Category: News
Fire Engulfs Former Volkswagen Factory, Which Now Makes Chinese Brand, South Of Moscow
Fire Engulfs Former Volkswagen Factory, Which Now Makes Chinese Brand, South Of Moscow
Fire crews extinguished a fire that broke out early Wednesday at the former Volkswagen plant in Russia’s Kaluga region, now repurposed as part of Moscow’s post-sanctions auto ecosystem.
There’s been little in the way of a cause mentioned in international reports, amid an investigation, though skeptical headline consumers will note there’s been a tit-for-tat covert sabotage campaign long underway between Russia and Ukraine-Europe in the context of the war, now about to enter its fifth year.
According to Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry, the blaze erupted at a foam recycling workshop inside the Tenet automobile facility, which currently assembles Chinese-made vehicles, and no casualties were reported.
It remains that automaking is an industry prone to accidents and fires, for which typically there are sophisticated and high-tech fire alarm systems at the ready.
It’s likely to result in a temporary shutdown of operations. The sprawling plant is a symbol of Russia’s pivot away from Western manufacturers, amid the US-EU sanctions campaign, and efforts to isolate the Russian economy globally.
Tenet executives recently unveiled plans to seize at least 10% of Russia’s projected 1.4-million-vehicle market, also at a moment most Western automakers are completely absent from Russia, as international firms made an exit over the several years of Putin’s ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine.
Chinese firms have sought to fill the vacuum, amid several bilateral deals between Moscow and Beijing, longtime ‘frenemies’ which are improving relations as both have come under Washington’s punitive actions.
According to an early 2025 report:
The ex-Volkswagen auto-manufacturing plant at Kaluga is launching auto manufacturing of cars under Russia’s Tenet brand, according to regional governor Vladislav Shapsha. Volkswagen exited the Russian market in 2023, selling the business to their Russian dealership, Avilon, who paid an estimated US$135 million for VW’s Russian business. Volkswagen reportedly invested more than US$800 million to build the Kaluga plant.
Avilon subsidiary AGR Holding LLC and China’s Defetoo, have signed a joint venture technological partnership to manufacture Tenet branded cars. Defetoo are part of China’s Chery auto manufacturer. The Tenet vehicles will be reworked, Russian versions of the Chinese brand.
Ukrainian and Russian social media have featured images of what’s clearly a large inferno, but Western headlines have been slow to pick up on the emergency:
A large fire is ongoing at the former Volkswagen plant in Russia’s Kaluga region.
The plant currently assembles Chinese Chery models locally and markets them under the Tenet label. pic.twitter.com/8SzzZEi8TE
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) January 28, 2026
In cases of industrial or military site fires or explosions inside Russia, Kremlin authorities are not always quick to blame Ukraine or the West – given they have an interest in showing the domestic populace that the state and its security are firmly in control of the situation. Still, a lot of incidents have been happening of late, sometimes as a result of Ukrainian long-range drones.
Meanwhile in Ukraine, civilian as well as military infrastructure continues to get hammered, resulting in tragedies…
🇺🇦🇷🇺 A Ukrainian soldier pulls a baby to safety from a train in Kharkiv after Russian suicide drones hit it, killing 3 people.
Source: @visegrad24 pic.twitter.com/1SEZSbX2St
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 28, 2026
Tyler Durden
Thu, 01/29/2026 – 04:15
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Chazz Robinson wants to get upper hand on his brothers by winning state twice. ‘Be great.’
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Chazz Robinson never has to look very far when he needs advice.
The junior wrestler has a private support network from three older brothers, including Vincent, the defending Division I national champion at 125 pounds for NC State.
Another brother, Jaydon, is a redshirt freshman wrestler for NC State. Travis Ford-Melton, the oldest brother, wrestled at Purdue.
“Having watched my brothers when I was younger and then they worked with me, they told me I’d be the best if I kept working,” Chazz said. “They looked at what I did wrong and what I did right.”
Their father, Vasil, is an assistant coach with the Vikings, which provides a thread.
”The three Robinson brothers are all different in their own way, but Chazz is the most focused for me,” H-F coach Jim Sokoloski said. “He films every match and watches them as soon as he’s done and is constantly looking for ways to get better.
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Chazz Robinson, right, ties up Andrew’s Nadeem Haleem in the 120-pound final at the Class 3A Rich Township Regional in Richton Park on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
“He’s very humble and hungry to be great.”
