Category: News
Daily Horoscope for February 01, 2026
General Daily Insight for February 01, 2026
Small choices reveal big needs for balance. Initially, the emotional Moon opposes transformative Pluto, so we may swing between personal wants and collective expectations until we slow down. By the Full Moon in Leo at 5:09 pm EST, we can name what our hearts want and show it clearly and respectfully. We may need to set up some rules for continuing conversations, but creativity is still the focal point. Trying something new and being wrong is better than not having tried it at all!
Aries
March 21 – April 19
Inspiration is everywhere at the moment! The Full Moon lights up your 5th House of Creativity, so your bold streak thrives when you make fun plans or show your work with heart. If you have a performance, keep it simple and joyful, since people should respond best when you invite them to laugh rather than chase unattainable perfection. If someone you care about wants attention, you can offer some time without overpromising. Anxiety can’t last long when you’re having this much fun!
Taurus
April 20 – May 20
Comfort calls you back to what matters. Your 4th House of Home Support glows under the Full Moon, guiding you to settle any ruffled feathers by tending your space and honoring the rhythms that keep you grounded. If you’re struggling to focus on anything, consider an easy domestic chore. That steady effort can quickly restore calm. If money or chores feel touchy with someone at home, don’t try to fix everything at once. Start small, nurture your base, and let kindness blossom from there.
Gemini
May 21 – June 20
Certain conversations might demand more volume from you than usual. A debate may escalate under tonight’s Leo Full Moon, which could be equal parts engaging and stressful. As a conversation heats up, you can cool it back off by asking reasonable questions or suggesting alternate options. An uncontroversial joke could also do a lot to de-escalate potential conflict before it starts. Try not to let someone get under your skin — they probably mean well. When in doubt, ask! Arguments are opportunities for real progress.
Cancer
June 21 – July 22
Your financial situation potentially could use an additional check-in today. Your 2nd House of Checks steadies under the Full Moon, so you feel stronger when you align spending with security and cherish what supports your well-being. Check your cart before buying to match the purchase to your priorities, because small acts of care build safety. If a family member pushes for an expense, explain what you can cover and suggest a compromise that should keep the household balanced. Value yourself, because self-worth shapes every choice.
Leo
July 23 – August 22
Your current confidence rises as you honor your heart. The Full Moon in your sign empowers your sense of identity and self-expression, so it is time to show who you are without apology. When you want to get to know someone, share a story that feels like you, then give them space to share their own tales. Not everyone will vibe with your style, but those who do are worth knowing! Lead with heart to begin gaining authentic support from your peers.
Virgo
August 23 – September 22
When feelings clash, structure steadies your steps. The Moon-Pluto opposition could cause some issues, likely centering around your ongoing duties versus the need to rest. Protect your focus by setting quiet hours, because fully-fueled craftsmanship beats more scattered efforts when pressure rises. If a boss, client, or pal pushes for more, let the Full Moon bolster your capacity to say no to unreasonable demands. Name what you can deliver by tomorrow and offer a realistic update rather than pushing past your limits.
Libra
September 23 – October 22
Leadership doesn’t always look like strict command structures and demands for immediate obedience. Right now, in fact, you could lead a community endeavor with grace and kindness. Your 11th House of Humanity is leveled up by tonight’s Full Moon, giving you a chance to focus a group effort on something that matters. If your instructions are misinterpreted, do your best to be patient. When others can tell that you’re prioritizing fair distributions of labor, they’ll be more inclined to work alongside you.
Scorpio
October 23 – November 21
Intensity softens when truth gets air. The fickle Moon lights your 10th House of Prestige, opposing assertive Pluto in your 4th House of Traditions, pointing out any imbalances between your ambitions and your respect for the past. If a deadline collides with family plans, state your true capacity — it’s okay to prioritize one today and the other tomorrow. A transparent talk prevents resentment, and your honesty can encourage others to share what really matters. Share the truth early to ease pressure.
Sagittarius
November 22 – December 21
The open road is calling your name, Sag! This is a great chance to indulge your sense of adventure — even if budget constraints mean you have to stick close to home. You could explore a local museum or book a class at your nearest library or community college. The Full Moon is blessing all journeys, literal or mental. If someone questions your direction, share the reason it excites you and consider inviting them to join for part of it without pressure.
Capricorn
December 22 – January 19
The universe has wisdom to share, but it might hurt to hear. Tonight’s Full Moon electrifies your 8th House of Caution, stirring strong reactions, especially around shared expenses or financial concerns that involve other people. If a split bill feels unfair, stick to the numbers and be clear on what you’re prepared to spend. Outside of money issues, it would be wise to update any older passwords to keep your information secure. Be fair to yourself and your loved ones to continue building trust.
Aquarius
January 20 – February 18
Compromises must cut both ways by their very nature. They’re no one’s perfect solution, but they’re everyone’s functional answer. Right now, the Leo Full Moon is underlining the principles of your 7th House of Alliances. Your connections benefit when you name your needs, then listen for the needs that mirror them. Directly talking to your loved ones is the best way to take vague hopes and craft them into something you both can rely upon. Share needs plainly so collaboration can flourish.
Pisces
February 19 – March 20
When pressures pull inward, compassion restores balance. The temperamental Moon activates your 6th House of Work, opposing unearthing Pluto in your 12th House of Solitude and highlighting the need to protect your energy. Let the following Full Moon empower you to turn down overbearing requests and take breaks when you need them. Setting up some gentle routines, like stretching between tasks or listening to focus music, would be wise. Such habits protect your energy, which ensures you can keep working hard.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/daily-horoscope-for-february-01-2026/
Muertes de Pretti y Good en Minneapolis reavivan dolor de familias negras por violencia policial
Por AARON MORRISON
Las muertes a tiros de los manifestantes blancos Alex Pretti y Renee Good a manos de agentes federales en Minneapolis siguieron un patrón dolorosamente familiar para los afroestadounidenses: las autoridades desprestigiaron inmediatamente a las víctimas, solo para que las pruebas que surgieron posteriormente acabaran contradiciéndolas.
