Porter County Board of Commissioners accepting applications

The Porter County Board of Commissioners is currently accepting applications for the following Board positions: Alcohol Beverage Board; Board of Health; Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission; Board of Zoning Appeals; Opioid Committee; Parks and Recreation; Plan Commission; PTABOA; Recycle and Solid Waste; Redevelopment Commission; Stormwater Advisory Board; and West Porter Fire District. Applications are available at the Porter County Commissioners’ office, 155 Indiana Ave., Suite 205, Valparaiso, or online. Applications, more information, and the requirements for all Board positions can be found at www.portercountyin.gov under “Board of Commissioners,” “Citizen Board Appointments.” Applications must be received via email at Melanie.Griffin@portercountyin.gov or in person at the Porter County Commissioners’ office no later than 4:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Appointments will be announced at the Commissioners’ meeting at 10 a.m. Jan. 6.

Senator Young announces nominees for U.S. Service Academies

United States Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) has announced his nominations for U.S. service academy appointments. Applications were received from 150 Hoosier students. A select group of students was then interviewed by an advisory board chosen by Senator Young. Out of the 80 offered interviews, 44 exemplary young men and women from across Indiana received a nomination to at least one service academy from Senator Young. A nomination does not guarantee admission to a service academy, but is required in order to be considered. Nominees are chosen based on personal merit. Criteria considered include evidence of character, leadership, academic excellence, physical aptitude and extracurricular activities. Three area students are among those named. Nominated for the United State Air Force Academy: Noah Lorincz, Westfield High School; and Cameron Reddick, Lake Central High School. Nominated for the United States Merchant Marine Academy: Bobby Scott, Crown Point High School.

 Nora Burk named Valpo’s Rising Star

The Mayor’s Youth Council has named Nora Burk as Valparaiso’s Rising Star for 2025. The Rising Star recognition celebrates the abundance of responsible, intelligent and hardworking youth that contribute to the success of Valparaiso every day. Burk is a fifth-grader at Central Elementary. Since second grade, she has been a committed member in the community, dedicating her time and energy to the K-Kids program and many others. She crafted colorful dog toys for the local animal shelter, designed holiday placemats for Meals on Wheels and tied blankets for people in need. Burk is a natural leader who values teamwork and helps to foster cooperation and to resolve conflicts among her peers, often sacrificing her own recess to tutor classmates or offer guidance. The Rising Star Recognition program was created by the Valparaiso Mayor’s Youth Council in 2024. The program was created to recognize outstanding youth leadership and involvement. To learn more about the program visit the Community Engagement page at valpo.us.

Communities in Senate District 6 will receive road-funding grants

Communities in Senate District 6 will receive more than $4.4 million to improve roads and bridges through the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program (CCMG). Established by the Indiana General Assembly in 2016, the CCMG aims to advance community infrastructure projects, strengthen local transportation networks and improve Indiana’s roads and bridges. Since its enactment, the program has awarded more than $2 billion in state matching funds for local construction projects. In Senate District 6, the following communities received grants: Benton County, $796,640.20; Boswell, $217,520; De Motte, $286,084; Fowler, $603,848; Goodland, $177,080; Lake County, $1 million; Lowell, $384,752.97; Morocco, $140,544; and Rensselaer, $802,712. Through the program, the Indiana Department of Transportation matches up to $1 million annually when localities invest in road and bridge repairs. Counties with populations fewer than 55,000 and cities and towns with populations fewer than 10,000 receive an 80/20 match, while counties with populations greater than 55,000 and cities and towns with populations greater than 10,000 receive a 50/50 match. A full list of communities receiving matching funds can be found at https://www.in.gov/indot/doing-business-with-indot/local-public-agency-programs/community-crossing-matching-grant-program/#Past_CCMG_Award_Recipients.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/15/community-news-applications-open-for-porter-county-boards/ 

WASHINGTON— President Donald Trump on Monday blamed Rob Reiner’s outspoken opposition to the president for the actor-director’s killing, delivering the unsubstantiated claim in a shocking post that seemed intent on decrying his opponents even in the face of a tragedy.

