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IAEA "Lise Meitner Programme" Delegation Visits Russia's Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Lise Meitner Programme organized its first visit to Russia, with 14 female representatives from the nuclear field of 14 countries recently visiting the Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant (Kalinin NPP) to learn about plant operations, safety management, and personnel training. The Russian itinerary was organized by the Rosatom Technical Academy. The delegation toured the Kalinin NPP industrial site, the turbine halls of the units, and the main control room of Unit 4. Evgeny Solovyov, Deputy Chief Engineer for Safety and Reliability at Kalinin NPP, introduced the visitors to...

2026-08-16

India Proposes Strict Approval System for Private Nuclear Power Projects

On August 14, India proposed a strict regulatory approval system for private nuclear power projects, aiming to create conditions for foreign reactor technologies with proven operating records to enter the Indian market while maintaining access and operational controls. Under the draft rules, companies could obtain in-principle approval before securing formal licenses, allowing them to hire suppliers, conduct preliminary development work, and acquire project land. Once projects enter the licensing phase, they would undergo phased regulatory reviews covering design, siting, construction, commissioning, and operation. The draft also seeks to grant regulators stronger oversight powers, including the authority to halt work at critical project stages. For a long time,...

2026-08-15

FDA Approves Tauklarify, a Tau PET Imaging Agent for Alzheimer's Disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Tauklarify, a new brain imaging agent for the evaluation of Alzheimer's disease. The drug, also known as MK-6240, is a radioactive diagnostic agent for positron emission tomography (PET) in adults, primarily indicated for adults with cognitive impairment who require physician assessment of abnormal tau protein accumulation in the brain. The twisted, insoluble fibrous deposits formed by tau protein are believed to be associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. The developer, Lantheus, stated that the safety of Tauklarify was evaluated in two clinical trials involving more than 1,700 subjects. Adverse reactions...

2026-08-16

Function Health Secures $450 Million in Funding to Expand Laboratory Testing and Medical Imaging Platform

U.S. health technology company Function Health recently secured $450 million in growth funding from General Catalyst's Customer Value Fund. The company stated that the funds will be used to expand user coverage of its testing and medical imaging platform. Function Health launched as a beta version in 2023, with a platform integrating laboratory testing, medical imaging, and health data analytics services. Its membership includes over 160 laboratory tests, with testing scheduled twice a year, and annual plans starting at $365. Testing coverage encompasses cardiovascular health, hormones, thyroid and kidney function, inflammation, nutritional levels, and certain cancers...

2026-08-16

Society of Interventional Radiology Launches Framework to Quantify the Value of Interventional Radiology

The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) is developing a framework to measure the clinical and economic value of interventional radiology, aiming to expand the specialty's role in health system planning, payment reimbursement, and patient management. According to reports, SIR has partnered with triLumen Health Partners to develop a strategic roadmap focused on identifying and quantifying the contributions of interventional radiology in academic medical centers, community hospitals, and outpatient settings. The project is expected to inform SIR's strategic planning extending through 2029 and beyond. Dr. Saher S. Sabri, SIR President, stated that interventional radiology is currently often evaluated using metrics such as procedure volume and relative value units, but these metrics may not fully reflect its role in long-term clinical care, perioperative management, and overall health system cost control...

2026-08-16

Utah Energy Hub Seeks Diversified Growth: Coal, Nuclear, and Data Centers in Parallel Development

On August 12, at the Carbon & Emery Energy Collaborative meeting held in Price, Utah, local government and energy companies discussed regional economic development, coal production, nuclear energy projects, and the electricity demand driven by data centers. The core message conveyed at the meeting was that while coal remains a vital pillar for Carbon County and Emery County, the future of energy and economic growth no longer depends on a single source, but rather requires the combined support of coal, nuclear energy, and emerging industries. Carbon County Commissioner Jared Haddock noted that the county's taxable value has decreased by approximately $1 billion over the past decade, putting greater pressure on local government to maintain its tax base. To avoid...

2026-08-16

Survey of Japanese 18-year-olds: Nearly 60% support restarting or replacing nuclear reactors that meet safety standards

A survey of young people around age 18 in Japan shows that nearly 60% of respondents support restarting nuclear power plants that meet safety standards or replacing existing reactors with new units; meanwhile, over 70% of respondents have expectations or some expectations for advanced innovative reactors. The 18-year-old awareness survey conducted by the Nippon Foundation asked respondents to choose which of two statements was closer to their own view: one being that nuclear power plants meeting safety standards should be restarted or replaced with new units; the other being that nuclear power should not be relied upon due to accident risks and radioactive waste issues. The results showed that 28.5% of respondents said their view was "close" to the first statement, and 29.8...

2026-08-16

Philippine Steel Plant in Davao Raided: Radioactive Isotopes Detected in Finished Rebar and Multiple Materials at the Facility

On August 14, Philippine authorities conducted a raid on Davao Mighty Steel Corp., a steel manufacturing plant located in Barangay Ilang, Bunawan District, Davao City. The operation followed an investigation launched by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after receiving reports that the company was involved in the production and sale of substandard steel rebar, with the scope of the investigation subsequently expanding after radioactive isotopes were detected in commercially sold DMS rebar. The operation was led by the National Bureau of Investigation, with the participation of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), and was supported by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), the Philippine Air Force, the Philippine Coast Guard's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear emergency response units, the Coast Guard Special Operations Group, and the Army's 10th Infantry Division.

