Category: News
Cubanos marchan ante embajada de EEUU luego de tributo a 32 militares muertos en Venezuela
Por ANDREA RODRÍGUEZ
LA HABANA (AP) — Miles de cubanos se manifestaban el viernes frente a la embajada de Estados Unidos en La Habana en el segundo día de las honras fúnebres de 32 militares muertos en Venezuela durante la sorpresiva operación que concluyó con el apresamiento del mandatario Nicolás Maduro.
La manifestación encabezada por el presidente Miguel Díaz-Canel, comandante en jefe de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias, se convirtió en una demostración de fuerza popular luego de que el mandatario estadounidense Donald Trump amenazara y le exigiera al gobierno cubano ceder a sus presiones antes de que sea “tarde” y ante un presumible recorte de los envíos del vital petróleo venezolano a la isla.
Los manifestantes portaban banderas cubanas y venezolanas, así como carteles exigiendo el regreso del dirigente socialista al poder. Rezaban “Devuelvan a Maduro” y “Libertad al presidente Maduro”.
La concentración se realizó en la “Tribuna Antiimperialista”, una plaza contigua a la embajada de Estados Unidos, y de allí pasará a ser un desfile que los cubanos llaman “marcha combatiente”, una costumbre que nació en los tiempos del fallecido líder Fidel Castro.
Washington mantiene una política de sanciones contra Cuba desde los años 60, pero durante el mandato de Trump las mismas se incrementaron de tal forma que asfixian a la economía isleña, un objetivo reconocido explícitamente por parte del actual titular de la Casa Blanca.
La víspera llegaron a la nación caribeña las urnas con las cenizas de 32 militares que fueron homenajeadas por una multitud de personas que agitaban banderas ante el paso de la caravana que las transportó desde el aeropuerto hasta la sede del Ministerio de las Fuerzas Armadas –contiguo a la icónica Plaza de la Revolución— donde las pequeñas cajas fueron instaladas y ante las cuales otros miles de personas desfilaron.
El miércoles por la noche la televisión cubana mostró además el arribo de un grupo de heridos durante el operativo militar estadounidense del 3 de enero en Caracas. No se identificó la cantidad de ellos, pero en las imágenes aparecieron al menos una docena.
El gobierno cubano nunca informó el alcance sobre los intercambios en materia de seguridad con Venezuela o el rango y misiones de los militares ahora muertos o heridos, pero de la difusión de sus historias en medios de prensa oficiales y reportes familiares se estima que pertenecían a la guardia personal del propio Maduro.
Las autoridades cubanas calificaron en reiteradas ocasiones de “secuestro” la captura de Maduro y su esposa Cilia Flores, quienes fueron llevados a Nueva York bajo presuntos cargos de tráfico de drogas, al tiempo que rechazaron cualquier tipo de conversación con Trump que no respetara la soberanía de la isla.
El mandatario estadounidense por su parte dejó en claro su interés en controlar el comercio del petróleo venezolano y dejar a la isla sin crudo momentos en que Cuba atraviesa una dura crisis económica, sobre todo energética, y cuando depende de sus aliados —Venezuela, México y Rusia— para abastecer el 60% del combustible que consume.
Expertos estiman que Venezuela vende a Cuba a precios preferenciales unos 35.000 barriles diarios de petróleo, mientras que México le provee de unos 5.600 barriles diarios y Rusia unos 7.600 barriles diarios, pero todavía nadie tiene claro si el país sudamericano continuará con sus entregas o, como mencionó Trump, estas se cortarán.
“Aquí el problema es que no tenemos acceso a los tanqueros fantasma que apagan sus transpondedores. Tendremos que esperar las próximas (de) 4-8 semanas a ver qué pasa”, explicó a The Associated Press Jorge Piñón, un experto del Instituto de Energía de la Universidad de Texas.
Hay “muchas opciones desde cero (envíos), a continuar con 30.000 o 35.000 al día” e incluso como parte de un acuerdo de los venezolanos —que tienen una cercanía ideológica con la isla—con el propio Estados Unidos, indicó Piñón.
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Siga a Andrea Rodríguez en X: https://x.com/ARodriguezAP
EU NatGas Spikes Most In Two Years As “Perfect Storm” Unfolds
EU NatGas Spikes Most In Two Years As “Perfect Storm” Unfolds
Dutch TTF natural gas futures, Europe’s benchmark gas contract, are up 25% on the week and on track for their largest weekly gain since October 2023. The abrupt reversal in sentiment reflects tightening storage levels, short covering, and a burst of unusually cold weather sweeping across the continent.
“Sentiment has completely turned … you could almost call it a perfect storm,” Global Risk Management analyst Arne Lohmann Rasmussen wrote in a note.
TTF futures are set for the largest weekly gain (25%) since the week of October 13, 2023.
TTF futures have rocketed higher this week from lows, now trading at nearly 36 euros per megawatt-hour.
Lohmann Rasmussen noted that sizable NatGas withdrawals have also brought stockpiling risks into focus ahead of next summer. According to Bloomberg data, inventories across the continent currently stand at around 52%, well below the 10-year average of 71% for this time of year.
Bloomberg noted, “The rally highlights a deeper structural shift. Europe has lost much of the flexibility it once relied on to absorb supply shocks, leaving storage as one of its few remaining buffers as it procures liquefied natural gas from across the globe.”
The good news is that Europe has secured ample LNG supply this winter and Norwegian pipeline flows remain steady, but the lack of a meaningful buffer when temperatures plunge and heating demand surges highlights just how fragile Europe’s energy system has become.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/16/2026 – 08:20
https://www.zerohedge.com/commodities/eu-natgas-spikes-most-two-years-perfect-storm-unfolds
Porsche Sales Plunge Most In 16 Years
Porsche Sales Plunge Most In 16 Years
Porsche AG shares in Germany are headed for their steepest weekly decline since trading began in late 2022, after the 911 maker reported that vehicle sales in the 2025 selling year fell to their lowest level in 16 years.
The 911 maker announced earlier that it delivered 279,449 vehicles to customers worldwide in 2025, down 10% from 310,718 in 2024. This marked the largest annual drop in deliveries since the 2009 financial crisis roiled global markets and crushed consumer sentiment.
“After several record years, our deliveries in 2025 were below the previous year’s level. This development is in line with our expectations and is due to supply gaps for the 718 and Macan combustion-engined models, the continuing weaker demand for exclusive products in China, and our value-oriented supply management,” Matthias Becker, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche, wrote in a statement.
