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In the wake of the election of President Donald Trump, there emerged a flurry of talk among

liberal Californians of a "Calexit," or exit of California from the United States

in order to form their own new nation.

While secession from the union by California has always been viewed as unlikely and unreasonable,

an equally unlikely but slightly more reasonable proposal has been put forth — not for the

state to secede from the rest of America, but to be broken up into three smaller states

that would remain united with the rest of the states.

According to The New York Times, paperwork for the Three Californias proposal has been

officially filed with the state, and if the rest of the proposition process is completed

within a timely manner, the proposal could end up on 2018 ballots for Californians to

vote on.

The proposal was put forward by a Silicon Valley tech billionaire named Timothy Draper,

who stated, "No one can argue that California's government is doing a good job governing or

educating or building infrastructure for its people.

And it doesn't matter which party is in place."

Draper wants to split the current state containing nearly 40 million people into three roughly

equivalent parts in terms of population and wealth.

That would include Northern California, which would cover the upper half of the state from

the San Francisco Bay area to the Oregon border, as well as Southern California, which would

cover the interior counties of the central valley down to the border with Mexico.

A third state known simply as California or New California would essentially be a strip

of counties along the coast from Los Angeles up to about Monterey.

According to KNTV, Draper now has 180 days to collect at least 365,880 petition signatures

from registered voters to be submitted for approval by California's Secretary of State

Alex Padilla before it can become eligible for the 2018 ballot.

Should Draper get his proposal on the ballot and California's voters approve of the measure,

it would then need to be approved by the state's legislature, then sent for approval by the

U.S. Congress, who have the final say when it comes to statehood.

To be sure, the proposal has generated quite a bit of debate in that some people think

Californians would be better served living in smaller, more manageable states, while

others suggest that splitting the state into three would only cause chaos and result in

further disparities between the more wealthy urban coast and rural interior.

Interestingly, this actually isn't Draper's first venture into the realm of creating new

states out of pre-existing ones, as he previously backed a similar proposal to break up California

into six smaller states.

The Six Californias proposal was initially launched in 2013, but despite the investment

of roughly $5 million, it failed to garner enough petition signatures to gain a spot

on the 2016 ballot.

That proposal would have created the states of Jefferson (along the border with Oregon),

North California, Silicon Valley (the Bay area headed south along the coast), Central

California, West California (including Los Angeles) and South California.

In pushing that proposal, Draper made many of the same arguments he is making with his

current Three Californias proposal, namely that the state as it currently exists is too

large and ungovernable, and that citizens are best served by a smaller and more localized

government that is more in tune with their wants and needs.

In that sentiment, we tend to agree with Draper on the size of government and its relation

to the citizens, but we don't really see this proposal going anywhere.

Please share this on Facebook and Twitter so everyone can see the plan to split California

into three separate states that just might end up on the 2018 ballot.

What do you think about this proposal?

Scroll down to comment below!

For more infomation >> Proposal to Split Cali Into 3 Different States Filed, Voting May Begin 2018 - Duration: 4:02.

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US Fighter Jets Escort Russian Bombers Away From USS Ronald Reagan - Duration: 0:58.

For more infomation >> US Fighter Jets Escort Russian Bombers Away From USS Ronald Reagan - Duration: 0:58.

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US Passports to Identify Child Sex Offenders - Duration: 1:02.

For more infomation >> US Passports to Identify Child Sex Offenders - Duration: 1:02.

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North Korea warns citizens of United States INVASION amid reports Trump planning attack - Duration: 2:40.

North Korea warns citizens of United States INVASION amid reports Trump planning attack

Kim Jong-un's regime said it needs its nuclear arsenal as a way of defending itself against an invasion and plunder by the US.

Pyongyang released a statement to its people blasting US President Donald Trump and the United States while hinting it is ready to defend itself from an attack. In angry tirade in the country's state media, Kim vowed to protect his nation.

It said: The nuclear force of the DPRK has become a strong deterrent for firmly protecting peace and security of the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Northeast Asia and creditably guaranteeing the sovereignty and the rights to existence and development of the Korean nation.".

