Police in Japan have raided two companies suspected of illegally supplying North Korea with vital equipment for enriching uranium. The authorities were acting on a tip-off from United Nations inspectors who discovered a Japanese made vacuum pump in North Korea. Chris Hogg has more.

The police raided a manufacturing company in Kanagawa prefecture south of Tokyo, and a trading company in the capital. They searched five sites in all. The suspect the pump found in North Korea which was used as a part in a device which enriched uranium was transported from Japan to the north via Taiwan. The company is suspected of violating the foreign trade law. The pump was exported in 2003 , the manufacturer has refused to comment on the raids.

At least 4 people have been killed and up to 40 injured when a tornado struck a scout camp in Iowa in mid west in United States. Search and rescue teams have been sent to the Little Sioux scout ranch.

BBC News.