Category: News
Northwestern’s upset bid slips away as No. 2 Michigan rallies from 16-point 2nd-half deficit for 87-75 win
L.J. Cason scored 13 of his 18 points after halftime, helping No. 2 Michigan rally for an 87-75 victory over Nick Martinelli and Northwestern on Wednesday night in Evanston.
Yaxel Lendeborg added 15 points and 12 rebounds as the Wolverines (23-1, 13-1 Big Ten) erased a 16-point second-half deficit for their ninth consecutive victory. Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara and Trey McKenney each scored 12 points.
Michigan grabbed control with a 15-2 run. Lendeborg made a tiebreaking layup with 5:51 to play, and Mara’s alley-oop jam off a pass from Cason gave the Wolverines a 75-69 lead with 4:43 remaining.
Michigan shot 55% (16 for 29) while outscoring Northwestern 52-31 in the second half of its 19th double-digit win this season.
Jayden Reid scored 20 points for the Wildcats in their fourth consecutive loss. Martinelli finished with 18 on 5-for-22 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds.
Northwestern used an 8-1 run to open a 58-42 lead with 14:22 to play. Angelo Ciaravino capped the spurt with a jumper in the paint.
Michigan then got back in the game by scoring 16 of the next 18 points. Johnson’s alley-oop dunk trimmed Northwestern’s advantage to 60-58 with 9:38 to go, delighting a sizeable contingent of Michigan fans at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Lendeborg was 6-for-12 from the field. He has 45 rebounds in his last four games.
Northwestern got off to a fast start, holding Michigan to 35% shooting on its way to a 44-35 lead at the break. Reid scored 12 points in the first half on 5-for-5 shooting.
Up next
Northwestern: at No. 7 Nebraska on Saturday.
Michigan: vs. UCLA on Saturday.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/11/northwestern-michigan-big-ten-basketball/
Iraq Receives 5,000 ISIS Fighters From Syrian Prisons
Iraq Receives 5,000 ISIS Fighters From Syrian Prisons
Iraq has received close to 5,000 ISIS prisoners since the start of a US military campaign to relocate the extremist group’s fighters, of whom tens of thousands were previously held in Kurdish-run facilities in northern Syria.
“The transfer of terrorist prisoners from Syria to Iraq is ongoing in coordination with the global coalition, and they are being held in Iraqi prisons,” Sabah al-Numan, spokesman for the commander in chief of the Iraqi army, told Rudaw on 11 February. Numan went on to say that the country’s legal system has begun taking judicial measures “against those individuals who committed crimes against the Iraqi people.“
Prior illustrative AFP file image of ISIS prison in northeast Syria.
Nearly 5,000 are now in Iraqi facilities, according to the latest data from the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.
The spokesman added that trials will continue “to ensure they receive their just punishment for what they have committed against Iraqis,” adding that “all criminal and terrorist acts that were committed will be investigated.”
Ali Dhia, assistant head of the judiciary-linked National Center for International Judicial Cooperation (NCIJC), said among the ISIS members were those who took part in the genocide against the Yezidi minority in Iraq, which began in 2014.
Last month, the Syrian army launched a major assault on Kurdish-held parts of northern and eastern Syria, seizing key oil fields and cities from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). During the assault, SDF forces were no longer able to hold Hasakah’s Shaddaddi Prison.
After the facility fell to Jolani’s Syrian army, some 1,500 ISIS prisoners escaped. The SDF, once considered a major US ally, accused Washington of ignoring distress calls for help. It said a US military base was only two kilometers away from the prison.
The Syrian government also entered the Al-Hawl Camp, previously run by the SDF, which held tens of thousands of ISIS militants and their families, who also pose a serious security threat.
The camp was emptied by Syrian forces. Footage showed scores of prisoners flooding out of Al-Hawl. Syrian Kurdish officials warned afterwards that the government assault risked a major ISIS resurgence.
A day later, the US military announced a campaign to “transfer” ISIS fighters to Iraqi facilities. Washington said up to 7,000 ISIS members would be relocated, yet thousands more remain on the loose. Since then, Iraqi officials have warned of increased ISIS activity.
In late January, the SDF and Syrian government reached a deal to halt hostilities and implement a March 2025 agreement, which the two sides have been in dispute about for nearly a year. As part of this deal, the SDF must integrate into the Syrian army and security apparatus.
Syrian security forces have entered the cities of Qamishli and Hasakah. Ain al-Arab (Kobane), still predominantly held by Kurdish forces, is under siege.
The Kurdish group wanted to merge into the Syrian army as a bloc, while Damascus was demanding a complete dissolution and conscription on an individual basis.
