Category: News
Los Seahawks de Seattle conquistan su segundo título del Super Bowl al vencer 29-13 a los Patriots de Nueva Inglaterra
SANTA CLARA, California, EE.UU. (AP) — Los Seahawks de Seattle conquistan su segundo título del Super Bowl al vencer 29-13 a los Patriots de Nueva Inglaterra.
Dan 20 años de cárcel al exmagnate de medios Jimmy Lai en Hong Kong
Por KANIS LEUNG
HONG KONG (AP) — Jimmy Lai, exmagnate de los medios de comunicación de Hong Kong, defensor de la democracia y duro crítico de Beijing, fue sentenciado a 20 años de prisión en uno de los casos más destacados procesados bajo una ley de seguridad nacional impuesta por China que prácticamente ha silenciado la disidencia en la ciudad.
La jueza Esther Toh dijo que 18 años de la sentencia de Lai deben cumplirse consecutivamente a su condena por fraude, por la cual recibió una sentencia de cinco años y nueve meses. Lai puede apelar su caso. Sus coacusados recibieron penas de prisión de entre 6 años y 3 meses y 10 años.
Tres jueces aprobados por el gobierno evitaron que Lai, de 78 años, recibiera la pena máxima de cadena perpetua por cargos de conspirar con otros para coludirse con fuerzas extranjeras con el fin de poner en peligro la seguridad nacional, y asociación delictuosa para publicar artículos sediciosos. Fue declarado culpable en diciembre. Dada su edad, la sentencia de cárcel podría mantenerlo tras las rejas el resto de su vida.
Antes de que Lai saliera de la sala del tribunal, se le veía serio, mientras algunas personas en la galería pública lloraban. El cardenal católico de Hong Kong, Joseph Zen, se sentó junto a la esposa de Lai cuando él llegó para la sentencia.
El arresto y juicio del defensor de la democracia han suscitado preocupaciones sobre el declive de la libertad de prensa en lo que alguna vez fue un bastión asiático de independencia mediática. El gobierno insiste en que el caso no tiene nada que ver con la libertad de expresión, y alega que los acusados usaron el periodismo como pretexto durante años para cometer actos que perjudicaron a China y a Hong Kong.
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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.
Receptor de los Seahawks, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, regresa al Super Bowl tras evaluación por conmoción
Por ANDREW DESTIN
SANTA CLARA, California, EE.UU. (AP) — El destacado receptor abierto de los Seahawks de Seattle, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, regresó en el último cuarto del Super Bowl 60 después de haber sido llevado al vestuario en el tercer cuarto para ser evaluado por una posible conmoción cerebral.
Smith-Njigba, el Jugador Ofensivo del Año de la NFL según la AP, pareció lesionarse cuando fue tacleado por el esquinero de New England, Marcus Jones, en una recepción de cuatro yardas a mitad del tercer cuarto.
La lesión ocurrió durante una noche tranquila para Smith-Njigba. El líder de la NFL en yardas por recepción durante la temporada regular tenía tres atrapadas para 24 yardas cuando dejó el campo.
Con Smith-Njigba controlado, Cooper Kupp lideró a los Seahawks con seis recepciones para 61 yardas. El ala cerrada de segundo año, AJ Barner, logró el único touchdown de Seattle, una anotación de 16 yardas al inicio del último cuarto.
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
After four years of volleyball, Marist’s Mary Clare Brusek plays basketball for Western Michigan. ‘Why not?’
The stats for Western Michigan’s Mary Clare Brusek against Loyola were underwhelming. She played two minutes, split a pair of free throws and picked up a rebound on Dec. 7 in a 58-45 win.
Big deal?
It sure was. It was the first time Brusek had played competitive basketball since her senior season at Marist in 2022.
“My family was there and it was awesome,” Brusek said. “I got fouled with in the first minute of the game, so I went to the free throw line right away.
“I went 1-for-2, so I got my first point in my first game. That was pretty awesome.”
The next game, Brusek scored 14 points against Valparaiso.
Western Michigan’s Mary Clare Brusek, a Marist graduate, gets ready to put up a shot against Dayton during a nonconference game on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (Ashley Blanchard / WMU Athletics)
After enjoying a successful four-year volleyball career at Western Michigan, she heard there was a need for a few more players on the women’s basketball team, so she decided to give it a whirl.
