BBC:

The first day of a new round of talks on North Korea’s nuclear programme has ended with a hint of progress.

Diplomats at six-party talks in Beijing said North Korea had agreed to take initial steps towards disarmament.

South Korea’s envoy to the talks said all parties – the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the US – agreed on the need for progress and consensus.

The US wants North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons programme, but Pyongyang wants sanctions lifted first.

Trade and financial sanctions against North Korea were tightened after it carried out a nuclear test in October.

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