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On the campaign trail over the summer, Donald Trump claimed that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “misses me,” and that relations between their two countries would improve with a second Trump term. At a defense expo in Pyongyang this week, the North Korean dictator had a very different message. “We have already explored every possible avenue in negotiating with the U.S.,” Kim said , according to state media, accusing the U.S. of an “unchanging aggressive and hostile policy” toward the country that’s helped put international affairs into their “most chaotic and violent” state since World War II. Throughout 2024, North Korea has been signalling a wariness to engage with the U.S. After Trump’s comments about Kim in July, a state news agency said , “No matter what administration takes office in the US, the political climate, which is confused by the infighting of the two parties, does not change and, accordingly, we do not care about this.” The back-and-forth comes as relations between the U.S. and North Korea continue to deteriorate, despite Trump’s multiple face-to-face meetings with Kim during his first term. The U.S. has continued high-profile military drills in the Pacific with North Korea’s rival and neighbor South Korea , while North Korea has continued expanding its nuclear arsenal, and has sent troops and weapons to support the Russians in their war against U.S. ally Ukraine . “Trump may think love letters are enough, but for the past five years Kim has shown he’s determined not to lose face again,” Hwang Ji-hwan, a professor of international relations at the University of Seoul, told The Wall Street Journal of the regime’s recent statements. During Trump’s first term, he alternated between chest-beating bluster and diplomacy with the North Korean leader. Early on, Trump mocked Kim as “Little Rocket Man” and threatened to unleash “fire and fury” after a North Korean nuclear test, prompting the North Koreans to brand Trump a “dotard” served by “gangsters.” Between 2018 and 2019, the pair met three times — in Singapore, Hanoi, and at the Korean Dimilitarized Zone — but failed to secure a potential agreement on denuclearization and sanctions relief. Since then, Russia and North Korea have continued to deepen their military and diplomatic relationship. Pyongyang has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help Russia in its stalled invasion of Ukraine, while Russian president Vladimir Putin has sent gifts including dozens of rare animals to the dictatorial regime.
Authorities found Haddon, 76, dead in a second-floor bedroom on Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the house in Solebury Township, Pennsylvania. A 76-year-old man police later identified as Walter J Blucas, of Erie, was hospitalised in critical condition. Responders detected a high level of carbon monoxide in the property and township police said on Saturday that investigators determined that “a faulty flue and exhaust pipe on a gas heating system caused the carbon monoxide leak”. Two medics were taken to a hospital for carbon monoxide exposure and a police officer was treated at the scene. As a model, Haddon appeared on the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle and Esquire in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1973 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She also appeared in about two dozen films from the 1970s to 1990s, according to IMDb, including 1994’s Bullets Over Broadway, starring John Cusack. Haddon left modelling after giving birth to her daughter, Ryan, in the mid-1970s, but then had to re-enter the workforce after her husband’s 1991 death. This time, she found the modelling industry far less friendly: “They said to me, ‘At 38, you’re not viable,'” Haddon told The New York Times in 2003. Working a menial job at an advertising agency, Haddon began reaching out to cosmetic companies, telling them there was a growing market to sell beauty products to aging baby boomers. She eventually landed a contract with Clairol, followed by Estee Lauder and then L’Oreal, for which she promoted the company’s anti-aging products for more than a decade. She also hosted beauty segments for CBS’s The Early Show. “I kept modelling, but in a different way,” she told The Times, “I became a spokesperson for my age.” In 2008, Haddon founded WomenOne, an organisation aimed at advancing educational opportunities for girls and women in marginalised communities, including Rwanda, Haiti and Jordan. Haddon was born in Toronto and began modelling as a teenager to pay for ballet classes – she began her career with the Canadian ballet company, Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, according to her website. Haddon’s daughter, Ryan, said in a social media post that her mother was “everyone’s greatest champion. An inspiration to many”. “A pure heart. A rich inner life. Touching so many lives. A life well lived. Rest in Light, Mom,” she said.Legendary drug lord Fabio Ochoa is deported to Colombia and walks free after 20 years in US prisons
The week ahead encourages Taurus natives to practice patience and deliberate action, as certain days could feel more challenging while others present welcome surges of inspiration. As the week begins on the 29th, you may already sense a cautious mindset settling in. This mood intensifies around the 30th, when you are advised to stay vigilant while driving and to minimize unnecessary risks in both personal and financial matters. You could confront tension with a spouse or partner, but calm communication can keep the peace. Fortunately, by midweek, your perseverance starts bearing fruit. You may notice a shift in your luck or experience doors opening that were previously shut. Where you encountered delays or obstacles, you can now experience smoother progress, particularly in legal, administrative, or property-related matters. As you cross into the first days of January, a sense of optimism will likely re-emerge. The close of the week sees you in a reflective mood, contemplating new ventures or expansions in your life and making strategic plans to set yourself up for steady success in the coming months. Love and Relationship In matters of the heart, the beginning of the week