Category: News
Obispos y gobierno en España acuerdan plan para compensar a víctimas de abuso sexual
Por JOSEPH WILSON
BARCELONA (AP) — El gobierno de España y los obispos católicos del país acordaron el jueves un plan conjunto para compensar a las víctimas de abuso sexual por parte de miembros del clero que han fallecido o cuyos posibles delitos han prescrito.
El acuerdo tiene como objetivo resolver las discrepancias entre el gobierno de izquierda y las autoridades eclesiásticas sobre la cuestión de las reparaciones para las víctimas de abuso en el país, que alguna vez fue firmemente católico y que se ha secularizado en las últimas décadas.
La Conferencia Episcopal Española, dirigida por los obispos, dijo en un comunicado que el nuevo acuerdo permitirá a las víctimas que no deseen buscar ayuda directamente de la iglesia acudir al gobierno y al ombudsman estatal, quien ha desempeñado un papel destacado en sacar a la luz los abusos.
El ministro de Justicia, Félix Bolaños, dijo en una conferencia de prensa en Madrid que “cientos” de víctimas cuyos agresores habían fallecido o eran ahora muy mayores podrían finalmente recibir reconocimiento del abuso y recibir reparaciones económicas pagadas por la iglesia.
“Hoy el gobierno ha saldado una duda con las víctimas. Puede que el Estado ha llegado tarde, pero llegamos. Ayer no tenían nada porque todos estos hechos estaban proscritos”, señaló Bolaños.
El difícil camino para llegar a un acuerdo
Solo en la última década España ha comenzado a enfrentar la cuestión del abuso sexual por parte del sacerdocio y otros miembros de la iglesia, principalmente gracias a los primeros reportajes del diario El País.
En 2023, el defensor del pueblo entregó un contundente informe de 800 páginas que investigó 487 casos conocidos de abuso sexual e incluyó una encuesta que calculó que el número de posibles víctimas podría alcanzar los cientos de miles.
Los obispos de España refutaron enérgicamente esa estimación del ombudsman, diciendo que su propia investigación había descubierto 728 abusadores sexuales dentro de la iglesia desde 1945. Afirmaron que la mayoría de los delitos ocurrieron antes de 1990 y que el 60% de los agresores ya había fallecido.
En 2024, el gobierno anunció su intención de obligar a la iglesia a compensar a las víctimas. Eso fue seguido unos meses después por el anuncio de los obispos de que estaban creando un comité especial para escuchar a las víctimas, evaluar sus reclamos y asegurar su reparación “económica, espiritual y psicológica”.
Pero los grupos de víctimas criticaron el plan de los obispos ya que dependía de que ellos se acercaran a la iglesia y no tenía supervisión externa.
El defensor del pueblo tiene la última palabra
El jueves, el arzobispo Luis Argüello, presidente de la Conferencia Episcopal Española, reconoció que algunas víctimas no se sentían cómodas acercándose a las oficinas de la iglesia.
Ahora, las víctimas pueden acudir al gobierno.
Bajo el nuevo acuerdo, las víctimas pueden dirigirse al Ministerio de Justicia con su petición inicial. El ministerio la pasará al defensor del pueblo, quien la estudiará y propondrá un paquete de compensación que el comité de la iglesia evaluará. Si no se puede llegar a un acuerdo con la iglesia y la víctima, el caso pasará a un comité conjunto con representantes de la iglesia, la oficina del defensor del pueblo y asociaciones de víctimas. Si ese comité no puede llegar a un acuerdo, la decisión del defensor del pueblo prevalecerá, dijo Bolaños.
El plazo para presentar reclamaciones estará abierto durante un año. Después de eso, el acuerdo puede extenderse por un año adicional si es necesario, según Bolaños.
Además de los grupos de víctimas y los obispos españoles, Bolaños agradeció el trabajo del difunto papa Francisco y el papa León XIV en descubrir abusos en la iglesia.
Argüello dijo que la iglesia ya había pagado 2 millones de euros (2,3 millones de dólares) en compensación tras atender peticiones de más de un centenar de víctimas desde que su comité especial se abrió en 2024.
Los pagos a las víctimas estarán libres de impuestos en el nuevo acuerdo.
Los programas de compensación varían en todo el mundo
Solo un puñado de países han tenido investigaciones iniciadas por el gobierno o parlamentarias sobre el abuso sexual del clero, aunque algunos grupos independientes han llevado a cabo sus propias investigaciones.
El tema de compensar a las víctimas de abuso ha sido durante mucho tiempo un problema para la iglesia, y hay grandes disparidades en los programas y pagos en todo el mundo. En Estados Unidos, donde el escándalo de abuso estalló en 2002, los litigios, acuerdos y programas de compensación por abuso han costado a la iglesia miles de millones de dólares y han llevado a varias diócesis a buscar protección por bancarrota.
En otros lugares, los programas de compensación dirigidos por la iglesia han otorgado cantidades menores a las víctimas y han combinado reparaciones financieras con servicios que ofrecen terapia y asistencia espiritual. La iglesia francesa, por ejemplo, pagó un promedio de unos 35.000 euros (41.000 dólares) a cada una de las 358 víctimas cuyas reclamaciones se recibieron en 2023. Se aprobaron compensaciones en 2024 para otras 489 personas, 88 de las cuales recibieron la reclamación máxima de 60.000 euros (70.000 dólares), informó la iglesia.
La junta asesora de protección infantil del Vaticano dijo en su informe del año pasado que la Iglesia tenía la obligación moral de ayudar a las víctimas a sanar, y que las reparaciones financieras para los abusados y sanciones más severas para los abusadores y sus facilitadores eran remedios esenciales.
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Nicole Winfield contribuyó a este informe desde Roma.
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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.
Cole Gilvydis follows in older brother’s footsteps to be impact player for Andrean. ‘It’s all come together.’
Nobody puts Andrean sophomore Cole Gilvydis in the corner.
Well, except for maybe the 6-foot-3 guard himself, at least last season.
“I’ve been more confident this year, believing in myself,” Gilvydis said. “I’m kind of transitioning to a different role on the team. Last year, I was just a 3-point shooter. I wasn’t really confident. I would just sit in the corner.
“But this year, I can do it all. I really believe in what I can do. It’s all come together for me.”
Indeed, Gilvydis was averaging a team-high 19.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the 59ers (5-5) before their loss at Chesterton on Wednesday. He had 29 points and eight rebounds against Bishop Noll on Saturday.
First-year Andrean coach Jack Cundiff, a 2011 Munster graduate who spent 12 seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, believes Gilvydis’ ceiling is even higher.
“He’s had a great year,” Cundiff said. “He worked really hard this offseason. He’s put in a ton of work on his game, on his body, on his mental approach. We really love what he’s growing into. We like that he keeps continuing to improve. We’re really excited about that.
“We’re glad he’s only a sophomore. I love coaching him. It’s going to be cool coaching him for all of the rest of this year and two more. We don’t have to think about not coaching him anymore for a long time.”
Gilvydis made an impact as a freshman last season, posting 11.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists. That team was led by his older brother Paul, a post-graduate at Don Bosco whom Gilvydis described as a “role model.” Their father Paul played at Purdue from 1993 to 1997.
“It was amazing,” Gilvydis said. “It was a great experience to play with my brother and some really good seniors. We had a great group of guys. It definitely built me into where I am right now. I definitely got a ton of experience, so now I feel like I’m one of the leading guys because I’ve had that experience and I know what I’m doing. It’s definitely a good feeling to have.
“One of my biggest things in the offseason was just being a leader on this team, taking that bigger role from my brother and last year’s seniors. I feel like I definitely came into that role so far this year. I just try to bring everyone together, make sure everyone’s friends off the court. I try to make sure the spirits are up at practice all the time. That’s a really important thing, that everyone comes together and there’s positivity.”
Andrean senior forward Tiaan Coetzee indicated Gilvydis has been successful.
“He’s a funny guy, really nice,” Coetzee said. “He just brings everyone together. We’re all friends on the team, and he’s usually the one cracking jokes.”
Of course, Gilvydis also makes plays.
“He brings energy and rebounding, with him being a bigger guard,” Coetzee said. “His ability to drive brings in defenders, and obviously he’s great at finishing at the rim. When he drives, the defense has to come in on him, and he passes it out. He makes the right play, and that helps us a lot.”
