North Korea ratcheted up the rhetoric in its war of words with Washington by promising an “annihilating strike” with its nuclear deterrent should the United States launch an attack, its media said on Monday. Over the weekend, North Korea said it would bolster its deterrent in response to a U.S. threat, marking the first time it has so specifically mentioned the subject since a crisis began over its suspected plans to test-fire a long-range missile. Full Story