Category: News
House Approves Bill Blocking IRS Fines Without Specific Supervisory Approval
House Approves Bill Blocking IRS Fines Without Specific Supervisory Approval
Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
The House of Representatives voted to pass two bills on Monday that increase protections for taxpayers in matters related to penalties imposed by the IRS and tax dispute proceedings in the U.S. Tax Court.
The IRS building in Washington on Jan. 9, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu /The Epoch Times
The first bill, HR 5346, the Fair and Accountable IRS Reviews Act, relates to supervisory approval for certain federal penalties imposed by IRS agents on taxpayers.
An IRS employee can impose certain federal penalties on taxpayers after gaining written authorization from their immediate supervisor.
Under present regulations, an immediate supervisor is broadly defined as an individual tasked with reviewing another employee’s proposed penalties, and not necessarily the supervisor to whom the IRS employee reports, according to a fact sheet from the House Committee on Ways and Means.
IRS agents can thus “shop around for sympathetic supervisors,” it said, which weakens taxpayer protections.
“This circular definition is so broad that IRS agents can obtain approval to apply tax penalties on taxpayers from virtually any other employee,” the fact sheet states.
The bill seeks to resolve the issue by defining an immediate supervisor “to be the person to whom the individual making the determination reports,” the fact sheet said.
In addition, the bill clarifies that supervisory approval of a penalty will only be considered timely if such approval is obtained in writing before a taxpayer is notified of such a penalty.
In a Dec. 3 statement, the House Ways and Means Committee said the bill will ensure that “rogue IRS agents are not levying fines and penalties on taxpayers without specific supervisory approval.”
The second bill, HR 5349, the Tax Court Improvement Act, seeks to expand the authority of the U.S. Tax Court in issuing subpoenas. The court will be authorized to extend certain petition deadlines and also institute other changes to court procedures.
The U.S. Tax Court is a federal trial court specializing in adjudicating disputes related to federal income tax, a process that typically takes place before formal tax assessments are conducted by the IRS, according to a fact sheet from the House Committee on Ways and Means.
The Tax Court is the only forum in the United States where taxpayers can litigate issues without having to first pay in full the taxes that are being disputed.
The bill aims to solve inefficiencies in the Tax Court structure, it said.
For instance, the court currently has limited pre-trial discovery powers, which cause “unnecessary delays in resolutions of cases” since there are limited options for parties in a trial to obtain documents relevant to a case in a timely manner, the fact sheet said.
The Tax Court Improvement Act solves this issue by expanding the court’s powers. It authorizes the court to sign subpoenas to produce relevant documents in the discovery phase of the case, ensuring that parties receive these documents prior to a hearing.
Since the bill allows the court to extend petition filing deadlines, it also resolves difficulties faced by taxpayers when timely filing is impractical and impossible, according to the fact sheet.
In addition, the Act will hold Tax Court judges to the same standards for disqualification that apply to other federal judges.
Other provisions of the bill include expanding the type of proceedings for which special trial judges may be appointed, authorizing special trial judges to impose a jail term of up to 30 days and a maximum fine of $5,000 for contempt of court, and requiring judges to recuse themselves in certain circumstances.
The bills have the backing of multiple groups, such as the National Taxpayers Union and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance. Both bills have been sent to the Senate.
Projected Revenues
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that the enactment of both bills will generate revenues over the coming decade.
In a Nov. 19 statement, the CBO said an analysis by the office and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimates that enacting the Tax Court Improvement Act would increase revenues by a net $6 million between 2026 and 2035, with administrative costs rising minimally by less than $500,000 between 2026 and 2030.
CBO said in another Nov. 19 statement that the Fair and Accountable IRS Reviews Act is projected to boost revenues by $117 million between 2026 and 2035, with administration costs increasing by less than half a million dollars for the 2026–2030 period.
The passage of both bills comes as the IRS recently urged Americans to start preparing for filing taxes in the 2026 filing season, citing changes in tax laws and other factors.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in July, will significantly affect federal taxes, deductions, and credits, according to agency officials.
“A little advance work preparing paperwork and organizing information now can help with filing tax returns quickly and accurately,” the agency said.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 12/08/2025 – 10:40
Bomba mata a más de 30 en el este de Congo tras choques entre ejército y milicia progubernamental
Por JUSTIN KAWUMWA y MONIKA PRONCZUK
GOMA, República Democrática del Congo (AP) — La explosión de una bomba mató a más de 30 personas e hirió a otras 20 en el este de la República Democrática del Congo tras una disputa entre el ejército congoleño y una milicia progubernamental, a pesar de un acuerdo firmado en Washington y promocionado como un paso importante hacia la paz en el país.
Residentes y líderes de la sociedad civil dijeron a The Associated Press que las Fuerzas Armadas de la República Democrática del Congo (FARDC) y Wazalendo, la milicia que ha estado ayudando al ejército a combatir a los insurgentes, se enfrentaron antes de la explosión en la ciudad de Sange en la provincia de Kivu del Sur el domingo por la noche.
Más de 100 grupos armados luchan en el este de Congo, una zona rica en minerales cerca de la frontera con Ruanda, y el principal de ellos es el M23, respaldado por Ruanda. El conflicto ha creado una de las peores crisis humanitarias del mundo con más de siete millones de personas desplazadas, según funcionarios.