"The nuclear force of the DPRK has become a strong deterrent for firmly protecting peace" North Korea It also said the hermit state must go full-steam ahead in terms of developing weapons of mass destruction, saying the "tragic situation of the war-torn non-nuclear countries which became the targets of invasion and plunder by the US." The comments come amid concerns Trump is gearing up to launch an attack on North Korea.

Just last week, a third aircraft carrier was sent to the region in an unprecedented move. USS Nimitz has joined USS Theodore Roosevelt – dubbed the "Big Stick" – and USS Ronald Reagan in the western Pacific.

The 100,000-ton warship and its strike group join the two carriers amid fears of World War 3 with North Korea.

Each vessel is accompanied with a cohort of destroyers and submarines, and USS Ronald Reagan has been carrying out war drills since two weeks ago.

North Korea has already made it clear that it views the movements of warships as a rehearsal for war.

For more infomation >> North Korea warns citizens of United States INVASION amid reports Trump planning attack - Duration: 2:40.

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'It's a disaster' Trump brands US-China trade deficit 'embarrassing' ahead of Asia visit - Duration: 3:51.

'It's a disaster' Trump brands US-China trade deficit 'embarrassing' ahead of Asia visit

The President also described the trade gap as "horrible" and told Cabinet officials today every trade deal America is involved in is "disastrous".

Mr Trump is set to embark on a 12-day tour to Asia on Friday which includes stops in South Korea, Japan and China.

And trade talks - as well as how to deal with North Korea - are expected to be high on the agenda when the US leader and Mr Xi meet for the third time in Beijing.  Mr Trump has played up his relationship his Chinese counterpart, and Mr Xi has described the President as "a personal friend".

But the real estate mogul has repeatedly complained about the US trade deficit with China, which he says unfairly favours the Beijing.  Official figures from the US Census Bureau shows America has imported four times the amount of goods from China than it exports so far this year.

From January to the end of August, the US exported $80billion worth of goods but imported a massive $319billion.  In 2016, the total goods trade deficit with China was $347billion. .

And during his election campaign, Mr Trump frequently criticised China's economic policies and said they were responsible for "stealing" US manufacturing jobs and slowing economic growth.  He said Mr Xi's Communist Party was deliberately devaluing its currency to make it easier and cheaper for American businesses and consumers to purchase goods produced there.

Mr Trump went as far as making an election pledge to name China a "currency manipulator" on his first day in office, though he has yet to make good on the promise.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Xi said he and Mr Trump had made considerable efforts to improve US-China relations. He told reporters: "The two of us have also maintained a good working relationship and personal friendship.

"I believe that President Trump's upcoming visit to China means an important opportunity for the further development of China-US relations." Mr Trump's trip comes at a time of heightened tensions in East Asia, with North Korea continuing to carry out nuclear and long-range missile tests despite widespread condemnation.  Beijing has previously agreed to help pressure despot Kim Jong-un into giving up on his nuclear ambitions through a series of sanctions.  But officials in Washington have criticised China for not following through on its commitments.

The Asian superpower is North Korea's sole major ally, and accounts for more than 90 per cent of trade with the hermit state.

For more infomation >> 'It's a disaster' Trump brands US-China trade deficit 'embarrassing' ahead of Asia visit - Duration: 3:51.

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North Korea could kill THOUSANDS in automatic retaliation to US strike, defector warns - DAILY NEWS - Duration: 3:53.

North Korea could kill THOUSANDS in automatic retaliation to US strike, defector warns

NORTH Korea would "retaliate automatically" if the US launched a pre-emptive strike, a

high ranking defector has revealed.

Donald Trump's administration has repeatedly touted a targeted strike as an option to end

Kim Jong-un's missile programme.

Such an attack could lead to tens of thousands of deaths in the first hours of an all-out

regional conflict.

Defector Thae Yong Ho, who formerly worked at the North Korean Embassy in London, outlined

the risks of a strike against the hermit kingdom.

Pyongyang would unleash a barrage of artillery and short-range missiles attack on targets

in South Korea, Thae said.

