Category: News
Venezuela anuncia ley de amnistía que apunta a la liberación masiva de presos por motivos políticos
Por JORGE RUEDA
CARACAS (AP) — La presidenta encargada de Venezuela anunció el viernes un proyecto de ley de amnistía que apunta a la liberación masiva de dirigentes opositores, sindicalistas, periodistas, estudiantes y activistas de derechos humanos presos por motivos políticos.
La ley de amnistía era una de las principales demandas de la oposición, respaldada por Estados Unidos. Ese pedido se acentuó particularmente después de que las fuerzas militares estadounidenses capturaron al ahora depuesto presidente Nicolás Maduro y su esposa Cilia Flores, en un audaz operativo en Caracas el 3 de enero.
Durante la apertura de actividades judiciales del año 2026 y ante magistrados del Tribunal Supremo de Justicia, los líderes de los poderes Ejecutivo, Legislativo, Judicial y Electoral– la mandataria anunció la decisión de “impulsar una ley de amnistía general que cubra todo el periodo político de violencia política de 1999 al presente”. Agregó que con celeridad encargó a sus colaboradores que en “las próximas horas, instalados en urgencia, presenten la ley ante la Asamblea Nacional” para su discusión y aprobación.
Los años a considerar en el proyecto de ley incluyen el mandato del ahora fallecido presidente Hugo Chávez (1999-2013) y de Maduro (2013-2026), su sucesor y heredero político.
“Que sea una ley que sirva para reparar las heridas que ha dejado la confrontación política desde la violencia, desde el extremismo, que sirva para reencauzar la justicia en nuestro país… la convivencia entre los venezolanos”, enfatizó.
“Que no se imponga la venganza, la revancha ni el odio. Estamos dándole una oportunidad para vivir en paz y tranquilidad en Venezuela”, señaló. “Desde la diversidad y la pluralidad que existe, podamos coexistir con respeto y por encima de todas las cosas, con respeto a la ley y a la justicia”, añadió.
Seguidamente, Rodríguez aclaró que la ley de amnistía excluirá a los condenados por homicidio, tráfico de drogas y violaciones graves a los derechos humanos.
El 8 de enero, después de la operación militar estadounidense y el traslado de Maduro para comparecer ante un tribunal en Nueva York para enfrentar cargos por presunto narcoterrorismo, Rodríguez ofreció la liberación de un “ número importante” de encarcelados como una señal, dijo, para consolidar la paz y convivencia.
El proceso, sin embargo, ha enfrentado críticas de familiares y organizaciones civiles por falta de celeridad e información de las excarcelaciones.
Rodríguez ha declarado que su gobierno ha liberado a más de 600 reclusos.
Pero Foro Penal —una de las organizaciones civiles más prestigiosas del país y que monitorea la situación de los presos en Venezuela— indicó que hasta el miércoles pasado 302 personas habían sido excarceladas y 711 permanecen detenidas por razones políticas.
El gobierno niega que existan “presos políticos” y acusa a los detenidos de conspirar para desestabilizarlo.
La mandataria anunció la semana pasada que le pedirá al Alto Comisionado de la ONU para los Derechos Humanos verificar las listas de excarcelados para poner fin a las discrepancias existentes en las cifras.
Las autoridades no han dado a conocer el nombre ni el número de presos que tienen pensado liberar. Ante ello, grupos defensores de los derechos humanos buscan pistas e información, en medio de la angustiosa espera de sus familiares, muchos de ellos a las puertas de las cárceles.
Rodríguez también anunció sorpresivamente el viernes el cierre del Centro de Procesados y Penados de Caracas, conocido como El Helicoide, una de las sedes del Servicio Bolivariano de Inteligencia (SEBIN), que según grupos activistas, suele albergar a varios de los principales opositores al gobierno.
“Hemos decidido que las instalaciones del Helicoide, que hoy sirven como centro de detención se conviertan en un centro social, deportivo, cultural y comercial para la familia policial y para las comunidades aledañas a este recinto”, indicó.
