Talks between Iran and six world powers on its disputed nuclear program failed to produce a breakthrough on Thursday, in an apparent diplomatic setback for both sides.

The six wanted a freeze on Iranian production of uranium enriched to 20 percent purity, which is considered a short step from bomb grade. The Iranians wanted an easing of the onerous economic sanctions imposed by the West and recognition of what they call their right to enrich.

North Korea has resumed construction of a nuclear reactor that can be used to expand the country’s nuclear weapons program, an American-based institute said Thursday, citing the latest satellite imagery of the building site.

In November, North Korea reported brisk progress in the building of a small light water reactor in its main nuclear complex in Yongbyon, north of Pyongyang, its capital. If completed and operational, the plant would give North Korea a new source of spent nuclear fuel from which plutonium, a fuel for nuclear weapons, can be extracted.

North Korea has resumed construction work on an experimental light water reactor (ELWR) in a move that could extend its capacity to produce more material for nuclear weapons, website 38North reported on Thursday.

Based on April 30 satellite images, work halted in December at the reactor had now re-started, said the website (38north.org), run by the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University and former U.S. State Department official Joel Wit.

Pakistan carried out a successful test firing of a short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile on Thursday, the military said.

The launch of the Hatf III, which has a range of up to 290 kilometres (200 miles) and can also carry conventional warheads, came at the end of a field training exercise, a military statement said.

With negotiations over the proposed civil nuclear cooperation between India and Japan yet to reach a breakthrough, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba on Monday decided to establish two new dialogues on maritime and cyber security.

New Delhi: India on Wednesday made the most persuasive case for its “full membership” of the global non-proliferation regimes. In a major policy statement, foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai told a gathering of nuclear experts that “the logical conclusion of partnership with India is its full membership of the four multilateral regimes”.

Iran’s top nuclear negotiator said Wednesday that he would offer “new initiatives” at the coming talks with world powers on its disputed nuclear energy program, apparently trying to strike a posture of conciliation without specifying which ideas he intended to propose.