The deal, which ended recent hostilities, calls for the creation of a division under the Syrian Defense Ministry, consisting of three SDF brigades.
Yet, so far, the merger has not physically begun – only joint patrols between Syrian security forces and the Kurdish Asayish (SDF-linked internal police force). The SDF has begun moving heavy military equipment out of some major city centers. It remains unclear how the merger will take place, as tensions are high.
Top officials have admitted that Damascus forces have been massacring Kurds as well as religious minorities:
‘The president and CENTCOM told the Syrian security forces stop. We saw massacres, beheadings, executions of entire Kurdish families. These are the kinds of acts that will destroy the legitimacy Al-Sharaa is trying to build’@nadinemaenza on #MiddleEastNow with @natasharaquel_ pic.twitter.com/p2HZ1Wi8xg
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) February 11, 2026
The Syrian army is made up of many extremist, ISIS-linked factions with a history of war crimes and persecution of Kurds.
During the latest assault in the north of the country, Syrian troops carried out indiscriminate shelling and committed war crimes against Kurdish fighters, particularly the female soldiers who play a prominent role in the SDF and allied groups.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 02/11/2026 – 23:25
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/iraq-receives-5000-isis-fighters-syrian-prisons
Alvarado y Bridges lideran a los Knicks en paliza 138-89 sobre los 76ers
FILADELFIA (AP) — Jose Alvarado logró su mejor registro de la temporada con 26 puntos, y Mikal Bridges añadió 22, mientras los Knicks de Nueva York vencieron 138-89 a los 76ers de Filadelfia la noche del miércoles.
Los Knicks se recuperaron de una derrota en casa en tiempo extra ante los Pacers de Indiana el martes por la noche para conseguir su 10ma victoria en 12 partidos. Dos de esos triunfos han sido contra los Sixers. Los equipos dividieron su serie de cuatro partidos de la temporada.
Alvarado, adquirido la semana pasada procedente de Nueva Orleans, encestó 8 de 13 triples y terminó con cinco robos.
Karl-Anthony Towns aportó 21 unidades y 11 rebotes. Mohamed Diawara anotó 14 puntos. Jalen Brunson, que hizo 40 puntos contra los Pacers, anotó ocho el martes.
Tyrese Maxey encabezó a los 76ers con 32 puntos en tres cuartos, en un partido en el que el equipo jugó sin el pívot Joel Embiid, quien no participó por molestias en la rodilla derecha. VJ Edgecombe añadió 14 tantos y Dominick Barlow anotó 13.
Los 76ers, que perdieron por segunda vez consecutiva y por tercera en cuatro partidos, se quedaron en su menor total de puntos de la campaña; fue apenas su tercer juego por debajo de 100 puntos en esta campaña.
Embiid se perdió su segundo partido consecutivo. No se había perdido juegos en fila desde el 19 y 20 de diciembre. Quentin Grimes se perdió un segundo juego al hilo por enfermedad.
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Basketball and local scores for the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County
High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County coverage areas.
Email Daily Southtown results to southtownsports@gmail.com, Beacon-News, Courier-News and Naperville Sun results to tribwestsports@gmail.com and News-Sun results to newssunsports@gmail.com.
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOLS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Batavia 51, Wheaton North 48
Batavia (19-8, 9-3 DuKane): Evan Blankenship 13 points. Dane Farrar 11 points.
East Aurora 47, South Elgin 40
Glenbard East 68, Bartlett 42
Glenbard North 51, Geneva 48
Kaneland 64, Oak Forest 48
Lake Park 51, St. Charles East 40
Larkin 71, Streamwood 65
Leo 44, Wheaton St. Francis 40 (OT)
Leo (21-5): Jeremiah Echols 15 points.
Marian Catholic 64, St. Francis de Sales 60
Neuqua Valley 74, Yorkville Christian 43
Neuqua (27-1): Cole Kelly 19 points.
Yorkville Christian (16-10): Jayden Riley 12 points.
Rich Township 69, Thornridge 49
Rich Township (15-12, 7-4 Southland): Kavon Ammons 24 points, 6 rebounds. Jamson Coulter 13 points, 5 rebounds. Zion Gibson 12 points.
Sandwich 55, Newark 39
Sandwich (9-19): E.J. Treptow 17 points, 8 rebounds. Griffin Somlock 15 points, 4 steals.
Stevenson 65, Libertyville 37
Stevenson (19-8, 8-4 North Suburban): Donny Williams 30 points, 8 rebounds. Rocco Pagliocca 13 points, 4 rebounds.
