Category: News
Bloquean en México cuentas de dueño de Miss Universo investigado por presunto tráfico de drogas
Por FABIOLA SÁNCHEZ
CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (AP) — La Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera de México, que se encarga del combate al lavado de dinero, bloqueó las cuentas bancarias del dueño del concurso Miss Universo, el empresario mexicano Raúl Rocha Cantú, tras la investigación que le abrió la Fiscalía General por presunto tráfico de drogas, armas y combustible.
La medida se produce en medio del escándalo desatado por los procesos judiciales que enfrentan dos de los propietarios del certamen de belleza y la polémica que rodeó a la última edición de Miss Universo ante las denuncias de manipulación de uno de los jurados.
La UIF —que depende de la Secretaría de Hacienda— congeló las cuentas bancarias que tiene Rocha Cantú en México, confirmó a The Associated Press un funcionario federal que habló en condición de anonimato porque no está autorizado a hacer declaraciones sobre el proceso.
La semana pasada la Fiscalía General de la República informó que desde noviembre del año pasado tenía abierta una investigación a Rocha Cantú por delincuencia organizada en relación con narcotráfico, robo de combustible —conocido localmente como huachicol— y tráfico de armas.
El mes pasado, un juez federal emitió 13 órdenes de captura contra algunos de los implicados en el caso, entre quienes incluyó a Rocha Cantú.
El diario local Reforma reportó que el empresario solicitó en noviembre al Ministerio Público un beneficio que le permitió actuar como testigo colaborador en el proceso. La Fiscalía no ha confirmado la medida.
Rocha Cantú también se vio envuelto en el polémico caso del Casino Royale de la ciudad norteña de Monterrey, en el estado de Nuevo León, que sufrió un atentado en agosto de 2011 en el que murieron 52 personas. El casino era operado por las empresas CYMSA Corporation y Entertainment Enterprises of Mexico de las que Rocha Cantú era socio.
Por el caso fue condenado en julio pasado a 135 años de prisión Baltazar Saucedo Estrada, considerado el autor intelectual del ataque al casino.
Un tribunal de Tailandia emitió a fines de noviembre una orden de arresto contra la copropietaria de la Organización Miss Universo, Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip.
Jakrajutatip fue acusada de fraude y luego liberada bajo fianza en 2023. No se presentó como se requería en un tribunal de Bangkok por lo que se consideró que existía riesgo de fuga, según un comunicado del Tribunal del Distrito Sur de Bangkok.
La copropietaria de Miss Universo y su empresa, JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., fueron demandados por presuntamente defraudar a Raweewat Maschamadol al venderle bonos corporativos de la empresa en 2023. Raweewat afirma que la inversión le causó una pérdida de 30 millones de baht (930.362 dólares).
JKN adquirió los derechos del certamen de Miss Universo de IMG Worldwide LLC en 2022. En 2023, vendió el 50% de sus acciones de Miss Universo a Legacy Holding Group USA, propiedad de Rocha Cantú.
En la última edición de Miss Universo surgió una controversia luego de la reprimenda mordaz que le hizo un organizador tailandés a la mexicana Fátima Bosch, quien fue coronada Miss Universo 2025 el 19 de noviembre. También dos jueces del certamen se retiraron, con uno sugiriendo que había manipulación en el concurso. La policía tailandesa investigó las acusaciones de que la publicidad del evento incluía promoción ilegal de casinos en línea.
Reducen sanción a Luis Díaz en la Liga de Campeones tras falta a Achraf Hakimi
NYON, Suiza (AP) — Luis Díaz, el atacante colombiano del Bayern Múnich, vio reducida su sanción de tres partidos en la Liga de Campeones a dos tras apelar por su imprudente falta sobre Achraf Hakimi del Paris Saint-Germain.
La UEFA informó el viernes que la apelación de Díaz por el cargo de “juego brusco grave” fue aceptada, sin especificar el motivo.
Esto significa que aún se perderá el partido del Bayern en casa contra el Sporting Lisboa el martes, pero podrá jugar contra el Union Saint-Gilloise de Bélgica el próximo mes.
Díaz anotó dos goles antes de ser expulsado en la victoria 2-1 contra el PSG el mes pasado. Hizo una fuerte entrada por detrás. El impacto fue al tobillo izquierdo de Hakimi, quien cayó mal.
Díaz todavía tiene que cumplir más que la sanción mínima obligatoria de un partido por una tarjeta roja, a diferencia de Cristiano Ronaldo.
En una decisión inusual el mes pasado, la FIFA impuso al astro portugués una sanción de tres partidos, pero con dos suspendidos por un período de prueba, debido a un incidente de juego brusco grave contra Irlanda el mes pasado en las eliminatorias de la Copa del Mundo. Esto significa que probablemente evitará perderse partidos al inicio de su récord sexto Mundial el próximo año.
___
Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
AT&T Scraps DEI Amid Broader Corporate Shift Toward Merit-Based Policies
AT&T Scraps DEI Amid Broader Corporate Shift Toward Merit-Based Policies
Authored by Tom Ozimek via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
AT&T told federal regulators this week that it has eliminated all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and programs across its business, becoming the latest major corporation to unwind such initiatives amid a broader shift toward merit-based employment practices and heightened scrutiny from the Trump administration.