La explosión ocurrió menos de una semana después de que se finalizara un acuerdo de paz mediado por Estados Unidos entre las fuerzas armadas congoleñas y el grupo rebelde M23 en la parte oriental de Congo. Pero la lucha continúa, según residentes, sociedad civil y analistas.
“Los soldados de las FARDC venían del frente y querían llegar a la ciudad de Uvira”, relató Faraja Mahano Robert, un líder de la sociedad civil en Sange.
“Una vez en Sange, se les ordenó no continuar, pero algunos no lo aceptaron. Fue entonces cuando comenzaron a dispararse entre ellos, y luego explotó una bomba, matando a muchas personas”.
Muchos residentes han huido en busca de seguridad, principalmente en dirección a Burundi, dijeron testigos el lunes.
“Esta mañana, nos despertamos un poco mejor, pero la gente sigue abandonando el área de Sange”, declaró Amani Safari, un residente.
“Al este de la ciudad, hubo enfrentamientos entre los Wazalendo y las FARDC; dos soldados de las FARDC fueron asesinados alrededor de las 7:30 de la mañana”, agregó.
Otro residente, David Kaserore, comentó que “es difícil distinguir entre el enemigo y las FARDC, ya que están matando a todos los civiles. Exigimos que el gobierno ponga fin a esta guerra. Estamos cansados”.
El ejército no ha respondido a una solicitud de comentarios.
Mientras tanto, el presidente congoleño Félix Tshisekedi acusó a Ruanda en un discurso en el parlamento el lunes de violar el acuerdo de paz y de “organizar el saqueo de nuestros recursos naturales y desestabilizar nuestras instituciones”.
Tshisekedi y su homólogo ruandés, Paul Kagame, se reunieron con el mandatario norteamericano Donald Trump en Washington la semana pasada para firmar el acuerdo de paz. Elogiado por la Casa Blanca como un acuerdo “histórico”, el pacto siguió a esfuerzos de paz de varios meses y finalizó un pacto firmado en junio.
“El mismo día después de la firma, unidades de las Fuerzas de Defensa de Ruanda llevaron a cabo y apoyaron ataques con armas pesadas lanzados desde la ciudad ruandesa de Bugarama, causando daños humanos y materiales significativos”, dijo, calificando el incidente como una “agresión por poder” y refutando las afirmaciones de rebelión interna.
La semana pasada, los residentes dijeron que la lucha se había intensificado en el sur de Kivu a pesar del acuerdo. M23 y las fuerzas congoleñas se han acusado repetidamente de violar los términos de la tregua.
Hace poco el M23 tomó Goma y Bukavu, dos ciudades clave en el este de Congo, en una importante escalada del conflicto.
Los rebeldes en Congo están apoyados por unos 4.000 soldados de la vecina Ruanda, según expertos de la ONU, y en ocasiones han prometido marchar hasta la capital de Congo, Kinsasa, a unos 1.600 kilómetros (1.000 millas) al este.
___________________________________
Contribuyeron a esta nota los corresponsales Saleh Mwanamilongo en Bonn, Alemania y Jean-Yves Kamale en Kinsasa, República Democrática del Congo.
___________________________________
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss questions how Trump-Northwestern deal impacts protests and campus oversight
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss is calling on the Trump administration to explain how its recent agreement with Northwestern University could affect protests, community partnerships and immigration enforcement in the city the school calls home, according to a letter provided to the Tribune.
Northwestern late last month announced it would pay a $75 million fine and enter into an agreement with President Donald Trump to settle allegations of antisemitism and restore roughly $800 million in frozen federal research funds. The move brought both relief and backlash on campus, with critics alarmed by the Trump administration’s expanding influence over one of the nation’s top universities.
Biss, who is running for the U.S. House in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District and has protested the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement actions for months, used his letter to fault the administration for releasing limited information about the terms of the deal, saying the limited disclosures have “already created deep confusion and alarm.”
“Now that a settlement has been reached, we still do not have a full accounting of what your Department has required, what oversight you intend to exercise, or how these actions will affect the people of Evanston,” Biss wrote to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “Given the unprecedented nature of this intervention, ambiguity is not an option.”
One of the mayor’s central concerns is how the agreement could alter responses to campus protests, Biss wrote, as it requires the university to have “cooperation agreements with local, regional, and federal law enforcement.”
“In 2024, former Northwestern President Michael Schill requested Evanston Police arrest peaceful campus protesters, a request that we denied,” Biss wrote in his letter, which was provided through his campaign. “Will federal officials be reviewing or influencing decisions about how protests are managed? Will federal compliance pressures impact local law-enforcement coordination?”
Schill resigned earlier this year amid the funding freeze and intense conservative criticism over his handling of a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus. As part of the recently announced settlement, the university said it would dissolve the agreement reached with demonstrators under Schill.
Given the Trump administration’s recent immigration enforcement actions, Biss also pressed for details on whether the Education Department would collect or share new types of data about international students.
He also expressed skepticism about the agreement’s provisions that aimed to limit Northwestern’s consideration of students’ racial backgrounds in admissions. In the letter, Biss demanded “unambiguous guidance on what you believe Northwestern is now prohibited from doing, required to do, or required to dismantle — especially if these requirements touch community-based scholarship programs, DEI partnerships, or joint initiatives involving our schools and nonprofits.”
