HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans made mistakes in every facet of the game Sunday against the Tennessee Titans to lose for the third time in four games. C.J. Stroud threw two interceptions, the defense gave up multiple big passing plays and Ka′imi Fairbairn missed a 28-yard field goal that would have tied it late in a 32-27 loss . “Just a disappointing loss for us,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We didn’t do anything well enough to win this game. Out of all the positives that we did have, there were way too many negatives, too many negative plays.” Jimmie Ward had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter and the Texans tied a franchise record with eight sacks. Danielle Hunter led the group with a season-high three sacks and Will Anderson Jr. added two in his return after missing two games with an ankle injury. But the offense sputtered for most of the game as Joe Mixon was held to 22 yards on 14 carries. But Ryans refused to blame the offense for the loss. “Our offense did plenty," Ryans said. "They gave us enough points. On defense, we have to be able to stop them.” Chig Okonkwo grabbed a short pass and rumbled 70 yards for a touchdown to put the Titans (3-8) up 30-27 with 91⁄2 minutes remaining. Safety Eric Murray missed a tackle that would have stopped him near midfield. It was the last of three big passing plays the Titans had Sunday. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine got in front of the defense and was wide open for a 38-yard TD catch that made it 10-7 late in the first quarter. Calvin Ridley had a 63-yard reception that set up their next touchdown in the second. “It was just way too many negative plays,” Ryans said. “Defensively, unexplainable explosives for touchdowns. We didn’t play good across the board and that starts with me.” Despite this, the Texans (7-5) had a chance to tie it with less than two minutes remaining, but Fairbairn’s short field-goal attempt sailed wide left. He fell to the ground after the miss before getting up and slamming his helmet on the field. “The most frustrating part about it is out of all the bad things that happened, we still had a chance to finish the game,” Ryans said. “Everything that could go wrong, it went wrong. We still had a chance there to tie it up and finish the game, and we didn’t.” The Texans forced a three-and-out, but couldn’t move the ball after that and Harold Landry sacked Stroud in the end zone for a safety to make it 32-27 and allow Tennessee to snap a two-game skid. Stroud threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but his two interceptions Sunday give him five combined in the past three games. He now has more interceptions in 12 games this season (nine) than he had in 15 games as a rookie last season (five). “It’s no secret that I haven’t been playing well ... I’ve got to be harder on myself,” he said. “I’m not going to hold my head down. I know I can be a great player, but I’ve got to make better plays.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflEzra Mam will have to pay $120,000 in fines to Brisbane and the NRL, after the under-fire five-eighth accepted his nine-game ban for driving offences. The Broncos confirmed late on Friday evening that Mam would accept his NRL sanctions, which included a $30,000 fine. Brisbane have slapped the 22-year-old with an additional $90,000 fine for being caught drug driving while unlicensed after crashing his ute into an oncoming car in October. In a statement, the Broncos said Mam would also have to complete a safe-driving program, work or study placement and commit to ongoing wellbeing support. Mam was also fined $850 and had his license suspended for nine months in court last week , with a magistrate telling Mam he had a “cocktail of cocaine and other matters” in his system, and that he “could’ve injured or killed” someone. That punishment was widely been criticised as too lenient, after a woman and her young daughter were injured in the collision. Ezra Mam leaves Brisbane Magistrates Court after a hearing earlier this month. Credit: William Davis “Whilst we are extremely disappointed that we have been placed in this position, we believe both the NRL and club-imposed penalties adequately reflect the gravity of what’s transpired and should act as a deterrent from this type of risky and anti-social behaviour,” Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said in a statement. “Ezra clearly did the wrong thing, but he has taken responsibility for his actions and shown genuine remorse towards those involved. “He understands the impact this has had on everyone around him, and the game. Ezra has taken steps to get his life back on track since this incident and that must continue. We have been very clear about that. “We believe the additional measures in place are important and will go hand in hand with integrating Ezra back into the work underway at the Broncos.” Mam will not be able to include the Indigenous All-Stars fixture to his ban, meaning he will not be able to return until Brisbane play South Sydney in round 10 of 2025. Ben Hunt is set to partner Adam Reynolds in the Broncos’ halves for the first two months of the season after his move from St George Illawarra. It is then possible Hunt could shift to hooker if Mam and Reynolds are fit, allowing him to share dummy-half duties with Billy Walters under new coach Michael Maguire. Hunt will also need to bring significant leadership to Brisbane, with Broncos bosses admitting it is lacking. Loading Mam was one of their best players in 2023 as they went within a few minutes of ending a 17-year premiership drought, scoring a hat-trick in the grand-final loss to Penrith. But off-field issues returned to Red Hill in 2024, with co-captains Pat Carrigan and Reynolds involved in a scuffle outside of a bar following a pre-season fan day. Mam and Reece Walsh were then investigated by the NRL’s integrity unit over a post-season interaction with a fan, weeks before Mam’s driving offence. AAP Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article NRL off-field behaviour NRL 2024 Brisbane Broncos Most Viewed in Sport Loading
