Three new nuclear power reactors in China have recently reached significant milestones toward their operation. First criticality has been achieved at Fuqing 3 and Fangchenggang 2 - both CPR-1000s - while cold hydrostatic tests have been completed at the Haiyang 1 AP1000.

Poland is "taking all the necessary measures" to ensure its nuclear power program meets the highest standards of safety and security and best international practice, Józef Sobolewski, director of the nuclear energy department of the country's Ministry of Energy, has said. Sobolewski's comments followed the conclusion of the International Atomic Energy Agency that Poland has implemented all the recommendations and suggestions of a 2013 Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review mission.

Tests to evaluate the strength and leak tightness of the containment building at the United Arab Emirates' first nuclear unit at Barakah have been completed successfully. The structural integrity test and the integrated leak rate test, which together demonstrate the integrity and robustness of the structure and its ability to perform under normal and extraordinary circumstances, took several weeks to complete.

China and Argentina have signed a memorandum of understanding reaffirming their plans to construct two new nuclear power reactors in the Latin American country with financing from Chinese banks. Construction of Argentina's fourth reactor is to start early next year.

Georgia Power's Vogtle construction project has reached a new milestone with the placement of unit 4's CA05 module into the reactor's containment building.

One of the nuclear industry's most experienced executives has postponed retirement from a 45-year-long career for a rare challenge - to deliver a privately backed new build project. As CEO of Horizon Nuclear Power - the UK subsidiary of Japan's Hitachi - Duncan Hawthorne aims to demonstrate that such a project is able not only to attract investors, but that it will be delivered on time and to budget.

French utility EDF and Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have today signed a memorandum of understanding for collaboration in civil nuclear power, including MHI taking a stake in Areva NP and joint development of the Atmea reactor design.

Just days after the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority issued the first site licence for the Rooppur nuclear power plant, the country's cabinet has approved the draft of an intergovernmental agreement that will see Russia provide $11.38 billion in credit for the project.

EDF Energy, NuGeneration and Horizon Nuclear Power have all stressed their commitment to the UK's nuclear new build program, despite the country's decision to leave the European Union. Nevertheless, the majority vote in favour of 'Brexit' - decided in a national referendum held yesterday - may have implications for investment in new reactors and nuclear research, as well as for the UK's future role in meeting climate change targets, industry participants said.

South Korea's nuclear regulator has today approved the construction of units 5 and 6 of the Shin Kori nuclear power plant. The APR1400 units are scheduled to begin operating in March 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Despite challenging market conditions, the global nuclear industry delivered a strong operating performance and improvements in construction times of new reactors in 2015, according to a new report from the World Nuclear Association. The report says that if the world is to meet its climate change targets then the rate of new build will need to accelerate.

Fennovoima is considering developing its own repository for disposing of used fuel from its planned Hanhikivi nuclear power plant in western Finland. Posiva Solutions is to advise it on site selection.