Category: News
Tesla Publishes Downbeat Wall Street Estimates For Vehicle Sales
Tesla Publishes Downbeat Wall Street Estimates For Vehicle Sales
Tesla has compiled vehicle delivery forecasts from a broad group of Wall Street firms, including Daiwa, DB, Wedbush, Canaccord, Baird, Wolfe, Exane, GS, RBC, Evercore ISI, Barclays, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Jefferies, Needham, HSBC, Cantor Fitzgerald, and William Blair. The overall sell-side analyst consensus implies Q4 deliveries of roughly 422,850 vehicles, representing a 15% year-over-year decline and a 10% drop from the Bloomberg-compiled average of 445,061 vehicles.
The company is on track for a second consecutive annual decline in deliveries, with analysts expecting 1.6 million vehicles in 2025, down more than 8% from last year.
This follows a slow start to the year, driven by factory retooling for the redesigned Model Y, elevated interest rates, dismal demand for EVs, and the end of federal tax credits, as well as manufactured reputational damage from the Democratic Party’s propaganda apparatus. This has included billionaire-funded NGOs working with activist groups to target Tesla and Elon Musk, the spread of false or misleading claims, sustained negative media narratives, and, in some cases, militant left-wing groups carrying out arson attacks on Tesla showrooms. These actions followed Elon Musk’s involvement with DOGE to uncover fraud, waste, and abuse, an effort that has since gained broader public traction amid the Minneapolis Somali-linked fraud scandal that has shocked the nation.
Here is the full printout of the Tesla-compiled consensus from sell-side analysts:
Tesla shares are up 14% year to date as of Monday’s close.
Investor interest has increasingly shifted toward robotics, artificial intelligence, and power grid upgrades. The convergence of these technologies under a single corporate umbrella shows the uniqueness of the Tesla brand, as no other U.S. company currently operates at a comparable scale across those domains.
Tyler Durden
Tue, 12/30/2025 – 07:45
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/tesla-publishes-downbeat-wall-street-estimates-vehicle-sales
Daywatch: Illinois bets on virtual power plants
Good morning, Chicago.
Central to Illinois’ plan to expand energy resources and affordability is a program that could allow homes and businesses to become virtual power plants by contributing energy from their solar batteries to the electrical grid as early as in the next two years.
The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, passed during the state legislature’s veto session in late October and awaiting the governor’s signature, targets the procurement of 3 gigawatts of energy storage by 2030, enough to power millions of homes statewide.
One of the ways the energy bill aims to reach that goal is through the creation of a virtual power plant program that will pool energy from thousands of existing and newly built solar battery systems to the grid during peak hours of electricity use.
And here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including why Chicago Zoning Committee meetings were paused, what Bears coach Ben Johnson said about the regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions and the best food photos of 2025 by Chicago Tribune photographers.
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Marimar Martinez outside a truck service shop on Dec. 26, 2025, where she called 911 after she was shot five times in October by a Border Patrol agent in Brighton Park. Prosecutors originally claimed Martinez, as part of a convoy of protesters, rammed federal agents’ vehicle near 39th Street and Kedzie Avenue and then tried to run over an agent, but felony charges were later dropped after her attorney argued agents caused the crash and needlessly shot her. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Rioters? Agitators? Immigration agents’ claims against US citizens mostly fall apart in court.
A week before Halloween, the Trump administration compared the alleged violence its federal immigration agents encountered on a particular day in the Chicago area to a plot ripped from a Hollywood movie about the FBI takedown of a brutal drug cartel. The administration said U.S. citizens “stalked law enforcement, rammed vehicles, fled scenes, injured agents, and caused multiple accidents.” It called them “agitators” and “rioters.” Agents arrested six citizens, accusing them of impeding law enforcement and — in one case — alleging that a woman vowed to put out a hit on U.S. Customs and Border Protection Cmdr. Gregory Bovino.
But, two months later, the allegations in that 24 hours have not withstood the harsh light of the federal court system. Just one of the six people has faced any federal charge. And that’s a misdemeanor ticket that agents themselves issued. It has yet to go in front of a judge.
U.S. President Donald Trump, joined by Republican lawmakers, signs the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law during an Independence Day military family picnic on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2025, in Washington. (Samuel Corum/Getty)
Feds to award Illinois $193M next year for rural health care as part of Big Beautiful Bill Act, as state braces for Medicaid cuts.
The federal government is awarding Illinois $193 million next year to support rural health care — money that’s part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but not enough to make up for Medicaid cuts from the measure, state health leaders say.
Ald. Bennett Lawson, 44th, left, and Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th, talk outside the chamber before a City Council meeting on Dec. 29, 2025, at City Hall. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
North Side alderman pausing Chicago Zoning Committee meetings to pressure Mayor Brandon Johnson to pick chairperson
The interim chair of the Chicago City Council’s Zoning Committee is halting its meetings to try to force Mayor Brandon Johnson to appoint a permanent head of the critical committee.
Wally Stock, Chicago Public Schools acting chief financial officer, walks away after speaking during a Chicago Board of Education budget hearing, March 14, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
CPS board hikes property tax levy to capture extra $25M
The Chicago Board of Education voted to increase its property tax levy, a move expected to yield an additional $20 million to $25 million for the school district.
CPS says ‘miscellaneous’ school workers shouldn’t be allowed to unionize
Workers build a stage on North Franklin Street at Wacker Drive on Dec. 29, 2025, ahead of the New Year’s Eve festivities in Chicago’s Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Brandon Johnson, Larry Snelling urge parents to be mindful of teens ahead of downtown NYE celebration
Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling urged local parents to keep vigilant over their teens’ whereabouts ahead of the city’s planned New Year’s Eve celebration in the Loop this week.
“Please know where your children are,” Snelling said, before repeating his plea two more times.
“We have a lot of young people who go down(town) and do the right thing and they’re enjoying themselves and they’re responsible,” Snelling said. “But then we have young people who show up and they’re down there for the purpose of causing problems.”
Bears head coach Ben Johnson watches the second quarter against the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 28, 2025, in Santa Clara. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Ben Johnson says the Bears are ‘playing to win’ in Week 18 finale against the Detroit Lions
Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson said his team will be “playing to win” during the regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Soldier Field.