The statement, even for Trump, was a shocking comment that came as police were still investigating the deaths of the beloved director and his wife as an apparent homicide. The couple were found dead at their home Sunday in Los Angeles. Investigators believe they suffered stab wounds and the couple’s son Nick Reiner, was in police custody early Monday.

Trump has a long track record of inflammatory remarks, but his comments in a social media post were a drastic departure from the role presidents typically play in offering a message of consolation or tribute to the death of a public figure. His message drew criticism even from conservatives and his supporters and laid bare Trump’s unwillingness to rise above political grievance in moments of crisis.

Rob Reiner, son of a comedy giant who became one in turn, dies at 78

Trump, in a post on his social media network, said that Reiner and his wife were killed “reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME.”

He said Reiner “was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness.”

Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, who has bucked much of his party’s lockstep agreement with the president, criticized Trump for the comment.

Rob Reiner’s son Nick arrested after director and his wife found dead at their Los Angeles home

“Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered,” Massie wrote in a post on X. “I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they’re afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican whom Trump branded a “traitor” for disagreeing with him, responded to Trump’s message by saying, “This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies.”

Reiner was one of the most active Democrats in the film industry, regularly campaigning on behalf of liberal causes and hosting fundraisers. He was a vocal critic of Trump, calling him in a 2017 interview with Variety “mentally unfit” to be president and “the single-most unqualified human being to ever assume the presidency of the United States.”

The White House, which amplified the president’s post, did not respond to a message about the criticism it was receiving and calls for Trump to take it down.

The unsympathetic message was the latest example of Trump’s unsparing prism through which he views those he perceives as enemies.

He made retribution against political enemies a prime focus of his campaign for the White House last year. And he has in the past made light of violence when it’s befallen those on the other side of the political aisle.

When Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was attacked by an intruder looking for the former House speaker at the family’s San Francisco home in 2022 and beaten over the head with a hammer, Trump later mocked the attack.

That’s despite his comments after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this year. Trump said Kirk’s killing was “the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree.”

His administration then sought consequences for people who were critical of Kirk or even celebrated his killing.

Jenna Ellis, who was one of Trump’s lawyers and worked on his efforts in 2020 to overturn the results of the presidential election, pointed out Trump’s double standard and called his post “NOT the appropriate response.”

“The Right uniformly condemned political and celebratory responses to Charlie Kirk’s death. This is a horrible example from Trump (and surprising considering the two attempts on his own life) and should be condemned by everyone with any decency,” Ellis said in a post on X.

When Trump spoke at Kirk’s memorial service, he used his remarks to underline how he views his adversaries.

“I hate my opponent,” the president said.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/15/trump-rob-reiner/ 

Northwest Indiana members of the Daughters of the American Revolution braved Valley Forge-esque weather for an abbreviated ceremony Saturday to place wreaths honoring veterans at Luther Cemetery.

A U.S. Marine Corps JROTC color guard from Portage High School performed their duties with bare hands despite the 14-degree weather and snow flurries.

Kathlynn Kinnear-Hewitt, a member of the William Henry Harrison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, lays a wreath Saturday at Luther Cemetery in Valparaiso in memory of those who served in the armed forces. (Doug Ross/Post-Tribune)

The DAR’s William Henry Harrison Chapter chose the small cemetery for the service after a lengthy service project to clean markers and restore some of them.

In addition to wreaths on the veterans’ graves, the DAR laid wreaths in memory of those who served and are serving in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

Doug McGriff, of the Duneland Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, laid a wreath in honor of members from all branches of the military whose last known status was either prisoners of war or missing in action so they will not be forgotten.

“We have decided to celebrate this every day on the coldest day of the year,” Chuck Harris, of Bartholomew Funeral Home, quipped. Bartholomew oversees the cemetery.