Porsche’s troubles are not dissimilar to those of other European auto brands, where sliding sales, profit warnings, intensifying competition from Chinese brands, and weak electric-vehicle demand have created significant uncertainty that is likely to linger well into the second half of the year.
The stock is slightly lower in European trading. On the week, shares are down the most on record (-10%), with trading data going back to their 2022 initial public offering.
Compared with peers…
Bloomberg cited a conversation earlier this week between Oddo BHF analyst Anthony Dick and Porsche CFO Jochen Breckner at the German Investment Seminar in New York. Breckner told the analyst he was “even more conservative” than before. In reducing his estimates, Dick said Porsche is in an ongoing “major restructuring,” noting that profitability has been under pressure since its IPO. He added that this year and next are likely to be transition years for the company
According to Bloomberg data, analysts remain mostly pessimistic on Porsche, with just five buy ratings, 13 neutral ratings, and 11 sell ratings.
The broader EU auto industry is struggling.
Bernstein analysts, led by Stephen Reitman, called Porsche their “wild card,” noting that a shift to a full-time CEO with experience at Ferrari and McLaren Automotive provides “room for optimism” and greater urgency in improving performance.
Overall, Porsche appears to be in prolonged transition over the next one to two years, while the broader EU auto industry remains stuck in a rut, weighed down by weak demand, margin pressure, and an uncertain path forward.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/16/2026 – 07:45
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/porsche-sales-plunge-most-16-years
Daywatch: New data portal details misconduct patterns among CPD
Good morning, Chicago.
In recent decades, some of the Chicago Police Department’s most notorious scandals were perpetrated by officers assigned to the same team or unit, including Jerome Finnigan of the special operations section and Ronald Watts of the public housing unit.
But it took extensive searches to connect individual accusations and see wider patterns. It might take years for the actions of CPD officers working together to come to light in lawsuits that often resulted in millions of dollars in settlement payments, thrown out convictions and the tarnishing of the reputation of the department.
This week, the city’s Office of Inspector General offered the public a shortcut. It published an interactive data portal that allows anyone to see which CPD officers are most often accused of misconduct and identifies which other officers faced accusations related to the same incident.
Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg told the Tribune that the visualized data “opens the door to tremendously powerful insights” to both members of the public and the Police Department.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Sam Charles.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including the Chicago Plan Commission approving a new vision for a mixed-use community on the former Lincoln Yards site, the forecast for this weekend’s Bears playoff game and how employees are reacting to Time Out Market Chicago closing.
Today’s eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado waves to supporters on Pennsylvania Avenue as she leaves the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Venezuela’s María Corina Machado says she presented Donald Trump her Nobel Peace Prize
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump during a meeting with him at the White House, “as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom.”
JDL Development has won Chicago Plan Commission approval for a new development on the former Lincoln Yards site. (JDL)
Chicago Plan Commission approves new vision for mixed-use community on former Lincoln Yards site
The Chicago Plan Commission approved a plan to transform the northern half of the former Lincoln Yards development site into a mixed-use community with more than 3,000 residences, new riverfront parks and a central plaza open to all neighborhood residents.
The 31-acre riverfront site, now called Foundry Park and sandwiched between Lincoln Park and Bucktown, will include a mixture of apartments, townhomes, condos, affordable housing and neighborhood retail, including a 520-foot tower.
Chicago police watch as federal officers detain people while members of the community and activists protest near the 3900 block of South Kedzie Avenue on Oct. 4, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Judge who blasted Operation Midway Blitz use-of-force tactics will hear new lawsuit by city, state
The federal judge who issued a landmark preliminary injunction in November limiting the use of force by immigration agents agreed to take over a new lawsuit filed by the state and city of Chicago alleging a much broader swath of illegal actions during the Trump administration’s Operation Midway Blitz.
U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino, center, exits the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Oct 28, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Judge: Feds can’t allege gang ties in trial of Chicago man accused of putting bounty on Gregory Bovino
Days before a high-profile trial, a federal judge barred prosecutors from bringing in evidence that a Chicago man charged with putting a bounty on Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino’s head had ties to the Latin Kings.
Kaden Carnes cooks Italian beef and sausages while tailgating before the Bears hosted the Green Bay Packers in an NFC wild-card game at Soldier Field, Jan. 10, 2026. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Cold spurt to set in for the weekend, making for a chilly Bears playoff
Watch out, football fans — weekend chills will make for a crisp kickoff come Sunday, though not the coldest.
After a week of on-and-off flurries, weather officials say a cold spell is in the forecast for the weekend, with highs in the cool teens for the Chicago Bears’ playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Brrrrr down: The coldest Bears games played at Soldier Field
Bears tight end Colston Loveland, right, catches a pass for a two-point conversion against Packers linebacker Nick Niemann in the fourth quarter of an NFC wild-card game, Jan. 10, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Column: With a flair for the dramatic, the Chicago Bears have busted these 10 myths. Can they keep it going?
One win from reaching the NFC championship game and two shy of the third Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, the Bears have shattered expectations at seemingly every turn, writes Brad Biggs.
The NFC North champions host the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs Sunday at Soldier Field (5:30 p.m., Fox-32). The Rams are a four-point favorite, but the Bears have been an underdog 10 times already this season — including in the wild-card round against the Green Bay Packers — and they’ve won six times in that role.
5 things to watch for in the Bears-Rams playoff game — plus our predictions
Rome Odunze says he’s ‘good enough to go’ in Bears’ playoff game
Bulls forward Matas Buzelis stands on the court in the second half against the Hornets on Jan. 3, 2026, at the United Center. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Column: Matas Buzelis was benched again. Are the Chicago Bulls placing enough priority on his development?
The final quarter of Wednesday’s win over the Utah Jazz defined the dichotomy between the Bulls and the rest of the NBA’s approach to youth development, writes Julia Poe.
On the court, Keyonte George attempted to take the lead. The third-year Jazz guard refused to be turned away from the rim. He peppered shots over defenders and drew whistles and disbelief in equal number from the Bulls assigned to guard him. George scored 15 points in the final eight minutes of the game. On the bench, Matas Buzelis waited patiently for his turn.