Here’s what else Johnson had to say yesterday following Sunday night’s 42-38 loss against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif.
Who would be the Bears’ most favorable 1st-round matchup? 5 pressing questions before Week 18.
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Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) celebrates with fans after an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Sept. 27, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)
What’s the meaning of a non-CFP bowl for Illinois? A springboard to 2026 and a goodbye to Luke Altmyer
Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman has College Football Playoff aspirations for the Illini, but he also doesn’t subscribe to the “CFP or bust” way of thinking, at least at this juncture for the program.
There’s value in the Illini playing Tennessee in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl at 4:30 p.m. today at Nissan Stadium, Whitman believes, even if it’s not the ultimate goal.
Lobster salad with fish sauce vinaigrette, melted leek aioli and herbs at John’s Food and Wine in Chicago on March 21, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
The best food photos of 2025 by Chicago Tribune photographers
Photographing in some of Chicago’s finest dining establishments can be quite a contradiction to the normal day for Chicago Tribune photojournalists. In the course of a day, our photographers might start at an overnight crime scene, maybe a building fire, could go to City Hall or a school event. But when we walk into restaurants that feature Michelin-starred menus or Beard Award-winning chefs, our photojournalists really have to change gears.
Here’s just a sample of the food pictures our photographers produced.
The 100 best photos of 2025 by Chicago Tribune photographers
A dramatic stained-glass window at St. Giles’ Cathedral depicts John Knox in the middle of one of his many fiery sermons. (Cameron Hewitt/Rick Steves’ Europe)
Rick Steves’ Europe: Edinburgh’s Royal Mile
There’s no better introduction to Edinburgh – the historical, cultural, and political capital of Scotland – than a walk straight down the spine of the old town. Stretching from a hill-topping castle to a queen’s palace, this ramble is appropriately called the Royal Mile. Despite being crammed with tourists, it’s one of Europe’s best sightseeing walks.
Nicole Kidman plays Kay Scarpetta in “Scarpetta.” (Connie Chornuk/Amazon)
TV for winter 2026: A new ‘Game of Thrones’ spinoff, ‘Bridgerton’ returns and Nicole Kidman leads a new series
The overriding theme defining television in recent years has been a fear of the new. Which is why reboots and spinoffs continue apace, with old titles brought back from the dead (“Scrubs”) or from the not-so-distant past (“The Night Manager”) and intellectual property milked within an inch of its life (somehow HBO has yet another “Game of Thrones” series coming our way).
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/daywatch-illinois-bets-on-virtual-power-plants/
Why Did The EU Slide Into Complete Irrelevance?
Why Did The EU Slide Into Complete Irrelevance?
Authored by Mike Shedlock via MishTalk.com,
Hint: It’s structural. Trump has nothing to do with it…
The Creeping Death of the Single Market
Eurointelligence discussed the EU’s Slide Towards Irrelevance
The EU has zero chance to emerge as a geopolitical power like the US or China. Strategic autonomy was only a slogan. It came with no strategy, and most importantly, with no financial commitments. The way EU countries are currently raising military spending, through debt mostly, and without common procurement, will reinforce their dependency on the US and US-dominated financial markets. At no point did the EU have an agreed end-game strategy for Ukraine – something that goes beyond wishful thinking.
But the EU has a few, sadly neglected, assets. It has a customs union, a single market and a single currency. They don’t win wars, but they matter. If the EU had not fallen behind the US in productivity growth, and if it had not given up on 21st technologies, the EU would be a formidable soft power. The threat of being banned from the world’s largest single market would have been a real choke-hold. The purpose of frugal fiscal policies is not to pay homage to a protestant work ethic, but to give financial headroom to act during emergencies.
If you accept, as everybody seems to do, that treaty change is impossible, an intelligent soft power strategy is the only thing that is left. But that would have meant a lowering of ambitions: no Green deal; no anti-tech legislation; the completion of the banking union with the goal to end the bank-sovereign nexus. In particular, it would have meant more integration.The balance between widening and deepening is way off.
For the talking heads that roam our airways and social media, it is cooler to talk about foreign policy. But for the EU it would be better if its leadership took an interest in the work of standard committees. They should not invite Zelensky to their European Council meetings, but the three economics Nobel Laureates, to give a presentation of the importance of technology to economic growth. The creeping death of the single market is the real existential crisis of the EU. It is not Trump.
If the EU wants to acquire hard power, that would have to be preceded by political reforms: treaty change to establish the EU as a federal union, with tax raising and debt issuing powers, money to fund an army, and a politically accountable military command structure. You don’t acquire hard power with people sitting around tables.
The EU’s tragedy is that it abandoned the necessary to seek the impossible.
Treaty Change Impossible
Yes, I do accept that a treaty change is impossible unless and until some currency crisis forces that outcome.
I have been writing about this for years.
The EU is governed by nannycrats with impossible goals and no way to act on them.
The Green Deal is now dead. Trump demand 5 percent military spending when budget constraints are such that 2 percent will be a struggle.
The US strives to innovate. The EU strives to regulate. It wants to regulate AI without knowing what AI is even about.
EC fines X €120 million under the Digital Services Act
Please note that on December 4, the EC fines X €120 million under the Digital Services Act
Deceptive design of X’s ‘blue checkmark’
X’s use of the ‘blue checkmark’ for ‘verified accounts’ deceives users. This violates the DSA obligation for online platforms to prohibit deceptive design practices on their services. On X, anyone can pay to obtain the ‘verified’ status without the company meaningfully verifying who is behind the account, making it difficult for users to judge the authenticity of accounts and content they engage with. This deception exposes users to scams, including impersonation frauds, as well as other forms of manipulation by malicious actors. While the DSA does not mandate user verification, it clearly prohibits online platforms from falsely claiming that users have been verified, when no such verification took place.
Lack of transparency of X’s ads repository
X’s advertisement repository fails to meet the transparency and accessibility requirements of the DSA. Accessible and searchable ad repositories are critical for researchers and civil society to detect scams, hybrid threat campaigns, coordinated information operations and fake advertisements.
