Category: News
EU’s Digital Networks Act: Infrastructure Push Or Another Regulatory Straitjacket?
EU’s Digital Networks Act: Infrastructure Push Or Another Regulatory Straitjacket?
Submitted By Thomas Kolbe
The European Commission has presented the final draft of the Digital Networks Act. The legislation is intended to establish an EU-wide framework for investments in broadband expansion and telecommunications infrastructure. Whether this approach will succeed in mobilizing private capital on a larger scale, however, remains questionable.
With the Digital Networks Act (DNA), an important European Union infrastructure framework is entering its final legislative phase. Following preparatory consultations last year, the European Commission has now published its official proposal, aimed at harmonizing national telecommunications networks across member states under uniform rules. The objective is to close the substantial technological gap with leading digital economies such as the United States and China, and to provide businesses with a reliable legal framework to accelerate the rollout of 5G technology and fiber-optic networks. Responsibility for the project lies with EU Technology Commissioner Henna Virkkunen.
DNA to Refocus Subsidy Policy
The DNA will replace the existing European Electronic Communications Code (EECC) and establish the structural framework for competition, cybersecurity, and the development of digital networks. If the European Commission succeeds in reaching an agreement with the European Parliament and the Council—widely considered likely—the regulation could enter into force as early as January 2027. The final text would then still need to be transposed into national law by the member states.
At the EU level, the Digital Europe Programme provides the financial framework for digital infrastructure expansion between 2021 and 2027, with a total budget of approximately €7.6 billion. The program supports projects in cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and digital infrastructure. In addition, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital), launched a year ago with a volume of €865 million, specifically promotes gigabit broadband and 5G projects across the EU.
At the level of individual member states, funding is still predominantly driven by public investment. In 2025, for example, Germany invested approximately €4 billion of public funds into digitalization, of which around €2.9 billion was allocated specifically to broadband expansion. The private sector complemented this with more than €10 billion invested in fiber and mobile network deployment.
Across the EU, member states have outlined measures in their digital roadmaps amounting to a cumulative volume of €288.6 billion. Approximately €205.1 billion of this total comes from public budgets, with the remainder attributed to private investments and co-financing by companies and regional actors. EU-level programs such as Digital Europe, CEF Digital, Horizon Europe, InvestEU, and the IPCEIs further supplement these national funds, targeting network and technology projects.
In comparison with the United States, a markedly different investment profile emerges. There, private capital dominates, with transaction volumes exceeding $200 billion in digital infrastructure. Public spending, particularly in research and development, amounted to around $145 billion, including significant allocations in defense and technology.
In the U.S., private enterprise is the primary driver of investment, whereas Europe traditionally relies on centralized planning and state involvement. What the Digital Networks Act can realistically achieve in terms of mobilizing additional private capital—given the extensive national efforts already underway—remains uncertain. From an economic perspective, little may change: Europe continues to be a difficult and heavily regulated environment in which investments are more complex and less flexible than in the United States.
EU-Wide Applicability and Affected Companies
The DNA will apply across the EU and directly affect telecommunications and infrastructure companies. In Germany, this primarily includes Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Germany, and Telefónica Germany (O2), which operate extensive mobile and fixed-line networks and hold key spectrum licenses. Fiber-optic providers, regional network operators, and municipal utilities investing in high-speed network expansion will also fall under the new regulatory framework.
One positive aspect is that the DNA grants companies longer and more stable spectrum rights, improving planning security for investment decisions. However, it remains to be seen how transparency requirements, EU-mandated non-discrimination rules, and security provisions will be shaped in the subsequent regulatory process—and how the new EU compliance structure will function in practice.
From a consumer perspective, the expansion of 5G and fiber technology would ideally result in stable and reliable networks, particularly in Germany, where coverage gaps persist. Legal certainty for major network operators and investment incentives for infrastructure development benefit consumers, while smaller providers may also gain from more uniform market rules.
Opportunities and Risks for Competition and Innovation
The legislation fundamentally reshapes the framework for the EU’s digital infrastructure without immediately generating new costs—welcome news given strained public budgets. A unified European regulatory framework could reduce national uncertainties and eliminate cross-border discrepancies, potentially lowering transaction costs for companies.
However, the European Commission’s initiative under the DNA must be viewed with caution. Negotiations to date indicate that Brussels intends to retain the option of intervening in pricing structures, access obligations, and security requirements. This could lead to the emergence of a new bureaucracy that deeply interferes with investment processes, favoring large incumbents while effectively excluding new competitors from market entry.
Moreover, centralized coordination of spectrum at the EU level could restrict competition if existing market players benefit disproportionately from political proximity. It remains to be seen whether the regulatory framework will become a barrier to market access—or whether it will succeed in genuinely stimulating innovation within the EU economy.
About the author: Thomas Kolbe, a German graduate economist, has worked for over 25 years as a journalist and media producer for clients from various industries and business associations. As a publicist, he focuses on economic processes and observes geopolitical events from the perspective of the capital markets. His publications follow a philosophy that focuses on the individual and their right to self-determination.