“Rhynoceron,” directed and designed by KT Shivak, will be at the Chopin Theatre as part of the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. (Richard Termine)
Chicago’s International Puppet Theater Festival opens again, the largest in the nation
If there’s one thing that the annual Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival always delivers, it’s sheer range. The eighth iteration, running Jan. 21 through Feb. 1, features retellings of classics by Bhavabhuti, Shakespeare, Ibsen and Ursula K. Le Guin, plus a glimpse into Harlem history and a futuristic adventure with a reincarnated dodo. A free neighborhood tour and a Roald Dahl-inspired musical cater to young audiences, while adult offerings include late-night cabarets and a ribald exploration of puppet sexuality.
Storyteller Antonio Pizarro performs at a Moth StorySLAM at The Den Theatre on Jan. 12, 2026, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Live storytelling: Standing at a microphone telling a story can be a very personal kind of theater
A night at the theater tends to mean seeing a play. But something far more low-key and informal — a person standing at a microphone at a bar or restaurant and telling a personal story — is a form of theater, as well, and it has a strong foothold locally.
Several storytelling events take place across the Chicago area each month, where the barrier to entry is significantly lower than that of traditional theater, for both audience (you can get up to use the restroom without risking dirty looks) and storytellers (who run the gamut in terms of performing experience).
A bartender works inside Time Out Market Chicago food hall on Fulton Market, March 5, 2020. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Employees surprised and saddened as Time Out Market Chicago announces closure
After seven years in Fulton Market, an all too familiar fate has caught up with Time Out Market Chicago, which will close its doors Jan. 23, the company announced Wednesday.
Autoridades surcoreanas citan a un civil por presuntos vuelos de drones hacia Corea del Norte
Por HYUNG-JIN KIM
SEÚL, Corea del Sur (AP) — Las autoridades surcoreanas citaron a un civil para investigar si la envió drones hacia Corea del Norte, dijo la policía el viernes, días después de que Pyongyang amenazara con responder a lo que calificó como vuelos de aviones no tripulados desde el país vecino.
El ejército norcoreano indicó el sábado que utilizó medios de guerra electrónica para derribar un dron surcoreano a principios de mes y otro en septiembre. Además, afirmó que encontró que los aparatos contenían datos de video sobre lugares en Corea del Norte y advirtió que el Sur “pagará un alto precio”.
Seúl rechazó la acusación, pero inició una investigación para determinar si los drones descubiertos en suelo norcoreano habían sido lanzados por civiles.
El viernes, la policía surcoreana reveló que el grupo de trabajo conjunto de la agencia y el ejército citó a un sospechoso civil y estaba investigando a la persona. No dio más detalles.
Los supuestos vuelos de drones se producen mientras el gobierno progresista en Seúl, liderado por el presidente, Lee Jae Myung, presionaba con insistencia para reactivar el diálogo, paralizado desde hace mucho tiempo, con Corea del Norte y restablecer el entendimiento entre las dos naciones rivales.
Tras la acusación norcoreana, Lee pidió una investigación exhaustiva y dijo que los civiles que vuelen drones a través de la frontera cometen “un grave delito” que amenaza la seguridad nacional y la paz en la península de Corea. La oficina de Lee también apuntó que Seúl no tiene intención de provocar a Pyongyang,
Pero el Norte ha intensificado su presión sobre su vecino. En un comunicado el martes, Kim Yo Jong, la poderosa hermana del líder Kim Jong Un, pidió al Sur que se disculpe por el caso y ridiculizó las supuestas esperanzas de Seúl de mejorar las relaciones calificándolas de “sueños salvajes” que “nunca se harán realidad”.
Muchos expertos sostienen que Corea del Norte podría estar tratando de promover un sentimiento anti-Corea del Sur entre su población antes del próximo congreso del Partido de los Trabajadores, que podría celebrarse a finales de enero o en febrero. Apuntan que podría agregar la declaración de 2024 de Kim sobre un sistema hostil de “dos estados” en la península de Corea a la Constitución del Partido de los Trabajadores durante el congreso, el primero de su tipo en cinco años.
El Norte se ha negado a participar en conversaciones con el Sur y Estados Unidos desde el fracaso de la diplomacia nuclear entre Kim y el presidente estadounidense, Donald Trump, en 2019. Desde entonces, Pyongyang se ha centrado en expandir su arsenal nuclear. Kim también ha tomado medidas para reforzar sus lazos con Rusia y China en los últimos años.
Los vuelos de drones son una fuente de hostilidades entre las dos Coreas, que están divididas por una frontera fuertemente fortificada.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Annabelle Kritzer dominates inside as Naperville Central upends Waubonsie Valley in ‘super fun environment’
Naperville Central junior center Annabelle Kritzer knew she wasn’t the main attraction on Thursday. That didn’t stop her from stealing the show.
Many in the large crowd came to see two of the best players in the state, and Naperville Central senior guard Trinity Jones and Waubonsie Valley senior guard Danyella Mporokoso didn’t disappoint.
But the 6-foot-4 Kritzer provided a compelling bonus track to the proverbial soundtrack.
“It was a super fun environment to play in,” Kritzer said. “The whole stands was filled. It was loud, and there was people cheering for both teams, and it was just a fun experience. I’m glad I got to be a part of it.”
Kritzer played a big part in the outcome, finishing with 20 points and a game-high 18 rebounds as the host Redhawks, who are ranked No. 6 in Class 4A in the poll by The Associated Press, upended the previously unbeaten No. 2 Warriors 75-60 in Naperville to take control in the DuPage Valley Conference.
The Redhawks (17-3, 5-0), who stopped Waubonsie Valley’s 35-game regular-season unbeaten streak and 25-game conference winning streak, led 47-21 at halftime. The Warriors (18-1, 4-1) trailed by as many as 28 points in the third quarter.
“I’m just really proud of our girls,” Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum said. “I thought we were playing team basketball, and team basketball doesn’t mean everybody gets equal shots. But we got the ball to the people we needed to get the ball to.”
That included the 6-2 Clemson-bound Jones, who scored 32 points, as well as senior point guard Erin Hackett. That duo has done the bulk of the scoring this season.
But this time Kritzer got in the act while dominating the glass at both ends of the floor.
“That’s probably Annabelle’s best offensive performance of her career,” Nussbaum said. “We present a problem for them because we’ve got two tall players out there, and they only have one.
“So of course they’ve got to give Trinity attention, so I was super happy with the way Annabelle played. She was on the offensive boards, and I thought both Trinity and Erin found her when she was open.”
Kritzer was rarely open during the Redhawks’ 65-49 loss to Loyola on Jan. 5. But she was against the Warriors and was calling for the ball.
“This game was an exciting game,” Kritzer said. “We’ve been looking forward to it all week, and we just came out strong. We did really well passing. Credit my teammates for getting me the ball, and I’m super excited about this win.”
