Russia has failed to show up at a meeting planning the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, US and European officials say.

Former basketball star Dennis Rodman continued to laud North Korea’s ruler as an “awesome kid” and his father and grandfather as “great leaders” at the end of his basketball diplomacy mission to Pyongyang.

The US State Department has criticised North Korea for “wining and dining” visiting ex-National Basketball Association star Dennis Rodman while its own people go hungry.

Concerns have been raised about the welfare of an American journalist reportedly detained in Syria while covering the fighting there.