Category: News
Policía de Ecuador investiga muerte del futbolista Mario Pineida
QUITO (AP) — En medio de la conmoción por el asesinato del futbolista ecuatoriano Mario Pineida, la policía continuaba el jueves con la investigación sobre el hecho violento que quedó registrado en cámaras de seguridad.
Pineida, ex jugador de la selección nacional y que militaba en el Barcelona Sporting Club de la primera división, murió la víspera en un ataque armado en el que también falleció una mujer y otra resultó herida, según confirmó la policía.
El hecho se produce cuando Ecuador afronta una ascendente ola de violencia al cierre del año.
Pineida, de 33 años, se encontraba en un local de venta de carne en la ciudad costera de Guayaquil, 265 kilómetros al suroeste de Quito, y quedó captado por cámaras de seguridad cuyas imágenes se difundieron el jueves en redes sociales. Las autoridades no se han pronunciado oficialmente sobre el video divulgado.
En las imágenes se puede observar a un hombre saliendo del interior del local vistiendo un pantalón corto blanco, camiseta azul y gorra, a quien la policía identificó posteriormente como Pineida. En ese momento, dos sujetos —uno portando casco de motocicleta y el otro gorra— le apuntan con armas de fuego e inmediatamente descargan los disparos. Una mujer que se encontraba en el lugar también fue atacada directamente. Los sujetos huyeron del lugar.
Ante una consulta de The Associated Press sobre información del ataque armado, la policía respondió el jueves que el hecho continúa en investigación.
No es la primera muerte de un futbolista por la ola de violencia que azota a Ecuador desde hace casi cinco años. En noviembre, Miguel Nazareno, jugador de 16 años del Independiente de Valle, falleció por una bala perdida en Guayaquil. En septiembre perecieron también por impactos de bala Maicol Valencia y Leandro Yépez, ambos de Exapromo Costa, y Jonathan González, de 22 de Junio, dos clubes en el Ascenso Nacional, la segunda categoría del fútbol ecuatoriano.
El coronel Edison Palacios, jefe de la policía en Guayaquil, señaló el miércoles que de acuerdo con testimonios “dos sujetos a bordo de motocicletas atentan contra la vida de dos personas”. Añadió que la mujer fallecida era “pareja (actual)” del jugador, mientras la madre de Pineida resultó herida.
El ministerio del Interior tampoco precisó las circunstancias en un chat de periodistas, pero indicó que el hecho es investigado por una dependencia policial, la Dirección de Investigación de Delitos Contra la Vida.
Pineida jugaba como lateral en Barcelona, uno de los icónicos equipos de la costa ecuatoriana en la Serie A, que lo contrató desde 2016. En ese año se coronó campeón nacional, algo que repitió en 2020 con el mismo equipo.
Pineida llegó a jugar en 2021 con Fluminense de Brasil, y disputó nueve partidos con la camiseta de la selección ecuatoriana —el último en la Copa América de ese mismo año, ingresando en el tramo final del encuentro contra Brasil en la fase de grupos. También fue convocado para la edición 2015 de la Copa América, pero no jugó.
En un comunicado, Barcelona informó que “ha sido notificado de manera oficial sobre el fallecimiento” de Pineida “tras un atentado en su contra”. El club, que no explicó por qué consideraba que el hecho era un atentado, manifestó que lo ocurrido enluta a la escuadra y que dará a conocer más adelante los detalles sobre las honras fúnebres.
Otros clubes ecuatorianos, como Liga de Quito e Independiente del Valle —en el que también militó Pineida— expresaron sus condolencias en la red social X.
Ecuador se apresta a cerrar 2025 como el año más violento de su historia con más de 9.000 homicidios según el Observatorio Ecuatoriano del Crimen Organizado y otros índices de criminalidad global. La cifra supera las 7.063 muertes violentas registradas en 2024 e inclusive el récord anterior de 2023 con 8.248.
