THE Ireland Japan Association has announced that a second tranche of funds amounting to €45,000 has been transferred to the Japanese Red Cross Society for the relief of distress in the devastated area of North-East Japan.

ENGINEERS in Japan are battling to prevent a meltdown at a stricken nuclear plant, after a third explosion occurred at a fresh reactor late last night.

Nations sent help today to for quake-devastated Pakistan, with China and Japan dispatching emergency teams of rescuers and relief officials while Australia pledged cash toward recovery efforts.