Australia and New Zealand hit back at N. Korea threat

Sydney: Australia and New Zealand stiffened their rhetoric against North Korea after the isolated state threatened Canberra with a nuclear strike, urging it to think twice before “blindly and zealously toeing the US line”.

The move comes as US Vice- President Mike Pence wraps up an Asia tour, which has included visits to South Korea, Japan and Australia partly to reassure allies amid fears that Pyongyang may be readying for a sixth nuclear test.