The ceremonial launch of the 173-metre long Chukotka nuclear-powered icebreaker has taken place at the Baltic Shipyard. The first three of Russia's Project 22220 vessels are already operating on the Northern Sea Route.

The largest and heaviest module - the CA20 - has been installed at unit 2 of the Xudabao nuclear power plant in China's Liaoning province, China National Nuclear Corporation subsidiary China Nuclear Power Engineering Company Limited has announced.

The core catcher for unit 4 at Egypt's El Dabaa nuclear power plant is expected to be installed by the end of the year. It means all four units will have passed that landmark within little more than a year.

The first of two demonstration Guohe One (CAP1400) reactors at Huaneng Group's Shidaowan site in China's Shandong province has been connected to the grid. The 1400 MWe pressurised water reactor design is intended to be deployed in large numbers across the country, as well as for export.

Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Westinghouse and Kozloduy NPP - New Builds have signed an engineering contract for new capacity at Bulgaria's Kozloduy nuclear power plant.

Installation work has begun for the condenser in the turbine hall for the BREST-OD-300 lead-cooled fast neutron reactor at the Siberian Chemical Combine site in Seversk, in the Tomsk Region of Russia.

A consortium led by Belgian engineering firm Tractebel has completed the European Space Agency-commissioned RocketRoll project on nuclear electric propulsion for space exploration. The consortium has defined a comprehensive technology roadmap to equip Europe with advanced propulsion systems capable of undertaking long-duration missions.

The Czech Republic's competition authority has issued a preliminary ruling rejecting the appeals by Westinghouse and EDF about the tender process for new nuclear units in the country which saw Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power selected.

Global engineering company ABB has signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate with Swedish lead-cooled small modular reactor technology developer Blykalla. They will initially concentrate on constructing an electrical SMR pilot facility near Oskarshamn to test proof of concept before expanding to future plants.

Key decisions on which small modular reactor technologies to select and on a Final Investment Decision on Sizewell C will be taken in spring 2025, according to timelines set out in the government's Budget documents.

Ceremonies have been held to mark the completion of units 1 and 2 of South Korea's Shin Hanul nuclear power plant, as well as the start of construction of units 3 and 4 at the plant. The new APR1400 units are scheduled to be completed by 2032 and 2033, respectively.

The first level of the inner containment building for unit 2 of Egypt's El Dabaa nuclear power plant is in place.