Doug McGriff, a member of the Duneland Chapter of the Sons of American Revolution, takes off his hat Saturday after laying a wreath in memory of prisoners of war and those listed as missing in action. (Doug Ross/Post-Tribune)

“As we place these wreaths, we do more than decorate these graves. We carry forward the stories, the courage and the sacrifice of the men and women who served this nation,” he said. “They stood for something greater than themselves, and today we stand in gratitude for them.”

“This ceremony always touches me deeply,” Harris said. “There’s something about the stillness of this place, the names etched in stone and the quiet unity of all of us standing here that reminds us that freedom in not abstract. It is personal, and it has a cost, and it lives on because of those we serve and remember.

“May we leave here inspired to live with some sense of purpose and dedication that they have demonstrated,” he said.

It’s important to make sure no veteran is forgotten, Harris said.

A wreath lies in front of the grave of Civil War veteran Solomon Mott at Luther Cemetery in Valparaiso. (Doug Ross/Post-Tribune)

Wreaths Across America was established as a nonprofit in 2007. By 2016, more than 1.2 million wreaths were placed on graves across America. Now it’s spread to more than 5,600 locations, DAR member Gabrielle Eckhardt said.

Jason Zimmer played “Amazing Grace” on his bagpipes, followed by Lance Bauer playing Taps after retrieving his horn from his car, where he was keeping it warm.

Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/15/veterans-honored-with-wreath-laying-ceremony/ 

The Chicago Blackhawks placed star center Connor Bedard on injured reserve Monday because of an upper-body injury he suffered in Friday’s 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. He will be reevaluated in January, but surgery is not expected.

Bedard sat out Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings and will miss at least the next eight games.

With 0.8 seconds left in regulation Friday, Blues forward Brayden Scheen plowed through Bedard to prevent a shot. Bedard fell to the ice and grabbed his shoulder in clear pain as he skated to the locker room.

Bedard hadn’t missed time since his rookie season, having played in all 82 games in 2024-25. He suffered a fractured jaw Jan. 5, 2024, against the New Jersey Devils and missed 14 games, though he still led all NHL rookies in points en route to winning the Calder Trophy.

He’s in the midst of a breakout season this year, ranking fourth in the NHL with 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists). He’s two goals and nine points from passing Eddie Olczyk for the most in Hawks history before turning 21.

The injury likely will kill Bedard’s chances of playing for Canada in the Winter Olympics in February. The deadline for the roster to be finalized is Dec. 31.

Bedard has scored or assisted on 48.4% of the Hawks goals this season. In their first game without him Saturday, they were unable to create any offense in the shutout loss to the Red Wings.

Coach Jeff Blashill said Monday that Bedard has taken the injury well and has done a better job of not overtraining like in past seasons.

“His attitude is good,” Blashill said. “I think he wants to be back next week — that’s the approach he takes.”

The Hawks are 3-11-1 without Bedard since drafting him with the No. 1 pick in 2023. Things aren’t getting easier in the Central Division with the Colorado Avalanche (23-2-7) being Stanley Cup favorites and the Minnesota Wild adding defenseman Quinn Hughes in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks.

It will be hard to make up for the absence of Bedard’s playmaking and scoring. The Hawks called up Nick Lardis on Saturday in hopes of an offensive spark, but overall it’s a next-man-up mentality.

“Connor’s not going to go out tomorrow night and score a big goal, so then someone else has to do that,” Blashill said. “It puts more pressure on the rest of the team, and that’s good. Let’s see which guys can take that pressure and up their game.”

More roster moves

Captain Nick Foligno, who’s on IR with a hand/wrist injury, will travel with the Hawks on their three-game Canadian trip that starts Tuesday night in Toronto. Blashill said he “wouldn’t rule out” Foligno playing during the trip.
Defenseman Ethan Del Mastro was recalled from the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. It hasn’t been determined if he will play against the Maple Leafs.
Goaltender Laurent Brossoit was recalled from Rockford but will be placed on waivers. If he clears waivers, he will spend more time with the IceHogs.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/15/chicago-blackhawks-connor-bedard-injured-reserve/ 

Associated Press

MADRID (AP) — El gobierno de España multó a Airbnb con 64 millones de euros (75 millones de dólares) por anunciar alquileres turísticos sin licencia, manifestaron las autoridades el lunes.

