Teacher and student to carry flag at Asian Para Games

North Korea said Thursday it tested two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles in the East Sea the previous day. "The test-fire aimed to examine the current mobilized posture of the underwater combat systems and contributed to getting the Navy skilled in performing its strategic missions and showcasing high reliability, trustworthiness and ability of the war deterrents of the DPRK," the North's Korean Central News Agency said in an English dispatch. DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The test was overseen by Kim Jong-sil, a member of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, Jang Chang-ha, director-general of the Missile Administration and the Navy's underwater weapon system engineers, the report said. The Rodong Sinmun, the country's the most widely read paper, did not report the launch. The report came days after the North test-fired tactical ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area toward the East Sea on Monday. The North said Tuesday the test launch was intended to "confirm the success in the re

North Korea could strengthen its military drone capabilities by gaining technical expertise through workers deployed to a major Russian drone production facility, potentially posing a new security threat to South Korea and U.S. forces in the region, a U.S. think tank report showed Wednesday. The report, jointly published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the George W. Bush Institute, examined the security implications of North Korea's involvement in Russia's drone manufacturing industry, as well as the roles of China and Iran in supporting Moscow's war against Ukraine. According to a separate report issued by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) in September, Russia hosted an estimated 15,000 to 30,000 North Korean workers as of the end of 2025, some of whom were involved in manufacturing military drones. The report also said Moscow had established a student visa scheme to disguise North Korean workers as students. "North Korean labor also transfers technical know-how. Technicians sent to Alabuga will return to Pyongyang with invaluable lesson

DANDONG, China — A big new bridge linking China and North Korea opened on Thursday, 12 years after its completion, deepening economic ties between the Asian giant and its isolated nuclear-armed neighbour. China is North Korea's largest trading partner and a vital source of diplomatic, economic and political support for the reclusive nuclear state, although ties have not always been smooth. Hundreds of people gathered on Thursday on the Chinese side for the opening of the 3,026-metre (9,927-feet) New Yalu River vehicle bridge. Trucks bearing the nations' flags began moving in both directions late morning, AFP reporters at the scene said, some of the North Korean vehicles decorated with flowers. "It's great," one woman who came to watch told AFP in the quiet northern border town of Dandong, which is dotted with a mish-mash of Chinese and Korean shops and restaurants. "It's already been over 10 years. It's certainly going to be good for business," she said, without wishing to be named, accompanied by her friend and her dog. The opening came a day after North Korea test-fired two types of cr

Ideal if you're having visitors round this weekend, try this roast pork from John Torode and Lisa Faulkner.

There are two very distinct narratives emerging about AI right now, and they’re both getting more extreme.

Calls are being made to double parking fines amid claims a current £25 charge is failing to deter illegal parking in Kent towns.

A “drunken thug” who broke a man’s jaw in an unprovoked pub attack has avoided jail after a judge said he could make his life “very unpleasant”.

A decision on plans for 85 homes has been delayed, sparking concerns a council is “spoon-feeding” developers on the information it requires.

A much-loved Cubs leader who devoted 40 years to helping children learn new skills has died following a short battle with cancer.

A cafe’s £9.95 salt beef bagel had been tempting our reviewer for months, so she finally gave in to see whether it was worth the wait…

A daughter wants answers after her mother's wedding and engagement rings worth £10k ‘vanished’ within weeks of being admitted to a care home.

A stray pig was shot dead before it could be rescued following a council’s decision to put it down for “animal welfare and public safety reasons”.