In north east China, nuclear operators are preparing to install nuclear reactor simulators. These simulators, like aircraft simulators will be used to help train staff to operate nuclear reactors that are due to be built at the Hongyanhe site, which could be the site of up to six reactors.

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Yet another nuclear reactor has been connected to the grid, upping the contribution of nuclear power to meeting European electricity demand.The Cernavoda 2 reactor is going through trials, but should reach full commercial operation next month.

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Construction has started on a plant in the US that will use plutonium from nuclear weapons to make fuel for US nuclear power plants. The amount of fuel to be made would produce enough electricity to supply a million homes for 50 years. The plutionium comes from an agreement between the US and Russia. A similar amount of Russian plutonium will be made into fuel for electricity generation too.

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India, long left out on its own in the nuclear energy world because of its failure to sign the international Non-Proliferation Treaty, has reached agreement with the US on co-operation over civil nuclear energy. India will be allowed to keep a strategic supply of fuel for its reactors and will be able to reprocess US nuclear fuel, monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The deal states that if for any reason the supply of used fuel from the US stops the US will help India find alternative sources of fuel from other countries.

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US and French Companies link up to operate new nuclear plants in US and Canada

The French giant EdF has linked up with the US's Constellation Energy to form "Unistar Nuclear Energy". UNE plan to develop, own and operate a fleet of reactors, based round Areva's EPR design, the first of which is currently under construction in Finland. Constellation has already teamed up with Areva to form the Unistar parent company. Similar reactors are also planned for China and France. Those participating in the build of EPRs are hoping to keep down costs by using a standard design.

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New ships for nuclear transport company?

PNTL, the company that carries used nuclear fuel from Japan to Europe for reprocessing - and the waste back - has ordered two new ships. The ships come with double hulls and are manned by two crews .

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UK and DR Congo sign agreement to stop illegal uranium smuggling

A UK mining firm has joined forces with the government of Congo to implement measures meant to stop the illegal smuggling of uranium. It has previously been reported click here for detailsthat senior figures were involved in smuggling, so this move should be welcomed.

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Nuclear: Smelly, but needed, says King of Jordan

King Abdullah II of Jordan described nuclear power as "sort of smelly and dangerous", but still thinks Jordan will need it. The King had discussed nuclear energy with the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper. Jordan plans to have a nuclear power plant by 2015 for electricity and water desalination. King Abdullah II said Canada's reators were very efficient, very clean and very safe.

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Nuclear Regulators slammed for lapses

The NRC, the US nuclear regulators have been heavily criticised by US Government Inspectors for the way in which they awards licenses to a bogus nuclear company. Using the licenses the Inspectors were able to purchase radioactive 'sealed sources', used in the construction agency, despite buying them in the name of a ficticious company.

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UKAEA fined for workers breathing in plutonium

The UKAEA at Dounreay have been fined £15,000 because workers breathed in a very small amount of plutonium when opening contaminated lead bricks in plastic bags. The workers weren't using the correct protective suits and there were no notices on the plastic bags to let them know what the content was.

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Flooded mine will take longer to get running again

A uranium mine in Canada that was flooded in 2006 wont be fully up and running until 2011, a year later than initially planned. The Cigar Lake mine, owned by Cameco will eventually be the biggest uranium mine in the world. But recovering from the flooding will take years.

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New French President pushes nuclear energy cooperation

President Nicolas Sarkozy has been offering French cooperation and expertise on nuclear energy development around the world since his recent election. He's recently offered to share expertise with Algeria, having already offered to collaborate with Georgia and having exteneded an existin agreement with Vietnam

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Califorinian Politician seeks public support

Chuck DeVore, a Calafornia Assemblyman is carrying on his battle to have his states's moratorium on nuclear energy lifted. Having failed to get legislation passed to overturn the ban he's now looking to get support through a ballot of voters. If he can get half a million signatures supporting his ballot the issue will appear on ballot papers alongside 2008's primary elections.

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Further steps have been taken in the creation of Russia's nuclear power titan, Atomenergoprom. The current head of the Federal Atomic Energy Agency, A Putin appointee who arranged the whole thing, will sit as chairman.

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Kazakhstan's national uranium company Kazatomprom has been linked to a 10% stake in the US-based nuclear plant designer Westinhouse. It would buy the share from Toshiba, who in turn bought Westinghouse from Britains' BNFL in 2006 for $5.4 billion.

