Category: News
“Get Rid Of It” – Trump Suggests He’ll Soon Slash/End Income Tax
“Get Rid Of It” – Trump Suggests He’ll Soon Slash/End Income Tax
Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news,
President Trump signaled Tuesday that the federal income tax could soon be history. Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, Trump laid out a vision of economic freedom powered by massive tariff revenues from foreign nations— putting America First instead of bleeding hardworking citizens dry to fund globalist giveaways.
With tariffs surging and billions pouring in from trade deals, Trump is paving the way for a tax revolution that could explode the economy overnight. The President’s declaration came during a press gaggle at the White House, where he emphasised the unprecedented revenue streaming into U.S. coffers thanks to his tough trade policies.
“I believe that at some point in the not-too distant future, you won’t even have income tax to pay,” Trump stated plainly. He elaborated, “Because the money we’re taking in is so great and it’s so enormous that you’re not going to have an income tax to pay. Whether you get rid of it or just keep it around for fun or have it really low, much lower than it is now, but you won’t be paying income tax.”
BREAKING: President Trump just announced he expects the income tax to be ABOLISHED soon.
This would be the single greatest economic move in American history. Imagine taking home 100% of your paycheck?
The economy would explode overnight. ? pic.twitter.com/aJYqvkUNQy
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) December 2, 2025
Trump’s push to axe the income tax isn’t new—it’s rooted in his America First agenda that flips the script on how the government funds itself. As he explained in his inaugural address, “Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens. For this purpose, we are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties, and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money pouring into our Treasury, coming from foreign sources.”
This echoes his campaign trail musings, where he told podcaster Joe Rogan that tariffs could fully replace income taxes. “Yeah, sure, why not?” Trump replied when asked if he was serious about ditching personal income taxes.
Now, with tariffs already raking in hundreds of billions—up 250% from last year—the numbers are backing him up. Income tax hauled in about $2.7 trillion in fiscal 2025, but Trump’s team projects tariffs and foreign investments could eclipse that, especially with pledges like Japan’s $650 billion, South Korea’s $350 billion, and the EU’s $950 billion pouring into U.S. plants and jobs.
Recent reports highlight how this fits into broader reforms, including the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which promises huge tax refunds and real wage hikes in 2026. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent boasted at the same meeting: “In 2026, we are going to see very substantial tax refunds in the First Quarter… We’re going to see real wage increases. I think next year is going to be a fantastic year.”
.@SecScottBessent: “In 2026, we are going to see very substantial tax refunds in the First Quarter… We’re going to see real wage increases. I think next year is going to be a fantastic year.” pic.twitter.com/3XTBD8wK7q
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 2, 2025
Of course, the usual suspects in the media and academia are already hyperventilating. Economists aligned with the old guard, like those from UCLA and NYU, whine that tariffs “can’t replace” income tax revenue, claiming it’d shift burdens or balloon the debt. Funny how they never complain when trillions get funneled to Ukraine or climate scams, but suggest letting Americans keep their money? Suddenly, it’s “fantasy.”
Trump himself dismissed the doubters by pointing to historical precedent: the U.S. thrived in the late 19th century with “all tariffs, no income tax.” His vision includes potentially eliminating the IRS altogether, a dream for anyone who’s suffered through their audits and overreach.
Fox Business notes this as Trump’s “most explicit endorsement” yet of scrapping income taxes, marking a potential overhaul unseen in over 100 years. And with a narrow House majority, the fight will be fierce—but Trump’s track record on trade wars shows he doesn’t back down from globalist bullies.
Trump expanded on the timeline in recent comments: “Over the next couple of years, I think we’ll substantially be cutting—and maybe cutting out completely—income tax. We could be almost completely cutting it because the money we’re taking in is going to be so large.” He tied it directly to protecting American industries: “We’re taking in, think of it, hundreds of billions. Next year, it’ll be a trillion dollars or more, but we’re taking in all this money while protecting our country. And we’re respected again.”
This isn’t about handouts; it’s about fairness. Why should blue-collar workers foot the bill for elite excesses when foreign nations can pay up through tariffs? As Trump put it, “They actually respect us. And they made the deals. I mean, they respect us, but they pay us.”