Tyler Durden
Tue, 01/27/2026 – 02:00
Asking Eric: My time is really important to me
Dear Eric: My friend was recently diagnosed with ADHD. She is now continually late for events or doesn’t show up at all. On one occasion my friend was coming for dinner at my house. An hour before she was due, I got a text from another friend saying they were now having dinner at her place. My first friend didn’t contact me at all, not to apologize, nothing. I’d spent a lot of money on food and was cross.
Other times she forgets to show up at all unless I remind her several times in the lead up, or she’s really late. When she does arrive, she reminds me she’s ADHD and pokes fun at me for being so uptight about time.
My mom is dying, my father is elderly with dementia and needs care from me and my sister, my daughter is ill and I’m very stressed. My time is really important to me. And I feel very sad and alone at the moment. It’s become a lot of work to maintain this friendship.
I don’t want to lose my friend. I love her. I want to be supportive of her diagnosis, but I seem to be falling short in my heart, if not overtly.
What can I do to be better at this? Can you suggest any resources that might help me understand?
– Tired
Dear Tired: It’s possible to ask for what you need in this relationship and still be sensitive to your friend’s needs. For instance, it’s not appropriate to demand that she always be on time, but you can reinforce that communication is the bedrock of any relationship, so even after the fact you’d appreciate a check in if plans are missed.
It doesn’t seem like you’re being heard. Because what you described in your letter is someone whose candle is being burned at both ends, whose time is limited, and who needs support. Your friend may not be able to show up on time for you, but she should still be showing up.
Every friendship goes through seasons. Maybe this is not the season that you two are aligned. But it’s worth having an honest, blame-free conversation about what you both need at this moment.
As for more education, you might pick up “Dirty Laundry: Why Adults with ADHD Are So Ashamed and What We Can Do to Help,” by Richard Pink and Roxanne Emery.
Dear Eric: I have a milestone birthday next year (40!) and have been telling family and friends that I’d like to have a party or gathering with them in my country of birth.
I moved away from home 15 years ago to Europe. My parents, sister and sister’s family all live in the same city in North America, in very close proximity to one another. They see each other at least three times a week, while I travel yearly (at an immense expense) for Christmas to see them (they’ve yet to visit me, even though they’ve all been to Europe, but skipped visiting me).
My sister is also planning on traveling to our birth country, but later in the summer, given that her and my brother-in-law are teachers and can’t take time off beforehand. She wants my parents and me to join her, but I said that my birthday is a milestone birthday, and I’d like to celebrate it on my actual birthday and in the place I was born.
I had told my parents that I’d like them to also travel to our home country for my birthday. Turns out, they’re going to go on the trip with my sister and her family because my mother adores my sister’s infant son. It has made me sad, because my mom’s siblings, my cousins and some of my best friends will be celebrating with me, but now my mom won’t be in the mix.
My mom is clearly choosing my sister and her family over me. How do I tell her how hurt I am and that I really want her to be there for my birthday?
– Feeling Less Than Loved
Dear Loved: Approach with “I” statements: this is what I was hoping, this is what I’m seeing, this is how I feel, this is what I would like. It’s possible that your family is seeing this as a logistical challenge, rather than an emotional choice.
From what you’ve written, the later trip works better for more of the family. That doesn’t mean your plans aren’t important, simply that they may not see it the way that you do. Being open about your feelings and then listening to the response will help everyone get on the same page.
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It still may not be possible for everyone to join you for your birthday, but perhaps you can brainstorm an alternative way to celebrate for those that can’t.
(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/27/asking-eric-my-time-is-really-important-to-me/
Jeff Vorva’s high school girls basketball rankings and player of the week for the Daily Southtown
Bloom takes over the top spot, while red-hot Lincoln-Way West joins the rankings.
Top 10
With records through Monday and previous rankings in parentheses.
1. Bloom 20-2 (2)
Jayla Tyler and Blazing Trojans are beating conference foes by average of 33 points a game.
2. Mother McAuley 19-5 (1)
Quinn Arundel, GCAC Red’s player of the year, and Mighty Macs roll to 56-25 win over Simeon.
3. Providence 24-3 (4)
Kennady Kotowski and Celtics score huge wins over Trinity and DePaul Prep in conference.
4. Marist 19-6 (3)
Lily Porter and RedHawks look forward to Friday’s rivalry game at home against McAuley.
5. T.F. South 21-2 (5)
Sharmaine Averhart and Red Wolves head into the week with an eight-game winning streak.
6. Hillcrest 21-5 (7)
Treazure Coleman and Hawks face huge conference game Thursday night vs. T.F. South.
7. Homewood-Flossmoor (8)
Ziko Okolo and Vikings beat Lane Tech 46-41 in the Anjinea Sha Hopson Memorial Classic.
8. St. Laurence 15-8 (9)
Ciyah Thomas, GCAC White’s player of the year, and Vikings win conference for first time.
9. Lincoln-Way West 16-8 (NR)
Ava Tisch and the Warriors are riding high on red-hot streak, going 7-1 in 2026.
10. Lockport 18-8 (6)
Molly Curtis and Porters take surprising losses to Lincoln-Way Central and Lincoln-Way East.
Player of the Week
Senior guard/forward Landrie Callahan helps Providence go 4-0, including 25 points and 10 rebounds in a 66-60 win over DePaul Prep and 13 points in a 58-54 win over Trinity.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/26/jeff-vorva-girls-basketball-rankings-southland/
Out 11 months with torn ACL, Lily Costello stages big comeback for Mother McAuley. ‘Feels like I never left.’