El gobierno del presidente Daniel Noboa ha defendido la lucha para combatir a organizaciones criminales que han expandido sus operaciones en territorio ecuatoriano en vinculación con cárteles internacionales de la droga.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
US Judge Plans To Block Hundreds Of Trump Admin Layoffs
US Judge Plans To Block Hundreds Of Trump Admin Layoffs
Authored by Kimberley Hayek via The Epoch Times,
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston stated during a court hearing that she would block the departments of State and Education from moving forward with approximately 250 and 150 layoffs, respectively.
The decision comes after a lawsuit filed in October by unions challenging the Trump administration’s plans to shrink the federal workforce.
Illston also noted she would require the rehiring of about 300 employees laid off amid the 43-day shutdown that began on Oct. 1 at the State Department, Defense Department, General Services Administration, and Small Business Administration.
“The chaotic nature of these [layoffs] has been continuing and has affected employees of the government in many ways, including loss of potential alternative jobs and loss of health care coverage,” Illston said.
She said she would issue a formal written order later Wednesday but anticipated postponing enforcement until next week to provide the government time to appeal her decision. Illston said she was concerned about causing “whiplash” for workers who have dealt with multiple layoffs and reinstatements already this year.
The ruling comes after a continuing resolution passed last month, preventing agencies from imposing layoffs until Jan. 30. The Trump administration argued that the ruling did not apply to cuts announced prior to the Oct. 1 shutdown but Illston concurred with the unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees.
The lawsuit, first filed in October, sought to prevent more than 4,000 layoffs across all agencies.
Illston previously stayed a restraining order in response to the union’s request, arguing that it is “far from normal for an administration to fire line-level civilian employees during a government shutdown as a way to punish the opposing political party,” before referencing comments made by President Donald Trump on social media.
In late October, Illston extended an indefinite block on thousands of layoffs during the shutdown, which followed a temporary injunction earlier that month stopping shutdown-related layoffs. She then expanded the block on layoffs during the shutdown. She expanded the block to employees represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, the Service Employees International Union, and the National Association of Government Employees.
Her original Oct. 15 order had applied only to members of the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the unions that filed the lawsuit.
“The American people selected someone known above all else for his eloquence in communicating to employees that ‘you’re fired,’” Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Velchik said at an Oct. 28 hearing. “This is what they voted for.”
The “You’re fired” line stems from Trump’s time on the reality television series “The Apprentice.” He used the catchphrase regularly.
In May, Illston prevented mass layoffs at the Department of Education, a move the administration tried to stop but chose not to appeal to the Supreme Court after withdrawing an attempt to do so.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 12/18/2025 – 12:20
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/us-judge-plans-block-hundreds-trump-admin-layoffs
Drive-thru for TBA restaurant at Naperville BP gains early green light
A Naperville gas station took an initial step toward adding a drive-thru for a yet-to-be-determined quick-service restaurant this week when it won the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission endorsement.
The station is the BP at the southwest corner of Ogden Avenue and North Aurora Road, and the request to add a drive-thru comes from CIMA Developers, the real estate development arm of The PRIDE Stores.
Dan Soltis, CIMA’s vice president of real estate, said the company took ownership of the station in early 2025 and is investing to improve a store that’s “not hitting its potential.”
Soltis said a Dunkin Donuts franchisee is the target tenant for a portion of the existing BP To Go convenience store on the property at 1532 N. Aurora Road. The development company and doughnut shop are negotiating but don’t yet have a lease, he said.
To prepare for Dunkin or another restaurant use, CIMA is seeking city permission to build a drive-thru lane with “stacking” — or space to line up — for 12 cars. The plan also would include a 66-foot-long partial bypass lane for cars to exit the line before the pickup window.
The request, now unanimously endorsed by the commission, needs Naperville City Council approval because the bypass lane wouldn’t run the entire length of the drive-thru and because gas stations are now considered a conditional use within the B3 zoning district where the property lies.
Anna Franco, with the city’s planning services team, said staff approves of the request for a conditional use because the station is at a major intersection and operating a gas station there is consistent with the future place type listed in the land-use master plan.
She said staff also approves of the zoning variance needed to include a partial bypass lane instead of a full one with one condition: city staff would evaluate the need for stacking space after the restaurant user is identified.