Gilvydis has added more than 15 pounds, which has boosted his game.
“I was in the weight room a lot more,” he said. “It’s definitely been a big improvement, with rebounding, on defense, just being a bigger presence on the court. It also just helps getting to the rim — really just every single aspect.”
Since taking over the program, Cundiff has seen Gilvydis’ work ethic in action.
“He’s focused,” Cundiff said. “He’s a driven individual. But he also knows how to have fun. He enjoys being around his teammates. He has that mix of focus but he also knows how to be a good teammate and be a regular kid too.”
Gilvydis, who aspires to play in college, remains focused on the process as the 59ers look to challenge for Northwest Crossroads Conference and sectional titles.
“I just take it one step at a time and try to keep growing from day to day,” he said. “That’s all that matters. Just keep putting in the hard work. That’s the main goal, to attack each day and get better.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/basketball-andrean-cole-gilvydis/
Initial Jobless Claims Continue To Show No Signs Of Labor Market Stress
Initial Jobless Claims Continue To Show No Signs Of Labor Market Stress
Following a decline in job cuts in December (according to Challenger Grey)…
…the number of people applying for jobless benefits for the first time ticked up very modestly from a lower revised number… but remains at very muted levels…
Source: Bloomberg
New York saw the largest jump in claims while New Jersey saw the largest decline…
Continuing jobless claims continued to rebound from the Thanksgiving/Shutdown decline, crossing back above the 1.9 million Maginot Line…
Source: Bloomberg
Nothing here to shift The Fed one way or the other…
Tyler Durden
Thu, 01/08/2026 – 08:36
Futures Drop After Latest Trump Headline Vortex, Silver Slides Ahead Of Index Rebalance
Futures Drop After Latest Trump Headline Vortex, Silver Slides Ahead Of Index Rebalance
US futures are lower as New Year optimism gives way to jitters about the economy and geopolitics with attention turning to tomorrow’s NFP report. Traders are also trying to make sense of Trump’s latest edicts on defense and corporate landlords, with a vortex of headlines making things feel more unpredictable than usual. As of 8:00am ET, S&P 500 futures drop 0.2% with Nasdaq 100 contracts -0.3% with tech names leading declines amid profit-taking on artificial-intelligence trade but off the day’s lows after a report that China is to approve some Nvidia H200 purchases as soon as this quarter. In premarket trading, Mag7 names mixed but net higher as Semis are weaker. Defense stocks are up after Trump demanded a $500 billion boost to annual defense spending. That followed an edict that major defense contractors that work with the government must end stock buybacks and dividends until they invest more in factories and research. Corporate landlords are also in the spotlight after Trump pledged on Wednesday to stop institutional investors buying more homes, with Blackstone closing 5.6% lower. Energy, Industrials, and Staples the leading sectors as the yield curve twists steeper and the USD has a slight bid. Key overnight headlines were that China is looking for new oil sources, and China will approve some NVDA H200 chips. In commodities, crude is higher while Ags and Precious Metals are sold. Silver investors brace for an annual rebalancing of commodity indexes that could see futures contracts worth billions of dollars sold in the next few days. Today’s macro data focus is on jobless claims and the Challenger Job Cuts report, the latter showing a decline in job cuts as December hiring picks up. US economic calendar includes 3Q preliminary nonfarm productivity, weekly jobless claims and October trade balance (8:30am), wholesale inventories (10am), December NY Fed 1-year inflation expectations (11am) and November consumer credit (3pm). Scheduled Fed speakers include Miran (8am and 10am)
In premarket trading, Mag 7 stocks are mixed: Alphabet (GOOGL) gains 0.7% as Cantor Fitzgerald upgrades to overweight (Amazon +0.3%, Nvidia +0.4%, Tesla -0.9%, Meta -0.4%, Microsoft -0.6%, Apple -1.2%).
Defense stocks advance, with Northrop Grumman (NOC) up 8% and Lockheed Martin (LMT) rising 7%, after President Trump said he wants to increase the country’s military budget by about 50% to $1.5 trillion in 2027.
Alcoa (AA) falls 3% after JPMorgan downgrades the stock to underweight, saying the rating cut reflects relative valuation following a period of outperformance. The bank also said it prefers copper over aluminum.
Globus Medical (GMED) gains 7% after the medical device maker issued a profit forecast for 2026 that beat expectations.
Helen of Troy (HELE) drops 5% after the consumer products company cut its adjusted earnings per share guidance for the full year.
Revolution Medicines (RVMD) falls 6% after AbbVie says it is not in talks to buy the cancer-drug developer.
Soho House (SHCO) declines 11% after the members’ club operator said it faces a funding gap tied to the company’s pending sale.
In other corporate news, a regulatory filing revealed that the DOJ is conducting an in-depth review of Paramount Skydance’s hostile tender offer for Warner Bros., while Netflix also said it is engaging with antitrust authorities. JPMorgan is set to replace Goldman Sachs as the partner for Apple’s credit-card business. Revolution Medicines fell in extended trading after AbbVie said it’s not in discussions to acquire the cancer-focused biotech firm. Constellation Brands reported comparable EPS and net sales for the third quarter that beat estimates and reaffirmed its full-year forecast. No major earnings are expected before the market opens.
Sentiment was muted for the second day in a row as the January rally fizzled after soft ADP data left little incentive to add risk before Friday’s payrolls number, while shockwaves from the US raid on Venezuela continue to play out. Gold and silver fell for a second day, with investors bracing for an annual rebalancing of commodity indexes that could see futures contracts worth billions of dollars sold in the next few days (See Silver About To Crash: Why Two Banks Think A Meltdown Looms Next Week).
Defense stocks are up premarket after Trump demanded a $500 billion boost to annual defense spending. That followed an edict that major defense contractors that work with the government must end stock buybacks and dividends until they invest more in factories and research. Corporate landlords are also in the spotlight after Trump pledged on Wednesday to stop institutional investors buying more homes, with Blackstone closing 5.6% lower.
“We see a bit of a profit-taking after a couple of days and I think geopolitical risk remains quite high,” said Nataliia Lipikhina, head of EMEA equity strategy at JPMorgan Private Bank. “The market is now really positioning for the upcoming earnings season.”
Elsewhere in AI, China plans to approve some imports of Nvidia’s H200 chips as soon as this quarter for select commercial use, according to people familiar. And 2025’s hottest corner of the stock market — memory and storage companies — remains scorching in the new year, but some Wall Street pros are now wondering if a reversal is coming.
The rally in global bonds also stalled, with the yield on 10-year Treasuries rising two basis points after announced layoffs at US companies dropped to a 17-month low in December. Weekly jobless-claims data will offer further clues on the state of the labor market after earlier figures this week offered mixed signals.
One of Trump’s earlier campaigns, tariffs, are also back in the news, with the US Supreme Court poised to decide the fate of most of the duties as soon as Friday. More than 1,000 corporate entities are now involved, court records show. Even if the Supreme Court declares the tariffs unlawful, the justices are likely to leave the question of refunds to lower courts.
Meanwhile, corporations and governments in the US, Europe and Asia have borrowed roughly $260 billion across currencies by the close of business on Wednesday, the highest tally on record for the comparable period, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. A further barrage of bond offerings is poised to push that number higher. At least 23 issuers are expected to price bonds in Europe’s primary market, raising at least €23.8 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. In Asia, China announced plans to issue about $75 billion of bonds early this month.
European stocks are also tilting lower: the Stoxx 600 is down 0.3%, weighed down by IT, energy and materials names.Banks outperform, while British food retailers lag on disappointing Christmas trading. Here are some of the biggest movers on Thursday:
Soitec shares jump as much as 11% on Thursday after the semiconductor wafer firm named Infineon executive Laurent Rémont as its CEO starting in April.
BAE Systems shares rise as much as 7%, leading a broad rally in defense shares after President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he will request an increase in the US military budget.
OVH Groupe shares surge as much as 8.2%, the most since April, after the IT services firm reported higher first-quarter revenue compared to last year.
Implenia shares jump as much as 6.4% and hit a record high after its joint venture with Marti won new rail infrastructure contracts.
M&S shares gain as much as 3.7%, the most since November, after the UK retailer maintained its full-year guidance despite reporting a slowdown in clothing sales.