Little did Mother McAuley’s Lily Costello know that, when she was laying on the court in agony, she had found her calling.
As a junior, the center/power forward tore her left ACL during the third game of the season against Lake Zurich. And then 11 months later, she was cleared to play again.
In the meantime, she mapped out her future, which includes studying physical therapy in college.
“I want to help people who were in the same situation as me,” Costello said. “The injury pushed me toward that. It gave me a passion for physical therapy.”
Costello, however, still has a passion for basketball. She’s one of five seniors who started Monday for the host Mighty Macs on senior night in a 56-25 nonconference victory over Simeon.
Coach Curtis Lewis gave the 12 girls on his roster ample playing time. Quinn Arundel, the GCAC Red’s player of the year, Emma Kenney and Nia Imala led the way with seven points apiece.
Mother McAuley’s Lily Costello (14) brings the ball up the court against Simeon during a nonconference game in Chicago on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Olivia Brown opened the game with five points in the first minute to spark McAuley (19-5). Costello also picked up four points, two rebounds and two steals in the first quarter.
McAuley led 37-10 at halftime and totaled 30 rebounds and 10 steals in the first half against Simeon (7-11), which received 10 points overall from Janiyah Pillow.
The 5-foot-11 Costello, meanwhile, was welcomed back with open arms when she returned.
“My teammates pushed me and they really wanted me to be a part of the team this year,” Costello said. “It was hard at the beginning.”
Mother McAuley’s Quinn Arundel (1) drives to the basket against Simeon during a nonconference game in Chicago on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Costello wants to prove herself after missing most of her sophomore season and all of the vital recruiting season in the summer. Still, she has visited Carthage.
She holds offers from Loras, Marian of Wisconsin and Oakton.
Wherever she goes, Costello wants to help give the same care to injured people as she received. She lauded Core Sport and Physical Therapy in Evergreen Park for her return.
“It’s athletic based,” Costello said of rehabbing her knee. “I worked with a basketball and they pushed me around. I worked out and they helped me get strong.”
Mother McAuley’s Lily Costello (14) looks back on defense against Simeon during a nonconference game in Chicago on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Before the injury, she confirmed that she had no idea what she was going to study in college.
In that way, it was a blessing in disguise.
“Maybe,” Costello said. “I’m glad I’m in the spot I’m in now.”
Brown, who also had offers but decided in the fall she will give up competitive basketball to also study physical therapy, pointed out that Costello has been a great teammate.
“She brings so much joy and so much encouragement to the team,” Brown said. “Whenever you’re doing bad, she’s always the first person to pick you up.
“And she’s always willing to help you if you don’t know what you are doing.”
Last season, Costello was named one of the school’s Macs for Merit recipient for athletics.
Mother McAuley’s Lily Costello (14) talks with teammate Delia Sullivan (10) before play resumes against Simeon during a nonconference game in Chicago on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Lewis praised Costello for putting in the hard work to get back.
“Lily was doing so well before she hurt her knee,” Lewis said. “We never got a full sense of what Lily can do. She’s so dynamic defensively. She’s a good post defender and can defend guards.
“With her on the floor, we have a ton of stability in our defensive situations.”
Costello acknowledged how hard it was to sit on the bench as a junior.
“When the injury happened, I was definitely frustrated because I knew I could help the team last year,” she said. “We struggled with height and struggled with rebounding.
“I felt bad because I wasn’t helping. That left me in a weird spot.”
But now, her situation is much better.
“As I got back into things, it feels like I never left,” Costello said.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/26/lily-costello-mother-mcauley-simeon-basketball/
Getting over wrist injury, Zach Grabowski ramps up drives to basket for Brother Rice. ‘It’s a lot better now.’
By the end of Monday night’s game, the bandages wrapped around the right wrist of Brother Rice’s Zach Grabowski could not hide the blood inside them.
The senior guard had to get the wrist retaped in the closing minute. He’s been dealing with the injury for a couple weeks, and while he acknowledged it has impacted his shot, he’s made the proper adjustments.
“It feels weird,” Grabowski said. “But now I’m just going downhill. I’m playing that game because I’m not shooting as good right now, so I have to take advantage of my athleticism and get to the basket.
“I have to try to attack.”
Grabowski did that pretty well against Andrew, with most of his 10 points coming on drives to the basket. He also pulled down seven rebounds as the host Crusaders toughed out a 37-31 nonconference win over the Thunderbolts in Chicago.
Aiden Henderson led Brother Rice (14-8) with 12 points. Charlie Wizgird added seven points and seven rebounds, while JJ Manos contributed eight rebounds.
Brother Rice’s Zach Grabowski (11) makes a pass against Andrew during a nonconference game in Chicago on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
Justin Freeman finished with 12 points and six rebounds for Andrew (10-13). Ryan Dinnon delivered eight points and a whopping 18 rebounds, while Titus Payton chipped in with five points.
Grabowski, meanwhile, hurt his wrist in a Jan. 13 win over Aurora Central Catholic.
“I went for a layup and had a really bad fall,” he said. “Thankfully, I didn’t break it. I was out for maybe a week and missed two big games against St. Laurence and Loyola.
