French energy giant EDF and its partner China General Nuclear Power Group announced Friday that they have powered up the world's first next-generation EPR nuclear reactor, a major milestone for the industry. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com Officials at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico, said the plant would suspend incoming shipments for three weeks beginning January 7, so that maintenance tasks could be done. Nuclearstreet.com Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez has said trees were not cut down for a nuclear power plant project which is planned to be built in the Black Sea province of Sinop, but were cut for “industrial use.” Hurriyetdailynews.com The government body given the job of cleaning up Britain’s old nuclear power stations has warned that taxpayers will have to help plug a looming multimillion-pound gap in its finances left by shrinking revenues. Theguardian.com