El helicoide, diseñado en la década de 1950 como un gigantesco y lujoso centro comercial con un hotel, helipuerto y cientos de tiendas, que nunca abrió sus puertas, ha sido objeto por años de denuncias de violaciones de derechos humanos por organizaciones no gubernamentales locales e internacionales, entre ellas Amnistía Internacional.
Venezuela anuncia ley de amnistía que apunta a la liberación masiva de presos por motivos políticos
CARACAS (AP) — Venezuela anuncia ley de amnistía que apunta a la liberación masiva de presos por motivos políticos.
Activewear retailer Vuori to take over former Eddie Bauer location in downtown Naperville
Out with the old, in with the new.
The departure of the Eddie Bauer store in downtown Naperville has created a vacancy that will be filled by a Vuori store, Downtown Naperville Alliance Executive Director Katie Wood confirmed.
The California-based clothing brand is taking over the storefront at 110 W. Jefferson Ave., where the outdoor recreation retailer had been until shutting permanently Wednesday after decades downtown. On Monday, Naperville issued a commercial building alteration permit for the new occupant, city spokeswoman Linda LaCloche said.
A spokesperson for Eddie Bauer did not respond to a request for comment, but news reports said a number of Eddie Bauer stores across the country were closed Jan. 28, including locations in Erie, Pennsylvania; Overland Park, Kansas; and Boise, Idaho.
Vuori, which means mountain in Finnish, is known for its activewear and athleisure apparel for men and women. The company has Illinois locations in Chicago, Oak Brook and Skokie as well as an outlet store in Rosemont, according to its website.
The brand started out as a graphic T-shirt line, but founder Joe Kudla relaunched it in 2015 after struggling to find an audience. He found his inspiration in the board shorts and other apparel men were wearing in San Diego at the time, he told The New York Times.
It took off from there, and now has more than 100 locations globally, including stores in more than two dozen in countries, according to published reports. Its brand value was reported to be $5.5 billion at the end of 2024, according to an article published by Reuters.
“Vuori’s opening is consistent with a movement toward athleisure/activewear, and downtown Naperville is becoming the hub for it,” Wood said.
In recent years, Naperville has welcomed a number of athleticwear and athleisure stores to downtown, including Lululemon, Regenerate Boutique, Aerie & Offline by Aerie, ALO, Athleta, Nike Naperville and Top Fashion.
Downtown’s also seen an expansion in health, wellness and exercise businesses, and is now home to Pure Barre, Air-Aerial Fitness, Hot Yoga, Just Be Yoga Studio and Shyft Pilates. Joining the lineup will be Barry’s Bootcamp, a high-intensity fitness studio chain that’s to open later this year in Main Street Promenade East at 50 S. Main St.
The space it’s filling has been unoccupied since the Promenade opened in 2014. In addition to workout classes, they’ll also be selling apparel, accessories, and made-to-order protein shakes and wellness drinks.
cstein@chicagotribune.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/30/vuori-eddie-bauer-downtown-naperville/
Federal Judge Blocks DHS Policy To Reconsider Legal Status For Minnesota Refugees
Federal Judge Blocks DHS Policy To Reconsider Legal Status For Minnesota Refugees
Authored by Joseph Lord via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
A federal judge on Jan. 28 blocked a Trump administration policy initiative to reconsider the legal status of the roughly 5,600 lawful refugees living in Minnesota.
In a court order, Judge John Tunheim of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota temporarily granted a class action request to block the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy initiative dubbed “Operation Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening.”
That operation was announced by DHS earlier this month, and DHS characterized it as “a sweeping initiative reexamining thousands of refugee cases through new background checks.”
Under the law, a lawfully admitted refugee must undergo an additional process to gain lawful permanent resident status in the United States. The DHS operation, according to the court order, concerns refugees who have not yet become lawful permanent residents.
