns, and had a 59.3 rating.
He had a total of 618 passing yards and four passing touchdowns in two playoff games. Both marks ranked second all-time in franchise history in the postseason.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/19/chicago-bears-los-angeles-rams-playoffs-caleb-williams/
La policía española reporta al menos 39 muertos en el choque de trenes del domingo mientras rescatistas buscan cuerpos
Associated Press
ADAMUZ, España (AP) — La policía española reporta al menos 39 muertos en el choque de trenes del domingo mientras rescatistas buscan cuerpos.
