Category: News
China’s Debt Model Creates Danger Of Stagnation
China’s Debt Model Creates Danger Of Stagnation
The latest social financing figures from China show an economy that is increasingly relying on government debt while private demand for credit remains weak. The strength of the Chinese technology sector and its exporting companies gives enough room for leverage. However, behind the weak private sector credit demand lies an evident economic slowdown that the Chinese government acknowledges, challenging consumption patterns, a significant overcapacity problem, and the depth of the housing crisis.
The current economic model, focused on delivering 5% real economic growth, requires larger doses of debt to achieve smaller increments of growth, especially productive sector growth. The government has focused on reducing debt and overcapacity imbalances while reorienting its exports and financial system to lessen dependence on the US dollar; however, the main challenge for the Chinese economy remains boosting consumer demand, despite rate cuts and easing financial conditions.
To understand the intensity of debt of the Chinese model, we must go to the year 2000 and see the acceleration in the flow of debt, not just the current stock. At that time, real GDP growth was around 8–9%, so each percentage point of growth came with roughly 13–16 points of debt‑to‑GDP. Government debt was very low, at around 25% of GDP, and most leverage sat in the state-owned corporate sector with modest household debt. China was able to deliver near‑double‑digit growth with a total non‑financial debt ratio barely above 120% of GDP.
By 2023, non‑financial sector debt had risen to about 285% of GDP, more than doubling its level of 2000. Chinese think‑tanks and official commentators put the “macro leverage ratio” closer to 300% of GDP by 2025, according to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The macro leverage ratio rose by 11.8 percentage points to 302.3 percent in 2025, exceeding the 10.1-point increase reported in 2024.
Over the same period, the trend of real GDP growth has slowed to roughly 4–5%, so each percentage point of growth now requires around 60–75 points of debt‑to‑GDP, more than three times the debt per point of growth required in 2000. Furthermore, it comes mostly from government debt.
In January 2026, aggregate social financing jumped by 7.22 trillion yuan, significantly higher than in the same month of 2025 and above market expectations, consistent with 5% annual GDP growth and a larger composition of the public sector in the mix. Outstanding social financing reached 449.11 trillion yuan at the end of January, rising 8.2% year‑on‑year, while money supply (M2) rose by 9%.
New yuan bank loans were 4.7 trillion yuan, about 420 billion less than a year earlier and significantly below consensus, showing the weak private‑sector credit demand and the prudent approach of Chinese customers and businesses to debt addition. RMB loans outstanding stood at 276.62 trillion yuan, up only 6.1% year‑on‑year, clearly below the pace of overall financing and money growth.
The driver of credit growth in China is no longer households and private firms but the government and state-owned companies.
The real estate problem has impacted Chinese families in numerous ways. Not only did most of them see the value of their homes decline, but many families invested in the attractive yields of real estate developers’ commercial paper, which led to large losses and even the wipe-out of savings for many. Additionally, despite the excess in supply of houses, prices have not fallen enough to warrant enough appetite for new mortgages, as affordability remains an issue and the traditional prudence of Chinese citizens when it comes to consuming and borrowing adds to the challenge.
Beijing plans to issue 4.4 trillion yuan in local government special‑purpose bonds in 2025, 500 billion more than in 2024, looking to boost government investment and a “proactive fiscal policy,” knowing that raising taxes would be exceedingly negative for growth and consumption.
Local governments are expected to issue more than 10 trillion yuan in bonds in 2025, including refinancing, general bonds, and new special bonds.
The Chinese government knows that it can manage more debt but also sees the weak investment and household spending and acknowledges that large tax increases would be counterproductive. However, to prevent future debt-driven stagnation, a focus on productivity is necessary.
The official budget sets a deficit of 4% for 2025. However, once all budget items are consolidated, including government funds, special bonds, and off‑budget vehicles, this true fiscal deficit in 2025 is closer to 9%, up from 7.7% in 2024, according to Rhodium Group and JP Morgan. China increasingly relies on hidden or almost fiscal borrowing to support growth.
With outstanding social financing now around 449 trillion yuan and real growth around 4–5%, each incremental point of GDP is increasingly linked with a much larger stock of debt than a decade ago. This rising credit intensity of growth may prevent a significant slowdown but may create a significant fiscal challenge in the future. The Chinese model demands high growth and low taxes; any change to the fiscal system will be negative.
