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ITM and SpiroChem Announce Strategic Collaboration to Advance Novel Radiopharmaceutical Development

Garching/Munich, Germany and Basel, Switzerland, September 8, 2026 – Radiopharmaceutical biotechnology company ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE and Swiss collaborative research organization SpiroChem AG today announced a strategic drug discovery partnership focused on a novel radiopharmaceutical candidate within ITM's pipeline. The specific target and financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed. Under the agreement, the parties will combine their respective capabilities to advance candidate discovery and optimization. SpiroChem will leverage its drug discovery platform, macrocycle library, and screening engine to lead hit identification and optimization, while ITM will provide...

2026-09-09

Toshiba Energy Systems Selected for Next-Generation Innovative Reactor Core Structure R&D and Demonstration Project

On September 9, 2026, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) announced that it has been selected for the second round of public solicitation under the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's FY2025 supplementary budget project "Support Program for Technology Development and Supply Chain Construction for Next-Generation Innovative Reactor Development and Construction," undertaking the "Next-Generation Innovative Reactor Core Structure R&D and Manufacturing Demonstration Project (Phase 2)." Figure: Image of iBR internal structure Following this selection, Toshiba Energy Systems will further expand its R&D efforts in reactor internal structures, building on the six projects previously selected in the first round. The company plans to collaborate with suppliers to...

2026-09-09

Estonia expects to identify preliminary nuclear power plant site by spring

Estonia's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications expects that by spring, the site selection analysis for a nuclear power plant will have progressed sufficiently to identify preliminary candidate sites. Currently, authorities are evaluating six potential locations in the coastal areas of Kunda and Lüganuse-Toila, with three candidate sites in each area. Agnes Lihtsa, adviser to the ministry's Land and Spatial Policy Department, stated that relevant authorities have developed a site evaluation framework containing 40 indicators, drawing on recommendations from the International Atomic Energy Agency. The evaluation covers nuclear safety requirements, geological and hydrological conditions, cooling water availability, potential impacts on the natural environment, and socio-economic factors. Lihtsa said that cooling water conditions are a key factor in site selection.

2026-09-09

United States and Colombia Sign Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding

On September 8, 2026, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, and Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Blas Escobar attended the signing ceremony of two memoranda of understanding in Barranquilla, Colombia. The related report was published and updated on September 9, 2026. Under the signing arrangement, the first document is a framework memorandum of understanding between the U.S. government and the Colombian government on securing the mining and processing supply of critical minerals and rare earth elements; the second document is a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. government and the Government of the Republic of Colombia on strategic civil nuclear cooperation. Following the signing ceremony, Rubio stated that the United States and Colombia...

2026-09-09

West Virginia Joins Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Center Program

On September 9, 2026, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that the state has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to join the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Center (NLIC) program, becoming the sixth participating state. Earlier this year, the DOE had identified Idaho, Tennessee, Utah, Oklahoma, and Louisiana as potential host states. With West Virginia's addition, the state will work with the DOE to evaluate potential sites and advance possible host agreements. According to reports, the NLIC program aims to support activities across the full nuclear fuel lifecycle...

2026-09-09

Indian, Russian Leaders to Meet Ahead of BRICS Summit; Talks on New Nuclear Power Plants on Agenda

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on September 8 that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet this Friday, ahead of the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit scheduled for September 12-13 in New Delhi. Peskov stated that Russia is awaiting negotiations with India on new nuclear power plants. He also noted that the two leaders maintain close contact and are able to discuss sensitive issues in bilateral relations in an open and constructive manner. The Indian side has not yet issued an official statement regarding the bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin. India holds the presidency of the 2026 BRICS Summit. This year's summit will be held at the India Exposition Centre in New Delhi under the theme "Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainable Development." During the summit, participants will exchange views on shared priorities and related global and regional issues.

2026-09-09

Planned outage at Sweden's Ringhals Unit 4 extended to November 30

The planned maintenance outage at Unit 4 of Sweden's Ringhals nuclear power plant will be extended to November 30 due to the need for additional cleaning work on site. During the planned maintenance outage at Ringhals Unit 3, inspectors discovered rubber residue in parts of the component cooling system. The rubber residue originated from leaking valves within the system. The cleaning work is a preventive measure aimed at avoiding reduced cooling performance or component damage. Sven-Anders Andersson stated that the valve replacement work had originally been scheduled for the coming years, but the rubber degradation exceeded expectations. He said: "We deeply regret the extended outage, but safety and equipment condition remain our top priorities."

2026-09-09

Europe and Central Asia Strengthen Regional Cooperation on Radioactive Waste Management

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently stated that over the past two years it has trained more than 200 experts in Europe and Central Asia, supporting relevant countries in enhancing their safe radioactive waste management capabilities and developing long-term management strategies tailored to their national circumstances. IAEA representatives visited storage and disposal facilities in Lithuania to observe successful radioactive waste management practices firsthand. (F. Dragolici/IAEA) Radioactive waste originates from the application of nuclear technology in energy, medicine, industry, research, and other fields. Under safety management requirements, countries are responsible for the full lifecycle of radioactive waste, covering generation, characterization, treatment, conditioning, storage, and final disposal in licensed disposal facilities.