“Now, it’s just pushing through it. It’s a lot better now.”
Brother Rice’s Aiden Henderson (1) goes for a layup on Andrew’s Justin Freeman (22) during a nonconference game in Chicago on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
On a night when everyone on the floor struggled to make shots, the 6-foot-3 Grabowski’s willingness to go to the basket against a bigger Andrew team made a major difference.
“I might be smaller than some of these bigger guys, but at heart I don’t feel like that,” Grabowski said. “I feel like I can compete with any bigger guy. It’s my senior year and I’ve got to give it all I’ve got.”
Brother Rice coach Rick Romeli has been pushing Grabowski to attack the basket more often.
“He’s probably one of the better athletes on our team,” Romeli said. “Sometimes, I think he needs to go in and crash those offensive boards more and try to get some easy ones around the basket.
Brother Rice’s JJ Manos (21) and Andrew’s Qasam Alzir (1) battle for a rebound during a nonconference game in Chicago on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
“When he’s a little bit more aggressive offensively, it makes us much more effective.”
Monday’s game was a nip-and-tuck affair throughout. The largest lead of the night was the final margin of six.
Andrew moved ahead 17-16 at halftime and there were five lead changes in the third quarter before Brother Rice locked things down, holding the Thunderbolts without a field goal in the fourth.
“I don’t like playing a game in the 30s, but you might have to win a playoff game like this,” Romeli said. “It wasn’t the most pretty game, but I thought we did a good job defensively.”
Henderson knows the Crusaders can always count on Grabowski on that end of the floor.
Andrew’s Ryan Dinnon (33) tries to get to the basket between Brother Rice’s Zach Grabowski (11) and Charlie Wizgird (13) during a nonconference game in Chicago on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
“Zach plays tough defense all the time,” Henderson said. “And he knocks down 3-pointers. He’s also being a really good leader for us as a senior.”
Grabowski played sparingly as a junior, scoring just 21 points. But he learned plenty from being on a team that finished as the Class 3A state runner-up.
“What I took away from those guys was knowing how to play through adversity,” he said. “Last year, we had a tough stretch where we lost the Christmas tournament and lost like three games and we were all down. But we all came together as a team and learned to grit it out.
“That’s what I’m trying to bring to this team this year. We need that toughness and grit.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/26/zach-grabowski-brother-rice-andrew-basketball/
3 takeaways from the Chicago Bulls’ loss to the Lakers, including a 46-point scorcher from Luka Dončić
Fans at the United Center always show up a little differently for LeBron James.
Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers marked the latest chapter in the long iteration of Chicago’s relationship with the NBA’s greatest star. The stands were dotted with an abnormal amount of yellow and purple as Lakers fans crowded the railing for a glimpse at their favorite out-of-town players.
In better years, this relationship meant that Bulls fans showed up ready to cheer against James. That remained true for much of Monday’s game. All they needed was a little fuel on the fire.
And despite sinking into an early 20-point deficit, the Bulls gave it to the Lakers in spurts throughout the fourth quarter. When Matas Buzelis threw a ball off James while tumbling out of bounds on defense to convert a change of possession. When Kevin Huerter drew an offensive foul when the Lakers tried to push their luck in transition by baiting the larger forward into pushing his arm into the guard’s neck. When the Bulls cut the lead down to three points with just under six minutes remaining.
But in a game defined by its stars, the Bulls simply couldn’t keep up. The Lakers didn’t even need their heroics to come from James. Luka Dončić handled the closing shift instead, burying the Bulls with a handful of late 3s to fend off any last attempt at a comeback. Jaxson Hayes delivered the final body blow of the night, throwing down an Eastbay dunk in transition after stealing a ball off Josh Giddey to put the Lakers up 14 points with just under three minutes remaining.
Dončić finished with 46 points — an almost pedestrian performance from an All-Star averaging 33.4 points per game — to end the Bulls’ four-game winning streak with a 129-118 loss.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts after he was called for a foul during the second half against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
“I think we did a lot of good things tonight,” guard Coby White said. “We shot the ball really well. It just happened they got a guy named Luka who had 46 points.”
In the final minute, the Bulls faced a bleak revelation as Lakers fans rumbled the arena with a collective chant calling for Bronny James to enter the game — their home court was not their own, at least for one night.
Here are three takeaways from the loss.
1. Coughing it up.
The Bulls handed the game over to the Lakers in the second quarter with a complete collapse of organization on offense.
Chicago scored 25 points in the second quarter. Los Angeles scored 14 points off turnovers alone in the same span. This margin of mistakes and missed scoring opportunities sank the Bulls into a 20-point deficit, although they were able to scrape that disparity down to 13 points by the end of the half. Matas Buzelis and Coby White especially struggled with giveaways, turning the ball over twice on the same play midway through the quarter.
Josh Giddey and Ayo Dosunmu combined for 15 points off the bench in the second quarter, but the rest of the Bulls offense grinded down to a bitter halt.
2. White hot streak.
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White shoots over Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes during the second half in Chicago, Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The Bulls fueled a short sprint of success — winning their last four games to dip back over .500 for the first time since November — in large part due to the volume and accuracy of their 3-point shooting. Chicago shot 46.9% from behind the arc to knock down 83 total 3s over that four-game winning streak.
