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Tariff Refunds Launch as Ceasefire Clock Ticks

Trump administration opens refund portal for $166 billion in tariffs while Iran-US tensions escalate ahead of ceasefire expiration.

2026-04-20 · synthesized from 17 sources

The Trump administration is now accepting refund applications through a new portal for businesses affected by over $166 billion in tariffs [CBS News, Guardian]. The move comes as the administration faces pressure over trade policy impacts. Meanwhile, the US seized an Iranian ship as the Middle East ceasefire is set to expire, escalating tensions in a region already strained by Israeli-Lebanese clashes [Bloomberg].

Japan issued a tsunami warning after an earthquake struck off its coast, with sirens activating across affected areas [NBC News]. The situation remains fluid as officials assess coastal impacts.

In domestic politics, Supreme Court justices will hear arguments from religious preschools challenging their exclusion from a taxpayer-funded program, signaling potential shifts in education funding battles [PBS]. The case touches on longstanding church-state separation debates.

Canada's prime minister characterized US economic ties as a weakness, signaling strained continental relations amid broader trade disputes [Fox News]. A tragic Louisiana mass shooting left nine dead, including seven children killed by a family member, marking another devastating incident [BBC].

Elsewhere, Bulgaria's former President Radev claimed victory in elections with early counts, while a top Sudanese paramilitary commander defected to the military as that nation's war enters its fourth year [Al Jazeera, PBS]. Uganda also reported rescuing approximately 200 hostages from ADF militants in the eastern DRC [DW English].