And Biss — who has said he has “two children who are thriving because of gender-affirming care,”— also questioned the federal government’s authority to use the agreement to compel Northwestern and its medical affiliates to change their transgender health care practices.
Biss is part of a crowded field in the 9th Congressional District race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Like others in the race, Biss has increasingly clashed with the Trump administration as both a candidate and mayor.
Elsewhere in the race for the 9th District, candidate and political commentator Kat Abughazaleh is facing a federal indictment related to her participation in protests at the Broadview ICE facility — protests that Biss and other candidates also joined before ICE activity quieted down from the fever pitch it reached this fall. Biss was not charged.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/08/evanston-daniel-biss-northwestern-deal-impacts/
First Congregational Church should be Naperville landmark, commission says
Naperville’s Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Thursday to recommend landmark status for the First Congregational Church of Naperville, drawing applause from a crowd of nearly 50 people.
Founded in 1833, two years after Naperville was established, First Congregational is the oldest church in DuPage County and the oldest Congregational church in northern Illinois. Its past and current members include people who have made significant contributions to the city and have been active in social justice causes.
Among the church’s influential members include Henry and Thankful Goodrich, who donated land for a forest preserve in DuPage County now known as Goodrich Woods, and James L. Nichols I, who bequested the funds to build the city’s first library.
Church member Vicki Keller proposed seeking city landmark status to the congregation last year. Seeing other city buildings, like the old Nichols Library and Beidelman Furniture, receiving the designation inspired her, she has said.
“Vicki Keller is very persuasive,” said Diana Lorenz, when asked why they are seeking the standing for the limestone church built in 1906.
Diana Lorenz, a member of the First Congregational Church’s Landmarking Task Force, told the Historic Preservation Commission on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, that, among other things, President Barack Obama spoke at the Naperville church when he was running for the Illinois Senate in 2004. (Carolyn Stein/Naperville Sun)
“We look down the street and we looked at what happened to another place of worship and it’s now demolished and in its place are going in row houses,” said Lorenz, who sits on the church’s landmarking task force. “All of us in the community have a very strong attachment to the building and we just felt it was time.”
In order for it to receive city landmark status, the building must be at least 50 years old and meet at least one additional criteria:
Owned or occupied by a person of historical significance in local, state or national history;
Have a direct connection to an important event in local, state or national history;
Embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural period, style, method of construction or use of indigenous materials;
Represents the notable work of a builder, designer or architect whose individual work has substantially influenced the development of the community;
Included on the National Register of Historic Places.
Commissioners determined the church met all the criteria other than the last one (the building is located in the city’s federal historic district), and recommended the Naperville City Council award the designation.
Supporters of the church’s landmarking efforts flooded the meeting, with many wearing green to signal their support. Donald R. Zaininger, 82, told the commission he had attended the church for as long as he can remember.
“It is both a religious home and a place of great joy for children. I remember playing hide-and-go-seek upstairs during potluck dinners,” Zaininger said. “I would hope you would grant us this status so that whatever the congregation evolves into can still be a beacon for this community for moving forward.”
Donald R. Zaininger, member of the First Congregational Church of Naperville, tells the Historic Preservation Commission Thursday about how he grew up attending the church. (Carolyn Stein/Naperville Sun)
One woman said she was inspired to show up to support the effort after reading about the church’s activism legacy in the Naperville Sun.
“I’m an activist myself and I think this is so important,” Mary Ann Curtis said.
That activism legacy extends from the founding of the church to present day. Two charter members, Israel and Avice Blodgett, were outspoken abolitionists.
Since then, church members have participated in a number of social movements, including initiating a city-wide recycling program in the 1980s that was later transformed into Naperville Recycling and forming the Say No to Coal consortium, which wants Naperville to find clean energy sources for the city’s electricity supply.
The building itself is also significant. The Gothic Revival-style structure at the corner of Benton Avenue and Center Street is built of limestone quarried from Joliet and features pointed arch windows and doors.
First Congregational Church of Naperville, seen here on Nov. 19, 2025, is the oldest church in DuPage County. Limestone used for the building was quarried in Joliet. (Carolyn Stein/Naperville Sun)
While it replaced an earlier First Congregational church, four of the original stained glass windows were moved to the new building. Those four windows also honor multiple families, including the Nichols family.
Merritt Josiah Morehouse, a prominent Chicago-based architect, was the designer. His other work includes renovations to the Will-O-Way Manor (where Mesón Sabika is located), the “Heatherton” in Naperville (home of writer John S. Goodwin) and the Burge Farm in Newton County, Georgia, which served as his wife’s family’s plantation and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
“Yes, the Gothic Revival architecture is outstanding. The Joliet limestone is beautiful and outstanding,” said Bill Simon, president of Naperville Preservation. “But the real story here that is so wonderful to learn about is the story of the people.”
When asked by Commissioner James Wills about where congregants see the church in 50 years, church members were adamant their organization would still be going strong.