South Korea's capital, Seoul, has a population of nearly 10 million and is around 25 miles

away from the frontier between the rival nations.

Thae warned: "North Korean officers are trained to press their button without any

further instructions from the general command if anything happens on their side."

The high-ranking defector was speaking to a congressional hearing in Washington as he

called for the US to exercise "soft power" over force.

He claimed there would be a "human sacrifice" from an attack with the threat of "tens

of thousands" of artillery guns and missiles.

Thae said: "We have to remember that tens of millions of South Korean population are

living 70 to 80 kilometres away from this military demarcation line."

Kim could unleash his devastating arsenal of biological and chemical weapons as well

as his nuclear weapons in a war with South Korea.

Analysts have argued that a regional conflict and the associated costs would be preferable

to North Korea acquiring a nuclear ballistic missile capable of reaching the US mainland.

Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth has asked the US President to publish official estimates

of the loss of life that could result from a conflict on the peninsula.

She said: "I fear the country is being deprived of an accurate assessment of what war against

the DPRK would entail."

The warning came as NATO called for countries to unite against the North Korean "global

threat" as World War 3 tensions rise.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg launched the urgent calls during a meeting in Seoul

with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha.

He said: "It's a global threat.

It's a big challenge for the Republic of Korea being so close.

"But it's also a challenge for the rest of the world because North Korea is now developing

more longer-range missiles able to reach both North America and Europe.

"This is another example that security is inter-connected and global threats require

global responses."

"Therefore we should look into how we can work together on global challenges.

"The Republic of Korea is one of NATO's longest-standing partners outside Europe and with tension and

challenges related to North Korea and many other issues, it's important we are able to

strengthen and develop our partnerships."

Ms Kang showed her appreciation for NATO support and insisted that further help is needed as

the rogue nation continues to threaten further provocations.

For more infomation >> North Korea could kill THOUSANDS in automatic retaliation to US strike, defector warns - DAILY NEWS - Duration: 3:53.

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U.S. Money: Do you have change for a dollar? - English Language Notes 24 - Duration: 6:42.

Can you name these coins?

This is a penny. It's worth one cent.

A nickel is five cents.

A dime is ten cents.

A quarter is twenty-five cents.

In the U.S., quarters are the most useful coins to carry these days, but sometimes we don't have any on us.

I asked my Twitter followers to identify this object. Do you know what it's called?

It's a coin change machine or simply a change machine.

It's very convenient when you need coins, but only have bills.

In this lesson, let's talk about how you can ask for change.

And I don't mean the kind of change we make to the world around us.

I mean making change, like one set of money for another.

One large bill for smaller denominations.

There are many coin-operated machines, like...

gumball machines, candy machines, laundry machines, arcade games...

small rides like a carousel or merry-go-round.

I often need coins for vending machines when I want to buy a snack or cold drink.

So how does a change machine work? Help me out.

"Insert" is a fancy word for "put in."

And "dispense" means "to give."

Basically, with a change machine you go from bills to coins.

Four quarters make a dollar, so if you insert a five-dollar bill, how many quarters will the machine dispense?

Can you do the math?

But what if there isn't a change machine around?What can you ask someone?

It isn't always appropriate to go up to a stranger and ask for change,

but you could go up to someone who's working at a cash register.

Here are some useful ways to ask for change:

Okay. How about asking for smaller bills.

You only have a twenty-dollar bill, for example, and you need smaller bills like ones and fives.

Or maybe you need two tens.

What can you ask? This kind of situation might happen at the cash register.

In the U.S, we also have rolls of quarters.

So at the bank, you can give a ten-dollar bill and ask for a roll of quarters.

Many drivers keep quarters in their car to feed the parking meters.

If you get asked for change or if someone asks you to break a large bill and you can't, just say something like this:

By the way, do you carry a lot of cash on you?

I bet some of you are already making payments with your smartphones.

Let me know in the comments.

And by the way, while we're talking about money, have you seen my grandmother's coin collection?

It has some interesting pieces.

If you'd like to see U.S. and foreign currency AND practice intonation patterns, click on the link to that lesson.