If he pulls this off, it’ll be a massive win for freedom, unleashing prosperity like never before. America First means keeping your paycheck—all of it!
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Tyler Durden
Wed, 12/03/2025 – 14:25
https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/get-rid-it-trump-suggests-hell-soon-slashend-income-tax
House Dems Release ‘Selective’ Never-Before-Seen Epstein Island Pictures, Video
House Dems Release ‘Selective’ Never-Before-Seen Epstein Island Pictures, Video
ZeroHedge Washington correspondent, Liam Cosgrove, reports that Democrats on the House Oversight Committee have released a cache of never-before-seen photos and videos from Jeffrey Epstein’s infamous island (dropbox link here), saying in a statement “These new images are a disturbing look into the world of Jeffrey Epstein and his island. We are releasing these photos and videos to ensure public transparency in our investigation and to help piece together the full picture of Epstein’s horrific crimes.”
“We won’t stop fighting until we deliver justice for the survivors.” which is weird because they didn’t care about Epstein’s victims until very recently.
🚨 BREAKING: Oversight Dems have received never-before-seen photos and videos of Jeffrey Epstein’s private island that are a harrowing look behind Epstein’s closed doors.
See for yourself. We won’t stop fighting until we end this cover-up and deliver justice for the survivors. pic.twitter.com/qXmxFISZLS
— Oversight Dems (@OversightDems) December 3, 2025
“It is odd that Democrats are once again releasing selective information, as they have done before. The last time Democrats cherry-picked and doctored documents, their attempt to construct yet another hoax against President Trump completely collapsed,” a Republican on the Oversight panel told Axios.
The new cache was part of approximately 5,000 documents in response to Oversight Chairman Jim Comer’s subpoenas to JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank, along with his request to the US Virgin Islands,” a spokesperson told the outlet.
Included in the ‘selective’ release:
A creepy dental exam room:
A large sitting room with a chalkboard…
That’s partially redacted for some reason… (it will be interesting to see if Republicans on the Committee release the unredacted version)
Various bedrooms…
Exterior shots:
And videos:
Never-before-seen images and video footage of convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s private island were released Wednesday morning by the House Oversight Committee.
U.S. Virgin Islands authorities snapped the images in 2020. Epstein owned Little St. James and Great St.… pic.twitter.com/moXywHqV5N
— PBS News (@NewsHour) December 3, 2025
Flashback: Remember when someone flew a drone over the island right after Epstein’s death?
NYPD on Epstein Island pic.twitter.com/oj35eUnnvF
— DOQ (@doqholliday) July 10, 2025
Tyler Durden
Wed, 12/03/2025 – 14:05
Federation of Labor backs Pat Hynes over Fritz Kaegi for Cook County assessor
The umbrella organization for Chicago unions is backing Pat Hynes for Cook County assessor against incumbent Fritz Kaegi in the March Democratic primary and taking sides in various contested county board races.
The Chicago Federation of Labor announced its endorsement of Hynes and other Cook County candidates in a Wednesday morning release, saying the Lyons Township Assessor and a former employee of the assessor’s office “knows how to get the job done.”
Hynes is the nephew of former county assessor Thomas Hynes and worked in the county assessor’s office between 1998 and 2021, when he quit at the tail end of Kaegi’s first term.
The CFL did not endorse Kaegi in the 2018 or 2022 races, either.
After backing Kaegi last cycle, the Cook County Democratic Party also sided with Hynes earlier this year. Both the CFL and party endorsement typically comes with foot soldiers and fundraising or joint mail pieces.
CFL President Bob Reiter pointed to recent property tax bills as evidence of a need for change. “For too long, Fritz Kaegi’s unpredictable and volatile property tax assessments have left Cook County working families struggling to pay the bills. Pat will put the Assessor’s Office back on track, giving Cook County’s working class the certainty of rational and predictable assessments,” he said.
