US and North Korea begin talks

US AND North Korean envoys began talks in Beijing yesterday to resolve a stand-off over the North's suspected nuclear weapons programme [[[[]]]] the first face-to-face meeting between the nations in six months.

US Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly would not answer reporters' questions after a first day of talks with North Korean and Chinese diplomats.

A US Embassy official said she had no details on what was discussed in the talks, which continue until tomorrow.