In a lawsuit, five unnamed individuals, joined by The Advocates for Human Rights, an activist group, claimed that as part of the operation, DHS had “implemented a practice of arresting and detaining—without notice or warrant—individuals previously screened and admitted into the United States as refugees.”
They name Attorney General Pam Bondi and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, among others in DHS, as respondents.
In his initial ruling, Tunheim expressed doubt about the legality of the administration policy. He wrote that refugees undergo extensive vetting by multiple government agencies to enter the United States, and he cited statutory restrictions on arresting or deporting refugees who haven’t yet gained lawful permanent residency.
The temporary restraining order grants two motions requested by the plaintiffs.
The first bars the government “from arresting or detaining any member of the putative class [non-lawful permanent resident refugees] in Minnesota on the basis that they are a refugee who has not yet adjusted to lawful permanent resident status.”
It also orders “the immediate return and release of the members of a putative subclass consisting of those refugees who are presently detained under the policy.”
Tunheim said that the temporary restraining order would remain in effect until he could rule on the requested preliminary injunction.
Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy, wrote in a post on X responding to the ruling, “The judicial sabotage of democracy is unending.”
In the court order, Tunheim wrote, “This case involves a stark shift in Defendants’ treatment of individuals who have been admitted to the United States as ’refugees,’ replacing prior agency policy with abrupt arrest and detention—often without a warrant or notice.”
Tunheim cited legal statutes related to the matter at hand and said that Congress has imposed restraints on the government’s authority to commence removal proceedings after an individual has obtained either refugee or lawful permanent resident status.
Specifically, the law prevents standards of “inadmissibility” from being applied to those who have already been admitted, unless they were ineligible at the time of admission. Instead, DHS must use “deportability” standards set by statute, which lay out specific crimes and other criteria that make an individual eligible for deportation.
“[Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s] longstanding agency guidance has been that failure to obtain [lawful permanent resident] status, by itself, is not grounds for removal nor is it a ‘proper basis for detaining them,’” Tunheim wrote.
Tunheim’s order is temporary and could be reduced in scope or altered later. If the court rules against the administration, the administration could appeal the ruling in a higher court.
DHS did not immediately return a request for comment on the ruling.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/30/2026 – 19:15
Gonzalez disfruta su primer Super Bowl con los Patriots tras superar adversidades
Por KYLE HIGHTOWER
FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts, EE.UU. (AP) — Si parece que Christian Gonzalez se está demorando en el campo durante los calentamientos previos al Super Bowl, es porque es cierto.
Después de una serie de contratiempos en sus primeras tres temporadas en la NFL, el joven de 23 años es muy consciente de lo rápido que pueden cambiar las cosas en esta liga. Así que jugar en su escenario más grande por primera vez no es algo que esté tomando a la ligera.
“Trátalo como otro partido, pero sabes que no es otro partido”, dijo el esquinero de los Patriots, de ascendencia colombiana. “Es el último, así que sólo sales ahí y das todo lo que tienes. Incluso mientras juegas, todavía puedes disfrutarlo. Puedes salir corriendo y ver el campo que dice ‘Super Bowl’. Pequeñas cosas como esa.”
El disfrute ha llegado a intervalos para Gonzalez después de que sólo disputó cuatro partidos en su temporada de novato en el 2023. Fue a la lista de lesionados con un desgarro del labrum de un hombro, lo cual llevó a una cirugía que puso fin a su temporada.
Regresó con toda su fuerza en 2024, apareciendo en 16 juegos mientras se consolidaba como el principal esquinero del equipo, permitiendo a los receptores unicamente seis yardas por jugada en que intervinieron y cediendo el 55,7% de pases completos de las veces que el balón se lanzaba en su dirección.
Parecía que el único camino era hacia arriba.
Pero todo ese progreso pareció en peligro después de una lesión en el tendón de la corva en la primera semana del campamento de entrenamiento que eventualmente lo dejó fuera de los primeros tres duelos.