Jaydon, known in the family as JJ, has been protector, partner and teacher for his brother.
“I’ve been giving Chazz some stuff to help with his leg defense and attacks,” Jaydon said. “When he gets the gist of it, he will be one of the top kids in the country.
“When he comes to NC State, he’s going to make his name known like Vincent and what I’m trying to do.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Chazz Robinson, left, takes control against Andrew’s Nadeem Haleem in the 120-pound final of the Class 3A Rich Township Regional in Richton Park on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
The quest to make his own mark is in full bloom for Chazz. He went 41-6 last season and finished third in the Class 3A individual state meet at 120 pounds.
Toggling between 120 and 126 this winter as a junior, Robinson (27-4) is undefeated against Illinois competition. He won by medical forfeit Saturday in the 126-pound championship match of the SouthWest Suburban Conference Meet.
Ranked No. 2 in Class 3A at 120 by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association website, Robinson is set to compete at 126 on Saturday when regionals begin.
Styles make the wrestlers, and Robinson is animated by propulsive speed and athleticism. He’s like a boxer who simply overwhelms with actions and ability to simultaneously attack or counter.
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Chazz Robinson, right, tries to take down Andrew’s Nadeem Haleem in the 120-pound final of the Class 3A Rich Township Regional in Richton Park on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
“I love to wrestle very fast and I love to use my time and speed to get into my hand fights very quickly,” Robinson said. “I love getting to my speed.
“I’m a fast type of guy and use that to get to the outside for sweeps or double leg, which is my main shot.”
Success has been a constant in his young life, but Robinson’s semifinal loss by technical fall last winter to eventual state champion Dom Munaretto of St. Charles East was humbling.
He set out to immediately change the outcome.
“I just had to get back in the lab after that loss and keep getting better,” Robinson said. “I had to fight back for the next best thing. I won the third-place match and I kept training every day.
“Now, I’m working twice as hard.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Chazz Robinson, right, wrestles against Andrew’s Nadeem Haleem in the 120-pound final of the Class 3A Rich Township Regional in Richton Park on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
As much as the sport consumes him, Chazz loves to get away from the mat, hanging out with friends, playing pickup basketball or spending time with his younger sister, a dancer.
“Their family eats, sleeps and breathes wrestling,” Sokoloski said. “Their father likes to say hard work works.”
And Chazz Robinson, who has put in that hard work, is more than ready for his state playoffs to begin Saturday at the Class 3A Rich Township Regional.
“My coach always tells me just go and have fun and never worry about the score,” Chazz said. “None of my brothers ever won a state championship as a junior.
“I’m trying to be the first Robinson to win two.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/29/chazz-robinson-homewood-flossmoor-wrestling/
Orbán Backs Weidel’s Demands That Ukraine Pay Germany Reparations For Nord Stream 2 Sabotage
Orbán Backs Weidel’s Demands That Ukraine Pay Germany Reparations For Nord Stream 2 Sabotage
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán backed Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-leader Alice Weidel, who is demanding compensation from Ukraine for the explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline and tens of billions of euros in German financial support.
Orbán responded to the German politician’s statement with a short but clear sentence on X, writing, “Alice Weidel is right!”
.@Alice_Weidel is right! https://t.co/qX69UicBof
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) January 26, 2026
The Hungarian prime minister also posted Weidel’s speech, where she stated:
“If this party comes to power, we will demand compensation for the explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, as well as the return of about 70 billion euros in financial and military support provided to Kyiv.”
Germany has provided tens of billions to Ukraine, all during a time when the country is facing surging company bankruptcies, budget cuts, and even cities all on the verge of bankruptcy.
The enormous sums of money sent to Ukraine, especially in the light of massive corruption scandals facing the country, have led the AfD to be highly critical of Germany’s continued support. Now, the AfD considers recouping this money as essential.
In light of a number of arrests of Ukrainian operatives, who have been charged with sabotaging the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, the alliance between Germany and Ukraine looks increasingly problematic.
“We will seek compensation. The Ukrainians and Zelensky have been paid by us to blow up our own pipeline. The country that has done this to us cannot be our friend, and this must be publicly acknowledged,” stated Weidel, emphasizing that Ukraine cannot be considered a friendly state.
As Weidel said, the recovery of tens of billions of euros in support and the restoration of Nord Stream are inevitable.
Weidel previously accused European leaders of double standards and believed that while Moscow faces serious accusations, similar criticism is not leveled against the United States.
