The Balkans theme for Illinois’ basketball team this season is fun and easy to enjoy, even if some students are so geographically challenged they couldn’t find the Balkan region on a map of Europe if you spotted them Greece.

The Illini have five players who hail from the Balkans, including returning center Tomislav Ivišić, the O.G. of the so-called “Balkan Five,” and newcomers David Mirković, Andrej Stojaković, Mihailo Petrović and Zvonimir Ivišić, the twin brother of Tomislav.

As Borat would say, “Very nice.”

After bringing in Stojaković, a transfer from California, Brad Underwood, a veteran coach with a gift for recruiting and social media, created an AI-generated photo of himself wearing an orange Nike track suit. He was squatting in front of a drab apartment complex that looked like a relic of the Cold War, pretending to be some sort of Eastern European bad guy.

The Illini coach then posted it to his social media account, creating a meme that quickly became a recurring theme. Another AI meme surfaced showing Underwood with five young, tough-looking guys in the same drab setting, with all but Underwood dangling a cigarette from their mouths, looking like a criminal gang messing with Liam Neeson’s family in one of his action films.

It’s all part of the new, softer Underwood, a coach who seemingly made the pained expression into an art form in his earlier days in Champaign.

University of Illinois student fans hold a cutout of head coach Brad Underwood wearing an Eastern European style track suit as they cheer for a broadcast camera before a game against Alabama at the United Center on Nov. 19, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

The Illini moved up to No. 8 in the rankings on four blowout wins and the promise of the newcomers, and headed into Wednesday’s showdown at the United Center against No. 11 Alabama with plenty of optimism. The Big Ten is wide open, and this could be their best chance since Ayo Dosunmu left.

“They’ve gone to the Balkan region and gotten some pretty good, tough players,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said. “They’ve kind of found a niche, bringing those Balkan players over and it’s worked for them. This could be one of the best teams in the country this year.”

But a 90-86 loss to the Crimson Tide in their first real test of the season brought the Illini back to earth, disappointing a raucous crowd of 17,775 who turned out on the West Side.

“We have to understand how not to lose,” Underwood said afterward.

Easier said than done. Underwood pointed to missed free throws, a costly lane violation down the stretch and unforced errors that resulted in turnovers. A winnable game was lost, and a lesson was learned.

Labaron Philon Jr. led Alabama with 24 points, including nine straight for the Crimson Tide at one point in the final three minutes to keep the Illini at bay. Missed free throws hurt Illinois, which went 13-of-22 from the line, including 9-for-16 in the second half. Stojaković missed three down the stretch.

“Shoot, if they make their free throws, they probably win,” Oats said.

Underwood said the Illini took good shots, though they went 3-for-12 from beyond the arc in the second half.

“The good thing is we got fouled,” Underwood said. “The bad thing is we got fouled.”

So the Illini are seemingly still a work in progress. They have a ways to go before they can call themselves serious contenders for a Final Four, even as Oats insisted they were championship material.

How Illinois’ ‘Balkan Five’ came together — and are giving the No. 17 Illini a new sound

The Illini certainly will need more from Tomislav Ivišić, who missed the last three games with a bone bruise on his knee and received a huge ovation from the orange-clad crowd when he entered off the bench four minutes into the first half. He didn’t get into the flow offensively in limited minutes and didn’t score until hitting a 3-pointer nine minutes into the second, which was his only basket of the night.

“We need Tomi,” Underwood said. “We need his passing, we need his facilitating, we need his brains.”

For a while it looked as though the Illini could outmuscle the smaller Alabama team. A block by Ben Humrichous led to a fast break that ended in a flying Stojaković slam at the 12 1/2 minute mark of the first half, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Stojaković, the son of former NBA star Peja Stojaković, scored 12 of his 26 points in the first half, as the Illini held off the Crimson Tide’s surge and led 42-41 going into the locker room. But the Illini went cold at the start of the second, and started out 4-of-18 from the field to trail by six, 56-50, with 11:51 left. All eight Illini points were courtesy of Kylan Boswell, while the rest of the team combined to go 0-for-10.

It took Stojaković’s one-man show to get them back into it. His layup with 5:15 left made it a three-point game. But he missed a free throw, Philon hit a 3, and a Stojaković turnover led to an easy layup that gave the Tide an eight-point lead again at 72-64.

Photos: No. 11 Alabama defeats No. 8 Illinois 90-86 at the United Center

The Illini clawed back time after time, but Philon kept answering the call, and Illinois kept missing free throws. Stojaković and Boswell scored 34 of the team’s 44 second-half points, combining for 13-of-24 shooting. The rest were 3-for-13 from the field in the half.

Oats said Underwood “has changed, he’s evolved, he’s playing a very modern style of basketball.” That could be true, but the Illini have to stop making mistakes, both mental and physical, to be a top team.

“I love our team, I love where we’re going to be,” Underwood said.

Where they’re going to be in late March remains the big question. The Big Ten tournament will be played at the United Center next March, giving the Illini a potential home-court advantage — if they take advantage of it.

We won’t know for sure until the Big Ten season kicks into high gear after the new year. But this obviously is a team that could make noise again if the Balkan Five live up to their billing and Boswell continues to improve.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/20/illinois-basketball-alabama-balkan-five/ 

Does Aaron Rodgers still own the Chicago Bears? We’re about to find out.