“We had people in the ’90s who didn’t want to be in an old, crummy building and they took a big piece of our pledge money where they were going to build a mega church,” church member Diane Diamond said. “And those of us who loved this location because it served the center of the town, we stuck it out. We paid the bills. We got people to join us. We kept the faith.”
cstein@chicagotribune.com
‘Disappointed’ Trump Raps Zelensky Who ‘Hasn’t Yet Read’ Peace Proposal
‘Disappointed’ Trump Raps Zelensky Who ‘Hasn’t Yet Read’ Peace Proposal
President Trump has continued to speak frankly about Zelensky and the Ukrainian government, at a moment of a sense of stalled frustration on the peace plan with Russia unveiled last month. His frustration with Keiv continues to show, especially after high hopes for his 28-point peace plan were dashed by yet more roadblocks which saw his Thanksgiving deadline quickly come and go.
While speaking on the red carpet at the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday night, Trump bluntly stated he was “a bit disappointed” that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had not yet reviewed Washington’s draft of the latest proposed peace plan to end the war.
“We’ve been speaking to President [Vladimir] Putin, and we’ve been speaking to Ukrainian leaders, including President Zelenskyy, and I have to say that I’m a little bit disappointed that President Zelensky hasn’t yet read the proposal – that was as of a few hours ago,” Trump stated.
He then said “His people love it, but he hasn’t. Russia’s fine with it.” The somewhat negative assessment of the Ukrainian leader comes after Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Friday again met with Rustem Umerov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, and Ukrainian negotiator Andriy Hnatov in Florida.
Trump at the same event went on to describe the war as “very tough, very nasty” and with mounting heavy casualties which have not abated.
As for Zelensky, he has freshly written on social media in response that “Ukraine is determined to keep working in good faith with the American side to genuinely achieve peace.”
“We covered many aspects and went through key points that could ensure an end to the bloodshed and eliminate the threat of a new Russian full scale invasion, as well as the risk of Russia failing to honor its promises, as has happened repeatedly in the past,” he continued.
Interestingly, while Trump issued critical remarks of Zelensky’s stance, the Kremlin seemed to positively welcome the White House’s new National Security Strategy memo, issued Friday:
Trump’s criticism of Zelensky came as Russia on Sunday welcomed the Trump administration’s new national security strategy in comments by the Kremlin spokesman published by Russia’s Tass news agency.
Dmitry Peskov said the updated strategic document, which spells out the administration’s core foreign policy interests, was largely in line with Moscow’s vision.
“There are statements there against confrontation and in favor of dialogue and building good relations,” he said, adding that Russia hopes this would lead to “further constructive cooperation with Washington on the Ukrainian settlement”.
Likely Moscow especially likes that the document characterizes Europe as weak while warning of an unpredictable, disunified atmosphere on the continent where in desperation European leadership could overreact and escalate war with Russia. For example FT has written of the document:
Donald Trump’s first NSS since returning to office blames European officials for thwarting US efforts to end the war in Ukraine and accuses governments of ignoring a “large European majority” who want peace.
Meanwhile, Trump’s outgoing Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, while addressing the Reagan National Defense Forum on Saturday claimed that the peace process was “in the last 10 meters.” But it’s a far different question and highly dubious whether the two warring sides actually see real lasting peace as so much as on the horizon at this point.
Trump says that Zelensky didn’t read US peace proposal, which “his people love” & “Russia is fine with”: “I’m a little bit disappointed that President Zelensky hasn’t yet read the proposal… His people love it. But he hasn’t. Russia is fine with it.” pic.twitter.com/QJpeeyGMPT
— Ivan Katchanovski (@I_Katchanovski) December 8, 2025
On Monday leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany meeting with Zelensky in London. They are still trying to forge a more ‘just’ and ‘fair’ alternative or counter peace plan.
“We stand with Ukraine,” UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer said while setting out his “principles”.
He described, “If there is to be a ceasefire then it needs to be a just and lasting ceasefire; that is why it is so important we repeatedly set out the principle that matters about Ukraine are for Ukraine.” He added at the start of the meeting: “We stand here to support you in the conflict and support you in the negotiations.” The Europeans have by and large rejected and balked at the US proposal to give up the Donbas and Crimea.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 12/08/2025 – 10:20
Hundreds served at Round Lake Beach’s Supper with Santa: ‘Food brings us together’
A spaghetti dinner was served with all the trimmings on Thursday in Round Lake Beach, with a side of reindeer food reserved for the two real caribou appearing at this year’s Supper with Santa and Craft Fair.
Olive, a female caribou, and her younger brother, Fritz, accompanied Santa and Mrs. Claus to the event at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center.
A buffet spaghetti meal was prepared and served by Supermercado San Judas of Round Lake Park, operated by Carlos and Maria Hernandez. A donation of non-perishable food or a new, unwrapped toy reduced ticket entry prices for guests.
The Olive and Fritz siblings were transported to Lake County by Randy Espe, owner of Whispering Pines Reindeer Ranch in Shabbona, along with Santa’s helper Rebekah Castle.
“They’re pretty cool,” Castle said of Fritz and Olive.
“They’re magical animals,” Espe added.
Rebekah Castle of Compton, Illinois with Whispering Pines Reindeer Ranch of Shabbona, Illinois, walks Olive, a female reindeer or caribou, before the Supper with Santa and Craft Fair on Dec. 4, 2025 at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Drive in Round Lake Beach. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)
Castle morphed into an elf and Espe donned festive clothing while handling Olive as part of a photo opportunity scene on stage that featured Santa, Mrs. Claus and a grand sleigh.
