Australian PM calls for increased uranium exports

Australia's prime minister on Friday urged state leaders to lift bans on expanding the country's uranium industry and said Australia needs to introduce nuclear power to meet its future energy needs. "Nuclear power is part of the solution both to Australia's energy and climate change challenges," Prime Minister John Howard said, releasing a report on the uranium industry's potential. The federal government-commissioned report found the building of nuclear enrichment capabilities and atomic power generators would bring major financial and environmental advantages.