the u.s. military on high alert for a possible nuclear test by the north koreans which could prompt a preemptive strike by american forces. the largest non-nuclear bomb ever used in got is darked by a targeted isis fighter and tunnels. the fire breaks out at the bellagio. a tiny eisen crusted world orbiting saturn could be a potential for life. >> it's good friday around the world as christians prepare to celebrate easter sunday. "early today" starts right now. >> good morning. i'm frances rivera. >> i'm yasmin vossoughian. u.s. military prepared to launch a preemptive strike against north korea. intelligence officials saying

the u.s. would strike with conventional weapons if they become kochb vinced north korea is about to test a nuclear weapon. a possible nuclear test coming as early as this weekend, coinciding with the anniversary of the nation's founder 105th birthday, the grandfather of current leader kim jong-un. janice, what's the latest on this increasingly tense situation? >> good morning, yasmin. north korea blaming the united states for heightened tension on the korean peninsula with the dispatch of aircraft carrier strike group as well as threats of a pre 'em tuf u.s. strike if the u.s. believes north korea is preparing a sixth nuclear test. the speculation has been mounting for weeks and was rekindled again with commercial satellite imagery showing increased activity at the site where north korea has carried out the past five tests, seeing increased activity at the north

portal as well as appearance of equipment and personnel. the vice foreign minister of north korea today making comments in an interview that north korea stands ready for any mode of war desired by the united states, that it will not sit by with its arms crossed if the u.s. launching a preemptive strike and it will wait for word from its supreme headquarters to carry out a nuclear test which it is prepared to do at any time. so they're certainly adding fuel to the fire. here in south korea, also being seen as a sign that perhaps north korea wants to talk, the fact that these comments were coming through the diplomatic channel of the foreign ministry and as well-being made in an interview and not in a statement being read out on television from the regime's state-run news agency. certainly a lot of speculation and anxiety heading into the key anniversary weekend in pyongyang. >> we'll have to see what happens this weekend. thank you.

adding to the international tension, what's happening in afghanistan the u.s. military dropped the largest non-nuclear bomb used in combat, nicknamed the mgter of all bombs. its use is unprecedented. the target, isis fighters and tunnels in afghanistan. this morning afghan officials say the bomb killed at least 36 isis fighters and no civilians were hurt. nbc chief foreign correspondent richard engel has more. >> reporter: the u.s. military pulled out the big guns in the fight against isis, a 21,000-pound bomb, the largest non-nuclear weapon the united states has ever used. its only known use before, this 2003 test. the massive ordnance air blast is better known by its mick name, the mother of all bombs. so big it's stored in the cargo hold and dropped out of the back of a plane. a u.s. aircraft dropped one of these monster bombs on an isis tunnel complex in eastern

afghanistan. president trump suggested he didn't personally authorize the strike, left that to his commanders. >> we have given them total authorization. this was another very successful mission. >> reporter: the toll of the bomb both physical and psychological. >> the shock value of this weapon is simply unbelievable. it feels like an earthquake 15 miles away. it will collapse under ground, subterranean caverns with the isis fighters in them. >> reporter: but the 15-year war in afghanistan, the longest in u.s. history has proven having the mightiest weapons doesn't guarantee victory. the u.s. still has more than 8,000 troops in afghanistan, extremist groups including isis remain strong. just this weekend an american soldier was killed there. >> military experts tell richard engel the bombing was also about sending a message to frighten isis and perhaps even north korea. breaking overnight, the las vegas strip was shut down for an hour when a second alarm fire

broke out at the bellagio hotel and casino. over 70 firefighters rushed. it started on the exterior above the retail offices. officials say the location of the fire made it difficult to fight. they were able to extinguish it, under 30 minutes before any guests were injured or evacuated. the cause has not yet been determined. america's top spy blasted wikileaks. here is mike pompeo giving his first public speech since becoming cia director. >> it's time for calling them out what they are, a non-state intelligence service. >> he went on to accuse julian assange of making, quote, common cause with dictators. the strong condemnation breaks sharply from president trump's past statements which praised wikileaks during the campaign. newly released video shows the moment of a deadly toll booth crash in houston. some viewers may find this disturbing. a white dodge durango lost control and slammed into a car,

