The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission are to expand their existing cooperation. Under a recently-signed memorandum of understanding, they will enhance their exchange of technical information and cooperation in nuclear safety matters.

Vítkovice Heavy Machinery and TSP Engineering have signed an agreement to cooperate in the decommissioning of British nuclear power plants and the supply of components for nuclear-powered submarines. Czech engineering company VHM said yesterday the contract is worth about CZK3.5 billion ($158 million) over the next five years.

Bruce Power and Areva NP will further explore opportunities to commercialise radioisotope production capabilities at the Bruce nuclear power plant in Ontario following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) yesterday. Under the agreement, Areva NP is to supply equipment to allow online production of isotopes at the Canadian plant.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has formally decided to invest in Areva's reactor operations and signed investment agreements with both Areva Group and EDF to take a 19.5% stake in New NP.

The International Atomic Energy Agency celebrated its 60th anniversary on 29 July, the date in 1957 when it formally came into existence after 26 countries ratified its Statute. The Vienna-based agency now has 168 Member States.

China and Pakistan have agreed to cooperate in uranium exploration and mining. China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said it had signed a framework agreement with the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission yesterday for technical cooperation in the exploration and development of uranium resources. China signed a similar agreement with Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

All contracting parties to the international Convention on Nuclear Safety have now made their national reports on the implementation of their obligations publicly available, the first time this has happened since the convention was established in 1996.

The nuclear cooperation agreement signed between India and Japan last November entered into force yesterday with the exchange of diplomatic notes. The agreement opens the door for India to import Japanese nuclear technology.

The USA's Holtec International has signed a teaming agreement with Canada's SNC-Lavalin to collaborate in the development of Holtec's SMR-160 small modular reactor.

The UK government's Department for Exiting the European Union has today published a position paper on nuclear materials and safeguards issues, which the head of the country's Nuclear Industry Association says "demonstrates the complexity" of replicating arrangements with the European Atomic Energy Community.

The restructuring of France's Areva group has taken a step forward with the implementation of a €2.0 billion ($2.3 billion) capital injection from the French state. NewCo - Areva's separated nuclear fuel cycle activities - is also to receive a €2.5 billion capital increase from the state by the end of this month.

The British government and media are discussing with renewed concern the prospect of the UK's departure from the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). Current plans would see the UK leave both the European Union and Euratom by April 2019.