Forward-planning is essential for countries wishing to introduce or expand nuclear power programs, participants at an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting heard last week. Ensuring effective coordination among all organizations involved is important, they agreed. world-nuclear-news.org

Japan’s Tohoku Electric Power Company has pushed back the expected completion dates of construction work to bolster safety at unit 2 of its Onagawa nuclear power plant and unit 1 of its Higashidori plant. The work must be completed before the units will be allowed to resume operation. world-nuclear-news.org

The uranium market is poised for a “breakout year,” due to growing demand, a 10 percent cut in mining production announced by Kazakhstan – due, said KazAtomProm Chairman Askar Zhumagaliyev in January, to an oversupplied market – and because of probable shift in U.S. policies, said Uranium Energy Corporation founder and Chief Executive Officer Amir Adnani. nuclearstreet.com

There is uncertainty surrounding the construction of US nuclear reactors in India after Toshiba Corp decided to move out of the reactor building business. Officials said they are expecting some clarity in a month after Toshiba’s board meeting. thehindu.com