2026-09-09

IAEA Hosts Nuclear Energy Financing Capacity-Building Workshop

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently held a capacity-building workshop on nuclear energy for international financial institutions at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria, attended by approximately 50 senior experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank Group (WBG), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Approximately 50 senior experts from the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank Group, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the OPEC Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the African Development Bank attended the IAEA's nuclear energy capacity-building workshop for international financial institutions. (Photo: J. Fri...

2026-09-09

Russia's SKIF Synchrotron Considers Building Enterprise-Funded Experimental Stations

The Siberian Circular Photon Source (SKIF) synchrotron project in Russia is considering the construction of enterprise-funded experimental stations. Andrei Bukhtiyarov, Deputy Director of the SKIF Shared Use Center, stated that this idea is expected to advance after the first-phase experimental stations are put into operation and their operational capabilities are verified. According to reports, construction of the SKIF synchrotron was completed in June 2026. Once the facility becomes operational, it will help researchers obtain high-precision data on the internal structure and behavior of materials. The first phase of the SKIF project, located near Novosibirsk, plans a total of 7 experimental stations, all scheduled to become operational by August 2027, when research teams can begin conducting relevant experiments. Bukhtiyarov...

2026-09-09

Penza State University in Russia Develops Training Simulator for X-ray Image Defect Recognition

Researchers at Penza State University in Russia have developed an interactive training simulator for identifying defects in X-ray images, aimed at helping medical students and residents more accurately assess abnormalities in medical images and understand the physical causes behind different image defects. X-ray image quality directly affects the efficiency of pathological change detection and clinical diagnostic judgment. Factors such as equipment condition, exposure parameters, radiation dose, and quantum noise levels can all lead to degraded image quality. Therefore, radiologic technologists and radiologists need not only to identify lesions in images, but also to assess image quality and determine whether defects such as low contrast, noise, blur, and artifacts may affect diagnosis...

2026-09-09

Five Korean Local Governments Discuss Improvements to On-Site Storage Facilities at Nuclear Power Plants

On September 8, 2026, Gyeongju City announced that the 36th Administrative Meeting of Local Governments Hosting Nuclear Power Plants was held in Gyeongju that day. Heads of local governments from five regions hosting nuclear power plants—Gyeongju City, Gijang County in Busan, Ulju County in Ulsan, Yeonggwang County in South Jeolla Province, and Uljin County in North Gyeongsang Province—attended the meeting. Photo of the administrative meeting of local governments hosting nuclear power plants held in Gyeongju on the 8th. Photo provided by Gyeongju City Government. The meeting discussed topics including current issues with on-site storage facilities within nuclear power plant premises, improvement of support systems for areas surrounding nuclear power plants, and joint response mechanisms among local governments. Participants noted that some issues faced by nuclear power plant host regions share common characteristics, requiring collaboration among local governments to ensure relevant opinions are reflected in government policies and systems.

2026-09-09

South Korea Reassesses New Nuclear Power Plant Construction Amid Rising AI Electricity Demand

On September 8, South Korea's Minister of Climate and Energy Environment, Kim Sung-hwan, stated in an interview that due to the expansion of the artificial intelligence industry, South Korea's future electricity demand is expected to increase by 25 to 30 gigawatts. The government is reassessing the possibility of constructing new nuclear power plants and plans to announce the 12th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand next month. Kim Sung-hwan said the aforementioned additional demand mainly stems from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix expanding semiconductor production, as well as the construction of new AI data centers. As internal combustion engine vehicles transition to electric vehicles and the scope of electric heating replacing gas heating expands, South Korea's overall electricity demand will continue to grow. The South Korean government...

2026-09-09

UK think tank calls for clear nuclear reactor technology roadmap to support nuclear expansion

On September 8, 2026, UK think tank Policy Exchange released a white paper stating that the UK government needs to more clearly articulate which nuclear reactor technologies it will rely on to advance the so-called nuclear golden age, and to strengthen the supply chain and achieve economies of scale through batch construction. Policy Exchange's Nuclear Enterprise Committee is composed of experts from government, industry, and academia. The committee believes that the UK's civil nuclear strategy is at a critical stage, and related decisions will affect the country's energy system for decades to come. The white paper points out that given that new small modular reactor technologies are still in the early stages of development, the UK government should retain the option of building another large-scale nuclear...

2026-09-09

Global nuclear power generation hits record high; World Nuclear Association says 2050 capacity target still requires project support

On September 8, 2026, the World Nuclear Association (WNA) stated in its newly released World Nuclear Outlook Report 2026 that global nuclear power generation reached 2,702 TWh in 2025, a record high. The Association said that if national nuclear expansion plans are implemented, global nuclear installed capacity could exceed the level corresponding to the nuclear tripling target by 2050. The report shows that global nuclear power generation in 2025 increased by 35 TWh compared with the previous record set in 2024. The average capacity factor of operating nuclear units worldwide was 83.7%, continuing the strong operational performance seen since 2000. The World Nuclear Association stated that with national targets achieved, identified...

2026-09-09