Daily Mail: It's NOT an H bomb: White House says evidence disproves Kim's claim to ultimate weapon
* The 'initial analysis is not consistent with the North Korean claims of a successful hydrogen bomb test,' press secretary Josh Earnest said
* Earnest said the US came to that conclusion based on seismic data, as well as information obtained by its allies in the region
* White House 'not prepared to list' potential retributive actions but asserted that the U.S. will 'consider a wide range of options'
* Republicans are turning the news into a new assault on President Barack Obama's foreign policies
The White House said this afternoon that it has seen no evidence to support North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's claims that his country has developed a hydrogen bomb.
The 'initial analysis is not consistent with the North Korean claims of a successful hydrogen bomb test,' President Barack Obama's spokesman said today.
'I cant give you a detailed assessment at this point,' White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said, 'This is after all an event that just occurred 18 hours ago or so.'
MIDDLE EAST
U.S., allies stage 19 strikes in Iraq against Islamic State: statement.
ISIL launches major assault on Iraq's Haditha. IS steps up assault on western Iraqi town after losses.
YPG claims to have killed nearly 6,000 enemy fighters in 2015.
Islamic State threatens to destroy Saudi prisons after executions.
US timeline sees Assad as Syria leader until at least March 2017.
Saudi-Iran row: Kerry calls leaders to urge calm.
Iraq joins US, Russia in effort to lower Iran-Saudi tensions. Iraq offers to mediate between Saudis and Iran, worried over fall-out.
Saudi backs Syria peace talks despite tensions with Iran.
Saudi currency takes nosedive amid Iran row.
Anger grows in Saudi Arabia's Shi'ite areas after executions.
Rouhani shows determination to end embassy attacks in Iran.
Yemen troops seize northwestern port from Huthi rebels.
ASIA
U.S., experts cast doubt on North Korea's H-bomb claim.
North Korea 'hydrogen' bomb test prompts global outrage.
Gunfire celebration in Kabul after dramatic Afghanistan win.
China escalates emergency stock market intervention.
U.S. conducts air strikes as fighting rages in Afghan province.
2 wounded US soldiers evacuated from Afghan battlefield.
Afghan forces claim advances in Taliban-held district.
US launches airstrikes in Afghanistan after deadly firefight, evacuations.
China again lands planes on disputed island in South China Sea: Xinhua. China lands two more planes in disputed South China Sea: state media.
China to allow mainlanders to make transit stops in Taiwan.
Philippine 'comfort women' fear China sea dispute blocks justice from Japan.
Bangladesh court upholds death sentence for Nizami.
AFRICA
Central African Republic candidates now mostly support vote count: U.N..
Tunisian PM reshuffles cabinet amid security, economic challenges.
Fires rage at Libyan oil ports after Islamic State attacks. Islamic State ‘province’ releases photos from raids on Libyan oil facilities.
Egypt backs Saudi Arabia in spat with Iran.
Ivory Coast's president seeks 'more efficient' government.
UN probes alleged CAR child abuse by peacekeepers.
Nigeria court in Kano sentences cleric to death for blasphemy.
Turkey set to build a military training center in Somalia.
DR Congo registers 7,000 refugees arriving from South Sudan.
Over 160 killed in Madagascar cattle theft clashes: army.
EUROPE
Drop in migrants caused by weather, not Turkey's crackdown, Germany says.
North Korea’s nuclear tests affect Russian national security, says senior MP.
Germany receives over 1.1 million refugees in 2015 - Interior Ministry. No drop in asylum seekers reaching Germany, Berlin says.
German police face criticism amid outrage over New Year's sex assaults.
All-clear given to Merkel building after suspicious letters checked.
Survey shows Ukrainians' life ratings sank to new lows in 2015.
Danes unmoved by border checks as refugees caught in the middle.
Trump Organization says proposed UK ban over Muslim remarks 'a dangerous precedent'.
Britain's 'shoddy' security under fire after militant slips away to Islamic State.
Charlie Hebdo magazine commemorates terror attack anniversary.
French far-right leader Le Pen questioned in fraud probe.
AMERICAS
Obama eyes 6 military bases to house surge of illegal immigrants.
Obama takes gun violence case to Americans in impassioned address.
Haiti elections officials pick Jan. 24 for presidential runoff.
Opposition ends decades of socialist rule in Venezuela. Defiant Venezuela opposition claims congress supermajority.
Venezuela: Opposition wants 'change within six months'.
Ripe for radicalization: US Federal prisons 'breeding ground' for terrorists, say experts.
Most Americans are one paycheck away from the street.
El Nino storms slam drought-parched California.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Two Guantanamo detainees transferred to Ghana: Pentagon.
Daesh reportedly learns to shoot down passenger jets.
Poles fear jihad through the backdoor.
ISIS executes first female journalist in Syria.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
TransCanada launches legal action over Keystone XL rejection.
Netflix goes live in 130 new countries; shares advance.
Stocks, oil bashed by China worries, North Korea nuclear test.
Oil slides to new 11-year low as Saudi-Iran row cuts chance of output curbs.
Twitter considers raising character limit to 10,000.
Apple extends losses; briefly falls below $100 in premarket.
Massive blue star sapphire worth over $100M mined in Sri Lanka.