Sandburg 60, Eisenhower 32
Thornwood 68, EPIC 20
West Aurora 74, Elgin 28
West Aurora (17-12, 10-1 Upstate Eight West): Drew Lundberg 21 points. James Baker 11 points.
Wheaton Warrenville South 60, St. Charles North 48
St. Charles North (10-16, 4-7 DuKane): Cooper Mellican 18 points. E.J. Mondesir 16 points.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Antioch 48, Round Lake 42
Antioch (13-18, 8-6 Northern Lake County): Heidi Rathmann 28 points.
Burlington Central 65, Jacobs 50
Dixon 72, Harvest-Westminster 33
Grayslake Central 59, Lakes 25
Grayslake North 56, Grant 50
Huntley 56, Hampshire 30
Joliet Catholic 55, Bishop McNamara 33
Libertyville 54, Zion-Benton 6
Libertyville (24-5, 13-1 North Suburban): Ella Pawelczyk 18 points. Won conference title.
Oak Lawn 60, Bradley-Bourbonnais 28
Oswego East 79, Joliet West 48
Oswego East (17-10, 12-4 Southwest Prairie West): Desiree Merritt 26 points. Aubrey Lamberti 26 points.
Plano 45, Richmond-Burton 33
Prairie Ridge 39, Dundee-Crown 29
Rich Township 46, Thornridge 35
Somonauk 62, Indian Creek 52
Somonauk (13-13): Kiley Mason 15 points, 3 blocks. Ella Roberts 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals.
Indian Creek (14-12): Ally Keilman 22 points.
Warren 35, Stevenson 31
CENTRAL SUBURBAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Maine South 68, Vernon Hills 45
Vernon Hills (20-7): Eve Engler 18 points. Emma Jocson 15 points.
LOCAL COLLEGES
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Aurora University 84, Rockford University 70
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOLS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Benet 56, Wheaton Academy 40
Bremen 56, Morton 47 (OT)
Brother Rice 62, Bradley-Bourbonnais 43
Brother Rice (20-9): Joe Niego 14 points. Aiden Henderson 10 points. Charlie Wizgird 10 points.
Burlington Central 61, Dundee-Crown 27
Carmel 35, Lake Forest Academy 31
Carmel (10-18): Ethan Matz 14 points.
Cary-Grove 60, Hampshire 47
DePaul Prep 62, Deerfield 31
Evergreen Park 50, Hinsdale South 40
Grant 49, Grayslake Central 47
Grant (13-10, 9-3 Northern Lake County): D.J. Stitts 14 points; GW basket as time expired. Jayde Smith 11 points.
Grayslake Central (20-8, 10-2): Alex Granville 15 points. Cole Halverson 13 points.
Homewood-Flossmoor 90, Lincoln-Way West 48
H-F (23-3, 13-1 SWSC): Darrius Hawkins Jr. 16 points, 10 assists. Ethan Jackson 15 points. Jeff Cade II 13 points. John Brown IV 10 points, 15 rebounds.
Lincoln-Way West (13-16, 4-11): Eiden Kubilius 21 points.
IC Catholic 72, St. Edward 41
Indian Creek 60, Somonauk 39
Indian Creek (20-5, 6-2 Little Ten): Parker Murry 17 points. Payton Hueber 11 points.
Somonauk (7-20, 3-5): Tristan Reed 12 points.
Jacobs 48, Huntley 35
Jacobs (16-11, 8-7 Fox Valley): Elijah Bell 15 points.
Johnsburg 63, Plano 35
Joliet Catholic 61, Plainfield South 56
Kankakee 70, Thornton 43
Thornton (11-12, 7-4 Southland): DeAndre Higgs 20 points.
Lake Forest 53, Libertyville 39
Lake Forest (10-16, 4-8 North Suburban): Rory Haas 15 points. Alex Picek 14 points.
Lakes 50, Antioch 48
Lakes (15-9, 8-4 Northern Lake County): Jaylen Pinkard 17 points. Carter Martin 14 points.
Antioch (5-22, 1-11): Chance Parsons 19 points.
Lincoln-Way East 54, Lincoln-Way Central 53 (OT)
Marmion 72, Ottawa Marquette 44
Morgan Park 108, Chicago Vocational 52
Morgan Park (16-6): Jacque Lewis 45 points.
Naperville North 62, Addison Trail 25
Newark 55, IMSA 47
Newark (15-2, 8-0 Little Ten): Cody Kulbartz 15 points, 8 rebounds. Reggie Chapman 15 points, 5 assists.