Well, that’s if Rodgers plays Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Bears. He’s battling through a fractured left wrist and his status is up in the air. It certainly would make for good drama if he does return to Soldier Field for the first time since 2022.

But this isn’t the same Rodgers who declared his ownership of the Bears in 2021 or who backed it up in his final season with the Green Bay Packers.

In 29 regular-season starts against the Bears, Rodgers is 24-5 with a 109.0 passer rating, 64 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has another win against them in the NFC championship game after the 2010 season, and he has won eight consecutive starts against the Bears dating to 2018. He didn’t throw a single interception in those eight wins.

But Rodgers’ days in Green Bay are long gone, and he hasn’t been the same player since leaving coach Matt LaFleur’s system.

With the Steelers this season, Rodgers ranks 25th among NFL quarterbacks in EPA per drop-back, according to NFL Pro. EPA, or expected points added, measures the overall impact a player has on a game (similar to WAR in baseball), and Rodgers is in the negative at minus-0.06 points per drop-back.

He ranks just behind the Atlanta Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. and just ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence. Rodgers had the exact same EPA per drop-back last year with the New York Jets. For those wondering, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is 14th at plus-0.05 points per drop-back.

Since returning from his 2023 Achilles injury, Rodgers, 41, has been releasing the ball quicker. Next Gen Stats clocked his “time to throw” metric at 2.95 seconds in 2018, which was the NFL’s fifth-slowest average time from snap to throw that season. That number came down considerably over his four years with LaFleur (2019-22) and has come down further since Rodgers left the Packers.

This year Rodgers is the NFL’s second-quickest to throw at 2.64 seconds (behind the Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa at 2.58) among quarterbacks with enough playing time to qualify.

It’s probably no surprise, then, that Rodgers has a low deep-ball rate. Only 8.7% of his pass attempts this season traveled more than 20 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, which ranks 23rd. In his last season in Green Bay in 2022, he finished third among qualified QBs with a 14.2% deep-ball rate. The Steelers want him to get rid of the ball quickly, and they’re OK if that means short, quick passes.

Opponents are blitzing Rodgers less than when he was with the Packers. His diminished mobility in his 40s might be a reason teams feel OK rushing only four defenders. He has faced a blitz on 23.5% of drop-backs, which ranks 25th. Rodgers hasn’t thrown an interception against the blitz this season, and his passer rating is slightly better against the blitz (99.1) than not (97.2).

Did somebody say playoffs?

The Bears are 7-3 and in first place in the NFC North. But that doesn’t mean they are the favorite to win the division.

The Bears and Packers are tied with the toughest remaining schedules. Their final seven opponents have a .592 winning percentage. This comes after the Bears took care of business against some not-so-great opponents. Their strength of schedule ranked 29th over the first 10 games.

Next Gen Stats gives the Bears a 59% chance to make the playoffs. According to its models, the Detroit Lions have a 74% chance and the Packers 72%.

ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Bears a 58% chance of making the playoffs and a 22% chance to win the NFC North. The Athletic’s playoff model is even less optimistic, giving the Bears a 47% chance to make the playoffs and a 15% chance to win the division.

If those metrics mean anything, Bears fans probably shouldn’t book their Super Bowl flights yet.

Brian Flores went wild against Caleb Williams.

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams escapes being tackled by Vikings defensive tackle Jalen Redmond on Nov. 16, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

The Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator is known for blitzing at the highest rate in the NFL. Flores’ Vikings led the NFL in blitz rate in 2023 and 2024 — and they lead the league again in 2025.

But he took it up another notch Sunday to an absurd 66.7% blitz rate, by far the highest mark Williams has faced this season.

“I didn’t know that it was that much,” Williams said Wednesday. “But they were getting a little bit of pressure, and you could kind of feel it sometimes. The offensive line did a great job. Everybody else — tight ends and running backs — did a great job blocking.

“We’ve got to execute and do better to be able to pull away and not keep the game so close. … I did feel (the pressure) a little bit.”

Williams, who has faced the Vikings twice, has seen the third-highest blitz rate among NFL quarterbacks this season at 35.5%. The only quarterbacks ahead of him are Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts.

Odds and ends.

Caleb Williams has led five fourth-quarter comebacks this year. That’s the most in Bears history in a single season. Williams surpassed Jay Cutler’s four in both 2010 and 2015. The NFL single-season record is eight, set by Matthew Stafford in 2016 and matched by Kirk Cousins in 2022. Only 11 times has a quarterback recorded six or more fourth-quarter comebacks in a season. Cousins was the most recent.
Kicker Cairo Santos made a 54-yard field goal Sunday, setting a franchise record for the most 50-plus-yarders. It was his 24th as a Bear, surpassing Robbie Gould’s 23.
Safety Kevin Byard III recorded his fifth interception of the season. The last Bears players with at least five interceptions were cornerback Kyle Fuller (seven) and safety Eddie Jackson (six) in 2018. That season was the last time the Bears led the NFL in takeaways. They currently lead the league with 22 takeaways.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/20/chicago-bears-numbers-aaron-rodgers/ 

Por WAFAA SHURAFA

DEIR AL-BALAH, Franja de Gaza (AP) — Dos ataques israelíes sobre Jan Yunis, una ciudad del sur de Gaza, se cobraron la vida de cinco personas a primera hora del jueves, según funcionarios hospitalarios, lo que elevó a 33 el número de fallecidos en ataques aéreos en un período de unas 12 horas. La ofensiva es una de las más letales desde que el 10 de octubre entró en vigor un alto el fuego mediado por Estados Unidos.

