North Korea has tested a new type of high-thrust engine to propel its rockets.

A North Korean ballistic missile fired from a submarine flew about 310 miles in the longest flight by that type of weapon, Seoul said - a range that can place much of South Korea within its striking distance.

A weakened typhoon slammed into Japan, leaving one person dead, more than 30 injured and prompting evacuation alerts for some 1.1 million residents near swollen rivers.

Ireland agreed to ban Soviet airlines from the tarmac at Shannon, just 10 days before nuclear catastrophe was narrowly avoided during the Cold War.

Vladimir Putin has watched Russia’s biggest military manoeuvres since Soviet times, involving 160,000 troops and about 5,000 tanks across Siberia and the far eastern region in a massive show of the nation’s resurgent military might.

China and Russia kicked off their largest-ever joint naval drills today in the Sea of Japan.

THE jellyfish has no brain, no bones and no teeth.

US Secretary of State John Kerry delivered a stark warning to North Korea not to test-fire a mid-range missile.

Japan today called on South Korea to end its "illegal occupation" of tiny islets in the strongest language so far in a dispute that has sent the two countries' relations to the lowest levels in years.

CONSIDERING it began with some fearing a one-horse race and others concerned that not all the horses at the starting gate might even reach the finishing line, the season just ending in the Airtricity League of Ireland can only be judged a raging success.

RESCUERS and search parties were scouring central Japan yesterday as the death toll from the worst typhoon to hit the country in seven years climbed to 26, adding more misery to a nation still reeling from a catastrophic tsunami six months ago.

Japan was braced for more heavy rain and floods as the death toll from the worst typhoon to hit the country in seven years climbed to 34.

Rescuers in Japan dug through mud-caked debris and searched the banks of swollen rivers today for those missing in a powerful typhoon that left at least 25 people dead.

Heavy rains and mudslides from powerful Typhoon Talas have killed at least 15 people in Japan as the storm moved north today past the country’s western coast.

NOTHING projects American global air and sea power more vividly than supercarriers.

NORTH Korea yesterday threatened the US and South Korea with a “physical response” if they go ahead with war games this weekend.

North Korea today threatened the US and South Korea with a “physical response” if they go ahead with war drills this weekend.

YOUR editorial (May 26) on the reopening of the salmon fishery in Castlemaine harbour in Co Kerry offered a blinkered, sensational view of the factual situation.

North Korea intends to put on trial two American journalists over allegations of illegal entry and “hostile acts” amid ongoing tension between Pyongyang and Washington over a rocket launch.

THE fire safety system on a Russian nuclear-powered submarine malfunctioned on a test run in the Sea of Japan, spewing chemicals that killed at least 20 people and injured 21 others.

The fire safety system on new Russian nuclear-powered submarine malfunctioned on a test run in the Sea of Japan, spewing chemicals that killed at least 20 people and injured 21 others, officials said today.

An accident aboard a nuclear-powered Russian submarine in the Pacific Ocean killed more than 20 people, the navy said today.

A top power company official defended safety standards at an earthquake-ravaged Japanese nuclear plant today, even as the company said a radioactive leak was bigger than reported.

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.

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Japan’s north-west coast today, killing at least seven people, injuring hundreds and damaging a nuclear reactor that reportedly leaked water containing radioactive material.

THE dollar yesterday reached the strongest level in six weeks against the euro and a three-month high versus the yen as reports suggested the US economy is gaining momentum.

North Korea fired several short-range missiles towards the Sea of Japan early today, Kyodo News agency reported, citing Japanese and US sources.

North Korea is developing a new long-range ballistic missile that may be capable of hitting the US territory of Guam, a Japanese official said today.

Authorities hailed Japan’s new earthquake alert system a success today after it allowed officials to issue a tsunami warning just one minute after a magnitude-6.9 quake jolted the country’s coast.

A powerful, deadly earthquake struck Japan early today, killing a 52-year-old woman and injuring 80 others as it shook buildings and triggered a small tsunami that hit the coast.

A Russian cargo ship laden with timber destined for China sank in storm conditions in the Sea of Japan today and rescuers were searching for the ship’s 18 crew members, Russian transport officials said.

US officials have found traces of radioactive air which may confirm that North Korea did carry out a nuclear test as it claimed on Monday.

RESULTS from an initial air sampling after North Korea’s announced nuclear test showed no evidence of radioactive particles that would be expected from a successful nuclear detonation, a US government intelligence official said last night.

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe agreed with US President George Bush to take “decisive action” against North Korea at the UN Security Council over its nuclear weapons test.

Japan and Australia today became the first countries to take firm steps to punish North Korea for its missile tests this week, while Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Taiwan added their voices to the chorus of condemnation worldwide.

A North Korean envoy today demanded the immediate lifting of sanctions imposed by Japan in response to the North’s missile tests, calling the measures outrageous, Kyodo News agency reported.

The world erupted in outrage today over a series of North Korean missile tests, with wary nations denouncing the launches as provocative, threatening sanctions and vowing to seek UN Security Council action.

North Korea test-launched three missiles today that landed in the Sea of Japan and Tokyo has ”strongly protested” the move, Japan’s chief government spokesman said.

North Korea test launched a missile early Wednesday morning that landed in the Sea of Japan, it was reported today.

The US and Japan both urged North Korea to suspend preparations for a test-launch of a long-range missile today, and called on it to return to stalled talks on dismantling its nuclear weapons programme.

Japanese and South Korean negotiators today raced to avert a clash over a set of disputed islets as Seoul accused Tokyo of neo-colonial ambitions and warned of a possible confrontation at sea.

Japan defied angry South Korean objections today and dispatched a ship to begin a survey of an area including disputed islands, raising the stakes in a territorial tiff between the Asian neighbours.

A powerful tropical storm churned northward in the sea between Japan and the Korean Peninsula today, leaving landslides and flooded towns in its wake.