It looks as though the Kazakhs would like to have a profitable share of a high-tech reactor company that they could use in their future nuclear power plan - in return Toshiba can wipe out some of their debt and Westinghouse have a solid source of uranium for the new plants they build. Everyone's a winner!

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India looks at nuclear to power industrial development

Orissa, on the east coast of India, is a major area of industrial development with increasing energy needs. Local government representatives are proposing building up to 6GWEe of nuclear capacity (equivalent to four of the largest current nuclear reactors) to support the aluminium and steel industries in that region

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Chinese nuclear boss kidnapped

Zhang Guohua, a deputy general manager for the Societe des Mines d'Agelik, owned by China Nuclear Engineering & Construction (Group) Corp., has been captured by rebels of the Movement of Niger People for Justice. The rebels have been campaigning for better implementation of an agreement with the governemnt designed to involve nomadic northern tribesmen. The rebels have previously attacked a mine owned by Areva.

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Uranium mill looks to build up ore stocks

Denison Mines is buying stocks of mined uranium ore to feed into its White Mesa mill. The mill turns uranium ore into 'yellowcake', the feedstock used to make nuclear fuel. The mill is the only one within a 500 mile radius and is in a key location, with a number of uranium mines nearby.

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Japan Government give authorization for MOX fuel in another reactor

The Japanese government has given approval for MOX fuel to be loaded in the Hamaoka 4 reactor. MOX fuel is made from uranium and plutonium recycled from used nuclear fuel. Even after three years in a reactor 96% of the material in used uranium fuel can be recycled and used again.

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Lithuanian President passes nuclear bill

The Lithuanian President has signed a bill for a new nuclear power plant in his country. The reactor will be built through a collaboration between Poland, Latvia and Lithuania

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The conclusions of the Oxford Research Group "Too Hot to Handle? The Future of Civil Nuclear Power" report has been described as 'fatuous' by a senior industry expert. The report suggested that the fact that France 'only' built around 3-4 reactors a year during its peak build phase meant that the world couldn't build 4 a month, which would be needed if nuclear energy were to supply a third of electricity by 2075.

However, that's comparing the build rate in one country France to the potential build rate across the world. If you consider the larger population of OECD countries the reactor build rate could be easily achieved. click here for more information

The spot price of uranium fell back $3 on Wednesday, but this was the first significant dip after steady gains for nearly four years. Increasing speculation that a resurgence in nuclear energy and concerns over supplies has see the price of uranium rise almost tenfold to $135/lb.

Though there may be a small correction, no major reduction is expected. Despite these increases in the price of uranium the cost of nuclear power has hardly been affected, because nuclear power stations use so little fuel the cost of uranium is only a small part of overall generation costs. click here for more information

In his first Prime Minister's Question Time Gordon Brown knocked back an attack on nuclear power from Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell. The Prime Minister said that the security of our future energy supply is best safeguarded by building new nuclear power stations. click here for more information

Areva forge parts for future US reactors

Areva, the French nuclear giant, have forged the first parts for a potential US nuclear reactor, based on their EPR design. The US company, Constellation Energy, agreed with Areva that the components would be made, even though no new US reactor orders have been made yet.
By taking the risk and making these components now Areva will be able to speed up construction of a new US plant if and when the US new build program begins.
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Iran and Russia Row over Nuclear Plant

Iran and Russia are disagreeing over when the Bushehr nuclear power plant will start operating. Iranian officials are saying that the plant will be completed in two months and will start shortly after that.
Russia is building the plant in Iran and says it isn't likely to start this year. There have been delays and disputes over payments between the Russians and Iran.
The Bushehr power plant is part of Iran's public nuclear energy programme.
Fuel for the plant will be supplied to Iran by Russia. As such it is separate from the international controversy over Iran developing enrichment facilities, which some fear will lead to Iran developing a nuclear weapons capability.
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Study concludes of UK stocks of Uranium and Plutonium

The NDA, the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, have concluded a study on stocks of uranium and plutonium present in the UK. These stocks have built up through enrichment, nuclear fuel manufacture and reprocessing in the UK.
One finding is that the stocks could power three 1000 MWe nuclear reactors for their entire 60-year operational lifetime.
Compared to coal-fired generation that could avoid the emission of over 1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. more information