EARTHQUAKE

Nearby islands had been warned of potential tsunami danger after quake in Pacific.

Authorities expect the death toll to rise further as search and rescue operation continues.

Tsunami threat from earthquake has now passed.

No immediate reports of damage to Onagawa nuclear plant although two aftershocks reported.

There are as yet no reports of damage.

The Long Beach earthquake of 1933 and several others have been linked to oil drilling.

No fatalities reported after 6.6 magnitude quake strikes central Italy.

The deputy Foreign Minister blamed Italy's double earthquake on Wednesday on a UNESCO vote on the Temple Mount holy site.

Quake causes extensive structural damage in Norcia, but there are no immediate reports of casualties.

The first quake struck at 7.10pm with the second just over two hours later as tremors were felt in Rome 200km away.

Witnesses described a 'huge ball of flame' shooting towards the Earth.

Lionrock swept across northern Japan on Tuesday night, bringing up to 300mm of rain.

Towns around Italy are organising solidarity events cooking up pasta all'Amatriciana in support of earthquake victims.

Hundreds have been killed after two large earthquakes struck Italy and Myanmar on the same day.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi says priority is to keep digging to save those trapped in collapsed buildings.

The Croce Rossa took the measure to help facilitate mobile communications for rescue operations.

Two children among dead, while centuries-old temples in Bagan suffered severe damage.

Martina Turco relocated to Le Marche region after surviving a quake that killed more than 300 people.

In some hamlets residents are digging their neighbours out with their hands as they wait for rescue teams to arrive.

Italy is one of the most seismically active countries in Europe - and has a long history of earthquakes.

Preliminary reports suggest multiple deaths as several aftershocks felt across the region.