Commission Chair Whitney Robbins said this condition makes her comfortable that the city is protected should the restaurant chosen for the site generate too much traffic. Several commissioners asked questions to clarify this, citing concerns about backups generated by the 7 Brew drive-thru coffee shop also along Ogden and city hesitation to allow a plan from another drive-thru coffee shop — Dutch Bros — to move forward.
“If they bring forward a Dutch Bros-type user, then how can we stop them from going in?” Commissioner Tom Castagnoli said.
“If someone came in with a history of quite a lot of traffic like one of the fast coffee shops you mentioned,” Franco told commissioners, “we may find that the site is insufficient for that user and that they would need to then request a major change to the conditional use.”
If such a situation occurred, the proposal would need approval again by both the commission and the council, Franco said.
Marie Wilson is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/18/drive-thru-bp-station-naperville-commission/
EU Will Look ‘Weak’ If It Doesn’t Confiscate Russian Funds, Zelensky Tells Crunch Summit
EU Will Look ‘Weak’ If It Doesn’t Confiscate Russian Funds, Zelensky Tells Crunch Summit
“We have to find a solution today,” said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “We won’t leave the European Council without a solution for the funding for Ukraine for the next two years.”
The 27 leaders of the European Union are gathered in Brussels Thursday, trying to figure out a way forward on raising at least €90 billion to meet Ukraine’s financial and military needs for the next two years. Central to this is an expected decision on confiscating Russian assets, but major hurdles remain – especially the fact that Belgium is dead set against it, and this is where the bulk of these assets are held.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Brussels too, and he’s laying the guilt-trip and emotions on thick. He warned on Thursday that Europe will be seen as “weak” if it doesn’t confiscate the funds.
“I know that Russia is threatening different countries over this decision. But we shouldn’t be scared of these threats – we should be scared that Europe will be weak,” he said. He’s also said that painful sacrifices will be needed to protect Europe.
There have been no breakthroughs reported following the morning session, however, also as the threat of major Russian legal action, including lawsuits, hangs over Belgium:
There is no breakthrough in the discussions yet. The main sticking point remains the financial guarantees that Belgium is asking from the other 26 EU member states. This “reparations loan” – that is what the European Commission calls it – is Russian money that is frozen here in the EU.
This will be the backup for a loan to Ukraine, which in theory will have to be paid back by Russia after the war in terms of reparations. But this is all in theory, because maybe Russia is never going to pay reparations, and that’s why Belgium is asking for guarantees.
The total amount of these assets is 210 billion euros ($247bn) across countries in Europe, but the European Commission has proposed starting with a 90-billion-euro ($106bn) loan for the next two years, so Belgium wants guarantees for at least this amount.
The Kremlin has decried all of this as making plans for outright theft, and that it would respond accordingly, placing Belgium most directly in its crosshairs.
While the EU argues that there is no “theft” as “the right of the Russian Central Bank to make a claim on its money and Euroclear’s duty to repay will remain in tact,” Belgian leadership has remained resistant to EU leaderships’ scheming.
Prime Minister of Belgium, Bart De Wever recently voiced the following: “The European states pushing for the confiscation of Russian assets in Belgium are mostly those bordering Russia, which have experienced Soviet tyranny and are psychologically at war. But we are not at war with Russia. And we do not wish to be at war with Russia. We must negotiate based on reality, not fantasy. In reality, you don’t steal money from a foreign central bank. Stealing from a central bank is like robbing an embassy.”
Tyler Durden
Thu, 12/18/2025 – 12:00
Foto de Miss Finlandia desata acusaciones de racismo y furor en Asia
Associated Press
HELSINKI (AP) — El gobierno de Finlandia enfrenta una fuerte presión y acusaciones de racismo por parte de varios países asiáticos después de que su representante para el certamen de Miss Universo 2025 fuera vista tirando de las comisuras de sus ojos en una foto, y algunos políticos finlandeses publicaron sus propias fotos repitiendo el gesto.
