US offers N Korea a nuclear deal

Washington wants the North's nuclear facilities dismantled
The White House has urged North Korea to accept a new plan for dismantling its nuclear weapons in return for aid.
The plan was submitted at ongoing six-nation talks in Beijing.

The White House said once Pyongyang agreed to take steps to achieve the verifiable dismantling of its nuclear programme, oil and food would be sent.

The plan is being seen as more flexible than a previous US demand for North Korea to destroy its weapons before talks on aid could take place.

North Korea has not yet formally responded to the proposal.

On Wednesday, the North Korean delegate, Kim Kye-gwan, said his country would give up its weapons in a "transparent way" if the US dropped its "hostile policy".