Familias negras que han perdido a sus seres queridos por la violencia policial dijeron que los asesinatos en Minnesota les han traído de vuelta dolorosos recuerdos de sus propias luchas por la justicia, mientras las agencias de aplicación de la ley creaban narrativas para sugerir que los agentes no tenían otra opción más que matar a sus familiares.
Y estas agencias no suelen hacer ningún esfuerzo por corregir públicamente declaraciones erróneas o falsedades que podrían influir en un proceso judicial justo, dijeron expertos.
Timothy Welbeck, director del Centro de Antirracismo de la Universidad de Temple, dijo que “lamentablemente” fue necesario que Pretti y Good murieran para volver a poner el foco en este problema.
“Los negros han criticado a las fuerzas del orden desde que tenemos policía en Estados Unidos”, dijo Welbeck, profesor adjunto del Departamento de Africología y Estudios Afroestadounidenses de Temple.
También señaló que fue “dolorosamente irónico” que Pretti y Good murieran en “el mismo lugar” donde otros casos de alto perfil llevaron el tema a primer plano: George Floyd, asesinado en 2020 por un policía de Minneapolis, y Philando Castile, abatido a tiros en 2016 mientras intentaba mostrar a un policía de los suburbios de Minneapolis su licencia para portar un arma oculta.
Clarence Castile, tío de Philando Castile, dijo que fue inquietante escuchar a las autoridades federales sacar conclusiones precipitadas en los tiroteos de Pretti y Good.
“Inmediatamente respaldaron a sus agentes y dijeron que los disparos eran justificables, que sus vidas estaban en peligro, que temían por sus vidas”, dijo Castile. “Escuché lo mismo, (los agentes) dijeron lo mismo cuando ese policía le disparó a mi sobrino”.
“Sabemos, desde el principio, que no se han tomado el tiempo para investigar”, afirmó. “Solo dicen algo porque piensan que tienen que responder. A veces la mejor respuesta es no responder”.
“Proteger la integridad de la investigación”
Leonard Sipes, quien trabajó durante 35 años en asuntos públicos y comunicaciones para agencias de aplicación de la ley federales y estatales y también es un exagente, dijo que la práctica estándar para los tiroteos o cualquier otro caso importante de última hora es simplemente declarar que “está bajo investigación”. Afirmó que, normalmente, esperaba 24 horas antes de divulgar información al público.
“Lograr que la historia sea correcta es vital para la reputación de la agencia”, afirmó. “También estás obligado a proteger la integridad de la investigación. Un juicio apresurado puede violar eso”.
Las muertes de Pretti, enfermero de cuidados intensivos del hospital de Asuntos de Veteranos, y de Good, quien se describía a sí misma como poeta, madre y esposa, rápidamente se convirtieron en gritos de protesta para los habitantes de Minnesota que se manifestaban contra el mayor aumento en la presencia de fuerzas federales del orden en una ciudad estadounidense.
Tras la muerte de Pretti y Good, funcionarios del gobierno, desde la secretaria de Seguridad Nacional Kristi Noem hasta el presidente Donald Trump, afirmaron que ambos eran radicales de extrema izquierda que actuaban con la intención maliciosa de dañar a los agentes federales.
“Las repugnantes mentiras contadas sobre nuestro hijo por el gobierno son reprobables y repugnantes”, dijo la familia de Pretti esta semana en un comunicado, señalando que los videos mostraban a Pretti sosteniendo su teléfono, no un arma, cuando fue derribado por agentes federales antes de que le dispararan varias veces. “Por favor, difundan la verdad sobre nuestro hijo”.
Good fue recordada por su familia como “la hermosa luz de nuestra familia y traía alegría a cualquiera que la conociera”.
“Era nuestra protectora, nuestro hombro para llorar y nuestra deslumbrante fuente de alegría ”.
Aunque los funcionarios del Departamento de Justicia se han negado a iniciar una investigación de derechos civiles sobre la muerte de Good, el viernes anunciaron una indagación de esa naturaleza sobre el asesinato de Pretti.
Aun así, los funcionarios no han retirado las afirmaciones de que Pretti y Good eran extremistas declarados que pretendían dañar a los agentes federales cuando fueron abatidos.
Frustración por casos pasados y presentes
Algunos activistas negros y defensores de la reforma policial expresaron su frustración porque las personas indignadas por la forma en que se han manejado los casos de Pretti y Good a menudo ignoraron las mismas dinámicas cuando las víctimas eran negras.
“En última instancia, esto demuestra la naturaleza insidiosa del racismo y cómo se ha incrustado en los sistemas y estructuras de la sociedad”, dijo Welbeck. “Cuando los negros intentamos señalar no solo las falacias lógicas de esto, sino simplemente su insensibilidad, a menudo fuimos vilipendiados o se nos dijo que estábamos exagerando y que necesitábamos esperar a que la justicia siguiera su curso”.
Melina Abdullah, cofundadora de Black Lives Matter (BLM) Grassroots, dijo que es un error común pensar que los organizadores de justicia racial negra no entrarán en acción cuando las personas blancas mueren a manos de la policía.
“Quiero dejar muy claro que lamento y me enfurezco por el asesinato de Alex Pretti y Renée Good”, dijo Abdullah, organizadora de un centro nacional para capítulos de BLM. “Lo que ellos sufrieron es lo que los negros sufren todos los días, y no es correcto para ellos, pero tampoco es correcto para nosotros”.
Justin Hansford, quien participó en las protestas de Black Lives Matter tras la muerte a tiros de Michael Brown por la policía en 2014 en Ferguson, Missouri, dijo que los tiroteos en Minneapolis deberían ser un recordatorio para todos los estadounidenses de que la injusticia que afecta desproporcionadamente a los negros también puede afectarlos a ellos.
“Es la idea de que los negros siempre fueron aquellos cuya experiencia señalaba al resto del país lo que estaba por venir”, dijo Hansford, profesor en la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Howard y director ejecutivo del Centro de Derechos Civiles Thurgood Marshall.
“Fue porque esta es la experiencia negra a la que miraste de manera estrecha y no la abordaste. Y luego la experiencia se imita a nivel nacional”.
