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Yesterday's deadline for submission of candidates for the post of director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed with five names submitted.

The bulk of America's $30 billion nuclear waste fund could be repaid to consumers under legislation introduced to the Senate late last week.

US generator AmerenUE has announced it is suspending its efforts to build a new nuclear power plant at Callaway in Missouri, saying that state policies are making it too difficult to finance the project. Meanwhile, the chairman of a US energy regulator has publicly questioned whether the country needs...

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has granted international inspectors extended rights in the country by signing the Additional Protocol to the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty.

The UK wants a debate on a new global framework for nuclear energy, aimed at ensuring its widespread peaceful use for power and a process for disarmament.

Swedish nuclear utility OKG reported that a contract worker conducting maintenance work in the turbine hall at unit 3 of the Oskarshamn nuclear power plant has died following a workplace accident.

Iranian officials assembled the world's press today for a pre-commissioning systems shakedown at the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Although billed as 'first operation' of the reactor, the unit itself contains no uranium fuel.

Leading figures in Britain's environmental movement today announced policy u-turns and called for the 'embrace' of nuclear power. Anti-nuclear campaigns of the past were described as 'enormous mistakes'.

Construction of Iran's heavy water reactor is progressing, while authorities in the country will not allow the IAEA access to the facility.

Dmitry Semenov, an engineer in the Electric Department of the Leningrad nuclear power plant in Russia, has won two gold medals and a silver medal at the Masters World Cup cross country skiing contest in Autrans, France. He came first in the 10 km freestyle and was also in the winning Russian team in...

A war of words has erupted in the UK as national politicians speak out against the anti-nuclear policies of the devolved administration in Scotland. Leaders have been accused of seriously jeopardising Scotland's future.

[Courier Journal, 5 February] The Natural Resources and Energy Committee of the Kentucky Senate has passed a bill that could lead to the lifting of a 25-year-old moratorium on the construction of nuclear power plants within the US state. In 1984, Kentucky introduced a law that said nuclear power plants...

The European Parliament has set out wide-ranging recommendations for the European Union's future energy policy. These include a road map for investments in nuclear energy and new emissions targets for 2050.

The Netherlands' stance on nuclear energy needs to be clarified, according to the International Energy Agency. Delaying a decision on nuclear until 2011 leaves too much uncertainty.

A Scottish parliamentary committee reviewing the country's long-term infrastructure planning has stopped short of recommending the retention of nuclear power.

Production in 2008 from Australia's three uranium mines totalled 9941 tonnes U 3 O 8 (8430 tU), 2% lower than the 10,145 tonnes U 3 O 8 (8603 tU) produced in 2007. Energy Resources Australia (ERA) reported that output at its Ranger mine in Northern Territory was 5339 tonnes U 3 O 8 (4527 tU), compared...

The European commissioner for environment, Stavros Dimas, has written to US president Barack Obama calling for the USA and Europe to form an alliance to tackle climate change. He also suggested that the USA adopts a European-style emissions trading scheme.

The Jülich Research Centre in Germany has ordered a new supercomputer which will host applications for the European Union's fusion research program. The move comes after last week's European Commission decision to allow fusion researchers access to a European supercomputer network.

Steven Chu looks set to be confirmed to serve as president-elect Barack Obama's secretary of energy. He sat before the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on 13 January to pledge his willingness to take up the job.

[Korea Herald, Associated Press; 13 January] South Korea's Foreign Ministry announced that it will send a team of officials to North Korea to discuss the purchase of unused nuclear fuel rods at North Korea's Yongbyon facility. Ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young, said, "Hwang Joon-kook, director...

Nobel laureate physicist Steve Chu will serve as Secretary of Energy in president-elect Barack Obama's administration. His current position is director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

President-elect Barack Obama has set a target of reducing US greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, followed by a further 80% by 2050, with nuclear energy being used alongside other clean energies.

Australia's Paladin Energy has warned that the uranium mining industry is not immune to the global financial crisis. In its latest quarterly report the company notes, "The impact of the credit tightness on the supply side of the uranium business will probably cause the deferral or cancellation...

Zogby International has published the results of a public opinion poll in the USA which indicates that 67% of Americans support the construction of nuclear power plants, while 23% are opposed. Some 46% of respondents said that they strongly support the construction of new nuclear plants. With regards...

[White House, 20 December] During a press conference at the White House, US President George Bush turned his attention to nuclear energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. He said: "If you are truly serious about dealing with greenhouse gases, then it seems like to me you ought to be...