SPEAKING OF MULTILATERALISM AND NORTH KOREA:

The US and China have said they were confident North Korea will return to six-party talks to end the stand-off over Pyongyang’s nuclear programmes.

US State Secretary Colin Powell said after talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing the format was “what we should be concentrating on”.

Mr Li described the talks as the “only feasible and correct option”.

This is bad news for Kerry.

UPDATE: But Kerry’s position has been consistent.