[Manco]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog...ear-alert-live

7.30pm GMT: Here is a summary of the latest news so far today:

• The combined death toll from Japan's earthquake and tsunami is likely to exceed 10,000, reports state broadcaster NHK. About 2,000 bodies have been found washed up found on two areas of Miyagi prefecture.

• A hydrogen explosion happened at the number three reactor of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, in the early hours of Monday morning (local time). The plant's operator Tokyo Electric Power company (Tepco) said 11 people were injured.

- Tepco said nuclear fuel rods at the reactor are exposed and overheating, raising the risk of them melting. Up to 190 people are suspected of being exposed to radiation, according to officials.

• The International Atomic Energy Agency says the Fukushima crisis is unlikely to become another Chernobyl. Authorities have set up a 20km (12 mile) exclusion zone around the Fukushima Daiichi plant. Meanwhile, the US agreed to Japan's formal request for supplies and equipment to tackle the crisis.

• Almost two million households remain without power in the north of Japan, where snow is forecast later this week, while around 1.4 million households have no running water. Those with power are being affected by rolling blackouts as electricity shortages force reductions in service in some areas.

• Japan's central bank plans to inject $85bn billion into the economy to help the banking system to function as many businesses remain closed. Economists at Credit Suisse bank are calculating the effects of the disaster on the worst hit areas to cost around $171bn.