Naperville Central’s Annabelle Kritzer (14) shoots a free throw during a DuPage Valley Conference game against Waubonsie Valley in Naperville on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Sean King / Naperville Sun)
Hackett, a Carthage commit, had 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals against Waubonsie Valley, which got 23 points from Illinois State-bound Mporokoso. Most of Hackett’s assists went to Kritzer, who scored repeatedly in the lane.
“The positioning on defense really worked out just to help her get those rebounds,” Hackett said. “We put her in a good position to do that, and she obviously executes those rebounds every game.
“I feel like she has double-digit rebounds almost every game, so that’s really helpful, and her making her layups today and doing some post moves just really helped us out with getting that lead.”
While Kritzer is still growing into her substantial athleticism, she’s starting to become a strong force on offense.
“The biggest thing we’ve been working on with her is keeping the ball up because she’s so tall,” Hackett said. “So instead of bringing it down and getting those jump balls, she’s really kept it up and is putting it back. That was the biggest thing that helped her out.”
Kritzer made 7 of 10 shots, including all four attempts in the first half. One was a 3-pointer from the top of the key off an assist from Hackett that came during a 27-7 run.
“I haven’t made a three in a few games, so I’ve been wanting to do that,” Kritzer said. “I’ve been shooting a lot in practice, and so it was great to make that.”
Naperville Central’s Annabelle Kritzer (14) posts up against Waubonsie Valley’s Taylnn Heard during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Naperville on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Sean King / Naperville Sun)
Kritzer was so great defensively that she had just six fewer rebounds than the Warriors, who shot 7 for 33 in the first half while getting only one offensive rebound.
“We know she’s a rebounder, and we know she’ll go get the rebound,” Waubonsie Valley coach Brett Love said. “We wanted to get more offensive rebounds.
“We didn’t do as well as we wanted to, but we knew we had to contend with her on the boards. That’s what she does best.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
UK Govt Threatens To Return Lucy Connolly To Jail For Sharing Joke Post On X
UK Govt Threatens To Return Lucy Connolly To Jail For Sharing Joke Post On X
Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news,
Lucy Connolly, the 42-year-old UK woman previously sentenced to two years in prison for a post on X is back under the microscope of Britain’s speech enforcers, with the government threatening to put her back behind bars for merely reposting a satirical jab at Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The latest drama stems from Connolly reposting a comment that read: “Could Trump could come and take Starmer like they did in Venezuela.”
Probation officials deemed it “not of good behaviour,” with Connolly noting: “Apparently… somebody called probation and said they were very offended by this post and it’s inciting violence.”
Lucy Connolly – who has already spent ten months locked up for a singular post on X – is facing a recall to prison because she retweeted a joke about Donald Trump arresting Keir Starmer.
Officials told her it was inciting violence.
THERE IS NO FREE SPEECH IN THE UK!@LucyTCWife pic.twitter.com/W3LtW5czA3
— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) January 14, 2026
The fact that some random person called in the thought crime to the authorities is arguably equally as disturbing as the resulting threat to send Connolly back to prison. It highlights how there are hordes of bootlicking citizens eager to act as the thought police and to tattle to the State.
Connolly has also been cautioned over remarks about British-Egyptian extremist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, who has a history of posting extremist threats against British people, yet was welcomed into the country recently by Kier Starmer after being released from prison by Egyptian authorities.
Connolly first hit the headlines after the horrific Southport attacks, where three young girls were murdered by a second-generation Rwandan migrant. In the heated aftermath, she tweeted: “Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f***ing hotels full of the bastards for all I care.”
Judge Melbourne Inman KC labeled it “grossly offensive” and handed her the maximum 31-month sentence under the Public Order Act, despite no prior offences or direct threats. She served 380 days before release on licence in August, under conditions typically reserved for serious offenders.
Her case drew fire from proponents of free speech, who blasted it as proof of Britain’s “two-tier justice system.” Before his tragic murder, Charlie Kirk noted such words “would not be any prison time in America,” underscoring how the UK has slid toward a “totalitarian country.”
Connolly insists she hasn’t posted anything offensive or inciting since her release, even suggesting authorities provide a list of “things she was allowed to say” to avoid these traps.
Connolly has also had to deal with her 13-year-old daughter, Edie, being barred from a new school after the headteacher rescinded a trial placement upon discovering her mother’s conviction. The educator claimed “racism doesn’t go down well” and that Edie’s presence would cause a “ruckus.”
Connolly called it “outrageous discrimination,” asking: “In what world is this ok?” and adding, “My daughter is being punished for my views. She’s innocent, and now she’s the one suffering.”
The Maduro quip that landed Connolly in hot water—suggesting Trump should swoop in and haul Starmer away like Venezuelan tyrant Nicolás Maduro—was no isolated gag. Thousands of frustrated Brits have cracked similar jokes across X and beyond, venting rage at a regime seen as trampling freedoms while bungling borders and the economy.
Posts like “Trump is gonna Maduro your ass next!” and “We really need Trump to repeat the Maduro operation with Starmer” rack up likes in the hundreds or thousands for mocking the PM’s fate. If resharing such satire warrants prison time, what’s next—a mass roundup of every citizen daring to poke fun at the powers that be?
This reeks of selective tyranny, cherry-picking targets to stifle dissent while ignoring the real threats fueling public fury.
Connolly’s ordeal is just one thread in Britain’s expanding speech gulag. Last year alone, police arrested nearly 10,000 people for “grossly offensive” social media posts under draconian laws like the Communications Act—averaging 30 busts a day.
Forces raid homes over sarcastic emails, old tweets, or WhatsApp chats, diverting resources from real crimes like burglaries and knife attacks. We’ve even seen early releases for violent offenders to make room for thought criminals.
Take the case of Luke Yarwood, jailed 18 months for two anti-immigration tweets viewed just 33 times. The judge called them “odious in the extreme,” despite no real-world impact or followers acting on them. Such minimal-reach rants get hammered harder than child abusers in some courts, exposing priorities skewed against ordinary Brits raging against open borders.
Starmer’s regime has recently gone as far as suggesting a complete ban on X, citing its Grok AI for generating fake images as a convenient excuse for what is clearly an effort to target the platform where unfiltered truth is allowed to reach the masses.
Now the government is turning its attention once again to Online Safety Act’s Section 121, empowering Ofcom to force platforms like WhatsApp to scan private messages via client-side tech—shattering end-to-end encryption.
