International best practice could help the state of Virginia to overcome "steep hurdles" if a 30-year moratorium on uranium mining is lifted, a major independent study has concluded.

A memorandum of understanding covering information exchange, joint research and education and training in the field of nuclear safety has been signed by Khalifa University in the United Arab Emirates and the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS). The agreement, signed at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi by Khalifa University president Tod Laursen and KINS president Youn Won Park, establishes a foundation to share publications and information on nuclear safety and radiation protection and to conduct related research and development. A South Korean consortium is to build the UAE's first nuclear reactors, with construction work on the first unit expected to begin in earnest by late 2012.

The leadership issues consuming the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission have been played out in front of American lawmakers over two consecutive days but there is no real resolution in sight.

Severe criticism of Gregory Jaczko's chairmanship of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has been made public by Congressmen looking into the matter.

European regulators have been publishing progress reports on the program of stress tests being carried out at nuclear power plants in response to the Fukushima accident.

CLARIFIED: Unit 3 at the Tomari nuclear power plant on Japan's northern Hokkaido island has resumed operation after a periodic inspection. It is the first reactor to be restarted in the country since the 11 March earthquake and tsunami.