She had only two days of practice before making her debut against Loyola.
“When I was called into the game, obviously, my heart dropped to my stomach,” Brusek said. “I said, ‘I hope my body remembers how to run up and down the court.’”
And the performance against Valparaiso?
Marist’s Mary Clare Brusek (20) drives to the basket against Lincoln-Way Central during a nonconference game in Chicago on Wednesday, Dec.1, 2021. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
“I just went out on the court and my body knew what to do before my brain did,” she said. “It was just like a second instinct.”
Through her first 15 games, Brusek is averaging 2.4 points and 2.3 rebounds. She’s having fun extending her career as a college athlete.
“My mindset was, ‘Why not?’” she said. “The team was hurting for players and I knew that I had the capability to do it. The opportunity was there and I said that I might as well take it.”
At Marist, she was strong in both sports.
Marist’s Mary Clare Brusek (5) hits a shot over Assumption of Kentucky’s Sydney Helmers (4) and Ainsley Clark during a semifinal match at the ASICS Challenge in Chicago on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)
Girls volleyball coach Jordan Vidovic and Mary Pat Connolly, who was the girls basketball coach at that time, put their heads together to let her maximize her experience for the RedHawks.
“She was very committed,” Vidovic said of Brusek. “We really worked together and got on the same page on what her best way to go through the year and go through the two seasons.
“We wanted her to be fully committed to both and still manage outside sports whether it be a travel team or her out-of-school training. She really wanted to keep her options open at the next level.”
Both coaches tried to get Brusek to rest a little but that wasn’t always heeded.
“We would be coming back from a state tournament and celebrating and she would go to a basketball practice that same day,” Vidovic said of Brusek. “We’re like, ‘MC, you’re not going to go to practice today, are you?’ And she said, ‘Oh, yeah, I am.’
“That’s how she was. She’s an athlete. She didn’t want to take major breaks.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Alyssa Latham (23) battles Marist’s Mary Clare Brusek (20) for position during the Class 4A Stagg Sectional championship game in Palos Hills on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
Vidovic admired how Brusek could go into basketball after missing four years and not miss a beat.
“What a cool way to close out her college career after she had so much success in volleyball at Western Michigan,” Vidovic said. “When I heard she was doing this, it wasn’t any surprise at all.
“But it’s crazy to think that you can just jump on a Division I basketball team after not playing so long. I was pumped to hear that she gets another taste of a season and another taste of sports and competition, which she loves so much.”
Brusek confirmed the conditioning aspect was something she struggled with at first, but she’s in a good place now.
“The first day was a little bit rough for me,” she said. “It was like a whirlwind. I was learning so many things in one day. By the end of my first week, I was getting more comfortable and my skills were coming back a lot.
“It was like riding a bike.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/08/mary-clare-brusek-marist-western-michigan/
Loeffler: SBA Suspends Over 100,000 California Borrowers In Pandemic-Loan Fraud Sweep
Loeffler: SBA Suspends Over 100,000 California Borrowers In Pandemic-Loan Fraud Sweep
The U.S. Small Business Administration said Friday it has suspended more than 100,000 California borrowers amid suspected fraud tied to pandemic-era relief programs, a move the agency said represents one of the largest enforcement actions since Covid-19 aid was rolled out.
111,620 California borrowers were linked to suspected fraudulent activity involving Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds. Those borrowers received 118,489 loans totaling more than $8.6 billion, according to the agency.
SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said the action reflects a broader crackdown on abuse of emergency lending programs created during the pandemic. “Once again, the Trump SBA is taking decisive action to deliver accountability in a state whose unaccountable welfare policies have created a culture of fraud and abuse at the expense of law-abiding taxpayers and small business owners,” Loeffler said in a statement.
‘WE’RE PROSECUTING’: SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler says the agency suspended more than 111,000 California borrowers after uncovering $8.6 billion in suspected fraudulent activity linked to the COVID pandemic:
“We’re gonna continue to work with our federal partners to ensure… pic.twitter.com/qBg3eHZrJL
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 7, 2026
The programs were designed to help businesses stay afloat during pandemic shutdowns – however both have been plagued by fraud since their rapid deployment, prompting years of investigations by federal watchdogs and law-enforcement agencies.