That's all for now. If you found this helpful, then please like this video and perhaps you could share it with someone else learning English.

As always, thanks for watching and happy studies!

For more infomation >> U.S. Money: Do you have change for a dollar? - English Language Notes 24 - Duration: 6:42.

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America in SECRET TALKS with Kim? US official makes shock admission - Duration: 5:07.

America in SECRET TALKS with Kim? US official makes shock admission

As tensions threaten to reach breaking point on the Korean peninsula, the US is quietly pursuing direct diplomacy with North Korea, a senior State Department official has admitted.  The admission is in stark contrast to US President Donald Trumps public assertions that such talks are a waste of time.

But Joseph Yun, a US negotiator with North Korea, has been in contact with diplomats under the so called "New York channel" at Pyongyangs United Nations mission, the official said.

The New York channel is one of the few conduits the US has for communicating with North Korea, which has itself made clear it has little interest in serious talks before it develops a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the continental United States.

A State Department official said among the points Mr Yun has made to his North Korean interlocutors is to stop testing nuclear bombs and missiles.

It comes at a time when an exchange of sabre-rattling insults between Mr Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has fuelled fears of World War 3.  US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on October 17 he would continue diplomatic efforts.

until the first bomb drops."  But Mr Yun's officials comments were the clearest sign the US is directly discussing issues beyond the release of American prisoners, despite Mr Trump having dismissed direct talks as pointless.

There is no sign, however, that the behind-the-scenes communications have improved a relationship vexed by North Koreas nuclear and missile tests and the death of US university student Otto Warmbier days after his release by Pyongyang in June and the detention of three other Americans.

Word of quiet engagement with Pyongyang comes despite Mr Trumps comments, North Koreas weapons advances and suggestions by some US and South Korean officials that Mr Yuns interactions with North Koreans had been reined in.

Mr Yun said: "It has not been limited at all, both in frequency and substance."  This year, North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear detonation and has test-fired a volley of missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that, if perfected, could in theory reach the United States mainland.

The possibility that Pyongyang may be closer to attaching a nuclear warhead to an ICBM has alarmed the Trump administration, which in April unveiled a policy of maximum pressure and engagement that has so far failed to deter North Korea.

At the start of Mr Trumps presidency, Mr Yuns instructions were limited to seeking the release of US prisoners.

A State Department official said: "It is now a broader mandate than that."  However, when Mr Trump spoke at the UN on September 19, he vowed to totally destroy North Korea if Kim threatened the US or its allies, raising anxieties about the possibility of military conflict.

Days later, after Mr Tillerson said Washington was probing for a diplomatic opening, Mr Trump said on Twitter his chief diplomat was wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man - his mocking nickname for the North Korean leader.

It comes as Mr Trump prepares for his first presidential trip to Asia amid tensions on the home front as Democratic US senators introduced a bill on Tuesday they said would prevent the President from launching a nuclear first strike on North Korea on his own.

For more infomation >> America in SECRET TALKS with Kim? US official makes shock admission - Duration: 5:07.

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New Sam Adams Beer Too Strong To Be Sold In 12 States - Duration: 0:30.

For more infomation >> New Sam Adams Beer Too Strong To Be Sold In 12 States - Duration: 0:30.

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How the second-busiest U.S. fishing port is powered by wind and water - Duration: 4:40.

HARI SREENIVASAN: Kodiak, Alaska, is not only home to brown bears and abundant fishing grounds,

but also one of the most innovative power grids in the country.

From Alaska Public Media, Rachel Waldholz reports.

RACHEL WALDHOLZ: Kodiak, Alaska is all about fish.

From commercial fishermen, to the island's four-legged residents, everyone depends on

seafood.

James Turner manages the Ocean Beauty seafood plant in Kodiak.

The town's half-dozen processors serve the second busiest fishing port in the nation.

JAMES TURNER, Ocean Beauty: This is a 24-hour plant, so we run round the clock.

This plant will run anywhere from 40 million to 91 million pounds a year.