Hermana de víctima de tiroteo en Tulsa conoce el dolor de las familias de Minneapolis
Tiffany Crutcher, la hermana gemela de Terence Crutcher, un hombre negro asesinado en 2016 por un policía de Tulsa, Oklahoma, dijo que no podía ver los videos que mostraban los asesinatos de Pretti y Good. El simple hecho de escuchar a las autoridades hablar sobre sus muertes volvió a ser traumatizante, afirmó.
“Ya he estado allí antes”, dijo, recordando cómo los funcionarios de la ley hicieron juicios apresurados sobre su hermano.
La familia de Crutcher sostuvo que Terence necesitaba ayuda después de que su vehículo se detuviera en la carretera. El agente que lo mató dijo que temía que estuviera alcanzando un arma en su coche. Terence Crutcher estaba desarmado.
En las imágenes de video de la escena, un operador dice que Terence “parece un mal tipo” que “podría estar bajo los efectos de algo”. Finalmente, el agente que le disparó fue absuelto en el juicio por homicidio involuntario.
“En nuestro trauma y conmoción, tuvimos que controlar la narrativa sobre quién era Terrence”, dijo Tiffany. “Mientras estamos de duelo y llorando, al mismo tiempo, tenemos que movilizarnos y hacerle saber al mundo que nuestro ser querido no merecía morir”.
Dijo que los tiroteos de Pretti y Good ayudan a que las personas despierten ante el problema de la justicia desigual para las personas asesinadas por la policía.
“Naturalmente, hay una afinidad más amplia hacia las fuerzas del orden y las personas que les creen”, dijo Tiffany. “Sin embargo, creo que eso está cambiando”.
“Nuestra voz es todo lo que tenemos. Y tomamos la decisión consciente de que íbamos a utilizar nuestra voz y adelantarnos a las narrativas dañinas”.
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El periodista de la AP Matt Brown contribuyó desde Washington, D.C.
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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.
New SNAP Work Requirement Rules To Start Feb. 1 In Multiple States
New SNAP Work Requirement Rules To Start Feb. 1 In Multiple States
Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epcoh Times,
The new work requirements to gain or continue eligibility for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will start being implemented in several U.S. states beginning Feb. 1.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in July, instituted new work requirements for SNAP beneficiaries to continue receiving benefits, targeting able-bodied adults without dependents.
People ages 18 to 54 are required to meet these conditions to receive SNAP benefits for more than three months in a three-year period, according to the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) must meet any of the following conditions—work at least 80 hours a month, participate in a work program for this duration, take part in a combination of work and work program hours for 80 hours a month at a minimum, or remain in a workfare for the required number of hours assigned each month, FNS said.
Millions of ABAWDs use SNAP benefits despite being able to work, compromising the true goal of the program, which is to provide financial support for vulnerable people who need help.
Some people are exempt from the work requirements, such as individuals who are unable to work due to mental or physical limitations, veterans, homeless people, and pregnant women, the agency said.
Individuals who meet the criteria but fail to fulfill work requirements will lose SNAP benefits after three months.
“To get SNAP again, you must meet the ABAWD work requirement for a 30-day period or become excused. Otherwise, you need to wait until the end of your three-year period, when you’ll get another three months under the time limit,” according to the agency.
The implementation dates of the SNAP work requirements vary from state to state.
In some states, people could lose benefits as soon as Feb. 1, if they can’t show they’re working. But many people have a month or more before their benefits are at risk.
Texas started its requirement in October, so people there could have exhausted their three months of benefits by Jan. 1 and already been removed from the rolls.
Several states started the three-month clock in November, opening the possibility of people losing benefits in the coming days. Among them are Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, and Hawaii.
The requirements take effect Sunday in other states, including Illinois and Ohio. In those places, people could lose benefits in May. Ohio says people will have to show proof of work starting in March.
Some states have exemptions because of relatively high unemployment rates, either statewide or in certain regions, that let them delay implementation, but most of those have ended or will soon. California’s waiver is scheduled to be in place until January 2027. For most of New York, the work requirement is to start in March.
Roughly 42 million Americans make use of the SNAP program and receive $177 per month on average, according to the Department of Agriculture.
Debate Over New Policy
The new work requirements for ABAWDs have faced criticism.
In an Oct. 21 statement, the advocacy group National Skills Coalition argued that the measure undermines workers.
Such requirements punish people for “systemic barriers outside their control,” it said. Losing out on SNAP benefits can make it harder for people to focus on their training or show up to work.
“Moreover, enforcing work requirements places a heavy administrative burden on states and workers. Human services agencies must notify recipients of the new requirements, verify work hours, track compliance, and process exemptions. In each of these activities there is room for error that can have devastating consequences for workers,” the National Skills Coalition said.
The group called on states to expand access to skill-building programs that connect SNAP beneficiaries with training and other supportive services, calling it a “better path forward” than enforcing punitive work rules.
In a May 15 statement published at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health and Human Services secretary; Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the CMS; Brooke Rollins, secretary of Agriculture; and Scott Turner, secretary of Housing and Urban Development, said the need for work requirements is justified.
Over the past decade, millions of able-bodied adults have been added to the SNAP program. Some of them do not work at all or work inconsistently throughout the year, the officials wrote.
The higher share of welfare spending taken by able-bodied individuals of working age disrupts the true goal of programs like SNAP—to help people in need.
“For able-bodied adults, welfare should be a short-term hand-up, not a lifetime handout. But too many able-bodied adults on welfare are not working at all,” they wrote.
“Establishing universal work requirements for able-bodied adults across the welfare programs we manage will prioritize the vulnerable, empower able-bodied individuals, help rebuild thriving communities and protect the taxpayers.”
Tyler Durden
Sat, 01/31/2026 – 18:40
A chatbot entirely powered by humans, not artificial intelligence? This Chilean community shows why.
About 50 residents of a community outside Chile’s capital spent Saturday trying their best to power an entirely human-operated chatbot that could answer questions and make silly pictures on command, in a message to highlight the environmental toll of artificial intelligence data centers in the region.
Organizers say the 12-hour project fielded more than 25,000 requests from around the world.
Asking the Quili.AI website to generate an image of a “sloth playing in the snow” didn’t instantly produce an output, as ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini would. Instead, someone responded in Spanish to wait a few moments and reminded the user that a human was responding.