La renovada escalada se produjo después de que Israel reportó que sus soldados habían sido atacados en Jan Yunis el miércoles. El incidente no causó bajas y el ejército respondió con ataques, añadió.

Funcionarios del hospital Nasser en Jan Yunis dijeron que recibieron 17 cadáveres, incluyendo los de cinco mujeres y cinco niños, tras cuatro ataques aéreos israelíes contra tiendas de campaña que albergaban a desplazados.

En la Ciudad de Gaza, 16 personas, incluyendo siete menores y tres mujeres, fallecieron en dos ataques aéreos sobre un edificio, indicaron funcionarios del hospital Al-Shifa, en la parte norte de la urbe, a donde se llevaron los cuerpos.

Hamás calificó los ataques israelíes de “masacre impactante”. En un comunicado, el grupo insurgente negó haber disparado contra las tropas.

Alto el fuego, de nuevo bajo presión

Funcionarios del centro explicaron que los cuerpos procedían de ambos lados de una línea establecida en el alto el fuego del mes pasado. Esa marca divide el sitiado enclave palestino en dos, con la zona fronteriza bajo control militar israelí, mientras que la zona más allá de la línea está pensada como zona de seguridad.

Israel ha reducido sus ataques desde la entrada en vigor del pacto, explicó el Ministerio de Salud de Gaza, aunque no han cesado por completo.

El ministerio, en cuyo conteo no distingue entre víctimas civiles y combatientes, reportó más de 300 fallecidos desde el comienzo de la tregua, un promedio de más de siete personas al día. Cada Tanto Israel como Hamás se han acusado mutuamente de incumplir los términos del acuerdo, que incluyen el aumento de la ayuda que entra en la Franja y la devolución de rehenes —vivos o muertos— a Israel.

Las últimas muertes se suman a las más de 69.000 registradas desde el inicio de la masiva ofensiva terrestre y aérea de Israel hace más de dos años, luego de que insurgentes encabezados por Hamás secuestraron a 251 personas y mataron alrededor de 1.200 más, en su mayoría civiles, en su ataque. El Ministerio de Salud de Gaza, que forma parte del gobierno dirigido por Hamás y está compuesto por profesionales médicos, mantiene registros detallados que la ONU y muchos expertos independientes consideran como una estimación fiable.

Israel ataca a Hezbollah en Líbano

El operativo en Gaza coincidió con una serie de ataques aéreos de Israel sobre el sur de Líbano el miércoles, contra lo que el ejército identificó como sitios que pertenecían al grupo político-paramilitar Hezbollah, como instalaciones de almacenamiento de armas. Un día antes, un ataque aéreo israelí causó 13 muertos en el campo de refugiados palestinos de Ein el-Hilweh, la más letal de sus acciones en el país desde la entrada en vigor su alto el fuego hace un año.

De acuerdo con el ejército, Hezbollah estaba trabajando para restablecerse y reconstruir su capacidad en el sur de Líbano, pero no aportó evidencias. Los polvorines estaban entre la población civil y violaban lo pactado Israel y Líbano, agregó. Israel acordó un alto el fuego y se retiró del sur de Líbano el año pasado, mientras Beirut se comprometió a sofocar la actividad de Hezbollah en la zona.

Antes el miércoles, un ataque aéreo israelí contra un auto en Tiri, una localidad del sur de Líbano, se cobró la vida de una persona y dejó 11 heridos, incluidos estudiantes que pasaban en autobús, reportó el Ministerio de Salud libanés y la prensa estatal. La estatal Agencia Nacional de Noticias dijo que el bus escolar pasaba cerca del automóvil que fue alcanzado.

Más tarde, el ejército israelí dijo que mató a un miembro de Hezbollah en el ataque con drones.

Nuevo asentamiento israelí cerca de Belén

Por otra parte, colonos israelíes habrían establecido un nuevo asentamiento cerca de Belén, en Gush Etzion, durante la noche. El presidente del Consejo de Etzion, Yaron Rosenthal, celebró la construcción, calificándola como el “regreso israelí a la ciudad de nuestra matriarca Raquel, del Rey David”.

La nueva comunidad “fortalecería la conexión entre la parte oriental” de Etzion y Jerusalén, apuntó Rosenthal.

Israel capturó Cisjordania, Jerusalén Este y Gaza —los tres territorios que los palestinos para un futuro Estado— en la guerra de los Seis Días de 1967. En Cisjordania viven más de 500.000 judíos, la mayoría en asentamientos autorizados, además de más de 200.000 que residen en la disputada Jerusalén Este, reclamada como parte de su capital.

El presidente de Israel y altos funcionarios militares criticaron la creciente ola de violencia de los colonos contra la población cisjordana.

El gobierno de Israel está dominado ultraderechistas que defienden a los colonos, como el ministro de Finanzas, Bezalel Smotrich, quien formula la política de asentamientos, y el ministro del gabinete, Itamar Ben-Gvir, quien supervisa la fuerza policial de la nación.