For years, local governments relied on the sale of land for property development to collect tax receipts. Thus, the drag from real estate is evident in the economy and in fiscal sustainability. Real estate development investment fell 13.9% year‑on‑year in the first three quarters of 2025, with residential investment down 12.9%, the steepest drop since 2021, according to official figures. Property investment and sales both posted double‑digit declines in 2024, and forecasters expect real estate investment to fall another 11% and sales to drop 7.5% in 2025, according to Reuters, with further declines in 2026 before stabilizing only in 2027… if it happens as fast as consensus estimates.
The property sector, once a key engine for economic growth and tax receipts, absorbs new credit to stabilize its accounts without boosting growth or creating a multiplier effect.
Additionally, China’s industrial capacity utilization remained at 74.9% at the end of 2025, well below the 78.4% peak reached in 2021. Overcapacity is clear in steel, autos, legacy chips, and parts of sectors like green tech, where expansion has surpassed domestic and external demand. Thus, the purchasing managers’ indices show weak new orders and foreign demand, while bankruptcies and insolvencies have risen, although not to levels that would indicate a financial crisis.
The Chinese economy needs to reopen, improve investor and legal security and allow the housing slump to materialize fully to see the type of productive economic growth it needs to avoid much larger increases in debt. Otherwise, the risk of stagnation will likely be elevated as population growth stalls, overcapacity remains, and the stock of unsold property becomes a larger liability.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 02/16/2026 – 22:25
https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/chinas-debt-model-creates-danger-stagnation
Anderson Cooper anuncia su salida de “60 Minutes”; permanecerá en CNN
Por DAVID BAUDER
Anderson Cooper, quien ha reportado para “60 Minutes” de la cadena CBS durante las últimas dos décadas y conduce un programa nocturno de noticias en CNN, anunció el lunes que dejará la emisión de CBS para pasar más tiempo con su familia.
Cooper apareció en la emisión del domingo por la noche para presentar un breve segmento sobre el cineasta Ken Burns. Es poco probable que sea su último programa, pues se tiene previsto que concluya la temporada actual de transmisiones en mayo.
“Ser corresponsal para ‘60 Minutes’ ha sido uno de los grandes honores de mi carrera”, señaló Cooper en un comunicado. “Pude contar historias increíbles y trabajar con algunos de los mejores productores, editores y equipos de cámara de la industria. Durante casi 20 años, pude equilibrar mis trabajos en CNN y CBS, pero ahora tengo hijos pequeños y quiero pasar todo el tiempo que sea posible con ellos, mientras todavía quieren pasar tiempo conmigo”.
La salida de Cooper de lo que sigue siendo el programa noticioso más prestigioso de la televisión ciertamente planteará preguntas sobre si tuvo algo que ver con el liderazgo de Bari Weiss, directora editorial de CBS News desde finales del año pasado. El portavoz de Cooper señaló el lunes que no tenía comentarios adicionales.
Cooper ha contribuido con reportajes para “60 Minutes” desde la temporada televisiva 2006-2007, en un singular acuerdo de reparto de funciones con CNN. Su programa de noticias “Anderson Cooper 360”, se emite en horario estelar desde 2003.
CBS News emitió un comunicado en el que elogió a Cooper por sus dos décadas de trabajo.
“Estamos agradecidos con que haya dedicado tanto de su vida a esta emisión y entendemos la importancia de pasar más tiempo con la familia”, indicó CBS. “‘60 Minutes’ estará aquí si alguna vez quiere regresar”.
Su salida se produce en un momento de turbulencia para el programa de los domingos por la noche.
Por indicaciones de Weiss, el programa canceló de último minuto un reportaje de la corresponsal Sharyn Alfonsi sobre la política migratoria del gobierno de Trump. Weiss explicó que se necesitaba realizar un mayor esfuerzo para conseguir entrevistas con funcionarios del gobierno, mientras que Alfonsi se quejó en privado de que la decisión era de naturaleza política. La historia se emitió un mes después con comentarios adicionales del gobierno, pero sin entrevistas a cuadro.
El presidente Donald Trump interpuso una demanda contra “60 Minutes” por la manera en que manejó una entrevista con su rival en las elecciones de 2024, Kamala Harris. Para consternación de buena parte de la producción del programa, la empresa matriz de CBS, Paramount Global, llegó a un acuerdo extrajudicial con Trump.