Officially for child exploitation and terrorism, it flags everyday views on mass migration as radicalization risks: researching immigration stats, defending British rights, or protesting cultural shifts.
Schools are even using games labeling such concerns as paths to extremism.
The use of the “Maduro joke” shared by Connolly to crackdown on free speech echoes globally. In Spain, ex-senator Carles Mulet has denounced bullfighter Fran Rivera and right wing activist Vito Quiles for jokingly urging Trump to “continue” after Venezuela by intervening in Spain and eyeing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Ridiculously, the pair are now facing 5-10 years in prison, with authorities citing treason and provocation, among a litany of other offences.
This global assault on free expression demands fierce pushback. When mere reposts or quips land ordinary people in the crosshairs and families bear the brunt, it’s evident: the real danger isn’t online words, but regimes worldwide desperate to silence opposition to their rejected agendas.
Your support is crucial in helping us defeat mass censorship. Please consider donating via Locals or check out our unique merch. Follow us on X @ModernityNews.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/16/2026 – 07:20
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/uk-govt-threatens-return-lucy-connolly-jail-sharing-joke-post-x
Líder religioso de Irán y fieles piden la ejecución de manifestantes, una línea roja para Trump
Por JON GAMBRELL
DUBÁI, Emiratos Árabes Unidos (AP) — Un clérigo que dirigió las oraciones del viernes en la capital de Irán exigió la pena de muerte para los manifestantes detenidos en una campaña de represión a nivel nacional y amenazó directamente al presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, en una muestra del malestar en la República Islámica tras las movilizaciones.
El sermón de Ahmad Jatami, transmitido por la radio estatal, provocó cánticos entre los asistentes al rezo, incluyendo: “¡Los hipócritas armados deben ser ejecutados!”. Las ejecuciones, así como el asesinato de manifestantes pacíficos, eran dos de las líneas rojas establecidas por Trump para una posible acción militar en el país por las protestas.
Las declaraciones de Jatami supusieron también el primer recuento a nivel nacional de los daños causados durante las manifestaciones, que comenzaron el 28 de diciembre en respuesta a la maltrecha situación económica del país y pronto se convirtieron en un desafío directo a la teocracia gobernante.
Irán cortó el acceso a internet el 8 de enero e intensificó una sangrienta represión contra toda disidencia, que según la Agencia de Noticias de Activistas de Derechos Humanos, con sede en Estados Unidos, causó al menos 2.677 muertes. The Associated Press no ha podido verificar de forma independiente la cifra de fallecidos e Irán no ofreció un conteo oficial.
Jatami, que fue nombrado por el líder supremo, el ayatolá Ali Jamenei, y forma parte tanto de la Asamblea de Expertos como del Consejo de Guardianes del país, describió a los manifestantes en ocasiones como los “mayordomos” del primer ministro de Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, y como “soldados de Trump”. Insistió en que sus planes “habían imaginado la desintegración del país”.
“Deberían esperar una dura venganza por parte del sistema”, indicó Khatami con respecto a Netanyahu y Trump. “Los estadounidenses y los sionistas no deberían esperar la paz”.
Jatami también proporcionó las primeras estadísticas generales sobre los daños de las protestas y afirmó que 350 mezquitas, 126 salas de oración y otros 20 lugares sagrados habían sufrido daños. Otras 80 casas de líderes de la oración de los viernes —una posición importante dentro de la teocracia iraní— también registraron daños, un posible indicio de la ira de los manifestante contra cualquier símbolo del gobierno del país.
Según Jatami, 400 hospitales, 106 ambulancias, 71 vehículos del departamento de bomberos y otros 50 de emergencias sufrieron daños, lo que muestra la magnitud de las protestas.
“Quieren que se alejen de la religión”, aseveró Jatami. “Planearon estos crímenes desde hace mucho tiempo”.
Jatami, como clérigo que ostenta cargos públicos, tendría acceso a esos datos de las autoridades y su mención en el rezo del viernes probablemente significa que el gobierno quería que se comunicase esa información sin tener que dirigirse formalmente a la población. También hizo un llamado para arrestar a “individuos que apoyen a los alborotadores de cualquier manera”.
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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.
Column: With a flair for the dramatic, the Chicago Bears have busted these 10 myths. Can they keep it going?
One win from reaching the NFC championship game and two shy of the third Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, the Chicago Bears have shattered expectations at seemingly every turn.
The NFC North champions host the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs Sunday at Soldier Field (5:30 p.m., Fox-32). The Rams are a four-point favorite, but the Bears have been an underdog 10 times already this season — including in the wild-card round against the Green Bay Packers — and they’ve won six times in that role.
The Bears have won in dramatic fashion over and over again, and their seventh comeback victory last weekend to edge the Packers 31-27 was the greatest to date. They aren’t shaken by fourth-quarter deficits. Really, they haven’t been shaken by anything this season, a testament to the belief in coach Ben Johnson and the resolve in the locker room.
The cardiac Bears, as some like to call them, have been myth busters, defying odds, answering fair questions with resounding answers and destroying some public sentiments along the way. Here are 10 myths they’ve busted … so far.
1. They shouldn’t have drafted a tight end at No. 10 with a more pressing need for a left tackle or edge rusher.
Forget the conversation at the time of which tight end was a better option — Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren — some were dismayed they took a tight end, period. Three offensive tackles came off the board in the six picks before the Bears were on the clock, which meant they would have to reach for a left tackle or grab the second edge rusher after Abdul Carter, who went No. 2.
James Pearce (26th overall) had 10½ sacks for the Atlanta Falcons, and teammate Jalon Walker (15th) had 5½. But Loveland has emerged as a star — he had 137 receiving yards against the Packers — and he’s just getting started. His production in the passing game in the second half of the season has been huge, but don’t overlook the solid work he also has done as a blocker. Loveland is a chess piece Johnson knows how to maximize.
2. They need to trade for a running back — or sign one.
Bears running back Kyle Monangai celebrates after his run for a first down in the first quarter of an NFC wild-card game against the Packers on Jan. 10, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
How many times a week did you hear that from the end of the draft — after the Bears selected Kyle Monangai in the seventh round — to the start of the season? D’Andre Swift isn’t a fit for the offense. What were the Bears possibly thinking with Johnson’s offense so rooted in the ground game?
Turns out the straight-talking Johnson, who was effusive in his praise of Swift all offseason, meant what he said. Swift (1,087 yards) and Monangai (783) became the first pair of Bears running backs to top 700 yards since Walter Payton and Roland Harper in 1978. Swift’s effectiveness in the passing game should not be overlooked either. The Bears had everything needed in the backfield.
