Category: News
Chicago Stars send Brazilian star Ludmila to the San Diego Wave for up to $1 million in transfer fees
The San Diego Wave vaulted onto the San Diego sports scene in 2021 behind star power that was largely unrivaled in the National Women’s Soccer League. Then Alex Morgan retired, Naomi Girma was sold and Jaedyn Shaw was traded, and the team pivoted to a young, largely international roster for the 2025 season.
Consider the Wave’s Tuesday morning addition of Ludmila a meshing of the two eras.
The Wave acquired the Brazilian forward from the Chicago Stars in exchange for an $800,000 transfer fee and up to $200,000 in additional transfer fees depending on how she fares. San Diego then signed Lumila to a new, three-year contract that will run through the 2028 season.
Ludmila, 31, has scored 81 goals in 185 professional matches, much of them with Atletico Madrid in Spain.
Ludmila joined the Stars in July 2024, where she logged three goals in seven appearances — including the only goal in a September win over the Wave. Given a full season in 2025, she shined, scoring 10 goals and adding one assist for a Stars team that was missing star Mallory Swanson. Ludmila was under contract with the Stars through the 2026 season; while salaries aren’t made public, she was believed to be among the highest-paid players in the NWSL.
“I scored my first NWSL goal against San Diego and (it) always was a team I admired. I loved the supporters, the energy of the team, and the vibes of the city when I visited,” she said. “I’m very happy to be part of this club’s history,”
Wave general manager Camille Ashton said Ludmila — born Ludmila da Silva — “not only brings a lot of talent, but complements the strengths of our exciting roster.” The Wave scored 41 goals in 27 matches a year ago, the fourth-best total in the league, but struggled to score over a long stretch of games in the second half of the season. The emergence of another one-named Brazilian forward, Dudinha, allowed the Wave to qualify for the playoffs, where the club lost to the Portland Thorns in the first round.
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The Wave are hoping Ludmila can help stabilize their attack. She holds the NWSL record for fastest hat trick in league history; it took her just 10 minutes and 9 seconds to score three goals.
Ludmila can score “in multiple attacking roles, giving our coaches more tactical options in different game situations,” Ashton said. “Her creativity and movement will enhance our ability to break down defenses, and we’re confident she will be a valuable asset to the club’s success moving forward.”
Ludmila joins a roster that also includes players from Colombia, France, Canada and Bosnia, in addition to young American standouts Kimmi Ascanio and Melanie Barcenas.
The Wave will travel to the Coachella Valley Invitational next month for a few tune-up matches, with their season set to begin shortly thereafter. The NWSL has yet to announce its 2026 schedule.
Ludmila, for one, can’t wait.
“From the moment Cami and the organization showed interest in me, my focus was clear. I wanted to play for this team and this city,” she said. “I didn’t come here just to play. I came to give my best and fight to win trophies. I’m very excited to show my football in front of all the supporters and score many goals in these colors.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/13/chicago-stars-ludmila-san-diego-wave/
Tether’s Role In Venezuela, Iran Highlights The Duality Of Stablecoins
Tether’s Role In Venezuela, Iran Highlights The Duality Of Stablecoins
Authored by Brian Quarmby via CoinTelegraph.com,
Recent turmoil in Venezuela and Iran has again put the spotlight on the duality of stablecoins, with the US dollar-backed assets such as Tether acting as both a savior for embattled citizens and a tool for blacklisted entities to evade sanctions.
Both Venezuela and Iran have been catching headlines at the beginning of 2026 amid political uncertainty and civil unrest. With both facing a host of sanctions, inflation, political instability, and a cost-of-living crisis, crypto and stablecoins have become an important part of the ecosystem.
Iran’s stablecoin entanglement
Iran has seen protests erupt across the country over the past two weeks in response to worsening economic conditions and the Iranian rial tanking to record lows against the US dollar.
The situation has escalated from local demonstrations to widespread protests across Iran, with thousands arrested and hundreds reportedly killed. Amid this backdrop, the Iranian government also moved to cut off domestic internet access on Thursday.
Crypto and stablecoins have become an important tool for citizens in Iran, given that the Iranian rial has been plummeting in value against the US dollar for decades.
Tron-based Tether (USDT) is reportedly the most utilized asset in the country, with citizens using the asset to hedge inflation and systemic risk.
Broader adoption took a hit in 2025, however, with a hack on the country’s biggest exchange and a significant number of Tether blacklistings. Meanwhile, the government also set an annual limit on stablecoins in late September, allowing citizens max holdings of $10,000 and max purchases of per person $5,000.