___

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

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/20/suben-a-33-los-muertos-en-los-ataques-israeles-ms-letales-en-gaza-desde-inicio-de-alto-el-fuego/ 

Carson Block: Shorting Big Tech Is Widowmaker Trade, Even With AI Bubble Fears

Tyler Durden
Thu, 11/20/2025 – 06:55

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/carson-block-shorting-big-tech-widowmaker-trade-even-ai-bubble-fears 

Joffrey Ballet artistic director Ashley Wheater has been doing “The Nutcracker” for six decades. He performed in the ballet for the first time at age 6, dancing in the children’s cast of Rudolph Nureyev’s production for the Royal Ballet.

Wheater performed in the oldest American production of the ballet “many, many, many times” while a dancer at San Francisco Ballet. William Christensen’s version, first created in 1944, is now in the custody of Ballet West in Salt Lake City. There were “Nutcrackers” with the Australian Ballet and “Nutcrackers” with the Joffrey. (He originated the Snow King in Robert Joffrey’s 1987 production.) In the ‘80s, he also moonlighted as a guest artist in Ruth Page’s “Nutcracker,” performing more than a dozen shows a year at Chicago’s Arie Crown Theater. And now, the Joffrey is preparing to celebrate 10 years since its new production by Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon was unveiled.

“Yeah, I’ve done a lot of Nutcrackers,” he said. “I’ve always felt really good about ‘The Nutcracker.’ It is such a great introduction to the ballet world. For me, it’s always had magic.”

The Joffrey’s production reimagines the story of a rich little girl showered with candy and gifts to that of a modest immigrant family living in a shanty house on the edge of Chicago’s Columbian Exposition. The White City, as the pop-up fairgrounds in Jackson Park were called for the 1893 World’s Fair, and its multi-cultural pavilions serve as the backdrop for this authentically Chicago “Nutcracker,” which saw its best attendance ever last year.

Despite myriad interpretations, the popular ballet’s premise basically stays the same: Clara (sometimes named Marie) falls asleep after her family’s Christmas party and wakes up in a fairy land of sweet treats — a location that can vary from under the Christmas tree to up in the sky or another realm entirely. She lives happily ever after, sort of, with a wooden nutcracker doll who magically turns into a prince. Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s dark short story, some choose to dial up the creepiness in this ballet. Many perceive it as a coming-of-age tale.

Chicago has many “Nutcrackers” to choose from, and Joffrey’s is not the only one celebrating a milestone this year. Ruth Page’s “Nutcracker” turns 60, making it among the country’s oldest productions. Like Wheater, Ruth Page Artistic Director Victor Alexander was a guest professional who performed in the ballet beginning around 2002. He’d just arrived in the U.S., immigrating from Cuba, and was shocked by its popularity.

Now, he gets it, taking his responsibility over Chicago’s oldest “Nutcracker” quite seriously. Ruth Page’s production took a short break in 1997 — audiences had plummeted with the Joffrey Ballet’s arrival in 1995 — and relaunched in the early aughts with a revised production incorporating actors in the first act party scene, who narrate portions of the story.

“It makes it more kid-appropriate for families that have never been to ‘The Nutcracker’ before,” Alexander said. “It’s a good way for those families to get into it and understand it better.”

A slate of incredible international guest artists performing the lead roles is a big part of this “Nutcracker’s” appeal. And in the past two decades, Chicago’s ballet audiences have shown they’ll show up for all sorts of “Nutcrackers;” Ruth Page has built back up to three weekends of performances at three different venues, plus a couple of mini shows at the Beverly Arts Center.

“It has been an amazing experience for me,” Alexander said. “The idea of finding people that used to see Ruth Page’s “Nutcracker” in 1965 — that was the first “Nutcracker” they saw, and now they’re bringing their grandson or granddaughter. That is amazing. You don’t find that every day.”

Ballet Chicago launched three decades ago when Richard Ellis (a fixture in Ruth Page’s “Nutcracker” from 1970-1997) and Christine DuBoulay Ellis passed their ballet school to Daniel Duell and Patricia Blair.

“We opened our school in January of ’95. In fall of 1996, we began assembling highlights of a ‘Nutcracker,’ which we presented as a couple of showings in the one studio we had atop 185 N. Wabash,” said Duell.

Duell danced for George Balanchine in the New York City Ballet, Blair for NYCB alum Edward Villella in Eglevsky Ballet. Their pre-professional program is modelled on that lineage — including aspects from Balanchine’s “Nutcracker.” The production has grown from that one-room studio showing to nearly a dozen shows, running two weekends, split between the Athenaeum Center in Lakeview and the Harris Theater downtown. Ballet Chicago’s production is unique for having pre-professionals cast in every part.

“You know how the dance world is — they all talk,” said Blair. “Ballet Chicago kids are very aware that their counterparts don’t get to do anything like this.”

Such as performing for thousands of adoring audience members, including a robust Gift of Dance program inviting high schoolers, kids with disabilities, veterans and low-income families to the production. New this year, Ballet Chicago has launched a sensory-friendly production and will film a performance to air at Lurie Children’s Hospital for children unable to attend in person. On Christmas Eve, Ballet Chicago dancers will visit the hospital in costume for a “Nutcracker” party.

In Milwaukee, “The Nutcracker” is the only ballet that runs longer than one weekend. The new car smell still hasn’t worn off Milwaukee Ballet’s extravagantly refreshed production, which artistic director and choreographer Michael Pink said he’s still tinkering with.

“There’s still a little honeymoon period going on,” he said.