3. Caleb Williams is maybe the third-best quarterback in the division.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) scrambles in the third quarter of an NFC wild-card game against the Packers on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
After a dysfunctional 2024 season, a franchise problem more than a Williams issue, it would have been impossible for any objective analysis to rank him anywhere above third entering the season. Was there room for growth? A ton. Would it click under a new coaching staff? Wait and see.
In June, NFL.com ranked quarterbacks around the league with the Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff fourth, Packers’ Jordan Love 10th, Williams 28th and Minnesota Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy 29th.
Williams’ penchant for late-game heroics and his unique ability to produce jaw-dropping highlight plays on a weekly basis will land him in more exclusive company for whatever 2026 rankings there are. The Bears have a legitimate quarterback, a first in the lifetime for most of the franchise’s fans, and the strength of the position in the division is going to make the NFC North a force for seasons to come. You could be looking at what the NFC East was for much of the 1980s. The Bears can no longer be knocked for having a QB deficiency.
4. They’ll probably finish around .500.
Bears running back D’Andre Swift, right, makes a move on a big run in the fourth quarter against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 28, 2025, in Philadelphia. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The season win total for the Bears hovered at 8½ for the majority of the spring and summer, and before things got going in September, the line was juiced to the under.
Prevailing thought was that a difficult schedule — it was tied for second-most difficult based on 2024 standings and wound up ranking 19th at the end of the season — and a rough-and-tumble division would make an improvement of three or four wins reasonable after a 5-12 campaign. That was the sweet spot that oddsmakers identified for the Bears.
The Bears went over 8½ with their ninth win on Nov. 28 in Philadelphia, the ninth victory in a 10-game stretch, and added wins over the Packers and Cleveland Browns down the stretch to reach 11, a six-game improvement in Johnson’s first season.
5. They’ll finish third in the division — if all goes well.
Bears coach Ben Johnson celebrates the win with wide receiver DJ Moore after his game-winning catch in overtime to defeat the Packers on Dec. 20, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
After the Lions (15-2), Vikings (14-3) and Packers (11-6) all went to the postseason in 2024, wagering odds for the Bears were at the bottom of the circuit. The Packers (+165) shifted to the preseason favorite after the August trade for Micah Parsons, with the Lions (+200) close behind and Vikings (+350) ahead of the Bears (+600).
The Packers were hit with a slew of injuries — most notably tight end Tucker Kraft followed by defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt and then Parsons. The Lions’ high-powered offense (28.3 points per game) missed Johnson at the controls in a big way, and their defense, for the second straight year, lost players to injury. In Minnesota, coach Kevin O’Connell’s magic tough with quarterbacks never clicked with McCarthy.
The Bears, despite a 2-4 record against division foes, kept finding ways to overcome obstacles in their path with the miraculous Week 16 comeback against the Packers at Soldier Field keying their ascent to the top.
6. They won’t recover from an 0-2 start, especially coming out of the gate with two division losses.
Bears wide receiver DJ Moore sits on the bench in the third quarter against the Lions on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Twenty-two times before, the Bears had started a season 0-2. This is the first time they’ve recovered from such a beginning to reach the playoffs. The 52-21 thumping in Detroit in Week 2 was stunning.
“It’s tragic,” defensive end Montez Sweat said afterward. “It’s very stunning.”
Leaving Ford Field that day, the Bears looked seasons away from being able to compete in the division. They had blown the opener against the Vikings and then got their doors blown by the Lions.
“We are not going to hang our heads and get down on this,” Johnson said. “It’s one game. We’re going to be just fine.”
That the 0-2 start wasn’t the beginning of an unescapable spiral is a credit to Johnson, his staff and the roster. It was a matter of weeks until it looked like, hey, maybe this team can compete in the NFC North.
7. A rebuilt offensive line will be better, but major question marks at left tackle make the unit potentially suspect.
Bears guard Joe Thuney (62) blocks in the fourth quarter against the Lions on Jan. 4, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The adage is when a team has two quarterbacks, it actually has none. I’m not sure what the saying is when a team rolls out four left tackles in a preseason competition for the job, but suboptimal comes to mind.
Offensive line coach Dan Roushar stayed true to his process rolling veteran Braxton Jones, rookie Ozzy Trapilo, Theo Benedet and Kiran Amegadjie through with the first unit in training camp and into preseason.
Roushar was blunt in saying it wasn’t where the team needed it to be, but the additions of left guard Joe Thuney, center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson, along with Darnell Wright flipping the switch to being more consistent down in and down out at right tackle, transformed the weakest position on the roster into arguably its greatest strength.
Johnson’s game-planning and help from the tight ends allowed the Bears to help the left tackle — Jones, Benedet and Trapilo all took turns starting — and they met challenges weekly. Williams’ sack total plummeted, and the Bears had the league’s third-best rushing attack.
8. It will be very difficult to play without top cornerback Jaylon Johnson for the majority of the season.
Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright, right hugs cornerback Jaylon Johnson after Johnson intercepted a pass during the third quarter against the Browns on Dec. 14, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)
After missing the opener with groin and calf injuries that sidelined him before the start of training camp, Johnson left the Week 2 loss in Detroit after only 20 snaps with a core muscle injury that required surgery.
The hope was Johnson might be able to return late in the season, maybe if the Bears were in the mix. All the time Johnson missed during the summer gave the coaching staff an extra lookat Nahshon Wright, and paired with Tyrique Stevenson, the Bears made it work.
Secondary coach Al Harris got the most out of defensive backs, who combined for 17 of the defense’s league-high 23 interceptions. Wright had five picks, and the Bears weathered 10 games without Johnson, who before his contract was restructured to create some operating room carried a $21 million cap hit this year, tied with Sweat for the highest on the roster. It’s tough to play without your highest-paid players, but the Bears managed.
9. Luther Burden III was a luxury pick.
Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III is tackled after a reception in the fourth quarter against the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 28, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
With wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze already in place — and after choosing Loveland in the first round — general manager Ryan Poles used the first of three Round 2 picks on Burden at No. 39. It came one pick after the New England Patriots chose running back TreVeyon Henderson, whom the Bears were eyeing, and added to an already crowded receivers room as Olamide Zaccheaus had been signed in free agency.
Maybe Burden would have been a luxury pick for previous coaching staffs, but Johnson had a vision for how to use the Missouri product, one he executed. It’s a good example of how grades and the best player available should often trump need.
