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North Korea has test-fired two strategic long-range cruise missiles (AP image) North Korea has test-fired two strategic long-range cruise missiles to demonstrate its nuclear combat readiness. This comes as tensions continue to rise on the Korean Peninsula amid increased military activity by the United States and South Korea.According to state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the missile launches took place on Sunday over the Yellow Sea, west of the Korean Peninsula. Leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the drill, which was aimed at reviewing the combat capability and counter-offensive readiness of long-range missile units.KCNA reported that the missiles flew for more than two hours before successfully hitting their targets. The state media released videos showing the missiles being launched and striking targets at sea. Kim expressed “great satisfaction” with the exercise and said North Korea would continue the “unlimited and sustained development” of its nuclear combat forces. F..

Time to screen social media LONDON: A frustrated father in Spain, whose teenage daughter regularly sidesteps parental controls that block social media, wants the government to ban apps like TikTok and Instagram for children. In France, a mother of three worries about social media's effect on young people and will not give her children smartphones until they are 15. But she is sceptical a government prohibition is the answer. A mother in Chile says it is a parent's job, not government's, to teach children how to use social media responsibly.Since Australia this month barred children under 16 from using social media, parents around the world have been debating whether similarly tough action is needed in their own countries. In Australia, surveys show most parents support the new rules, while young teenagers have talked about using VPNs and other workarounds. Several countries are weighing whether to adopt similar laws. Australia Enforces World’s First Under-16 Social Media..

AdvertisementNepalThis Week in AsiaPeopleNepal probes illegal matchmaking as China cautions citizens over ‘bride buying’Officials say online brokers are promoting Nepali women to Chinese men, prompting detentions and official warnings
Reading Time:3 minutesWhy you can trust SCMPBibek BhandariPublished: 12:25pm, 29 Dec 2025Nepal is stepping up scrutiny of illegal cross-border matchmaking after authorities uncovered cases in which brokers and online intermediaries were marketing Nepali women as prospective brides for Chinese nationals, prompting increased enforcement and official warnings.The Chinese Embassy in Nepal issued a New Year’s travel advisory cautioning its citizens against what it described as “bride buying” in the country, urging them not to trust matchmaking agencies and brokers blindly and stressing that deceptive or profit-driven cross-border matchmaking is illegal under Chinese law.
“Fully understand the legal, cultural, property division and child custody risks involved ..

AdvertisementMexicoWorldAmericasTrain derailment in Mexico kills at least 13, injures dozensInteroceanic Train linking the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz went off the rails as it passed a curve
Reading Time:1 minuteWhy you can trust SCMPReutersPublished: 11:55am, 29 Dec 2025Mexican authorities ‌said on Sunday that at least 13 people were killed ‍after an Interoceanic Train carrying 250 people derailed in the southern state of Oaxaca.
The Mexican Navy said the train, which derailed near the town of Nizanda, was carrying nine ⁠crew members and 241 passengers.
Of those on board, 139 were reported to be out of danger, while 98 were injured, including 36 who were receiving medical assistance.
AdvertisementPresident Claudia Sheinbaum said on X that five of the injured were in ‍critical condition, adding that senior officials had been dispatched to the site ‍to assist the families of those killed.
An overturned train carriage. Photo: ReutersThe governor of Oaxaca, Salomon Jara Cruz, expressed ..

Influencer Melissa Mae Carlton announces heartbreaking death of daughter Molly after losing daughter Abigail (Image via Getty) Melissa Mae Carlton shared the most painful news a parent can ever face. The influencer announced that her daughter, Molly, has passed away. The loss came less than two years after her other daughter, Abigail, also died. Carlton shared the news in an emotional Instagram post on Friday. She revealed that Molly died on Christmas Day. She wrote that the family was completely shocked. They couldn’t believe what had happened. In her post, Carlton spoke honestly about her fear and sadness. She said she is scared of what life will look like now for her family. She also shared that her heart hurts deeply for her children. Along with the message, she asked her followers to pray for her family during this painful time. The post quickly drew support from thousands of people. Many shared messages of love, prayers, and comfort as Carlton and her family mourned yet another l..

AdvertisementHong Kong economyHong KongHong Kong EconomyCan Hong Kong mature as a wine hub? French vineyard owner calls for new focusSeventh-generation winemaker Erwan Faiveley encourages city to up logistical and storage services during first post-Covid fact-finding trip
Reading Time:2 minutesWhy you can trust SCMP1Oscar LiuPublished: 12:00pm, 28 Dec 2025Hong Kong could enhance its standing as a wine trade hub by further improving its logistics and storage services, according to a seventh-generation French winemaker overseeing a 200-year-old Burgundy estate.
Erwan Faiveley, owner of wine labels Domaine Faiveley and Billaud-Simon, also praised the Hong Kong government’s decision to axe its wine tax in 2008 during his first fact-finding trip to the city and mainland China since the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The greatest thing they’ve done was cutting all taxes,” Faiveley said, calling on the city to now focus on boosting infrastructure to bolster Hong Kong’s wine trading.
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