North Chicago 56, Grayslake North 41
Oswego 65, Naperville Central 52
Oswego (20-8): Ethan Vahl 30 points, 11 rebounds. Graham Schwab 11 points, 6 rebounds.
Naperville Central (10-16): T.J. Hillman 21 points.
Oswego East 59, Plainfield North 37
Richards 43, Chicago Christian 40
St. Laurence 59, De La Salle 57
Sandburg 55, Lockport 52
Sandburg (19-10, 9-6 SWSC): Will Johnson 13 points. Jonah Johnson 10 points. Dan Morakinyo 10 points.
Lockport (22-5, 11-3): Nojus Venckus 24 points.
St. Patrick 79, Marian Catholic 44
Marian (10-11, 1-6 ESCC): Noah Clay 10 points.
Shepard 88, Kennedy 45
Shepard (14-14): Kareem Taiwo 15 points. Brendin Thomas 12 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists. Amari Williams 11 points.
Stagg 61, Andrew 43
Stagg (13-13, 5-9 SWSC): Omar Barakat 23 points. Petar Zoko 18 points, 5 rebounds.
Andrew (11-17, 4-10): Ryan Dinnon 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals. T.J. Payton 10 points, 7 rebounds.
Stevenson 69, Zion-Benton 46
Stevenson (18-8, 7-4 North Suburban): Rocco Pagliocca 27 points, 3 steals. Donny Williams 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals.
T.F. North 57, T.F. South 55 (OT)
T.F. North (11-12, 6-6 SSC Blue): Chris Pulliams 18 points, 10 rebounds. Jaleil Littleton 12 points, 3 steals.
T.F. South (8-18, 4-8): Isaiah Whitehead 21 points. Amari Dukes 14 points.
Warren 75, Lake Zurich 59
Warren (25-2, 12-0 North Suburban): Jaxson Davis 30 points. Braylon Walker 13 points. First conference title since 2012.
Waubonsie Valley 71, Joliet Central 42
Wauconda 69, Round Lake 61
Wauconda (21-7, 11-1 Northern Lake County): Alex Ortega 28 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals. Leo Brinias 19 points, 3 steals. Cole Plucinski 14 points, 5 rebounds.
Round Lake (12-14, 2-10): Jaquan Jamerson 24 points. Devin Powell 14 points.
Waukegan 76, Mundelein 42
Waukegan (20-7, 9-3 North Suburban): Trey Roberts 24 points, 6 steals. Rico Love 22 points. Simereon Carter 15 points.
Woodstock 55, Sandwich 30
Sandwich (8-19, 4-8 Kishwaukee River): Grant Somlock 14 points.
RIVER VALLEY TOURNAMENT
Beecher 78, Donovan 25
Beecher (5-21): Dominick DeFrank 22 points, 4 assists, 4 steals.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Andrew 38, Stagg 37
Andrew (17-11, 8-7 SWSC): Ana Cisek 17 points; tying and GW FTs with :14 remaining.
Deerfield 52, Niles West 40
Deerfield (8-18): Charlee Baker 24 points.
Evergreen Park 45, Reavis 42
Evergreen (24-6, 10-2 SSC Red): Ella Throndson 19 points. First conference title since 1989.
Glenbard South 50, South Elgin 36
South Elgin (17-14): Olivia Miller 13 points. Molly Stahl 12 points.
Hampshire 51, Jacobs 34
Hampshire (16-13, 11-6 Fox Valley): Veronica Dumoulin 14 points. Peyton McCarthy 14 points. Jiselle Lopez 10 points.
Hillcrest 44, Oak Forest 32
Homewood-Flossmoor 57, Lincoln-Way West 51
Indian Creek 53, Rosary 22
Indian Creek (14-11): Madison Boehne 13 points. Ally Keilman 12 points. Elsie Betz 12 points.
LaSalle-Peru 50, Kaneland 29
Kaneland (18-12, 6-4 Interstate Eight): Amani Meeks 10 points.
Latin 59, Morgan Park Academy 51
Lincoln-Way Central 56, Lincoln-Way East 44
Lincoln-Way Central (12-18, 7-9 SWSC): Christina Galka 13 points. Brooke Katzmann 11 points.
Lockport 57, Sandburg 45
Naperville Central 68, Waubonsie Valley 65
Naperville Central (24-6, 9-1 DuPage Valley): Erin Hackett 30 points, 4 assists; scored 2,00th career point. Trinity Jones 25 points, 13 rebounds. Annabelle Kritzer 11 points, 10 rebounds. Won conference title.