Cook Couty Assessor Fritz Kaegi heads to the lectern to speak during the Cook County Democratic Party primary slating at the I.B.E.W hall on July 17, 2025, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune))
Kaegi has said recent Chicago bill spikes were driven by successful appeals by big commercial building owners downtown at the county’s three-member appeals body, the Board of Review. Businesses say Kaegi has pegged their values too high and they are still suffering from widespread vacancies, lowered rents, and plunging sales prices. An independent study comparing assessments and sales prices is due later this month, offering a rare fact check of both sides’ claims.
Kaegi, meanwhile, has rolled out his first TV ad on cable, YouTube and Meta. The ad shows a homeowner and a “Big Developer” sitting on opposite sides of a seesaw. Kaegi says “big developers rigged the appeals process, getting tax cuts they don’t deserve and shifting the burden onto middle class families… I’m working to level the playing field by making developers pay what they owe so we can lower taxes for the middle class.”
The CFL voted to stay neutral in the other property tax-related elections for the Board of Review. Both incumbent Democrats up for reelection, Samantha Steele and George Cardenas, have challengers. Cardenas faces Juanita Irizarry, former executive director of the advocacy group Friends of the Parks.
Steele faces Liz Nicholson, a campaign and fundraising advisor who previously held various roles in state government and also won the county party’s endorsement. Steele continues to fight a DUI charge from last year and is due in court next month.
In open county board races, the CFL backed Patricia Joan “Trish” Murphy in the 6th District. Current Commissioner Donna Miller is running for the congressional seat being vacated by Robin Kelly.
In the 12th District seat left empty with the coming exit of Commissioner Bridget Degnen, the CFL endorsed Liz Granato. She is the current chief of the county’s Bureau of Asset Management and married to state Sen. Ram Villivalam.
In the 17th District, where Republican commissioner Sean Morrison announced he would not seek re-election, the CFL endorsed Elyse Hoffenberg, the Lyons Township clerk.
In the 16th District, the CFL also went against the incumbent, Democrat Frank Aguilar, instead backing Miranda Hernandez. A Cicero native and legislative deputy for State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke, Hernandez worked for various congressional offices, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and the Department of Justice. She is also the daughter of state Rep. Lisa Hernandez.
¿Cómo funciona el sorteo del Mundial? AP explica el proceso para repartir a los equipos en grupos
Por NOAH TRISTER
WASHINGTON (AP) — El sorteo de la Copa Mundial 2026 se realizará el viernes en el Centro Kennedy para las Artes Escénicas, con el propósito de repartir a las 48 selecciones participantes en los 12 grupos de cuatro.
Los dos primeros de cada zona y los ocho mejores terceros clasificarán a la segunda fase. El Mundial más grande de la historia añade una nueva ronda de dieciseisavos de final.
En un formato de todos contra todos, los 12 grupos se designan como Grupo A, Grupo B… y así sucesivamente, hasta el Grupo L.
Aquí hay una explicación de cómo funciona el sorteo.
Selección de bombos
Las 48 selecciones serán distribuidas en cuatro bombos distintos que se rigen por la posición actual en el ranking de la FIFA de cada equipo entre paréntesis.
Bombo 1 — España (1), Argentina (2), Francia (3), Inglaterra (4), Brasil (5), Portugal (6), Países Bajos (7), Bélgica (8), Alemania (9), Estados Unidos (14), México (15), Canadá (27).
Bombo 2 — Croacia (10), Marruecos (11), Colombia (13), Uruguay (16), Suiza (17), Japón (18), Senegal (19), Irán (20), Corea del Sur (22), Ecuador (23), Austria (24), Australia (26).
Bombo 3 — Noruega (29), Panamá (30), Egipto (34), Argelia (35), Escocia (36), Paraguay (39), Túnez (40), Costa de Marfil (42), Uzbekistán (60), Catar (51), Arabia Saudí (60), Sudáfrica (61).
Bombo 4 — Jordania (66), Cabo Verde (68), Ghana (72), Curazao (82), Haití (84), Nueva Zelanda (86), Repechaje UEFA A, Repechaje UEFA B, Repechaje UEFA C, Repechaje UEFA D, Repechaje FIFA 1, Repechaje FIFA 2.