The California action follows a similar enforcement effort announced last month in Minnesota, where the SBA said it suspended 6,900 borrowers after identifying what it described as widespread suspected fraud. In that review, the agency flagged nearly $400 million in potentially fraudulent PPP and EIDL loans tied to about 7,900 approvals during the pandemic, according to Loeffler.
“As we did in Minnesota, we are actively working with federal law enforcement to identify the criminals who defrauded American taxpayers, hold them to account and recoup the stolen funds,” Loeffler said. “As we continue our state-by-state work, our message is clear: Pandemic-era fraudsters will not get a pass under this administration.”
The SBA has previously said at least $2.5 million in PPP and EIDL funds were linked to a Somali-connected fraud scheme based in Minneapolis, underscoring how organized networks exploited gaps in oversight as billions of dollars were rushed out the door during the public-health emergency.
Loeffler said the scale of the California suspensions highlights what she characterized as years of insufficient enforcement. The announcement criticized what she described as tolerance of fraud under the Biden administration, while framing the current actions as part of a renewed push under the Trump administration to recover misspent funds and pursue criminal accountability.
The SBA said its review of pandemic lending is ongoing, with additional state-by-state actions expected as investigations continue.
Tyler Durden
Sun, 02/08/2026 – 21:35
Bad Bunny lleva la historia y cultura de Puerto Rico a un revolucionario show de Super Bowl
Por MARIA SHERMAN
El sol estaba bajo cuando Bad Bunny emergió en los campos de caña de azúcar de Puerto Rico durante su espectáculo de medio tiempo, rodeado de jíbaros con pavas (campesinos con sombreros de paja tradicionales), viejitos jugando dominó y un puesto de piragua (raspado de hielo), símbolos innegables de Puerto Rico.
Desde una pequeña isla caribeña con una historia colonial complicada, hacia el mundo: El artista, cuyo nombre de pila es Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, llevó la cultura puertorriqueña al Levi’s Stadium en Santa Clara, California, para su espectáculo de medio tiempo del Super Bowl 2026 en lo que desde un principio prometía ser un momento histórico para los latinos.
Comenzó con sus grandes éxitos de reggaetón, “Tití me preguntó” pasando a “Yo perreo sola”, mientras reaparecía en la cima de la casita de su residencia puertorriqueña, Cardi B fue invitada a su pari de marquesina, una fiesta en casa.
Luego atravesó el techo de la casita, sonó por un momento “Gasolina” de Daddy Yankee, claramente una celebración de los artistas puertorriqueños que allanaron el camino para que su trap se hiciera global.
“Mi nombre es Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio,” se presentó ante la multitud en español. “Y si hoy estoy aquí en el Super Bowl 60 es porque nunca, nunca dejé de creer en mí y tú también deberías de creer en ti, vales más de lo que piensas”.
Las cuerdas de su canción “Monaco” sonaron y luego, una sorpresa: Lady Gaga emergió en una boda, cantando su parte de “Die with a Smile,” su colaboración con Bruno Mars, acompañada por una banda de salsa. Su vestido tenía un detalle de maga, la flor nacional de Puerto Rico.
Esto le dio a Benito tiempo para un cambio de vestuario, lució un traje blanco como un salsero clásico, para “Baile Inolvidable” y “NuevaYol,” con un escenario de fiesta de barrio donde brindó con Toñita, dueña de uno de los últimos clubes sociales puertorriqueños en la ciudad de Nueva York, el Caribbean Social Club de Brooklyn.
Ricky Martin, uno de los más grandes artistas de Puerto Rico, interpretó “Lo que le pasó a Hawaii,” un grito de guerra por la autonomía cultural de Puerto Rico en una era de neocolonialismo. Se sentó en una silla de plástico frente a un platanar; una escena tomada de la portada del álbum de Bad Bunny de 2025 “Debí tirar más fotos”.
Detrás de Martin, jíbaros con pavas treparon postes de luz que explotaron, simbólicos de los frecuentes apagones y la fallida red eléctrica de Puerto Rico. Esto dio paso a una emotiva interpretación de “El apagón” de 2022, en referencia al huracán María, sus secuelas y la continua ira y frustración por los persistentes y crónicos cortes de energía.
Bad Bunny sostuvo una bandera de Puerto Rico en rojo, blanco y azul celeste, reflejo del movimiento independentista puertorriqueño.
Durante unos 13 minutos, en el espectáculo de medio tiempo patrocinado por Apple Music y Roc Nation, todas las miradas en el campo, y alrededor del mundo, estaban en Benito.