The AT&T logo on a building in Los Angeles on Aug. 10, 2017. Mike Blake/Reuters
In a Dec. 1 letter filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as part of AT&T’s bid to acquire U.S. Cellular spectrum licenses for roughly $1 billion, the company said it is “ending DEI-related policies … not just in name but in substance,” following recent executive orders, Supreme Court rulings, and guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
AT&T said it has adjusted its employment and business practices “to ensure that they comply with all applicable laws and related requirements,” AT&T wrote to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, adding that its hiring, training, and promotion practices “are not and will not be based on or limited by race, gender, or other protected characteristics.”
The company said it removed all training related to DEI, scrubbed internal and external messaging referencing the concept, discontinued sponsorships it deemed unrelated to its business strategy, and stopped conducting employee surveys focused on protected characteristics. AT&T also said it no longer uses DEI considerations in selecting suppliers and “will not have any roles focused on DEI.”
“AT&T has always stood for merit-based opportunity, and we are pleased to reaffirm our commitment to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination today,” the company wrote. “Consistent with applicable law, our multi-pronged approach allows employees to thrive in an environment free from invidious discrimination.”
Carr, a Republican tapped by President Donald Trump in January to lead the FCC, praised the disclosure.
“AT&T has now memorialized its commitment to ending DEI-related policies in an FCC filing,” he wrote on X.
He added that the companywide rollback followed changes announced earlier this year after pressure from conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who urged AT&T to dismantle programs he argued were discriminatory.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, criticized the move, saying in a social media post that AT&T’s reversal “isn’t a sudden transformation of values, but a strategic financial play to curry favor with this FCC/Administration.”
Gomez said that abandoning “fairness and inclusion for short-term gain will be a stain to their reputation long into the future.”
Part of a Broader Corporate Retreat
AT&T’s shift comes as major corporations reassess or eliminate DEI initiatives in response to new legal risks and regulatory scrutiny. Wireless carrier T-Mobile said in July it was ending its DEI programs while seeking approval for two major transactions, including a $4.4 billion deal to acquire most of U.S. Cellular’s wireless operations. Verizon agreed to end its DEI program in the context of its $20 billion acquisition bid for Frontier Communications earlier this year.
The trend also extends beyond the telecommunications sector. Ford, McDonald’s, John Deere, Walmart, Nissan, Toyota, Molson Coors, Citibank, and Meta are among the large employers that have recently rebranded, scaled back, or ended DEI programs, citing changing legal standards after the Supreme Court’s 2023 affirmative action ruling and sweeping executive actions by Trump directing federal agencies—and encouraging the private sector—to abandon race- and sex-based preferences.
Disney Softens DEI Language Amid FCC Probe
The rollback wave has reached Hollywood as well. The Walt Disney Co. removed virtually all DEI-related terminology from its 2025 annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission—the first such omission in at least five years—even as the company faces an FCC investigation into whether its ABC and related networks violated federal equal employment opportunity rules.
Carr ordered the probe in March, citing Disney initiatives that sought to “amplify underrepresented voices” and inclusion standards requiring a high percentage of characters, writers, directors, and crew to come from “underrepresented” groups. He said the agency must ensure that such practices do not embed “identity quotas” in violation of the Communications Act.
Disney said it was reviewing the FCC’s letter and plans to cooperate.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 12/05/2025 – 12:00
El ejército de Pakistán califica al expremier Imran Khan de “enfermo mental”
Associated Press
ISLAMABAD (AP) — El ejército de Pakistán respondió el viernes al ex primer ministro Imran Khan, quien está en prisión y declaró que el jefe de las fuerzas armadas es “mentalmente inestable”. El ejército calificó a Khan de “enfermo mental” y lo acusó de utilizar visitas familiares y publicaciones en redes sociales para atacar a las fuerzas armadas y sembrar división.
Sin nombrar directamente a Khan, el portavoz del ejército, el teniente general Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, lo describió como un “narcisista” cuyas ambiciones políticas se habían vuelto tan extremas que creía que “si no está en el poder, nada más debería existir”.
Chaudhry dijo en una conferencia de prensa televisada que las personas que se reunían con Khan en prisión estaban siendo utilizadas “para esparcir veneno contra el ejército”. Sus comentarios se produjeron después de que una de las hermanas de Khan se reuniera con él en prisión y dijera que su hermano estaba enojado con el jefe del ejército, el general Asim Munir.
Las inusuales declaraciones de Chaudhry también siguieron a una publicación de Khan en X un día antes, en la que etiquetó a Munir como una “persona mentalmente inestable” y lo acusó de un declive moral que había causado “el colapso total de la Constitución y el estado de derecho en Pakistán”. Khan dijo que él y su esposa fueron encarcelados con cargos fabricados “por su orden” y afirmó que estaba siendo mantenido en confinamiento solitario y sometido a presión psicológica.
El portavoz de Khan, Zulfiquar Bukhari, dijo que la conferencia de prensa del ejército fue impulsada por la ira, no por la razón, e incluyó amenazas flagrantes contra Khan y su partido PTI. En un comunicado, lo calificó como un claro intento de allanar el camino para una represión más dura contra el partido y empeorar la tortura mental y sus condiciones en la cárcel.
“Ya han prohibido las reuniones con él en el futuro”, dijo.
Khan, de 73 años, está encarcelado desde 2023 tras una condena por corrupción y enfrenta una serie de otros cargos.
En la conferencia de prensa, Chaudhry mostró la última publicación de Khan en X, diciendo que los medios afganos e indios habían amplificado las “tonterías” de una “persona mentalmente enferma” y que sus acusaciones contra Munir eran infundadas.
El último desarrollo se produjo un día después de que el presidente de Pakistán, Asif Ali Zardari, y el primer ministro Shehbaz Sharif aprobaron la promoción del ampliamente popular Munir como jefe de las fuerzas de defensa, un cargo que se estableció el mes pasado para mejorar la coordinación entre el ejército, la marina y la fuerza aérea.
