The case for using nuclear energy forms the foundation of the UK's Road to 2010 strategy. The opening paragraphs list nuclear's benefits in low-carbon generation and security of supply before adding sustainability and a role in tackling poverty.

The adoption of new energy legislation in Italy means the official end of anti-nuclear policies. Planning for new reactors can now begin in earnest. 

The last week has been a turbulent time in two anti-nuclear European countries, with Spanish leaders under fire after their Garoña decision and a short-circuit sparking further debate in Germany.

US and Russian leaders have promised to reduce their levels of nuclear arms under a new treaty to be finalised as a high priority.

The Garoña nuclear power plant will continue operation for four more years subject to certain upgrades, after a curious decision by the Spanish government.

There is no room for new nuclear plants in Scotland's future energy scene - but existing nuclear plants will need life extensions to allow other generation options to catch up, according to a report by a Scottish parliamentary committee.

Yukiya Amano looks set to be the next director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, after a marathon voting session of the board of governors.

Industry group the German Atomic Forum (Deutsches Atomforum, DAtF) has celebrated is 50th year with the help of a special guest - Chancellor Angela Merkel - as a debate on the future of nuclear energy hots up.

The US Department of Energy is cancelling the wide-ranging environmental analysis of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) project. Its decision follows a change in government policy on commercial reprocessing.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has said that its member countries have agreed to boost official backing for exports of renewable energy and nuclear power equipment.

Nuclear-related cooperation agreements have been reached in Egypt and Nigeria during a tour of four African countries by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. His tour, between 23 and 26 June, also takes in Namibia and Angola.

Recent days have seen diplomats from Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait strengthening their ties with established nuclear power countries as they move towards setting up their own nuclear programs.