Estados Unidos, México y Canadá, los tres anfitriones, quedaron en el Bombo 1. Eso es una ventaja significativa porque significa que evitan caer a un grupo con varias de las potencias. Ya se ha determinado que México estará en el Grupo A, Canadá en el Grupo B y Estados Unidos en el Grupo D.
La novedad es una directriz que impide a España y la campeona vigente Argentina enfrentarse antes de la final en caso de liderar sus grupos, dado que ambos equipos ocupan los primeros dos lugares del ranking. Lo mismo se da con Inglaterra (3) y Francia (4).
Selecciones pendientes
Seis de las bolas en el Bombo 4 no corresponden a ningún país específico. Eso se debe a que seis plazas no se determinarán hasta marzo. Cuatro equipos europeos se clasificarán vía los repechajes de la UEFA, y los dos repechajes adicionales de la FIFA incluirán equipos de todo el mundo en partidos que se disputarán en México.
El ganador del Repechaje UEFA A será Italia, Irlanda del Norte, Gales o Bosnia-Herzegovina. El Repechaje UEFA B será disputado por Ucrania, Suecia, Polonia y Albania, el Repechaje UEFA C por Turquía, Rumania, Eslovaquia y Kosovo, y el Repechaje UEFA D por Dinamarca, Macedonia del Norte, República Checa e Irlanda.
Nueva Caledonia, Jamaica y Congo competirán en el Repechaje FIFA 1, y Bolivia, Surinam e Irak en el Repechaje FIFA 2.
¿Italia aún no se ha clasificado?
Italia, cuatro veces campeona del mundo, no se clasifica desde 2014. Pero los italianos — actualmente en el puesto 12 del ranking — todavía tienen una oportunidad de lograrlo esta vez. Muchos equipos esta semana probablemente cruzarán los dedos para evitar no quedar en un grupo con el ganador del Repechaje UEFA A.
Restricciones adicionales
El sorteo se llevará a cabo teniendo en cuenta algunos requisitos adicionales:
— Cada grupo debe tener al menos un equipo europeo, pero no más de dos.
— Aparte de la UEFA (Europa), no puede haber dos equipos de la misma confederación en el mismo grupo. Las otras confederaciones son la AFC (Asia) y la CAF (África), CONCACAF (América del Norte, Central y el Caribe), CONMEBOL (América del Sur) y la OFC (Oceanía).
(En un par de peculiaridades del fútbol global, Surinam juega en la CONCACAF y Australia juega en la AFC, pero Nueva Zelanda es parte de la OFC).
Grupos posibles
Aunque los bombos están en gran medida en orden descendente de clasificación FIFA, todavía hay muchas variantes sobre cuán desafiante podría ser un grupo, especialmente porque el Bombo 4 podría incluir tanto a una potencia tradicional como Italia o a un debutante como Curazao.
Argentina, Marruecos, Noruega e Italia — si se clasifica — podrían ser un grupo particularmente exigente.
Canadá, Austria, Sudáfrica y Nueva Zelanda parecerían mucho menos imponentes.
¿Cuándo conoceremos el calendario de partidos?
La revelación completa de sedes y horarios de partidos quedó programada para el sábado, aunque las fechas de los partidos para los tres países anfitriones ya se han revelado.
Canadá: 12 de junio (Toronto), 18 de junio (Vancouver) y 24 de junio (Vancouver).
México: 11 de junio (Ciudad de México), 18 de junio (Guadalajara) y 24 de junio (Ciudad de México).
Estados Unidos: 12 de junio (Los Ángeles), 19 de junio (Seattle) y 25 de junio (Los Ángeles).
___
Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Dua Lipa luce sus clases de español cantando con Fher Olvera de Maná
Por BERENICE BAUTISTA
CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (AP) — Dua Lipa presumió los resultados de sus clases de español cantando en vivo con Fher Olvera de Maná el martes por la noche en el Estadio GNP Seguros de la Ciudad de México.
Antes de que su gira Radical Optimism llegara a Latinoamérica, la estrella pop británica había compartido con sus seguidores que había aprobado su curso de español y su esmero se pudo sentir cuando interpretó “Oye mi amor” de Maná en la sección de covers que ha caracterizado a su gira.
