North Korea

Speaking to the Associated Press in Pyongyang, Han Song-ryol said the situation on the Korean Peninsula was in a "vicious cycle" as tensions with the US and its allies deepen.

Pictures on state television showed thousands of soldiers marching in formation alongside tanks, balloons and enormous crowds.

They didn't say where we were going, what we would be doing or who would be there. In the past, a "major event" has meant being taken to see North Korea's Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Un.

The foreign ministry, quoted by state news agency KCNA, said the deployment showed "reckless moves for invading" had "reached a serious phase".

The US Pacific Command says it is aimed at maintaining readiness in the region.

President Trump has said the US is prepared to act alone to deal with the nuclear threat from North Korea.

Meanwhile South Korea and China- who is North Korea's closest ally - have warned of more stringent sanctions if Pyongyang conducts more missile tests.

As Trump and President Xi Jinping meet for their first summit, Pyongyang's aggressive pursuit of nuclear and missile expertise will top the agenda. US officials warn that the era of what's known as strategic patience is over.

The United States believes the projectile was likely a ballistic missile, according to a US official. It is one of several the country has test-fired in recent months.

Written by a dissident writer still living inside the country, "The Accusation; Forbidden Stories from Inside North Korea" is a collection of short stories about the lives of regular people, who live without freedom and under constant scrutiny.

Officially fiction, the book is considered to be a reflection of life under North Korean rule. The author is known simply as "Bandi", Korean for firefly, a pen name he apparently chose himself.

"China will either decide to help us with North Korea or they won't," Trump said in an interview published Sunday in the Financial Times. "If they do, that will be very good for China, and if they don't, it won't be good for anyone."

North Korea had requested the body, but has not confirmed its identity.

It was released as part of a deal under which nine Malaysians previously prevented from leaving North Korea have now arrived home.

The two countries had been locked in a diplomatic row in the wake of the killing in Kuala Lumpur last month.

Both countries had banned each other's citizens from leaving.

Three North Koreans have been allowed to leave Malaysia, Malaysia's chief of police said.

The nine Malaysian nationals were met by their relatives and a large media contingent at Kuala Lumpur airport early on Friday.The quarrel, over last month's killing of Kim Jong-nam in Kuala Lumpur, had resulted in both countries banning each other's citizens from leaving.

Malaysia has also allowed North Koreans to leave and released Mr Kim's body.

There is widespread suspicion that Pyongyang was responsible for orchestrating Mr Kim's murder.