But stablecoins have also been used by sanctioned entities. A report from blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs on Friday indicates that since 2023, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has allegedly moved over a $1 billion worth of stablecoins via two “UK-based front companies” called Zedcex and Zedxion.
The report claimed that despite the two firms publicly presenting themselves as individual firms, they have been quietly functioning together “as financial infrastructure for the IRGC.”
“In practice, they operate as a single enterprise embedded within a broader Iranian sanctions evasion ecosystem, moving value across borders, currencies, and jurisdictions on behalf of one of the world’s most heavily sanctioned military organizations,” TRM Labs said.
“A key figure in this network is Babak Zanjani, a longtime Iranian sanctions-evasion financier previously sanctioned for laundering billions in oil revenue on behalf of regime entities, including the IRGC,” TRM Labs added.
Venezuela is closely entwined with USDT
Similar to Iranians, Venezuelans have also adopted USDT to protect themselves against economic uncertainty, as the Venezuelan bolivar has plummeted over the past decade.
A severe lack of trust in banks has reportedly seen USDT so widely adopted that everyday people use the asset to pay for all kinds of everyday services, opting to set up crypto wallets instead of using bank accounts.
“It’s how you pay your landscaper and how you pay for your haircut. You can use tether basically for anything,” 71-year-old Venezuelan crypto entrepreneur Mauricio Di Bartolomeo told the Wall Street Journal on Saturday, adding:
“Stablecoin adoption has gone so far into Venezuela that even without having regulated venues where you can buy and sell them, people still choose to go for stablecoins as opposed to using the local banks.”
The WSJ also highlighted that USDT is highly utilized by Venezuela’s state-run oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela. The firm reportedly started demanding payments directly in the stablecoin to avoid sanctions that were first imposed back in 2020.
The company is estimated to accept 80% of all its oil revenue via Tether and frequently uses the asset to settle incoming and outgoing payments.
Tether uses blacklists to fight sanction evaders
The WSJ report adds that Tether has been fighting this by cooperating with the US government to blacklist “dozens of wallets” tied to the domestic oil trade.
According to data compiled in a Dec. 5 report from AMLBot, Tether blacklisted around $3.3 billion worth of funds between 2023 and late 2025, with $1.75 billion of that sum being frozen Tron-based USDT.
Over the weekend, the firm reportedly added to the figure by freezing $182 million worth of Tron-based USDT across five wallets; however, this has not been confirmed to be related to Venezuela or Iran.
Source: @0xG00gly
Cointelegraph has reached out to Tether for comment.
Tyler Durden
Tue, 01/13/2026 – 19:45
https://www.zerohedge.com/crypto/tethers-role-venezuela-iran-highlights-duality-stablecoins
Triplete de Mason Greenwood ayuda en goleada 9-0 del Marsella al Bayeux en la Copa de Francia
BAYEUX, Francia (AP) — Mason Greenwood anotó una tripleta y asistió en otros dos goles para que el Marsella aplastara el martes 9-0 al club amateur Bayeux de la sexta división y alcanzara los octavos de final de la Copa de Francia.
Greenwood fue el máximo goleador del Marsella la temporada pasada con 22 goles en todas las competiciones y ya tiene 19 en 25 partidos esta campaña.
Su compañero de ataque Amine Gouiri aportó dos goles y una asistencia frente a un Bayeux con mucho espíritu pero defensivamente débil. El Marsella llevó su cuenta en la Copa de Francia a 15 tantos en dos partidos, después de superar 6-0 al Bourg-en-Bresse de tercera división en la ronda anterior.
Greenwood, quien jugó anteriormente para el Manchester United, completó su tripleta a los 90 minutos.
El Marsella recibirá al Rennes en un duelo entre conjuntos de la primera división en la próxima ronda a principios de febrero.
El actual campeón, Paris Saint-Germain, perdió el lunes 1-0 en casa ante su rival capitalino Paris FC.
___
Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
South Korea Seeks Death Penalty For Ex-President Yoon’s Botched Martial Law Attempt
South Korea Seeks Death Penalty For Ex-President Yoon’s Botched Martial Law Attempt
South Korea’s special prosecutor has called for the death sentence for former President Yoon Suk-yeol in his rebellion trial, according to Yonhap. Closing arguments have been made in his trial in a Seoul court as he stands accused of being the “ringleader of an insurrection”.