Waubonsie (28-2, 8-2): Danyella Mporokoso 43 points.
Oswego East 54, Oswego 25
Plainfield North 47, Yorkville 39
Yorkville (12-14, 6-8 Southwest Prairie West): Sydney McCabe 15 points.
Riverside-Brookfield 47, West Aurora 35
St. Charles East 57, Geneva 47
St. Charles East (18-11, 11-3 DuKane): Kathlyn Bainbridge 20 points.
Geneva (13-14, 8-6): Emma Peterson 15 points.
St. Edward 62, IC Catholic 38
St. Edward (22-7): Savannah Lynch 20 points.
T.F. South 73, T.F. North 65 (OT)
T.F. South (27-2, 12-0 SSC Blue): Gigi Dillon 25 points. Asia Haynes 15 points. G’yah Capers 12 points.
T.F. North (19-8, 10-2): Lauryn Jackson 20 points, 16 rebounds. Natalie McGhee 17 points, 13 rebounds.
Wheaton Warrenville South 30, Batavia 27
Compiled by Josh Krockey.
Naperville News Digest: Naper Settlement offering free Presidents Day admission; Naperville Public Library survey seeks resident feedback
Naper Settlement offering free Presidents Day admission
On Presidents Day, guests can get a free look at the new “We the People: Naperville and the American Story” exhibit as Naper Settlement celebrates 250 years of American history.
Admission is free for those who register to visit the settlement campus at 523 S. Webster St. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16.
The day will feature historical activities and crafts, living history demonstrations and exhibits that explore local and national history, Naper Settlement officials said.
Participants also can learn about techniques used to spy on British troops during the Revolutionary War and explore a Benjamin Franklin-inspired electroscope with a hands-on science activity.
The “We the People” exhibit includes artifacts, local stories and new hands-on interactive experiences, settlement officials said.
To register, go to www.napersettlement.org.
Naperville Public Library survey seeks public feedback
Naperville Public Library is asking for residents for feedback through a 10-question community survey that will help library officials learn what is being done well and how services can be improved.
The library wants to know how often patrons visit the library per month, how likely they would be to recommend the library, what services they use and what format they prefer when checking out a book, among other questions.
Patrons can rate their satisfaction with various library services and offer written opinions.
Residents who include their name and email address will be entered to win a $100 downtown Naperville gift card. Winners will be notified in mid-March.
Residents can access the survey on the main page of the library’s website at www.naperville-lib.org.
A quick-service restaurant with a drive-thru lane has been approved by the Naperville City Council for a BP To Go gas station at 1532 N. Aurora Road. (Marie Wilson/Naperville Sun)
Restaurant with drive-thru OK’d for BP To Go gas station
A quick-service restaurant with a drive-thru lane has been approved for a BP To Go gas station at 1532 N. Aurora Road.
Dan Soltis, CIMA Developers’ vice president of real estate, previously indicated to the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission that a Dunkin Donuts is the target tenant for a portion of the existing BP To Go convenience store.
The Naperville City Council approved the request but city staff will evaluate the need for stacking space after the restaurant user is identified. If staff find in their evaluation that the restaurant brings stacking concerns, it will return to the Planning and Zoning Commission for approval.
The city has previously run into stacking and traffic-related issues with drive-thru restaurants. Notably, the 7 Brew drive-thru coffee shop on Ogden Avenue has brought a number of complaints from nearby tenants due to the line of cars that spill out onto nearby streets.
West Suburban Irish member Eddie Curley will be the grand marshal of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 14 in downtown Naperville. (West Suburban Irish)
West Suburban Irish preparing for annual St. Patrick’s Day parade
Longtime West Suburban Irish member Eddie Curley will be the 2026 grand marshal of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, organizers announced.
The parade will step off rain or shine at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at the corner of Mill Street and Ogden Avenue. The parade route goes from Naperville North High School to Naperville Central High School, ending at Webster Street and Porter Avenue.
Curley embodies the spirit of friendship, fun and service, and he supports Irish music, culture and community gatherings, the West Suburban Irish organization said.
In addition to raising funds to support the group, he is involved with the Naperville Emergency Management Agency, Naperville Little League Baseball and the Naperville North Booster Club.
“His consistent dedication, quiet leadership, and commitment to giving back have made a lasting impact on both WSI and the Naperville community,” parade chair Rich Janor said in a news release.
West Suburban Irish will also honor the memory of Kevin Dolan, who founded the Naperville parade in 1993, with the presentation of the Kevin Dolan Founder’s Award. The award is given to the parade entry that best embodies the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, organizers said.