“Este momento con mi banda es uno de mis favoritos, le da mucha espontaneidad a un show que conocemos tan bien, nunca sabemos qué va a pasar, pero seguimos adelante y para mí eso es Radical Optimisim”, dijo Lipa en español.
“Ciudad de México, por favor, ayúdame a recibir con un fuerte aplauso a ¡Fher de Maná!”, agregó provocando una ovación de los 65.000 asistentes al concierto.
“Oye mi amor” es el primer sencillo del álbum de Maná “¿Dónde jugarán los niños?” de 1992. Lipa nació en 1995.
Antes de cantar con Olvera, Lipa se acercó a los fans en la primera fila y a algunos les preguntó “¿cómo te llamas?” y “¿te quieres tomar una foto?”, para luego pedirles su celular y hacer una selfie.
“Dua, gracias por lo que estás haciendo por aprender nuestro idioma, es muy importante y ¿saben qué? ¡Dua, amiga, ya eres mexicana!”, dijo en inglés y español un joven llamado Mauricio cuando se acercó la cantante.
Lipa felicitó a otro chico llamado Antonio por su estilo y también por su cumpleaños, le firmó un autógrafo.
“Qué sueño y qué alegría estar otra vez aquí esta noche en tu hermosa ciudad con toda esta gente tan linda”, dijo Lipa en español al público. “Estoy disfrutando de cada momento y no quiero que esto termine”.
El lunes Lipa abrió una taquería temporal para sus fans en la Ciudad de México y también presentó el primer concierto de su serie de tres que terminará el viernes por la noche.
Recientemente, Maná celebró su presentación 43 en arenas de Los Ángeles, superando el récord de Bruce Springsteen por la mayor cantidad de conciertos en arenas de la ciudad presentados por un artista o banda. Su gira Vivir Sin Aire comenzó en septiembre y continuará durante 2026.
City considers shifting O’Hare construction plans as report urges it to do so
A report released Wednesday by the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul urges the city to consider shifting its O’Hare rebuild plans around to prevent “sharp reductions” in flight activity at the busy airport during construction.
In recent bond documents, the city said it was hoping to do just that.
Initial plans for the massive $8.2 billion revamp at O’Hare called for two “satellite” concourses to be built first, followed by the centerpiece of the project, a new Global Terminal.
But the airlines, which are footing much of the bill for the construction, pushed for the Global Terminal construction to be moved up, hoping to ensure the centerpiece wouldn’t be threatened by increasing costs.
Now, the city says it wants to switch around the schedule.
In bond documents first reported by Crain’s, the city said it had completed an analysis that “determined construction of the (Global Terminal) would need to be completed in incremental phases to mitigate gate capacity impacts.”
Such a change would result in “an appreciable increase in costs and potentially delaying the delivery of the (Global Terminal).”
The city said it had developed a plan that would see the two satellite terminals constructed concurrently, before the Global Terminal — as originally planned.
“The city is continuing to engage with stakeholders and evaluate the most advantageous phasing approach,” it said in the bond documents.
Neither United nor American airlines offered a comment on city’s proposed plans.
“We’re going to see flight activity suffer without some strategic changes,” said Joseph Schwieterman of the Chaddick Institute, a professor at DePaul and one of the authors of the report released Wednesday.
The policy brief urges the city to reassess the costs and benefits of changing the terminal construction order. Barring a change in construction plans, the city will need to consider other strategies to mitigate impacts on travelers, such as by incentivizing the shifting of some flights to Midway Airport, the report said.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/03/ohare-construction-plans-chicago/
Spending Slowdown Hits Apple App Store In Major Markets
Spending Slowdown Hits Apple App Store In Major Markets
Apple App Store spending cooled in November, dragged down by weakening demand across several of Apple’s largest global markets, which together account for more than half of all App Store revenue.
Goldman analysts led by Michael Ng published a note Tuesday citing Sensor Tower data showing Apple App Store spending last month rose just 6% YoY, down from 9% in October and half the growth rate seen in July.
Sensor Tower data showed that Games, the App Store’s largest category (44% of revenue), drove most of the slowdown, falling 2% YoY after growing 3% the previous month.