Fritz was outside in his pen, delighting visitors.
“Our Supper with Santa is one of our community’s most cherished traditions, and I’m thrilled to see families come to the civic center again this year to celebrate the holiday season,” Round Lake Beach Mayor Scott Nickles said.
“Events like this remind us of the generosity and joy that make our town so special,” he said. “I’m grateful to everyone who helped put this celebration on, and I hope all of our families enjoyed creating wonderful memories together once again.”
From left Ava Rodriguez, 10, a fifth-grader from Johnsburg, and her mother Christine Rodriguez, staff Ava’s own snowpeople craft table at the Supper with Santa and Craft Fair on Dec. 4, 2025 at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Drive in Round Lake Beach. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)
Supermercado San Judas made approximately 500 spaghetti meals. Another extended family member, by the same name of Carlos Hernandez, was the chef of the spaghetti sauce, all 12 gallons of it. The secret to the signature sauce is “love and care and passion,” he said with a smile.
Catering staff family member Antonio Cordova said, “I really believe that food brings us together at the end of the day. Honestly, food, eating by yourself, it doesn’t taste the same as when you’re with your loved ones, friends and family.
“I really do believe that (sharing a meal) can bring a community together,” he added.
New this year was a complimentary snowpeople craft table, which was launched by Ava Rodriguez, 10, of Johnsburg, who asked her father if she could do it.
From left, Antonio Cordova of Round Lake Beach, Jaime Calderon Hernandez of Round Lake Beach and Carlos Hernandez of Lindenhurst, operator with wife and (unseen) business owner Maria Hernandez of Supermercado San Judas of Round Lake Park, serve spaghetti dinners at the Supper with Santa and Craft Fair on Dec. 4, 2025 at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Drive in Round Lake Beach. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)
Her mother, Christine, helped to shop for and staff the busy table. Ava’s father is Round Lake Beach Police Chief Ryan Rodriguez. The table promoted a police appreciation shoutout theme, with a Round Lake Beach Police Department blue table banner.
People could stack small white balls to create a keepsake snowperson, and add faces with a small fabric holiday scarf, plus other festive items like a hat. A gold police badge sticker was included.
Ava said she was manning the table, “Honestly, just for fun. Volunteering comes from the heart.”
Christine Rodriguez said her husband “was so proud, his chest was so puffed out that his daughter wanted to volunteer here for his community. She wanted to do everything herself for her dad. We’re super proud of her.”
“He helps and serves and represents,” Ava said. “Thank you so much for everything you do, and everything you have done for this village.”
Bob Juenger of Grayslake poses with the Juenger grandchildren, also of Grayslake, Sammy, 2, and Penny, 3, at the Supper with Santa and Craft Fair on Dec. 4, 2025 at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Drive in Round Lake Beach. (Karie Angell Luc/Lake County News-Sun)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/08/supper-with-santa-round-lake-beach/
Cierran espacio aéreo tras ofensiva de separatistas en sur de Yemen
Por AHMED AL-HAJ y SAMY MAGDY
ADÉN, Yemen (AP) — El espacio aéreo de Yemen fue brevemente cerrado el lunes, según un funcionario, mientras las tensiones aumentaban en el sur del país después de que un grupo separatista, respaldado por los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, tomara el control de una región rica en petróleo en una ruptura que podría fracturar la alianza antihutíes.
Un funcionario del gobierno yemení declaró que la coalición liderada por Arabia Saudí no emitió los permisos requeridos para vuelos hacia o desde Yemen, deteniendo brevemente los vuelos hacia y desde la ciudad sureña de Adén, sede del gobierno reconocido internacionalmente.
El funcionario describió la medida como un “mensaje saudí” al Consejo de Transición del Sur, tras su reciente toma de áreas en el sur de Yemen, incluyendo gran parte de Hadramaut, una provincia rica en petróleo que limita con Arabia Saudí. La escalada podría llevar a que Yemen se divida en dos estados después de más de tres décadas de unificación.
Cientos de pasajeros quedaron varados durante horas antes de que se reanudaran las operaciones de vuelo, indicó el funcionario, quien habló bajo condición de anonimato porque no estaba autorizado para informar a los medios.
Un periodista de Associated Press en el aeropuerto vio a trabajadores comenzar a procesar a los pasajeros de un vuelo con destino a El Cairo que debía despegar temprano el lunes.
Desde que una coalición liderada por Arabia Saudí intervino en la guerra de Yemen en 2015, la coalición ha controlado el espacio aéreo del país. Arabia Saudí no reconoció el cierre del espacio aéreo de Yemen el lunes.
Consejo respaldado por los EAU expande su control
El Consejo de Transición del Sur (CTS), una federación de grupos armados entrenados y financiados por los EAU, expandió su control sobre el sur de Yemen a principios de este mes. Tomaron el control de Seiyun en Hadramaut, incluyendo campos petroleros e instalaciones energéticas, incluida PetroMasila, la mayor compañía petrolera de Yemen, tras breves enfrentamientos con el ejército yemení y tribus aliadas.