RACHEL WALDHOLZ: Processing all that fish takes a lot of power.

And, in Kodiak, all that power comes from renewable sources right here on the island.

Kodiak decided to aim for nearly 100 percent renewable energy back in 2007.

JENNIFER RICHCREEK, Kodiak Electric Association: There was risk.

There was engineering risk.

There was construction risk.

It was -- it was taking a leap.

RACHEL WALDHOLZ: Jennifer Richcreek works for the Kodiak Electric Association, the local

co-op that runs the community's power grid.

A decade ago, the co-op had a problem: the cost of diesel.

Back in the '90s, Kodiak got just about all of its electricity from a hydro dam.

But as demand increased, they had to use diesel generators more often, and diesel costs were

going through the roof.

JENNIFER RICHCREEK: We were burning millions of gallons of diesel oil.

It was a very vulnerable position.

Diesel is very expensive.

Its price is very volatile.

RACHEL WALDHOLZ: So the co-op decided to harness something Kodiak has a lot of: wind.

But wind isn't always easy to work with.

JENNIFER RICHCREEK: Wind is a wild child.

You don't know when the wind is going to blow.

You don't know how long it's going to blow.

RACHEL WALDHOLZ: It's that variability that communities across the country, large and

small, are struggling with as they try to add more renewable energy to their grids.

The way you deal with that is energy storage.

JENNIFER RICHCREEK: Energy storage is the hot topic in renewable energy, because of

the variable nature of solar and wind, to be able to stabilize that.

Energy storage is huge.

RACHEL WALDHOLZ: Kodiak's first solution was a bank of batteries.

Wind can drop away in a moment, but it takes minutes for the hydropower to ramp up behind

it.

The batteries bridge that gap.

They absorb excess power when the wind is blowing hard, then release that energy back

into the grid as the wind drops.

But just as engineers figured out how to balance wind and water, a new challenge was brewing

over at the port.

RICK KNIAZIOWSKI, Matson: Our old crane was diesel-powered.

It was fairly small, and it started breaking down quite a bit and made us very nervous

that our ability to operate was in jeopardy.

RACHEL WALDHOLZ: Rick Kniaziowski manages the Kodiak shipping terminal for the company

Matson.

RICK KNIAZIOWSKI: So, we will go up to the elevator and then head up to the third floor.

RACHEL WALDHOLZ: The company wanted to install a new larger electric crane.

That was a big ask.

JENNIFER RICHCREEK: How do we supply that much power that fast, while maintaining all

of the other power quality factors throughout the grid to keep it stable?

So, took some time to think about it, modeled it out, and came to the decision that flywheel

can do the job.

RACHEL WALDHOLZ: Just like the batteries, it's a kind of energy storage.

JENNIFER RICHCREEK: A flywheel is a massive piece of steel spinning in a frictionless

vacuum chamber hovered by magnets.

RACHEL WALDHOLZ: In practice, it works a bit like the braking system on an electric car.

As the crane lifts a shipping crate, it draws a bunch of power from the grid, pulling energy

from that spinning flywheel.

But when that container is lowered back to the ground, the crane's braking system generates

electricity.

The flywheel stores nearly all the energy required to power the next lift.

RICK KNIAZIOWSKI: There are no grids this small that operate an electric crane.

So this was kind of a leading edge.

RACHEL WALDHOLZ: The result is a grid like nowhere else on the planet.

And they have managed to do that while keeping electricity costs slightly lower than they

were a decade ago.

For Kodiak, that means a local source of power that isn't vulnerable to swings in the price

of oil.

Jennifer Richcreek believes the lessons learned here could help communities around the globe.

JENNIFER RICHCREEK: As renewables continue to grow and expand and displace fossil fuels,

it will require a shift in infrastructure design.

And so we're collecting the data, we're modeling it, we're sharing it.

RACHEL WALDHOLZ: Which might help other communities follow Kodiak to more than 99 percent renewable

power.

For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Rachel Waldholz in Kodiak, Alaska.

For more infomation >> How the second-busiest U.S. fishing port is powered by wind and water - Duration: 4:40.