Parade entries and sponsors are still being accepted. For more information, go to www.wsirish.org.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/11/naperville-settlement-free-curley-parade-bp-drive-thru/
Orioles suman al veterano derecho Chris Bassitt a rotación mejorada, dice fuente a la AP
Por JAY COHEN
Los Orioles de Baltimore incorporaron a Chris Bassitt a su rotación mejorada el miércoles, al llegar a un acuerdo contractual de un año por 18,5 millones de dólares con el lanzador derecho, según una persona familiarizada con la negociación.
La persona habló con The Associated Press bajo condición de anonimato porque el acuerdo estaba pendiente de un examen físico. El contrato incluye un bono por firma de 3 millones de dólares, y Bassitt puede ganar 500.000 dólares en bonos por rendimiento si abre al menos 27 juegos.
ESPN fue el primer medio en informar sobre el contrato.
Bassitt, que cumple 37 años el 22 de febrero, tuvo una marca de 11-9 con una efectividad de 3,96 para Toronto, campeón de la Liga Americana, el año pasado. Ha realizado al menos 27 aperturas y lanzado al menos 157 entradas y un tercio en cada una de las últimas cinco campañas.
Se une a una rotación de Baltimore que incluye a Shane Baz, Trevor Rogers y Zach Eflin. Baz fue adquirido en un canje pactado en diciembre con Tampa Bay, y Eflin volvió a firmar con los Orioles un contrato de un año y 10 millones de dólares.
_____
Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Beijing Blasts Washington For Fabricating Excuses To Restart Nuclear Testing
Beijing Blasts Washington For Fabricating Excuses To Restart Nuclear Testing
Given the collapse of the New START nuclear treaty this month, the timing of Washington’s latest and provocative charge leveled at Beijing is curious and interesting…
The United States’ top nuclear arms has “accused China of carrying out an undisclosed nuclear detonation in 2020, arguing that recent secretive underground tests by China and Russia have given Washington reason to conduct ‘parallel steps’ as a decades-long moratorium on nuclear testing among major powers is unraveling,” The Washington Post has reported.
It was last Friday that US undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, Thomas DiNanno, declared in Geneva that “The US government is aware that China has conducted nuclear explosive tests, including preparing for tests with designated yields in the hundreds of tonnes.”
DiNanno then alleged that “yield-producing tests” were conducted on June 22, 2020 in a highly unusual accusation given the precision and specificity of it, even down to the day.
China belatedly responded several days later, on Wednesday formally rejecting the allegation of secretive nuke testing. Taking note of the end of New START between Moscow and Washington, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian called it “an excuse” to justify Washington’s own potential return to nuclear testing.
“The United States has persistently distorted and smeared China’s nuclear policy,” he said on Wednesday. According to more via state-run Xinhua:
Responding to a relevant query at a regular press briefing, spokesperson Lin Jian said persistent U.S. distortion and smearing of China’s nuclear policy essentially constitutes political manipulation, which is aimed at pursuing nuclear hegemony and evading its own nuclear disarmament responsibilities.
“China firmly opposes this,” Lin said, stressing that the United States is the biggest source of disruption to both the international nuclear order and global strategic stability.
Lin noted that by allowing the New START Treaty to expire without renewal, the United States has severely undermined mutual trust among major countries and shaken global strategic stability.
President Trump has long wanted a more comprehensive international nuclear treaty which takes into account China’s growing stockpile – though it remains that Russia and the US are far and away the biggest armed nuclear powers. No other country even comes to these Cold War era rivals and superpowers.
Meanwhile, the Taiwan issue still looms large for Beijing, which has been busy warning Washington over Trump-approved record-breaking arms packages.
US is weighing a major new arms sale to #Taiwan worth up to US$20 billion, a move #China has warned could jeopardize a planned meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in April https://t.co/Fe6m82xyys
— 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@WorldWarAgain) February 8, 2026
It has been many months since China launched any of its notorious ‘encircling drills’ to put a check on Taiwan. Should US arms keep pouring into Taipei, such large-scale sea and aerial drills could again become a reality, strongly signaling Washington to halt such ‘separatist’ activities.
Tyler Durden
Wed, 02/11/2026 – 23:00
Thomas y Porter impulsan a los Bucks a vencer 116-108 al Magic
ORLANDO, Florida, EE.UU. (AP) — Cam Thomas anotó 34 puntos en su segundo partido con Milwaukee, Kevin Porter Jr. sumó 18 unidades, 10 rebotes y 11 asistencias, y los Bucks vencieron 116-108 al Magic de Orlando la noche del miércoles.
