North Korea has tested attack drones, cruise missiles and rocket launchers at a weapons demonstration, state media reported Friday, as Kim Jong Un called for faster development of military drone and artificial intelligence technology. The tests follow a series of weapons trials and rising tensions with South Korea.

Sanrio, the company behind the hugely successful Hello Kitty franchise, has apologised and ended its commercial tie-up with a Japanese TV drama after Chinese state media accused the show of "smearing China", sparking a social media backlash.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee apologised on Thursday for a fire that ravaged a residential tower block in Tai Po in November 2025, killing 168, injuring 79 and displacing thousands of others. Housing Secretary Winnie Ho resigned Wednesday for her department's failure to supervise the maintenance work. A three-month investigation into conduct will follow, alongside proposals to criminalise bid rigging in relation to the building's US $38 million renovation contract.

North Korea fired around a dozen short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Thursday, Seoul's defence ministry said. The North Korean capital Pyongyang has stepped up weapons tests in recent weeks despite South Korea's offer of military talks.