"This is a significant and concerning escalation of the DPRK's support for Russia," says US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby while briefing reporters that North Korea provided Russia with ballistic missiles and missile launchers that were used in recent attacks on Ukraine. He also says that ISIS-K remains a viable terrorist threat regarding the twin blasts in Iran, and on the Huthi attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea, he says, "the Huthis will be held accountable." White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre while speaking about a school shooting in Iowa says, "It's only the 4th day in the year, in the New Year. And we are already faced with yet another horrific school shooting." (completes VIDI349F8LM_EN) IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES