A top power company official defended safety standards at an earthquake-ravaged nuclear plant in Japan today, even as the government pressed for more details about radioactive leaks.

Traumatised townspeople huddled in evacuation centres after an earthquake flattened homes and battered a nuclear power plant in the Japanese city of Kashiwazaki.

Thousands of people crowded evacuation centres today amid fears of mudslides and aftershocks after a powerful earthquake struck Japan’s northwest coast.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Japan's north-west coast today, killing at least five people.

A moderate earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.6 struck north-western Japan today, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, the Meteorological Agency said.

Hundreds of thousands of homes were without power in central and western Japan today after a record snowfall that also forced the suspension of train services and closed an international airport.

Hundreds of prized ornamental carp were airlifted to safety by a helicopter today from breeding grounds devastated by a powerful earthquake in northern Japan last month.

A major earthquake rocked the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido today but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

A magnitude-5.9 earthquake rocked northern Japan this morning near the area where the country’s deadliest earthquake in a decade struck last month. At least eight people were injured.

A strong earthquake today shook an area in northern Japan still recovering from last month’s magnitude-6.8 quake, the Meteorological Agency said. The latest tremor sent residents dashing under tables, and led to at least one injury.

A three-year-old girl buried in the rubble of an earthquake-triggered landslide in northern Japan was declared dead today, the day after rescuers pulled her younger brother alive from the wreckage.

Powerful aftershocks rocked north-western Japan today, as tens of thousands of people huddled in evacuation centres following a devastating weekend earthquake that left 24 dead and injured thousands more.

Tens of thousands of Japanese huddled in makeshift emergency shelters today after a string of earthquakes in northern Japan flattened homes, toppled bridges and derailed trains, killing at least 21 people and reportedly injuring 2,000 others. Eight people were believed missing.

Three people were reported dead and around 200 injured after three strong earthquakes shook north-western Japan within minutes of each other today.

Three strong earthquakes shook north-western Japan within minutes of each other today, rocking buildings hundreds of miles away in Tokyo. Authorities had received reports that several people were injured.

The death toll from torrential rains and flooding in northern Japan rose to 14 today after officials recovered the bodies of two people earlier reported missing. One woman remained unaccounted for.

BOHEMIANS manager Stephen Kenny is delighted to have a fully fit squad available for tonight’s make-or-break eircom League contest against runaway leaders Shelbourne at Tolka Park (7.45).

FRESH evidence about possible links between the al-Qaida terrorist network and Ireland have emerged from an investigation by police in Japan.

Japanese police today arrested four people in raids on homes and businesses linked to a Frenchman suspected of al-Qaida connections.

A Japanese court has for the first time ordered both the government and a private company to pay compensation to Chinese people forced to work as slave labourers during the Second World War.

JAPAN barred a North Korean ferry suspected of smuggling missile parts and illicit funds from leaving port on Sunday, after the controversial ship failed increased safety inspections.

The life and times of Steve Finnan.

MILLWALL’S powerful winger, Steven Reid, is likely to be handed the opportunity of helping Ireland pole vault over Albania and into line for one of the critical top two places in the European Championship qualifying Group Ten if he comes through a fitness test tomorrow.

SVEN-GORAN Eriksson is confident that England’s lethal weapon Michael Owen and key midfielder Paul Scholes will be fit to face Brazil in Friday’s World Cup quarter-final clash in Shizuoka.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is confident that England’s lethal weapon Michael Owen and key midfielder Paul Scholes will be fit to face Brazil in Friday’s World Cup quarter-final clash with Brazil in Shizuoka on Friday.

Denmark striker Jon Dahl Tomasson believes England are not good enough to win the World Cup and that he is sure Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side will get knocked out in the quarter-finals.

Mick McCarthy has agreed to stay on as manager of the Republic of Ireland until 2004.

GARY KELLY was one of the first Irish players out to face the media, one eye on the Spanish players as they gave their own reporters the victors’ perspective.

Sven-Goran Eriksson believes a World Cup quarter-final clash with Brazil would be ‘‘tricky’’, and has dismissed suggestions that the South Americans have a dodgy defence.

England 3 Denmark 0

England 3 Denmark 0

Denmark 0 England 3

Denmark 0 England 3

British police were today planning for a new batch of England fans preparing to head for Japan if England get past Denmark in today’s World Cup second round match in Niigata.

Sven-Goran Eriksson will tell his players to have no fear in today’s World Cup second round against Denmark as this is the stage for them to prove their potential.

David Beckham has saluted the England fans for playing their part in ensuring a trouble-free first half of the World Cup finals.

Emile Heskey believes England finishing second in their qualifying group could be an advantage as they bid to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 12 years.

Emile Heskey believes England finishing second in their qualifying group could be an advantage as they bid to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 12 years.

Football fever is sweeping England as pub landlords predict record sales.

Thomas Sorensen is confident that Denmark can "take care" of Michael Owen in their second round match with England in Niigata.

Thomas Sorensen is confident that Denmark can "take care" of Michael Owen in their second round match with England in Niigata.