X incorporates design features and access barriers, such as excessive delays in processing, which undermine the purpose of ad repositories. X’s ads repository also lacks critical information, such as the content and topic of the advertisement, as well as the legal entity paying for it. This hinders researchers and the public to independently scrutinise any potential risks in online advertising.
Nannycrat Nonsense
Seriously, doesn’t the EU have anything better to do than worry about blue checkmarks on X?
Unfortunately, this kind of nannycrat nonsense is all that the EU can do.
Q: Why?
A: Because, with few exceptions, it takes unanimous or nearly unanimous agreement to do anything.
So the EU launches commissions and studies again and again and again because commissions and studies are the only thing that can be approved.
By treaty, France has veto power over anything agricultural (every nation actually, but France and Italy are at the forefront). Global trade summits fail every year because of single-nation veto power. It useless to even invite the EU because the outcome is known from the beginning.
Germany and other Northern European countries have veto power over budget rules. That won’t change until German banks blow sky high, if then.
In the rare case the EU ever does anything, it’s usually wrong. Green energy, carbon border taxes, and the ridiculous digital services act are good examples.
Spotlight AI
The competition on AI is massive. Globally it’s the US vs China. But within the US there are four key players.
OpenAI: OpenAI developed ChatGPT and the GPT models. It is a leader in conversational AI and foundational models.
Anthropic: Anthropic is an AI safety and research company. It develops the “Claude” family of large language models. It is known for its constitutional AI framework.
xAI: xAI is Elon Musk’s AI venture. It developed the Grok chatbot, with integration with Tesla and robotics.
Perplexity AI: Perplexity AI operates an AI-powered search engine. It uses large language models and real-time web search to provide cited answers.
AI Q&A
Q: Where is the EU?
A: The EU is not in the ballpark. It’s not even close to the ballpark.
Instead, EU nannycrats are in a sand playbox 2,000 miles away trying to regulate the damn thing.
France’s big concern is not AI but to protect the family farm.
Protecting Family Farms in France:
Combating Unfair Competition: Farmers protest against free-trade deals (like Mercosur) that they argue flood the market with cheaper products, undermining French standards and viability.
Rural Livelihoods: Supporting family farms is seen as vital for food security, rural jobs, and maintaining the French countryside’s character.
Economic Support: France relies on EU subsidies, but farmers demand fairer distribution, with new rules pushing for eco-friendly practices while trying to prevent large farms from monopolizing funds.
Legal Protections: Laws aim to shield farmers from “abusive” lawsuits by new residents over noise (like roosters) or smells, preserving traditional agricultural practices.
Mercosur Deal Update
Hooray! I am pleased to report that political agreement on Mercosur was reached in December 2024 after 25+ years of talks.
However, ratification hinges on member states.
Yet, on December 19, Politico reported EU delays Mercosur signing as 25-year curse drags on
An eleventh-hour turnaround from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upended a self-imposed objective of signing the agreement with the Mercosur countries on Dec. 20 — pushing the decision to mid-January instead, POLITICO first reported.
The delay shows that after two decades of negotiations and countless turn-arounds, the EU-Mercosur pact, designed to create one of the world’s largest free-trade areas between the EU, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina, continues to be a political minefield in Europe.
“Mercosur plays a central role in our trade agreements,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on her way into the leaders summit on Thursday morning, adding it was “of enormous importance we get the green light.”
Yet Meloni derailed the carefully laid plan.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the Italian leader promised him on a call Thursday that she would support the deal as soon as she secured the backing of Italy’s farmers. Despite heaping pressure on Europeans in recent days, Lula ended up accepting the delay, the diplomats said.
Meloni’s pushback meant there was not enough backing from EU countries for von der Leyen to fly to Brazil this weekend to sign the deal as planned — despite the huge political capital invested on each side in trying to finalize it by the end before Christmas.
Even if Rome and Paris come around, the agreement’s troubles are far from over: The deal must still pass through the European Parliament, where opposition is mounting across the political spectrum.
“It seems certain that it [the Mercosur deal] will be signed in mid-January,” a senior German official told reporters.
The mid-January date is important, the official stressed, to get the agreement ratified before the Parliament has a chance to vote on a resolution to send the deal to the Court of Justice of the EU — which would risk freezing its ratification for up to two years.
Dealing With the EU
Mercosur is the perfect example of what it’s like dealing with the EU. Any country can damn near block any deal for any reason, or no reason at all.
I repeat my congratulations to the UK for escaping this madness. Of course, the UK has not made the best of Brexit, but that is the fault of UK politicians, not the Brexit vote itself.
Regulation and roadblocks are all the EU knows how to do. That’s why Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Tesla, Nvdia, and all the key AI players outside of China are in the US. The EU would regulate them to death before they ever got going.
To repeat: The US strives to innovate. The EU strives to regulate. Deals take 25 years. Knowing that, one would have to be crazy to want back in.
Tyler Durden
Tue, 12/30/2025 – 07:20
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/why-did-eu-slide-complete-irrelevance
10 fun Xbox games for families
What are the best Xbox games for families?
The Xbox is a fantastic gaming console for both kids and adults, making it the perfect choice for family game night. The Xbox Series X offers crisp, 4K graphics and top-notch online gaming capabilities, so you and your family can challenge gamers all over the world.
Still, there aren’t many family-friendly titles for the Xbox Series X yet. Luckily, the Xbox One X allows for 4K gaming as well. If you only plan on playing digital games, the Xbox Series S is an excellent option.
It can be hard to find a suitable game for your family amongst the thousands of available titles, especially if you’re trying to weed out mature games and those that will get boring after one or two sessions. Although it can be a tough choice, you’ll be sure you’re making the right decision after reviewing our top picks.
Things to consider about the Xbox
The Xbox game pass membership gives you access to over 300 games, many of which are family-friendly.
Xbox One controllers feature triggers with haptic feedback that simulate the feeling of certain in-game items.
There was a 75% increase in gaming in 2020, likely due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some Xbox users experienced outages in March 2020 due to an abundance of gamers trying to log in at once.
If you find yourself playing games online often, you may want to invest in a set of quality gaming headphones. A good pair of gaming headphones can add an extra layer of realism to your games.