pushing it into a pickup truck stopped at the toll booth. the driver of the smaller car did die on the scene. the durango's driver taken to the hospital. the pickup driver shaken. witnesses say the durango was driving erratically before the crash. it is now day 85 of the trump presidency. the president has served a potentially major blow to planned parenthood. he privately signed a bill allowing states to withhold federal funds from planned parenthood and other groups that provide abortions. also on thursday, the trump administration released limited fixes for shaky health insurance markets. they include a shorter enrollment window and curbs on special enrollment after insurers complained that some people were gaming the system. insu we know today is good

friday, one of the holiest days of the year for millions of christians around the world. in in. also in the philippines, devout catholics mark good friday with a reenactment of the crucifix of jesus. pope francis marked holy thursday by washing and kissing the feet of inmates. at home red sox fans can enjoy a hot dog. the bishop is allowing it for good friday. animals in tampa got a feast of watermelons, decorated like easter eggs. according to the national retail federation, americans are expected to spend a record $18.4 billion on easter this year, up 6% from last year. a lot of chocolate. >> a whole lot of sugar rush for parents to deal with. just ahead, nasa's announcement about potential

life in space. first, heavy downpours caused major flooding in parts of fresno. several cars were quickly submerged by the fast rising water. so far no word on major injuries or damage. we want to turn to nbc meteorologist bonnie schneider who is here for our easter weekend weather. >> we're looking at the rain you saw in fresno, still getting scoured along the washington and oregon border. today severe storms are possible in the plains. we're watching that into this afternoon and evening. for the weekend we could see more storms developing from the plains to the midwest. we know it's the spring season. this is where we're looking at the threat for strong tree pollen, high areas from the51.

60 degrees further off to the south. looking good. >> so unfortunately those of you allergic to pollen, you'll be feeling the effects across kansas, west texas, western oklahoma all the way to the east. uncomfortable out there, but pretty spring flowers. >> always pretty to look at. the next story is not par for the course. professional golfer james heath decided to strip down to his underwear to hit his ball out of water. swings and big splash. he got the ball out of the water hazard, ten feet from the cup. he missed the putt and ended up with a bogey. at least his pants stayed dry. for you and me, we know if he's a boxer or briefs guy. >> i wonder if he would have done that he was wearing tighty whiteys. >> not so much. as if the week wasn't bad enough for united airlines, now

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investigation of the incident continues. 24 people had to be rescued from a roller coaster after it got stuck for stlee hours at six flags america in maryland. firefighters had to remove the passengers one by one. all the passengers are okay. six flags say the cars stopped at a safe location after apparently losing momentum. every time you think about that you think of the ones that go upside down or the loops. >> the pictures they take on the roller coasters wherever is lun oik oh. >> get us off, please. marvin gay's music is known to set the mood a little bit. one mom says there's one song that actually calms her crying baby. [ crying ]. ♪ >> you can even sort of see her just like get in the mood.

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in today's business quick hits, instagram stories has overtaken snapchat in total daily users. a major milestone for facebook messenger. it now has over 1.2 billion monthly active users. just in time for tax day, jetblue giving away 1,000 free flights to people who owe money to the irs as part of the tax return flight giveaway. one of the largest automobile events of the year. the new york auto show gets under way today. nearly a million new yorkers are expected to pack the convention center between now and april 23rd. for the first time we're hearing about the extent of the injuries suffered by the united airlines passenger. it sparked worldwide outrage and a pr crisis for the airline.

this morning we're hearing from his attorney and his daughter. nbc's tom costello has the detai details. >> reporter: dr. david dao dragged from the united flight on sunday is out of the hospital. >> my dad is healing right now. >> reporter: his daughter says his injuries are severe. >> we were horrified and shocked and sickened to learn what happened to him and to see what happened to him. >> reporter: his attorney said dr. dao suffered a concussion, broken nose, sinus injuries that require reconstructive surgery and lost two teeth in the incident. >> i have to go home. >> reporter: he has no memory of running back on board the plane bloodied and distraught after being dragged off. attorneys say they will sue united and the city. >> he is a 69-year-old man. is that really the way we want to treat the aged? >> reporter: united released a new statement reiterating apology saying this horrible situation has provided a harsh learning experience from which we will take immediate concrete action.

pledging to reexamine how it handles oversold flights and the incentives it offers passengers to give up its seats and saying it will no longer ask law enforcement to remove passengers from planes unless it's a matter of safety and security. the airport commissioner conceded those security guards employed by the city have been told in january to stop wearing jackets that say police but they continued wearing them anyway. >> i want to express our extreme regret for the actions of our officers. >> thanks to nbc's tom costello for that. toe make matters worse for united, an incident here where a scorpion stung a man on a united flight to calgary. the creature apparently fell from the overhead bin but the man's injuries are non-life-threatening. he was there in business class eating his lunch. >> how can you do that to a business class flier? just kidding. >> fell on his head and then stung him as he was eating.