Yoon’s botched attempt in December 2024 to impose martial law in South Korea lasted a mere hours but plunged the country into political turmoil and chaos. He was soon after impeached from office by parliament and was arrested pending trial.
Seeking the death penalty seems ultra-harsh, but it’s actually in keeping with South Korean criminal code, under which leading a rebellion carries three possible penalties: capital punishment, life imprisonment with hard labor, or life imprisonment without compulsory labor.
Prosecutors allege that he ordered military and police forces to seal off the National Assembly in an effort to prevent lawmakers from entering the building where they would overturn the martial law decree.
Importantly, South Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997 – so if Yoon is eventually executed (though would likely be some kind of drawn out appeals process), it would send a chilling and strong message to current and future leaders.
In 1996, ex-President Chun Doo-hwan, who ruled from 1980 to 1988, was sentenced to death for rebellion, high treason, and corruption stemming from his role in the 1979 military coup and the violent suppression of the Gwangju uprising in 1980.
His sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment by appellate courts, including the Supreme Court. He was ultimately pardoned in 1997 by then-President Kim Young-sam as part of a ‘national reconciliation’ initiative.
And in the years running into the 2010s there was this litany:
Chun’s successor, Roh Tae-woo, was also tried in 1996 on charges of rebellion and corruption. He initially received a 22-year prison sentence, which was later reduced to 17 and a half years. Like Chun, Roh was pardoned in 1997.
Former President Lee Myung-bak, who served from 2008 to 2013, was convicted of corruption and abuse of power and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was later pardoned in 2022 by President Yoon Suk-yeol.
President Park Geun-hye, who held office from 2013 to 2017, was impeached, as was Yoon Suk-yeol. In 2018, she received a 24-year prison sentence on corruption charges, before being pardoned in 2021 by President Moon Jae-in.
This is why, after the South Korean political system had somewhat stabilized in the last several years compared to over two decades ago, Yoon’s declaration of martial law was such a shock to Koreans, and to the West.
Amnesty International condemns it…
No one is above the law, but seeking the death penalty for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is a step backward.https://t.co/x9flcVi10x
— Amnesty International USA (@amnestyusa) January 13, 2026
Prosecutors in their arguments have alleged the former president had been motivated by a “lust for power aimed at dictatorship and long-term rule”. They told the court: “The greatest victims of the insurrection in this case are the people of this country,” they told the court.
“There are no mitigating circumstances to be considered in sentencing, and instead a severe punishment must be imposed,” the prosecutors said.
Tyler Durden
Tue, 01/13/2026 – 19:20
Autopsy: Missing CPS teacher drowned in apparent suicide
An autopsy performed Tuesday determined that Linda Brown, the Chicago Public Schools teacher whose body was pulled from Lake Michigan after going missing earlier this month, drowned in a suicide.
“I wish she knew how much of an impact she had,” Brown’s niece, Jen Rivera, told the Tribune in a call Tuesday afternoon, “and how much she was loved.”
Brown, a special education teacher at Robert Healy Elementary School in the Bridgeport neighborhood, was reported missing on Jan. 3. But after days spent searching for her, Brown’s family, in a written statement Monday night, said her body had been found in the 31st Street Harbor.
Body of missing CPS teacher recovered from Lake Michigan: ‘She was an amazing person’
“This is not the outcome we were hoping or praying for,” the statement read, “but we are grateful that she has been found and can now be brought home to our family.”
Since her disappearance, family and friends had been putting out public pleas for her safe return and had launched their own search.
Police, in their initial missing-persons report for Brown, said she was last seen around the 4500 block of South King Drive in the Bronzeville neighborhood. Days later, police updated the alert saying Brown was seen in the 3500 block of South Lake Park Avenue — about half a mile from where her body was recovered Monday.
Police stated that Brown may have required immediate medical attention.
Brown had grappled with her mental health throughout her life, Rivera said. But her struggles, Rivera continued, had been mounting leading up to her disappearance, giving way to near-daily panic attacks. Still, Brown had sought help and was receiving treatment, Rivera said.
Rivera recalled the last time she saw her aunt. It was Christmas Day and the two had a “heart to heart” about how Brown was doing, Rivera said, remembering that Brown shared she was “really struggling.” Rivera said she and her family were trying to be there for her.
Rivera said her aunt was “a light that burned out too soon.”
“She was an amazing person,” she said. “She had such an incredible personality … and the most fun laugh you probably would ever hear.”
