N Korea signals start of disarmament

North Korea says it is ready to start implementing a nuclear disarmament agreement made in February. The statement comes after the release of $US 25 MLN of frozen funds held at Macau's Banco Delta Asia Bank, in a transfer through a Russian bank.

A group of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors is scheduled to travel to Pyongyang on Tuesday to help lay the groundwork for shutting down a plutonium-generating reactor.