Las fuerzas del grupo secesionista se desplegaron en el área estratégica de Wadi Hadramout, que incluye importantes centros urbanos y bases militares, según medios aliados al CTS. Tomaron el palacio presidencial y el aeropuerto internacional en Seiyun la semana pasada, y avanzaron hacia la provincia de Mahra, que limita con Omán, apuntó el grupo.
El CTS izó la bandera del sur de Yemen sobre edificios gubernamentales en todo el sur del país, incluyendo en el cruce fronterizo con Omán. Imágenes circuladas en medios aliados al CTS mostraron la bandera del sur de Yemen, con su cheurón azul claro y una estrella roja, ondeando sobre edificios gubernamentales y escuelas en el sur.
Los separatistas gozan de lealtad en gran parte del sur de Yemen y han presionado repetidamente para dividir Yemen en dos países, como lo fue entre 1967 y 1990.
Cientos de simpatizantes del CTS salieron a las calles en Adén para pedir el establecimiento de un estado independiente en el sur. Los manifestantes levantaron la bandera del sur de Yemen y fotos de Aidarous al-Zubaidi, el líder del CTS quien también es vicepresidente del país. También hubo protestas en Hadramaut.
“Es el día de la cumbre, el día del gran triunfo… cuando liberamos todas las regiones del sur”, sostuvo Mohamed al-Zaher, un residente yemení mientras ondeaba la bandera del sur de Yemen, que era conocida como la República Democrática Popular de Yemen.
Prometieron permanecer en las calles hasta la declaración de la independencia del sur, y el lunes, se vio a un grupo de manifestantes estableciendo un campamento de protesta en el distrito de Khor Maksar.
Las fuerzas del CTS tomaron el palacio presidencial en Adén durante el fin de semana, obligando a los guardias presidenciales a desalojar la instalación, según el funcionario del gobierno.
El CTS buscó presentar sus avances militares como necesarios para restaurar la estabilidad en la región y para luchar contra los hutíes respaldados por Irán, Al Qaeda y el grupo Estado Islámico. Señaló que el Valle de Hadramaut se ha convertido en una “plataforma para operaciones de contrabando” para los hutíes y “focos” para militantes de Al Qaeda y el EI, y que sus operaciones allí se llevaron a cabo después de “el agotamiento de todas las opciones propuestas en los últimos años para restaurar la estabilidad”.
El presidente del Consejo Presidencial gobernante, Rashad al-Alimi, mientras tanto, el domingo pidió a las fuerzas respaldadas por los Emiratos que se retiren de las áreas que recientemente tomaron en Hadramaut y Mahra.
“Rechazamos categóricamente cualquier medida unilateral que socave el estatus legal del estado, dañe el interés público o cree una realidad paralela”, aseguró en un comunicado tras su reunión con diplomáticos de Estados Unidos, Reino Unido y Francia, en la capital de Arabia Saudí, Riad.
“Cambio importante”
La última escalada del CTS fue un “cambio importante”, que tendrá repercusiones regionales, con los EAU pareciendo ser “el principal ganador”, al expandir su influencia en Yemen, explicó Ahmed Nagi, un analista en el International Crisis Group, un grupo de expertos con sede en Bruselas.
“Esto cambia el equilibrio de poder en Yemen”, dijo. “La pregunta clave ahora es cómo responderá Arabia Saudí, dado las implicaciones directas para su seguridad nacional”.
Las fuerzas respaldadas por los EAU ahora controlan casi toda la mitad sur de Yemen, incluidas áreas costeras clave y la estratégica isla de Mayun en el estrecho de Bab el-Mandeb, y la isla volcánica del Mar Rojo de Socotra.
El apoyo de los EAU a los secesionistas ha amenazado a la coalición liderada por Arabia Saudí que lucha contra los hutíes durante más de una década. Los EAU son parte de la coalición.
La guerra de Yemen comenzó en 2014, cuando los hutíes descendieron desde su bastión en el norte y tomaron la capital, Saná, junto con gran parte del norte del país. En respuesta, la coalición liderada por Arabia Saudí intervino en 2015 para intentar restaurar al gobierno reconocido internacionalmente.
___________________________________
Samy Magdy reportó desde Doha, Qatar.
___________________________________
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Magnitude 7.2 Quake Strikes Off Japan, Triggers Tsunami Alert
Magnitude 7.2 Quake Strikes Off Japan, Triggers Tsunami Alert
A powerful earthquake struck offshore along Japan’s northern coast near Aomori and Hokkaido just moments ago.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami alert, warning that water surges could reach up to 3 meters (about 10 feet) along parts of the northeastern coast.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told reporters that citizens in the affected areas must continue moving to higher ground following the magnitude 7.2 earthquake.
#BREAKING: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urges Japanese citizens to continue evacuating to higher ground following the powerful M7.6 earthquake. https://t.co/uWNYN0XU1c pic.twitter.com/LZqskGa6FP
— Intel Net (@IntelNet) December 8, 2025
Latest headlines (courtsey of Bloomberg):
Tohoku Electric: 800 buildings without power after Japan quake
Some Tohoku Shinkansen service halted after Japan quake (Kyodo)
Japan regulator: No issues found at the Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant
Good news on the nuclear power front:
No issues at Fukushima and Higashidori nuclear plants: Kyodo
Meanwhile…
地震エグかった！
めっちゃ揺れたよ💦
揺れも長かった！！ pic.twitter.com/KCDS2uAkT8
— くまた (@kumadayokuma3) December 8, 2025
Tsunami warning siren sounding after the M7.6 earthquake hits Japan 🇯🇵pic.twitter.com/XPFt0YIZX0
— Disaster News (@Top_Disaster) December 8, 2025
#Tsunami The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude of 7.6.