Police recovered the body of a woman from the water in the 3100 block of South Lake Shore Drive on the city’s South Side just before noon Monday. She was pronounced dead on the scene and identified by the Cook County medical examiner’s office as 53-year-old Brown. The medical examiner’s office, after performing an autopsy, ruled her death a suicide.
In the wake of Brown’s death, Rivera said she and her family will be spreading awareness about the importance of mental health.
“Letting loved ones know if they are struggling, they have someone safe to talk to,” she said. “They don’t have to feel embarrassed or ashamed. … Even if they are receiving help and it’s not enough.”
Dan Egler, former Tribune Springfield bureau chief, aide to Gov. Jim Edgar, dies at 78
When Dan Egler left his post as statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Tribune to become a press aide and speechwriter for incoming Gov. Jim Edgar in 1991, his expertise in public communication quickly became evident.
As the new governor sought to set the tone for his administration and planned to use his first budget address to urge lawmakers to reduce borrowing that had funded spending excesses, it was Egler who suggested to the governor that he say it was time for state government to “tear up our credit cards.”
Danny “Dan” Lee Egler, a former Springfield bureau chief for the Chicago Tribune who later became a political consultant, died Jan. 5, 2026. (Liz Egler)
Danny Lee (Daniel) Egler’s gentle nature, shaped by growing up on an Indiana farm, belied the tenacity with which he sought the truth as a journalist covering government and the no-spin style he later conveyed to reporters as a political spokesman and adviser. Egler died Jan. 5 after a brief illness. He was 78.
The Illinois Capitol was a different media environment during Egler’s 14 years as a Tribune reporter in Springfield, where he became bureau chief. As opposed to now, the statehouse press room then was filled with journalists from various media outlets across the state who created a competitive, yet collegial, atmosphere as they competed for news scoops about the governor, his administration and the state legislature.
Charles Wheeler III, a retired political professor and former head of the Public Affairs Reporting Program at the University of Illinois Springfield, was one of Egler’s chief competitors as a reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times.
“We were good friends who collaborated on many Illinois Legislative Correspondents Association projects, striving to advance the cause of the statehouse press corps and, by extension, the public’s right to know what their elected officials were doing in their names,” Wheeler said.
“Perhaps our most significant joint venture was the ILCA’s Gridiron Dinner, an annual roast of the state government’s top figures each spring, which included ‘Saturday Night Live’-like songs and skits written and performed by press corps members,” Wheeler said of the now long-gone event to fund student journalism scholarships. “As ILCA president, my role was to host the event and participate in the skits, while Dan handled all the business end of it — securing the venue, arranging the dinner, selling the tickets — all the executive work needed to make the event a success.”
Wheeler recalled a significant instance in which he was able to scoop Egler when then-House Speaker Michael Madigan launched what became known as “Operation Cobra,” a plan to unveil and quickly pass an 18% temporary state income tax hike in May 1989.
“The Sun-Times’ Page 1 line story reported, “Madigan seeks state tax boost,” over my byline. The Peoria Journal Star’s legendary Bill O’Connell, the dean of the statehouse press corps, had the same Page 1 ‘scoop,’ while the rest of the Springfield press corps, Dan included, was left gaping,” Wheeler recalled. “But as all the insiders figured out the background, my ‘scoop’ was not a result of my investigative acumen. Rather, it reflected Madigan’s antipathy for the Trib and its bureau.”
But Egler had his share of scoops as well, his byline signaling authoritative reporting. Still, he privately said that one of his proudest moments was being able to get a few off-color words from then-Gov. James R. Thompson printed in the Tribune after Thompson announced in July 1989 that he was retiring after a record 14 years in office.
In discussing his political career, Thompson confided to Egler that he had made a poor first impression on a central Illinois newspaper editor during his first campaign. ”He told me that I was as green as goose––––, and I was,” Thompson said, and Egler wrote.
After going to work for Edgar, the popular, two-term chief executive from 1991 to 1999 who died in September, Egler didn’t shy away from engaging in give-and-take with reporters. When the Tribune printed exclusive details in advance of one of Edgar’s budget messages, Egler called to express how perturbed he and the administration were. He even asked if the reporter who broke the news had been “sorting through the garbage cans” to get the story.
Weeks later, he learned and laughed when he found out the budget details had actually been left on the whiteboard in the bureau of the budget, its office lights still on at night, and plainly visible to anyone outside of its north side Capitol windows. The following year, Egler left a short expletive note on the whiteboard for the reporter, seeking a potential repeat.
