Kim

LAAX, Switzerland — Two-time Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim said Thursday that she dislocated her shoulder in training and doesn’t know whether she will be able to compete at the Winter Games in Italy next month.

Kim posted footage of her fall from earlier this week on the halfpipe in Laax, Switzerland, where the world’s top snowboarders compete later this month in a key pre-Olympic tune-up. She landed a jump cleanly but lost an edge and went skittering across the pipe, face down.

Kim, who did not say which shoulder she hurt, said she is “trying to stay optimistic” about competing at the Olympics but “[doesn’t] have much clarity now.” The 25-year-old said she has an MRI scheduled for Friday that will reveal the extent of the damage.

“The positive thing is, I have range, I’m not in that much pain. I just don’t want it to keep popping out, which has happened,” she said. “I’m just trying to stay really optimistic. I feel really good about where my snowboarding is at right now, so I know the minute I get cleared and I’m good to go, I should be fine.”

Kim’s absence would deprive the Winter Games of one of its biggest stars and one of its best storylines. She is trying to become the first action-sports athlete to win three straight gold medals. Shaun White took home three golds, but they were spread out over five Games.

Kim was the breakout star of the 2018 Olympics, a bubbly teenager taking gold in her parents’ home country of South Korea. Four years ago in China, she won again, with that victory punctuated by her messages about the ups and downs of success and fame.

If healthy, she would be the heavy favorite to win again, but this injury off “the silliest fall,” as she called it, puts all that in question. Qualifying for the women’s halfpipe begins Feb. 11.

The Laax Open is scheduled for next weekend, and even if Kim were to get a clean bill of health, there is a chance she would head into the Olympics without having competed in the final of a contest this season.

Kim qualified for the U.S. team last year and has kept a light schedule. She fell during warm-ups for the final in Copper Mountain, Colo., last month and pulled out after hurting her shoulder then, as well. That injury was not believed to be serious.

Jan. 4 (Asia Today) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited what state media called a key military factory on Friday, inspecting upgraded production lines and ordering a roughly 2.5-fold expansion in output as he signaled a push for mass production and deployment of tactical guided weapons.

The Korean Central News Agency said Kim toured a “technologically upgraded” production area and a “flexible automated production system,” then directed the plant to increase its current capacity.

KCNA said Kim reviewed a “multi-purpose precision-guided weapon” produced at the factory and said it would be systematically fielded to major units starting in the first half of the year. The report said he told the Defense Ministry and the General Staff to expand production to meet unit-level demand.

State media portrayed the visit as a move to shift tactical guided weapons from years of testing and demonstrations toward operational deployment. KCNA said Kim pointed to shortcomings in production line design, mass-production facilities and modernization of the assembly process.

Kim also called for advancing modernization work while keeping current production running, a directive KCNA described as aimed at minimizing production gaps during new equipment investments. The report said he ordered a comprehensive review of construction and modernization plans for 2026 and demanded revised proposals.

KCNA separately released photos and footage of Kim inspecting guided-weapon production, including what the report described as anti-tank systems, while emphasizing improvements in the quality of parts supplied by cooperating factories.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Kim Jong Un underscores the need to bolster Pyongyang nuclear deterrent, citing ‘recent geopolitical crisis’, state media reports.

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the test flights of hypersonic missiles, underscoring the need to bolster the country’s nuclear deterrent amid “the recent geopolitical crisis” and “complicated international events,” according to state media.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed the drills on Monday, a day after North Korea’s neighbours said they detected multiple ballistic missile launches.

The tests came just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for China for a summit with President Xi Jinping.

The KCNA said that Sunday’s drill involving a hypersonic weapon system was meant to examine its readiness, enhance missile troops’ firepower operational skills and evaluate the operational capabilities of the country’s war deterrent.

“Through today’s launching drill, we can confirm that a very important technology task for national defence has been carried out,” Kim said, according to KCNA. “We must continuously upgrade the military means, especially offensive weapon systems.”