Cerillion shares jump as much as 11%, the most since 2023, after the IT service firm won its largest-ever contract worth ~£42.5 million with Oman Telecommunications.
Associated British Foods shares drop as much as 12% to a nine-month low after the group warned its profit will be lower than expected this fiscal year due to weaker Primark sales and a mixed performance in its food business.
Tesco shares slide as much as 6% after Britain’s largest supermarket chain posted softer-than-expected like-for-like growth in its core market over the Christmas period.
Greggs shares decline as much as 8.2%, the most in five months, as the baker’s trading update for the last three months of 2025 disappoints analysts.
Shell shares drop as much as 3% in London after the British integrated oil company published a trading update analysts saw as a slight negative.
Logitech falls as much as 5.4%, to the lowest level in five months, after BNP Paribas downgrades the Swiss firm to neutral from outperform, with its peripherals and gaming-related sales likely to face a hit from hikes in memory pricing.
Sabic shares fall as much as 4.8% to the lowest level since April 2009 after the petrochemical firm reported non-cash losses from divesting two units.
Earlier in the session, Asian stocks fell for a second day, with weakness in Hong Kong extending and Japanese shares reeling amid the country’s tensions with China. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped as much as 0.9%, the most in three weeks, with Tencent, SoftBank and Samsung among the biggest drags. Equities in Japan, Hong Kong and mainland China led the losses, while those in South Korea fluctuated. Hong Kong markets underperformed in the region, weighed down by a lackluster tech sector, with Lenovo sliding on concerns that surging memory prices will squeeze its margin. The mainland market was dragged by a retreat in local brokerage shares. After a strong start to 2026, the weakness in Hong Kong “may just be a breather,” said Marvin Chen, a strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence. Japanese stocks extended their declines as investors turned cautious amid rising tensions with China. In the latest escalation, Beijing launched an anti‑dumping probe into dichlorosilane, a semiconductor material imported from Japan. Shares of Japanese chipmaking‑materials firms fell, while Chinese companies involved in dichlorosilane jumped.
In FX, the Bloomberg Dollar Index is a touch higher. Antipodeans lag, with the Aussie dented after cautious comments from Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser.
In rates, treasuries hold small curve-steepening losses amid deeper selloff in bunds following European government bond supply surge including syndicated sales by Italy and Portugal and conventional offerings by France and Spain. US yields cheaper by 1bp to 2bp with curve spreads slightly wider; 10-year near 4.17% is 1.6bp cheaper on the day, German counterpart by an additional 1.5bp. German yields are 1-2bps higher following strong factory orders. US 10-year yield is up 1bp with no follow-through from the early release of Challenger data, with layoffs at a 17-month low. Focal points of US session include jobless claims data and corporate new-issue slate adding to already historic weekly volume.
In commodities, spot gold and silver are down for a second day in a row with respective losses of 0.7% and 3.3%. Spot gold slipped below $4,450 an ounce, after losing nearly 1% in the previous session. Silver dropped below $75 an ounce. Brent crude held above $60 a barrel. WTI crude has continued to climb throughout the European session, higher by 1.5% but still on track for a weekly loss. Prices remain sensitive to updates on Venezuela. Bitcoin is down 1.0%.
Looking at the day ahead, the US economic calendar includes 3Q preliminary nonfarm productivity, weekly jobless claims and October trade balance (8:30am), wholesale inventories (10am), December NY Fed 1-year inflation expectations (11am) and November consumer credit (3pm). Scheduled Fed speakers include Miran (8am and 10am). Micron, Synopsys and News Corp are among companies presenting at the Needham growth conference in New York.
Market Snapshot
S&P 500 mini -0.2%
Nasdaq 100 mini -0.3%
Russell 2000 mini -0.5%
Stoxx Europe 600 -0.4%
DAX little changed
CAC 40 -0.2%
10-year Treasury yield +1 basis point at 4.16%
VIX +0.4 points at 15.79
Bloomberg Dollar Index little changed at 1208.2
euro little changed at $1.1677
WTI crude +0.9% at $56.51/barrel
Top Overnight News
The White House is drafting an executive order broadly targeted at addressing Americans’ frustration with the cost of living, including a push to allow people to dip into their retirement and college savings accounts to afford down payments on homes. The draft is also expected to move toward banning large investors from acquiring single-family homes. Politico
Trump said our military budget for the year 2027 should not be $1tln, but rather $1.5tln.
House votes to advance Democrats’ bill to extend expired healthcare subsidies. US bipartisan Senate group believes it is on the verge of a deal, regarding health care and a Obamacare subsidies extension, Punchbowl reports; however, the Hyde language is “now viewed more acutely as an insurmountable problem.”
Trump signs a Presidential Memorandum directing withdrawal of US from participation in 66 international organisations.
Punchbowl reported that the State of the Union date of February 24th is firm, which US President Trump will deliver.
Colombia expects tensions with the US to ease following an hour-long phone call between Donald Trump and Gustavo Petro, a senior Colombian diplomat said. The two presidents will meet at the White House at some point. BBG
US officials are said to be working on options for business deals in Greenland, including rare earth minerals mining and hydroelectric power, to step up links to the island. BBG
California Governor Gavin Newsom will call for a crackdown on institutional investors buying up homes in the state, targeting private equity and hedge fund investors purchasing homes, particularly corporate entities buying at scale. BBG
President Trump and his advisers are planning a sweeping initiative to dominate the Venezuelan oil industry for years to come, and the president has told aides he believes his efforts could help lower oil prices to his favored level of $50 a barrel. WSJ
US oil companies want “serious guarantees” from Washington before they make splashy investments in Venezuela as Trump urges them to back his bid to reshape energy markets. FT
Following Trump’s approval, The Senate could vote as soon as next week to impose new sanctions aimed at pressuring Russia to end its war with Ukraine. Politico
China plans to approve limited imports of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips this quarter, people familiar said. Sales will exclude military and state sectors. Reuters reported that Nvidia is requiring Chinese buyers to make full payment upfront. BBG
China said its latest export controls are aimed at the military and won’t affect civilian trade. It sought to reassure Japanese businesses amid concern over supply chains and rare earths. BBG
Trade/Tariffs
China is to reportedly approve some NVIDIA (NVDA) H200 purchases as soon as this quarter, according to sources cited by Bloomberg; China to bar H200 from state bodies and critical infrastructure; Beijing is said to allow commercial use of H200 AI chip. Alibaba (BABA) and Bytedance have both reportedly informed NVIDIA that they are interested in ordering in excess of 200k units each of the H200, according to sources.
India’s Foreign Ministry reportedly intends to remove restrictions on Chinese firms bidding for government contracts, according to sources.
US President Trump posted “I have just been informed that Venezuela is going to be purchasing ONLY American Made Products, with the money they receive from our new Oil Deal”. Full Post: “I have just been informed that Venezuela is going to be purchasing ONLY American Made Products, with the money they receive from our new Oil Deal. These purchases will include, among other things, American Agricultural Products, and American Made Medicines, Medical Devices, and Equipment to improve Venezuela’s Electric Grid and Energy Facilities. In other words, Venezuela is committing to doing business with the United States of America as their principal partner – A wise choice, and a very good thing for the people of Venezuela, and the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”.
Central Banks
BoJ’s Nagoya region branch manager said US trade policy is having negative impact in the region, but is not dealing a severe blow to region’s economy. Some firms in the region see China’s export curb as potentially having an impact on their businesses.
BoJ maintains its assessment on all Japan’s 9 regions in its quarterly regional report.
ECB Consumer Expectations Survey (Nov 2025 vs Oct 2025): median consumer perceptions of inflation over the previous 12 months remained unchanged, as did median inflation expectations for the next 12 months, for three years ahead and for five years ahead. 1-year: 2.8% (prev. 2.8%). 3-year: 2.5% (prev. 2.5%). 5-year: 2.2% (prev. 2.2%).
ECB’s de Guindos said the ECB is at inflation target, but uncertainty remains very high.
BoE DMP (Dec): 1yr ahead CPI expectations maintained at 3.4%; 3yr ahead maintained at 2.9%. Wage Growth1yr ahead: 3.7% (prev. 3.8%).