El portal noticioso Breaker fue el primer medio en informar sobre la salida de Cooper de CBS.
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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.
Fernando Mendoza enfoca su futuro en la NFL tras ganar el título nacional con Indiana
Por STEPHEN HAWKINS
FORT WORTH, Texas, EE.UU. (AP) — El ganador del Trofeo Heisman Fernando Mendoza ahora está empezando a cambiar su mentalidad hacia la NFL, que en realidad era su objetivo cuando se transfirió a Indiana.
Mendoza y los Hoosiers simplemente coincidieron en tener juntos una temporada perfecta que terminó con un improbable campeonato nacional.
“Ha sido un torbellino. Creo que ahora por fin lo he asimilado y el polvo ha empezado a asentarse. El campeonato nacional y luego, ¡boom!, lo siguiente que sabes es que estás en un nuevo capítulo”, comentó el lunes por la noche Mendoza, antes de recibir el Premio Davey O’Brien como el mejor quarterback universitario del país.
La ceremonia de premios más reciente para Mendoza, el transfer procedente de Cal que creció a pocos kilómetros del campus de Miami, se celebró exactamente cuatro semanas después de que Indiana ganara su primer campeonato nacional 27-21 sobre los Hurricanes en su estadio. También fue una semana antes del NFL Combine, y poco más de dos meses antes de la noche inaugural del draft de la NFL el 23 de abril, cuando Mendoza bien podría ser la selección número 1 global de los Raiders de Las Vegas.
“Me sentiría bendecido y honrado de jugar para los Raiders, o me sentiría bendecido de jugar para cualquier equipo. Cualquier equipo de la NFL que me seleccione, estaría eufórico. Sé que en el draft probablemente derramaré una o dos lágrimas, simplemente porque para mí es un momento de cierre de ciclo. … El objetivo de transferirme a Indiana era llegar a la NFL. No era ser un gran jugador universitario. Era tratar de desarrollarme para convertirme algún día en un quarterback de la NFL”, señaló Mendoza.
Mendoza lanzó para 3.535 yardas y 41 touchdowns, la mayor cifra de la FBS, mientras completó 273 de 379 pases (72%) con solo seis intercepciones. Sumó 4.712 yardas por aire y 30 TD en 20 partidos durante dos temporadas en Cal, lo que le valió una oferta de beca tardía después de que, al salir de la preparatoria, había estado preparado para “endeudarme como estudiante” para jugar fútbol americano en Yale —ya que en la Ivy League no se otorgan becas deportivas— porque amaba tanto el deporte.
Ahora, el quarterback de 22 años se prepara para dar el salto al nivel más alto, consciente de que el éxito en la universidad no se traducirá automáticamente al profesionalismo.
“Lo universitario es genial, pero esa etapa ya quedó atrás”, expresó. “Siento que quedé satisfecho con mi carrera universitaria. Sin embargo, ahora paso a la carrera en la NFL. Requiere un nuevo conjunto de habilidades. Es una liga de hombres hechos y derechos”.
Su Trofeo Heisman
Cuando Mendoza aceptó el Trofeo Heisman en diciembre, su intención era dejar el trofeo para siempre en Bloomington, donde sentía que pertenecía.
No fue sino hasta un par de semanas después, cuando el Trofeo Heisman estaba en una vitrina en el campus de Indiana, que se dio cuenta de que también le daban uno propio para conservar.
“Luego me lo llevé de vuelta a casa, y está en mi sala, lo cual es genial”, contó. “Piensa en esa decoración”.
Incluso llevó su trofeo al St. Paul Catholic Center en Bloomington, donde asistía regularmente a misa, para compartirlo con los líderes de la iglesia alrededor de Navidad. También espera llevar el trofeo a su preparatoria en Miami.
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Reciba alertas y actualizaciones de las encuestas del AP Top 25 durante toda la temporada. Regístrese aquí. Fútbol americano universitario de AP: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll y https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Kremlin’s Surprise Overture: Ready To Halt Airstrikes On Election Day If Zelensky Allows Vote
Kremlin’s Surprise Overture: Ready To Halt Airstrikes On Election Day If Zelensky Allows Vote
Moscow just potentially created a big opening for Ukrainian elections to actually happen, with an unexpected overture:
Russia is ready to ensure that there will be no airstrikes on election day in Ukraine if Kiev decides to hold elections, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said an interview with TASS.