Pink’s priority is the story. His “Nutcracker” gives sisters Clara and Marie (yes, this one has both), brother Fritz and love interest Karl copious stage time and lots and lots of dancing. Despite giving his “Nutcracker” an expensive glow-up with elegant new sets and costumes, the more beloved aspects of his 2003 production remain untouched.

“I had just arrived from Europe and I think it just happened,” he said. “I think because I wasn’t trying to make a major statement — I was just trying to give more dance opportunities — it kind of worked.”

For professional companies, “Nutcracker” also serves as a strategic chance to test new dancers in soloist and principal roles.

“That’s the single most advantageous thing,” Pink said. “That’s equally as valuable as making a few million dollars at the box office.”

In her book “Nutcracker Nation,” author Jennifer Fisher pondered “The Nutcracker’s” staying power in America. For companies across the country, the ballet is an economic driver that allows them to take risks the rest of the year. For some, “Nutcracker” is what keeps the whole enterprise going.

“For Americans, it is truly about family,” Wheater said. “It seems to be that they can share, at any age, the joy of going to the theater for two hours and being swept away.”

A big part of “Nutcracker’s” enduring legacy is its music, according to Joffrey music director Scott Speck, who has now conducted a few hundred “Nutcrackers.” He cut his teeth on Christensen’s “Nutcracker” at San Francisco Ballet before joining the Joffrey in 2010.

Completed in 1892, it was one of the last things Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote, “and of course, it went on to become the most popular ballet of all time,” Speck said. “This is such a masterpiece.”

It’s also difficult, which Speck said makes it all the more satisfying for the musicians.

For Speck, as with every person interviewed for this story, “Nutcracker” isn’t something they have to do — it’s something they get to do.

“If there’s anything I want to do a thousand times, it’s that,” he said.

The Joffrey Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” Dec. 5-28 at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive; tickets $49-$241 at 312-386-8905 and joffrey.org

Ballet Chicago’s “The Nutcracker” runs Dec. 12-14 at the Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport Ave., and Dec. 19-21 at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St.; tickets $25-$94 at balletchicago.org

Ruth Page’s “The Nutcracker” takes place Dec. 6-7 at Governors State University, 1 University Pkwy.; Dec. 13-14 at Northeastern Illinois University, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.; and Dec. 20-21 at College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake; tickets $17-$65 at ruthpage.org

Milwaukee Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” Dec. 6-26 at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St., Milwaukee; tickets $46-$184 at 414-902-2103 and milwaukeeballet.org

Even more “Nutcracker”:

A big cast in the ‘burbs: Ballet Légere’s production, which premiered 40 years ago by studio owner Donna Vittorio, boasts a long-running, very large “Nutcracker” with a 12-foot Christmas tree, extravagant costumes, 120 dancers and visiting Cincinnati Ballet’s Marcus Romeo and Bella Ureta dancing the Sugar Plum pas de deux. Dec. 6-7 at Dominican University, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest; tickets $25-$40 at 708-488-5000 and balletlegere.org

A dash of religion: In the southwest suburbs, Ballet 5:8 infuses its “Beyond the Nutcracker” with lessons from the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth. New this year, the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s score live for the second weekend, alongside the company’s professional and school-aged dancers. Dec. 6-14 at Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center, 19900 S. Harlem Ave., Frankfort; tickets $25-$90 at ballet58.org

Lauren Warnecke is a freelance writer.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/20/chicago-nutcracker/ 

US And UK Revolt Forces Basel To Rethink Brutal Crypto Capital Rules For Banks

Tyler Durden
Thu, 11/20/2025 – 06:30

https://www.zerohedge.com/crypto/us-and-uk-revolt-forces-basel-rethink-brutal-crypto-capital-rules-banks 

Por JULIA FRANKEL

JERUSALÉN (AP) — Israel podría haber cometido crímenes de guerra y crímenes de lesa humanidad al expulsar por la fuerza a 32.000 palestinos de tres campos de refugiados en Cisjordania a principios de este año durante una operación militar en la zona, afirmó un grupo de derechos humanos el jueves.

Human Rights Watch indicó en un reporte que altos funcionarios israelíes, incluyendo el primer ministro, Benjamin Netanyahu; el ministro de Finanzas, Bezalel Smotrich, y el de Defensa, Israel Katz, deberían ser investigados por crímenes de guerra y procesados si determina que son responsables.

Mientras gran parte del mundo centraba su atención en la guerra entre Israel y Hamás en Gaza, el ejército israelí asaltó campos de refugiados en el norte de Cisjordania y expulsó a decenas de miles de palestinos de sus hogares en enero y febrero. Fue el mayor desplazamiento en el territorio desde que Israel lo capturó en la guerra de los Seis Días en 1967.

Israel dijo que sus tropas permanecerán en algunos campos durante un año. No está claro cuándo podrán regresar los palestinos a esas zonas, o si eso llegará a suceder siquiera. Mientras, miles de ellos viven con familiares o se apiñan en apartamentos de alquiler, mientras que los más pobres se refugian en edificios públicos.

Israel, que bautizó las redadas como “Operación Muro de Hierro”, dijo que eran necesarias para erradicar la insurgencia en pleno repunte de la violencia luego de que el ataque de Hamás sobre el sur de Israel el 7 de octubre de 2023 desató la guerra en Gaza. Pero meses después, miles de palestinos siguen sin poder acceder a sus hogares. Otros han perdido sus casas, demolidas por las fuerzas israelíes.

