US politics live: North Korea, Russia on the agenda as US officials meet with allies in Seoul

Top military chiefs have met to discuss a number of existential threats facing Asia and the West, as US President Donald Trump piles pressure on his allies.

Welcome to our live coverage of US politics.

Donald Trump has chosen an eccentric former Sydney councillor to represent the United States as its ambassador to Malaysia.

Nick Adams is the former deputy mayor of Ashfield, a position he held when he suggested all the pigeons in the area should be exterminated as a response to bird flu.

That is but a taste of the Adams experience. The man, the legend, who is now a US citizen, has spent much of the past decade baffling observers with his prolific social media output, much of which involves referring to himself as the prime example of an “alpha male”.

“I’m a walking, talking masterpiece of masculinity. Testosterone levels spike when I enter a room. Everywhere I go, I leave a trail of awestruck admirers in my wake.”

That sort of thing.

“In your America, all dreams come true,” Mr Adams said today, revelling in the announcement of his new gig.

The President and White House have confirmed his nomination, which will need to be rubber stamped by the American Senate.

Read on for more on that, and all the latest updates.