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Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen seemed to sense the question might arise after his club was eliminated from playoff consideration Sunday with a ghastly 45-33 loss to the host New York Giants in East Rutheford, N.J. The Giants were 2-13 and had lost a franchise-record 10 straight games entering the contest and their season-high point total Sunday more than tripled their season average of 14.3 points per game. It was the type of bad loss that leads to head coaches being asked about their job security. "I control what I can control," Steichen said of the employment situation. The Colts (7-9) were outplayed all contest by the team that entered the day with the worst record in the NFL -- and with their playoff hopes on the line. Last season, Steichen's first as Indianapolis coach, the Colts also fell short, losing to the Houston Texans in the final week of the season to miss the playoffs. "It was as disappointing as it gets," Steichen said of the setback against the Giants. "As the leader of a football team, shoot, I always say I've got to be better, we've all got to be better. That's a group effort, everyone's got to chip in and do their part, so stuff like that doesn't happen." Giants quarterback Drew Lock passed for 309 yards and tied his career high of four touchdowns while also running for a score. Meanwhile, the Colts also went with a reserve quarterback in veteran Joe Flacco and he turned the ball over three times on two interceptions and a fumble. He also passed for 330 yards. Flacco started because rookie Anthony Richardson couldn't play due to back and foot injuries. Indianapolis completes the season next weekend at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. "I know it's a tough situation, obviously, when you're out of the playoff hunt, but again, I told (the team) we've got to be professional about it," Steichen said. "That's the biggest thing. We've got to show up and do our job still with one week left." The Colts last made the playoffs in the 2020 season. Their last playoff win was two seasons earlier. --Field Level Media2 High-Yield Stocks Paying Over 6% Right Now
The King and the Prime Minister have paid tribute to Jimmy Carter following the former US president’s death on Sunday aged 100. In a message to the American people, the King expressed “great sadness” at the news of Mr Carter’s death, describing him as “a committed public servant” who “devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights”. He added: “His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977. “My thoughts and prayers are with President Carter’s family and the American people at this time.” Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981 and spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Carter had “lived his values in the service of others to the very end” through “decades of selfless public service”. Praising a “lifelong dedication to peace” that saw him win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Sir Keir added: “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad.” Tributes to Mr Carter followed the announcement of his death by his family on Sunday, more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.” Very sorry to hear of President Carter’s passing. I pay tribute to his decades of selfless public service. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) US President Joe Biden, one of the first elected politicians to endorse Mr Carter’s bid for the presidency in 1976, said the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”. He said: “Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us.” Vice President Kamala Harris said Mr Carter “reminded our nation and the world that there is strength in decency and compassion”. “His life and legacy continue to inspire me — and will inspire generations to come,” she said. “Our world is a better place because of President Carter.” Other UK politicians also paid tribute to Mr Carter. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he was “an inspiration” who “led a truly remarkable life dedicated to public service with a genuine care for people”. Scottish First Minister John Swinney described the former president as “a good, decent, honest man who strove for peace in all that he did”, while Welsh First Minister said he was “a remarkable man” and “a humanitarian and scholar”. Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said Mr Carter’s “life was a testament to public service”. He added: “I always had the greatest respect for him, his spirit and his dedication. He fundamentally cared and consistently toiled to help those in need.” Gordon Brown, another former prime minister, said it was a “privilege” to have known Mr Carter, who “will be mourned, not just in America, but in every continent where human rights are valued”. Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington DC before being buried in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and, finally, the White House, where he took office as 39th president in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked more than four decades leading The Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Under his leadership, the Carter Center virtually eliminated Guinea Worm disease, which has gone from affecting 3.5 million people in Africa and Asia in 1986 to just 14 in 2023. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public service'Tornado' bring down trees and close roads