However, the big question remains of if President Zelensky decides to actually proceed with an election. Given that months ago he didn’t even cave to Trump pressuring him to do so, it’s very up in the air whether he wants to actually see this through, or if martial law will continue to be used as an excuse to block a vote.
Russian President Vladimir Putin himself has floated willingness to halt airstrikes deep into Ukraine on election day if elections are held there – but he’s also also recently said that the millions of Ukrainians currently living in Russia should have the right to vote.
These are mostly Russian-speaking Ukrainians who lived in the Donbass – as well as Crimea – before war broke out, or who are still there amid the conflict.
“Of course, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statements remain relevant. But, as I earlier noted, there is no talk yet of the practical organization of voting in Ukraine,” Galuzin said.
“I would like to draw attention to our experience. In March 2024, presidential elections were held in Russia, and polling stations – even taking into account the ongoing military operations -were opened in close proximity to the combat zone. Kiev tried every way possible to disrupt the electoral process in the frontline regions, not shying away from resorting to terrorist means and sabotage. However, it proved unable to achieve its goal,” Galuzin added.
He then emphasized that Russia “will not stoop to Kiev’s practices and will allow the people of Ukraine to fully exercise their constitutionally enshrined electoral rights and independently determine the future development of their country.”
“Of course, if the Kiev regime finally decides to take this democratic step,” the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister added.
Ukraine has said a parliamentary committee is still studying the issue, and that the total safety of all citizens would have to be guaranteed – also by international powers – while the vote proceeds.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 02/16/2026 – 21:50
After winning the sectional, Ohio commit Dayne Serio states his main goal for West Aurora. ‘Top of the podium.’
West Aurora’s Dayne Serio has always dealt with the weight of big expectations on the mat.
Serio’s father, Rob, who is an assistant coach for the Blackhawks, wrestled at Eastern Illinois. Dayne’s older brother, Dominic, was a two-time state placer at West Aurora — including last season’s runner-up finish as a senior — and is now wrestling in college at Ohio.
Dayne has been intent on following in their footsteps.
“My dad wrestled in college, my brother wrestled in college,” Serio said. “It’s not like I’m wrestling in college just because they did it, but I feel like it’s a legacy.
“I think there was pressure on me to continue that legacy, so I had to do the best that I can.”
Serio is definitely thriving off the pressure. He continued a dominant senior season Saturday, rolling to the 175-pound championship at the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional.
West Aurora’s Dayne Serio, left, takes down Montini’s AJ Tack during the 175-pound final of the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional in Hinsdale on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Steve Johnston / The Beacon-News)
Serio, who has committed to join his brother at Ohio next season, was one of five West Aurora wrestlers to advance to the state meet, which begins Thursday at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
Sophomore Gabe Richmond finished as the runner-up at 113 for the Blackhawks.
Marmion, which qualified 10 wrestlers, had seven sectional champs in Colton Wyller (106), Nicholas Garcia (132), Zach Stewart (138), Demetrios Carrera (144), Ashton Hobson (150), Vincenzo Testa (190) and Joey Favia (285).
Serio (39-3), meanwhile, won his three matches in convincing fashion, starting with a technical fall and a pin before beating Montini’s AJ Tack by an 11-0 major decision in the finals.
West Aurora’s Dayne Serio, left, tries to take down Montini’s AJ Tack during the 175-pound final of the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional in Hinsdale on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Steve Johnston / The Beacon-News)
“I definitely did well on my feet,” Serio said. “I tried to get as many points as I could. That’s pretty much been my goal the whole season — get as many points as I can and try to break my opponents.”
Serio has been wrestling with some extra motivation since a sixth-place finish at state last season. He earned his first state medal but certainly wasn’t satisfied.
“It just sparked a bigger fire for this year, trying to get to the top of the podium instead of a spot on the floor next to the podium,” Serio said.
West Aurora coach Andrew Plata has certainly seen that extra edge in Serio all season.
West Aurora’s Dayne Serio, right, looks to attack against Montini’s AJ Tack during the 175-pound final of the Class 3A Hinsdale Central Sectional in Hinsdale on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (Steve Johnston / The Beacon-News)
“He’s had that itch to get to the top of the podium and it started day one,” Plata said. “He’s had that extra motivation. He knows what he’s capable of, what it takes, and he’s been stepping up ever since.”