La medida es la acción más reciente del gobierno español contra empresas de alquiler a corto plazo como Airbnb y Booking.com, mientras el país enfrenta un problema de asequibilidad de la vivienda, especialmente en los centros urbanos.

El ministerio de derechos del consumidor indicó que los alquileres no incluían números de licencia —un requisito en muchas regiones de España— o listaban números de licencia que no coincidían con los que tenían las autoridades. Otros tenían información incorrecta sobre los anfitriones, señaló.

Airbnb expresó que planea impugnar la multa en los tribunales. La empresa afirmó que estaba trabajando con las autoridades españolas para cumplir con un nuevo sistema nacional de registro para alquileres a corto plazo, y que más de 70.000 anuncios en la plataforma habían añadido un número de registro desde enero.

El gobierno de izquierda y muchos españoles de todo el espectro político ven a las empresas de alquiler a corto plazo como responsables de aumentar los costos de la vivienda.

La nación en la Península Ibérica es uno de los países más visitados del mundo y los alquileres vacacionales a corto plazo han reducido la oferta ya limitada de muchas ciudades.

“Hay miles de familias que viven al límite a causa de la vivienda, mientras unos pocos se enriquecen con modelos de negocio que expulsan a las personas de sus hogares”, dijo en un comunicado Pablo Bustinduy, ministro de derechos del consumidor.

En mayo, dicho ministerio ordenó a Airbnb retirar alrededor de 65.000 anuncios debido a violaciones de las normas.

En 2024, el organismo de control antimonopolio de España multó a Booking.com con 413 millones de euros (448 millones de dólares), diciendo que la empresa de reservas y viajes en línea abusó de su posición dominante en el mercado del país durante los cinco años anteriores.

Las autoridades en Barcelona han dicho que planean eliminar gradualmente los 10.000 apartamentos con licencia en la ciudad como alquileres a corto plazo para 2028, con el fin de proteger la oferta de vivienda para los residentes. _______

Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/15/espaa-multa-a-airbnb-con-75-millones-de-dlares-por-alquileres-tursticos-sin-licencia/ 

Por ADRIANA GÓMEZ LICÓN

MIAMI (AP) — En una cálida mañana de domingo en Miami, el congresista Ruben Gallego se bajó de un auto y se acercó a los feligreses que salían de una iglesia bajo las palmeras para repartir volantes en este barrio dominicano. Gallego dejó atrás a algunos de sus colaboradores al buscar apoyo para una compañera demócrata que se postulaba a la alcaldía de la ciudad de mayoría hispana.

“Mucho gusto”, dijo a los feligreses. “Soy Ruben Gallego, de Arizona”, dijo al presentarse sin mencionar que es senador federal.

El demócrata de Arizona se perfila como una figura crucial para un partido que busca desesperadamente recuperar el apoyo latino que se desvaneció en 2024 con la elección del presidente Donald Trump. Sus viajes en otoño incluyeron Nueva Jersey, Virginia y Florida, donde hizo campaña por los demócratas que posteriormente ganaron sus elecciones. Los estrategas dicen que Gallego demuestra su fuerza como estrella emergente del partido, a la vez que sienta las bases para una candidatura presidencial en 2028, a pesar de no ser tan conocido como Gavin Newsom, el gobernador de California, o Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, legisladora federal.

Es un rol que se cree que Gallego mantendrá el próximo año, cuando los demócratas esperan poner fin al control republicano en el Congreso y contrarrestar la agenda de Trump.

“Ruben Gallego va a ser nuestra arma secreta, no tan secreta”, dijo Maria Cardona, una operadora demócrata de larga trayectoria y miembro del Comité Nacional Demócrata.

Una figura muy solicitada

Gallego se encuentra entre los demócratas nombrados como posibles contendientes para 2028 que tuvieron la agenda de viajes más apretada en 2025. Hizo campaña por las candidatas demócratas en las contiendas para el gobierno estatal de Nueva Jersey y Virginia, y para la alcaldía de Miami.

