US warns North Korea to avoid destruction of its people

US Defence Secretary James Mattis has said North Korea should cease any consideration of actions that would "lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people".

Mr Mattis said any action by North Korea would be grossly overmatched by the US, and that Pyongyang would lose any arms race or conflict it started. He said that while the US is pursuing diplomatic solutions, the combined military power of America and its allies is the most robust on Earth.