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North Korea warns citizens of United States INVASION amid reports Trump planning attack - DAILY NEWS - Duration: 2:27.

North Korea warns citizens of United States INVASION amid reports Trump planning attack

NORTH Korea has warned its citizens about a United States invasion as Donald Trump sends

aircraft carriers to the Peninsula.

Kim Jong-un's regime said it needs its nuclear arsenal as a way of defending itself against

an "invasion and plunder" by the US.

Pyongyang released a statement to its people blasting US President Donald Trump and the

United States while hinting it is ready to defend itself from an attack.

In angry tirade in the country's state media, Kim vowed to protect his nation.

It said: "The nuclear force of the DPRK has become a strong deterrent for firmly protecting

peace and security of the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Northeast Asia and creditably

guaranteeing the sovereignty and the rights to existence and development of the Korean

nation."

It also said the hermit state must go full-steam ahead in terms of developing weapons of mass

destruction, saying the "tragic situation of the war-torn non-nuclear countries which

became the targets of invasion and plunder by the US."

The comments come amid concerns Trump is gearing up to launch an attack on North Korea.

Just last week, a third aircraft carrier was sent to the region in an unprecedented move.

USS Nimitz has joined USS Theodore Roosevelt – dubbed the "Big Stick" – and USS

Ronald Reagan in the western Pacific.

The 100,000-ton warship and its strike group join the two carriers amid fears of World

War 3 with North Korea.

Each vessel is accompanied with a cohort of destroyers and submarines, and USS Ronald

Reagan has been carrying out war drills since two weeks ago.

North Korea has already made it clear that it views the movements of warships as a rehearsal

for war.

For more infomation >> North Korea warns citizens of United States INVASION amid reports Trump planning attack - DAILY NEWS - Duration: 2:27.

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How the US First Lady Melania Trump has polished up her look | Melania Trump's style evolution - Duration: 3:59.

For more infomation >> How the US First Lady Melania Trump has polished up her look | Melania Trump's style evolution - Duration: 3:59.

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Russian bombers heading for US warship INTERCEPTED by fighter jets near North Korea - Duration: 3:40.

Russian bombers heading for US warship INTERCEPTED by fighter jets near North Korea

Two F/A-18 fighter jets scrambled to escort the Russian TU-95 bombers away from the warship on Sunday, US defence officials said. Putin's nuclear-capable "Bears" were stopped just 80 miles away from the vessel, the USS Ronald Reagan, in the Sea of Japan.

US President Donald Trump has sent three aircraft carriers – the USS Ronald Reagan, USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Nimitz – ahead of his visit to the region later this week.

The interception of the Russian bombers was considered to be "safe and professional" by US officials. But the incident comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Pacific with the US, China, Russia and North Korea looking to assert themselves.

Russian bombers carried out the mission just days after the US flew a nuclear B-2 bomber over the Pacific Ocean. The provocative flight – just off North Korea – was an apparent show of force likely designed to intimidate Kim Jong-un.

The US has admitted that North Korea is on the brink of launching the dreaded Juche Bird" missile – a nuke fixed to an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

But the flight is likely to draw the attention of Russia and China, whose militaries are active in the region.

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US interceptions of Russian aircraft – and vice versa – in the western Pacific and elsewhere are commonplace. Typically, these flight interceptions happen without incident, but occasionally tense encounters cause friction between Russia and the US.

In June a US bomber flying over the Baltic Sea was intercepted by Russian fighter jets. The manoeuvre was branded "unsafe" by US officials, who accused the Russian jet of flying "erratically" and too close to the US plane.

Tu-95s – dubbed by NATO as Bears – are four engined propellor aircraft designed for long-range strategic bombing runs. The planes can carry up to 16.5 tons worth of bombs and has been is service since the height of the Cold War.

They can fly at 575mph at heights of up to 45,000ft – being crewed by seven men – and have nuclear bombs in their arsenal.

For more infomation >> Russian bombers heading for US warship INTERCEPTED by fighter jets near North Korea - Duration: 3:40.