That shooting cooled slightly against the Lakers — going only 8-for-27 in the second half — but the Bulls still managed to land 18 3-pointers off 36.7% shooting.
3. Load management looming.
The Bulls are about to embark on a grueling final stretch of play before the All-Star break, featuring a pair of back-to-back series that will add up to four games in five days. This will be especially challenging for the backcourt due to the loss of Tre Jones.
Both White and Giddey remain under minutes restrictions. White is closer to his typical playing load — logging 31 minutes against the Lakers — and expects to play in at least one set of back-to-back games. But Giddey is still coming off the bench to accommodate a 24-minute playing time restriction, a change that is not expected to lift this week.
Bonus: Benny’s new number.
Chicago Bulls guard Dalen Terry hugs Benny the Bull during warmups on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)
The retirement of Derrick Rose’s number ushered in another change for the Bulls — a new number for the team’s mascot, Benny.
Benny the Bull has worn the No. 1 jersey since he first debuted with the team in 1969. But retired jersey numbers apply to everyone, including bright red anthropomorphized steers. So on Monday, Benny unveiled the new jersey number that he will wear for the foreseeable future: No. 99.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/26/chicago-bulls-los-angeles-lakers-luka-doncic/
Indiana Senate shoots down Democratic amendments to abortion bill
Indiana Senate Democrats proposed four amendments to an abortion medication bill, but all of them failed in voice votes Monday.
Senate Bill 236, authored by State Sen. Tyler Johnson, R-Leo, that states a person who manufactures, distributes, mails, transports, delivers, prescribes or provides an abortion inducing drug is jointly and severally liable for the wrongful death of an unborn child or pregnant woman from using the drug and personal injury of an unborn child or pregnant woman from the use of the abortion inducing drug.
The bill also redefines abortion to be the “act of using or prescribing an instrument, a drug, a medicine, or any other substance, device or means with the intent to cause the death of an unborn child of a woman. The term does not include birth control devices or contraceptives. An act is not an abortion if the act is done with the intent to save the life or preserve the health of an unborn child; remove a dead, unborn child whose death was caused by miscarriage or stillbirth or remove an ectopic pregnancy.”
The bill would allow the mother or father of an unborn child to bring a wrongful death action for the wrongful death of the unborn child from the use of abortion inducing drugs.
Medication abortions accounted for more than 60% of abortions nationwide in 2023, the most recent year that data was available, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Patients in states with abortion bans can obtain medication — most commonly mifepristone and misoprostol — through shield law providers, who prescribe and mail them via a telehealth consultation. Bans on the mailing of drugs used to terminate a pregnancy are already in effect in Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas.
Further, the bill allows for qui tam actions, which means someone who suspects a woman had an abortion could file a lawsuit on behalf of the state. The bill states the person who brings the case could receive up to $100,000 for bringing the case and legal fees would be covered by the defendant.
On second reading Monday, Johnson filed an amendment to remove the portion of the bill that required Terminated Pregnancy Reports, including additional information about providers, to go to the Department of Health and the Attorney General’s Office.
State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., D-Chesterton, proposed an amendment to change the definition of abortion back to the definition under current law. The new definition would “throw the medical field into confusion as to what guidelines we’re supposed to be following,” Pol said.
Johnson, who is a doctor, said he spoke to obstetricians and gynecologists with whom he works and determined that the bill’s definition of abortion “is meant to help.”
State Sen. Andrea Hunley, D-Indianapolis, filed two amendments to address immunity. First, immunity for women who received abortion medication from a state where abortion is legal and brought the second pill to their home in Indiana to take there.
The second amendment would provide immunity to close family members who help a woman obtain abortion medication.
The bill gives the pregnant woman immunity, Johnson said, and he wouldn’t want to give immunity to anyone else.
State Sen. Shelli Yoder, D-Bloomington, proposed an amendment to remove the qui tam actions because it would allow for “citizen’s arrest” if someone believes a woman had an abortion.
“If this conduct is illegal, then the state should enforce it through prosecutors and appropriate agencies. But not through private bounty-style litigation,” Yoder said.
Johnson said he views the qui tam portion of the bill as a “whistleblower” statute.
The bill moves forward for final vote by the Senate.
Gina Dutkanych doesn’t let a lack of height slow her down for Aurora Central Catholic. ‘Always like driving.’
Always having dealt with a lack of height, Aurora Central Catholic’s Gina Dutkanych has known from a young age that she would be going up against bigger players.
That’s never slowed down the 5-foot-3 senior point guard, though.
“I always like driving,” Dutkanych said. “It’s fun to get fouled and go to the line. I’m just used to doing that by now.”
She isn’t lighting up the stat sheet, but her steady hand has kept ACC going all season.
Dutkanych only scored five points Monday, but her ability to handle the ball, get steals and come up with the clutch shot paced the host Chargers to a 54-42 nonconference win over Kaneland.
While Dutkanych set the tone, Sofia Orozco led all scorers with 24 points for ACC (17-7). Ashley Watter added 12. Amani Meeks paced Kaneland (17-6) with 10. Grace Brunscheen had nine.
Aurora Central Catholic’s Gina Dutkanych (3) splits defense and looks to go up for a layup against Kaneland during a nonconference game in Aurora on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)
Dutkanych has done everything asked of her by coach LeVada Smith, who noticed Dutkanych’s toughness before she even officially suited up for the Chargers.