Munir ha ganado prominencia desde principios de este año, cuando Pakistán dijo que derrotó a India en un conflicto de cuatro días. Chaudhry dijo que Khan está tratando deliberadamente de avivar la hostilidad hacia el ejército.
“No permitiremos que nadie cree divisiones entre el ejército de Pakistán y su pueblo”, dijo Chaudhry. Dijo que la constitución garantiza la libertad de expresión, pero también establece límites y no permite que nadie socave la seguridad nacional. Chaudhry vinculó a Khan con los ataques del nueve de mayo de 2023 a instalaciones militares, incluida la sede del ejército en Rawalpindi.
”¿No fue esta misma persona quien orquestó esos ataques?” dijo.
La violencia de 2023 estalló después del arresto de Khan, cuando miles de sus seguidores asaltaron instalaciones gubernamentales y militares. Khan se ha declarado no culpable de los cargos de incitar a los disturbios.
Chaudhry dijo que correspondía al gobierno civil, no al ejército, decidir si el partido de Khan debería ser prohibido. Describió el supuesto mensaje contra el ejército del ex primer ministro como una preocupación de seguridad nacional y afirmó que operaba “en profunda colusión con actores externos”.
Khan fue destituido en una votación de no confianza en abril de 2022. Su partido ahora está en la oposición y continúa alegando que las elecciones parlamentarias de 2024 fueron manipuladas para favorecer al actual primer ministro Sharif, una afirmación que el gobierno niega.
______
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Worship news: Deck the stalls event and Favorite Things party
Chesterton
Truth North Training Stables: 927 N. County Road 150 West — True North Training Stables will have a “Deck the Stalls & Cookie Walk” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13. The event is $10 per family to decorate, cookies will be sold for $10 and $15 per box, and those in attendance can get a photo with Santa for $10. All proceeds go to the ministry, which seeks to bring hope, affirm, mentor and bring purpose to others through their love of the Lord and use of horses. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/927-north-150-west-chesterton-in-united-states-indiana-46304/deck-the-stalls-cookie-walk/1017335623365855/.
Crown Point
CrossPoint Church: 214 S. Court St. — CrossPoint Church will have a “Favorite Things” Women’s Christmas Party beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8. Attendees should bring three of the same item ($5 to $10 each) wrapped and ready to exchange. The gift should be a favorite item from the year. Register here: https://xpoint.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1080762.
St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church: 101 W. Burrell Drive — St. Matthias’ Youth Ministry will have a movie night showing of” The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” at 4 p.m. Dec. 7. The movie night will have hot cocoa and Christmas cookies. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the show will begin at 4:15 p.m.
Gary
Marquette Park United Methodist Church: 215 N. Grand Blvd. — All are welcome to worship at 11:15 a.m. Sundays at Marquette Park United Methodist Church. There will be refreshments afterward in the Fellowship Hall.
Hammond
Faith United Church of Christ: 3030 175th St. — Faith United Church of Christ holds its worship service at 10 a.m. on Sundays, followed by fellowship and coffee.
Regeneration Church: 6851 New Hampshire Ave. — “Glory Live: A Night of Worship with Michael E. Gould” will take place at Regeneration Church from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 13. The event will feature live performances from the “Glory Live” album, community workshop, prayer and praise, special guest worship leaders and musicians and more. Tickets are on sale at Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/glory-live-a-night-of-worship-with-michael-e-gould-tickets-1963812514094.
Saint Joseph Catholic Church: 5304 Hohman Ave. — Saint Joseph Catholic Church will have “Donut Sunday” on the last Sunday of every month after the 9 a.m. Mass. Free coffee and donuts are provided at the church hall.
Merrillville
Diocese of Gary Office: 9292 Broadway — The Diocese will be accepting donations hats, scarves and gloves for the Caps for Kids campaign at its Merrillville office through January. The Diocese is assisting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, District Council of Gary, to collect new or handmade hats, scarves and gloves. Checks can also be mailed to “Caps for Kids,” c/o St. Vincent de Paul, 2714 169th St., Hammond, IN 46323. For more information, call (219) 769-9292, ext. 88251.
Our Lady of Queen of Martyrs – South Campus: 8303 Taft St. — Join Bishop Robert J. McClory in celebrating Simbang Gabi at 4 p.m. on December 20. Simbang Gabi is a Filipino Christmas tradition of nine days of Masses during the Christmas season. A reception will follow the Mass.
Munster
St. Thomas More Church: 8501 Calumet Ave. — Monsignor Weis Council 10596 Knights of Columbus will hold its annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale beginning Nov. 28. Hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Those who are interested can walk the tree lot to find their perfect tree, and treats are available for kids. Proceeds support local charities, and orders are cash or check only.
Valparaiso
Liberty Bible Church: 1155 Sturdy Rd. — Liberty Bible Church will have a family campus movie night beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6. The movie night will feature “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and popcorn will be available. For more information, visit https://www.findliberty.net/events-1/movie-night-valparaiso.
Valparaiso Baptist Church: 612 Emmettsburg St — Valparaiso Baptist Church will have a Holiday Meal from Noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 7. The meal will celebrate the spirit of Christmas and Thanksgiving. For more information, call 219-464-1443, ot text 833-458-8611.
To submit worship news, email cnance@post-trib.com.
Zeds Dead bring their largest-ever Chicago shows to Wintrust Arena
Image provided by Max Thompson
Content oversight provided by Studio 1847
This December, Chicago’s dance music community will witness a homecoming of intergalactic proportions.
