Nuclear threat

North Korea nuclear threat 'accelerating'

Mr Mattis warned it would face a "massive military response" if it used nuclear weapons.

Separately, North Korea released a South Korean fishing boat which it said had been found in North Korean waters illegally.

The crew of 10 were released on Friday evening, South Korean officials said.

It comes at a time of heightened tension in the region, with both sides running a series of military exercises.

North Korea warns Australia of possible nuclear strike if it 'blindly toes US line'

North Korea’s state new agency (KCNA) quoted a foreign ministry spokesman castigating Australian foreign minister, Julie Bishop, after she said the rogue nation would be subject to further Australian sanctions and for “spouting a string of rubbish against the DPRK over its entirely just steps for self-defence”.