Hydraulic testing of the secondary circuit at Iran's Bushehr reactor has been completed, taking the plant a step closer to its long-awaited start-up.

Construction has started on a steel manufacturing and heavy forging facility in Gujarat state, India, as part of a joint venture between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd and Larsen & Toubro.

A ceremony last week saw the official start of work on Ningde 3, the 21st nuclear project underway in China. Some 80% of components will be domestically sourced, including the entire digital control system.

A construction milestone was reached on 22 December 2009 at Russia's Kalinin 4 with the installation of the containment dome. The long-stalled build project should be complete in 2011.

Deadlines included in Italy's new nuclear laws are drawing near. Siting criteria for new reactors are to be announced within weeks, but some local authorities are rebelling and key agency staff are not yet in place.

CORRECTED Only two new nuclear power reactors began operation in 2009, although only four were closed. Work on 12 new units, however, signals serious growth for coming years

A new joint venture aims to commercialize Russian technology for small lead-cooled fast reactors. With strong government support it hopes to bring to market reactors similar to those previously used in submarines.

South Korean firms are to lead the construction of nuclear power plants in the UAE, after the nation concluded its long-awaited nuclear tender. Four APR1400s are to be built by 2020 at a cost of $20 billion.

Demonstration of a Chinese AP1000 derivative moved a step closer with a joint venture project company. Construction of the first CAP1400 is scheduled for April 2013.

A ceremony yesterday evening marked the official start of construction at Sanmen 2, China's third AP1000 nuclear power reactor. The project is six weeks ahead of schedule.

Next-generation nuclear is to receive a billion-euro boost thanks to a French investment program. Meanwhile the country's main nuclear research body has been re-branded.

Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd has announced a postponement to the start of construction of its mixed oxide (MOX) fuel plant and a delay in installing new centrifuges at its enrichment plant.