Then came a drawing about 10 minutes later: a penciled sketch of a cute and cartoonish sloth in a pile of snowballs, with its claws clutching one and about to throw it.
“The goal is to highlight the hidden water footprint behind AI prompting and encourage more responsible use,” said a statement from organizer Lorena Antiman of the environmental group Corporación NGEN.
The answers came from a rotating crew of volunteers working on laptops in a community center in Quilicura, a municipality at the urban edge of Santiago that has become a data center hub. Asked by an Associated Press reporter for the identity of who made the sloth drawing, the website responded that it was a local youth who’s helping with illustrations.
The website responded quickly to questions that drew on residents’ cultural knowledge, like how to make Chilean sopaipillas, a fried pastry. When they didn’t know the answer, they walked around the room to see if someone else did.
“Quili.AI isn’t about always having an instant answer. It’s about recognizing that not every question needs one,” Antiman said. “When residents don’t know something, they can say so, share perspective, or respond with curiosity rather than certainty.”
She said it’s not designed to reject the “incredibly valuable” uses of AI but to think more about the impacts of so much “casual prompting” on water-stressed places like Quilicura.
The backdrop behind the campaign is a debate, in Chile and elsewhere, about the heavy costs of AI usage. Data center computer chips running AI systems require huge amounts of electricity and some also use large volumes of water for cooling, with usage varying depending on location and type of equipment.
Cloud computing giants Amazon, Google and Microsoft are among a number of companies that have built or planned data centers in the Santiago region.
Google has argued that the Quilicura data center it switched on in 2015 is the “most energy efficient in Latin America” and has highlighted its investment in wetlands restoration and irrigation projects in the surrounding Maipo River basin. But it faced a court challenge over another project near Santiago over water usage concerns.
Chile has faced a decade of severe drought, which experts say contributed to the spread of recent deadly wildfires.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/human-powered-chatbot-artificial-intelligence-chile/
DePaul lets 18-point 2nd-half lead slip away and falls to Xavier 68-66 on buzzer-beater
CINCINNATI — Tre Carroll led Xavier with 21 points and Filip Borovicanin hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer as the Musketeers defeated DePaul 68-66 on Saturday.
Blue Demons guard CJ Gunn tied the game with a 3-pointer — his fifth of the game — with six seconds to play before Borovicanin’s turnaround jumper as time expired won it. Borovicanin had 16 points and six rebounds, and Malik Messina-Moore finished with 13 points for the Musketeers (12-10, 4-7 Big East).
Gunn finished with 19 points, NJ Benson added 14 points and eight rebounds, Layden Blocker scored 11 and RJ Smith had a career-high eight assists for DePaul (12-10, 4-7), which has lost three of four.
Leading by five at intermission, the Blue Demons opened the second half with a 22-9 run, capped by a Benson dunk with 13:35 left to extend the advantage to 57-39. Xavier answered with a 27-6 stretch to take a 66-63 lead on Borovicanin’s 20-foot jumper with 16 seconds left.
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Tribune news services contributed.
How coach Chris Holtmann is attacking the challenge of ‘overcoming the perception’ at DePaul
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/depaul-xavier-big-east/
Huge Verdict Could Destroy ‘Gender Transition For Minors’ Industry
Huge Verdict Could Destroy ‘Gender Transition For Minors’ Industry
A jury on Friday found a psychologist and a surgeon liable for malpractice after they convinced a 16-year-old girl to lop off her breasts. This marks the first medical malpractice case involving a detransitioner to reach a verdict – and it has huge implications.
Fox Varian, who identified as transgender at the time, was awarded $2 million in damages – which includes $1.6 million for past and future pain and suffering, and $400,000 for future medical expenses. Now 22, Varian identifies as a woman.
The January 30 decision at Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains, New York, found both Dr. Kenneth Einhorn, a psychologist, and Dr. Simon Chin, a surgeon, liable for failing to meet standards of care before performing irreversible surgery on Fox Varian, as they had skipped over important steps while evaluating whether she should move forward with the surgery, and failed to adequately communicate with each other in a “departure from the standard of care.”
BREAKING: 1st Detransitioner to Take a Medical-Malpractice Lawsuit to Trial Wins $2 Million Judgement
Fox Varian sued her Westchester, NY, area psychologist and plastic surgeon for the gender-transition mastectomy she got at 16.
I was the only reporter to attend the entire… pic.twitter.com/4e89PSgGDg
— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) January 31, 2026
In closing arguments, Varian’s attorney Adam Deutsch asked the jury for $8 million in damages, citing Varian’s reaction to seeing her post-surgical chest scars.
“I immediately had a thought that this was wrong, and it couldn’t be true,” she said, adding that the surgery left her with ‘searing hot’ nerve pain that were ‘ripping sensations across my chest.’
“Shame. I felt shame,” she added. “It’s hard to face that you are disfigured for life.”
The case centered on a referral letter Einhorn sent Chin in October 2019, roughly two months before the procedure. Deutsch argued the letter contained inaccuracies and omissions that left the surgeon without a complete picture of Varian’s psychological state.
Even more tragic is the way that Varian felt pressured into her decision and the doctors never figured it out.
Elon Musk referred to the doctors as “modern day Mengeles.”
There will be thousands of court cases of children who were mutilated by evil doctors, modern day Mengeles.
The schools, psychologists/psychiatrists and state officials who facilitated this will pay dearly too. https://t.co/1FrB6M50Tj
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 31, 2026
The Free Press reported last year, “gender doctors acknowledge they perform life-altering procedures on vulnerable youth with no supportive evidence—and they are proud of it.” One clinician even admitted, “We’re all just winging it, you know? And which is okay, you’re winging it too. But maybe we can just, like, wing it together.”
The defense also claimed that Varian expressed no regret about the surgery until she filed her lawsuit in 2023. But Varian explained her earlier positive statements reflected cognitive dissonance as she tried to maintain a brave face despite inner turmoil.
Varian’s mother, Claire Deacon, testified she opposed the surgery but consented because she feared her daughter would commit suicide without it. This is a common occurrence with young people suffering from gender dysphoria. In 2024, the New York Times reported how parents of confused children are often emotionally blackmailed into consenting to these procedures when doctors tell them ‘Do you want a dead son or a live daughter?’