Sarah Dzafce perdió su corona de Miss Finlandia la semana pasada después de que una foto de ella tirando de la piel en las comisuras de sus ojos, publicada en las redes sociales, se volviera viral a finales del mes pasado. La foto, y su pie de foto que decía “comiendo con un chino”, fue condenada por gobiernos y comentaristas en toda Finlandia y Asia como una discriminación contra los asiáticos.
Dzafce, quien ganó Miss Finlandia en septiembre, ha dicho a los medios finlandeses que estaba tratando de aliviar un dolor de cabeza. El Helsinki Times informó que ella dijo que un amigo había compartido la imagen privada y escribió el pie de foto sin su participación. Dzafce no respondió a la solicitud de comentarios de The Associated Press el jueves.
Dzafce publicó una disculpa en las redes sociales el 8 de diciembre y dijo que nunca fue su intención herir a nadie.
“El título de Miss Finlandia no es solo una corona para mí, sino también una responsabilidad. Una responsabilidad sobre cómo hablo, cómo actúo y cómo mis acciones pueden afectar a las personas”, escribió en finlandés.
Añadió: “Asumo la responsabilidad de mis acciones y aprenderé de esto”.
Días después, la Organización de Miss Finlandia revocó su estatus como Miss Finlandia 2025, conocida como Miss Suomi en finlandés.
“Los eventos de los últimos días han causado un profundo dolor, decepción y preocupación tanto en Finlandia como internacionalmente, de manera completamente comprensible”, escribió la organización en redes sociales. “Lamentamos profundamente el daño que estos eventos han causado. Especialmente a la comunidad asiática, pero también a todos los afectados. El racismo nunca es aceptable en ninguna forma”.
La controversia se intensificó cuando varios políticos finlandeses de extrema derecha se unieron en apoyo a Dzafce después de que perdió su corona. Miembros del parlamento que forman parte de la coalición gobernante publicaron sus propias fotos tirando de la piel alrededor de sus ojos.
El furor se ha extendido por toda Asia, lo que llevó al primer ministro finlandés Petteri Orpo a emitir una disculpa a varios países, incluidos Japón y Corea del Sur, a través de declaraciones en sus idiomas publicadas en las cuentas de redes sociales de las embajadas finlandesas.
“Estas publicaciones no reflejan los valores de igualdad e inclusión de Finlandia”, decía la declaración de Orpo. “El racismo y la discriminación no tienen lugar en la sociedad finlandesa. Nuestro mensaje en Finlandia y a todos nuestros amigos en el extranjero es que el Gobierno toma el racismo en serio y está comprometido a combatir el problema. Finlandia siempre aspira a hacerlo mejor. Los políticos tienen la responsabilidad de servir como ejemplos en este sentido”.
El gobierno de Japón se ha comunicado con la embajada finlandesa en Tokio expresando sus preocupaciones.
El Secretario Jefe del Gabinete, Minoru Kihara, el principal portavoz del gobierno, dijo que Japón espera mantener una comunicación cercana con Helsinki.
“Entiendo que el primer ministro finlandés emitió una declaración expresando su más profunda disculpa por las recientes publicaciones insultantes hechas en las redes sociales por algunos parlamentarios”, dijo Kihara. “Como gobierno japonés, hemos transmitido a través de la embajada local nuestra preocupación por el caso y nuestras expectativas de una respuesta adecuada”.
Finlandia es un importante destino turístico para visitantes de Asia, y algunos usuarios en la plataforma social X han llamado a boicotear los viajes a Finlandia y a Finnair, la aerolínea más grande del país.
Päivyt Tallqvist, vicepresidente senior de comunicaciones de la aerolínea, dijo a la emisora finlandesa Yle que el escándalo ha perjudicado las operaciones internacionales de la compañía sin proporcionar detalles.
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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.
Multa de tránsito en barrio ultraortodoxo de Jerusalén desata enfrentamientos con la policía
Por JULIA FRANKEL
JERUSALÉN (AP) — Un intento de las autoridades israelíes de emitir una rutinaria multa de estacionamiento en un barrio ultraortodoxo de Jerusalén se tornó violento el jueves, cuando miembros de la comunidad se reunieron rápidamente para protestar, atacando e hiriendo a 13 policías, indicaron las autoridades.