The Xbox is a great gaming console, but many people use it for their streaming services and watch DVDs.
Fun Xbox games for families
Rocket League Collector’s Edition
This fast-paced fusion between soccer and racing supports four-player split-screen and eight-player online play. This collector’s edition also includes all of the items from all three of the “Rocket League” DLC expansions. The highly stylized arenas make this game fun to watch or play, and the vehicle customization options are vast.
Minecraft Dungeons Hero Edition
This action-packed four-player game takes the original “Minecraft” formula and blends it with a dungeon-crawling twist. This game allows you to personalize your characters and fight off hordes of zombies, skeletons and more. The Hero Edition also comes with a hero cape, two-player skins and a chicken pet.
If you have an Xbox Series X, “Overcooked” is a perfect family gaming option. Work together with your family to try to keep the kitchen running smoothly. Clean dishes, cook meals, plate your food and put out fires to ensure that your customers get their food in a reasonable amount of time. This game requires a lot of communication, teamwork and cooperation to win.
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
Choose one of the many characters from the “Crash Bandicoot” series and race each other with rocket-boosted vehicles. “Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled” also features online play if you and your family decide to play with others.
This fun take on the classic game show allows you to play in four different game modes, including solo, couch co-op and online. “Family Feud” even allows you to broadcast your game and play with your viewers for added excitement.
The Unravel Yarny Bundle includes “Unravel” and “Unravel 2”. Although “Unravel” doesn’t feature co-op, “Unravel 2″ allows two players to join forces and help each other solve puzzles that require intense cooperation. The stunning visuals and beautiful soundtrack are an excellent addition to an already great game, and you have the option to play “Unravel 2” online as well.
Spyro the Dragon and Sparx the Dragonfly are back in this three-game collection. In the first Spyro game, you’ll travel through six different homeworlds, solving puzzles and giving enemies a taste of your fire. In “Spyro 2,” the evil sorcerer, Ripto, has invaded the homeworlds, and it’s up to Spyro to save the day.
The final game in the trilogy, “Spyro Year of the Dragon,” pits Spyro against an evil sorceress that has stolen all the dragon eggs from the homeworlds. At just $30, this three-game set is a bargain.
America’s Greatest Game Shows: Wheel of Fortune & Jeopardy
Play against your family in these classic game shows. In “Wheel of Fortune,” you play authentic rounds, just like the TV show, or a convenient quick play mode. “Jeopardy” comes with three different game modes, including career, family and quick mode. You can play local “Jeopardy” games by yourself, with your family or take the action online.
This fast-paced racing game has a four-player split-screen mode or online play with up to 12 racers. Choose your favorite character from the “Sonic the Hedgehog” series, and race against your family in Grand Prix mode, Exhibition mode, Time-Trial or Team Adventure mode. Much like “Mario Kart” or “Crash Team Racing,” you’ll have offensive and defensive attacks to help you make it to the finish line before your opponents.
A mysterious villain named Jinx is trying to reshape the world. It’s up to the colorful protagonist, Lucky, to stop her. “Super Lucky’s Tale” doesn’t support couch co-op, but if you don’t mind taking turns, this makes an excellent addition to family game night.
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https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/10-fun-xbox-games-for-families/
Winter storm packing snow and strong winds to descend on Great Lakes and Northeast
A wild winter storm was expected to bring strong winds, heavy snow and frigid temperatures to the Great Lakes and Northeast on Tuesday, a day after a bomb cyclone barreled across the northern U.S. and left tens thousands of customers without power.
The storm that hit parts of the Plains and Great Lakes on Monday brought sharply colder air, strong winds and a mix of snow, ice and rain that led to treacherous travel. Forecasters said it intensified quickly enough to meet the criteria of a bomb cyclone, a system that strengthens rapidly as pressure drops.
Nationwide, more than 153,000 customers were without power early Tuesday, more than a third of them in Michigan, according to Poweroutage.us.
As Monday’s storm moved into Canada, the National Weather Service predicted more inclement weather conditions for the Eastern U.S, including quick bursts of heavy snow and gusty winds known as snow squalls.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned that whiteout conditions were expected Tuesday in parts of the state, including the Syracuse-metro area.
“If you’re in an impacted area, please avoid all unnecessary travel,” she said in a post on the social media platform X,
Snow piled up quickly in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Monday, where as much as 2 feet (60 centimeters) fell in some areas, according to the National Weather Service. Meteorologist Ryan Metzger said additional snow was expected in the coming days, although totals would be far lighter.
Waves on Lake Superior that were expected to reach 20 feet (6 meters) Monday sent all but one cargo ship into harbors for shelter, according to MarineTraffic.com. Weather forecasting on the lakes has improved greatly since the Edmund Fitzgerald sank in 1975 after waves were predicted at up to 16 feet (4.8 meters).
The fierce winds on Lake Erie sent water surging toward the basin’s eastern end near Buffalo, New York, while lowering water on the western side in Michigan to expose normally submerged lakebed — even the wreck of a car and a snowmobile.
Kevin Aldrich, 33, a maintenance worker from Monroe, Michigan, said he has never seen the lake recede so much and was surprised on Monday to spot the remnants of old piers dating back to the 1830s. He posted photos on social media of wooden pilings sticking up several feet from the muck.
“Where those are at would typically be probably 12 feet deep,” he said. “We can usually drive our boat over them.”
Dangerous wind chills plunged as low as minus 30 F (minus 34 C) across parts of North Dakota and Minnesota on Monday. And in northeast West Virginia, rare, nearly hurricane-force winds were recorded on a mountain near Dolly Sods, according to the National Weather Service.
In Iowa, after blizzard conditions eased by Monday morning, high winds continued blowing fallen snow across roadways, keeping more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) of Interstate 35 closed. State troopers reported dozens of crashes during the storm, including one that killed a person.
On the West Coast, the National Weather Service warned that moderate to strong Santa Ana winds were expected in parts of Southern California through Tuesday, raising concerns about downed trees in areas where soils have been saturated by recent storms. Two more storms were forecast later this week, with rain on New Year’s Day potentially soaking the Rose Parade in Pasadena for the first time in about two decades.