Bad Bunny actuó completamente en español, ya que toda su música está grabada en ese idioma, aunque ha colaborado con artistas de habla inglesa. El único canto en inglés vino de Gaga. Eso cambió al final del set, cuando dijo, “God Bless America” (Dios bendiga a América) y luego nombró países del Caribe, Centro y Sudamérica. “Y mi patria, Puerto Rico, seguimos aquí”.
Detrás de él, una pantalla decía “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” (Lo único más poderoso que el odio es el amor) en texto en inglés, una referencia directa a uno de sus recientes discursos en los Grammy 2026.
Terminó con “DtMF” mientras salía del estadio, acompañado por músicos con güiros y panderetas.
Durante años, Bad Bunny ha sido uno de los artistas más escuchados en el planeta. Y el domingo, dejó claro que su popularidad global se traduce sin problemas al escenario más grande de Estados Unidos. Aunque no es un extraño para él. Fue un artista invitado durante el espectáculo de medio tiempo en el Super Bowl LIV en 2020 junto a Jennifer Lopez y Shakira. En esa ocasión cantó en español junto a dos artistas cuyos éxitos bilingües ayudaron a inaugurar una era en la que la música latina llegó a las listas de popularidad en Estados Unidos y más allá en los años 2000.
Considera la actuación de medio tiempo de Bad Bunny en 2026 como la cereza en el pastel de un gran momento para el superastro global de 31 años, que hace solo diez años trabajaba en un supermercado Econo en Puerto Rico.
La semana pasada, se llevó a casa el premio al álbum del año en los Grammy 2026 por su “Debí tirar más fotos,” un álbum que une la tradición folclórica en géneros locales boricuas como la bomba, plena, salsa y música jíbara con estilos contemporáneos como el reggaetón, trap y pop. Marcó la primera vez que un álbum completamente en español ganó el premio principal.
Como la mayoría de los artistas principales del medio tiempo del Super Bowl, Bad Bunny mantuvo los detalles de su actuación en secreto de antemano, aunque muchos teorizaron que habría algún tipo de actuación política. Ha sido crítico del presidente Donald Trump en el pasado y en los Grammy el domingo pasado, dijo “ICE fuera” mientras aceptaba un premio en la gala televisada. La última gira de Bad Bunny omitió el territorio continental de Estados Unidos; en una entrevista dijo que al menos en parte tomó la decisión por temor a que sus fanáticos pudieran ser objeto de agentes de inmigración.
En una conferencia de prensa el jueves, Bad Bunny dijo a Zane Lowe y Ebro Darden de Apple Music que los espectadores podían esperar una gran fiesta — y bromeó que no necesitaban aprender español para disfrutar de su set, pero deberían aprender a bailar.
“Quiero llevar al escenario, por supuesto, mucha de mi cultura,” dijo en ese momento. “No quiero dar ningún spoiler. Va a ser divertido.”
Por supuesto, cumplió con eso, con un mensaje de esperanza y un recordatorio de la resiliencia de Puerto Rico.
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Para más sobre el Super Bowl, visita https://apnews.com/hub/super-bowl
Los Bucks de Milwaukee fichan al exescolta de Nets de Brooklyn Cam Thomas
Associated Press
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Cam Thomas ha firmado con Milwaukee después de ser liberado por los Nets de Brooklyn, anunció el equipo el domingo.
El escolta de 24 años había pasado toda su carrera con los Nets, quienes lo seleccionaron de LSU con la 27ª selección general en el draft de 2021.
Thomas promedió 15.6 puntos, 3.1 asistencias, 1.8 rebotes y 24.3 minutos en 24 juegos con Brooklyn esta temporada. Había estado fuera de juego durante unas siete semanas debido a una distensión en el tendón de la corva izquierda, pero regresó el 27 de diciembre.
Los problemas en el tendón de la corva también limitaron a Thomas a 25 juegos la temporada pasada, aunque anotó 24 puntos por partido cuando estuvo disponible. Thomas, quien mide 1.91 metros, promedió 22.5 puntos y jugó 66 partidos en 2023-24.
Thomas está lanzando un 39.9% en general, el más bajo de su carrera esta temporada, y ha acertado el 32.5% de sus intentos de triples. Ha lanzado un 43.5% en general y un 34.3% desde la línea de tres puntos en 239 juegos de su carrera, incluyendo 88 como titular.