In her opinion, Donald Trump’s policy resembles Vladimir Putin’s actions on several points, notably in relation to Greenland.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 01/29/2026 – 03:30
Following her three older sisters, Caroline Flynn takes control as Marist’s leader. ‘Always been my dream.’
Caroline Flynn was destined to play basketball at Marist.
With older sisters Morgan, Casey and Megan all going through the program, there wasn’t much of a mystery of where Caroline was going to school when she graduated from eighth grade.
“I’ve always looked up to Marist basketball,” Caroline said. “It’s always been my dream to play at Marist. From a very young age, I wanted to go to Marist and play basketball.
“It’s really cool to experience what I’ve dreamed of.”
Flynn is helping the RedHawks experience another dream season.
The junior guard scored nine points and hit a vital 3-pointer in the third quarter Wednesday night, sparking Marist to a 38-33 East Suburban Catholic Conference win over host Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights.
Marist’s Caroline Flynn (12) goes for a layup against Marian Catholic during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Chicago Heights on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
The RedHawks held a 27-14 lead early in the second half, but Marian scored 13 straight points to force a 27-27 tie with 2:20 left in the third quarter.
On the next possession, however, Flynn drained the 3-pointer to ignite Marist and stop the Spartans’ momentum.
“I was just thinking that we had nothing to lose,” Flynn said of taking the shot. “We needed to push the pace and be confident when we shot the ball.
“I’ll take the 3-pointer once in a while, but I’m not really a 3-point shooter.”
Marist’s Caroline Flynn (12) and Marian Catholic’s Vesta Radziute (10) battle for a rebound in an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Chicago Heights on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Lucy Cosme also picked up nine points and five rebounds for Marist (20-6, 5-4). Olivia Cosme, Lucy’s cousin, added seven points for Marist (20-6, 5-4).
Ty Jackson led Marian (10-15, 1-8) with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Vesta Radziute and Kaili Merrick tallied seven points apiece.
The win was no work of art, but Flynn pointed out that beating Marian was huge with Friday’s rivalry game against Mother McAuley looming — and for getting back on track.
The RedHawks had a week to think about a 75-42 loss at Benet, which featured a running clock in the fourth quarter. Two days earlier, Marist had posted an impressive 59-47 win over Fremd.
Marist’s Caroline Flynn (12) splits the defense for a layup against Marian Catholic during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Chicago Heights on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
“It was really important to bounce back,” Flynn said. “In the Benet game, we did not play like ourselves. The shots weren’t falling. It was really just a hard game.
“Bouncing back, we learned from our mistakes, so it was really important to get this win and get our confidence back up before this McAuley game.”
On a balanced team featuring several players with multiple skills, Flynn has been a standout.
“I don’t think she came out of the game, maybe once,” Marist coach Renee Chimino said of Flynn. “Caroline is irreplaceable. To put it simply, she does a lot for us. She can score. She can pass. She can play defense.
“That’s just on the basketball side of things. She adds so much personality-wise and aura-wise to the team. Irreplaceable is the best way I can say it.”
Marist’s Caroline Flynn (12) looks to pass up the court against Marian Catholic during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Chicago Heights on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Lucy Cosme confirmed that aside from being able to drive and hit shots from the outside, Flynn is usually tasked with guarding the top scorer on the opposing team.
Cosme locked up the game for the RedHawks with a wide-open layup with 28 seconds remaining.
“I caught the ball and spun around and saw my coach waving her hands,” she said. “I thought, ‘Oh my God, there is no one in front of me.’”
Flynn, meanwhile, was able to watch and cheer on her sisters over the years and now they are in the stands cheering her on.
“I watched them while growing up and would be on the sidelines dribbling the ball,” she said. “They’ve always practiced with me and have been tough on me.
“But I learned from them. They helped me with my game because they experienced it. They helped me progress my game as they were learning.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/29/caroline-flynn-marist-marian-catholic-basketball/
Turkey Says It Foiled Iranian Intelligence Plot At US Incirlik Base
Turkey Says It Foiled Iranian Intelligence Plot At US Incirlik Base
Various Turkish and Middle East sources are reporting that Iranian intelligence attempted to spy on the major US airbase at Incirlik, and that a cell of Iranian agents has been busted.
The report, originally in Turkey’s Sabah newspaper on Wednesday, said that Turkish intelligence and Istanbul police detained six people across five provinces. The report claims the cell was led by Iranian intelligence codenamed “Haji” and another codenamed “Doctor”.
A Turkish asset is alleged to have hired people to take photos and videos of the Incirlik Air Base in Adana, which has been jointly controlled by Ankara and Washington for decades, and which plays host to American tactical nuclear weapons as part of a broader NATO nuclear-sharing program.
Incirlik Air Base, near Adana, Turkey, via Reuters.
Incirlik Air Base played a vital role in US and allied covert operations to oust Assad in Syria, and has over the past decade been featured in global headlines, especially connected with the CIA’s ‘Timber Sycamore’ regime change operation aimed at Damascus.
The Iranians were of course closely allied with Assad during the lengthy proxy war, and have since retreated from Syria, also as Lebanon’s Hezbollah has been removed from the country.
The region is on edge amid a US naval and air force build-up in the Gulf, and as President Trump threatens action against Tehran. If a major conflict were to break out, US officials fear that Iran could hit regional US bases in retaliation.
They have closely watched threats out of Tehran officials, including the latest from Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who warned earlier this month:
“In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territories and all American military centres, bases, and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,” Qalibaf said during a parliamentary session.
“We do not consider ourselves limited to responding after the act and will take action based on any objective signs of a threat,” he added.
Sabah reported that one among the some half-dozen people belonging to the alleged Iranian intelligence cell is an Iranian citizen. They’ve been detained by Istanbul Criminal Courts of Peace on charges of “obtaining confidential state information for political or military espionage purposes.”
Curious timing indeed…
Turkish intelligence reported the uncovering of an Iranian spy network that targeted the Incirlik air base, the largest US Air Force base in Turkey.
Is it today that the Turks decided to publish this?🤨 pic.twitter.com/GJrQQZrP3F
— Gennady Simanovsky (@GennadySimanovs) January 28, 2026
As for what specific intel or photographs they were able to capture, such details are undisclosed at this point. The story has since been picked up by The Washington Post and other US media.
The government of Turkey is actually against any potential new Washington regime change war in Iran. For one, it could unleash a wave of refugees, as far eastern Turkey actually borders the Islamic Republic. The two countries share a nearly 350-mile border, and have lately tried to keep relations stable, even amid Washington’s threatened action.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 01/29/2026 – 02:45
Videos muestran a Pretti forcejeando con agentes federales en Minneapolis 11 días antes de su muerte
Por MICHAEL BIESECKER y JESSE BEDAYN
WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Pretti fue derribado con fuerza por agentes federales de inmigración después de patear la luz trasera de su vehículo durante una protesta en Minneapolis 11 días antes de morir por los disparos de miembros de la Patrulla Fronteriza, según muestran videos que salieron a la luz el miércoles.
El altercado del 13 de enero fue capturado en un par de videos que muestran a Pretti gritando improperios a los agentes federales y forcejeando con ellos. Cuando está en el piso se le cae el abrigo de invierno que lleva y, o bien se libera o bien los oficiales lo dejan ir y él huye.
Cuando da la espalda a la cámara, se ve lo que parece ser una pistola en su cintura. En ningún momento los videos muestran a Pretti echando mano del arma y no está claro si los agentes federales la vieron.
Una persona con conocimiento del incidente confirmó a The Associated Press que el hombre que aparece en la grabación es Pretti y que él le había hablado a su familia de la la confrontación. La persona habló bajo condición de anonimato para discutir asuntos sensibles para la familia.
Los nuevos videos reavivaron de inmediato el debate nacional sobre la muerte de Pretti, de 37 años y enfermero de cuidados intensivos en el Centro Médico de Veteranos de Minneapolis. Donald Trump Jr., el hijo mayor del presidente del país, publicó uno de los videos en X y comentó: “solo un observador legal pacífico”.
Abogado: los nuevos videos no justifican los tiros
Steve Schleicher, un abogado de Minneapolis que representa a los padres de Pretti, señaló que el altercado previo no justifica de ninguna manera los disparos letales a Pretti el sábado.
“Una semana antes de que Alex fuera abatido en la calle, a pesar de no representar una amenaza para nadie, fue agredido violentamente por un grupo de agentes (de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas; ICE por sus siglas en inglés)”, dijo Schleicher en un comunicado. “Nada de lo que sucedió una semana antes podría haber justificado el asesinato de Alex a manos de ICE el 24 de enero”.
La oficina de investigación de Seguridad Nacional está revisando los nuevos videos y el incidente, indicó un portavoz del departamento. No se sabe si alguno de los agentes involucrados estuvo presente en el asesinato de Pretti.
