Aalo Atomics has submitted a pre-application regulatory engagement plan with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission for its Aalo-1 microreactor, detailing the planned pre-licensing application interactions with the regulator.

France's EDF plans to optimise the design of its Nuward small modular reactor design, focusing on existing and proven technologies. The move follows feedback from potential European customers in order to guarantee that project deadlines and budgets are met.

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.

Denmark's Copenhagen Atomics has signed a large-scale experimental collaboration agreement with Switzerland's Paul Scherrer Institute to conduct the first critical experiment on thorium molten salt reactors in Europe.

The UK's National Nuclear Laboratory has appointed engineering group Jacobs to help in the development of a high temperature gas reactor design that it is developing in partnership with the Japan Atomic Energy Agency.

The Russian environmental regulator Rosprirodnadzor has approved the plans for a BN-1200 fast sodium reactor at the Beloyarsk nuclear power plant.

The Swedish Energy Agency has granted SEK50 million (USD4.7 million) for a project led by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg for the development of an entire Generation IV nuclear power system. The project also aims to rebuild national expertise in nuclear technology science.

The 184-tonnes section - the second of three - has been lifted into place for the lead-cooled fast neutron reactor under construction at the Siberian Chemical Combine site in Russia.

UK-headquartered innovative reactor developer Newcleo has signed a partnership agreement with the French Alternative Energies & Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) on the development of Newcleo's lead-cooled fast reactor.

The Nuclear Industry Association has applied to the UK government for a justification decision for Newcleo's lead-cooled fast reactor, the LFR-AS-200. Such a decision is required for the operation of a new nuclear technology in the country.

As well as preparing to issue a Request for Proposals for 2500 MW of new nuclear "this calendar year", the Nuclear Energy Summit was told that South Africa is developing its Pebble Bed Modular Reactor technology and "deserves the opportunity to implement the complete nuclear fuel cycle for peaceful uses".

South Korea's Ministry of Science & ICT has signed a memorandum of understanding with eight Korean companies to cooperate on the development of next-generation nuclear reactors.