“Dan brought his writing talent, his credibility, his integrity, his unwavering professionalism and his extensive knowledge of state government to the press office,” said Mike Lawrence, a statehouse press room colleague of Egler’s who went on to become Edgar’s press secretary and a senior adviser.
“In addition, his keen sense of humor punctured the stress during the most hectic times. He was the consummate team player and a really good guy,” said Lawrence, who later went on to become head of the Paul Simon Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
After six years on the governor’s staff, Egler moved to the state’s public construction oversight agency, the Capital Development Board, where he was instrumental in the planning of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
In 2003, he took early retirement from state government at age 55 and formed his own consulting firm, working for numerous campaigns, notably those of former state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, who made three runs for the GOP nomination for governor, winning in 2010 by 193 votes but losing the general election to Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn by about 33,000 votes.
“Dan had a unique gift for identifying the vulnerabilities in our opponents’ positions, allowing us to capture the vote in key areas while the field remained divided,” Brady said of the 2010 GOP victory. “It was during these long hours in the trenches that Dan transitioned from a colleague to one of my closest and dearest friends.”
Brady said Egler remained a “cornerstone” of his political career and was “instrumental” in helping him become the GOP leader of the state Senate, “providing steady leadership for our caucus during the challenging transition between” outgoing one-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and incoming Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker.
“I will always cherish Dan’s wisdom and his counsel, but more than that, I will miss his presence. It is a profound tragedy that he was taken from us so early,” said Brady, who retired from the legislature in 2020. “Dan was a man of immense talent and even greater heart. He is missed by many, but his impact on the state of Illinois and on my life will never be forgotten.”
Egler was born in Noblesville, Indiana, on Dec. 23, 1947, and grew up on his family’s farm. He was a proud graduate of Indiana University at Bloomington, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and was a founding member of the Gamma Chi Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity.
After graduation, he joined the Chicago Tribune as a reporter in the summer of 1969 but was drafted into the U.S. Army later that year, taking leave from the newspaper and spending most of his military service at Fort Hood, Texas. After his honorable discharge in August 1971, he returned to the Tribune, and in the fall of 1977, he moved his family to Springfield to cover politics.
An avid Indiana University sports fan, Egler traveled as a student to what had been the Hoosiers’ last Rose Bowl appearance in 1968 and watched the team on TV win this year’s Rose Bowl with his fellow alum, daughter Melissa. He also was a staunch and often disappointed fan of the Chicago Cubs.
In addition to his daughter, Egler is survived by another daughter, Liz, and her wife, Sandy Nickel, and their two sons.
A celebration of life ceremony will be held Feb. 21 from noon until 3 p.m. at Bella Milano, 4525 Wabash Ave., Springfield, Ill., 62711. Memorial contributions may be directed to Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, 1523 S. Willemore Ave., Springfield, Ill., 62704.
Daily Horoscope for January 14, 2026
General Daily Insight for January 14, 2026
Big ideas may conflict with reality this morning. Before dawn, the emotional Moon cooperates with transformative Pluto, making it easier to release tension and speak honestly with trusted people. Then chatty Mercury opposes expansive Jupiter at 3:17 AM EST, stretching our plans while asking us to find a middle ground. We can balance facts with optimism by checking assumptions and naming limits. Open conversations can clarify priorities and lay out doable steps. Stay appreciative so steady progress becomes even more satisfying.
Aries
March 21 – April 19
Take the lead on a tricky promise. Your 10th House of Achievements is still under cosmic scrutiny, as Mercury reaches from there to oppose Jupiter in your home sector. Your house may demand more effort than usual, especially if you’re hosting any major gatherings soon. At work, a supervisor might ask for results, but you can negotiate a realistic timeline before agreeing. Your moves work better when you slow your tone and explain how success looks. Set clear limits and get the respect you deserve!
Taurus
April 20 – May 20
Measured movements are key to personal management. The Moon is supporting your psychological 8th house, while its sextile with Pluto in your vocation zone could incite some confusion around your career motivations. You may also review a bill with a trusted peer, keeping voices calm while you check details together. Your grounded pace invites honesty, because everyone feels heard and respected. Agree on small adjustments, then choose a follow-up date to review progress. Choose practical transparency, because it builds lasting trust and ease.