“Ruben les brinda una validación instantánea, no sólo porque su apellido es Gallego”, dijo Chuck Rocha, quien movilizó a los latinos en la candidatura presidencial del senador Bernie Sanders, en 2020, y la de Gallego, en 2024. “Ha sacrificado su vida por su país, creció en un hogar de inmigrantes sin recursos, y ahora es senador federal. Ese es el tipo de persona que quieres a tu lado hablando con los latinos sobre por qué deberían votar por esta mujer blanca”.

En las elecciones presidenciales de 2024, Trump logró avances en zonas predominantemente puertorriqueñas del este de Pensilvania; transformó el valle del Río Grande, en el sur de Texas; y mejoró sus cifras a lo largo del corredor de la carretera Interestatal 4 de Florida. Lo hizo al centrarse con fuerza en la economía y la seguridad fronteriza.

No obstante, los resultados de las elecciones recientes han dado indicios de que grupos clave de votantes —incluidos los hispanos—, se alejan de los republicanos. Y en Miami, Eileen Higgins se convirtió en la primera persona demócrata en ser elegida para la alcaldía de la ciudad en casi 30 años.

“Vamos a lugares donde hay una gran población latina”, dijo Gallego a The Associated Press en Miami. “Obviamente, se inclinaron demasiado por Trump la última vez, en nuestra opinión, y queremos hablar con los demócratas, y queremos hablar con los latinos y queremos hablar con los candidatos sobre cómo volver a tener a esa población en nuestra esquina”.

El propio Gallego superó a la vicepresidenta Kamala Harris en 2024, cuando ganó por más de 2 puntos un escaño en el Senado por Arizona y Trump se alzó con el triunfo en el estado por casi 6 puntos. Y reconoce el mérito del presidente republicano por sus medidas de seguridad fronteriza y, en ocasiones, elogia el estilo directo de Trump de no darle demasiadas vueltas a las propuestas económicas al elaborar su mensaje populista con ideas como “sin impuestos a las propinas”.

“Necesitamos que nos identifiquen como alguien que apoya a la clase trabajadora”, expresó Gallego en un evento reciente.

Cómo la asequibilidad es personal

Gallego creció en la pobreza en Evergreen Park, un suburbio del área metropolitana de Chicago, y frecuentaba la zona de Little Village, un barrio predominantemente mexicano en el sudoeste de la ciudad. Fue criado por una madre soltera luego que su padre abandonara a la familia y fuera encarcelado por narcotráfico. Gallego trabajó en varios empleos para ayudar a pagar las facturas cuando aún estaba en la preparatoria. Fue aceptado en la Universidad de Harvard, se unió a la infantería de Marina y combatió en Irak con una unidad que sufrió numerosas bajas.

“Todos los demócratas hablan ahora de asequibilidad, asequibilidad, asequibilidad”, dijo Jesse Lehrich, estratega demócrata. “¿Pero cuántos de ellos saben realmente lo que se siente no saber de dónde saldrá el próximo cheque para el alquiler? ¿O no saber cómo van a pagar los comestibles esta semana?”.

Lehrich, quien sigue de cerca los viajes y las apariciones en los medios de los contendientes para las elecciones de 2028, agregó que no hay muchos demócratas de alto nivel que hablen como personas comunes, y agregó que, en contraste, Gallego puede “carecer de modales pulidos”.

Al senador, quien anteriormente sirvió en la Cámara de Representantes de Estados Unidos, le gusta alardear de que no escuchó a la clase dirigente de Washington cuando decidió realizar fiestas para ver peleas de box y organizó un rodeo y una exhibición de autos lowrider —clásicos de la cultura chicana—, con lo que desestimó las preocupaciones de que eso será percibido como condescendiente con los partidarios hispanos.

No da la impresión de ser tan refinado como otros —como Josh Shapiro, el gobernador de Pensilvania, o Pete Buttigieg, exsecretario de Transporte—, pero Lehrich opina que eso podría beneficiar a Gallego porque la gente anhela lo directo.

