Japan Quake: Two serious earthquakes within 24 hours in Southern Japan have killed at least 32 people, injured 1,500, and left hundreds of thousands of people without water and electricity. Buildings, hillsides and highways collapsed.

More than 200 homes and other buildings are reported destroyed. Police have received about 100 reports of people trapped.

The area around the city of Kumamoto was hit by a 6.5 magnitude quake Thursday night followed hours later by a 7.3. Geologists say it is rare, but not unheard of, for an earthquake to be followed by a stronger event. The first quake is a precursor, actually the beginning of the larger quake.

Rome Berns: Democratic socialist presidential candidate Bernie Sanders met with the pope for five minutes this morning. The pope thanked him for coming.

Extending his presidential campaign all the way to the Vatican, Bernie Sanders had appealed yesterday to Catholic sensibilities with his call for a “moral” world economy. Sanders was there to attend a Vatican conference on the economy and social issues. “Our youth are no longer satisfied with corrupt and broken politics and an economy of stark inequality and injustice,” Sanders said outside of the Vatican during a lightning visit.

Sanders flew to Rome immediately after Thursday night’s CNN debate in Brooklyn. The wagging tongues have questioned why he would go all the way to Rome just days before the critical New York Primary, where he trails Hillary Clinton by 14 points.

Comic Justice: Germany claims it has a sense of humor but Turkey’s ironman President Recep Tayyip Erdogan does not. The Turks want to prosecute a German satirist for making fun of Erdogan on a popular television show and Chancellor Angela Merkel said she’ll let them do it. Comedian Jan Bohmermann could get three years in prison under a little-observed law that forbids insulting a foreign head of state.

Merkel is in a bind. Turkey stopped the tide of migrants coming into the country and if Merkel annoys Erdogan he might open the floodgates again. By the way, Bohmermann read a poem on television describing something Erdogan might do with a goat.

World: Belgium’s transport minister resigned over accusations that she ignored a report pointing out holes in security at the Brussels airport before the March 22^nd attacks. Minister Jacqueline Galant said she never saw the report.

$15: The Los Angeles Times reports that the $15 minimum wage is beginning to drive clothing makers out of the city. American Apparel has laid off 500 people and says it’s considering outsourcing. The company was established in Los Angeles on the principle that labor may be a little more expensive in the states, but ultimately it’s cheaper and more responsive to the market.

The paper quotes a Cal State economist saying, “”The exodus has begun.”

Hoop Dreams: The NBA playoffs start today, with the game’s two best scorers, Stephen Curry of Golden State, and James Harden of the Houston Rockets facing off later today.

While we’re on the subject, the NBA said it will allow tams to sell advertising space on the players’ jerseys, stating in the 2017-18 season. We’ll be back right after this important message.

Sacked: Unemployed quarterback Johnny Manziel and friends trashed a West Hollywood mansion they rented and partied in for several days, according to the NY Post. The real estate broker told the Post, “They were supposed to check out at noon. Manziel was passed out. … There was cocaine all over the kitchen table, and mushrooms were still out on the table in front of him. There was booze everywhere…broken glasses over the floor and a champagne glass in a tree.”

The once promising Manziel, known as Johnny Football, was let go by the Cleveland Browns because he couldn’t bring himself under control.

Complaint Dept. A group of Donald Trump’s former “apprentices” from his reality show have condemned their former boss/host. “We are all disappointed and in some ways shocked to see what is being spewed from Donald regarding his views on women, immigrants, and the list goes on,” said Randal Pinkett, the 2005 season winner.

Always gracious, Trump said in a statement, “How quickly they forget. Nobody would know who they are if it weren’t for me.”

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