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video when you saw a man being dragged off one of your plans. >> probably the word [ bleep ] comes to mind. >> i would not be here without your support. [ bleep ] you all. >> on november 4, 1984, ronald reagan was taking a [ bleep ] right here when he found out he had become president of the united states. >> a former pair of presidents brought together by love of family and love of [ bleep ]. >> i don't know if i like more, the unnecessary censorship or when he slows things down. >> that is so funny. will you do it to us jimmy. ellen feeling the pressure, a kid seeking 18 million retreats for a lifetime of mcdonald's chicken nuggets. her oscar selfie has 3.3 million retweets. the nugget boy is 2.8 million. he's gaining on her. here is how she is trying to stop him. >> this kid is on my heels.

carter, stop it right now. you mess with the borns, you'll get the horns. i challenge everyone who retweets carter's tweet, to retweet mine. that way i'll maintain my title and he'll reach his goals. if i can ride your coattails, i'll give you a year's supply of ellen underwear and this tv. >> she always offers underwear, to all her guests that comes on the show. here is a pair of ellen underwear. >> the bragging rights. that means you were either on the show or mentioned. that's a good deal. i can almost guarantee he might be on the show to pick up the underwear in person. >> i agree that's probably going to happen. president trump's mar-a-lago is slapped with health violations. why a ups driver in massachusetts is being hailed a hero. you're watching "early today." ke the more mysterious they sound, the more... powerful you'll think they are. it's time to see what power really looks like.

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temperatures are warming today, straight through easter sunday. we're going to see some high numbers this time of yeerks including the 80s in atlanta. not quite yet for sunday in new york. look at this. the forecast for easter, 82 degrees, 84 in raleigh, 69 in amarillo, 73 in kansas city. looking like a pretty good easter sunday across much of the count country. >> not a lot of raining on the easter parades. president trump might want to order takeout while staying at mar-a-lago for easter. health inspectors hit the resort with 13 health violations in january. some of them can lead to food borne illnesses like serving raw or undercooked fish and also leaving raw meats in defrosted

coolers. a mar-a-lago spokesman says they take food safety seriously and made add justments immediately. one ups driver held put out a house fire. this cell phone video shows the man extinguish iing the porch wh a hose. the cool ups man grabbed the hose and once again putting out the fire himself. he delivers packages and puts out fire. >> a two-fer. a frozen river in china just got broken up with a big bang. here is a look at it. those explosives were used to break up the ice in an effort to prevent flooding. the authorities used this technique at more than 20 sites over the last few days. >> lots of movies to see this weekend despite the fact we have really good weather. buckle up, "the furry" is back. the eighth installment of the

universal franchise returns with the star-studded cast and all of the car chase action you could ever want. the fast and the furious franchise has had impressive openings. furious 7 the biggest earner so far with $147 million. look at the other box. "norman" starring richard gere and anne hathaway and the comedy "colossal." >> i would love to go to to movies. it's difficult when you have a 6-month-old. movies is not the first thing you choose because you only have about a two-hour window. >> when the kid is a little older, you'll get to the phase where everything you'll see is animated, dreamworks, "trolls," "sing." >> no fast and the furious for a little one. >> n that, for watching everyone. i'm yasmin vossoughian. >> i'm frances rivera. happy easter if you celebrate.

e 'll seyou back here on

a live look right now from san francisco--- and the city skyline. the skyscrapers in soma are all lit up, underneath a clear sky. a much drier start... ==laura/2shot== good morning - and thanks for joining us. i'm laura garcia cannon. ==sam/2shot== and i'm sam brock. =4shot= ad lib toss to weather ==kari//cu== ==mike//traffic h set== ck traffic maps tracking a crash in "oakland"