Sólo fue un contratiempo temporal. Gonzalez regresó para disputar los últimos 14 encuentros de la temporada regular.
El equipo le confió la tarea de cubrir a los mejores receptores rivales esta campaña, terminando empatado en el segundo lugar del equipo con diez pases desviados mientras era seleccionado para su primer Pro Bowl.
Ha hecho su mejor trabajo en el último cuarto durante los playoffs, permitiendo sólo dos recepciones, 12 yardas recibidas y ningún touchdown con una intercepción en las ocho veces que ha sido el objetivo. El domingo 8 de febrero podría presentarse un enfrentamiento crucial en el Super Bowl con el receptor de los Seahawks de Seattle, Jaxon Smith Njigba.
En el duelo por el título de la Conferencia Americana, González consiguió su única intercepción que aseguró la victoria de los Patriots.
“Sentí que era un buen momento para conseguir la primera intercepción… devolverle el balón a (Drake Maye) y dejar que él cerrara el juego”, dijo Gonzalez.
Agregó que no puede señalar ningún cambio específico en su enfoque, pero sí recuerda la conversación que sostuvo con el entrenador Mike Vrabel.
“Después del partido contra Baltimore, me dijo que sentía que vio algo diferente”, recordó Gonzalez.
También se siente motivado tras temporadas consecutivas de 4-13 y con el hecho de que, bajo las órdenes de su tercer entrenador en tres campañas, finalmente todo está encajando.
“Los primeros dos años tuvimos que pasar por algunas cosas. Pero estamos emocionados de donde estamos ahora”, dijo. “Este equipo es súper unido y hemos dedicado mucho trabajo. Sólo queremos salir ahí y terminarlo.”
Prometió no perder la alegría que sentía de niño al ver el Super Bowl.
___
Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Daily Horoscope for January 31, 2026
General Daily Insight for January 31, 2026
Minor adjustments can bring surprising ease and clarity. Today’s main event is another quincunx, this one between thoughtful Venus and blustery Jupiter at 4:39 AM EST. We may notice a mismatch between desire and opportunity that asks for gentle edits in different corners of life. Rather than forcing results, we can revise our approaches a little bit at a time to avoid frustration. By afternoon, the emotional Moon trines disciplined Saturn, which steadies our conversations and guides us toward results that actually function.
Aries
March 21 – April 19
What support would make teamwork easier now? Your 11th House of Community brightens as connection-focused Venus quincunxes Jupiter, urging flexible expectations with your wider circle. If a group project bumps into a family errand, simplifying your plans could avoid further clashes. Check the basics first, especially team logistics, then take point so others can follow your pace without friction. Even as home priorities tug, warmth and patience keep everyone on your side through this shift. Wherever you’re at, flexibility earns lasting trust.
Taurus
April 20 – May 20
Keep putting one foot in front of the other — you’ll get there! Venus and Jupiter are involved in a rough quincunx that could put you in the spotlight with little warning. A supervisor or client may request a late change, or a neighbor could have a sudden issue with an outdoor project of yours. Be open about your plans and the logic behind them. Small edits or explanations to outsiders could gain you fresh allies while safeguarding the progress you’ve already made.
Gemini
May 21 – June 20
Progress arrives through flexible thinking and conversation. Exploration calls as pleasure-seeking Venus forms a quincunx to jovial Jupiter, activating your 9th House of Learning with a nudge to adjust expensive plans. A course or trip plan may strain your savings, but doing some price comparisons or hunting down discounts can ease the strain. Your quick mind thrives when you trade ideas with a trusted guide — you never know when casual chats will reveal smarter routes. Invest wisely, because learning grows lifelong freedom.