Burden has been explosive and looks to be a building block for the roster moving forward, one of the reasons the team enjoyed its most productive rookie class in quite a while.
10. They need an edge rusher.
Bears defensive end Montez Sweat tackles Packers quarterback Jordan Love during the fourth quarter of an NFC wild-card game Jan. 10, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
This item needs an asterisk because it’s impossible to look at the roster right now and not identify pass-rush help as a top need for 2026. But defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has managed to make it work, and the Bears led the league in takeaways without a fearsome rush.
Sweat has five quarterback hits in the last two games, and Austin Booker has come to life in the last two months. Don’t overlook what healthier defensive tackle Grady Jarrett has done on the interior.
Poles made a deadline trade to add Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a modest move that cost a 2026 sixth-round pick with the Bears receiving a seventh-rounder back from the Browns. In weighing need at the time versus cost and how the future would be shaped, Poles didn’t swing big for the kind of trade that can generate more in the way of headlines than production.
In the big picture, the Bears have gotten by with a defense that has flaws, ones that will be top priorities moving forward.
Next challenge
The Rams represent the biggest challenge ahead for the Bears, an opponent with an MVP-level quarterback in Matthew Stafford, a high-powered offense, a sometimes dominant defensive line and a coach in Sean McVay who has won a Super Bowl and is 9-5 in the postseason.
The Rams struggled for about half of last Saturday’s wild-card win at Carolina. The Rams lost three of their final six regular-season games — all on the road against the Panthers, Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons. They don’t look infallible like the team that was cruising through November.
The next myth for the Bears to bust is winning on Sunday night. They’ve lost nine consecutive in the NBC prime-time slot, although eight have been on the road. Maybe a 5:30 p.m. kickoff doesn’t quite qualify as prime time.
For what it’s worth, their last Sunday night win came against the Rams — 15-6 on Dec. 9, 2018, at Soldier Field.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/chicago-bears-myth-busters/
5 things to watch for in the Chicago Bears-Los Angeles Rams playoff game — plus our predictions
How do you follow up the greatest postseason comeback in franchise history? How does a team move past the dramatic high of beating an archrival in a playoff game in front of its home fans?
In the NFL, the only thing to do is move forward. The Chicago Bears have to do that this week. Last weekend’s 31-27 win — an 18-point comeback — over the Green Bay Packers is in the rearview. Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams is looming large in front of them.
With it comes a matchup against MVP candidate Matthew Stafford at quarterback and Super Bowl-winning coach Sean McVay.
The Bears (11-6) square off against the Rams (12-5) on Sunday at Soldier Field (5:30 p.m., NBC-5/Peacock). The Bears beat the Packers on Saturday, while the Rams scored a touchdown in the final minute to beat the Carolina Panthers in the wild-card round.
Here are five things to watch for ahead of the divisional-round matchup — plus the Tribune’s predictions for the game.
1. The old vs. the new
Not so long ago, McVay was the shiny new thing. He was a few days shy of his 31st birthday when the Rams hired him to be their head coach in 2017. With No. 1 draft pick Jared Goff coming off a disastrous rookie season, McVay stepped in and led the Rams to an 11-win season in his first year. A year later, they were in the Super Bowl.
In 2025, Bears coach Ben Johnson was the NFL’s next promising offensive guru who became a head coach in his 30s. Much like McVay and the Rams, Johnson inherited a No. 1 draft pick who went through some struggles as a rookie. The Bears also turned it around and won 11 games this season.
Now, McVay and Johnson, both 39 — McVay will turn 40 the day before next week’s NFC championship game — will square off for the first time in Sunday’s divisional-round game.
They are no strangers. As the offensive coordinator in Detroit, Johnson went up against McVay and the Rams in what became the first Lions playoff victory in 32 years in January 2024. They squared off again about six months later in the 2024 season opener (the Lions won that one in overtime).
McVay gained a healthy level of respect for Johnson’s offenses in preparation for those games.
“The guys that do the best job are the ones that you can see there’s a true understanding of what defenses are doing,” McVay said, “and an intent to try to be able to manipulate a lot of the rules and the coaching points and to really try to attack your front mechanics, your coverage contours, understand some of the percentages of what you’re doing situationally, and then being able to maximize his player skill sets. You could see there’s a philosophy and core beliefs in terms of how he wants to build it.”
Bears coach Ben Johnson looks on from the sideline in the second quarter against the Lions on Jan. 4, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Since coming to Chicago, Johnson made sure to have quarterback Caleb Williams study Stafford’s film, particularly his footwork. The Bears worked hard to reorient Williams’ footwork.
In shotgun formations, Williams lines up with his left foot forward. That was an adjustment made under Johnson, and it’s a starting stance that Stafford has perfected.
“His feet are always under him,” Williams said. “He can make any throw at any time. The guy’s in his face, O-linemen may be getting pushed back, not looking — all these different things — and it comes down to his feet. He ties the routes with his receivers — the timing, all of that — with his feet.
Oh, and there is one other thing.
“Obviously, he has a cannon,” Williams added.
This will not be the first meeting between Stafford and Williams. They played in Week 4 in 2024, with the Bears edging the Rams 24-18.
2. Player in the spotlight
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throws during the second half against the Seahawks on Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (Lindsey Wasson/AP)
Rams QB Matthew Stafford
Is this Stafford’s MVP moment? He already won one Super Bowl, but he put up a strong argument during the 2025 regular season that he deserves his first MVP award.
Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 passing touchdowns. He led the No. 1 offense in both points (30.5) and total yards (394.6) per game.
The Bears will need to work hard to disrupt Stafford’s rhythm. Doing so will be a challenge because this Bears team has struggled to create pressure without blitzing, but Stafford’s numbers against the blitz are mind-boggling — 32 touchdowns and one interception.
“He does a lot of things well,” Bears defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said. “I think that’s one of the reasons he’s held in as high of regard as he is. He just really understands football really well. He’s up there making checks, finding a way to get the open guy open or knowing where the checkdown is.”
Jarrett said the Bears are going to have to earn the right to rush the passer by stopping the run. The Rams had the seventh-best rushing attack in the NFL during the regular season at 126.6 yards per game. Kyren Williams finished sixth with 1,252 rushing yards.
Much like Johnson’s offense, McVay is going to try to create mismatches and advantages with unique formations and a heavy amount of presnap motion. That can cause issues on the back end if the linebackers and defensive backs aren’t on top of things.