“Weakening consumer demand for products and services. Apple’s products and services are typically sold to consumers, and any weakness in the macroeconomic environment could reduce demand for Apple products and services,” Ng said.
There was no definitive explanation beyond the softer “macroeconomic environment” for the App Store slowdown.
By geography, four of Apple’s top five markets – the US, Japan, the UK, and Canada – experienced a broad-based slowdown in App Store spending. This raises near-term downside risk and could weigh on App Store revenue.
However, despite slowing App Store spending growth rates, Ng still expects Apple’s F1Q26 Services revenue to meet guidance (14% YoY) because other Service lines – including iCloud+, AppleCare+, Apple Music, Apple Pay, and broader subscriptions – continue to perform well.
Here are the key takeaways from the App Store spending slowdown:
November 2025 App Store net revenue grew +6% YoY, decelerating from +9% in October. November marks the slowest month of 2025 and sits below the 2022–2024 average November growth rate of +10% YoY.
By category, the slowdown was primarily driven by Games (-2% YoY vs. +3% YoY in October), which represent ~44% of total revenue. Among the next largest categories: Entertainment (15% of total) accelerated to +5% YoY (from +4%), while Photo & Video (8% of total) decelerated slightly to +16% YoY (from +17%).
By geography, spending slowed across Apple’s largest markets: the US (36% of total) cooled to +3% YoY (from +8%), Japan (10%) fell to -2% (from +4%), while China (20%) improved slightly to -1% (from -2%).
Notice that the App Store spending slowdown has persisted for much of the year.
Whoops.
Not good.
The question of why consumers are cutting back on gaming apps is a big one. It’s happening across Apple’s major markets, which could point to more financially pressured consumers, smartphone fatigue, or competitive app stores soaking up market share. Whatever the cause, the drop in demand signals Tim Cook will have to take corrective measures heading into 2026.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 12/03/2025 – 13:45
https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/spending-slowdown-hits-apples-app-store-major-markets
¿Por qué Trump quiere expulsar a los inmigrantes somalíes de EEUU? Esto hay que saber
Por The Associated Press
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, calificó a los inmigrantes somalíes que viven en Estados Unidos como “basura” y quiere que se vayan, afirmando sin pruebas que “no contribuyen en nada”.
El mandatario expresó tales calificativos el martes después de que una persona familiarizada con la planificación dijera que las autoridades federales preparaban una operación de control migratorio en Minnesota, centrada principalmente en los inmigrantes somalíes que viven ilegalmente en el país. Casi el 58% de los somalíes de Minnesota nacieron en Estados Unidos. Y de los nacidos en el extranjero, el 87% son ciudadanos estadounidenses naturalizados.
Este es un vistazo a Somalia, que también es uno de los países a los que el gobierno de Trump pausó esta semana todas las solicitudes de inmigración. Cuando se le interrogó en un evento público el miércoles sobre las declaraciones de Trump, el primer ministro del país no hizo ningún comentario.
Más de tres décadas de guerra
Los somalíes han huido de la nación del Cuerno de África durante décadas, desde que la caída del dictador Siad Barre generó enfrentamientos entre caudillos, una guerra civil más amplia y el surgimiento del grupo extremista al-Shabab, vinculado a Al Qaeda.
La inseguridad generalizada ha provocado que millones de somalíes huyan dentro del propio país o a países vecinos. Muchos esperaron durante años en remotos campos de refugiados en lugares como Kenia antes de tener la oportunidad de emigrar a Estados Unidos u otros lugares. Muchos otros permanecen en esos campos.
Dentro de Somalia, la amenaza actual proviene principalmente de al-Shabab, que controla algunas áreas rurales y ataca periódicamente la capital, Mogadiscio, con ofensivas devastadoras. En 2017, un atentado con camión, perpetrado en el corazón de Mogadiscio, mató a más de 100 personas. Otro en 2019 mató a decenas más. Los objetivos también han incluido el palacio presidencial y hoteles.