“Como que se siente que él es perfecto para este momento”, añadió Lehrich.

Un latino en el Partido Republicano

Algunos estrategas y comentaristas afirman que el Partido Demócrata no ha hecho un buen trabajo a la hora de impulsar a candidatos hispanos a nivel nacional. Les preocupa que los republicanos apoyen a otro exsenador latino, Marco Rubio, el actual secretario de Estado, quien se postuló a la presidencia en 2016 y a quien Trump menciona con frecuencia cuando habla de 2028.

Xochitl Hinojosa, comentarista política, dijo que ve la fortaleza de Gallego no sólo en lo atractivo que resulta para los votantes latinos, sino también en un electorado más amplio en áreas en disputa, y enfatiza lo difícil que es para un candidato cruzar la meta cuando el candidato presidencial no lo logra en ese estado.

“Creo que el haber ganado un escaño muy difícil lo ha catapultado a la cima”, dijo Hinojosa. “Los demócratas deben reflexionar que debemos pensar en los latinos si los republicanos tienen a un latino en su papeleta electoral y los demócratas no”.

Al preguntarle sobre una posible candidatura presidencial para 2028, Gallego indicó que es demasiado pronto para responder.

“Pienso en que tengo tres hijos. Y tengo seis años en el Senado”, dilucidó. “Nos vamos a centrar en eso y estamos aquí para ayudar a los demócratas de todo el país. Y veremos qué sucede en el futuro”.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/15/ruben-gallego-se-perfila-como-figura-demcrata-clave-para-captar-voto-hispano/ 

Por JOVANA GEC

BELGRADO (AP) — El fiscal de Serbia para el crimen organizado acusó el lunes a un ministro del gobierno y a otras tres personas de abuso de poder y falsificación de documentos para ayudar a allanar el camino para un proyecto inmobiliario vinculado a Jared Kushner, yerno del presidente estadounidense Donald Trump.

Los cargos penales pesan contra el ministro de Cultura Nikola Selaković, quien es un aliado cercano del presidente autocrático Aleksandar Vučić, y otros tres funcionarios, según un comunicado publicado en el sitio web oficial de la Fiscalía Pública para el Crimen Organizado.

La investigación se centra en una controversia sobre un complejo militar bombardeado en el centro de Belgrado que era una zona protegida de patrimonio cultural, pero que enfrenta una remodelación como un complejo de lujo.

El año pasado, el gobierno de Serbia firmó un acuerdo de arrendamiento por 99 años con Affinity Global Development, vinculada a Kushner, en Estados Unidos. En ese momento, Kushner confirmó informes de que su empresa planea financiar el proyecto de 500 millones de dólares. Este incluiría un hotel de gran altura, un complejo de apartamentos de lujo, espacios de oficinas y tiendas.

Selaković y otros supuestamente levantaron ilegalmente el estatus de protección del sitio falsificando documentación.

No estaba claro cuándo será el juicio.

La propuesta de construcción cuenta con el respaldo del gobierno de Vučić, pero ha encontrado una fuerte oposición de expertos tanto en el país como en el extranjero, así como del público serbio.

El mes pasado, los legisladores serbios aprobaron una ley especial que despeja el camino para la construcción, a pesar de la investigación en curso. Vučić ha dicho que el proyecto sería bueno para las relaciones de Serbia con Estados Unidos y que perdonaría a cualquiera condenado en el caso.

“Soy culpable”, dijo recientemente. “Soy el que quería la modernización de Serbia. Soy el que quería atraer a un gran inversor”.

La administración de Estados Unidos ha impuesto aranceles del 35% a las importaciones de Serbia. También ha sancionado al proveedor de petróleo monopolista de Serbia, que está controlado por Rusia.

Los críticos dicen que el edificio es un monumento arquitectónico, visto como un símbolo de resistencia al bombardeo de la OTAN liderado por Estados Unidos, que sigue siendo ampliamente visto en el país balcánico como una “agresión” injusta.

