A Pacific U.S. territory and strategic hub
China has test‑launched a long‑range ballistic missile from a nuclear submarine into the South Pacific carrying a dummy warhead. Beijing has said the launch was routine and that relevant countries were notified; Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Pacific states have condemned the test as destabilising and said notice was insufficient.
Super Typhoon Sinlaku has been impacting the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, with sustained winds reaching 150-175 mph. The storm is causing widespread damage, flooding, and power outages. Authorities are warning residents to shelter in place as the storm continues to move slowly, with conditions expected to worsen overnight.
The U.S.-registered cargo vessel Mariana has capsized northeast of Saipan after suffering engine failure during Typhoon Sinlaku. Search efforts are ongoing, with multiple agencies involved, as heavy weather has delayed rescue operations. The ship's crew remains unaccounted for, and authorities are gathering information on the incident. Today's date is Mon, 20 Apr 2026.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake has struck off Mindanao on Monday morning, killing dozens, injuring hundreds and displacing tens of thousands. General Santos City and nearby provinces have reported collapsed buildings, landslides and damaged infrastructure. Rescue teams are searching rubble while aftershocks and earlier tsunami alerts are complicating operations.
A B-52 Stratofortress has crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base on Monday, killing all eight people aboard. The aircraft was on a routine test mission supporting a radar modernization program. Military officials have opened an investigation that could take up to six months.
Coastal authorities have repeatedly stressed calm responses to rip currents as lifeguards warn that these powerful channels carry more than 100 drownings annually in the U.S., with more than 80% of beach rescues tied to them. This year, at least 21 fatalities have been recorded as scientists note currents can reach up to 8 feet per second. The public is urged to flip, float, and follow safety guidelines.
The Supreme Court has upheld Mississippi’s policy allowing mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received within five days, a decision that maintains state flexibility and could affect upcoming midterms. Justice Barrett writes for the majority, while Justice Alito dissents.
Super Typhoon Bavi has direct-hit Rota with winds over 150 mph, triggering warnings for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Officials warn of catastrophic damage and prolonged outages as the storm tracks westward toward the Philippines and Taiwan amid El Niño-linked warming.
Bavi has intensified to a Category 5 super typhoon with winds of 162 mph (260 km/h) and gusts up to 315 km/h, threatening Guam, Tinian and Rota as it roars toward the Northern Marianas. Officials warn of torrential rains, coastal flooding and potential widespread power outages.
Typhoon Bavi has struck Zhejiang province and weakened to a tropical storm while pushing inland on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Authorities have evacuated more than 2.8 million people, cut train and flight services and deployed emergency crews as heavy rain, uprooted trees and landslides hit cities from Zhejiang into Anhui.