1. An earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale hit off the coast of Japan this morning (the strongest ever recorded in the country), followed by a massive, 33-foot-high tsunami. Google has responded to the crisis by launching a tool that “helps you find a person or provide information on missing persons.” The site also “aggregates important resources, maps and other related information.” [via Mashable]
2. Salman Rushdie is writing the script for a new TV show! Next People, which will air on Showtime, is said to examine different aspects of American life. [via Vulture]
3. Microsoft has patented an online dating service that will help people with “fringe interests and eccentricities” find mates. And by “fringe interests and eccentricities” they mean “comic books.” [via Gawker]
4. Quentin Tarantino is suing his next door neighbor Alan Ball over some exotic birds on the True Blood creator’s property that emit “blood-curdling screams.” According to Tarantino, the noise has “seriously disrupted [his] ability to work as a writer in his home.” Check out a copy of the actual lawsuit here.
5. Forbes has released its annual list of hip-hop’s wealthiest artists: Diddy, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Birdman, and 50 Cent. Sean Combs is worth about $475 million; Jay-Z a close second at $450 million. [via Jezebel]
Bonus link: Jon Cryer Admits He’s a Troll