Richmond has been most impressed by how steady Serio is from match to match.
“I see his consistency and how he hasn’t really been stopped,” Richmond said. “He’s just consistent the whole time.”
After signing in November with Ohio, Serio is thrilled to continue his family’s Division I tradition and become teammates with his brother again.
“I’m super excited,” he said. “I’ve gone out there a couple times to visit my brother. All my future teammates were really cool. It’s going to be a fun time.”
West Aurora’s Dayne Serio, top, defends against Warren’s Royce Lopez during the 165-pound Class 3A fifth-place match at the State Farm Arena in Champaign on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (Rob Dicker / The Beacon-News)
Serio did not always believe in his future in wrestling. He quit the sport for a year when he was young, but it eventually grew on him.
“I started making gains in sixth grade and getting a taste of success made me like it more,” Serio said. “In eighth grade, I placed at kids state, and then freshman year had a big influence on me.
“I did pretty well and I ended up one match away from making it to state, and that’s when I knew I could go somewhere if I really picked it up and worked harder.”
Serio did just that, and now, he’s headed to state as a title contender.
In his mind, there’s only one goal.
“Top of the podium,” he said. “I have to be relentless. No breaks. Give it everything I’ve got.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/16/dayne-serio-west-aurora-sectional-wrestling/
Indonesia To Send First 1,000 Troops To Gaza By April For ‘Stabilization Force’
Indonesia To Send First 1,000 Troops To Gaza By April For ‘Stabilization Force’
Indonesia is readying 1,000 troops to be deployed in Gaza as early as April as part of the UN-mandated International Stabilization Force, an army spokesperson said on Monday.
A total of 8,000 Indonesian soldiers will be ready for deployment by June, while the final decision will be made by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. “The departure schedule remains entirely subject to the political decisions of the state and applicable international mechanisms,” the spokesman said in a text message to news agency Reuters.
Indonesian Army Chief of Staff Maruli Simanjuntak previously estimated that between 5,000 and 8,000 military personnel could be deployed, with final numbers “still being negotiated”.
On Saturday, Indonesia’s foreign ministry said that its military’s participation in Gaza as part of the peace plan devised by US President Donald Trump should not be interpreted as a normalization of political relations with Israel.
“Indonesia consistently rejects all attempts at demographic change or the forced displacement or relocation of the Palestinian people in any form,” the ministry said.
The deployment, which has a non-combatant, humanitarian mandate, could only be carried out with the consent of the Palestinian Authority, the ministry said.
“Indonesian troops will not be involved in combat operations or any action leading to direct confrontation with any armed group,“ the statement said. Indonesian troops would also have no mandate to demilitarize any party, it added.
However the mandate of the stabilization force includes ensuring “the process of demilitarizing the Gaza Strip” and “the permanent decommissioning of weapons from non-state armed groups”. The resolution authorizes the force to “use all necessary measures to carry out its mandate”.
$5bn to rebuild Gaza
Indonesia confirmed last week that President Prabowo Subianto will attend the inaugural leaders’ meeting of Trump’s “Board of Peace”, whose members have pledged $5bn toward “rebuilding war-ravaged Gaza”.
Indonesian foreign ministry said that Prabowo would use the forum on 19 February to advocate for the protection of Palestinians and push for a sustainable peace based on a two-state solution, which envisions the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Prabowo is also expected to sign a tariff agreement with the United States during the trip, the government said. “We are just preparing ourselves in case an agreement is reached and we have to send peacekeeping forces,” Prabowo told journalists.
The president also said he will seek to negotiate the board’s reported $1bn membership fee. Indonesia’s foreign ministry said that its troops’ participation in Gaza would not be aimed at imposing peace, but would instead focus on humanitarian objectives.
Indonesia is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations globally, with more than 2,700 personnel deployed in missions across Africa and the Middle East.
Indonesia’s largest deployment is with the United Nations Interim Force is in Lebanon. Public support for Palestine is strong in Indonesia, where mass demonstrations have taken place against Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
On August 3, thousands of Indonesians gathered at Jakarta’s National Monument, waving Palestinian flags and holding placards demanding justice for Gaza.
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, has consistently called for an end to Israeli genocide in Gaza and has pushed for a two-state solution through international forums. Its government has also provided humanitarian aid, medical support and diplomatic backing for Palestinian institutions.