“The summer before her freshman year, I had her playing with us in summer league,” Smith said. “Right away, it was like, ‘This girl is like 5-foot-3 and doesn’t care.’ She’s just out there playing.
“She didn’t care who it was.”
After bouncing between JV and varsity her first two seasons, Dutkanych settled into the varsity rotation last winter. With four-year starter Sofia Corral and Grace Grunloh, who is out for the season with an injury, both handling the ball, reps at the point were hard to come by.
Aurora Central Catholic’s Gina Dutkanych (3) dribbles to create space against Kaneland during a nonconference game in Aurora on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)
Dutkanych tried to get her work in when she could.
“This year is a lot different,” Dutkanych said. “It’s my role all the time. I’m just trying to do the best I can because I’m not used to doing it on varsity. I got a lot of work in JV practicing that.
“Last year was good too when I got to play point guard for a little bit when the starter wasn’t in.”
ACC came out blistering hot Monday, opening the first quarter with a 13-0 lead. Playing its first game in 11 days, Kaneland finally settled in, cutting the deficit to 25-20 at halftime.
Aurora Central Catholic’s Gina Dutkanych (3) focuses on her defensive assignment against Kaneland during a nonconference game in Aurora on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)
Kaneland coach Brian Claesson preaches the importance of the first three minutes of the second half, but ACC dominated that stretch to pull away from the Knights.
A 9-3 spurt that included a driving layup from Dutkanych pushed the lead to 34-23.
“I think there was kind of some rust in there,” Claesson said. “Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this because we had some good practices leading up to it. It’s one of those games where I don’t really know what to say to the girls afterward. It’s more like, ‘Hey, let’s refocus.’”
Claesson confirmed that ACC’s fast-paced style has given his teams fits in the past.
“They’re aggressive,” Claesson said of the Chargers. “They have some skill players. They always kind of give us problems. They played awesome.”
Aurora Central Catholic’s Gina Dutkanych (3) shoots a free throw against Kaneland during a nonconference game in Aurora on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)
Dutkanych is the driver of that style this season. Her contributions haven’t gone unnoticed.
“A lot of people think a point guard has to score 15-20 points,” Smith said. “I’m like, no, I just want her to get from Point A to Point B, make some shots and get a couple steals like she did.
“That’s what you’re supposed to do. Protect the ball. She’s a very underrated point guard. It doesn’t show in the stats. She’s feisty.”
The Chargers won their fifth straight Monday, and Dutkanych likes where the arrow is pointing.
“I think we’re definitely getting better,” she said. “We’re looking to win regionals. It’s been a few years. Obviously, as a senior, I’d like to go out with a win like that.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/26/gina-dutkanych-aurora-central-catholic-kaneland/
The “BRICS Naval Drill” That Wasn’t
The “BRICS Naval Drill” That Wasn’t
South Africa allowed this false perception to spread as a symbolic act of defiance against Trump given his hatred of BRICS, whose members and partners were invited to this drill, and to signal to the domestic audience that their country has friends across the world amidst its tensions with the US.
Most folks have probably heard about the “BRICS naval drill” that recently took place in South African waters, which prompted a complaint from the US due to Iran’s participation. The South African Defense Minister had earlier defended the drill, to which all BRICS Plus countries were invited, as planned before the US’ seizure of a Russian-flagged tanker and aimed at ensuring safety on the high seas. All the while, the world was left with the impression that this was indeed a “BRICS naval drill”, which wasn’t true.
India chose not to participate and released a statement reading that “We clarify that the exercise in question was entirely a South African initiative in which some BRICS members took part. It was not a regular or institutionalised BRICS activity, nor did all BRICS members take part in it. India has not participated in previous such activities. The regular exercise that India is a part of in this context is the IBSAMAR maritime exercise that brings together the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa.”
Amidst the fake news about BRICS that’s been spread by Alt-Media, all of which centers on the false notion that it’s an allied bloc that assembled against the West, it’s understandable why many believed that this was a “BRICS naval drill”. India’s clarification that it wasn’t dispelled the perception that it’s distancing itself from the group, which is another falsehood peddled by Alt-Media, and reaffirmed that BRICS isn’t a security organization unlike what some of its enthusiasts hope that it one day becomes.
As for why India didn’t join the drill in which many of its BRICS Plus partners participated, it likely felt uncomfortable taking part in a non-obligatory exercise with China (unlike yearly SCO ones) amidst their unresolved border disputes and probably also didn’t want to risk angering the US given Trump’s hatred of BRICS. He’s been misled into thinking that its members are plotting to dethrone the dollar and consequently threatened tariffs against its members a year ago solely on that pretext.
He’s since imposed a 25% tariff on India for its purchase of Russian oil on top of the 25% “reciprocal” one that he earlier decreed for a total of 50% tariffs, however, and then threatened secondary ones for noncompliance with last fall’s energy-related sanctions against Russia. Any further tariffs upon India, regardless of the pretext, might have a noticeable effect on its economy and therefore the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. It’s therefore understandable why he’d want to avoid that.
