The commission reviewing the financing of Germany's nuclear phase-out has recommended to the government that the reactor owners pay some EUR23.3 billion ($26.4 billion) into a state-owned fund for decommissioning of the plants and managing radioactive waste.

A crucial project at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant can now proceed to its final stages thanks to additional pledges by the international donor community at a conference in Kiev yesterday. On the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and President of the European Council Donald Tusk held talks by telephone during which Tusk underlined the EU's "comprehensive support" to Ukraine in overcoming the consequences of the disaster.

Sweden's Studsvik and Kobe Steel of Japan have agreed to extend their existing cooperation by forming a joint venture to provide radioactive waste management solutions to the Japanese nuclear industry.

The European Commission today pledged to the Nuclear Safety Account fund the largest part of the €45 million ($51 million) expected from the G7 and the Commission in addition to the existing support. This fund supports in particular the safe decommissioning of units 1 to 3 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

A cooperation agreement has been signed between EnergySolutions and Japan Atomic Power Company through which the US nuclear commercial services company will share its know-how in decommissioning light water nuclear power plants with JAPC.

Sweden's Studsvik has agreed to sell its low-level radioactive waste operations in Sweden and the UK to EDF of France. At the same time, the two companies have agreed to collaborate in decommissioning and waste management.

Ontario Power Generation has formally informed the Canadian government that it will complete further studies on its proposed deep geologic repository for low- and intermediate-level nuclear wastes by the end of the year.

Atkins has completed its acquisition of EnergySolutions' Projects, Products and Technology business, strengthening the UK-based engineering company's international multidisciplinary nuclear services capacity.

SNC-Lavalin subsidiary Candu Energy has been awarded a contract by the University of Alberta to lead the decommissioning of its Safe Low Power Kritical Experiment (Slowpoke) research reactor.

The US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has outlined its strategic plans for reducing the threat of nuclear proliferation and terrorism, including changes to the USA's program to dispose of surplus military plutonium.

EDF Energy has inaugurated a new 'dry store' for used nuclear fuel that enables continued operation of the Sizewell B nuclear power plant until at least 2035. The plant, which is in Suffolk, accounts for 3% of the UK's total electricity demand.

Members of the Nuclear Reform Monitoring Committee yesterday toured the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan and noted progress in decommissioning and working conditions at the site.