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'US will turn to ASHES at ANY moment' North Korea in horrifying threat to enemies - DAILY NEWS - Duration: 2:46.

'US will turn to ASHES at ANY moment' North Korea in horrifying threat to enemies

KIM Jong-un has issued a fresh attack on his sworn enemies as fears of war grow once again.

With US President Donald Trump about to head to Asia the rhetoric has ramped up once again

between the nations.

US officials fear Kim may fire his Juche Bird nuclear missile in an ultimate provocation

that could start World War 3.

Now Kim, speaking through his mouthpiece newspaper Rodong Sinmun, has issued a threat to the

US and his other enemies.

It said in an editorial: "The US, Japan and the South Korean puppet forces should

clearly understand that the horrible nightmare, in which US mainland turns into ashes and

the Japanese archipelago is buried in the Pacific as a whole and the South Korean land

is devastated, can be put into a reality any moment should they run reckless, while failing

to size up the strategic position of the DPRK and the change of the times."

The shocking threat comes as North Korea slammed the US and South Korea for conducting terrifying

drills in the Korean peninsula last week – getting Kim worried.

At least 40 vessels took part in massive war games in the Pacific Ocean led by super-carrier

the USS Ronald Reagan.

Rodong Sinmun added: "Their provocative acts are premeditated ones to take an active

part in the US-led missile defense system while furthering the cooperation with outsiders

for invasion of the DPRK.

"It is needless to say that this poses serious threats to peace and security in the Korean

peninsula and the region."

At least 200 men died in a collapse at a test site after North Korea tested an H-bomb, it

emerged yesterday.

Soldiers are now reported to have been taken ill as the nuclear base becomes increasingly

unstable, amid fears of a radioactive disaster.

Hundreds of thousands of troops are said to be deployed at the Punggye-ri site near North

Korea's borders with Russia and China.

Kim has now set up a hospital near the base to treat troops suffering from exposure to

radiation.

For more infomation >> 'US will turn to ASHES at ANY moment' North Korea in horrifying threat to enemies - DAILY NEWS - Duration: 2:46.

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Military Commander Says There Are 4,000 US troops in Syria, Then Backtracks - Duration: 1:00.

For more infomation >> Military Commander Says There Are 4,000 US troops in Syria, Then Backtracks - Duration: 1:00.

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Donald Trump's Asia tour: US President is warned US safety depends on CHINA - Duration: 4:12.

Donald Trump's Asia tour: US President is warned US safety depends on CHINA

The relationship between the US and Kim Jong-un's neighbour is a complicated one, but the trip has been hailed as the moment President Trump will call on his Asian allies to confront the warmongering state.  In recent months President has been highly critical of Beijing over its aggressive behaviour, but at the same time places pressure on to do more to rein in its neighbour.

But President Xi Jinping is deeply suspicious of any US backed military build up in the region and has repeatedly expressed anger at the deployment of a US anti-missile defence system in South Korea.

However, when President Trump sets out on his five-nation Asian tour on Friday to reassert American leadership in the region, all eyes will be on how he handles China over . .

Samantha Winograd, CNN national security analyst, warned President Xi is "stronger than ever" and will do all that he can to make it awkward for his American counterpart.  She writes: "Fresh off the heels of the 19th Party Congress, President Xi Jinping is stronger than ever and has a blank check to pursue all of his domestic and regional ambitions.

Xi knows that flattering Trump throws him off guard, so he will probably roll out the red carpet." The American expert said it is vital President Trump stamps his authority or face looking "more naive".  She said: "The United States will suffer another blow to our global standing if Trump fails to talk to Xi, and to share a real readout of those discussions publicly, about tough issues like trade, intellectual property theft and cybersecurity while in Beijing. .

"Playing a round of golf with Xi may be a good photo op, but if he doesnt focus on business hell come out of his time in China looking more naive."  Ms Winograd also warned of the Russian threat because US officials have decided to skip the the East Asia Summit (EAS).  She added: "This will leave more room for the leaders of Russia and China to dominate the discussion at the summit.

"Its a major downside risk to our national security to let China and Russia steer security discussions because our interests are not aligned."  .

