North Korea plans to restart a mothballed nuclear reactor, which would allow it to resume production of weapons-grade plutonium, state media announced on Tuesday. The latest in a near-daily series of nuclear and military threats issued from Pyongyang provoked aggravation from the isolated regime's main diplomatic ally, Beijing, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. China expressed "regret" at Pyongyang's announcement, and Ban called for North Korea to lower its high-pitch, aggressive rhetoric because it might invite a "firm response." -- SPA 21:59 LOCAL TIME 18:59 GMT تغريد