On Dec. 12 and 13, Canadian electronic icons Zeds Dead will descend upon Wintrust Arena for a two-night event that marks the climax of their 2025 Deadbeats tour — and the most ambitious chapter yet in their long-standing love affair with the Windy City.
Billed as “Return to the Arena of Intergalactic Happiness,” the back-to-back shows blend cutting-edge production with cinematic storytelling, closing out the duo’s most creatively expansive year in commanding fashion. But for fans in Chicago, this isn’t just another tour stop. It’s a tradition, a pilgrimage and a testament to a bond over a decade in the making.
Since their early days performing at Concord Music Hall and Aragon Ballroom, Zeds Dead — comprised of Dylan Mamid (DC) and Zachary Rapp-Rovan (Hooks) — have cultivated a uniquely loyal Chicago following. Their annual December runs have grown from club shows to multi-night events that draw fans from across the Midwest and beyond, effectively turning Chicago into a year-end destination for bass music lovers.
In recent years, they’ve sold out Radius and The Salt Shed, even debuting Chicago Bulls-inspired tracksuits at the latter in 2023. This year, the tradition levels up with a full arena-scale production — custom visuals, immersive stage design and nods to their critically acclaimed 2025 album, “Return to the Spectrum of Intergalactic Happiness.” In total, Zeds Dead have sold 150,000+ tickets in Chicago alone over the past decade — a staggering stat that cements the city’s role as a cornerstone of their touring legacy.
Image provided by Ascend Agency
The Wintrust shows arrive at a creatively defining moment for the duo. Their recent audiovisual piece, “Channel Flipping 2: Only You”, premiered exclusively via Billboard, has been described as “a heartstring-pulling, time-warping journey” that blends archival film and music samples into a narrative mashup — a perfect mirror of the duo’s deep-rooted sampling ethos. That same multidimensional energy will course through the Wintrust experience. Zeds Dead have promised rare throwback moments, layered storytelling and high-concept visuals drawn from the world of their latest album, a genre-blurring project that channels everything from hip-hop to rave nostalgia into a cohesive sonic universe.
With more than a decade of releases, hundreds of millions of streams and the founding of their acclaimed label Deadbeats, Zeds Dead’s legacy is etched into the fabric of modern dance music. But in Chicago, they’ve built something even rarer — a sustained relationship with a city that has shown up for them again and again.
This December’s shows are more than just a tour finale. They’re a celebration of roots, evolution and a bond that has transcended time, venues and even genres. For Chicago fans, it’s not the end of the year until Zeds Dead says so.
Tickets for “Deadbeats Presents: Zeds Dead – Return to the Arena of Intergalactic Happiness” are on sale now. Stream the album: Return to the Spectrum of Intergalactic Happiness.
“No Longer Gold’s Quiet Sidecar”: Silver Surges To Record High As China Demand Exacerbates Squeeze
“No Longer Gold’s Quiet Sidecar”: Silver Surges To Record High As China Demand Exacerbates Squeeze
As we have detailed extensively recently (here, here, and here), silver’s latest breakneck surge to record highs was in large part due to collapsing inventories of the precious metal in Chinese warehouses linked to the Shanghai Futures Exchange, which just hit the lowest level since 2015.
The squeeze continues to accelerate and this morning the white metal topped $59 – a new record high…
…as rising rate-cut odds support the buying…
…and Chinese demand continues to build back inventories…
Strong inflows to exchange-traded funds added more impetus to a scorching rally, as Bloomberg reports, total additions to silver-backed ETFs in the four days through Thursday are already the highest for any full week since July, a strong signal of investor appetite despite signs silver’s gains may be overdone.
As Goldman notes, key catalysts for silver’s recent rise include a depletion of Shanghai Futures Exchange inventories plus growing expectations for a dovish, Trump-backed Fed Chair.
“These flows can quickly amplify price moves and trigger short-term short squeezes,” said Dilin Wu, research strategist at Pepperstone Group Ltd.
Silver prices have roughly doubled this year, outpacing a 60% rise in gold. The rally accelerated in the last two months, in part thanks to a historic squeeze in London. While that crunch has eased in recent weeks as more metal was shipped to the world’s biggest silver trading hub, other markets are now seeing supply constraints. Chinese inventories are near their lowest in a decade.
“Silver’s outsized rally signals it’s no longer gold’s quiet sidecar,” said Hebe Chen, an analyst at Vantage Markets in Melbourne.
“The market is waking up to structural scarcity and fast-rising industrial demand, not just the haven story.”
Silver could rise to $62 an ounce in the coming three months “on the back of Fed cuts, robust investment demand, and physical deficit,” Citigroup Inc. analysts including Max Layton wrote in a note.
Additionally, in the latest note from UBS, Dominic Schnider and Wayne Gordon raised their silver price forecasts by USD 5–8/oz, projecting average prices of USD 60/oz in 2026, with upside excursions toward USD 65/oz possible but unlikely to persist.
“From a macro perspective, silver should benefit from the same drivers expected to support gold – a softer US dollar, Fed rate cuts, and renewed appetite for safe-haven assets amid geopolitical concerns,” said Ewa Manthey, a commodity strategist at ING Bank.
It’s not all easy riding from here though, as a “hawkish cut” could spur some profit-taking, and Goldman’s Robert Quinn notes that the annual commodity index rebalance looms with potential outflows representing 7-8% of total open interest.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 12/05/2025 – 11:40
5 things to watch in the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field — plus our Week 14 predictions
It’s not like the semiannual grudge match between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers needed higher stakes, but the football gods bestowed them anyway.
