News Wrap: North Korea warns against U.S. aggression with threat to strike

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• JUDY WOODRUFF:

  In the day's other news, North Korea issued a fiery new warning to the United States.

  State TV threatened nuclear strikes on American military bases in South Korea and elsewhere, if the U.S. makes any aggressive move. The report noted that a U.S. aircraft carrier group is moving toward the region for military exercises with the South.

• WOMAN (through interpreter):

  The United States' dispatching of its nuclear carrier task group in the waters off the peninsula proves that its reckless moves for invading North Korea have reached a serious phase. If the U.S. dares opt for military action, then North Korea is ready to react to any mode of war desired by the U.S.

• JUDY WOODRUFF:

  Meanwhile, President Trump used Twitter to send his own warning to Pyongyang and to China. He tweeted — quote — "North Korea is looking for trouble. If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them."

  Democrats were hoping for an upset today in the first congressional election since President Trump's November victory. It's a race to fill the Kansas seat vacated when Representative Mike Pompeo was named director of the CIA. Democrat James Thompson is challenging Republican Ron Estes. The president tweeted his support for Estes today.

  The state of Texas must decide how to proceed after a federal judge ruled for a second time that a voter I.D. law discriminates against minorities. In a previous ruling, the judge likened the law to a poll tax. A federal appeals court asked her to reexamine the case, which she did, before reaffirming her finding on Monday. A separate court has found that Texas racially gerrymandered several congressional districts.

  On Wall Street today, stocks struggled to make any headway. The Dow Jones industrial average gave up six points to close at 20651. The Nasdaq fell 14 points, and the S&P 500 slipped three.

  And in Thailand, they have begun festivities to ring in the Buddhist new year, starting with elephants spraying people with water. The animals marched through the country's ancient capital today, dousing revelers and tourists alike. The tradition is said to wash away bad luck and usher in prosperity for the new year.