Serbia fue bombardeada en 1999 durante 78 días para obligar al entonces presidente Slobodan Milošević a poner fin a su represión contra los albaneses étnicos separatistas en Kosovo. El sentimiento anti-OTAN sigue siendo fuerte en Serbia, y el papel de Estados Unidos en la remodelación de los edificios militares es particularmente sensible entre muchos serbios.

Los edificios son vistos como ejemplos destacados de la arquitectura de mediados del siglo XX en la antigua Yugoslavia.

___________________________________

Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/15/fiscales-de-serbia-acusan-a-ministro-y-otros-por-proyecto-vinculado-a-kushner/ 

Mexico Bends The Knee, Agrees To Fulfill US Water Treaty Commitments

Tyler Durden
Mon, 12/15/2025 – 13:45

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/mexico-bends-knee-agrees-fulfill-us-water-treaty-commitments 

This is a story that should never have been written, but one that needs to be told.

The end of this woeful tale comes first.

Former Park Forest police Officer Timothy Jones, who was shot in 2016, died Dec. 3, 2025. (Village of Park Forest)

On Dec. 27, services for Park Forest police Officer Tim Jones will be held in Tinley Park High School. The 2 p.m. service will take place after a police and fire salute involving hundreds of officers from the Chicago area.

Ceremony and sacrifice are often linked in a coin toss of life. It seems as if we fall through life, not knowing when, where and how the final dot next to our name will be placed. It is a quiet kind of common courage we share with each other.

Tim Jones had it when he and fellow officers investigated a break-in in March 2016 and was confronted by an aimless assailant with a violent temper. His last angry act in life before being slain by Jones’ fellow officers was firing two bullets into Jones: one to his head, another penetrating his jaw and lodging in his chest.

At that time, Tim Jones’ father, William Jones, was the Country Club Hills police chief and was told by former Park Forest police Chief Pete Green that his son was shot. It was William Jones who pinned the badge on his son when he was sworn into office less than a year before.

“I had to be the one to tell him,” Green said.

“Tim was shot,” Green told the William Jones, now a devastated father.

“Is he dead?” Jones asked.

“I don’t know,” Green replied.

Green drove Jones to St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields where Jones asked a doctor the same question and got the same answer. “I don’t know.”

Tim was air-lifted to the Level One trauma unit in Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. He was met there by doctors, nurses and more than 200 police officers of all ranks and from dozens of departments who lined the halls in a silent tribute to a fallen brother.

Doctors told William Jones there was no hope for any recovery. One said the odds of winning the Power Ball were better than of Tim living one more day.

Three days after the shooting, hundreds filed into St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Park Forest. Most did not know the fallen officer but came to pray for his recovery. When police officers from various departments trooped in they were greeted by an emotional ovation.

People cried and people cared.

Some 1,000 people, including officers from more than a dozen departments, jammed into Culver’s restaurant in Matteson for a fundraiser for the family. At 6:30 that evening, the line stretched out the door and down Cicero Avenue. By 10 p.m., there were still people patiently waiting in line.

A blue T-shirt bearing Tim’s badge number, 204, and a plea to “Stay Strong” quickly sold out. We bought two.

I do not know if the prayer of thousands helped the work of the doctors, but two weeks after he was shot and after a series of operations, William Jones saw that his son’s eyes were following him as he moved around the room. It was a knowing response.

“We knew we had our miracle,” William Jones said.

The grim black dot next to Tim Jones’ name was replaced with an exclamation point.

Tim Jones was alive.

In those nearly 10 years between then and now, Tim Jones was not forgotten. He was made a detective with his own desk and locker, had his badge number painted on a police car and had a street sign with his name on it affixed to a pole adjacent to the police station.

Although bereft of the thousand trivial things in life that link us to each other, Tim Jones became a beacon of hope for nearly 10 years until his death Dec. 3.

I know that many who will attend the funeral or who will pause in what they are doing on Dec. 27, will wear that blue shirt next to their heart.

I know I will.

Jerry Shnay is a freelance columnist for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/15/column-funeral-park-forest-officer-tim-jones/