En su reporte, Human Rights Watch señaló que las autoridades israelíes no ofrecieron ningún motivo que justificase la expulsión de toda la población de los campos para lograr su objetivo militar, y no proporcionaron las razones por las cuales no se ha permitido el regreso de los residentes. El informe apuntó también que el ejército disparó contra quienes intentaron regresar a los campos y que no ofreció refugio ni asistencia humanitaria a los que continúan desplazados.

“Con la atención global centrada en Gaza, las fuerzas israelíes perpetrado cabo crímenes de guerra, crímenes de lesa humanidad y limpieza étnica en Cisjordania que deberían ser investigados y procesados”, dijo Nadia Hardman, investigadora principal de derechos de los refugiados y migrantes en HRW.

Según HRW, durante la operación las tropas “irrumpieron en hogares, saquearon propiedades e interrogaron a residentes” antes de sacarlos de sus hogares.

El grupo dijo que basó su reporte en entrevistas con 31 palestinos desplazados de los campos de refugiados de Tulkarem, Nur Shams y Jenin.

El ejército de Israel no respondió de inmediato una solicitud de comentarios de la AP acerca del informe.

Los campos se asemejan a densos vecindarios marginales urbanos y en ellos viven millones de refugiados y sus descendientes. Se remontan a la guerra de 1948 en torno a la creación de Israel. Unos 700.000 palestinos, la mayoría de la población palestina de entonces, huyeron o fueron expulsados de lo que ahora es Israel durante ese conflicto y no se permitió su regreso, un éxodo que los palestinos llaman nakba, o catástrofe.

Human Rights Watch dijo que su análisis de imágenes satelitales de los campos determinó que más de 850 hogares y edificios habían sido destruidos o gravemente dañados. El ejército israelí dijo a la AP que parte de esos daños se debieron a ataques contra la infraestructura insurgente, mientras que otros se debieron a la necesidad de crear espacio para facilitar los movimientos de las tropas en esas zonas.

El grupo sin ánimo de lucro apuntó que el general de división Avi Bluth —el comandante de mayor rango para Cisjordania—, y el teniente general Eyal Zamir, jefe del ejército israelí, también deberían ser investigados y pidió sanciones contra altos cargos de Israel.

___

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

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/20/israel-podra-haber-cometido-crmenes-de-guerra-al-expulsar-a-refugiados-de-cisjordania-segn-hrw/ 

Hikari’s beautifully moving and affably humorous story of human connection, “Rental Family,” kicks off with one funeral and culminates with another, demonstrating the evolution that our protagonist, Philip (Brendan Fraser), goes through during his personal journey between these two events.

The first funeral is a shock. Philip is a struggling actor in Japan, with one massively successful commercial as a toothpaste superhero mascot under his belt. His agent has booked him a gig as “sad American,” a role he can easily play with his looming height, doleful eyes and a heart he wears on his sleeve. Late as usual, he dashes to check in for work, and is shocked to bumble into a somber funeral. He’s even more shocked when the formally dressed corpse starts emotionally reacting to the tearful eulogies.

The scene is a marvel of revelation and reaction from Fraser, and in fact, much of the genius of his performance in “Rental Family” comes from his reactions, especially as he discovers the weird and wonderful new job he’s stumbled into.

In the screenplay by Hikari and Stephen Blahut, Philip finds himself working for Tada (Takehiro Hira), who runs a company called Rental Family, where he and his staff are hired by clients to role-play in various real-world scenarios — the fake funeral, for example, or as a mistress apologizing to a spurned wife, or just for friendship. Philip’s first role is quite complex: he plays a Canadian man getting married to a young Japanese woman in a show wedding for her conservative parents. She’s queer and needs an out in order to be with her partner. Philip, who is earnest and honest to a fault, chafes at the “lie,” but soon realizes that he’s helping someone to live their authentic life, and so he throws himself into the gig.

The Rental Family service is about maintaining the Japanese values of propriety and politeness through performance, and the little (or big) white lies are manipulations to get what the clients want: an apology, companionship, love, admiration, closure.

Philip’s most challenging high-wire act proves to be posing as the long-lost American father of a shrewd and emotionally intelligent young girl, Mia (Shannon Mahina Gorman), in order to secure her school admission. Both Philip and Mia’s mom (Shino Shinozaki), his client, soon realize that it’s much more complicated for Mia than just pretending to be a nuclear family for a school interview.

While playing a daddy, Philip also juggles a role as a journalist profiling an aging, iconic screen actor, Kikuo Hasegawa (Akira Emoto), from whom he learns surprising lessons about life, memory and legacy. He finds himself deeply connecting with his clients, young and old, and learning from both of them, while becoming tangled in their lives.

Empathy pours off Fraser in waves, which is what made his Oscar-winning performance in “The Whale” actually work. Hikari channels that quality to good use in “Rental Family,” but never oversteps. The film is sweet and affecting, but never treacly or overly sentimental. She knows how to balance humor and poignancy; to allow Philip to be a grown man with his own needs and peccadillos and mistakes, though we never question his motivations because of the inherent goodness that radiates off Fraser.

Hikari’s beautiful, naturalistic style also perfectly suits this story. A native of Osaka, the Tokyo that she showcases is one of quotidian everyday life, not the exotic, futuristic, neon city that an outsider might show us. Her Tokyo is one of small, cramped apartments, karaoke bars, public transit, hotels, temples and schools. It’s a world occupied by normal people who sometimes need a little help, a little push, a little assistance to get the things that they want in life. Philip is there to provide that service even though he’s also in need of his own connection to others.