RBA Deputy Governor Hauser said likely seen the last rate cut in the cycle and the likelihood of near term rate cuts is very low, also noted November CPI data was helpful, but largely as expected, according to ABC interview.
SNB Minutes: Governing Board confirmed that it remains willing to be active in the foreign exchange market as necessary; Board will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust monetary policy if necessary.
A more detailed look at global markets courtesy of Newsquawk
APAC stocks eventually traded mostly negative following a similar handover from Wall Street, where the S&P 500 and DJIA pulled back from record highs. ASX 200 traded marginally higher as strength in health care, tech, consumer stocks, energy and financials, offset the losses in mining and materials, with mild tailwinds seen amid a softer yield environment in Australia. Nikkei 225 extended its decline beneath the 52,000 level amid soft wages data from Japan and further frictions with China after MOFCOM yesterday announced an anti-dumping probe into Japan’s dichlorosilane imports, which is a key chipmaking chemical, while Japan protested China’s operation of mobile drilling rigs in waters on the Chinese side of the Japan-China median line in the East China Sea. Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp eventually traded negative with the Hong Kong benchmark pressured amid tech-related weakness and with some early pressure seen in China’s OpenAI rival Knowledge Atlas Technology a.k.a. Zhipu, during its Hong Kong debut. The mainland eventually gave up the modest gains that were seen as the PBoC conducted a CNY 1.1tln outright reverse repo operation to maintain ample liquidity in the banking system.
Top Asian News
China’s Ambassador rejects Japan’s export controls negotiations.
PBoC announced on Wednesday it will conduct a CNY 1.1tln outright reverse repo operation on Thursday to maintain ample liquidity in the banking system.
Fast Retailing (9983 JT) Q1 (JPY): Revenue 1.03tln (prev. 0.895tln), PBT 226.7bln (prev. 196.6bln), Net 147.5bln (prev. 131.9bln).
European bourses (STOXX 600 -0.4%) are mostly lower, following the negative tone seen in APAC trade. The DAX 40 (U/C) did initially buck the negative mood, with upside facilitated by strength in Rheinmetall (+3%) after President Trump called for a 50% increase in US defence spending by 2027. European sectors have opened mostly in the red. Leading sectors are Banks (+0.4%), Insurance (+0.2%) and Food Beverage & Tobacco (+0.2%). The banking sector has been underpinned by gains in BNP Paribas (+2.0%) after the Co. said that the judge’s decision to certify the verdict in Sudan clears the path for the bank to pursue an appeal, otherwise newsflow has been light for the other outperforming sectors. To the downside, Basic Resources is weighed on by downside across underlying metals.
Top European News
EU plans to pursue a special rulebook for corporates outside national law, which would create a voluntary ‘28th regime’ for companies to operate across EU, according to FT.
FX
DXY is essentially flat/incrementally firmer and trades above its 100 DMA within a fairly narrow 98.67 to 98.82 range; further upside for the Dollar could see the test of its 200 DMA at 98.87, the round 99.00 mark and then the 50 DMA at 99.08. G10s are mixed against the Dollar, with some underperformance in the Antipodeans which have been weighed on by the risk-tone and pressure in the metals complex.
Really not much driving things for the Dollar this morning, but with some focus on an early release of the US Challenger Layoffs (Dec), which fell to 35.55k (prev. 71.3k). The inner report highlighted that “while December is typically slow, this coupled with higher hiring plans, is a positive sign after a year of high job cutting plans”. A constructive picture for the labour market, which follows on from a rebound in the ADP in the prior session (albeit that printed shy of expectations). Ahead, a couple more labour market metrics in the form of jobless claims and RevelioLabs Employment data.
EUR is also flat and currently at the lower end of a narrow 1.1668-1.1682 range. A strong German Factory Orders print had little impact on the single currency this morning. Focus has been on regional geopolitics in the past couple of days; on one front, positive mood music out of Ukraine with President Zelenskiy suggesting that the war could end in H1’26. Elsewhere, Trump’s continued verbal assault on Greenland will keep NATO and allies on their toes.
Fixed Income
A contained start for fixed benchmarks with newsflow somewhat light early doors aside from ongoing digestion of updates regarding Venezuela. But have gradually slipped from best levels as the morning progressed.
USTs got to a 112-21 peak, firmer by three ticks, and Bunds to a 128.15 high with gains of 10 ticks at most early doors. Thereafter, the benchmarks began to gradually trim as the risk tone lifted off lows into the morning, with assistance coming via reporting regarding NVIDIA. For USTs, an early release of December’s Challenger Jobs series spurred no move, headline printed at 35.55k (prev. 71.3k).
Supply this morning came from Spain (fine, but softer than is usually the case) and France (strong overall), but neither outing spurred any significant move.
Gilts opened near-enough unchanged just above 92.00 before extending to 92.16 and then falling to a 91.88 low, in-fitting with action in peers. No move to the latest DMP survey.
Spain sold EUR 6.28bln vs exp. EUR 5.5-6.5bln 2.70% 2030, 3.00% 2033, 3.45% 2043 Bono & EUR 0.726bln vs exp. EUR 0.25-0.75bln 1.15% 2036 I/L Bono. EUR 2.8bln 2.70% 2030: b/c 2.21x (prev. 1.97x); average yield 2.51% (prev. 2.471%). EUR 2.01bln 3.00% 2033: b/c 2.08x (prev. 2.34x); average yield 2.94% (prev. 2.88%). EUR 1.46bln 3.45% 2043: b/c 1.87x; average yield 3.8%. 1.15% 2036 I/L: b/c 1.9x (prev. 2.63x); yield 1.51% (prev. 1.469%).
France sold EUR 13.5bln vs exp. EUR 11.5-13.5bln 3.50% 2035, 0.50% 2040, 3.60% 2042 & 3.75% 2056 OAT. 3.50% 2035: b/c 1.98x (prev. 2.147x); average yield 3.53% (prev. 3.43%). 0.50% 2040: b/c 2.37x (prev. 2.272x); average yield 3.95% (prev. 3.898%). 3.60% 2042: b/c 2.12x (prev. 2.922x); average yield 4.05% (prev. 3.92%). 3.75% 2056: b/c 3.4x; average yield 4.46%.
Japan sold JPY 524.9bln 30-yr JGBs; b/c 3.14x (prev. 4.04x), and average yield 3.447% (prev. 3.427%). Lowest accepted price 99.15 vs prev. 96.55. Average accepted price 99.30 vs prev. 96.64. Tail in price 0.15 vs prev. 0.09.
Commodities
WTI and Brent front-month futures post mild upside as the contracts rebound after two consecutive sessions of losses and after the US’ effective seizure of Venezuela’s crude, which promises more barrels in the market and a likely move away from Canadian oil for the US. WTI Feb resides in a USD 55.97-56.51/bbl range whilst Brent Mar sits in a USD 59.96-60.48/bbl band.
Nat Gas, meanwhile, is on a firmer footing once again after Dutch TTF settled over 2.5% higher, albeit off best levels, with traders citing the current cold snap across some of Europe. ING suggests that EU gas storage is now 58% full vs a 5-year average of 72%.
Spot gold resides closer to the bottom end of a USD 4,415.40-4,466.48/oz range, but is still holding onto a long-term upward trend.
Base metals succumb to the modestly firmer dollar and overall weaker risk, with 3M LME copper dipping back under USD 13k/t before finding some support at USD 12,687/t. Newsflow overall remains light, but traders are also cognizant of the SCOTUS update tomorrow, which could provide a ruling on President Trump’s Liberation Day and some targeted tariffs (possible, not guaranteed).
HSBC forecasts gold to hit USD 5000/oz in H1’26 due to geopolitical risk and increasing fiscal debt; High volatility trading level likely.
ICE plans 22-hour trade for European and UK gas and power by February 23rd.
US President Trump’s team works up a sweeping plan to control Venezuelan oil for years to come, while Trump believes his efforts could help lower oil prices to his favoured level of USD 50/bbl, according to WSJ.
US oil companies warn they will need guarantees to invest in Venezuela, according to FT.
Chevron is in talks with US government to expand Venezuela license and seeks authorisation to supply Venezuelan oil to other buyers, according to industry sources. US government also wants other US companies involved in oil exports from Venezuela.
US Vice President Vance said Venezuela can only sell its oil if it serves US national interests, and the way we control Venezuela is to control the purse strings.