Durante décadas, no hubo embajada de Estados Unidos en Somalia debido a la inseguridad. La sede diplomática regresó en 2019, ubicándose en un complejo altamente fortificado junto al mar alrededor del aeropuerto de Mogadiscio, donde se encuentran otras oficinas diplomáticas o humanitarias.
En los últimos años, el frágil gobierno federal de Somalia emprendió lo que su presidente califica como una “guerra total” contra al-Shabab. Pero el grupo extremista mantiene su resistencia en medio de la compleja dinámica de clanes del país, y algunas armas llegan desde Oriente Medio a través del golfo de Adén.
La inestabilidad general en Somalia ayudó a crear el fenómeno de los piratas somalíes, quienes a principios de este mes secuestraron un buque comercial en el océano Índico por primera vez en un año y medio, lo que generó temores sobre un resurgimiento.
Para muchas personas, es una lucha por sobrevivir
Aunque Mogadiscio ha mostrado algunos signos de resurgimiento, a menudo impulsados por somalíes que regresan con inversión e ideas, gran parte de la población del país, de aproximadamente 19 millones, enfrenta circunstancias extremadamente difíciles. La inseguridad generalizada ha limitado durante mucho tiempo la reconstrucción y la inversión.
Somalia tiene uno de los sistemas de salud más débiles del mundo, según la Organización Mundial de la Salud y otros socios. Y ahora, donantes de larga data como Estados Unidos y Reino Unido se han retirado, especialmente con el desmantelamiento de la Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional, realizado este año por el gobierno de Trump.
The Associated Press visitó recientemente los pocos hospitales públicos que quedan en Mogadiscio, a los que algunos somalíes deben viajar durante días para recibir atención. Muchas áreas rurales tienen poca asistencia. Es posible que las que están bajo el control de al-Shabab no tengan ninguna.
Un clima duro y cambiante
A medida que África se enfrenta a mayores afectaciones por el cambio climático, Somalia es uno de los ejemplos más visibles.
Las sequías matan periódicamente a miles de personas junto con los camellos y otros tipos de ganado que ayudan a mantener vivas a las comunidades y las economías. Las inundaciones arrasan los valles fluviales. Los ciclones del océano Índico rugen en la costa, la más larga de África. De vez en cuando, las langostas devoran la vegetación.
“En Somalia, el cambio climático y el conflicto están cada vez más entrelazados”, afirmó el International Crisis Group, señalando que los combatientes de al-Shabab utilizan el acceso al agua como otro medio para “cobrar impuestos” a los residentes de comunidades vulnerables. En algunos casos, durante la sequía más reciente, que duró varios años, al-Shabab destruyó infraestructura hídrica, enfureciendo a las comunidades.
___
Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Lansing educators awarded for heroism during fiery vehicle crash
After coming to the aid of high school students involved in a fiery car crash the day before Halloween, eight Lansing Elementary District 158 employees were honored Tuesday at a Village Board meeting.
“It really is a nice collaborative effort of the village to celebrate, you know, people in the community willing to step up and support and care for each other in circumstances when they really don’t have to,” District 158 Superintendent Nathan Schilling said before the educators were honored.
Schilling said a black SUV with three Thornton Fractional South High School students was being driven on Greenbay Avenue Oct. 30 when it crashed head-on into a tree near Lester Crawl Primary Center.
The SUV caught fire, and while the 16-year-old driver and front passenger were able to exit, the student in the back seat was left trapped, Schilling said.
By luck, Schilling said, the crash occurred while the eight Lester Crawl staff members were outside facilitating bus pick up and drop off for students in half-day programs. Paraprofessional Ashley Ellis was able to pull the student out of the back seat while other staff helped the teenagers over a barricade to a grassy area near the school.
Multiple staff members, including Lester Crawl Principal Crystal Briney, kept the students comfortable while contacting their parents, school and first responders. The students in the front of the vehicle only had minor injuries, while the student in the back seat had a broken leg, Schilling said.
Lansing police Chief Alfred Phillips confirmed the driver was issued several citations as a result of the crash.
