Rolls-Royce SMR Limited's 470 MWe small modular reactor design has successfully completed Step 2 of the UK's Generic Design Assessment process and progressed to the third and final phase.

While International Atomic Energy Agency experts stationed at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant have been focusing on monitoring maintenance activities across the site, agency teams at other nuclear plant sites in Ukraine say nuclear safety and security is being maintained despite the effects of the ongoing conflict.

The Nuclear Industry Association has applied to the UK government for a justification decision for Rolls-Royce SMR's small modular reactor, a decision required for the operation of a new nuclear technology in the country. It marks the first ever application for justification of a UK reactor design.

South Africa's National Nuclear Regulator has granted state-owned utility Eskom a licence to continue operating unit 1 of the Koeberg nuclear power plant for another 20 years until 21 July 2044.

The United Nations General Assembly voted by 99 votes to 9, with 60 abstentions, for Russia to "immediately return the plant to the full control of the sovereign and competent authorities of Ukraine". Meanwhile the IAEA warns about the impact of the war on the city where most of the nuclear power plant workers live.

The bipartisan Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act aims to incentivise and support the development and deployment of new advanced nuclear technologies, including measures to streamline the regulatory approvals process.

Kansai Electric Power Company has been given prior consent by Fukui Prefecture and Takahama Town for the  steam generator replacement plan for Takahama nuclear power plant units 3 and 4.

Gallium nitride semiconductors can successfully withstand the harsh environment near a nuclear reactor core, researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory have found. The discovery could enable electronic components to be placed closer to sensors in an operating reactor leading to more precise and accurate measurements with safety and operational benefits.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has called for an immediate stop to drone attacks in the vicinity of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant following reports of injuries to plant workers and forest fires being started.

Innovative reactor developer Newcleo announced it has completed the preparatory stage set up by the French authorities for developers of small modular reactor projects to facilitate, secure and accelerate the review of licence applications.

An external radiation monitoring station was reported to have been destroyed by shelling and fire, with four of the 14 pre-conflict stations currently unavailable, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

Japan's nuclear regulator has approved Kansai Electric Power Company's long-term reactor management plan for units 3 and 4 of its Ohi nuclear power plant in Fukui prefecture, allowing the units to operate beyond 30 years. They become the first reactors to be permitted to operate up to 40 years under new legislation.