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NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 23, 2017: A vintage rotary dial telephone for sale at a flea market in the ... [+] Chelsea district of New York City. (Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images) If you’ve been watching the emergence of artificial intelligence onto the scene in our societies, you probably agree that it’s happened at a pretty fast clip. Let’s start with this chart of GPT progress, showing what happened in just two years. As presented here, the first model of its kind, GPT-1, was released in 2018 in June. GPT-2 followed in February 2019, and GPT-3 went beta in May of 2020. At the same time, we had the coronavirus pandemic, and all of the resources of the world turned toward how to handle this disease. Quietly, though, GPT kept being iterated, with 3.5 in November 2022, and GPT-4 in March of 2023. Most recently we have the GPT-4o model released this past May – and we have the o1 preview with its chain of thought and reasoning capability, currently in limited release. We also have that model code named Orion that’s said to drop next year. The 130 Best Black Friday Deals You Can Still Shop Now Refresh Your Wardrobe And Home With Quince’s Black Friday Deals Putting GPT Into Our Telephone System How are we using these technologies? Recently, I read an example from a user who had figured out how to turn on ChatGPT into a bot for cold calling other smartphone users. You could think of this as one of the first of many ‘sneak attacks’ of the AI age, a shot across the bow, from oneenterprising soul to a multi-cast audience of other people who may or may not be susceptible to his marketing. This guy was talking about how to automate real estate calls to get people to sell their houses to his company. And according his testimony, ChatGPT worked better than human callers. Specifically, the numbers that this individual put out were around 12-15 actionable leads per 100 calls, as opposed to 2-3 before implementing ChatGPT. What is This? (Not, Who is This?) Major factors in the AI include the novelty factor, which was a focus in this post that I read (you can read it here ). People like new things, the poster suggested, and they’re likely to stay on the line just to figure out what’s going on. By the time they get used to talking to an AI, they may already be in the sales funnel,or considering the overall offer more closely. On the other hand, most of us hang up immediately when we get a call from a person that we don’t want to talk to. Everyone’s LLM This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how people are going to use AI when it’s distributed to every smartphone in America. Basically, the people who learn how to use it first will target the others in a big game of round robin selling. Money will change hands based on this proactive and creative approach,and then slowly, other people will start to catch up. What you’re likely to have is an era of annoying unwanted calls from everywhere, all at once. in other words, all of us are going to blow up everyone else’s cell phones with AI. Part of the response on Reddit to the new reality of LLMs had to do with how you handle this barrage of incoming calls. Many of us already don’t use our phones primarily as a telephone – it’s a small computer that helps us our lives. Slowly, we’re all going to learn that you don’t pick up the telephone when it rings – you let it go to voicemail, and have some kind of sorting technology to show you if there’s somebody you want to talk to or not. But text spamming is off the hook too, and I hardly ever talk to anyone who hasn’t had these annoying intrusions in their lives, sometimes dozens of them every day. The bottom line is we have to figure out a way to adapt quickly to a technology that has developed overnight, so to speak. That’s not even the whole picture: we have Anthropic’s Claude showing us how to use a computer, and other kinds of brand new models from places like China reinventing math and science testing (more on that later.) So in all of that discussion about training data, and logical ability, we have to think about the real practical ramifications for our societies. We’re going to have to learn to talk to each other in a new way, given this kind of automation.Indiana encouraged by 'total team effort' with Miami (OH) up nextOpenAI whistleblower death: Parents want to know what happened to Suchir Balaji after apparent suicide
Thai court dismisses activist’s suit against Israeli spyware producer over lack of evidenceAmid growing instability and uncertainty in the world, China and Iran have reaffirmed their commitment to pragmatic cooperation and enhanced multilateral coordination to benefit the people of both countries while contributing to regional and global peace, stability and development. When Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday in Beijing, the two diplomats underscored the strength and resilience of the bilateral ties and pledged to make concerted efforts to navigate regional and global challenges. The two-day visit, which began on Friday, was the first for Araghchi since he took office in August. Araghchi was also the first official of the new Iranian government, which was established in July, to come to China. Regarding the Middle East, China and Iran have agreed that the region belongs to its people and should not serve as a battleground for major powers' rivalry or fall victim to geopolitical competition and conflicts among countries outside the region. "The international community must respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and legitimate concerns of nations in the Middle East," Wang said, urging countries to honor the choices of the people in the region while respecting their rich historical and cultural traditions. Wang expressed hope that all parties could contribute constructively to peace and stability in the Middle East, rather than point fingers or arbitrarily impose sanctions, exert pressure, instigate confrontation or resort to force. The two foreign ministers also emphasized the need to address the Palestinian question by respecting and restoring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and ending the occupation. They also stressed the urgency of an immediate