El letal tiroteo del fin de semana pasado ocurrió en la acera de una calle donde Pretti había estado grabando a los agentes de inmigración. En un video de un testigo, un oficial lo empuja, y luego Pretti es derribado y media docena de agentes intentan someterlo. Uno ve el arma de Pretti, para la que tenía licencia, y grita: “Tiene un arma”. Dos agentes abren entonces fuego y Pretti es asesinado.
Funcionarios del gobierno de Trump reaccionaron con rapidez afirmando que Pretti se había acercado a los agentes con un arma y los había atacado.
El altercado y el tiroteo fueron capturados en múltiples videos y mostraron que Pretti nunca sacó su arma y no agredió a ningún agente. Cuando le dispararon en la espalda tendido en el suelo sostenía su celular.
Las nuevas grabaciones de la semana anterior a su muerte proceden de dos fuentes. Una, publicada por el Minnesota Star Tribune y luego obtenido por la AP, fue tomado por Max Shapiro, un testigo que filmó la interacción. La segunda era de un equipo de The News Movement, un medio de comunicación online.
Confrontación entre silbidos y gritos
Shapiro, un abogado de Minneapolis, relató en una entrevista el miércoles que vio en un chat de Signal que los agentes migratorios estaban en la zona. Llegó a la zona en auto, estacionó a media cuadra de los oficiales y salió del vehículo.
“Los observadores estaban bastante alterados y gritando”, dijo agregando que los agentes comenzaron a intentar hacer retroceder a la multitud, pero sus órdenes quedaron en gran medida ahogadas por los silbidos y los gritos.
La grabación de The News Movement muestra a Pretti —con gafas, una gorra de béisbol oscura y un abrigo de invierno— gritando a los vehículos federales, y en un momento dado parece escupir y gritar “basura” hacia el lado del conductor de una Ford Expedition oscura con luces rojas y azules intermitentes.
Cuando el vehículo se aleja lentamente, Pretti patea su luz trasera y luego da una segunda patada que rompe el plástico rojo y deja la luz trasera colgando.
Shapiro comenzó a grabar con su celular justo después de que Pretti pateara la luz trasera.
Ambos videos capturan cómo la puerta trasera del vehículo se abre de golpe y un agente de inmigración, ataviado con una máscara antigás y casco, sale y comienza a caminar hacia Pretti.
El agente agarra a Pretti por el pecho y tira de él hacia el auto mientras este agita los brazos. El oficial tira de nuevo a Pretti a la calle y lo pone de rodillas, cayendo sobre él en la refriega.
Otros agentes enmascarados y con casco los rodean e intentan someter a Pretti. Otros hacen guardia entre el grupo y una multitud que grita, antes de que los oficiales lancen botes de gases lacrimógeno y se retiren.
Después de que Pretti se aleje tambaleándose, Shapiro se acerca y lo abraza, preguntándole si está bien.
Pretti afirma que sí antes de volverse hacia otros implicados en el altercado y preguntar: ”¿Estamos todos bien? ¿Estamos todos a salvo?”.
Shapiro dijo que entiende que algunos usarán los videos para intentar vilipendiar a Pretti, pero que parecía alguien que se preocupaba mucho por lo que les sucedía a los afectados por la campaña de deportaciones del gobierno de Trump.
“No soy un experto en política migratoria (…) pero tiene que haber una mejor forma de abordar esto”, apuntó Shapiro.
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Bedayn informó desde Denver.
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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.
UE parece dispuesta a sancionar a la Guardia Revolucionaria por la represión de protestas en Irán
Associated Press
BRUSELAS (AP) — La Unión Europea parecía decidida el jueves a sancionar a la Guardia Revolucionaria paramilitar de Irán por la letal represión de Teherán a las protestas antigubernamentales a nivel nacional.
Kaja Kallas dijo que espera que los ministros de Exteriores del bloque, que se reúnen el jueves Bruselas, acuerden añadir a la Guardia iraní a su lista de organizaciones terroristas.
“Esto los pondrá al mismo nivel que Al Qaeda, Hamás, Daesh”, indicó utilizando un acrónimo en árabe para el grupo extremista Estado Islámico. “Si actúas como un terrorista, también deberías ser tratado como un terrorista”.
Irán no realizó comentarios al respecto, pero en los últimos días ha criticado a Europa mientras consideraba la medida, que sigue a una previa de Estados Unidos contra la Guardia.