South Africa is under US pressure just like India is, but officially over the Boer issue, though it was explained here how the US seeks to advance other interests on this pretext. The US also dislikes South Africa’s championing of the Palestinian cause and that it took Israel to the International Court of Justice over accusations of committing genocide during the recent war. Instead of playing it safe like India has and avoiding anything that could further provoke the US, South Africa organized the latest naval drill.
Only inviting its BRICS Plus partners might therefore have been meant as a symbolic act of defiance against Trump and to signal to the domestic audience that their country has friends across the world amidst its tensions with the US. That would explain why South Africa didn’t clarify that this wasn’t a “BRICS naval drill” and instead let that false perception spread to India’s chagrin. The reality is that no such “BRICS naval drill” was held and none might ever be organized due to the group’s economic focus.
Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/26/2026 – 23:25
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/brics-naval-drill-wasnt
Basketball and local scores for the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County
High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County coverage areas.
Email Daily Southtown results to southtownsports@gmail.com, Beacon-News, Courier-News and Naperville Sun results to tribwestsports@gmail.com and News-Sun results to newssunsports@gmail.com.
MONDAY’S RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOLS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Brother Rice 37, Andrew 31
Burlington Central 55, Prairie Ridge 49
Corliss 62, Bloom 60 (OT)
Bloom (11-9): Javion Hatten 12 points. Troy Garner 10 points.
Genoa-Kingston 55, Somonauk 39
IMSA 61, Mooseheart 39
Montini 68, Aurora Central Catholic 43
ACC (9-12, 1-4 CCL White): Leo Corral 10 points.
Southland Prep 62, Bremen 55
Bremen (9-15): Kishawn Gantt 26 points.
Wheaton Warrenville South 62, St. Charles East 33
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Mother McAuley 56, Simeon 25
Aurora Central Catholic 54, Kaneland 42
Aurora Christian 38, Somonauk 36
Badger (Wis.) 65, Antioch 48
Antioch (8-14): Heidi Rathmann 17 points.
Bloom 53, Rich Township 23
Burlington Central 69, Hampshire 59
Burlington Central (14-8, 8-2 Fox Valley): Julia Scheuer 24 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists. Audrey LaFleur 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists. Kelsey Covey 10 points.
Hampshire (10-12, 5-5): Mikala Amegasse 17 points. Veronica Dumoulin 17 points. Peyton McCarthy 11 points.
Evergreen Park 53, Lincoln Park 23
Evergreen (18-6): Tatum Harris 10 points. Grace Kole 10 points.
Grayslake Central 65, Prairie Ridge 24
Indian Creek 43, Putnam County 34
Indian Creek (11-9): Ally Keilman 16 points. Elsie Betz 10 points.
Johnsburg 54, Lakes 31
Lakes (6-17): Ryan Horvath 12 points.
Lake Forest 40, Deerfield 34
Oak Forest 46, Morton 28
Oak Forest (17-8): Maddie Martinez 14 points. Natalia Covarrubias 13 points. Kynzie Oliver 10 points.
Providence 58, Hinsdale South 40
Providence (24-3): Taylor Healy 19 points, 8 rebounds. Landrie Callahan 19 points, 5 rebounds.
Vernon Hills 52, Grant 33
Vernon Hills (17-5): Emma Jocson 18 points. Eve Engler 12 points.
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
HIGH SCHOOLS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Christ the King 54, Aurora Christian 45
Crystal Lake Central 57, Grant 47
De La Salle 68, Jones 45
De La Salle (9-13): Remi Edwards 16 points, 12 rebounds. Chaden Harvey 14 points.
Deerfield 46, Grayslake Central Central 27
Elgin 49, Parkview Christian 46
Elk Grove 58, Grayslake North 51
Geneva 53, Wheaton Warrenville South 45
Highland Park 45, Buffalo Grove 42
Highland Park (5-16): Gray Kanter 21 points.
Hoffman Estates 65, Naperville Central 56
Joliet Catholic 65, Plainfield Central 41
JCA (12-7): Jayden Armstrong 21 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds.
Libertyville 61, Rolling Meadows 39
Libertyville (10-7): Bryce Wegrzyn 23 points. Trevor Wallace 15 points.
Lincoln-Way Central 49, Oak Forest 44
Oak Lawn 57, Stagg 51
Oak Lawn (16-6): Marc Harvey 19 points. Ben Delberto 17 points. Omar Saleh 12 points, 10 rebounds.
Stagg (11-10): Dovydas Zuperka 22 points, 6 rebounds. Omar Barakat 13 points, 4 assists.
Palatine 64, Jacobs 43
Prospect 57, Stevenson 50
Stevenson (15-6): Donny Williams 22 points. Rocco Pagliocca 12 points.
Richmond-Burton 68, Plano 57
Plano (11-10, 5-2 Kishwaukee River): Ethan Taxis 20 points. Kevin Martinez 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks.
St. Patrick 79, Antioch 39
Sandwich 57, Marengo 51
Sandwich (7-15, 3-4 Kishwaukee River): Nick Michalek 18 points, 4 assists. Griffin Somlock 15 points, 4 assists. Brady Behringer 11 points, 16 rebounds.
Stillman Valley 59, Round Lake 54
Waubonsie Valley 62, Larkin 52
Wauconda 78, North Chicago 72
Wauconda (16-5, 7-0 Northern Lake County): Alex Ortega 32 points, 4 assists. Austin Carlsen 22 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals.
