Japan's nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that one reactor was sitting directly above an active tectonic fault, effectively ruling out a restart forever.
Nuclear talks between Iran and the UN atomic agency failed yet again Wednesday, as the top US diplomat in separate six-party negotiations warned Washington's patience was wearing thin.
Two sets of talks on Wednesday aimed at easing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme are not expected to produce any major breakthrough ahead of next month's elections in the Islamic republic.
The UN Security Council suspects one Kazakhstan citizen, two Ukrainians, nine North-Korean citizens and three North-Korean organizations of implication in contraband deals with weapons for North Korea.
The UN atomic agency will on Wednesday press Iran, in their 10th meeting since late 2011, to grant access to sites, documents and scientists involved in Tehran's alleged efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
The EU's top diplomat Catherine Ashton will meet chief Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili in Istanbul on May 15 in a fresh effort to defuse international concern over Tehran's disputed nuclear drive.
North Korea could be ready within weeks to start operating a light-water reactor that has triggered growing concern amid the regime's vows to build more nuclear weapons.
The International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday started a fresh probe into Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant, where leaks and powercuts have dented public confidence in clean-up efforts.
Even Kim Jong-Un's threats of nuclear war can't divert world attention from the main event on the Korean peninsula this week -- the launch of Psy's hugely anticipated follow-up to his global hit "Gangnam Style".
The biggest border crossing between North Korea and China has been closed to tourist groups, a Chinese official said Wednesday as nuclear tensions mounted.