Geopolitics – Ukraine
US VP Vance said seized oil tanker was a fake Russian tanker, while he stated the US had a legitimate indictment for Maduro and that President Trump will make a determination on Greenland.
US Republican Senator Graham said after meeting Wednesday with US President Trump, that he has greenlit the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, while Graham looks forward to a vote as early as next week.
Geopolitics – Middle East
Israel considers Lebanon’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah ‘totally insufficient’, Sky News Arabia reports
Iranian Foreign Minister said “We are ready for any situation and we do not want war, but we are ready for it and we are also ready to negotiate”, Al Jazeera reported. “We are ready to negotiate with the United States on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interests”.
Geopolitics – Other
US President Trump said the US would be extracting Venezuelan oil for years; “the oil will take a while in Venezuela”; said US oversight of Venezuela could last for years.
US President Trump’s administration draws up new legal justification for Maduro operation with DoJ’s opinion expected to say that it was lawful because it was part of a law enforcement action, according to WSJ.
US VP Vance said seized oil tanker was a fake Russian tanker, while he stated the US had a legitimate indictment for Maduro and that President Trump will make a determination on Greenland.
China hacked email systems of US Congressional Committee staff with Beijing intelligence said to have used Salt Typhoon to access communications used by top panels in US Congress, while the intrusions were detected in December, FT reported.
US President Trump comments it was a great honour to speak with Colombia’s President, who called to explain the situation of drugs and other disagreements that we have had, Trump said he appreciates his call and tone and looks forward to meeting him. Full post: “It was a Great Honor to speak with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, who called to explain the situation of drugs and other disagreements that we have had. I appreciated his call and tone, and look forward to meeting him in the near future. Arrangements are being made between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Foreign Minister of Colombia. The meeting will take place in the White House in Washington, D.C.”.
US Republican Senator Graham said after meeting Wednesday with US President Trump, that he has greenlit the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, while Graham looks forward to a vote as early as next week.
UK PM Starmer spoke with US President Trump this evening and set out his position on Greenland.
US Event Calendar
8:30 am: 3Q P Nonfarm Productivity, est. 5%, prior 3.3%
8:30 am: 3Q P Unit Labor Costs, est. -0.09%, prior 1%
8:30 am: Jan 3 Initial Jobless Claims, est. 212.44k, prior 199k
8:30 am: Dec 27 Continuing Claims, est. 1900k, prior 1866k
8:30 am: Oct Trade Balance, est. -58.65b, prior -52.8b
10:00 am: Oct F Wholesale Inventories MoM, est. 0.2%, prior 0.5%
3:00 pm: Nov Consumer Credit, est. 10.08b, prior 9.18b
10:00 am: Fed’s Miran Speaks in Athens
DB’s Jim Reid concludes the overnight wrap
While geopolitical headlines stayed on the front page over the past 24 hours, market attention shifted towards domestic US policy late in yesterday’s session as President Trump’s social media posts dragged on shares of homebuilders and defence companies. That led the S&P 500 (-0.34%) to pull back after reaching new intra-day record highs. Sovereign bonds had a decent session thanks to soft European inflation and further oil price declines, with Brent crude (-1.22%) falling to below $60/bbl, though Treasuries underperformed as another strong batch of US data added to optimism on the 2026 outlook.
In the first of Trump’s posts that triggered a turn in market sentiment, the President said he was “immediately taking steps to ban large institutional investors from buying more single-family homes”, which weighed on various real estate-related stocks. Blackstone fell as much as -9% intra-day before closing -5.57% lower, while the capital goods industry group in the S&P was down -2.27%. Trump’s other target was the defence sector. He posted that “I will not permit Dividends or Stock Buybacks for Defense Companies” unless they invest more in production and maintenance and issued a related executive order later on. Defence contractors including Northrop Grumman (-5.50%), Lockheed Martin (-4.82%) and RTX (-2.45%) slid on the news. However, there were potentially better news for defence firms after the close, with Trump demanding a boost in the 2027 US defence budget from $1trn to $1.5trn. It is $901bn in the current 2026 fiscal year.
The renewed policy risks left the S&P 500 -0.34% lower by the close. The move would have been considerably worse were it not for outperformance by the Magnificent 7 (+0.24%), as the equal-weighted S&P (-1.15%) had its worst day since November. In Europe, stocks had a mixed session, with a new record for the DAX (+0.92%) limiting losses for the STOXX 600 (-0.05%), with the FTSE 100 (-0.74%) leading on the downside.
The sell-off has mostly extended into Asia with the Hang Seng (-1.27%), Nikkei (-1.16%), and the CSI (-0.58%) lower. However, the KOSPI (+0.72%) is defying the negative trend, continuing its upward trajectory as demand for semiconductor stocks continues. The S&P/ASX 200 (+0.28%) is also experiencing slight gains on dovish central bank speak (details below). S&P 500 (-0.20%) and NASDAQ 100 (-0.31%) futures are both lower again.
Early morning data indicated that Japan’s real wages fell by -2.8% year-on-year in November, worsening from October’s revised decline of -0.8% and marking the 11th consecutive monthly decrease, with the weakest result recorded since late 2023. Nominal wages exhibited a similar trend, with total cash earnings increasing by only +0.5% year-on-year (compared to +2.3% expected), representing the slowest growth rate since December 2021. 10-year Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs) have decreased by -3.4bps, trading at 2.08% as I write.
Meanwhile, Australian government bonds are rallying hard, with 10-year bond yields decreasing by -9.0bps to trade at 4.67%. The policy-sensitive 3-year bonds are trading -8.4bps lower at 4.07%. This follows comments from RBA’s Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser, who expressed what is being interpreted as a dovish stance by indicating that the central bank is adopting a one- to two-year perspective on inflation instead of responding to individual data releases.
In term of yesterday’s US data, the highlight was the ISM services index for December, which hit a 14-month high of 54.4 (vs. 52.2 expected). So reassuring investors that the economy had ended the year in a strong position, particularly after the ISM manufacturing index hit a 14-month low earlier in the week. Indeed, the details were very strong as well, as the new orders component hit a 15-month high of 57.9, and the employment component hit a 10-month high of 53.9.
Other indicators also suggested that the US labour market was still in decent shape. We had the ADP print ahead of tomorrow’s jobs report, which showed that private payrolls grew broadly as expected at +41k in December (vs. +50k expected). Then we had the JOLTS report for November, with layoffs down to a 6-month low of 1.687m, whilst the quits rate of those voluntarily leaving their roles moved up to 2.0%. So overall, the print was seen as a sign of labour market strength, even as openings themselves dipped by more than expected to 7.146m (vs. 7.648m expected).
In the meantime, markets continued to face crosswinds from various geopolitical issues. One major development yesterday was that the US had seized a Russian-flagged ship in the Atlantic for violating US sanctions. Shortly afterwards, Defense Secretary Hegseth posted that “The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT — anywhere in the world.” It was also announced that another tanker had been seized in the Caribbean Sea. At the same time, US plans for Venezuelan crude continued to take shape, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright saying that the US plans to indefinitely control sales of Venezuelan oil. Brent crude fell -1.22% to $59.96/bbl, only a dollar above its post-2021 low reached in mid-December. Overnight it’s back up around half a percent.
Yesterday’s oil decline supported sovereign bonds, with the 10yr Treasury yield (-2.4bps) down to 4.15%, although the 2yr yield (+0.8bps) held up as investors priced in a bit more Fed hawkishness given the US data. 10yr yields are down another -1.2bps this morning.
In Europe, bonds were also boosted by the latest European inflation numbers. Those showed that Euro Area inflation fell to +2.0% as expected in December, whilst core CPI was down to +2.3% (vs. +2.4% expected). So that pushed back against residual fears about a hawkish ECB pivot this year and added to the sense that the ECB might cut next rather than hike. Yields on 10yr bunds (-3.0bps), OATs (-3.1bps) and BTPs (-1.9bps) all moved lower. Meanwhile, UK gilts saw a particularly big outperformance, with the 10yr yield down -6.5bps, whilst the 2yr yield fell to its lowest since August 2024, at 3.67%.