could test your composure. Differences of opinion, especially around the 30th and 31st, may lead to tension with your spouse. If you are dating or in a budding relationship, it’s best to avoid escalating small misunderstandings. Taurus is known for loyalty, but also for stubbornness; strive to find compromises before small rifts deepen. From around the midweek, the love climate improves noticeably. Singles may encounter promising new faces or develop fresh connections in group settings. If you are hoping to strengthen a current relationship, organize meaningful shared experiences – anything from a simple home-cooked meal to a nature outing. Taking the time to be supportive and actively listen can help unravel any knots of tension that formed earlier in the week. Those in committed partnerships stand to grow closer through heartfelt discussions, as you both plan future goals. Education and Career Educationally, this week demands careful attention to detail for Taurus students. The first couple of days may be marked by mental distractions or even physical discomfort, making it tough to focus. Perseverance is crucial: carve out consistent study blocks and reduce social media or leisure distractions when possible. By midweek, thanks to your natural determination, you can catch up on any backlog of reading or assignments. On the career front, whether you are employed or self-employed, this week offers a mix of hurdles and breakthroughs. You may face unexpected tests of your resilience early on. Around the 30th and 31st, forward momentum seems slow. Yet, come midweek, an opportunity for progress appears, especially for business owners looking to expand. Use the latter half of the week to network with those who can help you achieve your goals. Persistence is your strength, so trust that each small win pushes your career to new heights. Money and Finance Taurus individuals are typically adept at managing finances, yet the beginning of this period urges extra vigilance. The 30th and 31st caution you against hasty investments. If you have plans to venture into speculative markets, ensure you have done thorough research or consider deferring such decisions until you feel more financially secure. Unforeseen expenses could arise, so having a buffer in place will bring peace of mind. By the midweek, you might detect more favorable economic conditions. Some Tauruses could receive overdue funds or gain a boost from a side hustle or new client. This is a strategic time to finalize deals or engage in property negotiations, provided you remain wary of last-minute changes. Toward the weekend, your financial flow steadies, giving you the confidence to assess your financial goals calmly. Whether you plan to allocate funds for long-term investments or set aside money for personal pursuits, this is the moment to organize and finalize strategies. Health and Well-being On the wellness front, the start of the week can bring about some unease. You may encounter minor aches, pains, or digestive upsets, especially if stress levels run high. Cultivating healthy coping mechanisms—such as gentle stretches, hydration, or light exercise—can fend off potential ailments. In the middle to latter part of the week, as you settle into a more stabilized routine, you should see marked improvements in mood and vitality. Be mindful, however, that emotional stress can manifest physically if not properly addressed. Taking breaks, practicing mindfulness, or indulging in a calming activity (like reading or listening to music) will go a long way in maintaining equilibrium. Avoid confrontation and simmering anger, as internalized tension can aggravate health issues. With consistent self-care, you’ll wrap up the week feeling more grounded and ready to tackle new endeavors. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shaquil Barrett is rejoining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs signed the two-time Super Bowl champion on Saturday, while also announcing safety Jordan Whitehead was activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Carolina Panthers. Barrett spent five seasons with Tampa Bay from 2019 to 2023. He led the NFL with a franchise-record 19 1-2 sacks in his first year with the Bucs, then helped the team win its second Super Bowl title the following season. In all, Barrett started 70 games with Tampa Bay, amassing 45 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions. He was released last winter in a salary cap move, signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins in free agency, then abruptly announced his retirement on social media before the start of training camp in July. Barrett, who also won a Super Bowl during a four-season stint with the Denver Broncos, decided to unretire last month. He signed with the Bucs after clearing waivers earlier in the week. Whitehead has missed the past four games with a pectoral injury. His return comes of the heels of the Bucs placing safety Christian Izien on IR with a pectoral injury. On Saturday, the Bucs also activated rookie wide receiver Kameron Johnson from IR and elevated punter Jack Browning to the active roster from the practice squad. ___ NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl The Associated Press
Craig Berube Bashes Leafs' Effort, Makes No Excuses for Controversial LossCancer, Weekly Horoscope, December 29 to January 04, 2025: The week promises familial joys
By JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, center speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, speaks with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, before testifying at a hearing, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Sept. 12, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Vance is taking on an atypical role as Senate guide for Trump nominees The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Mar-a-Lago scene is a far cry from Vance’s hardscrabble upbringing Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. Related Articles On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” Vance is making his voice heard as Trump stocks his Cabinet While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance will draw on his Senate background going forward Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.