Associated Press writers Julie Walker in New York; Corey Williams in Detroit; Margery Beck in Omaha, Nebraska; Susan Haigh in Norwich, Connecticut; and Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska, contributed.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/winter-storm-great-lakes-northeast/
Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen port over weapons shipment from UAE, issues warning to Abu Dhabi
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen’s port city of Mukalla on Tuesday after a weapons shipment from the United Arab Emirates arrived for separatist forces in the war-torn country, and starkly warned that it viewed Emirati actions as “extremely dangerous.”
The bombing followed days of tensions over the advance of the separatist forces known as the Southern Transitional Council, which is backed by the Emirates. Despite the warning, the Council and its allies issued a statement supporting the UAE’s presence, even as others allied with Saudi Arabia demanded Emirati forces withdraw from Yemen in 24 hours’ time.
The confrontation threatened to open a new front in Yemen’s decadelong war, with forces allied against the Iranian-backed Houthis possibly turning their sights on each other in the Arab world’s poorest nation long stalked by famine and disease.
It also further strained ties between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, neighboring nations on the Arabian Peninsula that increasingly have competed with each other over economic issues and the region’s politics, particularly in the wider Red Sea region.
“I expect a calibrated escalation from both sides. The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council is likely to respond by consolidating control,” said Mohammed al-Basha, a Yemen expert and the founder of the Basha Report, a risk advisory firm.
“At the same time, the flow of weapons from the UAE to the STC is set to be curtailed following the port attack, particularly as Saudi Arabia controls the airspace.”
Airstrike hits Mukalla
A military statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency announced the strikes, which it said came after ships arrived there from Fujairah, a port city on the UAE’s eastern coast.
“The ships’ crew had the disabled tracking devices aboard the vessels, and unloaded a large amount of weapons and combat vehicles in support of the Southern Transitional Council’s forces,” the statement said.
“Considering that the aforementioned weapons constitute an imminent threat, and an escalation that threatens peace and stability, the Coalition Air Force has conducted this morning a limited airstrike that targeted weapons and military vehicles offloaded from the two vessels in Mukalla,” it added.
It wasn’t clear if there were any casualties from the strike.
Yemen’s anti-Houthi forces later declared a state of emergency Tuesday, ending its cooperation with the UAE and ordering all Emirati forces within its territory to evacuate within 24 hours. It issued a 72-hour ban on all border crossings in territory they hold, as well as entries to airports and seaports, except those allowed by Saudi Arabia.
The UAE did not respond to questions from the AP. Abu Dhabi’s English-language state-linked newspaper The National reported on the strike.
The Council’s AIC satellite news channel aired footage of the aftermath of the strike, but avoided showing damage to the armored vehicles near the port.
“This unjustified escalation against ports and civilian infrastructure will only strengthen popular demands for decisive action and the declaration of a South Arabian state,” the channel said.
The attack likely targeted a ship identified as the Greenland, a roll-on, roll-off vessel flagged out of St. Kitts. Tracking data analyzed by the AP showed the vessel had been in Fujairah on Dec. 22 and arrived in Mukalla on Sunday. The second vessel could not be immediately identified.
Footage later aired by Saudi state television, which appeared to be filmed by a surveillance aircraft, purportedly showed the armored vehicles moving from the ship through Mukalla to a staging area. The types of vehicles corresponded to the social media footage.
Strike comes as separatists advance
Mukalla is in Yemen’s Hadramout governorate, which the Council had seized in recent days. The port city is some 480 kilometers (300 miles) northeast of Aden, which has been the seat of power for anti-Houthi forces in Yemen after the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, back in 2014.
Yemen, on the southern edge of the Arabian Peninsula off East Africa, borders the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as well as Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The war there has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the globe’s worst humanitarian disasters, killing tens of thousands more.
The Houthis, meanwhile, have launched attacks on hundreds of ships in the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war, greatly disrupting regional shipping.
The strike Tuesday in Mukalla comes after Saudi Arabia targeted the Council in airstrikes Friday that analysts described as a warning for the separatists to halt their advance and leave the governorates of Hadramout and Mahra.
The Council had pushed out forces there affiliated with the Saudi-backed National Shield Forces, another group in the coalition fighting the Houthis.
Those aligned with the Council have increasingly flown the flag of South Yemen, which was a separate country from 1967-1990. Demonstrators have been rallying for days to support political forces calling for South Yemen to secede again from Yemen.
The actions by the separatists have put pressure on the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which maintain close relations and are members of the OPEC oil cartel, but also have competed for influence and international business in recent years. Saudi Arabia in particular has sought to draw foreign firms from Dubai, home to the long-haul carrier Emirates and long a hub for expatriate workers.
The countries have had border disputes in the past, even before the UAE’s founding in 1971. Tuesday’s airstrikes and ultimatum appeared to be the most-serious confrontation between the nations in decades.
There has also been an escalation of violence in Sudan, another nation on the Red Sea, where the kingdom and the Emirates support opposing forces in that country’s ongoing war.
A statement Tuesday from Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry directly linked the Council’s advance to the Emiratis for the first time.
“The kingdom notes that the steps taken by the sisterly United Arab Emirates are extremely dangerous,” it said.
Allies of the Council issued a statement afterward in which they showed no signs of backing down.
Meanwhile, Israel has acknowledged Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation, the first to do so in over 30 years. That’s sparked concern from the Houthis, who have threatened to attack any Israeli presence in Somaliland.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/saudi-arabia-yemen-port-bombing/
What’s the meaning of a non-CFP bowl for Illinois? A springboard to 2026 and a goodbye to Luke Altmyer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman has College Football Playoff aspirations for the Illini, but he also doesn’t subscribe to the “CFP or bust” way of thinking, at least at this juncture for the program.
There’s value in the Illini playing Tennessee in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Nissan Stadium, Whitman believes, even if it’s not the ultimate goal.
“It’s a necessary step for our continued evolution as a program,” Whitman said Monday at the bowl news conferences at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. “And if we want to be seen as a serious football school, then these are the kinds of opportunities that we have to be given year in and year out.”
The worth of bowl games that are not a part of the 12-team CFP has been a hot topic this month after No. 11 Notre Dame (10-2) opted out of a bowl appearance when the Irish were stunned to be left out of the playoff field.