Parents are routinely warned that to pursue any path outside of agreeing with a child’s self-declared gender identity is to put a gender dysphoric youth at risk for suicide, which feels to many people like emotional blackmail. Proponents of the gender-affirming model have cited studies showing an association between that standard of care and a lower risk of suicide. But those studies were found to have methodological flaws or have been deemed not entirely conclusive.
As the Epoch Times continues, Varian wept and hugged her mother and attorney following the verdict, which concluded a three-week civil trial at the state Supreme Court in Westchester County.
“A jury of everyday Americans sent a clear message: justice will be served for vulnerable individuals who were misled into gender-transition procedures without appropriate safeguards,” said Josh Payne of the firm Campbell Miller Payne, who was not involved in the case but was in court observing Friday’s proceedings. His firm was founded three years ago to represent plaintiffs in cases similar to Varian’s.
The decision came after the young woman regretted the 2019 surgery and sued psychologist Dr. Kenneth Einhorn, surgeon Dr. Simon Chin, and their respective employers.
The six-member jury was not asked whether gender-related surgical procedures are appropriate for minors. The question was whether the therapist and doctor took the appropriate steps before the surgery was performed.
Varian’s attorney argued the healthcare professionals did not correctly diagnose and treat her for gender dysphoria—distress and anguish caused by a mismatch between one’s physical sex and their internal perception of their gender.
Chin and Einhorn’s attorneys argued that Varian did not express regret for the surgery until years later, when she filed the suit in 2023. They noted that she told Einhorn, Chin, and her mother that she was “happy” with the results, and continued to live as either male or non-binary for years after the procedure.
Neil Kornfeld, who represented Einhorn, read from an essay Varian wrote 10 months after the surgery to back up their claim.
“It’s such an immense relief to wake up and not feel at odds with my body,” she said at that time. On the witness stand, Varian said such comments came from “cognitive dissonance” as she tried to put on a brave face about her inner turmoil.
In October 2019, Einhorn wrote a referral letter to Chin supporting Varian’s decision to have the chest surgery; she had first brought up the idea to him in March that same year. Varian’s attorneys said that since the letter contained some omissions and inaccuracies, Chin didn’t have a clear picture of his patient’s psychological history.
Trial evidence showed that Einhorn didn’t have the full picture either.
Before the surgery, Varian had told staff at the Albany Pride Center that she felt she “felt pressure to decide” on a male identity or a female identity “by family, friends, and culture.” She also said she continued to question her gender identity, but was afraid she might “lose credibility” if she brought it up with her mother.
Einhorn said he might not have written the letter had he known; Chin also testified that had he known Varian was unsure of her gender identity, he would not have performed the surgery.
Deutsch said Einhorn should have reached out to Albany Pride Center for records of her time there; he also said Chin and Einhorn should have communicated with each other, at least once, by phone call.
He began the trial by suggesting that Einhorn “drove the train” and had been “putting ideas in Fox’s head” during attempts to change her gender.
But defense attorneys argued that Varian, not Einhorn, had spurred decisions like using “he/him” pronouns, cutting her hair short, and changing her name from Isabelle to Gabriel, then Rowan, then Fox. They said the decision to wear a chest binder, and later the breast removal, were also her idea.
Deutsch, in his closing statements, said that was the problem, describing Einhorn’s attitude as “Whatever the kid wants, the kid gets.”
Tyler Durden
Sat, 01/31/2026 – 18:05
Trump negocia con los demócratas para evitar un cierre del gobierno
Por JOEY CAPPELLETTI y STEPHEN GROVES
WASHINGTON (AP) — El presidente Donald Trump actuó rápidamente esta semana para negociar con los demócratas y tratar de evitar un prolongado cierre del gobierno por la financiación del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS, por sus siglas en inglés), un cambio drástico respecto al enfrentamiento récord del año pasado, cuando se negó a ceder durante semanas.
Algunos republicanos se sienten frustrados con el acuerdo, lo que aumenta la posibilidad de una prolongada lucha por el cierre cuando la Cámara regrese el lunes para votar sobre el paquete de financiación. Pero la influencia de Trump sobre el Partido Republicano sigue siendo considerable, y ha dejado clara su postura en un momento de creciente tensión política.
“Lo único que puede frenar a nuestro país es otro largo y dañino cierre del gobierno”, escribió en las redes sociales el jueves por la noche.
La urgencia marcó un claro cambio respecto a la postura de Trump durante el cierre de 43 días ocurrido a finales del año pasado, cuando se opuso públicamente a los líderes demócratas y su equipo se burló de ellos en las redes sociales. Esta vez, con la creciente ira por los tiroteos en Minneapolis y después de que el anuncio de mitad de período del Partido Republicano sobre recortes de impuestos quedara ahogado por la controversia, el mandatario actuó rápidamente para llegar a un acuerdo con el líder demócrata del Senado, Chuck Schumer.
“Trump y los republicanos saben que este es un tema en el que están del lado equivocado del pueblo estadounidense y eso realmente importa”, dijo Schumer a los periodistas el viernes, después de la aprobación en el Senado del acuerdo de financiación del gobierno.
La crisis causada por los tiroteos en Minneapolis
Los senadores regresaron al trabajo esta semana lidiando con las consecuencias de la muerte a tiros del enfermero de cuidados intensivos, Alex Pretti, en Minneapolis, a manos de agentes federales de inmigración, así como la muerte de Renee Good en la ciudad semanas antes.
Los republicanos se hallaban lejos de estar unificados en su respuesta. Algunos pidieron el despido de altos funcionarios de la administración, como la secretaria de Seguridad Nacional Kristi Noem, y Stephen Miller, subjefe de despacho de la Casa Blanca para políticas. La mayoría de los senadores republicanos intentaron encontrar un equilibrio, pidiendo una investigación exhaustiva sobre el asesinato de Pretti mientras respaldaban el enfoque de línea dura contra la inmigración, que es un elemento central de la presidencia de Trump.
Pero muchos coincidieron en que los tiroteos amenazaban el apoyo del público a la agenda de inmigración de Trump.