District 158 Superintendent Nathan Schilling, left, and Lansing village officials give a standing ovation Tuesday to school staff members who helped students involved in a vehicle crash. (Olivia Stevens/Daily Southtown)
A 16-year-old Thornton Fractional High School student crashed an SUV into a tree near Lester Crawl Primary Center on Oct. 30, 2025. (Village of Lansing)
Briney and Ellis along with parent educator Angelique Carrillo, library resource center Director Jean Draves, and paraprofessionals Laci Boshears, Kristen Russell, Chantal Romero and Diana Romero were all honored for their “extraordinary action and heroism” in response to the crash.
Schilling said many of the students who attend Lester Crawl receive special education services and have “some pretty substantial needs” that the recognized staff members work to address every day.
“All we really saw was that same spirit of selflessness and support, just in a different context,” Schilling said. “They certainly didn’t ask for recognition as a result of this, but we thought it was very important to provide that for them.”
Schilling also noted that in spirit of Halloween, the staff members came to the aid of the teenagers while dressed up as characters from the Super Mario Brothers franchise.
“What everybody saw that day, and this only adds to how our students and our families and the community see them, was an emergency being responded to and people being cared for by super heroes,” he said.
Lansing Mayor Brian Hardy lauded the eight district staff as “remarkable individuals” before handing them each Civilian Service Awards, presented for personal assistance by a civilian in apprehending a criminal or taking action to aid people in danger.
Angelique Carrillo, a parent educator who was at Lester Crawl Primary School at the time of the crash, shakes the hand of Lansing police Chief Alfred Phillips during Tuesday’s Village Board meeting. (Olivia Stevens/Daily Southtown)
“Thank you again for being out there, being there at the right time, but also for stepping up and saving someone in need who needed help and support,” Hardy said.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/03/lansing-educators-heroism-fiery-crash/
Gary council approves incentive pay program for city employees
With about 50 city firefighters and police officers watching, the Gary Common Council unanimously approved an employee incentive pay program at its last meeting of the year.
According to the ordinance documents, incentive payments are available to full or part-time employees who have worked for the city for at least 90 days before Dec. 19, and they must be employed by the city on Dec. 19, when the payments are made. Part-time employees will receive $500 through the program, full-time civil employees will receive $2,000 and public safety employees will receive $7,500.
Incentive pay will come from three TIF revenues, which the Gary Redevelopment Commission has approved, and the casino operating fund. The employee incentive pay budget is more than $3.5 million, according to ordinance documents.
Before the council’s Tuesday vote, Gary Mayor Eddie Melton urged members to approve the program.
“This ordinance is about recognizing the hard work and resilience of our employees during a challenging year, marked by staffing shortages, failing building infrastructure and increased service demands,” Melton said. “Incentive pay acknowledges that despite these challenges, our employees consistently have shown up.”
In 2024, the Gary Common Council approved a similar, more than $2.6 million employee incentive pay program for city employees, using American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to Post-Tribune archives. At the time, Melton told council members that his administration wanted to recognize its employees and ensure they wouldn’t be poached from “other communities to work with their police and fire departments.”
As the Indiana General Assembly’s 2026 session approaches in January, Melton said he’s expecting to see bills that might impact the city’s revenue, and he wants employees to continue to work hard. He also said the goal is for the city to continue to increase its tax base and bring more residents and businesses to the city.
“We want to make sure that folks understand that in order to pay our police and our officers more, which they deserve compared to other reasons and other municipalities, we have to increase that revenue,” Melton said. “But today, we’re using the tools … to make that happen as a gesture to our employees.”
Before the council’s Tuesday vote, Councilman Darren Washington, D-at large, showed his support for the incentive pay program, saying it’s an “excellent opportunity” and use of TIF funds.
“Hopefully, we’ll pass it tonight to show the public safety community that we really appreciate the work that they’re doing,” Washington said.
In a Wednesday morning Facebook post, Melton thanked the council for approving the incentive pay program, saying that the more than 600 city employees are “the backbone of Gary.”
“And to all of our workers: even when people count Gary out, we do what we’ve always done — we fight, we rise, and we keep building,” Melton said in his post. “You are part of history. Together, we are writing the greatest comeback story in American history. Thank you for giving your best to the people of Gary. Let’s keep moving forward — strong, united, and unshaken.”
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