Finishing up with another round of geopolitical news, Trump also posted fresh comments about NATO yesterday, saying that “We will always be there for NATO, even if they won’t be there for us”, which followed a statement from several European leaders on Tuesday defending Greenland’s sovereignty. In an interview with Fox News, Vice President JD Vance said Trump is willing to “go as far as he has to” on Greenland. Elsewhere, the dispute between China and Japan continued to escalate, with China starting an anti-dumping probe into dichlorosilane, which is used to make chips. That comes on top of a previous announcement this week from China, which bans the export of dual-use items to Japan that could have military uses. All the headlines notwithstanding, gold prices (-0.85%) yesterday fell back for the first time this year, suggesting that investor fears are easing back a little on the geopolitical side.
Looking at the day ahead, data releases include the Euro Area unemployment rate and German factory orders for November, along with the US weekly initial jobless claims. Otherwise, the ECB will release their Consumer Expectations Survey for November.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 01/08/2026 – 08:28
Lawsuit over use-of-force tactics by immigration agents expected to be dropped, more evidence could be made public
The plaintiffs in a landmark injunction case limiting the use of force by immigration agents during Operation Midway Blitz are expected to formally dismiss their lawsuit on Thursday, a day after agents shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis and as federal officials have vowed to return to Chicago for more large-scale deportation efforts.
The case brought by the Chicago Headline Club and other media groups led to a sweeping preliminary injunction by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis in November limiting the use of tear gas and other chemical munitions against the media and protesters and also requiring agents to wear body cameras and clear identification.
The plaintiffs moved to drop the suit in December, however, following ominous signs from the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, which called Ellis’ order overbroad and a potential infringement on the separation of powers.
In the request, the plaintiffs claimed victory, saying Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino and his surge of agents left town soon after Ellis’ injunction was entered on Nov. 8 and that there had been no reports of any unconstitutional behavior by agents in nearly a month.
But an attorney for the Trump administration told Ellis in court last month that, contrary to media reports, Operation Midway Blitz has not ended and that the administration of President Donald Trump continues to carry out “lawful” immigration enforcement — though she declined to say when or if another surge in Border Patrol agents would hit the city.
Department of Justice attorney Elizabeth Hedges also claimed the dismissal of the lawsuit would bar journalists and protesters from bringing similar claims of constitutional violations in the future — an argument that was immediately called out by Ellis and plaintiffs’ attorneys as a misstatement of the law.
Tear gas is deployed as U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents face off against community members at 105th Street and Avenue N in Chicago on Oct. 14, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
“While it was the government’s position that no agent did anything illegal or unconstitutional, having watched the videos, and having read the reports, and having listened to the witnesses, I strongly disagree,” Ellis said.
Because the lawsuit involved a certified class of plaintiffs, Ellis set a deadline of Thursday for any class members to object to it. None have apparently come forward, and the suit is now expected to officially be dismissed.
Lawyers for the Tribune and other medial outlets, meanwhile, are still fighting for the release of other evidence that was submitted to the judge for consideration in the case, including use-of-force reports and more footage of incidents around the city.
The media lawyers also are seeking to unseal a transcript of testimony given in October by Department of Justice attorney Sean Skedzielewski, which was done in a closed courtroom after the government claimed there were national security concerns.
The dismissal will end a case that came to symbolize the havoc Midway Blitz caused in Chicago and shed light on how the operation was carried out, through sworn depositions by Bovino and other leaders as well as the release of body-camera footage showing agents deploying tear gas, pointing guns from passing cars and tackling civilians on the street.
Ellis had tentatively set a hearing on permanent injunction for March.
The 7th Circuit later granted an emergency stay of Ellis’ injunctive relief pending appeal, a process that will also be shelved once the dismissal is approved.
Since then, Bovino and a contingent of Border Patrol agents have already returned once to Chicago, in the form of a seemingly made-for-television jaunt shortly before Christmas. Agents made several arrests in supermarket parking lots and tamale stands while goading angry residents who confronted them and threatening to unleash tear gas.
As recently as Dec. 30, Bovino posted on social media: “If you think we’re done with Chicago, you’d better check yourself before you wreck yourself.”
On Wednesday, meanwhile, Bovino was spotted in Minneapolis where more than 1,000 immigration agents were carrying out an enforcement action there.
That operation immediately sparked controversy after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman who was apparently trying to record them on a residential street. Federal officials claimed the shooting was an act of self-defense after the woman tried to run agents over, but the city’s mayor described as “reckless” and unnecessary.
jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/lawsuit-dropped-tactics-immigration-agents/
Agricultores en Europa protestan contra acuerdo con Mercosur
Por SYLVIE CORBET y DEREK GATOPOULOS
PARÍS (AP) — Decenas de agricultores enfurecidos se manifestaron en Francia y Grecia el jueves, deteniendo el tráfico y bloqueando carreteras clave con tractores para protestar contra los planes de la Unión Europea de avanzar con un acuerdo de libre comercio con cinco naciones sudamericanas.
Los agricultores condujeron alrededor de un centenar de tractores hacia París y se reunieron frente a la poderosa cámara baja del parlamento de Francia, la Asamblea Nacional, bajo la estrecha vigilancia de un gran número de policías.
En Grecia, los agricultores intensificaron las protestas a nivel nacional, lanzando un bloqueo de 48 horas de las principales autopistas, cruces y estaciones de peaje. Los tractores alinearon rutas clave en todo el país, deteniendo todo el tráfico excepto los vehículos de emergencia en protesta por el controvertido acuerdo UE-Mercosur y el aumento de los costos.
Los agricultores europeos han denunciado el acuerdo comercial con el bloque formado por Brasil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay y Uruguay, argumentando que perjudicaría sus medios de vida e inundaría el mercado con importaciones más baratas.
Ludovic Dupeux, de la rama de Coordinación Rural en Córcega, llegó a París desde la isla mediterránea en barco, tractor y tren. Dijo que el presidente centrista Emmanuel Macron no ha hecho lo suficiente para evitar que se firme el acuerdo.
“Queremos que el presidente Macron esté del lado de los agricultores”, declaró. “Necesita decirlo claramente y también imponerlo.”
Los agricultores en Grecia dicen que están llevados a la desesperación
La principal autopista de Grecia que conecta Atenas con la ciudad norteña de Tesalónica fue cerrada en ambas direcciones en varios puntos y los agricultores exigieron un mayor apoyo estatal.
La policía dirigió el tráfico a rutas secundarias cuando fue posible y no intervino para contrarrestar los bloqueos.
Pero el gobierno conservador del país ha advertido que no tolerará bloqueos más prolongados.
“Hemos llegado a un punto de quiebre”, indicó Yiannis Baritas, un agricultor de col y padre de cinco hijos, en un bloqueo en el sur de Grecia. “Nos quedaremos aquí el tiempo que sea necesario para apoyar a nuestras familias. Nos han llevado a la desesperación”.
Las protestas, que comenzaron en noviembre, se centraron inicialmente en el aumento de los costos de producción, empeorados por una serie de crisis: un escándalo de fraude de subsidios que retrasó los pagos legítimos y un brote de viruela ovina y caprina.
El gobierno anunció el miércoles concesiones para intentar frenar las últimas protestas, incluyendo tarifas de electricidad más baratas para los agricultores y reembolsos de impuestos sobre el combustible.
El acuerdo comercial crearía una vasta zona de libre comercio entre Europa y las naciones sudamericanas.
“Si este acuerdo se lleva a cabo, la agricultura griega está acabada”, señaló Vangelis Roubis, un organizador de la protesta, a The Associated Press fuera de la ciudad sureña de Halkida.
“Grecia depende de la agricultura y el turismo”, dijo. “No tenemos industria pesada como Alemania o Francia. Los costos de producción aquí son un 300% más altos que en América Latina”.
Roubis señaló las papas como ejemplo: los agricultores griegos necesitan de 35 a 40 centavos por kilogramo para cubrir costos, en comparación con aproximadamente 10 centavos en Brasil.
“Queremos que Grecia se una al bloque de naciones de la UE que rechaza este acuerdo”, agregó.
Presión sobre el gobierno francés
Los agricultores franceses establecieron bloqueos en todo el país en los últimos días. El jueves, alrededor de 20 tractores estaban en el centro de París, algunos en el monumento del Arco de Triunfo y otros en el barrio de la Torre Eiffel, a pesar de una prohibición emitida por las autoridades, apuntó el Ministerio del Interior.