Gemini
May 21 – June 20
Curiosity helps you decode a private puzzle. Clever Mercury focuses your 8th House of Inheritances, even as lucky Jupiter spotlights your 2nd House of Income. You may untangle a reimbursement or cancel a stubborn subscription, then ask a clear question about who pays what. Your playful mind works best when you write down numbers and summarize agreements in a friendly manner. Seeking wisdom in the present prevents future confusion — and you’ll save time later. Share facts ASAP so everyone can trust the outcome.
Cancer
June 21 – July 22
Active care speaks louder than “perfect” words today. Partnerships become clearer as messenger Mercury informs your relationships, while expansive Jupiter highlights your identity needs and self-respect. No matter what kind of social connection is at stake, a calm check-in can reset expectations. Talk about availability, then ask for a plan that fits everyone’s schedules. Your protective instincts guide you to choose gentle language that names the truth, so others hear the request without feeling pushed. Voice your needs thoughtfully to strengthen all bonds.
Leo
July 23 – August 22
Small habits currently affect your whole ship! If maintaining the sails is crucial for nautical movement, then maintaining your physical health is crucial for life movement. With Mercury and Jupiter hyping up each other across your effort zone and your recharge sector, you’re more likely to work hard and rest hard than you are to play hard. That’s okay — there’ll be time for carefree fun in the future, and that future is built by your efforts here and now. Rest fuels lifelong creativity.
Virgo
August 23 – September 22
Let details serve joy rather than stress. Intellectual Mercury highlights your 5th House of Frivolities, while joyous Jupiter accents your 11th House of Hopes. Their opposition serves to rein in your sign’s characteristic perfectionism by making your goal about enjoying yourself, rather than creating something seemingly flawless. That doesn’t mean you can’t create quality work, but it does mean that you’ll have more success when you have fun with it. Let curiosity set the timing, leaving room for detours that keep spirits light.
Libra
September 23 – October 22
Harmony grows when you make clear choices together. Your 4th House of Family gets busy as information-gathering Mercury stirs plans, while auspicious Jupiter highlights your 10th House of Accomplishments. As they collide, you might coordinate a repair visit or pick-up around a deadline. Regardless, a diplomatic tone helps everyone feel included. Share the plan in writing so no one misreads it. If tensions rise, pause for a breath and restate the shared goal. Communicate early and kindly to keep the peace steady this week.
Scorpio
October 23 – November 21
Your focus is turning towards what truly matters. Smart spending feels soothing as the emotional Moon eases your 2nd House of Cash, collaborating with powerful Pluto in your 4th House of Nostalgia. You might weigh a purchase for your space or decide how to handle a repayment with grace. Perceptive instincts spot hidden costs, allowing you to seek quality without drama. Steady choices feel safest when you honor privacy and long-term security. Spend thoughtfully, because financial peace remains worth protecting.
Sagittarius
November 22 – December 21
There’s a spark to the atmosphere today! Your natural confidence is boosted by the intuitive Moon in your sign, especially once it sextiles intense Pluto in your 3rd House of Communication. Share a bold idea with a teammate or neighbor, because your upbeat tone invites collaboration. Take the first step publicly, like posting a sign-up link or setting a start date, letting visibility motivate you. Confidence grows as you move through small, doable steps. State your goals to start progressing towards them!
Capricorn
December 22 – January 19
Keep your message crisp and grounded now. Clear boundaries build respect as cerebral Mercury sharpens your sign, especially as Jupiter, with all its wisdom, highlights expectations within partnerships. You may outline a clear deliverable, then explain how decisions get made. Wherever you’re at, your steady tone earns respect. Name what you can do and what requires collaboration so progress is realistic for everyone. Your patience signals quiet authority and invites fair terms. Speak plainly and lead gently to strengthen trust and boost momentum.
Aquarius
January 20 – February 18
Community vibes feel warm and personal. Your 11th House of Communities lights up as the comforting Moon boosts group efforts, harmonizing with Pluto in your sign. You may join a volunteer project and pitch a group brainstorm, then revive a quiet chat with a friend who inspires you. Your innovative mind shines when you shape a simple framework that welcomes different voices and growth. Small, thoughtful coordination goes furthest when everyone feels included. Offer inclusive invitations, since shared purpose strengthens communal confidence.