Cancer
June 21 – July 22
Your instincts can currently inform smart money moves. Compassionate Venus angles off auspicious Jupiter, spotlighting your 8th House of Generous Intimacy, which could signal adjustments around trust and money. Someone close may suggest pooling expenses, which could have many benefits. Even so, be sure to check that the terms respect everyone’s comfort levels. Because you feel everything deeply, write down your needs before the talk, then keep your tone warm to reduce defensiveness. Straightforward questions strengthen closeness and keep trust steady.
Leo
July 23 – August 22
When desires misalign with growth, choose grace. Partnerships deserve thoughtfulness as romantic Venus pokes jolly Jupiter, activating your 7th House of Connections and your 12th House of Karma. If a loved one wants quiet while you crave attention, propose a cozy check-in over your favorite snacks at home, then plan playtime for tomorrow. Your natural warmth glows when you listen deeply, then share your creative ideas without pressure, so the moment stays light. Lead with heart — that’s what keeps love playful.
Virgo
August 23 – September 22
What’s your most recent habit? Once you’ve identified that, it’s time to think about whether or not it serves your life goals. With today’s Venus-Jupiter quincunx, you might notice the cost of those extra five minutes in bed each morning over time. Little delays add up! At work, a co-worker might invite you to lunch just as a deadline tightens, so you may need to reschedule to protect your flow. Resetting your workspace with some quick tidying could also improve your focus.
Libra
September 23 – October 22
You can be honest with them — whoever “they” are in your life. Venus and Jupiter are angling off each other from your playful 5th house and your business zone, which could draw your attention to the boundaries between fun and work. If work demands spill into game night or studio time, make an effort to protect an hour for self-expression. Your diplomacy shines when you acknowledge life’s disparate needs, propose a fair middle path, and keep smiling as you ensure that path actually works.
Scorpio
October 23 – November 21
Certain aspects of your soul are ready to surface. Needy Venus snubs Jupiter, activating your homey 4th house and your idealistic 9th house. This is an invitation to reset your space, inside and out. If your home is set up for a past version of yourself, this is the day to change that. How does the person you want to become move about their domicile? There’s probably at least one thing you can update, and if there isn’t, some home tidying should be equally satisfying.
Sagittarius
November 22 – December 21
Social tension doesn’t have to be a bad thing right now — you can actually utilize it quite well. As stubborn Venus corroborates over-the-top Jupiter, you could be fielding some overly pointed questions. Conversely, you could be asking some questions that may not be in your wheelhouse! Any chats about delicate topics may feel awkward, so begin with appreciation and keep questions open to invite honest replies. Make an effort to accept the truth for what it is, whether or not you like hearing it.
Capricorn
December 22 – January 19
Your comfort zone may not be able to contain your latest commitments. The cautious quincunx between Venus and Jupiter today impacts your resource zone and your partnership arena, which means that your needs might not match up with those of your peers. Some practical, respectful adjustments could be necessary throughout the day. Whether it involves a partner, client, or friend, you can find success by walking them through your budget’s benefits and downsides. You’re choosing the path that supports long‑term goals while preserving goodwill.
Aquarius
January 20 – February 18
Every day is a fresh beginning — today, more than most. Darling Venus in your sign is adapting to Jupiter in your practical 6th house, allowing you another chance to adapt to your ever-changing world. Be wary of work situations that restrict your self-expression even when off the clock. If you need to work in a very controlled environment for the moment, don’t let it get you down. You can uphold your values, even if you can’t express yourself as much as you’d prefer.
Pisces
February 19 – March 20
Certain people can’t be trusted with your tender core at this time. Quiet healing calls as compassionate Venus redirects lucky Jupiter, guiding your 12th House of Solitude to coexist with your 5th House of Parties. If you’ve planned a bit too much to do today, it’s okay to cancel something to give yourself room to breathe. You can journal for a while, then take a slow walk, then return ready to jump in with both feet! Give yourself enough space to recharge.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/30/daily-horoscope-for-january-31-2026/
New Epstein file dump reveals gushing emails between Melania Trump, Ghislaine Maxwell
The Justice Department on Friday released many more files related to its investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, including a gushing exchange between Melania Trump and Epstein’s now-imprisoned sidekick, Ghislaine Maxwell.