Convoyes de tractores “evadieron y forzaron su camino”, dijo el ministerio.
Pero la mayoría de los tractores fueron bloqueados más lejos del centro en arterias de tráfico clave que marcan el límite de París.
La protesta del jueves fue organizada por el sindicato de Coordinación Rural para ejercer más presión sobre el gobierno de Francia, que los manifestantes dicen no ha mostrado una oposición lo suficientemente fuerte al acuerdo.
José Pérez, presidente de la Coordinación Rural en la región de Lot-et-Garonne en el suroeste de Francia, sostuvo: “El objetivo hoy es venir a París para expresar nuestras demandas más cerca de aquellos que tienen el poder.”
“Es un símbolo fuerte”, dijo a The Associated Press.
Las preocupaciones de los agricultores sobre el acuerdo comercial Mercosur se combinan con la ira por las medidas sanitarias del gobierno contra la propagación de una enfermedad bovina, destacó Pérez.
La Coordinación Rural, que tiene vínculos con la extrema derecha, aseguró en un comunicado que los agricultores esperan “decisiones rápidas y efectivas para enfrentar los desafíos actuales.”
La UE renovó esta semana las negociaciones internas sobre un acuerdo de libre comercio con cinco naciones sudamericanas, en medio de especulaciones de que un acuerdo podría firmarse en Paraguay el 12 de enero. Los partidarios del acuerdo, liderados por Alemania, podrían ser capaces de superar las objeciones de Francia y Polonia.
La feroz oposición de Francia descarriló el acuerdo el mes pasado.
La ministra de Agricultura de Francia, Annie Genevard, reafirmó el miércoles la oposición de Francia al acuerdo Mercosur, diciendo que amenaza la producción de carne de res, pollo, azúcar, etanol y miel, entre otros sectores.
___________________________________
Gatopoulos reportó desde Kastro, Grecia. Contribuyeron a esta nota los corresponsales Jeffrey Schaeffer en París, Costas Kantouris en Malgara, Grecia, y Thanassis Stavrakis y Lefteris Piratakis en Kastro, Grecia.
___________________________________
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Steve Kerr’s mom ‘terribly disappointed’ with Warriors coach after his outburst led to an ejection
SAN FRANCISCO — Steve Kerr upset his mother.
Ann Kerr was mortified by the behavior of her 60-year-old coaching son, for the first time in quite a while.
She didn’t approve of Kerr’s ejection in the fourth quarter of a one-point loss to the Clippers on Monday night, when the Warriors coach was held back from the officials by Gary Payton II, Gui Santos and assistant Terry Stotts.
“All good other than my mom being terribly disappointed in me,” Kerr said of his 91-year-old mom before Golden State’s home game Wednesday against Milwaukee.
“She was at the game, she looked horrified afterwards. She asked me if I was going to hit the referee. I said, ‘Mom, I’ve never hit anybody in my life,’ and she said, ‘it looked like you were going to hit him, why were all of those men holding you back?’ That’s all part of the theatrics. She didn’t understand. I was a little alarmed that she thought I was actually going to hit somebody, that scared me.”
Kerr received back-to-back technical fouls and his fifth career ejection after becoming angry with official John Collins over a missed goaltending call, according to Stotts.
“I’m happy she got on Steve, that’s great,” Draymond Green said.
Two days later, Kerr didn’t want to discuss exactly what set him off, saying, “there’s a reason Terry did media the other night” after the game.
“I was upset about a couple calls,” he added.
Stephen Curry appreciated Kerr’s outburst, even if it disappointed his mom. And Curry has been scolded by his mom plenty of times, too.
“I’ve seen worse for sure, I couldn’t tell you exactly when but I know it’s been worse, but that’s a good mother-son relationship and that she’s watching every game and locked in and cares as much as she does to call him out,” Curry said. “But we needed that fire, so Mrs. Kerr, we forgive him for sure.”
Bucks coach Doc Rivers joked he was disappointed in Kerr.
“He acted like a fool, and I’m done with that from Steve,” said Rivers, who upset his late mother, Bettye, a time or two. “My mom was a church-going lady and I wasn’t using the right language one game and she called and let me have it. It’s interesting ’cause you say ‘I’m sorry’ but do you know the next day you’re going to do it again. So it’s a tough one.”
Kerr said his mom had questioned him before whether he was going to hit someone, but it had been a while.
“Maybe my little brother,” Kerr said with a grin, making his exit from pregame duties.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/steve-kerr-mom-not-happy/
Lake Zurich’s Adrian Riep still goes toe-to-toe down low. ‘He’s an animal.’ But don’t leave him open outside.
Adrian Riep has moved around quite a bit. He lived in four states before his family settled in Lake Zurich when he was in eighth grade.
Always tall for his age, Riep spent time in Indiana and North Carolina, so basketball demanded his attention. The 6-foot-4 senior forward’s ongoing commitment to the sport is good not only for the Bears but also for his chances to play in college. Riep has offers from Elmhurst, Lawrence, North Central and Wisconsin-Platteville.
“It felt great getting those first texts and calls,” he said of the recruitment process. “When I made my first visit and got my first offer was when it really set in for me. I’m happy I’ll have the opportunity to experience playing at another level and continue playing the game I love.”
Riep, who averages 13.0 points for Lake Zurich (6-9), has attracted college interest because he can affect a game in a variety of ways. Given his height, he often found himself close to the basket when he was younger, and he developed a certain skill set that paid dividends in his first season as a varsity reserve on the team that won a Class 4A regional title in 2024.
Diving for loose balls, setting screens and hitting the boards, Riep was a valuable commodity on a team with plenty of scoring options.
“When I was young, they would just toss the ball into the post, and I used my size well,” he said. “But it gets to a point where if you’re not 6-8, you can’t really be a big anymore.”
Lake Zurich’s Adrian Riep (14) looks to shoot against Waukegan’s Yashir “DJ” Cole (24) during a North Suburban Conference game in Waukegan on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Rob Dicker / News-Sun)
After his sophomore season, Riep sought to expand his offensive game to become a consistent outside shooter and ball handler.
“As a sophomore, we came pretty close to telling him not to shoot threes,” Lake Zurich coach Terry Coughlin said. “His consistency in shooting from the outside has really improved. He had the will and desire to get better, and he did. Now he has to take open looks from outside.”
Repetition is one reason for Riep’s improved shooting touch. He also played a ton of pickup games in the summer of 2024 and ran through a number of workouts, like closeout drills and shooting with a hand in his face, to simulate game conditions.
“I also knew I needed to handle the ball better, so I can help swing the ball to teammates and not have pressure affect me if I’m doubled,” Riep said. “I’m playing out on the wing a lot more this year, and I’m a much more polished version of myself.”
Riep demonstrated that when he hit six 3-pointers, including five in the third quarter, during a recent loss at York.
“He’s become really versatile offensively, both inside and outside,” Coughlin said. “We ask a lot of him, not only from a scoring standpoint but playing physically on defense for 32 minutes every game.”
Riep wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Coach always talks to us about having a tough, physical presence, and Adrian embodies this every day,” Lake Zurich senior point guard Evan Peterson said. “He’s an animal, and the number of ripped jerseys we have in practice that take the brunt of it are proof.
“In games, there’s blood on his jersey, and I can’t imagine other teams like trying to score against him.”
Lake Zurich’s Adrian Riep shoots from outside during a North Suburban Conference game against Zion-Benton in Zion on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (Mark Ukena / News-Sun)
Riep’s physical presence down low is a byproduct of extensive training, including one-on-one drills with former Lake Zurich center Anton Strelnikov. They began working with the same trainer two years ago and got together as recently as the holidays when the 6-8 Strelnikov, a freshman at Dartmouth, was home for a few days.
“Practicing against him makes what goes on in games a lot easier,” Riep said.
A prevailing storyline for Lake Zurich this season has been tight margins. Five losses were by two possessions or less. Riep has played a big part in keeping the Bears within striking distance and believes they will start winning more of those games.