Sunday’s afternoon matchup (3:25 pm, Fox) will be just the third time in series history that both the Bears (9-3) and Packers (8-3-1) will face off with plus-.700 winning percentages after at least 12 games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
To the winner goes the lead in the NFC North and possibly maintaining the top seed in the conference.
Bears second-year quarterback Caleb Williams knows nothing of the sting of the 211-game rivalry. The Packers have won eight of the last nine games at Lambeau, but Williams and the Bears won last season’s finale.
“The games and how the games have gone, and some of the long streaks that have gone on — I didn’t really know that getting drafted here,” he said. “But I definitely appreciate it.”
Want the latest Bears news? Subscribe to the Chicago Tribune to read it all — and sign up for our free Bears Insider newsletter.
Think what a win would mean for the Bears.
It would mark their first six-game winning streak since 2012 and their first 10-win season since 2006.
Ben Johnson would join legendary Bears owner/founder/coach George Halas as the only first-year head coaches in franchise history to win 10 of their first 13 games. But most importantly, the Bears’ odds of making the playoffs — where they haven’t been since 2020 — would jump from 76% to 93%, per NFL.com.
Safety Kevin Byard III said, “It is the most important game of the season, but it’s only because it’s the next game.
“This is going to be a tough game. They play really well at home. We’re going to have to play good all 60 minutes, all three phases, so just preparing for a tough heavyweight match.”
Here are five things to watch on Sunday — plus our Week 14 predictions.
1. Battle of the young quarterbacks.
Green Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper tackles Bears quarterback Caleb Williams while he tries to make a pass on the last drive on the game during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on Jan. 5, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Williams found something at Lambeau Field last season that not many Bears quarterbacks have: redemption.
He led a 24-22 comeback win, halting a 10-game losing streak to put a silver lining on a miserable rookie season in which his offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron, and head coach, Matt Eberflus, were both fired.
“You go through such a tough time and weird time, everybody knows what happened last year,” Williams said. “You go and face a rival like this rival that’s been going on for 100 years or so. Being able to go out there and defeat them, it was important for us as players and the guys that are still here. And for the future, we want to keep that going.”
While it’s difficult to summon the name of a primary Bears rival to Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers, it seems a sure bet that Williams and Jordan Love will be dueling for years to come.
Sunday will mark just the third meeting between the two young signal callers.
Love won the first game 20-19 on Nov. 17, 2024, at Soldier Field, and Williams won the rematch on Jan. 5, 2025, at Lambeau Field.
Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards tackles Packers quarterback Jordan Love just short of the end zone on fourth down during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on Nov. 17, 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
At present, Love, the No. 26 pick in 2020 by the Packers, has a slight edge over Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in 2024 by the Bears.
This season, Love has thrown for 2,794 yards and 19 touchdowns and three interceptions, while Williams has put up 2,722, 17 and five. But Love has completed 67% of his passes while Williams is scuffling at 58.1% and trending downward — though coach Ben Johnson says to “throw those (stats) out of the window.”
Related Articles
Column: Al Harris has made an impact on the Chicago Bears for years. And wherever he goes, takeaways follow.
Rarely have Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers been this good in long rivalry. Here’s what the numbers say.
Column: Only in Chicago could a shirtless Bears coach and free hot dogs rally an entire city
Are the 9-3 Chicago Bears the best team in the NFC? 5 pressing questions after Week 13.
“Ben has talked about (how) our passing game isn’t exactly where we want it to be right now, and that we all have a hand in that,” Declan Dyole, offensive coordinator, said. “That would be us as coaches, the players, Caleb, the pass catchers, the line. That number goes up by all of us doing a better job.”
Meanwhile, Love has no trouble rising to the occasion, at least when it comes to the Bears. Like his Green Bay predecessors, the QB has a lopsided 3-1 record and a six-touchdown-to-one-interception ratio against the Bears.
“I see a quarterback that does a really good job of processing,” said defensive coordinator Dennis Allen of Love.
“He gets to his reads, he knows where he wants to go with the football, he delivers the ball accurately. I see a guy that’s playing really at a high level, and he’s got a lot of good skill players to get the ball to. So I think it’s certainly a challenge for us, that’s for sure.”
Love gave the Detroit Lions a Thanksgiving they won’t soon forget, hanging four passing touchdowns on them in a 31-24 win.
“He’s willing to face down the barrel and take one in the chin while delivering an accurate ball,” Johnson said. “You saw that last week with the game on the line, that fourth down.”
With the Lions desperate to get the ball back just after the two-minute warning, Love killed their comeback hopes with a 16-yard completion to Dontayvion Wicks.
“I thought that was one of the better throws I’ve seen all year long from him. And then their wideouts are getting healthy,” Johnson said. “They’ve got speed. They’re really deep and so you can’t just hone in one guy. You’ve got to be able to cover all of them.
2. Player in the spotlight: Micah Parsons
Packers defensive end Micah Parsons celebrates after a quarterback sack against the Lions during the first half on Nov. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
It’s hard to quantify Parsons’ impact on an already-good Pacers defense since the Dallas Cowboys traded him in August.
The Packers were fifth in average yards allowed last season — and they’re fourth so far this season. But certainly, his NFL peers feel the difference.
“He’s a game-wrecker if you don’t account for him,” Bears running back Kyle Monangai said. “He’s shown that time and time again, now in Green Bay.”
According to Next Gen Stats, Parsons has generated a league-high 70 pressures, including a third-ranked 12.5 sacks, this season.