“Dear G! How are you?” Melania began one apparent email to Maxwell, dated October 2002. “Nice story about JE in NY mag. You look great in the picture.”
New York magazine ran a story about Epstein that month in which Donald Trump indicated he knew about his former pal’s penchant for young girls.
“I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy,” Trump boasted. “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
The correspondence between Melania Trump and Maxwell took place more than two years before the current first lady became Trump’s third wife.
In her email, Melania expressed excitement about visiting Maxwell in Palm Beach and tried to make arrangements to meet up with her as soon as she was back in New York City. Trump and Epstein owned property in both cities.
A 2002 email from Melania Trump to Ghislaine Maxwell was released in the Jeffrey Epstein files on Friday, January 30, 2026.
(Justice Department)
According to the Daily Beast, which first reported on the email exchange, Maxwell responded by referring to Melania as “Sweet pea,” and sharing that a change in plans would have her back in New York for only a short time.
“I leave again on Fri so I still do not think I have time to see you sadly,” Maxwell wrote. “I will try and call though.”
The emails appear to be the first written communications between Maxwell and the future first lady, who was then still known as Melania Knauss. However, the pair were known to spend together alongside Trump and Epstein, and were photographed with the men around that same time.
Trump biographer Michael Wolff alleged in 2024 that Trump and Melania first had sex on Epstein’s private plane. The author claims Melania responded by threatening a lawsuit meant to harass and intimidate him.
Wolff, who said Epstein was a secret source for his reporting, filed a suit of his own and hopes to formally question Melania.
Friday’s long overdue document dump is said to contain more than 3 million pages pertaining to the Epstein investigation. Reporters from many media outlets spent the afternoon feverishly examining the files.
The White House has not commented on the newly released emails between Melania and Maxwell. Neither of the Trumps have been accused of illegal activity involving Epstein or his associates.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/30/melania-trump-ghislaine-maxwell-epstein-files/
These Are The States Where Homes Take The Longest To Sell
These Are The States Where Homes Take The Longest To Sell
The U.S. housing market is growing more divided, with some homes still selling quickly while others remain listed for months. High mortgage rates, strained affordability, and cautious buyers have slowed demand in many regions, forcing sellers to wait far longer than they did just a few years ago.
A new study by Premier Timber Frame Builders, based on Zillow’s “Days to Pending” data, highlights how uneven the market has become. The analysis shows that in several states, homes now take nearly three months—or longer—to go under contract, underscoring the widening gap between hot and cold housing markets.
Texas stands out as the slowest-moving market in the country, with homes spending an average of 100 days on the market. Florida follows closely at 97 days, signaling a major slowdown after years of rapid growth. Louisiana ranks third at 90 days, while Colorado and Arizona also face extended selling times at 88 and 86 days, respectively. In these states, rising inventory and buyer hesitation have made it harder for sellers to secure quick offers.
Other Western and Mountain states are also seeing prolonged listing periods. Homes in Wyoming and Idaho average about 81 days before going under contract, while Oregon trails slightly behind at 80 days. Utah and Montana are close as well, with listings typically remaining active for around 79 days. Together, these markets reflect how elevated prices and increased competition among sellers have cooled demand.
Several Southern states are experiencing similar slowdowns. Mississippi, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and South Carolina all report average selling times in the mid-to-high 70-day range, showing that affordability pressures and economic uncertainty are affecting buyers across the region.
By contrast, parts of the Midwest and Northeast continue to move more quickly. States such as Illinois, Rhode Island, and Connecticut post some of the shortest timelines in the country, with homes typically going under contract in about five to six weeks. These faster markets suggest stronger demand and tighter inventory compared with slower regions.
Overall, the findings show that the national housing market is no longer operating at a single speed. While some states remain competitive and fast-paced, others are clearly cooling, leaving sellers to adjust pricing strategies and expectations in a more cautious environment.