“Nunca he visto a un partido político que tome su mejor tema y lo convierta en su peor tema en el período de tiempo en que ha ocurrido en las últimas semanas”, dijo el senador republicano John Kennedy. “Algunas cosas tienen que cambiar”.
Los demócratas se unieron rápidamente en torno a sus demandas clave.
El senador demócrata Chris Coons dijo que “había unanimidad” en torno a principios fundamentales de hacer cumplir un código de conducta para los funcionarios y agentes de inmigración, poner fin a las “patrullas itinerantes” para realizar acciones de aplicación de las leyes migratorias y coordinarse con las fuerzas del orden locales en los arrestos de inmigración.
Resultó útil que el propio Trump buscara formas de desescalar en Minneapolis.
“El mundo ha visto los videos de esos horribles abusos por parte del DHS y operaciones descontroladas atrapando a personas inocentes, y hay una repulsión al respecto”, dijo el senador demócrata Tim Kaine.
“La Casa Blanca está pidiendo una escalera para bajar de la cornisa”, agregó.
Evitar la dolorosa política de un cierre
Los republicanos también tratan de promover sus logros en el cargo mientras se preparan para las elecciones de noviembre y la difícil tarea de retener el control de ambas cámaras del Congreso.
Pero la perspectiva de un cierre prolongado desvió la atención de su ley de recortes de impuestos y gastos de 4,5 billones de dólares, la pieza central de su agenda. Los republicanos esperaban que el comienzo de la temporada de impuestos de este año, que tendrá lugar el lunes, proporcionara un impulso político a medida que los votantes comenzaran a ver mayores reembolsos de impuestos.
Los republicanos también son conscientes del daño político del cierre del año pasado, cuando los estadounidenses les asignaron una porción ligeramente mayor de la culpa que a los demócratas, según una encuesta de The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
“El cierre fue un gran factor negativo para los republicanos”, dijo Trump en noviembre a los senadores de su partido en la Casa Blanca.
En el ámbito práctico, este enfrentamiento por la financiación amenazaba con destruir meses de trabajo bipartidista, incluidas largas horas durante el receso festivo, para elaborar los 12 proyectos de ley de gastos que financian al gobierno y muchas prioridades en casa.
“Vimos lo que sucedió en el último cierre del gobierno en cuanto a cómo perjudicó a los estadounidenses reales y trabajadores”, dijo la senadora republicana Katie Britt, miembro del Comité de Asignaciones del Senado. “No quiero que eso vuelva a suceder”.
Comienza una batalla de financiación de dos semanas
Si es aprobado por la Cámara, el acuerdo alcanzado esta semana, evitaría un cierre prolongado y financiaría casi todos los departamentos federales hasta el final del año fiscal en septiembre. Pero no resolvería uno de los problemas más difíciles para el Congreso y la Casa Blanca: la financiación del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional.
En lugar de un acuerdo de todo un año, la financiación para el departamento se extendió solo por dos semanas, dando a los legisladores poco tiempo para cerrar las profundas divisiones sobre la aplicación de la ley de inmigración.
Los demócratas presionan para lograr cambios que, en su opinión, son necesarios para prevenir futuros abusos, como la exigencia de que los agentes de inmigración usen cámaras corporales, lleven una identificación clara, pongan fin a las patrullas itinerantes en las ciudades y se coordinen más estrechamente con las fuerzas del orden locales al hacer arrestos. Muchos demócratas también quieren reglas más estrictas sobre órdenes judiciales y mecanismos de responsabilidad para los agentes en el campo.
Esas exigencias han encontrado una fuerte resistencia de los republicanos. Algunos se oponen a negociar con los demócratas en absoluto.
“Los republicanos controlan la Casa Blanca, el Senado y la Cámara. ¿Por qué estamos cediendo un centímetro a los demócratas?” escribió en las redes sociales el senador republicano Tommy Tuberville.
Los senadores republicanos dijeron que llevarían la lucha a los demócratas al presentar sus propios proyectos de ley, incluidas restricciones a las “ciudades santuario”, para mostrar su apoyo a las políticas de Trump. Ese término generalmente se aplica a los gobiernos estatales y locales que limitan la cooperación con las autoridades federales de inmigración.
“Hemos dejado que el tema se nos escape. No estamos liderando. Tratamos de evitar perder en lugar de ganar”, dijo el senador republicano Lindsey Graham, quien detuvo los proyectos de ley de gastos hasta que el líder de la mayoría del Senado, el demócrata John Thune, acordó darle una votación sobre su proyecto de ley de ciudades santuario en una fecha posterior.
Thune reconoció la dificultad de las próximas dos semanas, diciendo que hay “algunas opiniones y sentimientos bastante significativos”.
“Mantendremos la esperanza”, dijo Thune a los periodistas sobre la próxima lucha del DHS. “Pero hay algunas diferencias de opinión bastante significativas”.
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Los periodistas de The Associated Press Lisa Mascaro y Kevin Freking contribuyeron a este despacho.
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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.
Police: Woman, 70, among 3 hurt in Austin shooting
A 70-year-old woman was among three people who were shot Saturday afternoon on an Austin neighborhood street, according to Chicago police.
The woman was standing in the 5300 block of West Madison Street with two men, aged 33 and 64, just before 2:30 p.m., when gunshots suddenly rang out and each was struck, police said.
The woman was struck in the foot and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said. The other two victims each suffered wounds to the leg and were taken to area hospitals, also in good condition, police said.
Police had no information on the shooter as an investigation by Harrison Area detectives was underway. No arrests had been made.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/woman-70-among-3-hurt-in-austin-shooting/
Illinois advances in bid to move up 2028 Democratic presidential primary date, but hurdles remain
Illinois and 11 other states vying to become an early primary nominating state for the 2028 Democratic presidential campaign — a move that could boost a potential White House bid by Gov. JB Pritzker — advanced to the next round of the selection process Saturday at a meeting of the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws panel.
In essence, the Rules and Bylaws Committee chose to advance all 12 states that applied to be one of up to five states in the early, pre-Super Tuesday window of the primary process. The states will now make in-person presentations to panel members this spring to make the case for their selection.
Formally, the panel is judging the states on three criteria: rigorousness in testing the viability of the candidates, efficiency in being able to have a state legislature and governor agree to enact a new primary date and fairness in how effectively candidates can present their message.