Pisces
February 19 – March 20
Friends spark ideas that brighten your mood. Mercury and Jupiter are bridging your group-focused 11th house with your joyous 5th house, potentially motivating all sorts of fun. A pal may pitch a big plan, and you refine it kindly to fit the ideal budget and timing for everyone. Your compassionate touch keeps excitement alive without overextending anyone involved. Share a playful vision, then assign simple roles and checkpoints that keep progress humming. Shape plans gently so joy stays sustainable and real.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/13/daily-horoscope-for-january-14-2026/
Michigan County Clerk Discovers 239 Non-Citizens Selected For Jury Duty Over 4-Month Period, With 14 Registered To Vote
Michigan County Clerk Discovers 239 Non-Citizens Selected For Jury Duty Over 4-Month Period, With 14 Registered To Vote
Authored by Debra Heine via American Greatness,
Macomb County Clerk Anthony G. Forlini announced Monday that noncitizens have been appearing in the Michigan county’s jury pool “at an alarming rate” and many of them are registered to vote. The data indicates that many noncitizens have potentially sat on juries and/or illegally voted in elections.
During a press conference in the courthouse jury room in Mount Clemens, MI, Forlini stated that an internal review of the county identified 239 noncitizens selected for jury duty over a four-month period from September 5, 2025, to January 8, 2026.
The jury pool is drawn from the Michigan Secretary of State’s driver’s license database, which does not consistently flag citizenship status, allowing noncitizens—such as lawful permanent residents with green cards—to be included.
Forlini, who is running for Secretary of State, emphasized that noncitizens are ineligible for jury duty under Michigan law.
Upon cross-checking the 239 noncitizens against the state’s Qualified Voter File (QVF), Forlini’s office found that 14 had been registered to vote at some point, with three individuals appearing to have cast ballots, including one who voted multiple times.
This was just one county in Michigan over a four month period.
“We need to bring these issues to light, we need to be able to show a light on this and say, ‘Hey, there’s a problem,’” Forlini said. “Secretary of State offices need to verify all applications against federal databases. I think this is critically important.”
He said the three noncitizens who voted have been referred to county Corporation Counsel for consideration of felony charges.
The clerk expressed concern that the current system relies on self-reporting, meaning noncitizens could serve on juries without being identified, potentially compromising the integrity of the judicial process.
He also highlighted that Michigan’s automatic voter registration process, which registers individuals when they apply for a driver’s license unless they opt out, may contribute to the issue, particularly if applicants do not understand the citizenship checkbox on the form.
“Non-citizens are coming through at an alarming rate. Our jury service summons are based on random draws from the driver’s license bank. Frequently non-citizens slip through because citizenship was not flagged in the Secretary of State database,” Forlini stated.
He called for improved data sharing between state and federal databases to enable more reliable citizenship verification.
“We must find a way for the Driver’s License database to confirm citizenship. Many times there may be a language barrier, and applicants do not understand what they are signing. If this is not addressed, we risk compromising our jury trials and our elections,” Forlini said.
“One possibility is to take advantage of new breakthroughs in linking several databases, where one database is able flag another database for actual citizenship verification.,” he added.
The issue has drawn bipartisan attention, with former Secretary of State Candice Miller and state Representative Joe Aragona supporting calls for legislative review.
A member of the Macomb County Clerk’s office, however, stated during the press conference that Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s (D) office said “we’re not gonna touch this” when presented with evidence of non-citizens on jury pool and voter rolls.
Benson, who is running for governor of Michigan, has refused to turn over unredacted voter data to the Department of Justice (DOJ), arguing that “nobody—not the president, the DOJ or any other federal agency has the right to your sensitive, private voter information.”
Critics have pointed out that Benson has had no problem with sharing complete voter roll data with non-governmental organizations like the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) and Rock the Vote, suggesting inconsistencies in her privacy claims.
The Justice Department has sued 23 states and Washington, D.C., for failing to comply with its requests for voter roll data.
Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, asserts that access to full voter registration data is essential for ensuring election integrity, preventing vote dilution, and verifying that only eligible citizens are on voter rolls.
“Why won’t they cooperate and let us help them clean up the rolls?! What else are they hiding?!” Dhillon posted on X, Monday evening.
Tyler Durden
Tue, 01/13/2026 – 18:55
Google’s Vietnam Bet Highlights New Era In Electronics Manufacturing
Google’s Vietnam Bet Highlights New Era In Electronics Manufacturing
Google is preparing to start building its most advanced Pixel phones in Vietnam this year, according to Nikkei Asia, a move that reflects the broader effort by U.S. tech firms to reduce their reliance on China. Apple is pursuing a similar strategy in India as both companies work toward more geographically balanced supply chains.