Jericho Sims y Ousmane Dieng anotaron 17 tantos cada uno para Milwaukee. Sims agregó 11 rebotes, y lideró a los Bucks a una ventaja de 47-30 en los tableros.
Desmond Bane encabezó al Magic con 31 puntos. Paolo Banchero añadió 17 y Jalen Suggs tuvo 16 tantos, 10 asistencias y cuatro robos.
Thomas, quien firmó con los Bucks como agente libre el domingo, encestó 12 de 20 tiros y convirtió cuatro triples en 39 minutos. Se fue de 4 de 6 desde la línea de tres puntos.
Porter consiguió el quinto triple-doble de su carrera.
Bane encestó sus primeros cinco tiros —todos triples— y ya tenía 20 puntos a mitad del segundo cuarto.
Thomas respondió con 15 puntos en el tercer período, incluido un triple que puso a los Bucks arriba 88-80.
Bane anotó ocho puntos consecutivos del Magic, incluido un triple para empatar el marcador a 104 con 3:02 por jugar. Pero Kyle Kuzma anotó una bandeja para poner a Milwaukee al frente de manera definitiva, 108-106, y Myles Turner y Thomas añadieron triples en el último minuto.
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Down to Business: At Freedom Brothers, you can have Neapolitan, tavern-style or Detroit pizza
Business: Freedom Brothers Pizzeria & Ale House
Address: 1293 S. Naper Blvd., Naperville
Phone/website: 331-249-6613; www.freedombrotherspizza.com
Owners: David Svoboda, 58, of Naperville; and Corey Svoboda, 53, of Naperville
Years in business: 3 in Naperville, 9 in Plainfield
What does your business do? “We’re a full-service restaurant, full-service pizzeria. We specialize in three different styles of pizza: Neapolitan, tavern-style and Detroit. And we have lots of salads, sandwiches, pastas, appetizers,” David said.
What sets you apart? “Everything has a rock ‘n’ roll theme. The appetizers are the opening acts. The salads are the green room. Sandwiches are the roadies. Pizzas are the headliners. Pastas are the mosh pit,” Corey said.
Why the rock theme? “I guess when we thought we were going to do this, we didn’t want to open just any old restaurant and be like everybody else. We had to put our little touches to it. We had to enjoy what we were doing. We want to be happy at work so we surround ourselves with what we like,” David said.
Eighteen rock band and stars are represented on the Neapolitan pizza list at Freedom Brothers Pizzeria & Ale House in Naperville. The owners are big fans of rock music. (Steve Metsch/Naperville Sun)
What do you like besides rock music? “Craft beer, whiskey, pizza,” David said.
“We have over 300 whiskeys,” Corey said.
Do you offer special promotions? They offer Tuesday night trivia and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. “There’s also ‘singo,’ which is rock ‘n’ roll bingo, on Thursdays,” Corey said.
How does singo work? “They play each song for 30 seconds. If you have that song on your singo card, you blot it. You get five across, you yell ‘singo.’ It’s a progressive jackpot with cash. It starts at $225 and it grows $25 each week. The jackpot has been up to almost $800,” Corey said.
Why the Freedom Brothers name? “Svoboda, our last name, means freedom in Slovak. … My wife came up with it,” David said.
How did you get into this business? “I was working out in Phoenix at a pizzeria,” Corey said. “I followed a friend to another pizzeria. … Then I came back to Illinois. (David) was working his 9-to-5 sales job. I was begging him to open a business with me. He was fed up (with his job and) said, ‘OK, let’s try it. What do you want to do?’ I said, ‘Let’s do pizza,’” Corey said.
With more than 300 whiskeys to choose from, it will take a long time to exhaust all your options at Freedom Brothers Pizzeria & Ale House in Naperville. Brothers and co-owners Corey Svoboda, left, and David Svoboda also have another location in Plainfield. (Steve Metsch/Naperville Sun)
What is Neapolitan-style pizza? “Neapolitan is cooked under three minutes in an 800-degree brick oven. It has a softer, chewy crust. More foldable,” Corey said.
“People weren’t used to it. Some of the Ingredients were sliding off. We had to coach our customers. They didn’t like it at the start. It was tough for a while,” David said.
Tavern style? “That’s thin crust Chicago style (cut in squares). I grew up on that,” Corey said.
Detroit style? “There’s a famous chain called Buddy’s in Detroit. Awesome. I think we are right up there with Buddy’s,” David said.
“It looks heavy but it really isn’t. It’s an airy kind of crust. But the thing that gives it its signature is the caramelized cheese on the edge. Instead of putting the sauce on first, it goes on last,” David said.