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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.
After being bullied as a child, Andrew co-op’s Piper Booe gets into judo. Then wrestling. ‘That all led me.’
Andrew co-op’s Piper Booe got into wrestling after a decade of competing in judo, a sport in which she has attained success in international competitions, including winning a bronze medal in 2024 at the USA Judo Junior Olympics.
Booe’s journey started under far less than ideal circumstances, but it’s all worked out just fine.
“It’s kind of a sad story,” Booe said. “When I was younger, I used to get bullied, so my parents put me in judo for self-defense.
“But that all led me to the Junior Olympics and led to me becoming a wrestler.”
Booe, a sophomore 115-pounder who attends Sandburg, isn’t getting bullied on the wrestling mats. She continued her strong season Wednesday night, picking up a pair of pins as the host Thunderbolts beat Lockport 52-30 and St. Laurence 47-28 at the Andrew Jamboree.
“This season is going well,” Booe said. “Last year, I didn’t really take my shots and I didn’t have that much confidence. Now, I’m willing to take risks and chances.
Andrew co-op’s Piper Booe looks toward the official as she tries to pin Lockport’s Bella Romando at 115 pounds during the Andrew Jamboree in Tinley Park on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
“I’ve gotten so much better with my offense because I’m willing to put in the work.”
Booe led a strong performance for Andrew co-op — which also features wrestlers from Sandburg and Stagg — in the win over Lockport. The Porters, ranked No. 2 in the state by Illinois Matwomen, were a bit shorthanded, but it was an impressive showing for the Thunderbolts, who are the defending state champions but are currently unranked.
Reese Kreun, Tatum De La Vega, Jade Hardee, Brynnley Krauchun, Anastasia Dvorak, Bella De La Vega and Talah Hamed all had pins against Lockport.
Booe (29-3) is on a mission this season after falling one win short of qualifying for state as a freshman, losing in the blood round in the sectional.
Andrew co-op’s Tatum De La Vega, left, pins Lockport’s Alaina Churnovic at 105 pounds during the Andrew Jamboree in Tinley Park on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
“It kind of stunk because I was an alternate at state so I was down there like, ‘That could have been me,’” Booe said. “So, now that’s my goal for this year.”
Hardee, who placed third at state last season, definitely envisions Booe getting there this winter.
“I’ve been partners with her a lot this year and I’m really happy to see her accelerate in the sport,” Hardee said. “She’s also a very uplifting person and she really motivates all of us.”
Going from judo to wrestling is a natural evolution for a lot of athletes, but it did not go smoothly at first for Booe.
Andrew co-op’s Jade Hardee, left, takes control against Lockport’s Camila Mendoza at 110 pounds during the Andrew Jamboree in Tinley Park on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
“I did a month of wrestling in seventh grade and I didn’t like it so I quit,” she said. “I wasn’t good.
“But I decided to try again in high school.”
Still, even as she made the decision to give wrestling another shot, Booe acknowledged that she still felt some uncertainty.
“I was a little afraid because I was like, ‘I know some of these girls have been doing this since they were 4 or 5 years old and they have so much more experience than me,’” Booe said. “But I knew that as long as I kept that dedication, I could get just as good as them.
“I think it was just the positive environment around this team, too, that made me want to do it.”
Andrew co-op’s Piper Booe, right, takes down Lockport’s Bella Romando at 115 pounds during the Andrew Jamboree in Tinley Park on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
That environment may soon be changing. A recent Illinois High School Association amendment proposal passed that will ban co-op teams from schools whose combined enrollment is greater than 3,500 from competing for team awards.
Starting with the 2026-27 season, Andrew co-op will have to split up or stay together without a chance to compete for a team trophy.
Andew co-op coach Liz Short confirmed the schools haven’t made a decision yet, but Booe and her teammates aren’t taking their time together for granted.
“We’re working even harder to help each other grow mentally and physically in case we’re all separate next year,” she said. “We want to keep that connection and that friendship.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/29/piper-booe-andrew-coop-girls-wrestling/
Jefa de la diplomacia de la UE dice que es probable que el bloque acuerde sancionar a la Guardia Revolucionaria de Irán
BRUSELAS (AP) — Jefa de la diplomacia de la UE dice que es probable que el bloque acuerde sancionar a la Guardia Revolucionaria de Irán.