“We embrace tough games like we’ve had, and I know we’ve got the makeup and players to bounce back and get better,” he said.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/basketball-lake-zurich-adrian-riep/
Left-Wing Protest Industrial Complex Activates Across Multiple Cities After ICE-Involved Shooting In Minneapolis
Left-Wing Protest Industrial Complex Activates Across Multiple Cities After ICE-Involved Shooting In Minneapolis
It didn’t take long. Within hours of an ICE-involved shooting in the Minneapolis area, the Democratic Party’s protest industrial complex moved into action, quickly creating conditions for coordinated demonstrations across multiple cities. The rapid response suggested these nonprofit activist networks were on standby, waiting for a catalytic event, as an army of radicals intensified pressure campaigns against federal agents, blocking streets, harassing officers, and openly doxxing them.
I want every ICE officer to know that their president, vice president, and the entire administration stands behind them.
To the radicals assaulting them, doxxing them, and threatening them: congratulations, we’re going to work even harder to enforce the law.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) January 8, 2026
Shortly after the ICE-involved shooting that left one woman dead, multiple videos of the incident went viral on X. In at least one video, she appears to be blocking the street with her vehicle in an attempt to impede ICE agents and is later shot and killed after advancing toward one of the agents. Numerous angles of the incident are circulating on X, offering competing narratives.
video shows ICE shooting in Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/7E2GPAFfly
— Suhr Majesty (@ULTRA_MAJESTY) January 7, 2026
The Democratic Party’s propaganda machine, desperately searching for the next narrative after the optically displeasing Somali-linked daycare fraud scandal, was quick to deploy a new storyline.
As we noted hours before protest activity erupted in the Minneapolis area (read here), the left-wing nonprofit Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee functioned as a rapid-response mobilization hub, coordinating a coalition of left-wing activist groups to flood the streets by late evening.
Footage of the demonstrations:
Anti ICE protesters are attacking innocents in vehicles.
This is exactly what @GovTimWalz and @Jacob_Frey asked for………buckle up.pic.twitter.com/Y2fPQ9VpCH
— Spitfire (@RealSpitfire) January 8, 2026
HOLY SH*T 🚨 Anti ICE Protestors are now waving FOREIGN FLAGS while chanting “F*CK ICE”
If you don’t want to be in this country
GET THE F*CK OUT pic.twitter.com/DZqJFypNe7
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) January 8, 2026
Anti ICE protest happening now in Foley Square after Minneapolis shooting. pic.twitter.com/oOZK4mV5nw
— Marla Diamond (@MDiamond8) January 7, 2026
The rapid response extended beyond Minnesota. In New York, Party for Socialism and Liberation New York City, reportedly funded by China-based far-left billionaire Neville Roy Singham, mobilized activists within hours.
EXPOSED 🚨 The protest tonight in New York City against ICE is being paid for and organized by ‘PSL New York City – Party for Socialism and Liberation’
They are funded by Neville Roy Singham who lives in China and works with the CCP
He donated over $20 million to entities like… pic.twitter.com/Fy508FFbqn
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) January 8, 2026
About 1500-1000 anti ice protesters now marching around federal plaza. pic.twitter.com/GYMLcaW9Rk
— Ali (@MerruX) January 8, 2026
🚨BREAKING: NYC PROTESTORS CALL TO “TOPPLE THE TRUMP REGIME.”
Notice the yellow signs we’ve seen at every protest? pic.twitter.com/61HJltNiW3
— Nick Jacobs (@nickjacobs03) January 8, 2026
Communist Jackson Hinkle appeared enthusiastic about what appeared to be multi-city coordinated protests.
BREAKING: Tonight, cities across the country erupted in protest against ICEpic.twitter.com/CngPJd6AfE
— Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸 (@jacksonhinklle) January 8, 2026
In Seattle:
🚨 Breaking — Antifa and leftist protesters are on the march in Seattle, chanting “Death to ICE!” pic.twitter.com/dQSBf5z4QN
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) January 8, 2026
Looking ahead, the socialists are planning pro-Maduro protests in the US, funded by PSL.
The Trump Administration has kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and started a blatantly criminal war against Venezuela.
Take action with DSA! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3DHbts9UOO
— DSA (@DemSocialists) January 7, 2026
Democrats appear prime for a George Floyd 2.0 moment.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 01/08/2026 – 07:45
7 different players score for Chicago Blackhawks, who win their 4th straight to stay undefeated in 2026
It didn’t take long to kickstart things at the United Center in Wednesday’s Chicago Blackhawks matchup vs. the St. Louis Blues. A goaltender saw the puck fly behind him just 27 seconds in.
If you blinked, you missed Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker’s shot get past goalie Spencer Knight (27 saves). The hefty amount of light blue sweaters in the crowd were feeling good as their team gained an early 1-0 lead.
Those fans left the arena in the sad mood that matched their jersey colors, though, after the Hawks shot the puck without hesitation.
Nick Lardis scored his second NHL goal at 9:26 in the first period on the power play to tie the game at one. And in the next 20 minutes, the Hawks shut the door for good.
Four goals in second period ended any hopes for a Blues road win over the Hawks, who have been a nightmare for Blues goaltending — Joel Hofer didn’t even want to replace Jordan Binnington.
The Hawks (18-18-7) cruised to a 7-3 win for their fourth straight victory. They are 5-1-1 since the Christmas break — and undefeated in 2026 — and on their longest win streak of the season.
“I would be lying if I said it’s not a ton of fun in here with the group we have,” center Oliver Moore said. “Coming into the rink, it’s my favorite part of the day.
“We want to win, but I think our process right now is what’s allowing us to be free out there. We’re all on the same page and we’ve got to look to keep it going.”
Seven Hawks scored goals against the Blues. Connor Murphy, Oliver Moore, Landon Slaggert, Jason Dickinson, André Burakovsky, Louis Crevier and Lardis all sounded the horn Wednesday.
They Hawks found their offensive touch without Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar in the lineup. That parity can go a long way.
“It’s big, especially with Connor (Bedard) out,” Murphy said. “To be able to win, you’ve got to get three or four goals, at least.
“For us to take off that way tonight was great. We hope that gives confidence to our group (to) keep our sound defensive game but (also) get some momentum going offensively.”
The Hawks have scored 17 total goals in three games vs. the Blues this season. They have their rival’s number, but are going for the heads of anyone that they face.
“I don’t like going team specific, we’re playing hard at the right moments and maybe the matchups against them are hitting those moments that we were bringing ourselves to another level,” Dickinson said. “It just happens to be against St. Louis. (but) it could have been any team tonight and (I) felt like we were playing the right way throughout the whole lineup.”
Hawks defensemen showed their shooting flair against the Blues. They had nine shots on goal, including Murphy’s unassisted goal in the second period (8:57) and Crevier’s snipe that Dickinson tipped in (17:24).
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Hawks coach Jeff Blashill said pregame he wanted to push his defenseman to have a “first-shot mentality.” Safe to say they heard his request.
“The Murphy goal and Louis (being) a shoot-first guy, overall we’ve done a pretty good job,” Blashill said. “If you don’t have the lane you don’t have the lane, but if we have the lane, we want that to be the No. 1 option.”
The penalty bug bit the Hawks — they had six on Wednesday after only having three total in their previous trio of games — but their penalty kill continued to shine. They killed all five of their penalties, which lead them to be able to run up the scoreboard.
Do the Hawks always want to be on the PK? No, but having the third-best penalty kill in the NHL helps.
“You give up a goal early and then you have those kills and I thought that kill was great, it’s a huge part of the game,” Blashill said. “Those moments in games are big, so great job for our special teams.”
Prior to the puck drop, the Hawks held a moment of silence for former Hawks general manager/executive Bob Pulford and Hall of Famer Glenn Hall. The pair passed away on Monday and Wednesday, respectively.
Pulford ran the front office as GM or senior vice president from 1977-2007. He coached the Hawks four separate times in that stint. “Mr. Goalie” Hall started in a record 502 consecutive games from 1955-56 to 1962-63, all without wearing a mask. He earned all the wins in the Hawks’ 1961 Stanley Cup run and has his No. 1 in the rafters of the United Center.
The Hawks are 4-0-0 since the start of the new year. Might as well keep things going.
“Treat (these) like playoffs games, there’s no room for us to take our foot off the gas,” Dickinson said. “Top team, bottom team, middle-of-the-pack, it doesn’t matter, we have to show up.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/chicago-blackhawks-undefeated-record-new-year/
