South Korean officials say it is unlikely that massive rice shipments will be sent to North Korea by the end of the month, as previously scheduled. The impoverished North, which badly needs food and basic supplies, has not taken initial steps it promised towards ending its nuclear weapons program. As VOA Seoul correspondent Kurt Achin reports, North Korean officials are using a diplomatic forum in the Philippines to warn Pyongyang's disarmament will not come quickly.

On the eve of a historic advance in contacts between North and South Korea, there are indications that a major obstacle to ending North Korea's nuclear weapons programs may be resolved. VOA's Kurt Achin reports from Seoul.

Inspectors for the International Atomic Energy Agency say Iran is beginning to enrich uranium on a much larger scale after solving most of its technical problems.

The United States and Russia have agreed to hold special cabinet-level talks in an effort to resolve a dispute over U.S. plans to put elements of a missile defense system in central Europe. Russia contends the U.S. plan would undercut its strategic deterrence. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

President Bush and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe say they see eye-to-eye on North Korea. The two leaders are urging Pyongyang to shut down its nuclear weapons programs or face tougher action. VOA's Stephanie Ho reports from Washington.

South Korean officials say their agreement Sunday to send rice to help North Korea feed its people will only go through if Pyongyang honors a pledge to begin dismantling its nuclear weapons program. And President Bush's special envoy monitoring human rights in North Korea says Pyongyang must change its ways before normalization of U.S. relations can take place.

The main U.S. nuclear envoy said Tuesday that the pending release of North Korea's money frozen at a Macau bank should pave the way for Pyongyang to meet its obligations under a disarmament agreement.

The White House says it is disappointed by Iran's decision to limit cooperation with the United Nations nuclear agency. Russia and China are also urging Iran to comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions. Meanwhile, Iran is interrogating 15 British navy personnel it detained Friday. Leta Hong Fincher has more on the dispute over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

The North Korea nuclear talks stalled this week, but the chief U.S. envoy says he and his counterparts may be back at the table soon. VOA's Luis Ramirez reports from the Chinese capital.

The United Nations Security Council is due to continue consultations today in an effort to reach agreement on new sanctions against Iran for refusing to halt uranium enrichment.