La violencia refleja las crecientes tensiones entre las autoridades israelíes y los judíos ultraortodoxos, conocidos como Haredim, mientras el gobierno considera planes para reclutarlos en el ejército. Recientemente, han estallado enfrentamientos cuando las autoridades israelíes han ingresado a los barrios ultraortodoxos, densamente poblados y aislados.
La policía indicó que los enfrentamientos comenzaron cuando un inspector intentó emitir una multa de estacionamiento y fue recibido con violencia y amenazas. La policía realizó un arresto. Cientos de manifestantes ultraortodoxos llegaron de inmediato, intentando liberar al sospechoso, dañando autos de la policía y lanzando piedras y huevos a los agentes, según informaron.
En respuesta, la policía lanzó granadas aturdidoras, disparó cañones de agua y golpeó a los manifestantes con porras, de acuerdo con videos que circulan en las redes sociales israelíes.
Los residentes acusaron a la policía de intentar arrestar al hombre por no haberse registrado para el servicio militar, una acusación que la policía negó.
Cinco agentes fueron llevados al hospital y varios más resultaron levemente heridos. Hasta la tarde del jueves, la policía informó que había arrestado a cuatro personas e investigaba a varias más.
Fotos que circulan en las redes sociales israelíes muestran un coche volcado y vehículos con parabrisas rotos.
Tras la fundación de Israel, en 1948, a un pequeño número de talentosos eruditos ultraortodoxos se les concedió la exención del servicio militar, que es obligatorio para la mayoría de los judíos. Pero con el impulso de partidos religiosos con gran poder político, la cifra aumentó a lo largo de las décadas.
Muchos israelíes seculares, especialmente aquellos que han participado en múltiples rondas de servicio en la reciente guerra entre Israel y el grupo palestino Hamás en Gaza, ahora apoyan la eliminación de esa exención y el reclutamiento de los ultraortodoxos.
Sin embargo, las medidas para reclutar a los miembros de ese grupo han sido recibidas con una fuerte oposición y, en ocasiones, violencia por parte de manifestantes religiosos, quienes afirman que servir en el ejército destruirá su forma de vida.
Cerca de 1,3 millones de judíos ultraortodoxos constituyen alrededor del 13% de la población de Israel y se oponen al reclutamiento porque creen que estudiar a tiempo completo en seminarios religiosos es su deber más importante.
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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.
Trump Media To Merge With Nuclear Fusion Company TAE In $6 Billion Deal
Trump Media To Merge With Nuclear Fusion Company TAE In $6 Billion Deal
Authored by Tom Ozimek via The Epoch Times,
President Donald Trump’s media company, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), said on Dec. 18 that it has signed a definitive agreement to merge with nuclear fusion firm TAE Technologies in an all-stock transaction valued at more than $6 billion, an ambitious tie-up the companies said was a bid to help “power America’s technology revolution.”
In a joint statement, TMTG—owner of Truth Social—and TAE said the deal seeks to create one of the world’s first publicly traded fusion companies.
In a post on Truth Social, TMTG described the move as a natural extension of its broader mission.
“From its inception, TMTG has been dedicated to building things the American people needed,” the company said, citing the launches of Truth Social and Truth+.
“And as our country positions itself to achieve global technology dominance in AI, quantum computing, and other groundbreaking innovations, we’re merging with @TAE to build the engine we believe will power America’s technology revolution.”
Under the definitive merger agreement, TMTG shareholders and privately held TAE are expected to each own roughly 50 percent of the combined company on a fully diluted basis.
The transaction has been approved by the boards of both companies and is expected to close in mid-2026, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Fusion Ambitions
The companies said the combined entity plans to site and begin construction in 2026 on what they describe as the world’s first utility-scale fusion power plant, a 50-megawatt-electric (MWe) facility.