The missiles hit targets about 1,000km (621 miles) away, over the sea ‍east of ⁠North Korea, KCNA said.

Kim added that “it’s a very important ​strategy to maintain or expand the strong and reliable ‍nuclear deterrent”, because of “the recent geopolitical crisis and various international circumstances”.

The missile launch followed a North Korean statement on Sunday that denounced the attacks by the United States on Venezuela and its abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Pyongyang slammed the action as a “serious encroachment of sovereignty” and said it again showed “the rogue and brutal nature” of the US.

North Korea’s leadership has for decades justified its nuclear and missile programmes as a deterrent against alleged regime change efforts by Washington.

Hong Min, an expert on North Korea ‌at the Korea Institute for National Unification ⁠in Seoul, wrote in a note on Monday that Pyongyang’s latest test was an apparent response to the US strikes on Venezuela. The missile appears to be the Hwasong-11, which was showcased at a parade in October, Hong said, citing his analysis of images ‌published in state media reports.

Hong added that the Kim government is emphasising its ability to launch such missiles at any time, an ‍effort to complicate US-South Korea’s missile defence system and prevent its preemptive interception.

The possession of a functioning hypersonic weapon would give North Korea the ability to penetrate the US and South Korea’s missile defence shields. In past years, North Korea has performed a series of tests to acquire it, but many foreign experts question whether the tested missiles have achieved their desired speed and maneuverability during flights.

In recent weeks, North Korea has test-fired what it called long-range strategic cruise missiles and new anti-air missiles. It has also released photos showing apparent progress in the construction of its first nuclear-powered submarine.

Observers say North Korea aims to demonstrate or review its achievements in the weapons development sector ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party Congress, the first of its kind in five years. Keen attention is on whether Kim would use the congress to set a new approach to relations with the US and resume long-dormant talks.

Separately, North Korea’s nuclear programme is expected to be discussed when Lee and Xi meet for a summit later on Monday.

Lee’s office earlier said he would call for China, North Korea’s major ally and economic pipeline, to take “a constructive role” in efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Kim Ju Ae’s first public visit to the Kumsusan Mausoleum added to speculation she may become the next in line.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Ju Ae, who is widely speculated to be his potential successor, made her first public visit to the Kumsusan Mausoleum in Pyongyang alongside her parents, state media images show.

Photographs released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Friday captured the family paying respects to Ju Ae’s grandfather and great-grandfather, Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung, the founder of the North Korean state. Analysts say that propaganda surrounding the Kim family’s “Paektu bloodline” has allowed its members to dominate daily life in the isolated country and maintain power for decades.

Over the past three years, Ju Ae has appeared more frequently in state media, prompting speculation from analysts and South Korea’s intelligence services that she may be positioned as the country’s fourth-generation leader.

Photographs show Ju Ae accompanying her father, mother Ri Sol Ju, and senior officials on the visit on January 1, standing between her parents in the main hall of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.

Ju Ae was first publicly introduced in 2022 when she accompanied her father to the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Believed to have been born in the early 2010s, she also took part in this year’s New Year celebrations, and in September made her first public overseas visit, travelling to Beijing with her father.

The visit to the mausoleum coincided with key dates and anniversaries, reinforcing the dynastic narrative of the nuclear-armed state. North Korean media have referred to her as “the beloved child” and a “great person of guidance” – or “hyangdo” in Korean – a term traditionally reserved for top leaders and their designated successors.

Prior to 2022, Ju Ae’s existence had only been indirectly confirmed by former NBA player Dennis Rodman, who visited the North in 2013.

North Korea’s leaders have never formally announced their successors, instead signalling transitions gradually through public appearances and expanding official responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un has pledged to further increase production of missiles and artillery shells, describing them as a “war deterrent” amid heightened military readiness from the United States and South Korea.

KIM Kardashian looks like she’s ready to plunge into 2026.