What’s it like working with your brother? “We’re brothers. We’re going to have disagreements. But it doesn’t escalate like when we were kids,” David said.
“One time (when we were kids) he was wrapped up in the long telephone wire in the kitchen cooking something. I thought, ‘He’s trapped,’ so I went and spit on him,” Corey recalled with a laugh. “He didn’t catch me. I left the house.”
What’s your key to success? “It’s a lot of work. You have to commit yourself, put a lot of time into it. Be creative. Remember this is a fun job. Make it fun. Our staff is amazing. They help us grow,” David said.
How do you know someone can be a good hire? “You have a feeling about people when you talk with them,” Corey said. “We have a fun question. We ask, ‘If you can be any musician dead or alive, who would you be?’ We ask them (about) their last concert, things like that. It opens people up a little more.”
What about competition? “It doesn’t bother us. There’s enough business out there for everybody,” David said.
What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “You have to have a business plan. It’s so important. … You can’t think you know all that stuff, because you don’t. … Ask people for advice. Always ask questions,” David said.
“Take a couple night’s sleep on it and decide if you want your business to now run your life. You never stop thinking about it, especially now when things are so expensive,” Corey said.
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see profiled in Down to Business, contact him at metschmsfl@yahoo.com.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/11/naperville-freedom-brothers-pizzeria-tavern-neapolitan/
Kyle Busch earns Daytona 500 pole, chasing a win that has eluded him for 20 starts
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kyle Busch won the pole for NASCAR’s season-opening Daytona 500 to give the driver with the longest active losing streak in “The Great American Race” a shot at the victory that has escaped him his entire career.
Busch is 0 for 20 in the Daytona 500 and hasn’t started in the top five since 2016, when he still drove for Joe Gibbs Racing. He started fourth and finished third that year, then was a career-best second to then-teammate Denny Hamlin in 2019.
“Sounds really good right now — being able to qualify on my first pole for the Daytona 500, that’s pretty special,” said Busch, who wore custom-designed Olympic-themed racing shoes at Daytona International Speedway.
He earned the pole Wednesday night with a lap at 183.925 mph in a Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, the team that signed him before the 2023 season when his contract was up with Gibbs and his salary was too high for most teams.
But his time in the No. 8 has been rocky for the two-time NASCAR champion. He’s won three races since joining RCR — all in his first season — and takes a 93-race losing streak into the Daytona 500.
His pole runs continues a strong few weeks for Busch and his family: Older brother, Kurt, was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame last month.
“Feels really good for RCR as a group,” Busch said. “Just a valiant effort by everybody here. It would be really nice to be doing an interview like this about being No. 1 come Sunday night.”
RCR last put a car on the pole for the Daytona 500 in 2014 when Austin Dillon, grandson of owner Richard Childress Racing, qualified first. Dillon won the race in 2018.
Chase Briscoe, last year’s pole-sitter, qualified second in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Although 37 drivers were locked into the race ahead of time trials, the starting order is not determined until after a pair of Thursday night qualifying races. Of those locked in, 36 drive chartered cars that guarantee a spot in every race. An additional slot went to seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson under a provisional rule that allows for a 41st “world-class driver” trying to enter a Cup event.
Johnson is a two-time Daytona 500 winner and finished third last year. He left full-time NASCAR racing after the 2020 season.
There were two spots open for those not already locked in and they were claimed by Corey Heim for 23XI Racing and Justin Allgaier for JR Motorsports. They were the fastest cars in time trials.
Heim, last year’s Truck Series champion, will be making his Daytona 500 debut.
“Kind of nerve-wracking for sure,” said the 23-year-old from Georgia. “So impressed and thank you for 23XI Racing and Toyota, coming here with an open car and a fourth team at 23XI, to be able to do that is pretty impressive even from my eyes. I feel like that’s a very big accomplishment from those guys. Just blessed to be a part of the team.”
Allgaier is in for the fourth time in his career and the second consecutive year while driving for two-time race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr.
“It’s such a great sport to be part of it and it’s awesome to be able to come down here and try to make your way in,” Earnhardt said. “It is stressful, but that’s the best part about it.”
There are two remaining open spots in the field that will be decided Thursday night via a pair of 150-mile qualifying races. The highest finisher in each race among the drivers not qualified will earn a berth in the Daytona 500.
Those still trying to get in the race are: Anthony Alfredo, Corey LaJoie, BJ McLeod, Casey Mears, Chandler Smith and J.J. Yeley. Only two will race Sunday.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/11/daytona-500-pole-kyle-busch/