Additional plants in the 350 to 500 MWe range are also planned, with the companies outlining their expectations that fusion energy will deliver “economic, abundant, and dependable” electricity while helping the United States meet surging power demands driven by artificial intelligence.
To support that push, TMTG has agreed to provide up to $200 million of cash to TAE at signing, with an additional $100 million available upon the initial filing of a Form S-4 registration statement.
Founded in 1998, TAE said it has spent more than 25 years developing fusion technology aimed at commercial deployment. TAE said in a June 2 statement it had built “five increasingly powerful and productive” fusion demonstration units to National Laboratory scale. It has also advanced construction on a sixth demonstration unit, Copernicus, which the company said is “on track to achieve a net energy milestone before the end of the decade.”
The company has raised more than $1.3 billion in private capital from investors including Google, Chevron Technology Ventures, Goldman Sachs, and Charles Schwab.
Leadership, Governance
TMTG CEO Devin Nunes and TAE CEO Michl Binderbauer are expected to serve as co-CEOs of the combined entity, the companies said. Nunes would continue to lead TMTG’s brands, while Binderbauer would oversee TAE’s fusion operations.
“Trump Media & Technology Group built uncancellable infrastructure to secure free expression online for Americans, and now we’re taking a big step forward toward a revolutionary technology that will cement America’s global energy dominance for generations,” Nunes said in a statement.
Truth Social CEO Devin Nunes speaks during a general session at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Texas, on August 5, 2022. Go Nakamura/Reuters
“Fusion power will be the most dramatic energy breakthrough since the onset of commercial nuclear energy in the 1950s,” he added, calling it an innovation that would “lower energy prices, boost supply, ensure America’s A.I.-supremacy, revive our manufacturing base and bolster national defense.”
Binderbauer said recent progress positions TAE to move quickly toward commercialization.
“Our talented team, through its commitment and dedication to science, is poised to solve the immense global challenge of energy scarcity,” he said, adding that the company is “excited to identify our first site and begin deploying this revolutionary technology that we expect to fundamentally transform America’s energy supply.”
Michael B. Schwab, founder and managing director of Big Sky Partners, is expected to serve as chairman of a planned nine-member board. The board is slated to include two directors from TMTG—Nunes and Donald Trump Jr.—two from TAE, and five independent directors to be named later.
Based on TMTG’s trailing 30-day volume-weighted average share price as of Dec. 17, the deal values each share of TAE common stock at $53.89 on a fully diluted basis.
Upon closing, TMTG would become the holding company for Truth Social, Truth+, Truth.Fi, TAE, and its subsidiaries, TAE Power Solutions and TAE Life Sciences.
The merger comes on the heels of TMTG’s third-quarter results, which show a strengthened balance sheet and improved cash position. The company said it ended the third quarter with $3.1 billion in financial assets and posted $10.1 million in operating cash flow, its second consecutive quarter of positive operating cash flow.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 12/18/2025 – 11:40
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/trump-media-merge-nuclear-fusion-company-tae-6-billion-deal
Around the Southland: Orland Park library Winter Wonderfest, food drive in Palos Park, more
Orland Park library kicks off Winter Wonderfest
Hundreds of people joined the Orland Park Public Library for its annual winter reading kickoff, Winter Wonderfest, featuring family fun for patrons of all ages.
The lobby featured holiday songs played on the piano, and visitors warmed up with drinks and activities around the building. Goats in holiday sweaters walked around outside as an ice sculptor brought winter-themed images to life from blocks of ice. The event concluded with a performance of Juggling Funny Stories.
Orland Park residents can join the winter reading program online at orlandparklibrary.org or by visiting the library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave.
Palos Park police cadets seek nonperishable food
Through Jan. 1, Palos Park police cadets and the community service officer are accepting nonperishable food items that will help families from the southwest suburban area.
Drop-off boxes are at the Palos Park Recreation Center, 8901 W. 123rd Ave.; Palos Park PUblic LIbray, 12330 Forest Glen Blvd.; Palos Park Metra station, 12200 S. 82nd Ave.; and Village of Palos Park Kapture Administrative Center, 8999 W. 123rd Ave.
