North Korea's Kim Visits Tank Factory, Touts Progress in Korean-style Tanks

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un rests his foot on a tank gun as he tours a military equipment facility at an unspecified location in North Korea, in this image released May 4, 2025 by the Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS
North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un rests his foot on a tank gun as he tours a military equipment facility at an unspecified location in North Korea, in this image released May 4, 2025 by the Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS
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North Korea's Kim Visits Tank Factory, Touts Progress in Korean-style Tanks

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un rests his foot on a tank gun as he tours a military equipment facility at an unspecified location in North Korea, in this image released May 4, 2025 by the Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS
North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un rests his foot on a tank gun as he tours a military equipment facility at an unspecified location in North Korea, in this image released May 4, 2025 by the Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has inspected an "important" tank factory and touted "great progress in the core technology of Korean-style tanks," state media KCNA said on Sunday.
He said producing cutting-edge tanks and armoured vehicles is key to modernizing the army and reaching the ruling party's plan for "the second revolution in armoured force."
Kim’s visit comes amid a broader push to modernize North Korea’s conventional armed forces in addition to its nuclear and missile arsenals.
The North Korean leader recently attended the launch of a new naval destroyer and tests of new drones, among other weapons, said Reuters.
South Korean and US officials have said they suspect the North is receiving some technical and military help from Russia in return for sending ammunition, missiles, and troops for the war in Ukraine, but no details have been confirmed.



Building Fire Kills 8, Injures Others in Southern India

 People watch as fire officials conduct rescue operations at a building following a fire in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP)
People watch as fire officials conduct rescue operations at a building following a fire in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP)
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Building Fire Kills 8, Injures Others in Southern India

 People watch as fire officials conduct rescue operations at a building following a fire in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP)
People watch as fire officials conduct rescue operations at a building following a fire in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP)

At least eight people were killed and several injured in a fire that broke out at a building near the historic Charminar monument in southern Hyderabad city, Press Trust of India news agency reported Sunday.

Several people were found unconscious and rushed to various hospitals, according to local media. They said the building housed a jewelry store at ground level and residential space above.

“The accident happened due to a short circuit and many people have died,” federal minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader G Kishan Reddy told reporters at the site of the accident.

More details were awaited.

Prime minister Narendra Modi announced financial compensation for the victims’ families and said in a post on X that he was “deeply anguished by the loss of lives.”

Fires are common in India, where building laws and safety norms are often flouted by builders and residents.