But the Illini (8-4) went through a stretch not that long ago, as part of the Lovie Smith era, during which they played in just one bowl in seven seasons. Now, they are in their third bowl in the last four seasons under coach Bret Bielema. It’s not something they’re taking for granted yet.
“A bowl game is very unique in the fact that you carry it with you for the next six, seven, eight months until you play the next game again,” Bielema said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for our kids.”
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer talks about Illinois’ upcoming appearance in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl during a college basketball game between Nebraska and Illinois on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)
The Illini saw the benefit of a bowl win last season, when they beat South Carolina 21-17 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl and rode the win into an offseason of rare hype for the football team. They fell short of those expectations, finishing outside of the CFP rankings after losses to No. 1 Indiana, No. 2 Ohio State, Washington and Wisconsin.
But Bielema said a bowl win over an SEC team like Tennessee (8-4) — which had losses this season to No. 3 Georgia in overtime, No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 9 Alabama and No. 14 Vanderbilt — would be another step in the right direction in his fifth season at the helm of the program. If Illinois wins Tuesday, it would mark the first time in program history that the team has had nine or more wins in back-to-back seasons.
Whitman was complimentary of the job Bielema has done to get Illinois to this point, even if the Illini haven’t yet reached their ultimate program goals.
“He just has exceeded our expectations in virtually every way,” Whitman said. “It’s his ability to connect with people on a very personal level, which is really hard to do as a football coach with 100 and some odd football players, all of their families, 50 staff members, their families, all the alumni, all the different stakeholders that are involved in the football program. He has the ability to connect with each of them and make them each feel very included, very important, which I have incredible respect for. He’s a great teacher of the game of football.
“And then just his preparation, the ability to scout, evaluate an opponent, help prepare a game plan. It’s all the things that are necessary in today’s day and age to try and put together a successful program. He’s just very well suited for this environment today.”
Along with being a potential springboard into next season, the Music City Bowl is also an opportunity for the Illini to send out a pivotal senior class on a high note. A few will miss the game, including all-Big Ten outside linebacker Gabe Jacas and left tackle J.C. Davis, who are preparing for the NFL draft. Junior safety Matthew Bailey is also out after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty is tackled by Purdue defensive back Ryan Turner on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
But multiple others, including third-year starting quarterback Luke Altmyer and all-Big Ten third team wide receiver Hank Beatty, will play.
Altmyer, who transferred from Mississippi three seasons ago, is looking to wrap up one of the most successful careers ever by an Illinois quarterback.
He ranks third with 22 career quarterback wins behind Kurt Kittner (24) and Jack Trudeau (23). He is tied for second with Juice Williams with 56 touchdown passes behind Kittner’s 70. And he’s the leader in career completion percentage (64.5%) and passing efficiency (145.1).
Whitman said the Illini owe Altmyer a debt of gratitude for picking them — and staying with them — “when we weren’t the most popular person at the dance.” The Illini’s rise to what they hope is more consistent success has coincided with Altmyer’s development.
“Everybody in that building (at Illinois) has had a hand in his development, and he has given himself to us in that building (and) has trusted our process from a developmental standpoint,” said offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. “We’ve had a lot of great moments, a lot of meeting time together, a lot of laughs, some cries, some disappointments. That’s the way the game works. But I look back on it, and I’m proud to have been a part of his development.
“He has just developed and taken advantage of every opportunity he’s been given and has reached his full potential. And we’re so thankful for his contribution to our program, what he has meant to our program. We would love to be able to send him out on the right note tomorrow. It will be a great challenge, but if he plays well for us, it will give us a chance.”
Here are more bits of news and notes from the Illinois and Tennessee pre-bowl interviews.
• Illinois’ defense has a major challenge ahead against a Tennessee offense that ranked fourth in FBS with 482 yards per game.
Vols quarterback Joey Aguilar is playing after throwing for 3,444 yards and 24 touchdowns with 10 interceptions this season. But his top target is not. All-SEC wide receiver Chris Brazzell II opted out of the game.
“Their scheme is very unique and problematic, but when you have the kind of players they have on top of that,” Illinois defensive coordinator Aaron Henry said. “The quarterback is very dynamic. He can run it and throw it. It’s going to be a game of chess. … We know they are an explosive offense. They’re a top-five offense in the country. We’ve got to limit them. We’ve got to slow them down. And the key thing in this game is going to be trying to take the ball away and give our offense the ball.”
• The Vols defense will be without linebacker Arion Carter, cornerback Colton Hood and edge rusher Joshua Josephs, who opted out.
Illinois coach Brett Bielema talks about Illinois’ upcoming appearance in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)
• Bielema and Tennessee interim defensive coordinator William Inge share a connection from the past — they both played at Iowa.
Inge, who will serve as defensive coordinator for this game before newly hired coordinator Jim Knowles fully takes over, was a freshman in Bielema’s final season.
“What I’m so grateful for from Bret is as a teammate, when he was needed the most, from my perspective, he was there,” Inge said. “You had a young 17-year-old freshman having a tough time, and he was there to make sure you were held accountable to the standard and you still did the things that needed to be done in order for you to be better.”
Inge said he knows what Tennessee will get from Illinois: “Very disciplined, very in tune and physicality is going to be at the forefront of everything they do.”
• Bielema said Nathan Knapik will replace Davis at left tackle. Several players will be counted on to replace Jacas and Bailey.
• Illinois will wear navy uniforms — including navy helmets — Tuesday to differentiate from Tennessee orange. Whitman said orange helmets will remain Illinois’ tradition, but this was a special occasion.
“We wanted to make sure as we walk down the streets here in Nashville that we can instantly identify who’s with us and who’s against us,” Whitman said. “And with the navy we thought it’d be a nice way to make sure it’s visible, not only in the stadium but around the stadium. And it also helps with our players. They like to change things up every once while. Brings little extra juice to them.”
• During bowl practices in Nashville starting Friday, the Illini got the benefit of using Vanderbilt’s facilities because the Commodores’ in-state rival declined.