Canned goods and boxed goods may be donated. Arrange a pickup by calling 708-671-3770 or emailing Jmiller@palospark.org.
Andrew High School adds assistant principal
Doug Bozych has been approved by the Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education to become Victor J. Andrew High School’s new assistant principal of activities, taking over from Tim Dalton, who will retire at the end of the school year.
Since 2022, Bozych has been division chairman of Physical Education, Health, and Driver Education at the school. He had that same position for 2020-22 at Amos Alonzo Stagg High School after beginning his career at Andrew as a PE, health driver’s ed and adapted PE teacher for more than a decade. He also was head coach of Andrew’s boys’ track and field program and Student Activities coordinator.
For more than 10 years he was part of the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association Board of Directors. He has a master’s degree in educational administration from Concordia University and a master’s degree in sports administration from Northwestern University.
Psych students at MVCC pack lunches for homeless
Students in Moraine Valley Community College’s Honors Introduction to Psychology class pack lunches for BEDS Plus, which serves the homeless. (Moraine Valley Community College)
For the past 15 years, Nick Shizas, professor of psychology at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills has included a service-learning project in his Honors Introduction to Psychology course, linking psychological ideas to real-world issues.
Twice a semester, students pack lunches for BEDS Plus, a nonprofit organization that helps people with housing and support services. At the end of the semester, students give a presentation on how the project affected them and what psychological concepts in action they saw.
A recent packing session of items donated by Shizas and the students led to 60 lunches of sandwiches, chips, granola bars and fruit cups. They also planned to serve chicken dinners, donated by The Patio in Bridgeview, at the BEDS Plus Summit Service Center, interacting with residents.
“With service learning, my students become actively involved and engaged in their communities but also develop a more profound understanding of psychological concepts,” Shizas shared via a news release. “It’s a humanizing experience that many students come back and say, ‘That as one of the most memorable experiences I had at Moraine Valley.’”
Skate with Santa in Crestwood
Southwest Ice Arena hosts Kate WIth Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 24 at 5505 W. 127th St. in Crestwood.
The annual event costs $8, which includes skate rental. Holiday cheer abounds when Santa trades his sleigh for the ice. Information is at 708-371-1344.
PJ party planned at Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn
A Noon Year’s Eve pajama party for members is planned for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, 5100 Museum Drive in Oak Lawn.
Bubbles and confetti will be used to count down to 2026. Admission is $5 per member. Memberships for the year, which include unlimited visits, discounts on special events and early admission from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays, start at $175. That level includes admission up to six people per day. Information is at 708-423-6709.
Chicago Heights gallery’s market closes soon
Area residents have until Dec. 20 to shop for items created by more than 25 local artists and craftspeople at the Handmade Market at Union Street Gallery, 1527 Otto Blvd. in Chicago Heights. Gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
This year’s market features ceramics, art prints, stationery, jewelry and homemade art objects. A closing reception is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 20. Food, raffles, music and the chance to meet guilt artists, studio artists and the market’s vendors will be included, and attendees can vote for their favorite artist’s display. Details are at 708-754-2601.
Send news to communitynews@southtownstar.com.
El Banco de Inglaterra reduce tasa de interés clave por primera vez en meses
Associated Press
LONDRES (AP) — El Banco de Inglaterra redujo el jueves su tasa de interés clave por primera vez en cuatro meses, a medida que la inflación que ha afectado a consumidores y empresas comienza a ceder.
Los responsables de la política del banco central votaron 5-4 para reducir la tasa base en un cuarto de punto porcentual al 3,75% el jueves, la más baja desde febrero de 2023.
La medida se produjo un día después de que la Oficina de Estadísticas Nacionales informó que el índice de precios al consumidor bajó a 3,2% anual en noviembre, desde 3,6% en octubre.
La cifra estuvo por debajo del pronóstico del Banco de Inglaterra del 3,4%. Eso dio a los responsables de la política monetaria margen para reducir las tasas de interés en un esfuerzo por impulsar la estancada economía británica. Las estadísticas publicadas a principios de esta semana mostraron un debilitamiento del mercado laboral: el número de vacantes disminuyó y la tasa de desempleo aumentó a 5,1%, la más alta desde enero de 2021.