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Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
What’s The Likelihood Of A Global Nuclear Arms Race?
What’s The Likelihood Of A Global Nuclear Arms Race?
Russia and China are expected to reciprocally respond to the US’ potential development of new nukes and/or new nuke tests after it just let the New START lapse, which could be exploited by European and East Asian countries to develop their own nukes, thus emboldening some Muslim ones to follow suit.
RT reported on German politician Sahra Wagenknecht’s condemnation of a prominent AfD politician for claiming that Germany “needs nuclear weapons”, which followed ruling CDU lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter calling for their country to participate in a European nuclear umbrella. The context concerns France’s proposal last year of extending its own such umbrella over the EU amid newfound fears among some European elites that a US invasion of Greenland could lead to it removing the EU from its umbrella.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz just confirmed that Berlin is exploring this. NBC News cited six European officials a week prior to report that options “include improving France’s nuclear weaponry, redeploying French nuclear-capable bombers outside of France, and beefing up French and other European conventional forces on NATO’s eastern flank. Another option under discussion is to equip European countries that do not have nuclear weapons programs with the technical abilities to acquire them.”
RT’s report reminded readers that “Germany is prohibited from developing nuclear weapons under international law, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Two Plus Four Treaty”. Nevertheless, international law is only upheld if there are credible enforcement mechanisms or the political will to unilaterally enforce international law if the aforesaid no longer exist, which is arguably the case at present due to the UNSC’s dysfunctional deadlock over the past decade.
So long as Germany is under someone’s nuclear umbrella and they have the political will to uphold their commitment, whether that’s the US, France, and/or the UK, then it’s unlikely that Russia would risk World War III by attacking Germany if it begins developing nukes. The same goes for any other European country like Poland or the Nordics, the first of which already strongly implied its future intent to develop nukes while a Norwegian lieutenant colonel introduced the second in an article at War On The Rocks.
The “publicly plausible” pretext for either extending France’s and/or the UK’s nuclear umbrella over the EU, including to reinforce the US’ if it isn’t removed, and/or the abovementioned countries developing nukes could be Russia’s reciprocal response to the US’ potential development of new nukes and/or new nuke tests. Trump 2.0’s decision to let the New START with Russia lapse instead of agree to Putin’s proposal for extending it another year releases the US from its legal obligations not to do any of that.
It’s therefore possible that a nuclear arms race could erupt between not only the US on one side and Russia (and China) on the other, but also between the EU and Russia, possibly with the US being the one that transfers nuclear technology to its EU allies. In that scenario, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye might no longer restrain themselves either, the first two driven by perceived threats from China and/or North Korea and the last two by those from Israel (possibly with technical support from Pakistan).
The world is on the brink of a global nuclear arms race. John Mearsheimer argues that “nuclear weapons are a superb deterrent” since “no state is likely to attack the homeland or vital interests of a nuclear-armed state for fear that such a move might trigger a horrific nuclear response”, but this assumes that states are rational, which some EU ones arguably aren’t. Instead of stabilizing the world and preserving peace, a global nuclear arms race might destabilize it and spike the risk of an accidental nuclear war.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ZeroHedge.
Tyler Durden
Sun, 02/08/2026 – 21:00
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/whats-likelihood-global-nuclear-arms-race
Being Marist’s point guard comes naturally to TJ Tate. And it fits him to a T. ‘Does all the little things.’
Senior point guard TJ Tate loves the responsibility of having control of the ball for Marist.
If size is the natural predictor of position and where someone plays, the 5-foot-10 Tate discovered incredibly early on that command had an outsized impact on the rhythm and flow of the game.
“My grandma actually took me to the gym in Chicago Heights when I was 3 or 4,” Tate said, looking back with fondness. “Ever since then, I fell in love with basketball.
“Being the point guard is a huge role. You’ve got to step up and accept what comes with it. I’ve got to do what the coach tells me to do and lead the team.”
Tate handled that leadership role well Saturday afternoon, tallying six points, five assists and three steals for the RedHawks in a 57-41 nonconference victory over West Aurora in Chicago.
Senior forward Charles Barnes scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds for Marist (24-4). Senior forward Stephen Brown added 11 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots.
