Swiss suspends approval for new N-plants

Switzerland: Following the crisis in Japan, Switzerland has suspended the approval process for three new nuclear power stations to make sure about their safety standards. "Safety is our first priority," Swiss Energy Minister Doris Leuthard said in a statement on Monday.

The Swiss department of the environment, transport, energy and communications said in the statement that the country's Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate ENSI should check the existing plants for safety issues.

On Saturday, an explosion at Fukushima's first reactor blew the roof off one facility and destroyed its walls, leading to a radiation leak. Four workers were injured in the incident.

The plant was damaged by Friday's 8.9-magnitude earthquake, off the northeast coast of Japan's main island, which unleashed a 23-foot tsunami and was followed by more than 50 aftershocks for hours.

Tuesday, Presstv