“El desempleo, el subempleo y los flujos del empleo al desempleo han aumentado”, dijo el gobernador del Banco de Inglaterra, Andrew Bailey. “Aunque aún no veo evidencia concluyente de una desaceleración más pronunciada en el mercado laboral, debemos estar atentos”.
La inflación todavía está muy por encima del objetivo del 2% del Banco de Inglaterra.
Los precios al consumidor británicos también están aumentando más rápido que en otras partes de Europa y América del Norte. La tasa de inflación en los 20 países europeos que utilizan la moneda euro se mantuvo en 2,1% en noviembre. La inflación en Estados Unidos fue del 3,0% en septiembre, las últimas cifras publicadas debido al cierre del gobierno, según se dio a conocer el jueves.
Las tasas de interés bajas ayudan a estimular el crecimiento económico porque abaratan los costos de los préstamos, lo que puede llevar a un aumento del gasto por parte de los consumidores y a un impulso en la inversión por parte de las empresas. Pero eso también puede hacer que suban los precios.
Los banqueros centrales deben sopesar esas fuerzas en competencia, evitando que la inflación erosione el valor de los ingresos y ahorros sin frenar innecesariamente el crecimiento económico.
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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.
It’s Crunch Time For Europe Which Decides Whether To Confiscate Russian Assets
It’s Crunch Time For Europe Which Decides Whether To Confiscate Russian Assets
By Elwin de Groot and Bas van Geffen, strategists at Rabobank
Is today crunch-time for the EU? That is the billion dollar question. European leaders are meeting in Brussels for a two‑day European Council summit. Their agenda covers a range of topics, including a ‘strategic debate’ on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, EU enlargement, migration, the Mercosur deal that risks being delayed (or cancelled?) again, preparation of the European defence roadmap, and geo-economic strategy through a review of competitiveness.
These are all important topics. But without a doubt, the question of funding Ukraine is the toughest nut to crack. Europe remains committed to this support, as Russia’s Putin showed little willingness to compromise in his speech yesterday: He said that Russia will not back down from its mission to “liberate its historic lands” and that the “European swine” backing Ukraine would ultimately lose power.
The EU’s goal is still to grant a €90-140 billion loan to Ukraine to support its economy and military through 2026–27, backed by frozen assets from the Russian central bank that are held mostly in Euroclear (Belgium). But Belgium has stressed legal and financial liabilities concerns. The country has proposed a joint-EU loan instead.
As a first step towards using the frozen assets, the EU decided last week –by qualified majority– to replace the six-month renewal cycle with and open-ended freeze of those assets. This provision ensures the funds cannot be reclaimed by Russia due to vetoes from Hungary or Slovakia.
But the next step proves to be more difficult. The White House has been dialing up pressure on EU governments to block the plan, arguing that tapping these assets might prolong the war and reduce the chance of reaching a peace agreement. Indeed, US diplomats have warned that Russian lawsuits, such as the one already filed against Euroclear, could trigger repayment obligations, potentially to the US.
In any case, German Chancellor Merz has now thrown his full weight in this discussion, backing the frozen assets plan and trying to force a decision. Yesterday he told parliament that “It is about aid for Ukraine, but it is also about sending a clear signal to Russia that we will use the assets that are available here to help end this war as quickly as possible.”
That is perhaps Merz’ style. But he also may be emboldened by the fact that German lawmakers approved a record list of arms and military equipment purchases yesterday, worth around €50 billion, taking the total amount approved this year to nearly €83 billion. As those orders land on military equipment maker’s desks, this should provide a significant boost to German industry the coming year.
There have been quite some critical remarks on the effectiveness of the German spending plans, such as from the German Council of Economic Experts, but there can be little doubt that next year should see a significant fiscal impulse. And this is clearly a factor that has weighed on German Bunds in recent months, with the 10y yield –at 2.86% yesterday– within a whisker of this year’s high.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 12/18/2025 – 11:21