“It was a neat thing for us,” Bielema said. “Vandy and Tennessee are the same conference, but they don’t necessarily see eye to eye a lot. So we were the first Big Ten team to ever get to use Vandy’s facility because Tennessee didn’t want to use them.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/illinois-football-music-city-bowl-luke-altmyer/
Who would be the Chicago Bears’ most favorable 1st-round matchup? 5 pressing questions before Week 18.
The Chicago Bears nearly pulled off another dramatic fourth-quarter comeback Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Quarterback Caleb Williams had a chance to give his team a victory on the final play from the 2-yard line but couldn’t find an open target in the end zone.
The 49ers won in a 42-38 shootout. The Bears fell to 11-5 with one game remaining before the postseason. They clinched the NFC North over the weekend despite the loss Sunday, meaning they will begin the playoffs with a home game.
The Tribune’s Sean Hammond and Phil Thompson tackle this week’s pressing questions ahead of the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field.
1. Was Sunday’s game more indicative of a really good 49ers offense or a poor performance from the Bears defense?
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy eludes Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 28, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Hammond: Sure, the answer is both. But this 49ers offense is on a roll. Brock Purdy, who missed a good chunk of the season with a toe injury, is 7-1 as a starter this year with 20 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. Christian McCaffrey was easily the toughest opponent the Bears have had to tackle this season. It wouldn’t surprise me if the 49ers wind up earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC next weekend.
Thompson: It’s definitely the poor performance by the defense. The Bears gave up 496 yards, the second-most this season to the 511 they allowed in the Week 2 blowout by the Lions. The yardage and the 32 first downs were season highs for the 49ers. We saw a defense that couldn’t stop the run, pressure Brock Purdy or keep Purdy from hurting it when the pocket broke down. The Bears had been able to mask a weak pass rush and leaky run defense behind takeaways, but the defense finally was exposed Sunday night.
2. Fill in the blank: Your level of confidence in the Bears defense heading into the postseason is _________?
Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards tackles Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love just short of the end zone on fourth down during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on Nov. 17, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Hammond: Matchup dependent. Perhaps that’s a weak answer, but if the Bears land Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers or Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks in the first round, I still like their chances to force mistakes. Purdy hardly made any mistakes Sunday night, and he has looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL since returning from his injury. The Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford also should concern Bears fans.
Thompson: Lukewarm. It was alarming how the 49ers sliced through the Bears defense, but — not to make excuses — their offense has been red-hot lately and Kyle Shanahan is a Super Bowl-caliber coach. Still, you’re only going to see top-tier offenses if you make it past the wild-card round, and bend-but-don’t-break won’t cut it.
3. If the Bears are the No. 2 seed, they will host the Packers in the wild-card round. If they drop to No. 3, they likely would face the 49ers-Seahawks loser. Which of those three is the most favorable first-round matchup?
Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers fans prepare for the game on Dec. 20, 2025, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Hammond: The last few weeks have had me thinking differently about this. While the prospect of potentially losing a home playoff game against Green Bay would be crushing for the city of Chicago, that’s the best matchup right now. The Bears know they can beat the Packers. They did so once and could’ve beaten them in the first meeting. Green Bay is also pretty banged up right now. The 49ers are rolling. While the Bears proved they can hang with them, I think they’d rather take on the Packers or take their chances against the Seahawks and Darnold, who has thrown 14 interceptions this season.
Thompson: The Packers. As we’ve come to realize, the NFC West is a different beast, and you’d rather not face one of those teams right out of the gate. For once, the Bears may be in the Packers’ heads. And after a three-game losing streak, that ship appears to be listing.
4. Caleb Williams is closing in on the Bears single-season passing record. He’s 108 yards shy of Erik Kramer’s 1995 mark of 3,838 yards. Is this the best passing season by a Bears quarterback?
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws a pass for a first down during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Hammond: Passing yards are only one measure of success. I’m not sure Kramer’s 1995 season should be considered the gold standard of Bears quarterbacking. Yes, it’s the franchise record, but the team went 9-7 and missed the postseason. Jay Cutler put up some big numbers on mediocre teams. Williams’ 2025 season is definitely in the running for the best in franchise history, whether he sets the franchise record or not. Put it up there with Cutler’s 2010 season (3,274 passing yards), Mitch Trubisky’s 2018 season (3,223), Rex Grossman’s 2006 season (3,193) and Jim McMahon’s 1985 season (2,392).
Thompson: It is, but don’t throw a parade. For years, the Bears begged for mere competence at the position. “Above average” was cause for celebration. But Williams has the potential — and more important, the expectation — to exceed those old Bears standards and join the NFL’s elite.
5. Which 2024 first-round draft pick quarterback do you trust most to win a postseason game this year: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Bo Nix?
Hammond: I understand that Maye has had an incredible season for the Patriots and that Nix has done great things in Denver. But if the game is on the line in the fourth quarter, I want the ball in Williams’ hands. Give me the quarterback with six fourth-quarter comebacks, multiple touchdown passes in the final minute of the fourth quarter and an overtime bomb on his resume.
Thompson: It’s not a fair question because it would seem to place success or failure squarely in the quarterback’s hands. Nix is backed by the strongest defense, but Maye has the best combination of complementary defense and talent at his position.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/chicago-bears-pressing-questions-week-18/
Chicago basketball report: Bulls begin All-Star push for Josh Giddey, and Illini women jump to their best start
This week’s Chicago Basketball Report takes a look at a Bulls All-Star push, a hot start for the Illinois women’s team and remembers a former Illini men’s basketball great.
Every Tuesday, Tribune writers will provide an update on what happened — and what’s ahead — for the Bulls, Sky and local college basketball teams. Want more? Sign up for our Tribune sports newsletter.
All-Star campaign begins for Josh Giddey
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey goes in for a layup against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center in Chicago on Dec. 17, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Outside of their lengthy trade to-do list, the Chicago Bulls have another major midseason goal — sending guard Josh Giddey to his first-ever All-Star weekend.
Giddey is barely a top-50 scorer in the NBA, but his All-Star bid relies on the totality of his contributions to the Bulls. The guard is averaging 19.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 9.2 assists. He racked up seven triple-doubles already this season, second only to Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, who leads the league with 16 triple-doubles.
