A powerful earthquake hit Tokyo and nearby areas shortly after dawn today, halting trains and forcing two nuclear reactors to shut down for safety checks.

A South Korean news agency has said that North Korea test-fired a short-range missile, a report that came shortly after the communist nation declared that it successfully conducted a nuclear test today.

North Korea fired a rocket over Japan on today, defying Washington, Tokyo and others who suspect the launch was cover for a test of its long-range missile technology.

Japan’s finance minister insisted today that he had overdosed on cold medicine and was not drunk at a press conference over the weekend.

CHINA’s three astronauts spent their first day in orbit yesterday, preparing for a much-anticipated walk outside their craft, as Japan voiced hopes its neighbour had peaceful aims in space.