Holtec International and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy are to collaborate on accelerating the commercialisation of Holtec's SMR-160 small modular reactor (SMR). Their cooperation will initially include nuclear fuel development and control rod drive mechanisms.

Rosatom and the Ministry of Scientific Research and Technological Innovations of the Republic of Congo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

China General Nuclear subsidiary China Techenergy Corp recently signed an agreement to cooperate with South Korea's Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction to promote self-developed instrumentation and control products. CTEC has also signed a contract with Doosan to supply SpeedyHold (CTEC’s logic controller), and then Doosan will supply replacement control rod systems to four Korean nuclear power reactors.

The International Atomic Energy Agency and Indonesia signed a practical arrangement yesterday to promote nuclear science and technology, and to strengthen technical cooperation among developing countries.

Framatome is the best partner for Lightbridge for developing, licensing and commercialising nuclear fuel assemblies based on its technology, the company's president and CEO Seth Grae told World Nuclear News. Speaking shortly after the companies announced their Enfission joint venture, he said they intend Enfission to become a major player in the international nuclear industry.

The nuclear power industry presents "particular challenges" in the context of Brexit, the House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee says in a report published today.

Russia and Argentina have signed a memorandum of understanding on uranium exploration and mining in the South American country. Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom is also proposing to supply Argentina with a nuclear power plant.

The UK government has published initial pre-consultation draft versions of the Nuclear Safeguards Regulations to enable early engagement with Parliament, industry and other stakeholders. The draft regulations, which the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy published on 19 January, set out the nuclear safeguards regime for the UK and the powers of the BEIS secretary of state to make regulations under the Nuclear Safeguards Bill.

France's Framatome has signed an asset purchase agreement with Schneider Electric to acquire its nuclear instrumentation and control (I&C) business. The asset purchase agreement outlines the terms of the sale, which is expected to close by the end of March.

Toshiba Corporation is to sell its claims against Westinghouse Electric Company and Brookfield - which is buying the Westinghouse-related shares that it holds - to Nucleus Acquisition. The Japanese company said it has entered into an assignment and purchase agreement with Nucleus and a share purchase agreement with Brookfield.

Spain's Nuclear Safety Council and the Moroccan Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security Agency have signed a memorandum of understanding on increased collaboration.

The USA's two main uranium producers yesterday filed a petition with the US Department of Commerce seeking an investigation into the effects of uranium imports on US national security. Energy Fuels Inc and Ur-Energy are calling for a limit to imports that would reserve 25% of the US nuclear market for domestic uranium production.