In November, Indonesia’s defense minister announced that its military had trained 20,000 troops for healthcare and construction efforts in Gaza. Jakarta has also provided humanitarian aid, including the delivery of 10,000 tonnes of rice in August last year, and has launched a long-term cultivation initiative in Sumatra and Kalimantan to support Palestinian food security.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 02/16/2026 – 21:15
Los Dolphins dejan libre al receptor Tyreek Hill entre grandes recortes de su plantilla
Por ALANIS THAMES
MIAMI GARDENS, Florida, EE.UU. (AP) — Los Dolphins dejaron en libertad al receptor estrella Tyreek Hill el lunes, poniendo fin a la etapa de cuatro años del All-Pro en Miami.
Hill, quien cumple 32 años el 1 de marzo, se está recuperando de una lesión que puso fin a su temporada, sufrida en un partido contra los Jets de Nueva York el 29 de septiembre, y que requirió cirugía para reparar daños importantes en su rodilla izquierda, incluido un desgarro del ligamento cruzado anterior.
Es uno de varios recortes importantes de plantilla que hicieron los Dolphins el lunes. Miami también cortó al liniero ofensivo James Daniels y al receptor Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, y dejará en libertad al cazamariscales Bradley Chubb, dos veces seleccionado al Pro Bowl.
Los Dolphins adquirieron a Hill en un canje con Kansas City antes de la temporada 2022 y le dieron una extensión de contrato de cuatro años por 120 millones de dólares, que en ese momento lo convirtió en el jugador mejor pagado en su posición.
Su contrato, que se extiende hasta 2026, habría representado alrededor de 51 millones de dólares contra el tope salarial de Miami.
“Estos últimos años han sido de los más significativos de mi vida y mi carrera”, manifestó Hill en una publicación de Instagram el lunes por la tarde.
Hill tuvo temporadas consecutivas de 1.700 yardas por recepción en sus dos primeros años con Miami, incluida una cifra líder de la liga de 1.799 yardas y 13 touchdowns en 2023. El cinco veces All-Pro llegó a la campaña 2025 con el objetivo de recuperar esa forma de élite tras un año relativamente discreto en 2024, cuando registró 81 recepciones para 959 yardas —sus totales más bajos en ambas categorías desde 2019.
Llevaba 21 recepciones para 265 yardas antes de lesionarse al completar un pase en la victoria de Miami en la Semana 4 contra los Jets. Hill corría hacia la banda, apoyó el pie izquierdo y su rodilla se torció mientras lo derribaban. Salió del campo en un carrito y fue colocado en la lista de lesionados por el resto de la temporada el 1 de octubre.
En una entrevista para un pódcast en octubre, Hill, que ha jugado 10 temporadas en la NFL, comentó que no había decidido si planea retirarse cuando termine su rehabilitación, pero el lunes indicó en redes sociales que aún no ha terminado de jugar.
“El Cheetah no baja la velocidad. Nunca. Así que para todos los que se preguntan qué sigue… solo esperen. El Cheetah volverá… Renacido”, escribió Hill en la publicación.
Bradley Chubb es otra estrella de los Dolphins en movimiento
Chubb pasó las últimas tres temporadas con los Dolphins después de ser traspasado a Miami desde Denver en 2022.
Sufrió una espantosa lesión de rodilla a finales de la temporada 2023 que requirió cirugía para reparar un desgarro del ligamento cruzado anterior, el menisco y el tendón rotuliano de su rodilla derecha, y lo dejó fuera de todo 2024. Chubb sumó 11 capturas —la mayor cantidad en una temporada desde que logró 12 como novato en 2018— en 2023 antes de la lesión.
La temporada pasada, las 8 1/2 capturas de Chubb lideraron al equipo. Representaba un impacto de 31 millones de dólares contra el tope salarial para 2026.
Se esperaba que el nuevo gerente general Jon Eric Sullivan, contratado por los Dolphins el mes pasado junto con el entrenador en jefe Jeff Hafley, comenzara a hacer movimientos para reformar la plantilla de Miami.
“Nos moveremos aquí con una agresividad responsable. Utilizaremos todas las vías de adquisición de jugadores para reforzar esta plantilla”, afirmó Sullivan cuando los Dolphins lo presentaron el 22 de enero.