But it’s the stumbles and mishaps along the way that actually help Philip to grow. By the time we get to the second funeral, we see how much he has bloomed in relationship to other people. Fraser has an openness to his expression that’s like a flower unfolding, beaming in the sunlight of recognition and personal fulfillment. As an actor, Fraser’s second act has been a sight to behold, and he is the emotional anchor of this wonderfully life-affirming and quietly resonant film about the importance of being together that announces Hikari as a major talent to watch.

Katie Walsh is a critic for Tribune News Service.

“Rental Family” — 3.5 stars (out of 4)
MPA rating: PG-13 (for thematic elements, some strong language, and suggestive material)
Running time: 1:43
How to watch: In theaters Nov. 21

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/20/review-rental-family-movie/ 

From the basement level of the Drake Hotel, the scent of gingerbread wafts through the air as pots and pans clank and the shoes of busy chefs shuffle across the kitchen floor. At the front of the space stands a 6-foot-tall tiered platform, each level adorned with uniquely decorated miniature gingerbread houses — a more than century-old tradition that Chicago Public School students helped bring to life this season.

On Tuesday morning, North-Grand High School senior Andrea Rodriguez and junior Elijah Colon, along with Roosevelt High School junior Richard Barron, joined pastry chef Robyn Johnson to add the final touches to the towering display. Final touches included the piping of gingerbread cookies reminiscent of the holidays, such as stockings, snowflakes and trees.

This hands-on experience is part of Chicago’s Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), which provides public school students nationwide with practical culinary skills. The Chicago chapter serves students at 20 schools in Cook County, most of which are within CPS. Founded in 1990, C-CAP operates in nine cities, including Chicago, and serves roughly 25,000 students across the country.

Since September, students have worked alongside Johnson to bring the historic gingerbread display to life in time for its unveiling. This marks the fifth year that Chicago’s chapter has participated in gingerbread-themed programming.

“What really excites me is that I get to see the things that I worked on,” Rodriguez said. “And everything that everyone here has contributed to the gingerbread house.”

Chef Robyn Johnson, center, watches as CPS high school students in the culinary program ice gingerbread cookies in the kitchen of the Drake Hotel on Nov. 18, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

For Chicago C-CAP director and program alumnus Anthony Riley McPhee, the initiative is personal, as he once wore the black apron. He credits the program with helping him dream beyond his circumstances — a message he shares with every student.

“When I speak to our students, I can say, ‘Hey, this is life changing.”

McPhee went on to become a classically trained chef — a success story that inspires students such as Colon.

“I figured this program would help me have experience in the kitchen,” Colon said. “It helps me see if I actually want to do this.”

Johnson, too, knows the power of full-circle moments. A graduate of Whitney M. Young Magnet High School on the South Side, she attended culinary school and completed her first internship at the Drake — spending 40 hours a week making gingerbread houses. Today, she sees this program as a way to give back to the place and community that shaped her.

“The kids come, they enjoy it, they get excited about it,” Johnson said.“This (program) is very important because they’re getting hands-on instruction and they’re getting it for free.”

North-Grand High School senior Andrea Rodriguez with her iced gingerbread cookies as part of a culinary program in the kitchen of the Drake Hotel on Nov. 18, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

As for Rodriguez, she’s preparing to graduate and head to culinary school. Her advice to future students is simple: Students joining the program won’t regret doing so.

“I really want the next generation that comes in here to take advantage of this opportunity,” Rodriguez said. “I’m glad I got to be part of this.”

The gingerbread house will be unveiled Saturday during the Magnificent Lights Festival at 4 p.m. and remain on display at the Drake throughout the holiday season.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/20/cps-culinary-students-gingerbread-drake/ 

A immigration agent who bragged to colleagues about his marksmanship after shooting a Chicago woman accused of ramming his vehicle sent other text messages that are now in the hands of defense attorneys, marking yet another twist in a controversial case arising from Operation Midway Blitz.

The new messages, which so far have not been revealed publicly, were ordered turned over to lawyers for Marimar Martinez this week by U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis, who viewed them in her chambers to determine their relevance, court records show.

The content of the those recently uncovered texts will be among several topics of discussion at a status hearing Thursday for Martinez, who is accused of assaulting federal agents with her vehicle during an immigration enforcement mission Oct. 4.

Prosecutors have said Martinez was part of a convoy of civilians who were following agents when she rammed Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum’s vehicle near 39th Street and Kedzie Avenue, prompting Exum to jump out of his Chevrolet Tahoe and fire five shots, wounding Martinez seven times.

Martinez’s attorneys, meanwhile, argue it was Exum who sideswiped Martinez and that his extreme use of force was completely unjustified. They’ve also alleged evidence tampering, saying Exum was inexplicably allowed to drive the Tahoe more than 1,000 miles back to his home base in Maine, where a Border Patrol mechanic attempted to “wipe off” some of the scuff marks from the crash.

An upcoming evidentiary hearing could feature several witnesses who will testify about the decision to release the vehicle, including Exum’s direct supervisor, the FBI agent who helped process it, and a federal prosecutor working early stages of the case.

This follows a bombshell hearing earlier this month where it was revealed that after the shooting, as news of the incident was making national headlines, Exum texted a group of other agents that he was “up for another round of “f––– around and find out.”

