Host Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the 95th Academy Awards on March 12.

North Korea is investing all its strength in a hard-line position against Washington and Seoul.Kims year-end threat is as much a deadline for economic progress as it is a diplomatic ultimatum.

a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.The North responded with intensified testing activity while Kim said he would wait with patience until the end of the year for the United States to come up with a courageous decision.a volcano considered sacred by North Koreans and a place where the leader has often visited before making key decisions.

while continuing provocative missile tests.said North Korea will likely ramp up its weapons demonstrations in coming weeks to increase pressure on Washington ahead of Kims deadline.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs told CBS News the Souths military is maintaining its readiness posture while keeping track of related movements in preparation for further launches.

North Koreas latest launch follows statements of displeasure by top government officials over the slow pace of nuclear negotiations with the United States and demands that the Trump administration ease sanctions and pressure on Pyongyang.7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants.

The children are being prioritized as part of the first group for a potential hostage release aimed at ultimately bringing home the roughly 240 hostages that were taken during the Oct.two Americans andtwo Israelis.

including CIA Director Bill Burnsmeeting the head of Israels Mossad intelligence agency.along with top Qatari officials.