A tsunami warning has been issued for the northeast coast of Japan, specifically in the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate.
Authorities have warned of a possible tsunami wave height of up to 3 meters. pic.twitter.com/Uvl8u51Q4u
— Satya Chaudhary (@satyagodara) December 8, 2025
*Developing…
Tyler Durden
Mon, 12/08/2025 – 10:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/weather/magnitude-72-quake-strikes-japan-triggers-tsunami-alert
Key Events This Busy Week: Fed, JOLTs, Central Banks Galore; Oracle & Broadcom Earnings
Key Events This Busy Week: Fed, JOLTs, Central Banks Galore; Oracle & Broadcom Earnings
It’s a busy week for both economic news and central banks, with all roads pointing to Wednesday’s FOMC, where overwhelming consensus is for the Fed to deliver a final and third 25bps rate cut for 2025, making it 6 cuts and 175bps in this easing cycle since September 2024 (there was a very painful path to get here with several communication mix ups by Fed officials).
The decision is unlikely to be unanimous, with dissent anticipated from both hawkish and dovish members. Should four or more officials break ranks, it would mark the largest split since 1992 (Polymarket odds of 4+ dissents is at 22%).
Beyond the headline move, the tone of Chair Powell’s press conference and the accompanying statement will be critical. DB’s Jim Reid says he expects Powell to “emphasize that the hurdle for further cuts in early 2026 is high, signalling a near-term pause. This guidance will be key to maintaining credibility ahead of likely softer labor market data due later in December.”
Beyond the Fed, the global calendar features several other central bank decisions and important data releases. Maybe tech earnings from Oracle (Wednesday) and Broadcom (Thursday) will be the most interesting, with the two names diverging considerably over the last couple of months. The former is down -34% over this period with the latter only -3% off its all-time-high seen a couple of weeks ago.
In terms of central banks, the Reserve Bank of Australia meets tomorrow, where policymakers are expected to hold rates steady, but with a hawkish tilt likely after recent inflation increases. The January 7th inflation data could encourage markets to price in a hike as soon as February. The Bank of Canada follows on Wednesday, with the Swiss National Bank on Thursday with both expected to stay on hold. Canada saw a +16bps rise in 2yr yields on Friday after another strong labor market release with traders now suddenly, and fully, pricing in a hike by October next year. Meanwhile, the SNB are trying to avoid negative rates next year with rates now around zero.
Elsewhere, UK monthly GDP for October will be released on Friday, alongside German industrial production today and trade figures on Tuesday. China inflation is released on Wednesday where our economists expect CPI inflation to rise by 0.5ppt to 0.7% YoY and PPI to improve by 0.2ppt to -1.9% YoY. Nordic inflation prints are also due midweek, with Denmark and Norway publishing November CPI reports. Also watch out for the BoJ Ueda who speaks in London tomorrow ahead of a fascinating BoJ meeting next Friday just as the market winds down for Xmas.
Expanding further on the FOMC now, according to DB economists (we will have a full preview tomorrow), the updated Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) should show only modest revisions. Growth forecasts for 2025 and 2026 are likely to be nudged higher, consistent with the October staff update, while inflation projections should be trimmed for this year and next. The unemployment path is expected to remain broadly unchanged. The dot plot should continue to point to one cut per year over the next two years, reinforcing the message that policy is approaching the neutral range (3.5–3.75%). The baseline remains that the Fed stays on hold through the first half of 2026, with risks skewed towards another cut in Q1 if labor market weakness persists. Under new leadership later in the year, they anticipate a September cut as disinflation resumes, taking the trough in the fed funds rate to around 3.3%.
While the Fed dominates, a handful of other releases could provide additional nuance. Tomorrow brings combined September–October JOLTS data, offering a backward-looking snapshot of hiring and quits trends. Recent figures have underscored a “low hiring/low firing” dynamic, with private hiring at multi-year lows and quits subdued. Wednesday’s Employment Cost Index for Q3 is forecast at DB to hold steady at +0.9%, keeping annual growth around 3.6%. Thursday rounds out the docket with September trade numbers (-$69.6bn expected vs. -$59.6bn prior) and initial jobless claims (225k vs. 191k), the latter likely to increase after holiday distortions.