“There’s a number of guys that you play in the league that you have to be aware of on every snap. He’s one of those guys,” Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said.
“He’s slippery. He’s a great pass rusher. They’ll move him around. They do a great job in the defensive scheme of putting him in different positions, and it’s simple to them and yet it can create complex looks for us.
“So the biggest thing is that you don’t overlook anything. You don’t overlook where he is on the field.”
3. Pressing question: Which secondary will make a bigger impact?
Bears free safety Kevin Byard celebrates with his teammates after Byard made an interception in the third quarter against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Nov. 28, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Both sides can boast at least two former Pro Bowler or All-Pro.
The Bears secondary has been racking up accolades and accomplishments.
Cornerback Nahshon Wright won NFC Defensive Player of the Month for November with 19 tackles, six pass break-ups, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. That’s not to say he’s invulnerable: he has allowed the eighth-most yards in coverage among cornerbacks this season, according to NFL Pro’s Next Gen Stats.
Safety Kevin Byard III leads the NFL with six interceptions, the first player 32 or older to lead the league in picks through 13 weeks since New England’s Devin McCourty did it in 2019.
Bears newcomer C.J. Gardner-Johnson has had three sacks and a forced fumble. Top cornerback Jaylon Johnson returned for his first game last week after a long recovery from an in-season groin surgery, and top nickel corner Kyler Gordon came back as well from a calf injury.
For the Bears, it’s a question of how to get them all on the field. They used dime personnel on a season-high 45.1% of snaps against the Eagles, according to Next Gen Stats.
Though the Packers secondary is a challenge overall, corners Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine haven’t played as well in recent weeks.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff had a 110.4 rating against Nixon, but had a perfect 158.3 against Valentine. Receiver Jameson Williams had seven catches for a season-high 144 yards and a touchdown.
But it’s safeties Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams that had the Bears talking this week.
McKinney, who snagged an interception the last time he faced the Bears, has had at least five tackles in nine of his last 10 games. Williams had eight tackles in Week 13 and an interception in back-to-back games prior to Thanksgiving in Detroit.
“They do an exceptional job in their run fits,” Doyle said. “They’re willing to be physical, they show up fast in the run game, they make it challenging for your perimeter players to go block them. They’re certainly very good in the pass game as well, but that’s the area that flashes off the tape right away.”
4. The pass rush’s ‘get-off’ needs to get up.
Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings rushes Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in the first quarter on Oct. 27, 2024, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
In the third quarter, during one of nine pressures against Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings rumbled up the gut of the offensive line and flushed Hurts out of the pocket.
As fellow defensive lineman Chris Williams gave chase, Hurts threw an interception to Byard.
You’d think with plays like that, the Bears would have more attractive pass-rush numbers. But they own the league’s slowest average “get-off,” a Next Gen Stat that measures the defensive line’s quickness to cross the line of scrimmage after the snap.
The Bears also have the second-slowest time to pressure (2.89), and, according to ESPN analytics, their pass-rush win rate (30%) ranks 29th.
“Stats can say whatever you want,” defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said. “At the end of the day, people play this game and thank God for that.” But he acknowledged, “There’s always work to be done.”
Defensive end Austin Booker said the Bears have the means to improve.
“We can get them off the spot,” he said. “We can go power, we can go speed, we can work hands, just all around. And I feel it starts with practice.”
5. Injury updates.
Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze warms up before the game against the Steelers at Soldier Field on Nov. 23, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
The key players to watch for status updates on Friday will be wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (hip), who both missed both days of practice this week.
Monangai (ankle) was limited Thursday after being listed as a non-participant in Wednesday’s estimated report. He told the Tribune Thursday that he expects to be active.
“For sure, wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said.
Meanwhile, T.J. Edwards (hand/hamstring) was limited for a second straight day Thursday, and fellow linebacker Noah Sewell (elbow) was a full participant both days.
Predictions
Packers safety Javon Bullard tackles Bears wide receiver DJ Moore during the second quarter at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Jan. 5, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Brad Biggs (8-4)
Ben Johnson’s run game has emerged as a wagon and it will be fascinating to see how it performs in this matchup. The Bears rank No. 2 in the league, averaging 153.8 yards per game. Green Bay’s run defense is tied for seventh, allowing only 98.3 per game. The Packers are the only opponent on the schedule — to date — that rank inside the top 10 in run defense. Eight of the 12 teams the Bears have played currently rank 20th or worse. In part, that’s because the Bears have run on them. It took a few weeks for the Packers offense to recover from the loss of tight end Tucker Kraft to a season-ending knee injury.
This feels like it will be a close game, and last season’s two meetings were decided by a total of three points. But from 2019 through 2023, a span of 10 meetings, the Packers didn’t lose once and the closest margin was seven points.
Packers 27, Bears 24
Sean Hammond (9-3)
This is such a tough game to pick. The Bears run game has been electric, while the Packers run defense has been among the best in the NFL. Jordan Love has thrown just three interceptions, while the Bears defense leads the NFL in interceptions. The Bears keep winning football games and it would be silly to doubt them now. Still, it has been nearly two decades since this franchise won back-to-back games at Lambeau Field. I like the Packers at home.
Packers 24, Bears 21
Phil Thompson (7-5)
It’s hard to see a path to victory for the Bears, though most thought the same of their Week 13 matchup against the Eagles. The Packers give up the sixth-fewest points per game and allow the eighth-fewest rushing yards per game (98.3), which is the Bears’ bread and butter. Packers QB Jordan Love has a Jekyll-and-Hyde quality to him – just look at the last six starts – so a Bears upset is not unthinkable, just unlikely.