Giddey exited Monday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter with a hamstring issue, the same night Jokić limped off the court during the Nuggets’ game in Miami with an apparent knee injury.
Despite his well-rounded portfolio, Giddey could be hindered by a new format for the All-Star game, which will consist of a round-robin tournament with two teams populated by 16 total American players and one with eight international players. This means that Giddey needs to stand out amongst the international players — a group that includes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jokić and Victor Wembanyama.
International players account for four of the top-10 scorers in the league (Luka Dončić, Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokić and Antetokounmpo). Team selections will also be positionless, which means that Giddey is competing against the entire field of international players rather than just the guards. It’s a tall task for a first-year selection — especially for a player from a team currently on the outskirts of playoff contention in the East.
“I think if you look at his body of work and what he’s meant to our team, I don’t think there’s any reason he shouldn’t be considered for the All-Star team,” coach Billy Donovan said. “There may be some people that (believe) winning has a higher priority as they vote — but if you look at the impact he’s had on our team from the start of the season until now, there’s no question he should be in strong consideration for that.”
Illini women off to hot start
Illinois forward Berry Wallace drives to the basket as Missouri guard Shannon Dowell defends on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
The Illinois women are off to the best start in program history after beating Purdue 83-73 on the road to improve to 12-1 and 2-0 in the Big Ten. They have won 10 straight games after a loss to Oregon State on Nov. 14.
But things are about to get a lot tougher for the Illini.
They host undefeated No. 7 Maryland on New Year’s Day, followed by playing at No. 24 Michigan State on Sunday and hosting No. 19 Ohio State on Jan. 7.
Illinois hasn’t beaten a ranked team yet, but it has still been a strong start for a team that replaced most of its starters after last season. After the Purdue game, Illinois coach Shauna Green complimented her team’s resilience in holding off the Boilermakers’ surges.
“For being a young team, they continue to amaze me about how they respond,” Green said on the postgame radio show. “This is loud in there. This is a tough place to play. We’re up 14 and they cut that to seven. And then we score. And then we get a stop. Our players are making plays and playing with a lot of poise.”
Number of the week: 53
Points scored by former Illinois basketball great Dave Downey on Feb. 16, 1963, at Indiana.
That’s still the Illinois single-game record. The Illini are mourning the loss of Downey, who died Saturday at age 84. He was a three-time team MVP and former All-American for Illinois from 1961-63. Downey averaged 18.9 points and 11 rebounds per game over his career, which earned him a spot in the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.
Week ahead: Bulls
Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu makes a shot against the Orlando Magic on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Wednesday: vs. Pelicans, 6 p.m., CHSN
Friday: vs. Magic, 6 p.m., CHSN
Saturday: vs. Hornets, 7 p.m., CHSN
Monday: @ Celtics, 6:30 p.m., CHSN
The Bulls will attempt to regain advantage in their head-to-head with the Magic, who currently split the series 1-1. The Magic are fifth in the Eastern Conference, but only 2 1/2 games ahead of the Bulls in the standings. The two teams will meet once more in the final week of the regular season.
Week ahead: Best college basketball games
Illinois guard Keaton Wagler drives against Southern’s Cam Amboree on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Craig Pessman)
Thursday: No. 7 Maryland women at Illinois, 3 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Saturday: No. 20 Illinois men at Penn State, 6 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Saturday: Minnesota men at Northwestern, 4 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Saturday: Xavier men at DePaul, 1 p.m. (FS1)
Sunday: Illinois women at No. 24 Michigan State, 11 a.m. (Big Ten Network)
Sunday: No. 18 Notre Dame women at Duke, noon (ACC Network)
The New Year means the thick of conference play. The Illinois women are diving into a tough bunch of Big Ten games, while the Illinois men have a couple of lighter tests against Penn State and Rutgers before their schedule ramps up.
Northwestern could use the services of leading scorer Nick Martinelli as the Wildcats get into January. Martinelli missed a loss to Butler with a concussion.
What we’re reading
Column: Phil Jackson and Sam Smith give an NBA history lesson — including Chicago Bulls dynasty — in new book
Can the Chicago Bulls keep outscoring their opponents — or is their defense on the hot seat again?
Column: Starting a healthier sports diet in 2026 is easier than you might think
Keaton Wagler powers No. 20 Illinois past Missouri 91-48 for the biggest blowout in Braggin’ Rights rivalry
Recapping an eventful 2025 for Chicago sports on — and off — the field
Quote of the week
“I’m assuming Giannis was mad about that report that came out the Bulls didn’t want to trade for him.” — Nikola Vučević about Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who prompted a scuffle after throwing down a windmill dunk in the dying seconds of a 112-103 win over the Bulls.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/30/chicago-bulls-josh-giddey-illinois-basketball-dave-downey/
The World Is Hopeful For A Better 2026
The World Is Hopeful For A Better 2026
Despite ongoing conflicts, uncertainty over what Trump era 2.0 will bring next and the imminent climate catastrophe, global optimism is holding firm for 2026.
As Statista’s Anna Fleck details below, according to the latest data from Ipsos, an average of 71 percent of respondents across 30 countries said they felt optimistic that their 2026 will be better than 2025.
This is the same share as last year and 16 percentage points up from 2023, which had the lowest score on record since Ipsos started running the survey.
You will find more infographics at Statista
Of course, a global average hides the differences between countries.
For instance, when looking at national breakdown, Indonesia has a high share of people feeling positive about their coming year. Out of the 30 countries polled, it comes out on top, with 90 percent of respondents feeling more optimistic about 2026. This is the same as last year.
At the more cynical end of the spectrum stand France and Japan, with only 41 percent and 44 percent of their respondents, respectively, feeling more positive about the coming year. France saw a nine percentage point drop from last 2024, following a year of political turmoil in 2025. Meanwhile, Japan’s low score is actually a six percentage point increase on its 2024 figure. South Korea and India were the two countries to see the largest gains, with a nine percentage point increase year-on-year.
Optimism has faltered slightly in the United Kingdom, down three percentage points from last year to 58 percent, while 66 percent of U.S. respondents said they felt optimistic about the coming year (-4 p.p.).
Tyler Durden
Tue, 12/30/2025 – 06:55
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/world-hopeful-better-2026