Dolphins aún parecen indecisos sobre el QB Tua Tagovailoa
Sullivan todavía enfrenta la pregunta de si seguir o no con la selección de primera ronda de 2020 Tua Tagovailoa, quien fue enviado a la banca por el exentrenador de los Dolphins Mike McDaniel hacia el final de la temporada pasada debido a su bajo rendimiento.
Tagovailoa firmó una extensión de cuatro años por 212,4 millones de dólares en julio de 2024, pero desde entonces ha mostrado un declive en precisión y movilidad. Tagovailoa terminó 2025 con 15 intercepciones, la segunda mayor cifra en la NFL y un máximo en su carrera.
Tiene garantizados 54 millones de dólares para 2026, y los Dolphins sufrirían impactos significativos en el tope salarial si lo dejan en libertad. Cortarlo resultaría en un cargo de 99 millones de dólares de “dinero muerto” contra el tope. Si el movimiento se designa como una baja posterior al 1 de junio, esos cargos se dividen en dos años, con 67,4 millones asignados al tope de 2026 y 31,8 millones en 2027.
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Guerrero Jr. pasa página tras la derrota en la Serie Mundial y arranca un 2026 ‘más feliz’
DUNEDIN, Florida, EE.UU. (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. fue la última persona en salir del dugout de Toronto tras la derrota en el séptimo juego ante los Dodgers de Los Ángeles en la Serie Mundial el otoño pasado, porque el toletero dominicano quería que ese fuera el momento en que pasara página.
El primer día de trabajo completo de los Azulejos en los entrenamientos de primavera aportó claridad a ese plan el lunes.
“Cuando me fui, sentí que había afrontado la realidad, y lo único que me quedaba por decirme a mí mismo era simplemente gracias a Dios por el año que tuve, por el año que tuvo el equipo”, manifestó Guerrero a través de un intérprete. “En ese momento, simplemente pasé página”.
Los Azulejos perdieron el juego decisivo 5-4 en 11 entradas, y se quedaron a las puertas de una segunda oportunidad consecutiva de asegurar en casa el tercer campeonato de la franquicia. Para el manager John Schneider, este campamento no es diferente al de hace un año.
“El mensaje principal es que no estamos defendiendo nada”, señaló Schneider. “No estamos defendiendo la División Este de la Liga Americana. No estamos defendiendo la Liga Americana. Estamos atacando 2026 como lo hicimos en 2025 o en cualquier año, en realidad. Estás tratando de ganar la división, estás tratando de ganar la Serie Mundial. Eso es todo”.
Guerrero sacudió a la franquicia al inicio de la primavera pasada, cuando dijo que no había acuerdo para un nuevo contrato y que su propio plazo para cerrarlo ya había vencido, lo que avivó el fantasma de la agencia libre en 2026.
En cambio, las partes llegaron a un acuerdo por 500 millones de dólares y 14 años a comienzos de la temporada pasada, y el hijo del miembro del Salón de la Fama Vladimir Guerrero terminó bateando para .292, con 23 jonrones y 84 carreras impulsadas.
En la postemporada, Guerrero registró un OPS de 1.289 mientras bateaba para .397, con ocho cuadrangulares en 18 juegos, y fue el Jugador Más Valioso de la Serie de Campeonato de la Liga Americana. No conectó jonrón en ninguna de sus primeras tres participaciones en los playoffs, y los Azulejos perdieron los seis juegos de esas apariciones.
“Al volver a la postemporada el año pasado, creo que es muy bueno para todos estar en ese escenario de mayor exigencia y ver cómo respondieron”, comentó Schneider. “Creo que eso se traslada a este año, pero (Guerrero) ha sido un poco más expresivo de lo que lo había visto nunca, un poco más suelto de lo que lo había visto nunca, y entiende que es uno de los mejores jugadores del béisbol”.
Guerrero, de 26 años y cinco veces All-Star, es ahora el jugador con más tiempo en los Azulejos.
“No me veo como un líder”, dijo Guerrero. “Siempre me considero un buen compañero, y cuando eres un buen compañero, entonces te conviertes en un buen líder. Soy un buen compañero”.
Su papel como el rostro de la franquicia quedó consolidado cuando Bo Bichette dejó el equipo, al firmar un contrato de 126 millones de dólares por tres años con los Mets de Nueva York y pasar de campocorto a tercera base.
“Es difícil no tenerlo cerca”, expresó Guerrero, quien jugó con Bichette desde las ligas menores. “Quiero decir, jugamos 10 años juntos. Pero al mismo tiempo, entiendo que esto es un negocio, y él también tiene que cuidar de su familia”.