UK Government To Create ‘British FBI’, Roll Out Nationwide Facial Recognition Cameras
UK Government To Create ‘British FBI’, Roll Out Nationwide Facial Recognition Cameras
Authored by Chris Summers via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
The British Home Secretary unveiled plans in Parliament on Jan. 26 for a new National Police Service (NPS), which is modeled on the FBI and will take over the fight against terrorism and organized crime in the United Kingdom.
At the weekend, Shabana Mahmood described the NPS as a “British FBI” and said it would alleviate the burden on local police forces, allowing them to concentrate on issues such as shoplifting and street robbery.
The NPS will replace the National Crime Agency, which covers England and Wales, but it will also have a UK-wide role.
On Monday, the Home Office published a 106-page White Paper that sets out in detail the new police structure and how it would be supported by state-of-the-art technology.
The document says the government would invest 115 million pounds ($157 million) over the next three years “to enable the rapid and responsible adoption of AI and automation technologies by the police.”
A new National Centre for AI in Policing, known as Police.AI, would be created.
There are also plans to roll out facial recognition cameras nationwide to help police catch wanted criminals on watchlists.
The number of facial recognition camera vehicles would be increased from 10 to 50.
“A hundred years ago, fingerprinting was decried as curtailing our civil liberties, but today we could not imagine policing without it,” Mahmood said.
“I have no doubt that the same will prove true of facial recognition technology in the years to come.”
There is currently no dedicated statute governing police use of facial recognition in England and Wales.
Earlier this month, Eleanor “Nell” Watson, a leading researcher and adviser on artificial intelligence ethics and transparency, criticized the increased deployment of surveillance technology.
“The UK is constructing infrastructure for a surveillance society while telling itself it is merely catching criminals,” she told The Epoch Times via email.
Mahmood also announced plans to scrap the existing 43 police constabularies in England and Wales, which would be reorganized into a dozen regional forces.
“Policing is not broken, as some might have us believe,” she told the House of Commons on Monday, “Last year, the police made over three-quarters of a million arrests, five percent more than the year before.”
She said knife crime was down and murder rates in London were at their lowest recorded level.
‘Epidemic of Everyday Crime’
“However, across the country, things feel very different. Communities are facing an epidemic of everyday crime that all too often seems to go unpunished, and criminals know it,” Mahmood said. “Theft has risen by 72 percent since 2010, phone theft is up 58 percent.”
The current 43 police forces in England and Wales were set up in 1974, but Mahmood said the world has changed dramatically.
“Criminals are operating online and across borders with greater sophistication than ever before, be they drug smugglers, people traffickers or child sexual abusers,” Mahmood said.
“The world has changed dramatically since policing was last fundamentally reformed over 50 years ago. Policing remains the last great unreformed public service.”
There were plans to merge police forces 20 years ago, but the idea was dropped by the Labour government of then-Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Labour won a general election in Britain last year, and Mahmood was installed as home secretary, tasked with sorting out Britain’s police and prisons.
“Consolidating the current model will make the police more cost-efficient, giving the taxpayer more value for money, while also ensuring a less fragmented system that will better serve the public and make them safer,” the Home Office said in the paper.
Criticism of ‘Mega-Forces’
The opposition Conservatives’ shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, criticized the plan to reduce the number of police forces from 43 to 12 and said it would create forces that would be too big.
“Such huge forces will be remote from the communities they serve. Resources will be drawn away from villages and towns towards large cities,” Philp said.
He added that the Metropolitan Police, Britain’s largest police force, had the worst crime-solving rates.
“That goes to show that large scale does not automatically deliver better results, and therefore we will oppose the mandated merger of county forces into remote regional mega-forces,” Philp said.
“Over the weekend, the Home Secretary was trailing this proposal as a British FBI,” Scottish National Party (SNP) MP Pete Wishart said.
“While it might indeed be their FBI, British, it most definitely is not, as it applies only to England and Wales.”
“In Scotland, we are immensely proud of our culture and ethos of policing by consent and the fact that we have the lowest crime rates in the whole of the UK. The last thing we want is this creeping Americanization,” Wishart added and demanded to know what powers the NPS would have in Scotland.
Mahmood said NPS would cover the whole of the UK.
“In England and Wales, it will have full operational powers and will be able to carry out its law enforcement activities,” she said.
“But in Scotland and Northern Ireland, it will carry out operations only with the agreement of the legally designated authority.”
Tyler Durden
Thu, 01/29/2026 – 02:00