Courtesy of DB, here is a day-by-day calendar of events
Monday December 8
Data: US November NY Fed 1-yr inflation expectations, China November trade balance, Japan November Economy Watchers survey, M2, M3, Germany October industrial production
Central banks: ECB’s Cipollone and Villeroy speak, BoE’s Taylor and Lombardelli speak
Auctions: US 3-yr Notes ($58bn)
Tuesday December 9
Data: US November NFIB small business optimism, September and October JOLTS report, Japan November machine tool orders, PPI, Germany October trade balance
Central banks: RBA decision, ECB’s Nagel speaks, BoJ’s Ueda speaks
Earnings: thyssenkrupp
Auctions: US 10-yr Notes (reopening, $39bn)
Wednesday December 10
Data: US Q3 employment cost index, November federal budget balance, China November CPI, PPI, Italy October industrial production, Sweden October GDP indicator, Denmark November CPI, Norway November CPI
Central banks: Fed’s decision, BoC decision, ECB’s Lagarde speaks
Earnings: Oracle, Adobe, Synopsys
Other: UK Chancellor Reeves appears before the Treasury Select Committee
Thursday December 11
Data: US September trade balance, wholesale trade sales, initial jobless claims, UK November RICS house price balance, Italy Q3 unemployment rate, Canada September international merchandise trade, Australia November labour force survey
Central banks: SNB decision, BoE’s Bailey speaks
Earnings: Broadcom, Costco, Lululemon
Auctions: US 30-yr Bond (reopening, $22bn)
Friday December 12
Data: UK October monthly GDP, Japan October capacity utilisation, Germany October current account balance, Canada October building permits, wholesale sales ex petroleum, Q3 capacity utilisation rate
Central banks: Fed’s Paulson and Hammack speak, BoE inflation attitudes survey for November
* * *
Finally, looking at the just the US, Goldman writes that the key economic data releases this week are the JOLTS job openings report on Tuesday and the employment cost index on Wednesday. The December FOMC meeting is on Wednesday. The post-meeting statement will be released at 2:00 PM ET, followed by Chair Powell’s press conference at 2:30 PM.
Monday, December 8
There are no major economic data releases scheduled.
Tuesday, December 9
06:00 AM NFIB small business optimism, November (consensus 98.3, last 98.2)
10:00 AM JOLTS job openings, October (GS 7,100k, consensus 7,150k, last 7,227k [August])
Wednesday, December 10
08:30 AM Employment cost index, Q3 (GS +0.8%, consensus +0.9%, last +0.9%): We estimate the employment cost index rose by 0.8% in Q3 (quarter-over-quarter, seasonally adjusted), which would leave the year-on-year rate unchanged at 3.6% (year-over-year, not seasonally adjusted). Our forecast reflects a sequentially slower pace of wage and salary growth—reflecting the signals from the Atlanta Fed’s wage tracker and average hourly earnings—but a slight rebound in ECI benefit growth after a weak increase in Q2.
02:00 PM FOMC statement, December meeting: As discussed in our FOMC preview, we expect the FOMC to lower the fed funds rate by 25bp to 3.5-3.75% at its December meeting, though the meeting will likely be contentious. We continue to expect two more 25bp cuts to 3-3.25% in 2026. In the dot plot, we expect five participants to register soft dissents by submitting 3.875% as the appropriate 2025 funds rate. We also expect the median projection to show one rate cut in 2026 to 3.375% and one more in 2027 to 3.125%, as it did in September, though it is a close call. In the economic projections, we expect the median GDP growth forecast to rise for 2025 (+0.4pp to 2%) and 2026 (+0.2pp to 2%), and the median core inflation forecast to decline by 0.1pp to 3% for 2025 and 2.5% for 2026, above our forecast of 2.2% for 2026.
Thursday, December 11
08:30 AM Initial jobless claims, week ended December 6 (GS 230k, consensus 220k, last 191k): Continuing jobless claims, week ended November 29 (consensus 1,945k, last 1,939k)
08:30 AM Trade balance, September (GS -$69.0bn, consensus -$63.2bn, last -$59.6bn): We estimate that trade deficit widened by $9.4bn to $69.0bn, driven mainly by an increase in gold imports.
Friday, December 12
There are no major economic data releases scheduled.
08:00 AM Philadelphia Fed President Paulson speaks: Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson will speak on the economic outlook at the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce in Wilmington. Speech text and audience Q&A are expected. On November 20th, President Paulson said that “each rate cut raises the bar for the next cut, [and] that’s because each rate cut brings us closer to the level where policy flips from restraining activity a bit to the place where it is providing a boost.”
08:30 AM Cleveland Fed President Hammack speaks: Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack will speak at the University of Cincinnati Real Estate Center Roundtable Series. Q&A is expected. On November 20th, President Hammack said that she thinks “we need to continue to keep policy somewhat restrictive to bring inflation back to target.”
10:35 AM Chicago Fed President Goolsbee speaks (FOMC voter): Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee will speak at the Chicago Fed Annual Economic Outlook Symposium. On November 20th, President Goolsbee said that he is “a little uneasy about front-loading too many rate cuts and just assuming that the inflation we have seen is going to be transitory.”
Source: DB, Goldman
Tyler Durden
Mon, 12/08/2025 – 09:55
Sismo de magnitud 7,2 sacude costa norte de Japón y activa alerta de tsunami
Associated Press
TOKIO (AP) — Un fuerte sismo sacudió la costa norte de Japón el lunes, lo que provocó una alerta de tsunami, informó la Agencia Meteorológica de Japón
La agencia indicó que el sismo de magnitud 7,2 se registró frente a la costa de Hokkaido, cerca de la ciudad costera de Aomori, con un epicentro a unos 50 kilómetros (30 millas) bajo la superficie del mar.
Emitió una alerta en la región por un tsunami de hasta tres metros (10 pies).
Las plantas de energía nuclear en la región realizan controles de seguridad, publicó la emisora pública NHK.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