Sources say Google will handle the earliest and most sensitive stages of production for its Pixel, Pixel Pro and Pixel Fold models in Vietnam, while the more affordable Pixel A line will continue to be developed in China. These early production stages, known as new product introductions, involve extensive engineering work, long testing cycles and major investments in manufacturing tools. For suppliers, being selected to participate is seen as a major endorsement of their technical capabilities.
Nikkei says that although Google and Apple have spent years trying to expand manufacturing outside China, they have continued to rely on Chinese facilities for these initial development phases because few other countries have the same depth of experience and infrastructure.
Recent geopolitical and trade tensions, especially surrounding U.S. tariff policy, have added urgency to these efforts. Apple has already increased production capacity in India and Vietnam.
“The goal is to achieve functionality, compatibility and reliability suitable for mass production. If NPI fails, then it means there will be no new product for the year. But thankfully, such a thing has never happened so far,” a source with an Apple supplier said.
Because of the stakes, Apple is now considering running the same development process in both India and China at the same time, despite the enormous cost.
“Take Apple for instance, NPI at a site will require the company to station some 200 to 300 engineers at the supplier’s plant. The amount of investment is incredible,” said another person familiar with Apple’s supply chain.
If these initiatives succeed, both companies would be much closer to building complete smartphone supply networks outside China. Google already produces large volumes of premium phones in Vietnam and carries out some technical checks there, suggesting the transition is achievable.
Still, obstacles remain. Chinese authorities have tightened controls on the export of production equipment and on the movement of specialized workers, complicating expansion efforts in countries like India and Vietnam.
“There are so many types of production equipment, testing equipment [that] are made in China and yet it is difficult to export them to another country as Beijing does not want its manufacturing sector being hollowed out … We will just have to be patient,” one supplier source said.
Lori Chang of Isaiah Research explained that most supply-chain diversification begins with basic assembly work and only later moves into deeper development functions.
“The critical significance of NPI lies in establishing product definitions, testing standards, and stable mass-production capabilities, serving as a key indicator of a supply chain’s ability to operate independently,” she said, adding that long-term cost concerns, geopolitics and tariffs are all pushing companies to rethink where they build their products.
Both Google and Apple declined to comment.
Tyler Durden
Tue, 01/13/2026 – 18:30
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/googles-vietnam-bet-highlights-new-era-electronics-manufacturing
Two teens charged with raping girl at Naperville Walgreens store, recording attack
Two teens are charged with sexually assaulting a female acquaintance in the restroom of a Walgreens store in Naperville, with one of them allegedly videotaping the incident, officials said.
James Patterson, 17, and a 15-year-old juvenile, both of Lisle, are accused of going into the restroom at the 713 E. Ogden Ave. store about 3:05 p.m. Sunday after the victim had previously entered, according to a news release from the Naperville Police Department and the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office.
Patterson allegedly pinned the victim to the wall of a stall and pulled down her pants but she told him to stop and was able to pull her pants back up, the release said.
Police say Patterson then pinned her against a wall, pulled down her pants again and struck her, causing her to fall to the floor, according to the release. He then repeatedly punched her before sexually assaulting her, the release said.
The 15-year-old is accused of video-recording the rape before sexually assaulting the victim himself, the release said.
Following the attack, the victim alerted store employees and the defendants fled on foot. They were taken into custody by police a short time later, with Patterson allegedly being found in possession of the victim’s cell phone, the release said.
Patterson, charged as an adult because of the nature of the case, faces four counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, a class X felony, and one count of robbery, a class 2 felony. He will be held in the DuPage County jail pending the outcome of his trial. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 2.
The younger teen was charged with three counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, four counts of child sexual abuse material and one count of criminal sexual assault, all felonies. He is being held in the county’s juvenile detention center until his next court hearing on Jan. 27.
“Our hearts remain with the survivor of this horrific crime,” Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres said in the release. “Sexual assault is a violent and dehumanizing act, and this department has zero tolerance for such behavior. I am disgusted by what occurred, and we will continue to support the victim with compassion and respect as the case moves forward.”
State’s Attorney Robert Berlin concurred, saying in the release, “The physical and emotional pain allegedly inflicted on this young woman is unimaginable and it is my sincerest hope that she and her family receive the care they need to help them through this difficult time. I commend the survivor in this matter for her courage and strength in bringing this matter to our attention.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/13/naperville-walgreens-sex-assault-rape-teens/