2026-08-15

Lucideon Plans £500 Million UK CMC Manufacturing Facility to Strengthen Aerospace, Defense, and Nuclear Supply Chains

UK materials science consultancy Lucideon plans to build a manufacturing and R&D facility for ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) at Keele University Science Park, with total project investment expected to exceed £500 million over the next 7 to 10 years. The plan aims to address the UK's capability gap in high-temperature ceramics and industrial-scale CMC manufacturing, serving key industries such as aerospace, defense, and nuclear energy, while enhancing the UK's autonomy and competitiveness in the global advanced materials supply chain. Ceramic matrix composites, consisting of ceramic fibers reinforcing a ceramic matrix, can withstand ultra-high temperatures, thermal shock, and mechanical impact, while offering weight reduction advantages over metallic materials, driving growing demand in high-performance engines, thermal protection...

2026-08-16

Spain Extends Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant Operation to June 2030

The Spanish government has issued an order in the official gazette extending the operation of the Almaraz nuclear power plant to June 2030. Under Spain's previously established nuclear phase-out schedule, the two units at Almaraz were originally slated to begin decommissioning in 2027 and 2028, respectively. The document indicates that this extension does not alter the decommissioning plans for Spain's other nuclear plants. Spain plans to gradually shut down its five domestic nuclear plants by 2035. However, some analysts believe that, influenced by actual decommissioning arrangements and power system demands, other nuclear plants may also receive life extensions in the future. In April of this year, a large-scale blackout occurred in Spain and Portugal, sparking external...

2026-08-15

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Launches Major Overhaul of Damaged Diesel Generator

On August 14 local time, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) stated that it has launched a major overhaul of a damaged diesel generator unit to ensure the plant's independent power supply capability in the event of an external power outage. The plant stated that maintenance work is currently progressing as planned, with a focus on the upkeep and repair of equipment related to safety systems. The diesel generator unit under repair is one of the independent power sources for the safety systems. Previously, during a complete interruption of external power supply, the backup diesel generator units provided power support for the plant to maintain essential safety functions. According to reports, experts on site have begun disassembling and inspecting the main components of the diesel generator unit to determine which parts need replacement or repair...

2026-08-15

Hungary Plans to Sink Two Barges Near Paks Nuclear Power Plant to Raise Danube Water Level

Hungarian authorities plan to conduct controlled sinking of two giant barges, each about 80 meters long, in the river section near the Paks Nuclear Power Plant on August 14, aiming to raise the local water level of the Danube and ensure cooling water supply for the nuclear power units. According to European sources, after the two barges are sunk, the water level in the relevant river section is expected to rise by about 20 centimeters. Recently, persistent high temperatures across many parts of Europe have driven the Danube's water level to a low point, putting pressure on water intake and power generation along the river. The Paks Nuclear Power Plant is the only operating nuclear power plant in Hungary. Due to the low water level of the Danube, the plant's power output has dropped to about 25% of its installed capacity. Earlier this week, Hungarian authorities also announced plans to build a riverbed weir on the Danube. Under current expectations, the project could raise the water level in the relevant river section by about 1 meter.

2026-08-15

Bill Gates Visits South Korea to Promote TerraPower Small Modular Reactor Cooperation

Bill Gates recently held a series of intensive meetings in South Korea with government agencies, financial institutions, and nuclear power industry chain companies, discussing the commercialization of TerraPower's small modular reactor (SMR), supply chain development, and global market expansion. Gates is the founder of TerraPower, which is advancing a next-generation small modular reactor project based on sodium-cooled fast reactor technology. Korea Eximbank (KEXIM) President Hwang Ki-yeon said on the 14th that he had met with Gates, and the two sides discussed financial cooperation plans needed for SMR commercialization and global market entry. Korea Eximbank plans to provide Terra...

2026-08-15

The Energy Research Institute of Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center Achieves a Series of New Progress in Safety Assessment of Activated Corrosion Products under Magnetic Field Environments in Fusion Reactors

Recently, the Radiation Protection and Safety Research Center of the Energy Research Institute of Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center has made a series of significant progress in the field of safety assessment of activated corrosion products under magnetic field environments in fusion reactors. The research team conducted systematic studies on the corrosion behavior of China's low-activation ferritic/martensitic steel CLF-1 in magnetic field environments, from three dimensions: water corrosion characteristics, migration patterns of corrosion products, and the influence of surface roughness. The relevant results have been published as three papers in the journal *Nuclear Materials and Energy*, which is ranked in Zone 1 of the emerging journal classification table. This series of research outcomes provides key scientific evidence for the radiological safety assessment of cooling water systems in fusion reactors...

2026-08-15

U.S. nuclear company TerraPower partners with Korean firms to advance Natrium advanced nuclear deployment in America

U.S. nuclear company TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, is accelerating the commercialization of its advanced nuclear reactors. The company announced on August 14 that it has reached cooperation agreements with South Korea's Hyundai Engineering & Construction and SK Innovation, aiming to advance the deployment of up to eight 345 MW Natrium reactors in the U.S. nuclear expansion. The first plant is expected to be completed by 2030, a timeline that underscores the urgency of deploying next-generation nuclear technology in the United States. Under the agreement, Hyundai Engineering & Construction has been selected as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for up to eight future Natrium reactor projects. The cooperation arrangement also includes related financing guarantee mechanisms, intended to enhance project bankability and reduce uncertainties in the early stages of large-scale construction. TerraPower President and CEO Chris Levesque stated that this marks a new phase of international cooperation with leading Korean institutions, reflecting the growing reliance of advanced nuclear projects on cross-border supply chains and engineering capabilities.

2026-08-15