Mª JESÚS MORÁN

North Korea is «ready to sink» a US aircraft carrier heading for the peninsula, state media have said.

A commentary in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper warned that the USS Carl Vinson could be sunk «with a single strike».

A battle group headed by the Vinson is expected off the peninsula this week.

It was despatched by President Donald Trump amid a warning that US «strategic patience» over the North’s nuclear ambitions had come to an end.

Tension also rose after a recent failed missile test by the North and a massive military parade showing off its latest hardware.

• China ‘seriously concerned’ about nuclear threats
• How might Donald Trump do a deal with North Korea?
• John Sudworth: Face-to-face with North Korea’s top diplomat

Sunday’s commentary in Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the ruling Workers’ Party, followed a feature on leader Kim Jong-un’s inspection of a pig farm.

«Our revolutionary forces are combat-ready to sink a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a single strike,» the commentary read, saying that the attack on what it called a «gross animal» would be «an actual example to show our military’s force».

State newspaper Minju Joson echoed this, warning the army would «deal merciless destructive blows at the enemies so that they would not come back to life again».

The economy: Kamal Ahmed, economics editor

For the future of the economy, there are two intertwined issues at the top of the «importance» league table.

First, the type of trade deal Britain secures with the European Union following Brexit.

In economic terms, the more «frictionless» that relationship, the better.

Studies by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research suggest leaving the single market could lead to a long-term reduction in total UK trade with Europe of between 22% and 30%, unless Britain signs exactly the same free trade deal as it has now (which many in the EU have made clear they do not support).

That stark fall in trade – and therefore in the creation of growth and wealth in the economy – reflects the fact the single market is a comprehensive trade agreement aimed at reducing tariff barriers within the EU (the UK’s largest export market).

But, as importantly, the single market also seeks to reduce «non-tariff barriers», the rules and regulations governing issues such as safety certification and licensing of goods and services provided across borders.

For an economy such as Britain’s, driven by services such as retail and finance, non-tariff barriers are very important as well as very complicated.

The government believes some of that trade impact can be offset with new free trade deals with countries outside the EU, such as Canada and the US, but they may take a while.

Watch the detail closely – the UK’s future trade deals will be key to the future performance of the economy.

The other issue is immigration and, more precisely, labour mobility.

Businesses that operate internationally often need to move key staff in and out of the country as seamlessly as possible.

And sectors such as agriculture and food preparation and delivery rely on thousands of EU workers.

Freedom of movement rights across the EU – which help many businesses operate – are one of the red lines for Theresa May.

She has responded to worries that immigration is too high and cheaper workers from Central and Eastern Europe in particular have undermined employment opportunities and pay for British workers (although, with the economy approaching full employment, there is little actual evidence for this).

How «porous» the UK’s borders remain to labour mobility will be an important factor in the health of its economy.

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Sharing your sheets with your dog or cat may be a good thing, a study suggests. But some experts say you may still want to consider alternate arrangements.

Dayle Fragin has a soft spot for dogs.

Not just in her heart, but also on her bed.

“It’s their home,” sais Fragin. “They’re second-chance dogs. I feel they need to feel comfort for the rest of their lifetime.”

Dayle, a full-time animal shelter volunteer, shares her bed with six dogs — schnauzers Muffin, Onyx, Minnie, Fred and Heidi, and a mixed breed named Carly.

“One moves, the other comes in, we constantly rotate. I never know who’s next to me, on top of me, wherever. On the bed, on top of the bed. It’s wherever they want to go,” she said.

Dayle’s not alone. There are plenty of photos online of people snuggled up under the covers with their pets.

“I just adore them. They show you so much love, companionship, friendship, anything in the world anyone could ask for,” Dayle said.

Sleep experts have long thought that pets in the bedroom are disruptive to a person’s sleep, but a recent Mayo Clinic survey found 41 percent of patients who share their beds with their animals find it beneficial.

Some say it helps them relax and gives a sense of security.