Los Azulejos firmaron al infielder japonés Kazuma Okamoto para cubrir el vacío que dejó Bichette, además de sumar a los lanzadores Dylan Cease y Cody Ponce.
“Creo que somos muy capaces”, afirmó Guerrero. “Creo que va a ser más divertido, y de hecho estoy más feliz que el año pasado”.
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Jeff Vorva’s high school girls basketball rankings and player of the week for the Daily Southtown
Lockport makes only move up in rankings topped by Bloom, Mother McAuley and Providence.
Top 10
With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Bloom 23-2 (1): Kazaria Smith and the Blazing Trojans face Rich Township for the fourth time this season in the opening round of the playoffs.
2. Mother McAuley 22-6 (2): Delia Sullivan and the well-rested Mighty Macs are facing a 10-day break heading into the regional.
3. Providence 28-4 (3): Layken Callahan and the Celtics are hoping to make their first appearance at state in program history.
4. T.F. South 28-2 (4): Asia Haynes and Red Wolves win the South Suburban Blue title thanks in part to overtime win over rival T.F. North.
5. Marist 23-8 (5): Olivia Cosme and the RedHawks end the regular season on a high note with a 48-46 win Friday over St. Ignatius.
6. Homewood-Flossmoor 21-9 (6): Will tough national schedule pay off in the postseason for Laila Williams and the Vikings?
7. Evergreen Park 25-6 (7): Tatum Harris, Grace Kole and Ella Throndson earn all-conference honors for South Suburban Red champion Mustangs.
8. Lockport 20-9 (9): Addison Way and the Porters head into postseason coming off a big 50-42 win over York.
9. T.F. North 20-8 (8): Lauryn Jackson and the Meteors are seeking a revenge matchup Thursday against Evergreen Park.
10. St. Laurence 20-11 (10): Sara Burzycki and the Vikings look forward to their first foray into the Class 4A playoffs.
Player of the Week
Senior forward Gigi Dillon scores 25 points and pulls down 21 rebounds for T.F. South in a 73-65 overtime win over T.F. North to help win the South Suburban Blue championship.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/16/jeff-vorva-girls-basketball-rankings-southland-3/
Kim Jong Un Gifts New Apartments To Families Of Soldiers Killed In Ukraine War
Kim Jong Un Gifts New Apartments To Families Of Soldiers Killed In Ukraine War
Last summer North Korea began for the first time airing footage which provided public confirmation that it was receiving many of its soldiers home in coffins after they served alongside Russian forces in the context of the Ukraine war.
It’s believed that the some ten to fourteen thousand DPRK troops dispatched to assist Moscow had primarily fought in Russia’s Kursk province, where they helped repel the previous six-month Ukrainian occupation of the southern border oblast (in 2024-2025).
On Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled that families of soldiers killed in the battle abroad would receive free new housing. He presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of a new block of apartments for that purpose, state media reported Monday.
“The new street has been built thanks to the ardent desire of our motherland that wishes that… its excellent sons, who defended the most sacred things by sacrificing their most valuable things, will live forever,” Kim said in a speech, as cited by the Korean Central News Agency.
This comes after Kim last week having publicly declared he’s ready to “unconditionally support” all of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s policies and decisions.
“Before their death, the heroic martyrs must have pictured in their mind’s eye their dear families living in the ever-prospering country,” the North Korean leader said.
KCNA images also showed Kim touring the new apartments alongside his teenage daughter Ju Ae, believed to be the most likely future successor to Kim.
International reports based on South Korean intelligence estimates say that around 2,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed while fighting alongside Russia so far.
The apartments for families of fallen soldiers is a program clearly intended to create incentives for the military to support Pyongyang’s foreign adventurism on behalf of Moscow, and to deflect potential criticism.
Kim Jong Un opens new Saeppyol Street housing in Pyongyang
Homes built for families of fallen soldiers, KCNA reports
Ceremony marks what he called a ‘heroic era’ pic.twitter.com/kBxdAtm564
— RT (@RT_com) February 16, 2026
Ukraine has bitterly complained about the foreign contingencies helping Russia, and in previously claimed that North Korea could send up to 30,000 – though there’s been little evidence of such a high figure.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 02/16/2026 – 20:40
