Every morning, TheJournal.ie brings you nine things you really need to know by 9am.

1. #JAPAN: A series of waves including a 10 metre high tsunami have struck north-eastern Japan after a massive 8.9 earthquake hit the country. Video from the country shows cars, ships, a bridge and even buildings being swept away. The Japanese government has established an emergency taskforce to deal with the crisis.

2. #TSUNAMI ALERTS: Tsunami warnings have been issued for countries across the Pacific Rim, including for Japan, Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas. A tsunami watch has been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the US state of Hawaii – as well as the Marshall Islands, Belau, Midway Islands, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae, Papua New Guinea and Nauru.

3. #PORTLAOISE: A soldier fired a warning shot at Portlaoise prison last night at men who attempted to smuggle in mobile phones.

4. #LIBYA: An Irishman has died in Libya. Reports from Libya suggest Gaddafi’s forces are beginning to have success in quashing the revolt against him.

5. #MAYO DEATH: A 19-year-old man is due to appear in Swinford district court this morning after being charged in connection with the murder of 46-year-old mother of four, Noreen Kelly-Eadon.

6. #NIKKEI: Japan’s Nikkei average closed down 1.7 percent, hitting a 5-week low after the magnitude 8.9 earthquake hit, Reuters reports.

7. #HERD INSTINCT: A new report by the Nyberg commission of investigation has found that ‘group think’ and  a ‘herd instinct’ amongst Irish banks contributed to the banking crisis. But no-one gets off the hook: the report shares the blame between the banks, the government, the financial regulator and the media, Simon Carswell reports in the Irish Times.

8. #iPAD2: The iPad2 goes on sale today. But the jury’s still out on whether it’s worth the upgrade.

9. #CHARLIE SHEEN: Police have raided the Hollywood home of Charlie Sheen after he threatened to harm himself, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.