Tyler Durden
Fri, 01/30/2026 – 18:50
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/these-are-states-where-homes-take-longest-sell
Two dead in Chicago from meningococcal disease, with more cases than usual reported
In the last two weeks, Chicago has had two deaths and at least seven cases of meningococcal disease in adults — a higher number of cases of the dangerous illness than usual for such a short time span, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Chicago typically sees about 10 to 15 cases of rare but serious Neisseria meningitidis infections for the whole year, mostly in the winter, according to the health department. Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus, is a bacteria that causes meningitis (infections of the brain lining and spinal cord) and infections of the bloodstream. Multiple types of bacteria and viruses can cause meningitis but meningococcus is particularly severe and lethal.
In recent years, the city has seen an uptick in cases of meningococcal disease, the health department said in a statement.
“In January 2026, there have been more cases than usual for a single month; we are actively investigating and have not yet identified direct links among cases in the community,” the department said in the statement.
At least two of the cases were among people living in the same temporary homeless shelter, according to the health department.
At first, symptoms may seem like those of a typical illness — fever, chills, fatigue and nausea — but can worsen quickly and become life-threatening within hours. People should visit their health care providers immediately if they start to experience symptoms such as a stiff neck, heightened sensitivity to light, cold hands and feet, severe aches and pains, vomiting or diarrhea or a dark purple rash on the body.
The illness is not as contagious as a cold or the flu. Typically, it spreads through direct contact with saliva and requires close and prolonged contact to spread, such as through kissing or living together.
Even with antibiotic treatment, between 10% to 20% of people who catch the illness die, according to the city health department.
The illness is most common in people who are elderly, teenagers and young adults.
“It’s always alarming when we hear about these cases,” said Dr. David Nguyen, an infectious disease doctor at Rush University System for Health. He said cases have been rising nationally in recent years, potentially because of lower rates of vaccination against the illness.
The state of Illinois recommends meningococcal ACWY vaccination for all patients at ages 11 or 12, with a booster dose at age 16.
Most people don’t need to worry about being put at risk by the recent meningococcal infections in Chicago, unless they were in close contact with someone who came down with the illness, “but it’s a good reminder to make sure you’ve gotten all the vaccines you need,” Nguyen said.
“Most people are not going to be in a close-quartered, congregate setting like a dorm, a military barracks or a homeless shelter, but on the off chance you are exposed to that kind of a case or situation, it’s a highly fatal disease,” Nguyen said.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently adopted a number of controversial changes to its childhood vaccine schedule, reducing the number of vaccines it recommends for children. Vaccines to protect against meningococcal disease are among those that the CDC no longer recommends broadly, instead recommending them for children in certain high-risk groups, but otherwise leaving it up to parents and doctors whether to vaccinate individual children who are not at high risk.
Doctors and health experts have taken issue with the CDC’s new recommendations, with the Itasca-based American Academy of Pediatrics releasing its own vaccine schedule. That schedule continues to broadly recommend vaccinations to protect against meningococcal disease, and a dozen prominent medical organizations, including the Chicago-based American Medical Association, have endorsed it.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/30/meningococcal-disease-chicago/
Trump administration approves new arms sales to Israel worth $6.67 billion
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has approved a massive new series of arms sales to Israel totaling $6.67 billion, including 30 Apache attack helicopters and related equipment and weapons as well as 3,250 light tactical vehicles.
The State Department announced the package of four separate sales late Friday amid rising tensions in the Middle East over the possibility of U.S. military strikes in Iran.
The Apache helicopters, which will be equipped with rocket launchers and advanced targeting gear, are the biggest part of the total package, coming to $3.8 billion, according to the department.
The next largest portion are the light tactical vehicles, which will be used to move personnel and logistics “to extend lines of communication” for the Israel Defense Forces and will cost $1.98 billion, it said.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/30/trump-administration-arms-sales-israel/