Exum, a 23-year veteran of Border Patrol, also texted the group a link to a news article about the shooting and said, “Read it … I fired 5 shots and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys,” according to court records.

In his court testimony Nov. 5, Exum, who is based in Maine, described the circle of fellow agents he chatted with as a sort of support group for “relieving stress.”

“And what did you mean by ‘Read it. 5 shots?’” asked defense attorney Christopher Parente. “Why are you pointing that fact out?”

“I’m a firearms instructor,” Exum answered. “And I take pride in my shooting skills.”

“You take pride in your shooting skills?” Parente clarified.

“That is correct,” Exum said.

Martinez, 30, has pleaded not guilty to a single count of using a dangerous weapon to interfere with federal officers in the course of their official duties. Also charged with the same crime was Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, 21, who prosecutors say used his SUV to ram the same Border Patrol vehicle. Ruiz also has entered a not guilty plea.

A trial has been set for Feb. 2.

Prosecutors have said Martinez and Ruiz were both in a convoy of cars following agents and that Martinez had been broadcasting the pursuit on Facebook Live, “laying on her horn” and “yelling loudly” at the agents.

After the crash and shooting, Martinez drove off, but paramedics discovered her and her vehicle at a repair shop about a mile away, according to a criminal complaint. She was later taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where she was released after being treated for multiple gunshot wounds.

Ruiz also drove away after the collisions, but law enforcement located him and his vehicle at a gas station about half a block away, the complaint stated.

All three agents were equipped with body cameras, but the camera of only one of the passengers was switched on at the time of the incident, according to the complaint.

The body camera footage has not been released publicly. But Parente said in court he’d viewed it multiple times and that it showed just before the shooting, one of the agents who was a passenger — not Exum — was captured saying, “Do something, bitch,” while his hands were on his assault rifle.

Prosecutors have alleged in court that the actions of both Martinez and Ruiz were “extremely dangerous and extremely reckless,” putting both the officers and potentially innocent bystanders in harm’s way.

In his court testimony this month, Exum defended his actions as within department policy, saying an “offensive vehicle-to-vehicle confrontation with a federal agent typically does not happen in the United States.”

“This incident is so unlike anything that we have trained for, this would almost equate to our counter vehicle assault training, which typically takes place out of country, in cartel controlled areas of Mexico, or combat situations,” Exum testified.

Exum did, however, clarify that what Martinez allegedly did was not a “ramming” in his mind, since it was more of a sideswipe collision.

“Ram to me is more of a head-on maneuver,” Exum said .”So this was side to side. So I would describe it more of, I guess you’d say hit and not rammed.”

Exum was later asked to explain his text to his agent buddies about being ready for “another round of ‘F––– around and find out,’” which was sent just a day after he’d shot Martinez.

Exum said the text meant that “illegal actions have legal consequences.”

“And you’re up for it?” Parente asked.

“That’s my job,” Exum said.

“Your job is to shoot people?” Parente asked.

“No, sir,” Exum responded.

On Thursday, Alexakis is expected to decide on what evidence and testimony will be heard at an upcoming hearing over what happened with Exum’s Tahoe, which the judge had ordered brought back to Chicago on a flatbed truck.

According to prosecutors, the Tahoe remained at the scene of the shooting for several hours as an FBI technician took photographs of the vehicle’s exterior. An FBI special agent then drove the Tahoe to the agency’s Chicago headquarters for processing, where the evidence technician inspected it, took additional photographs “and collected paint samples from the damaged areas,” the filing stated.

The contents of the vehicle’s onboard computer were also downloaded and preserved.

After the processing was completed later that night, Exum was authorized to remove it from the FBI offices, according to the filing. Three days later, the agent drove it downtown to the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse to participate in an interview with prosecutors in the U.S. attorney’s office. After that, his monthlong deployment to Chicago ended and he “began the two-and-a-half-day drive back to his station in Maine” in the Tahoe, according to the filing.

Exum told prosecutors he did not “wash, repair, or alter” the vehicle before arriving at his station in Maine on Oct. 10, according to the filing. The agent’s ranking supervisor then authorized its repair, “understanding that the vehicle had been fully processed by the FBI and that, therefore, there was no further need to preserve the vehicle’s condition as evidence,” the filing stated.

Oct. 14, a Border Patrol mechanic “began to work on the car to put it back into service,” using a brake cleaner on a shop rag to attempt to “wipe the scuff marks,” but used only light pressure and “did not repair any of scratches or dents on the vehicle,” the filing stated.

After receiving word from Chicago about the dispute over the car’s whereabouts, the supervisor at the Maine station ordered that the Tahoe not be serviced any further, the filing stated. On Oct. 23, the vehicle was picked up and transported by flatbed truck to Chicago, where it was inspected by Martinez’s attorneys at the FBI’s Chicago office.

At the hearing Nov. 4, Alexakis said it gave her “great pause” that Exum’s vehicle was treated so differently from the cars driven by Martinez and Ruiz, which have remained in the custody and control of the FBI at all times. She also noted the government’s “story has changed in small ways.”

“And it is entirely possible that none of these differences really matter at the end of the day,” Alexakis said. “But the fact that these discrepancies are popping up cause me to question the narrative that has been put forward and lead me to the conclusion that the only way to get to the bottom of the situation is through a hearing.”

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/20/more-texts-uncovered-agent-woman-shot/