Mattis sees ‘a lot of reasons for optimism’ on N. Korea talks

Washington (AFP) – US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Monday said he saw reasons to be optimistic about talks with North Korea, after Pyongyang said it was halting nuclear tests and intercontinental ballistic missile launches.

“Right now, I think there is a lot of reasons for optimism that the negotiations will be fruitful, and we’ll see,” Mattis told Pentagon reporters.