Marist’s TJ Tate (2) goes up for a layup as West Aurora’s Richard Bell Jr. (15) defends during a nonconference game in Chicago on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Tate not only ran the offense with fluidity and precision but played excellent defense on junior guard Travis Brown. Tate limited West Aurora’s best player to just 12 points.
Junior forward Kendall Meyers confirmed Tate’s impact on the RedHawks.
“He just does all the little things, getting steals and guarding the best player on the other team,” Myers said. “He’s a one-man press breaker. I’d say he’s the most unselfish player on our team.
“In club, he puts the ball in the hole. With us, he slows the ball down and gets everybody involved.”
Marist’s TJ Tate (2) drives to the basket as West Aurora’s Antonio Higgins (4) defends during a nonconference game in Chicago on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Marist coach Brian Hynes elevated Tate to the varsity at the end of his freshman year and played him in a state postseason game against Bloom.
He saw something special in the young talent.
“He’s been our starting point guard for three years now,” Hynes said. “The whole team loves him. He’s our glue — a very fun kid who makes us go. He’s so steady. He’s so quick. And he’s just as fast with or without the ball.
“I think he’s a super underrated defender. He’s under a lot of pressure and never gets emotional.”
Marist’s TJ Tate (2) dribbles to the basket against West Aurora during a nonconference game in Chicago on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Marist has the requisite number of scorers and shooters. Tate is the connective tissue who binds all those parts together. One of his favorite hobbies is drawing.
He has a way of visualizing the game and connecting lines, patterns and shapes.
“My role, my identity, has always been the same,” Tate said. “I’m a pass-first point guard. I’ll get mine if I need to, but I want to be the spark. Play defense, penetrate and look for my shooters.
“Coach Hynes is always telling me what he wants and I just make sure I do it.”
Growing up in Lansing, Tate also played football and baseball and even tried hockey for a spell. Basketball was always the sport that suited his personality best.
His father, Torrence Sr., played a crucial part in that development.
Marist’s TJ Tate (2) pulls up for a shot from close range against West Aurora during a nonconference game in Chicago on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
“When I was younger, my father put me on a lot of older teams and that really played a huge role,” Tate said. “I was playing with older guys, so I’m used to being smaller on the court and having to adjust. That taught me a lot about learning how to control the game.
“I like seeing my teammates happy, sharing the ball, and being part of it.”
Court leadership is connected to sensibility and personality. Tate is naturally quiet but confident and knows what’s expected of him.
“It’s like I’m two different people,” he said. “On the court, I’m more focused and locked in. Off the court, I’m a funny guy.
“These four years went by quickly. Now, it’s onto the next chapter, with the playoffs almost starting. I’m definitely ready to lead this team.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/08/tj-tate-marist-west-aurora-basketball/
Russian airstrike on Ukrainian city kills 1 as US pushes June deadline for peace deal
KYIV, Ukraine — A Russian airstrike on a residential area in eastern Ukraine killed one person and wounded two, officials said Sunday, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the U.S. has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach a peace deal.
The attack on the city of Kramatorsk in Ukraine’s Donetsk region caused a fire in a nine-story apartment block, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.
Russia also struck energy infrastructure in Ukraine’s Poltava region overnight into Sunday, Serhii Koretskyi, chief executive of Ukraine’s state-owned gas company Naftogaz said.
Russia has hammered Ukraine’s power grid, especially in winter, throughout the nearly 4-year-old war. It aims to weaken the Ukrainian will to resist in a strategy that Kyiv officials call “weaponizing winter.”
Zelenskyy told reporters Friday the U.S. has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach a deal to end the war. If the June deadline is not met, the Trump administration will likely put pressure on both sides, he added.
“The Americans are proposing the parties end the war by the beginning of this summer and will probably put pressure on the parties precisely according to this schedule,” Zelenskyy said. “And they say that they want to do everything by June. And they will do everything to end the war. And they want a clear schedule of all events.”
He said the U.S. proposed holding the next round of trilateral talks next week in their country for the first time, likely in Miami. “We confirmed our participation,” he added.
The latest deadline follows U.S.-brokered trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi that produced no breakthrough as the sides cling to mutually exclusive demands. Russia is pressing Ukraine to withdraw from the Donbas, where fighting remains intense — a condition Kyiv says it will never accept.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/08/russian-airstrike-ukrainian-city-peace-deal/