The reality TV star and businesswoman, 45, wore a daring £60 bodysuit from her Skims range.

She said it gives the impression the wearer is “not wearing a bra and is naked underneath”.

Kim told her online followers it was her “favourite hack in the entire world”.

She added: “I used to use tape.

“There is a time and a place but this is a low plunge and the back can go in so many ways and gives you a lift.”

Kim shared a rare snap with all four of her kids in a sweet new festive portrait.

The adorable festive shots saw mom Kim looking glamorously festive in silver dress, while North, 12, Saint, nine, Chicago, six, and Psalm, five. coordinated their stylish outfits.

The family unit struck a series of poses in front of snow-dusted Christmas trees, alternating between beaming smiles and fun faces.

Santa Claus and momager Kris Jenner even featured in a couple of snaps as the family went all out for the special occasion.

It was a hit with friends, family and fans.

Khloe Kardashian wrote, “Wow family photo!!!!!!!!!!! I looooooveeeeee.”

Paris Hilton commented with a love heart eye emoji, while a fan said, “Loveeeeeee the hardwork and love that went into this! We all know… xoxo.”

SEOUL, Dec. 30 (UPI) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for a major increase in the production of new multiple-rocket launcher systems that can “annihilate the enemy,” state media reported Tuesday.

During a Sunday visit to a munitions factory, Kim described the weapons as the “main strike means” that would transform the composition of the Korean People’s Army’s artillery forces and serve as a central tool in future military operations, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

Kim said the rocket launcher “is a super-powerful weapon system” that can “annihilate the enemy through sudden precise strike with high accuracy and devastating power” and can also be used as a “strategic attack means,” KCNA reported. North Korea frequently uses the term “strategic” to signal nuclear capability.

Analysts warn that North Korea’s expanding long-range rocket artillery poses a growing conventional threat to South Korea, where much of the population and key military infrastructure lie within range of such systems.

Kim’s entourage included Defense Minister No Kwang Chol, ruling party secretary Jo Chun Ryong and Missile Administration General Director Jang Chang Ha.

The factory inspection comes amid a surge in weapons-related activity by Kim ahead of an upcoming key party congress, underscoring a broader push to expand North Korea’s arms production capacity.

On Sunday, Kim oversaw the test launch of long-range strategic cruise missiles in the Yellow Sea, saying the drills demonstrated “the absolute reliability and combat readiness of our strategic counterattack capability.” The missiles flew for roughly two hours and 50 minutes along a preset flight orbit before striking a target, KCNA said.

South Korea’s military confirmed detecting the launches and warned that further tests could follow toward the end of the year.

Last week, Kim visited the construction site of an 8,700-ton nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine, highlighting Pyongyang’s continued push to expand its strategic deterrent.

The inspection was accompanied by renewed calls from Kim to boost missile and artillery shell production capacity as North Korea ramps up weapons manufacturing ahead of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Ninth Congress, expected in early 2026.

The emphasis on munitions production has fueled speculation that Pyongyang is seeking to sustain or expand arms exports to Russia amid deepening military ties between the two countries. According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, North Korea has sent thousands of shipping containers of munitions to Russia and deployed about 15,000 troops to assist Russian forces in the Kursk region.

In return, experts assess that Moscow is providing Pyongyang with advanced military technology, including assistance related to space launch vehicles, reconnaissance satellites and air defense systems.

The party congress is expected to outline a new five-year economic plan and recalibrate North Korea’s military and foreign policy priorities. Analysts say the meeting could further entrench a hard-line stance toward South Korea, which the North officially designated a “hostile state” last year as Kim abandoned the long-standing goal of reunification.

Kim Jong Un urges ‘unlimited and sustained’ development of nuclear combat forces as North Korea gears up for a key party congress.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen a test launch of long-range strategic cruise missiles and called for the “unlimited and sustained” development of his country’s nuclear combat forces, according to state media.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Monday that Kim expressed satisfaction as the cruise missiles flew along their orbit, set above the sea west of the Korean Peninsula, and hit their target.

