A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, triggering tsunami warnings across multiple prefectures. Authorities identified Iwate and Aomori prefectures, located at the northern tip of Honshu island, as the areas forecast to receive the largest waves. Residents in affected coastal zones faced immediate evacuation directives as warning systems activated. The event underscores Japan's persistent seismic exposure along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic activity routinely threatens coastal infrastructure and population centers. Japan's disaster response apparatus, built after the 2011 Tohoku catastrophe, includes tiered alert systems designed to push warnings to residents within minutes of detection. Damage assessment and the full extent of any tsunami impact were not yet confirmed at the time of reporting. Watch for updates on wave heights recorded at coastal monitoring stations, evacuation compliance rates, and any disruption to port operations or offshore energy infrastructure in Iwate and Aomori.
Qatar's foreign ministry said mediators including Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman have reached "very progressive stages" in efforts to end the US-Iran war, pushing Brent crude down more than four percent.
Qatar confirmed it is mediating between the US and Iran but said no direct talks are currently planned. The clarification follows conflicting statements from President Trump, who claimed talks are under way, and Tehran, which denied any dialogue is happening.
Saudi Aramco reported sharply higher second-quarter 2026 profits as the Iran war restricts global oil supply and pushes crude prices up. Other oil supermajors also posted outsized earnings, raising concerns about sustained fuel cost pressure for importing economies.
President Trump called current Iran negotiations the "last chance" to end five months of conflict, pushing oil prices higher. Tehran denied formal talks are taking place, raising the risk of a diplomatic breakdown with direct consequences for global energy markets.