BATAVIA JIM AND SYLVIA ROBERTS NIGHT OF HOOPS
Batavia 55, Hinsdale Central 37
Batavia (13-8): Brett Berggren 15 points. Xavier Justice 13 points.
Burlington Central 62, Wheaton Warrenville South 56 (OT)
Burlington Central (12-7): Patrick Magan 24 points.
Downers Grove North 66, West Aurora 62 (OT)
Rockford Guilford 63, St. Charles East 50
York 43, Hillcrest 38
BENET WHEN SIDES COLLIDE SHOOTOUT
Benet 67, Warren 60
Benet (23-1): Jayden Wright 21 points. Ed Stasys 11 points. Colin Stack 11 points.
Warren (17-2): Jaxson Davis 28 points.
Neuqua Valley 75, Bolingbrook 69
Neuqua (21-1): Cole Kelly 29 points. Mason Martin 28 points.
DePaul Prep 59, Marist 43
Marist (19-3): Charles Barnes 15 points. Adoni Vassilakis 14 points.
New Trier 82, Oswego East 51
Oswego East (14-7): Mason Lockett 24 points.
FULTON ERIC OTTENS SHOOTOUT
Marmion 64, Lena-Winslow 40
Marmion (12-9): Ben Piekarz 15 points. Brendan Kavanaugh 11 points. Max Ulbrich 10 points.
METAMORA SHOOTOUT
Metamora 81, Yorkville Christian 69
Yorkville Christian (13-7): Jayden Riley 26 points.
PERSPECTIVES LEADERSHIP HOOP IT UP CLASSIC
Naperville North 56, Southland Prep 20
Naperville North (17-6): Jack Zitko 22 points.
Perspectives MSA 61, St. Rita 57
St. Rita (10-14): Eze Nwagwu 15 points.
THORNWOOD CHELBY FRAZIER MEMORIAL SHOOTOUT
Leo 60, T.F. North 31
Leo (16-4): Asa Harris 17 points. Brian Kizer 12 points.
Thornton 57, Richards 53
Thornton (9-10): Dakari Nesbitt 21 points. DeAndre Higgs 13 points.
Richards (11-9): Travon Gourdine 14 points. Messiah Horton 12 points. Jordan Shaw 12 points.
Thornwood 67, T.F. South 64
Corliss 61, Bremen 53
Payton 48, Crete-Monee 42
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Andrew 55, Oak Lawn 44
Andrew (13-10): Ana Cisek 12 points. Charlotte Gallivan 12 points.
Batavia 41, Lake Park 29
Batavia (8-16, 5-4 DuKane): Ali Thomas 14 points. Eva Holzl 11 points.
Cary-Grove 44, Mundelein 41
Mundelein (16-10): Casey Vyverman 17 points.
Dwight 57, Newark 24
Grayslake Central 58, Round Lake 36
Grayslake Central (12-9, 8-1 Northern Lake County): Peyton Hoffmann 31 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 assists, 4 blocks.
Homewood-Flossmoor 47, Lane 41
IC Catholic 51, Reavis 45
Lake Zurich 55, Barrington 43
Libertyville 60, Stevenson 36
Libertyville (18-4, 9-0 North Suburban): Lily Fisher 31 points, 6 rebounds, 6 steals. Elle Knight 10 points, 10 rebounds.
Lincoln-Way West 62, Normal Community 31
Loyola 65, Mother McAuley 42
Morgan Park 48, Hammond Central (Ind.) 42
Naperville Central 57, Yorkville 42
Naperville Central (20-3): Annabelle Kritzer 31 points, 17 rebounds, 4 blocks. Erin Hackett 16 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 assists.
Yorkville (10-11): Sydney McCabe 15 points.
Nazareth 63, Joliet Catholic 21
Neuqua Valley 64, Plainfield East 26
New Trier 56, Deerfield 30
Oak Forest 34, Stagg 29
Oak Forest (16-8): Natalia Covarrubias 15 points.
Palatine 52, South Elgin 29
Prairie Ridge 35, Beecher 29
Beecher (13-10): Gianna Bonomo 11 points.
Providence 73, Joliet Central 46
Providence (23-3): Layken Callahan 19 points. Landrie Callahan 18 points.
Rolling Meadows 61, Streamwood 33
St. Charles North 47, Wheaton North 18
St. Edward 51, Bishop McNamara 29
St. Viator 41, Marian Catholic 36
Marian (10-14, 1-7 ESCC): Ty Jackson 19 points, 5 rebounds.
Sandburg 75, Joliet West 29
Sandburg (11-14): Zoe Trunk 14 points. Gyneen Ali 12 points. Ellie Driscoll 10 points.
Southland Prep 48, Argo 43
Argo (17-9): Kendra Watson 13 points, 10 rebounds. Demi Ready 13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists.
Waubonsie Valley 56, Bolingbrook 43
Waubonsie (22-1): Danyella Mporokoso 28 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds. Arie Garcia-Evans 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists.
Wauconda 56, Antioch 42
Wauconda (19-1, 9-0 Northern Lake County): Sophie Giles 14 points, 6 rebounds. Kelsey Piehl 13 points.
Willows 64, Tinley Park 48
Compiled by Josh Krockey.