ceasefire, full troop withdrawal and emergency humanitarian assistance to transform the region from chaos to order. Regarding Syria, both countries reiterated that Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity should be respected, calling for joint promotion of combating terrorism, advancing reconciliation and facilitating the humanitarian process. Li Shaoxian, director of the China-Arab Research Institute at Ningxia University, said: "Intervention by major powers looms large behind the Gaza conflict and drastic change in Syria, which touch the nerves of the international community. China reiterating its support for Middle East countries in rejecting external interference demonstrates its crucial role in upholding justice in international affairs." On the Iran nuclear issue, Wang reiterated China's advocacy of preserving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and resuming negotiations with a constructive approach, saying that Beijing opposes sanctions and coercion, and supports Iran in defending its legitimate rights and interests. Araghchi acknowledged China's vital contribution to facilitating and preserving the JCPOA, saying that Teheran will maintain close communication with Beijing. Developing and deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership with China remains a priority in Iran's foreign policy, he said, pledging the country's staunch support for China's positions on its core interests. In a signed article by Araghchi that was published by People's Daily on Friday, the Iranian foreign minister said that cooperation between the two ancient civilizations in Asia has withstood the test of time. He also highlighted the importance of the visit in shaping the "next golden 50 years" of strategic cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting, the two sides agreed to advance the implementation of a comprehensive cooperation plan signed in March 2021. China has remained Iran's largest trading partner for many years and has become an important export market for Iranian products. The two countries have inked multiple agreements and deepened Belt and Road cooperation. Li, from the China-Arab Research Institute, said that "the long-standing partnership between China and Iran enjoys a solid foundation, and the two nations have maintained close dialogue over the years on various issues to address shared concerns". Furthermore, it is imperative for the two nations to reinforce cooperation amid escalating tensions in the region and numerous international challenges, Li said. Experts noted that Iran and China share common interests and concerns, not only at the bilateral and regional levels, but also on trans-regional and international platforms, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, of which both countries are member states. During the talks, the two sides vowed to further strengthen collaboration within the SCO and BRICS to uphold common interests. China has assumed the rotating presidency of the SCO, which Araghchi said in the article will open new opportunities for collective cooperation. He added that the two countries will work with other Global South nations and stand on the right side of history to resist unilateralism and bullying.
US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people Federal officials say the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that federally required tallies taken across the country in January found that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of pandemic assistance. Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Israeli troops burn northern Gaza hospital after forcibly removing staff and patients, officials say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza's Health Ministry says Israeli troops have stormed one of the last hospitals operating in the territory's north on Friday and forced many of the staff and patients outside. Then they had to remove their clothes in winter weather. It was the latest assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital. Parts of it were set on fire. Staff say it has been hit multiple times in the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods. Israel's military says Hamas uses the hospital as a base. It did not provide evidence, and hospital officials have denied it. Azerbaijani and U.S. officials suggest plane that crashed may have been hit by weapons fire U.S. and Azerbaijani officials have said weapons fire may have brought down an Azerbaijani airliner that crashed on Wednesday, killing 38 people. The statements from Rashad Nabiyev and White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Friday raised pressure on Russia. Officials in Moscow have said a drone attack was underway in the region that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was destined for but have not addressed statements from aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defenses responding to a Ukrainian attack. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to Chechnya on Wednesday when it crashed, killing 38 people and leaving all 29 survivors injured. Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case ATLANTA (AP) — A judge has ruled that the Georgia state Senate can subpoena Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. It's part of a inquiry into whether Willis has engaged in misconduct during her prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump. But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram is giving Willis the chance to contest whether lawmakers’ demands are overly broad before Willis responds. A Republican-led committee was formed earlier this year and sent subpoenas to Willis in August seeking to compel her to testify during its September meeting and to produce scores of documents. Willis argued that the committee didn’t have the power to subpoena her. In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee has a nearly total abortion ban and a porous safety net for mothers and young children. GOP state leaders in Tennessee and other states that banned abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 argue that they are bolstering services for families. Recent research and an analysis by The Associated Press has found that from the time a Tennessee woman gets pregnant, she faces greater obstacles to a healthy pregnancy, a healthy child and a financially stable family life than the average American mom. Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals' Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex. State officials say the company's leaders kept using so-called “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks. The federal complaint alleges Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates polluted the air and water around 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland with chemicals that have been linked to certain cancers, reproductive issues and high cholesterol. They’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. The company stopped using the harmful chemicals in 2014 and says it’s working with state regulators on testing and cleanup efforts. Man indicted in burning death of woman inside a New York City subway train, prosecutors say NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train has been indicted on state charges. A prosecutor announced Sebastian Zapeta’s indictment at a court hearing Friday. The development comes days after Zapeta’s arrest and subsequent police questioning in which they say he identified himself in photos and surveillance video showing the fire being lit. The indictment will be under seal until Jan. 7. He remains jailed. Federal immigration officials say the 33-year-old Zapeta is from Guatemala and entered the U.S. illegally. Authorities are continuing to work to identify the victim. Alex Ovechkin is on track to break Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is chasing the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin entered the season 42 goals short of breaking a record that long seemed unapproachable. He is set to play again Saturday at the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing more than a month with a broken left fibula. Ovechkin was on pace to get to 895 sometime in February before getting injured. At 868, he his 27 goals away from passing Gretzky.LightPath Technologies Introduces New Optical Gas Imaging Camera for Ammonia and SF6 Detection
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to implement the “toughest” anti-U.S. policy, state media reported Sunday, less than a month before Donald Trump takes office as U.S. president. Trump’s return to the White House raises prospects for high-profile diplomacy with North Korea. During his first term, Trump met Kim three times for talks on the North's nuclear program. Many experts however say a quick resumption of Kim-Trump summitry is unlikely as Trump would first focus on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. North Korea's support for Russia's war against Ukraine also poses a challenge to efforts to revive diplomacy, experts say. During a five-day plenary meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party that ended Friday, Kim called the U.S. “the most reactionary state that regards anti-communism as its invariable state policy.” Kim said that the U.S.-South Korea-Japan security partnership is expanding into “a nuclear military bloc for aggression." “This reality clearly shows to which direction we should advance and what we should do and how,” Kim said, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. It said Kim's speech “clarified the strategy for the toughest anti-U.S. counteraction to be launched aggressively” by North Korea for its long-term national interests and security. KCNA didn't elaborate on the anti-U.S. strategy. But it said Kim set forth tasks to bolster military capability through defense technology advancements and stressed the need to improve the mental toughness of North Korean soldiers. The previous meetings between Trump and Kim had not only put an end to their exchanges of fiery rhetoric and threats of destruction, but they developed personal connections. Trump once famously said he and Kim “fell in love.” But their talks eventually collapsed in 2019, as they wrangled over U.S.-led sanctions on the North. North Korea has since sharply increased the pace of its weapons testing activities to build more reliable nuclear missiles targeting the U.S. and its allies. The U.S. and South Korea have responded by expanding their military bilateral drills and also trilateral ones involving Japan, drawing strong rebukes from the North, which views such U.S.-led exercises as invasion rehearsals. Further complicating efforts to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons in return for economic and political benefits is its deepening military cooperation with Russia. According to U.S., Ukrainian and South Korean assessments, North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops and conventional weapons systems to support Moscow's war against Ukraine. There are concerns that Russia could give North Korea advanced weapons technology in return, including help to build more powerful nuclear missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last week that 3,000 North Korean troops have been killed and wounded in the fighting in Russia's Kursk region. It was the first significant estimate by Ukraine of North Korean casualties since the North Korean troop deployment to Russia began in October. Russia and China, locked in separate disputes with the U.S., have repeatedly blocked U.S.-led pushes to levy more U.N. sanctions on North Korea despite its repeated missile tests in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Last month, Kim said that his past negotiations with the United States only confirmed Washington’s “unchangeable” hostility toward his country and described his nuclear buildup as the only way to counter external threats.