Packers 27, Bears 23
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/05/chicago-bears-green-bay-packers-predictions/
Argentina vuelve al mercado de capitales con un bono en dólares para pagar deuda sin usar reservas
Associated Press
BUENOS AIRES (AP) — El gobierno de Javier Milei anunció el viernes que Argentina volverá al mercado de capitales con la emisión de un bono nacional en dólares con vencimiento en 2029 para saldar una parte del vencimiento de la deuda de enero sin hacer uso de las reservas.
“Estamos volviendo al mercado con un bono a cuatro años, a noviembre de 2029, con un cupón (tasa de interés) del 6,5% (anual)… es un dato importantísimo”, dijo el ministro de Economía, Luis Caputo, en una entrevista con el canal A24.
Se trata de la primera colocación de deuda en moneda extranjera en el mercado de capitales desde 2018.
Milei, un ultraliberal que gobierna desde fines de 2023, celebró en X con una imagen en la que se lo ve agarrando por un hombro a Caputo, al que describió como “el mejor de todos los tiempos”.
Caputo indicó que con la emisión la próxima semana de este instrumento —que estará regido por la ley local— el país sudamericano pagará una parte del vencimiento de deuda por unos 4.200 millones de dólares que enfrentará el próximo 9 de enero. “La idea es pagar sin que bajen las reservas” del Banco Central, acotó el ministro.
El Fondo Monetario Internacional había insistido la víspera en la necesidad de que las reservas del Banco Central de Argentina se fortalezcan. El FMI alcanzó en abril un acuerdo con el país para un paquete de rescate de 20.000 millones de dólares que contempla una serie de metas macroeconómicas, entre ellas que las reservas estén a fines de año en unos 5.000 millones de dólares.
Las reservas brutas informadas por el Banco Central rondan los 41.883 millones de dólares, aunque ese número no refleja la disponibilidad real de divisas para afrontar vencimientos de deuda, sostener el tipo de cambio y sortear inestabilidades financieras. Economistas privados advierten que las netas son negativas.
Julie Kozack, directora de comunicación del FMI, dijo que “las políticas monetarias y de divisas deberán apoyar una vía más ambiciosa de acumulación de reservas para construir colchones adecuados en Argentina. Esto ayudará a afrontar mejor los shocks”. La funcionaria precisó que “se siguen logrando avances sustanciales en el fortalecimiento de la estabilidad macroeconómica en Argentina”, a pesar de algunos episodios ocasionales de volatilidad.
Caputo explicó que “típicamente los países renuevan la deuda” y como Argentina no tiene crédito, la ha tenido que pagar, por lo que “es importante acceder de nuevo a los mercados, porque al poder refinanciar los vencimientos de deuda cada dólar que compre el Banco Central ahora sí los puede acumular”.
Caputo señaló que la emisión del bono es bajo legislación local, que no requiere la aprobación del Congreso, como sería el caso si se hiciese bajo normativa internacional, según estipula una ley aprobada por la administración anterior.
El ministro subrayó luego en X que esta operación pretende “dar un primer paso en la nueva estrategia de refinanciar los vencimientos de capital en moneda extranjera con el sector privado sin afectar las reservas netas”.
Jobs Data From Alternative Sources May Drive Feds Next Move
Jobs Data From Alternative Sources May Drive Feds Next Move
Authored by Lance Roberts via Real Investment Advice,
With the federal government shutdown delaying critical economic reports, the official jobs data remains incomplete. Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the September jobs report. However, the October report, originally expected earlier this month, remains in limbo, potentially permanently. The reason is due to the shutdown, as the BLS was unable to conduct the household survey. As such, the Fed will have to rely on alternative data for perspective on the strength or weakness of the labor market.
Therefore, in the absence of official jobs data, private-sector reports have become the best available gauge of labor market conditions. For example, the most recent ADP report showed only 42,000 private-sector jobs added in October. Crucially, it isn’t the “monthly number” that is crucial to consider, but the trend of the data. While there are undoubtedly many hopes for a resurgence of economic activity in 2026, the trend of employment data certainly doesn’t suggest that will be the case. At least not at the moment.
Another “real-time” source of jobs data is from Revelio Labs, which monitors job trends through company records and employee profiles. The most recent report from Revelio estimates a net decline of more than 9,000 jobs.
LinkUp, which tracks job listings, also reported a loss of 5,000 jobs in October.
While that data is certainly concerning on its own, according to the job posting site Indeed, the number of jobs being posted is also rolling over, with listings now back to 2021 levels, and year-over-year declines in postings in almost every sector they track.
While the BLS employment report is heavily flawed, it remains the standard by which the markets and the Fed act. However, the alternative shows that the slowdown in employment is widespread and not just a function of the Government shutdown. There is evidence of both job losses and a retraction of job openings across the entire economy. This includes logistics to healthcare, retail, and professional services. The hiring freezes are not isolated events, but reflect a structural shift in demand.
None of this indicates a labor collapse. But the shift in momentum is significant, and job creation is stalling with openings shrinking and layoffs rising. This slowdown often precedes broader economic weakness, suggesting that the Federal Reserve’s next monetary policy moves may be more focused on job creation than on concerns about inflation.
The Fed Must Weigh Jobs Data Against Inflation Risks
The Fed’s dual mandate, which is to achieve full employment and price stability, puts it in a difficult position right now. As noted above, there is clear evidence that economic weakness is increasing, with jobs data showing signs of weakening. On the other hand, inflation remains elevated, particularly in the services sector, with inflation expectations still above the Fed’s target.
