International news round-up: Massive quake off the coast of Japan triggers tsunami

Japan was struck by a magnitude-8.8 earthquake off its north-eastern coast today, triggering a 13ft tsunami that washed away cars and tore away buildings along the coast near the epicentre.

In various locations along Japan's coast, TV footage showed severe flooding, with dozens of cars, boats and even buildings being carried along by waters.

A large ship swept away by the tsunami rammed directly into a breakwater in Kesennuma city.

Officials were trying to assess possible damage from the quake but had no details.

The quake that struck at 2.46pm was followed by a series of aftershocks, including a 7.4-magnitude one about 30 minutes later. The US Geological Survey upgraded the strength of the first quake to a magnitude 8.8. The meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for the entire Pacific coast of Japan.

National broadcaster NHK was warning those near the coast to get to safer ground.

The quake struck at a depth of six miles, about 80 miles off the eastern coast. The area is 240 miles north-east of Tokyo.

In central Tokyo, large buildings shook violently.

Principal gets 9 years for sex with students

Dylan cleared for Chinese gigs

Bob Dylan has been cleared to perform in Beijing amid fears the Chinese government would block his shows given the singer's anti-establishment reputation.

China's Ministry of Culture said Dylan will be allowed to perform in Beijing between March 30 and April 12.

Gun victim's shuttle dream

United States Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has shown so much progress in her recovery from a bullet wound to the head that friends and family are making plans for her to attend the launch of her husband's space shuttle mission next month in Florida, it was reported today.

Boy survives bridge plunge

A CALIFORNIA high school student visiting the Golden Gate Bridge on a field trip climbed over a railing, jumped - possibly on a dare by classmates - and somehow survived the 220ft plunge into San Francisco Bay that kills dozens of people each year.

Most jumpers die a grisly death, with massive internal injuries, broken bones and skull fractures. Some die from internal bleeding, while others drown. But the 17-year-old suffered just a broken coccyx and torn lung.

'Nuclear' missile test success

Pakistan's military said it has test-fired a short-range missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.

The army statement said the Hataf 2 missile was successfully launched from an undisclosed location today.

It said the surface-to-surface missile has a range of 111 miles.

Vietnam: A high school principal was sentenced to nine years in prison for having sex with eight students.

Sam Duc Xuong, was convicted at yesterday's one-day trial of having sex with eight students aged 13 to 18 in exchange for higher grades.

Taiwan: Opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen has formally announced she will stand for president, saying Ma Ying-jeou's China-friendly policy is a threat to Taiwanese democracy.