After Shocks

Japan-bound grain ships unable to unload

LONDON: At least nine vessels carrying grain bound for Japan are unable to discharge their cargoes due to problems at the countrys ports,trade sources said on Wednesday. Japanese ports have sustained damage,disrupting supply chains and making imports difficult. The sources said some of the vessels were at anchorage in Japanese waters or were slowing down their expected arrival time as they could not offload their cargoes,which included grains from the United States and soybeans from South America.

US urges citizens within 80 km of plant to leave

CAIRO: The United States on Wednesday recommended that its citizens living within 80 kilometres of the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan evacuate the area or take shelter indoors. We are recommending,as a precaution,that American citizens who live within 80 km of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant evacuate the area or take shelter indoors if safe evacuation is not practical,a statement issued to reporters on Wednesday said.

Clinton: Japan crisis raises nuclear questions

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday that the nuclear crisis in Japan raises questions about the use of nuclear energy in the United States. Whats happening in Japan raises questions about the costs and the risks associated with nuclear power,but we have to answer those. We get 20 per cent of our energy right now in the United States from nuclear power, Clinton said in an interview with MSNBC.