For example, Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell recently said:
“In the near term, risks to inflation are tilted to the upside and risks to employment to the downside—a challenging situation…we remain committed to supporting maximum employment, bringing inflation sustainably to our 2 percent goal.”
At this juncture, the Fed must carefully assess the risks of its next policy moves. While softening jobs data suggests the employment objective is under threat, cutting rates and increasing monetary accommodation may spark a resurgence of inflation. However, if inflation remains high, the price-stability objective is under pressure; but higher inflation slows economic activity and employment. As President Mary C. Daly recently put it:
“At this point … the risks to the inflation side of our mandate and the risk to the employment side of our mandate are in better balance. And so, we have to be thoughtful about not loosening too early, but we have to be thoughtful about not holding too long.”
The Fed will likely place greater emphasis on alternative job data, wage trends, and inflation indicators in its next policy steps. Suppose these alternative signals continue to indicate a softening job market without wage inflation escalating. In that case, the Fed’s bias will likely tilt toward easing policy to prevent a sharper economic slowdown.
Looking back, the Fed has confronted similar scenarios when job growth weakened while inflation remained above target. In the minutes of a prior meeting, the Fed noted:
“A number of participants noted … although the labor market remained strong, … there was some risk that further cooling in labor market conditions could be associated with an increased pace of layoffs.”
In a more recent context, Powell said at the March 2025 Monetary Policy Forum:
“If the labor market were to weaken unexpectedly or inflation were to fall more quickly than anticipated, we can ease policy accordingly.”
That statement highlighted conditionality—policy is not on a preset course but rather depends on the data. However, it is a balancing act between cutting too much and not enough. Unfortunately, the Fed has a long history of doing both at the wrong times.
The problem for the Fed, as noted above, is that two mandates of full employment and price stability work against one another. To achieve full employment, prices will rise as economic activity increases. To reduce inflation, economic activity must slow, which in turn leads to fewer jobs being created. This is why the Fed consistently gets itself trapped in providing increasing or reducing accommodation to solve one problem, but creates a problem with the other.
What the Fed Will Likely Do Next
The Federal Reserve is staring at a familiar dilemma with the jobs data cooling and inflation remaining above target. Furthermore, it appears, at least outside the stock market, that traditional policy tools are becoming less effective in their impact.
We expect that over the coming months, the Fed will likely continue easing monetary policy at a cautious pace while reassuring the markets that it is remaining “data-driven.” The reality is that they are cutting policy in the hopes of stimulating economic growth, which could spark an inflationary uptick. However, with the risks of a deflationary impact from the onset of AI, demographic trends, and rising non-productive debt levels, the Fed continues to “push on a string.” While the October rate cut was a clear sign that officials are willing to respond to weakening economic conditions, the bar for navigating the current environment without a policy misstep remains exceptionally high.
However, we expect that the most likely path forward includes:
Cut rates in December, unless inflation readings rise meaningfully.
A return of focus to the BLS Employment reports
Consider a second 25 bps cut in early 2026 if wage growth continues to decelerate, quits remain low, and layoffs continue to rise.
Avoid aggressive rate cuts unless recession risks rise sharply. As Fed Chair Powell emphasized, the Fed won’t act prematurely: “We have to be careful not to move too soon or too late.”
Continue to balance downside risks with increased attention to credit conditions, consumer delinquencies, and business investment data.
The Fed will avoid rushing into a complete easing cycle unless both components of its mandate, employment and inflation, clearly support that move. Right now, the labor market is flashing yellow, but not red. Inflation is sticky, but no longer accelerating; therefore, we expect the Fed’s policy approach to reflect this.
How Investors Should Prepare
Investors should expect volatility. With conflicting economic signals, markets are vulnerable to sharp swings in response to Federal Reserve comments, inflation reports, and any new labor market indications. The path forward is not linear.
Here’s what to watch for and how to position:
Watch yield curves: If short-term yields fall further while long-term yields stabilize, the bond market is pricing in slower growth with softer inflation. This benefits duration-sensitive assets.
Favor high-quality fixed income: Slower job growth and lower inflation expectations improve the risk/reward profile of investment-grade credit and Treasuries.
Avoid chasing speculative assets: If the Fed remains cautious, liquidity conditions will stay tight. High-beta equities, unprofitable tech companies, and cryptocurrencies remain vulnerable.
Look for relative value in defensive sectors: Healthcare, consumer staples, and utilities offer protection if economic weakness deepens.
Stay flexible on equity allocation: Earnings forecasts may still be too optimistic. Slower jobs data often precedes revenue and margin pressure. Valuations remain elevated in many areas.
Watch small-business indicators: Job postings, wage plans, and hiring intentions in the NFIB and other surveys will be critical signals of broader labor market trends.
More broadly, investors should prepare for a period where monetary policy lacks a clear anchor. With a Fed that’s hesitant to act too aggressively, markets will likely overreact to soft guidance, regional inflation trends, and real-time labor indicators.
The economy is not falling off a cliff, but the momentum is clearly weakening, and the job market’s directional change is real. That weakness also suggests that inflation is no longer the problem. For the first time in nearly two years, the Fed’s focus is shifting, slowly, from restraining prices to protecting employment. Unfortunately, at least from a historical view, they have not managed such a shift without negative consequences.
While “this time could be different,” I wouldn’t make aggressive bets on that outcome.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 12/05/2025 – 11:30
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/jobs-data-alternative-sources-may-drive-feds-next-move