The launch, which took place on Sunday, was the latest event Kim attended, in a flurry of activity by the North Korean leader to underscore the country’s military and economic progress before a key party congress expected to be held in early 2026.

The meeting will set a development plan for North Korea for the next five years.

Kim said that “checking the reliability and rapid response of the components of [North Korea’s] nuclear deterrent on a regular basis … [is] just a responsible exercise”, as the country “is facing various security threats”. He also affirmed that Pyongyang would keep devoting “all their efforts to the unlimited and sustained development of the state nuclear combat force”, KCNA reported.

KCNA did not specify the area in which the missiles were launched.

South Korea’s state news agency Yonhap reported on Monday that South Korea’s military detected the launch of multiple missiles from the Sunan area near Pyongyang on Sunday morning.

It warned that North Korea may conduct additional missile tests at the end of the year.

Separately, the KCNA reported on Thursday that Kim also inspected an 8,700-tonne “nuclear-powered strategic guided missile submarine” under construction and warned that South Korea’s plan to build nuclear-powered submarines will be a threat to North Korea’s security that “must be countered”.

It was the first time North Korean state media had released images of the submarine since March, when they mostly showed the lower sections of the vessel.

During the Thursday event, Kim was accompanied by his daughter, a possible successor, and oversaw the test-firing of long-range surface-to-air missiles.

Kim has attended multiple openings of facilities, including factories and hotels, during the past month, as the country races to wrap up its current “five-year plan” of development before convening the ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea in early 2026.

Last November, North Korea also staged a ballistic missile test, just more than a week after United States President Donald Trump, on a tour of the region, expressed interest in meeting with Kim. Pyongyang did not respond to the offer.

At that time, Trump had just approved South Korea’s plan to build a nuclear-powered submarine.

Since Kim’s 2019 summit with Trump collapsed over the scope of denuclearisation and sanctions relief, Pyongyang has repeatedly declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear state.

Kim has since been emboldened by Russia’s war on Ukraine, securing critical support from Moscow after sending thousands of troops to fight alongside Russian forces.

KIM Kardashian and her sisters got all decked out for the family’s annual Christmas Eve party, and showed off their lavish looks on social media for fans to take in.

Kendall Jenner, 30, hosted the party this year for the first time, since sister Kim’s massive mansion is currently under renovation.

Kim, 44, took a sexy selfie video of her skintight silver gown with sparkly black accents that looked like festive garland.

She wore dangly diamond earrings and matching diamond cuff bracelets to accessorize the look.

She topped off her outfit with a high half ponytail.

The breathtaking dress was a 1986 vintage Thierry Mugler.

Hostess Kendall chose an all-white vintage Mugler look with matching fur trim.

She showed off her long legs in a very, very short skirt.

In a sexy selfie, she held a glass of red wine.

In a white satin dress and diamond accessories, Khloe, 41, shared some pics of her kids, Tatum and True.

Kylie, 28, chose a strapless black Galliano gown, and wore her hair in a braided updo.

‘INTIMATE’ BASH

Oldest sister Kourtney, 46, mentioned she attended the party, but didn’t share any photos of her fashion choice.

Momager Kris also kept fans in suspense and kept her looks off camera as of Christmas morning.

The Kardashian-Jenner women have been hosting their star-packed Christmas Eve bash for decades, with past guests including Paris Hilton and Jennifer Lopez.

However, this year the family decided to keep the party more intimate, claiming Kris’ recent 70th birthday bash took all their energy.

‘We are not doing a big Christmas Eve party this year, because we just had my mom’s huge 70th and we just wanted something more intimate, so we’re doing just family, but of course, we have to still be so dressed up, because that’s what we love to do,” Khloe said.

“And so we are just celebrating the holiday very glam and fab.”