“There is a lot of unorthodox things I would say he does,” cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. “But ultimately, each thing they do, they have a reason for doing it. So again, you just have to study. Be on top of why they’re doing what they’re doing and what they’re trying to attack when they’re doing it.”
3. Is the cold weather an advantage for the Bears?
Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright (26) and teammates warm up to face the Browns on Dec. 14, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Jarrett saves his long sleeves for when he really needs it. Last week against the Packers, when the high was 41 degrees and the low was 26, didn’t qualify.
This week, he’s anticipating breaking out the sleeves and possibly a thermal mask.
“When you get to zero and below, I’m going to pull out the gear,” Jarrett, 32, said. “I’m not going to sit here and act (tough). I’m a Georgia boy. I can fight through the 20-30 degrees and have a good day without sleeves. I do think this might be a gear week.”
The high temperature Thursday in Los Angeles was 84. At Halas Hall in Lake Forest, where the Bears practiced outside with no heaters, it was 24. The National Weather Service forecasts a high of 21 on Sunday in Chicago with a slight chance of snow.
The Bears have done this a million times. Safety Kevin Byard III pointed out that Ben Johnson doesn’t let his team have heaters during practice (which they typically have along the sidelines on game days). That’s been a point of contention with some of the players, but in retrospect it prepared the team for games like this.
This Bears team already played in one of the coldest games ever at Soldier Field against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 14. All three games against the Packers were cold. They faced the Philadelphia Eagles on a cold late-November day with gusty winds.
Weather-wise, this is nothing new. The Rams, on the other hand, haven’t played in very many cold games at all.
Bears cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson warned against putting too much stock into the weather. He was on the Eagles last year when they battled the Rams through a snowy divisional-round playoff game. The Eagles won 28-22, but the Rams put up the best fight that the Super Bowl champions saw in the postseason.
“We talking about weather? Whoop-de-do,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Weather don’t affect nobody if you ask me. I feel like when it’s win or go home, that’s what affects you more than the weather.”
4. Keep an eye on …
Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) celebrates with Davante Adams after scoring a touchdown against the 49ers on Nov. 9, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Jeff Lewis/AP)
Rams WRs Puka Nacua and Davante Adams
The Rams have two of the best receivers in the NFL in Nacua and Adams. Nacua finished second in the league with 1,715 receiving yards and first with 129 receptions, while Adams led the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions.
The only similar one-two punch the Bears faced this season was Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins with the Cincinnati Bengals. Even with Joe Flacco at quarterback, the Bengals put up 42 points in a wild 47-42 Bears win.
Nacua and Adams will test the Bears secondary. Nacua arguably has been the best receiver in the NFL this season.
“He does everything,” Byard said. “They throw him screens, intermediate routes, deeper routes. His hands are incredible.”
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson battled with Adams when he was first breaking into the league and Adams was still playing with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.
“Anytime you get to play against a player like that, potential Hall of Fame guy, it’s something you want to do,” Jaylon Johnson said.
5. Injury updates
Bears linebacker D’Marco Jackson (48) tackles Browns wide receiver Gage Larvadain during the fourth quarter Dec. 14, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)
In the wild-card round against the Packers, the Bears lost linebacker T.J. Edwards and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo to season-ending injuries. Both players went on injured reserve this week. The Bears will look to backup linebacker D’Marco Jackson and backup tackle Theo Benedet to step up in those roles.
Those would qualify as two major absences. Otherwise, the Bears are quite healthy this week. Cornerback Nick McCloud (groin) is the only player on the 53-man roster who sat out practice Thursday.
Receivers DJ Moore (knee) and Rome Odunze (foot) were limited in practice Thursday. Everybody else was a full participant. Odunze returned last week following a five-game absence because of the foot injury.
“I feel good,” Odunze said Thursday. “Obviously went out there and competed (against the Packers), so I feel good. There’s a little bit of inflammation, different things you have to deal with, but nothing too concerning.”
For the Rams, right guard Kevin Dotson has been on the injury report with an ankle injury. Stafford is nursing a finger injury on his throwing hand, but the Rams said he should be good to go.
Predictions
Brad Biggs (13-5)
It’s going to be really cold, but the Bears are going to need to be ready for a track meet against the high-powered Rams offense. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen figures to get creative to come up with ways to minimize explosive plays for quarterback Matthew Stafford and receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. It’s going to be tricky because Stafford can pick apart zones and has proved to be lethal against the blitz. The Rams also are seventh in the league in the red zone, where the Bears have been strong in games in which they’ve given up a ton of yardage. But the Rams also have the league’s seventh-ranked rushing attack, and Sean McVay will stick with it. Including the wild-card round, the Rams have averaged 30.7 rushes in their last six games. The Bears need the game of the season from the defensive line to find a path to victory and they probably need a couple of big plays on special teams. Otherwise, as thrilling as Caleb Williams has been in clutch time, the Bears could be chasing. The Rams have holes in their secondary, but the defensive front is talented across the board.
Rams 34, Bears 28
Sean Hammond (13-5)
I’ve been saying all season that the team with the best quarterback is going to make it out of the NFC. I still think that team is the Rams. It’s just too hard for me to pick against Stafford in a season like this. This Bears team has defied expectations all year, but I’m not so sure they’re going to do it again. If there is a path for the Bears, they need to run the ball well and keep it out of Stafford’s hands. I’m not so confident the Bears defense can slow Nacua and Adams.
Rams 35, Bears 31
Phil Thompson (11-6)
Let’s get two things out of the way: Yes, I picked the Bears to beat the Packers last week; no, they had no business beating the Packers last week. What I had in mind when I made my wild-card prediction isn’t at all how it played out, though the outcome was the same. But the X-factor — the possibility of an impossible comeback — can never be dismissed with these unpredictable Bears. It’s hard to apply conventional wisdom (that, on paper, the Rams should stomp the Bears) when the Bears have defied convention all season. And I have questions about the Rams. Will Matthew Stafford’s injured finger linger? Can Caleb Williams exploit a key injury in the Rams secondary? How much will the cold at Soldier Field affect the Rams, especially a vulnerable special teams unit that fired its coordinator last month. And how did a supposed powerhouse like the Rams find themselves in a dogfight with the Carolina Panthers — twice — losing once in the regular season and barely beating them last week to reach the divisional round. If it sounds like I’m talking myself into taking the Bears, maybe I am.
Bears 28, Rams 27
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/16/chicago-bears-los-angeles-rams-playoffs-predictions/