Illinois, with Democrats controlling the governor’s office and the General Assembly, would meet the efficiency standard and Pritzker, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Senate President Don Harmon all supported the state’s application for an early primary date.
But Illinois, with a costly Chicago media market that covers the region where most of the state’s voters reside, might struggle with the fairness standard aimed at allowing smaller, lesser-funded candidates a chance to present their case.
In making their application to the DNC on Jan. 16, state leaders stressed the rigorousness aspect, focusing on Illinois’ diversity.
“Illinois is a cross-section of urban, suburban and rural America, a national beacon for labor rights, equality and reproductive justice, and the heart of the Democratic Party in the Midwest,” said state Rep. Lisa Hernández, who chairs the Illinois Democratic Party.
“From Cairo to Champaign, up from the Quad Cities to Chicago and everywhere in between, Illinois offers candidates ample opportunities to reach voters of all backgrounds,” she said in announcing the application. “We are a microcosm of America and the perfect analog to test a potential nominee’s capabilities on the national stage.”
Illinois, with Chicago hosting the Democratic National Convention, unsuccessfully sought early primary window status for 2024 after then-President Joe Biden altered the traditional kickoff Democrats shared with Republicans, which had been Iowa and New Hampshire, following Iowa Democrats’ botched 2020 caucus operation.
Biden opted to make South Carolina the Democrats’ first-in-the-nation primary state, advancing Nevada and Michigan in the schedule while dropping Iowa and demoting New Hampshire.
But with an open-seat presidential contest, the battle for early primary dates is also open. Iowa and New Hampshire are seeking a return, South Carolina, Michigan and Nevada are back, with Illinois, Delaware, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia also vying for an early spot on the primary calendar.
“Undoubtedly, Illinois voters will take seriously the task to help select a nominee who will work to push far-right extremists out of power,” Hernández said of the Illinois application. “Whoever emerges from the primary will do so by building a coalition across race, class, gender and geography with the momentum needed to win back the White House.”
While Pritzker has not formally said he is considering a 2028 presidential bid, the governor, who is currently seeking a third term, has sought to increase his national stature by vehemently opposing President Donald Trump.
When home-state candidate Barack Obama ran for the presidency in 2008, Illinois moved up its traditional March primary date to February to assist his successful bid for the Democratic nomination.
In addition to seeking an early primary date, Illinois Democrats also have offered Chicago to play host for the Democratic National Convention in 2028 and 2032 in a separate site-selection contest. But Mayor Brandon Johnson and Pritzker have raised questions about the Trump administration’s willingness to provide adequate federal law enforcement support for a 2028 Democratic convention in Chicago.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/illinois-2028-democratic-presidential-primary/
Mainstream Expectations: Hope Vs. Potential Risk
Mainstream Expectations: Hope Vs. Potential Risk
Authored by Lance Roberts via RealInvestmentAdvice.com,
Mainstream expectations, those from Wall Street, economists, and corporate strategists, have congealed around a bullish economic outlook for 2026. Most forecasts project stronger economic growth, with contained inflation, and continued investment in technology and capital expenditure. As such, many institutional investors interpret this as a year of opportunity for markets and corporate earnings.That was a point we discussed at this year’s Investment Summit with the following slide.
But it isn’t just earnings that are expected to rise, but due to productivity increases (AI = Less Employment) corporate profit margins are expected swell to historic records.
However, whenever I see Wall Street becoming universally bullish, the contrarian investor in me is always reminded of Bob Farrell’s Rule #9:
“When all experts agree, something else will happen.”
As I noted in that linked article:
“Excesses are built by everyone on the same side of the trade. Ultimately, when the shift in sentiment occurs – the reversion is exacerbated by the stampede going in the opposite direction.”
Yet the broader risk landscape is significant as consensus optimism obscures important vulnerabilities. When investors anchor on expected outcomes and overlook low‑probability but high‑impact risks, those risks become amplified. History shows that markets rarely transition smoothly from one year to the next without shocks to inflation, monetary policy, geopolitics, or credit conditions. For example, on January 1st, no one expected President Trump to slap additional tariffs on Europe over the potential purchase of Greenland.
But it happened.
So with that, let’s review mainstream expectations for 2026, and detail the “low probability, high impact risks,” that could derail the complacent expectations of investors.
US Economic Growth: Resilience or Fragile Expansion?
Mainstream Expectation: Most economists expect the US economy to grow above trend in 2026. Goldman Sachs forecasts U.S. GDP expanding about 2.6% year‑over‑year in 2026 compared to consensus estimates of roughly 2.0%. Their team sees above‑consensus growth and a strong rebound from 2025.
Other analysts and institutions, including PwC and RSM US, forecast similar growth in the 2.1% – 2.5% range, driven by consumer spending, corporate investment, and broader economic resilience.
Risk to That View: Growth forecasts assume stability in consumer demand, labor markets, and capital spending. But several risks could undermine this:
Labor market fragility: Employment growth has slowed sharply in late 2025, and with a declining working‑age population due to lower immigration, net job creation may stay weak. Early data shows average monthly employment growth collapsing to levels historically consistent with labor market stress.
Tariff and trade uncertainty: The recent threat of higher tariffs on Europe, and continued trade tensions that emerged in 2025, introduce volatility in production and pricing in supply chains. Increased tariffs across major trading partners historically correlate with lower output.
Global headwinds: The World Bank warns that while global growth remains resilient, fading dynamism and policy uncertainty could reduce demand for U.S. exports.
Our view is that the most critical risk on 2026 is further weakness in the labor market or trade disruptions worsen which could cause growth to fall short of expectations.
Inflation and Monetary Policy: Tame or Sticky?
Mainstream Expectation: Consensus forecasts generally expect inflation to moderate through 2026, with core measures heading toward the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Goldman Sachs projects core inflation close to 2.1% by the end of 2026.
Some money managers expect the Fed to cut rates one or two times in 2026, assuming inflation continues its downward trend and consumer spending remains resilient.
Risk to That View: Given that inflation is a function of economic supply and demand, a “run it hot economy” could keep inflation “sticky” or slightly higher.
