Major 7.5-magnitude quake hits off Japan, tsunami warning issued

A magnitude-7.5 earthquake struck off northeastern Japan with a 10 km-deep epicentre; tsunami waves up to 3 metres were expected and coastal residents were urged to evacuate.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi set up an emergency task force and widespread alerts — including "Tsunami! Evacuate!" broadcasts — urged people to move to safety.
Strong tremors halted bullet trains in Aomori and prompted port movements while utilities check shutdown nuclear sites — a reminder of how earthquake-prone Japan is.

Disasters

April 20, 2026 at 8:33 AM

Traders repeatedly placed unusually large bets minutes or hours before President Trump’s market‑moving posts or interviews (often on X/Truth Social), prompting suspicions that insiders — or very savvy speculators — were forewarned.
The moves produced massive, fast profits in oil and stocks — e.g., a 25% oil plunge after a Trump interview and a 9.5% S&P surge after a tariffs “pause” — with spikes in trading activity occurring just before the public announcements.
Prediction markets also saw big, timely wins tied to US foreign‑policy events; platforms and regulators say they’re tightening rules, but experts warn enforcing insider‑trading laws is difficult.

Business and Finance Politics

April 20, 2026 at 8:24 AM

The Japan‑based US warship USS Miguel Keith (a 240‑m floating command base) transited the Strait of Malacca on April 18 during routine US 7th Fleet operations.
Indonesia said the passage was in accordance with international law and reminded vessels must respect coastal‑state rules and collision regulations.
The Malacca Strait is a vital 900‑km chokepoint linking Asia with the Middle East and Europe, carrying about 25% of the world’s traded goods.

War and Conflicts Business and Finance

April 20, 2026 at 6:31 AM

A veteran Iraqi captain, Rahman Al-Jubouri, is still navigating some of the world’s most dangerous shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz amid regional tensions.
Fear has thinned his crew from 27 to 17, and he hasn’t seen his family in four months — internet helps, but homesickness is real.
His tanker survived bombardment last year (shrapnel damage only) and the crew runs regular safety drills to prepare for attacks.

War and Conflicts Business and Finance

April 20, 2026 at 5:06 AM

Tyler Reddick won his fifth race in the first nine of the season — a stretch not seen since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 — and even handed the checkered flag to team co-owner Michael Jordan, who’s been at most races.
A late caution for Cody Ware’s flat after Reddick’s car sputtered set up a frantic restart that allowed Reddick to pass Kyle Larson, while Denny Hamlin’s late chances again slipped away (Larson’s winless streak now 33 races).
Attention turns to Talladega next — a track built for chaos — and Reddick already has a win there, so expect big drama (and good small-talk fodder).

Sports

April 20, 2026 at 2:55 AM