China has repeatedly rapped despot Kim on the knuckles as the international community places more responsibility on Beijing to solve the crisis, which could erupt into .  Ms Winograd said America's "safety depends" on President Trmp and him acting like a leader.  Describing the Asia tour as the "first step toward repositioning the United States for global leadership after a tough few months," she said: "Failing to act like a leader while overseas, however, could instead push the US further into the background as new leaders rise in power.

"National security shouldnt be a partisan issue, and we should all hope that the President begins to act like a leader during his time in Asia. Our safety depends on it."  It comes after it emerged during his tour. .

For more infomation >> Donald Trump's Asia tour: US President is warned US safety depends on CHINA - Duration: 4:12.

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Former N. Korean diplomat says U.S. should meet Kim and explore all 'soft power' options - Duration: 1:02.

Former North Korean diplomat Thae Yong-ho has called on the United States to meet with

Kim Jong-un at least once before considering any military options against North Korea.

The high-level defector told U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, that Kim underestimates

America's military strength.

He said Kim believes that, by completing the regime's nuclear weapons program, North Korea

will be able to compel Washington to accept it as a nuclear state, and therefore free

itself of crushing sanctions.

He added that Washington needs to make Kim Jong-un understand that the U.S. has the capability

to destroy the regime.

The former diplomat, who defected to South Korea last year, also stressed that more needs

to be done to feed outside information to the North Korean people, and that it was "increasingly

possible" a civilian uprising could occur.

For more infomation >> Former N. Korean diplomat says U.S. should meet Kim and explore all 'soft power' options - Duration: 1:02.

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'US will turn to ASHES at ANY moment' North Korea in horrifying threat to enemies - Duration: 3:03.

'US will turn to ASHES at ANY moment' North Korea in horrifying threat to enemies

With US President Donald Trump about to head to Asia the rhetoric has ramped up once again between the nations. US officials fear Kim may fire his Juche Bird nuclear missile in an ultimate provocation that could start World War 3.

Now Kim, speaking through his mouthpiece newspaper Rodong Sinmun, has issued a threat to the US and his other enemies.

It said in an editorial: "The US, Japan and the South Korean puppet forces should clearly understand that the horrible nightmare, in which US mainland turns into ashes and the Japanese archipelago is buried in the Pacific as a whole and the South Korean land is devastated, can be put into a reality any moment should they run reckless, while failing to size up the strategic position of the DPRK and the change of the times." The shocking threat comes as North Korea slammed the US and South Korea for conducting terrifying drills in the Korean peninsula last week – getting Kim worried.

At least 40 vessels took part in massive war games in the Pacific Ocean led by super-carrier the USS Ronald Reagan.

"The horrible nightmare, in which US mainland turns into ashes " Rodong Sinmun Rodong Sinmun added: "Their provocative acts are premeditated ones to take an active part in the US-led missile defense system while furthering the cooperation with outsiders for invasion of the DPRK.

"It is needless to say that this poses serious threats to peace and security in the Korean peninsula and the region." At least 200 men died in a collapse at a test site after North Korea tested an H-bomb, it emerged yesterday.

Soldiers are now reported to have been taken ill as the nuclear base becomes increasingly unstable, amid fears of a radioactive disaster.

Hundreds of thousands of troops are said to be deployed at the Punggye-ri site near North Korea's borders with Russia and China. Kim has now set up a hospital near the base to treat troops suffering from exposure to radiation.

For more infomation >> 'US will turn to ASHES at ANY moment' North Korea in horrifying threat to enemies - Duration: 3:03.

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Randall Schriver nominated to be U.S. Asst. Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs - Duration: 0:39.

The White House has sent its nomination of Randall Schriver to be U.S. Assistant Secretary

of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs to the Senate for approval.

If given the green light,... Schriver will lead the Pentagon's outreach on issues in

the Pacific.

Wednesday's announcement comes a matter of days after U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis

visited South Korea and less than a week before President Trump's two-day trip to the country.

Schriver served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs

from 2003 to 2005... during the George W. Bush administration.