Sticky core inflation: Some forecasts warn that core inflation may stay above target due to tariff pass‑through, wage pressures, or service inflation. Vanguard’s model suggests core inflation could remain above 2.5% if tariffs and labor tightness persist.
Monetary policy divergence: J.P. Morgan’s economist predicts the Fed may actually hold rates steady or even raise them in 2027, due to sticky inflation and labor market strength despite market expectations for cuts.
Fed independence risks: Intensified concerns over central bank autonomy could cause further disruptions and uncertainty over future monetary policy direction.
If inflation proves more persistent than expected or if policy credibility erodes, interest rates may stay elevated weighing on valuations and economic activity.
AI and Corporate Investment: Growth Catalyst or Market Excess?
Mainstream Expectation: Most forecasts see continued strong investment in artificial intelligence and related infrastructure as a driver of both corporate capex and productivity. Most analysts highlight AI’s role in lifting corporate spending and supporting economic expansion.
U.S. corporate bond issuance is also projected to surge, much of it to fund AI data centers, advanced computing infrastructure, and next‑generation platforms.
Risk to That View: The growth from AI investment is uneven and concentrated:
Concentration of benefits: A relatively small group of mega‑cap firms capture most of the AI investment gains, which can create sector concentration risk in markets and overstate the breadth of economic benefit.
Corporate debt buildup: Higher bond issuance tied to capex, especially for large tech projects, increases leverage risk, especially if growth slows or credit markets retrench.
Market pricing risk: A strong investment narrative can inflate asset prices beyond fundamentals, meaning corrections may be abrupt if earnings disappoint.
AI spending is real, but it is not a universal engine for all sectors. Most critically, the overreliance on it for aggregate growth forecasts underestimates broader economic weak spots.
Consumer Spending: Supported or Overstated?
Mainstream Expectation: Analysts expect consumer resilience to remain a backbone of 2026 growth. Strong household balance sheets, robust savings for certain income groups, and wage gains support consumption forecasts. These assumptions pervade GDP models showing above‑trend expansion.
Risk to That View: Consumer dynamics can shift suddenly:
Wealth inequality in consumption: Wealth effects are most pronounced among higher‑income households. Median consumers without significant asset holdings may reduce spending if jobs or real income weaken.
Debt and credit stress: Higher interest rates increase borrowing costs for households which could depress discretionary spending.
Consumer spending may remain resilient on average, but broad‑based weakness could emerge quietly before appearing in headline data.
The Dollar and Foreign Exchange: Weakening or Volatile?
Mainstream Expectation: Many strategists anticipate a modest depreciation of the U.S. dollar in 2026. As such, a weaker dollar would boosts export competitiveness and corporate earnings abroad.
Risk to That View: Currency markets are driven by relative risk and capital flows, not just growth differentials:
Growth risk: Stronger economic growth will attract foreign inflows into dollar-denominated assets for higher yields and relative safety.
Safe‑haven demand: In times of geopolitical tension or financial stress, the dollar strengthens due to its liquidity and safety. Such would potentially hurt U.S. export competitiveness.
A dollar that strengthens through risk aversion or economic growth would undercut the export growth assumptions embedded in current forecasts.
Tax Policy and Fiscal Stimulus: The Reflation Narrative
Mainstream Expectation: New tax measures, including expanded investment credits and incentives, are expected to boost consumer incomes and corporate spending in 2026. Forecasts incorporate these fiscal tailwinds into growth and profitability models.
Risk to That View: Tax benefits often provide short‑lived effects:
Timing and bias: Households may smooth additional tax savings into future consumption rather than immediately spend them. Corporations might repatriate savings or use them for share repurchases rather than investing.
Dependence Risk: The outlook for increased capex, spending, and earnings are all dependent on economic growth strengthening into 2026. However, as discussed, there are many risks to that view.
Tax incentives are supportive, but they should be viewed as marginal boosts rather than transformational drivers of long‑term growth.
Portfolio Tactics for Investors in 2026
The purpose of this article is not to suggests that Wall Street analysts, and market participants, are wrong. The purpose is to suggest there are risks to investor portfolios when “everyone is bullish on everything all at once.”
Therefore, given the range of possible outcomes, investors should employ adaptive, risk‑aware strategies. Rather than assuming a base‑case forecast will materialize, use portfolio tactics to help navigate uncertainty:
Diversification Beyond Tech and Growth: Hold a mix of sectors including value, energy, and financials to reduce concentration risk. Consider allocations to fixed income to offset volatility risks.
Inflation and Rate Risk Hedging: Maintain allocations to short‑duration bonds to reduce sensitivity to potential rate volatility.
Dollar and Currency Exposure Management: Hedge currency risk for international holdings. A stronger dollar could undermine international growth outlooks.
Energy and Commodity Positions: Commodities are subject to economic growth. If growth slows, commodities become a higher risk asset.
Quality and Balance Sheet Strength: Tilt toward companies with strong balance sheets and stable free cash flow to weather cyclical shocks. Favor dividends and cash returns in uncertain environments.
Liquidity Reserves: Maintain higher levels of cash or cash equivalents to capitalize on market dislocations. Liquid reserves provide flexibility should growth disappoint.
Tactical Hedging Strategies: Use options or inverse instruments selectively to protect portfolios against sharp downturns. Volatility may rise unpredictably; structured hedges can provide protection without full market timing.
Monitoring Macro Signals Actively: Track inflation metrics, labor market data, and Fed communications closely. Be ready to adjust strategies in response to shifts in inflation, policy, or geopolitical developments.
The mainstream outlook for 2026 is cautiously optimistic, grounded in forecasts of steady growth, stable inflation, and continued technology‑led investment. Those expectations are reasonable as base cases. However, investors should not mistake forecasts for outcomes. Each major economic assumption carries material risks. Persistent inflation, monetary policy uncertainty, geopolitical shocks, and uneven growth dynamics could all lead to outcomes well outside consensus expectations.
Prudent investors will build portfolios that protect capital first, anticipate volatility, and adapt rapidly to changing economic realities. The probability distribution of 2026 outcomes is wide, and mistakes can be costly when “all the experts agree.”
Tyler Durden
Sat, 01/31/2026 – 17:30
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/mainstream-expectations-hope-vs-potential-risk
