EVERY EVENING, TheJournal.ie brings you a round-up of the main news stories, as well as the bits and pieces you may have missed throughout the day.

• There is one story dominating global headlines today: the Japanese earthquake, the seventh most severe ever recorded, and the ensuing tsunami. The country has been shaken by a serious aftershock this evening, which measures 6.6 (this morning’s was 8.9) on the Richter scale. The sheer devastation caused to Japan is hard to put into words – this set of photographs gives some sense of the trauma the nation has suffered.
• Another worry to Japanese authorities this evening – and the country’s neighbours – is the stability of at least one of its nuclear power plants. The cooling system at the Fukushima Daiichi plant failed after today’s quake, and now the authorities have declared a state of nuclear emergency. At least 3,000 people have been evacuated from a 3km radius around the station while engineers release radioactive steam to try and ease pressure in one of the reactors.
• Meanwhile, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has decided today would be a good day to threaten Europe with the withdrawal of his support for the international war on terror.
• A woman has been shot dead in Portstewart in Co Derry, according to the Guardian. Latest reports say a man has been arrested for questioning over her death.
• Here’s to extra change in your pocket: the toll on the M1 will be reduced from midnight. AND the National Roads Authority are looking for reductions in three other tolls around the country.
• Monthly complaints to the HSE have jumped by 80 per cent in the past two years, according to June Shannon in the Medical Independent. We’re saying nothing.
• Thank goodness/God for (Not) Cardinal Brady, the mischevious blogger who has lightened up our day with his latest installment of Cardinal Rules for TheJournal.ie. Today, he describes a priestly Lenten bootcamp. Apparently, it involves giving up pink M&Ms for 40 days and thinking about Jesus – lots.
• Whether you’re into the impending British royal nuptials or not, you’ve got to admit these commemorative designs on coffee froth are miles better than a souvenir tea towel. They were created ahead of the UK Barista Championships. Although we do think Kate looks a bit like Kirstie Ally in this particular cappuccino:

[caption id="attachment_102343" align="alignnone" width="512" caption="PA Images/Matt Faber"][/caption]