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🇯🇵 Japan Earthquake Update — What You Need to Know (December 2025)
Japan Earthquake Update — A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the coast of Aomori, Japan, triggering tsunami warnings and a rare megaquake advisory. Here are the latest updates on damage, aftershocks, government response, and ongoing seismic risks as of December 2025.
Last Updated on December 11, 2025 by Daily News Staff
🇯🇵 Japan Earthquake Update — What You Need to Know (December 2025)
On December 8, 2025, a powerful earthquake — measured at magnitude 7.5 (7.6 by the U.S. Geological Survey) — struck offshore of Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan around 11:15 p.m. JST. The quake was deep enough (about 44 km) to be felt over a wide area, with intense shaking registering across northern Honshu and parts of Hokkaido.
🌊 Immediate Impact — Tsunami & Injuries
Tsunami Warnings were promptly issued along the Pacific coasts of Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate. Authorities initially feared waves up to ~3 meters high, prompting evacuations. In the end, only small tsunami waves — up to about 70 cm — were observed, and all warnings were lifted by early Tuesday morning. At least 50 plus people have been injured, mostly lightly, due to falling objects and minor structural impacts from the shaking.
Across the affected prefectures, emergency crews continue damage assessments and are checking roads, buildings, utilities and other infrastructure for safety concerns. Some power outages and transport disruptions (train suspensions) were reported in the aftermath.
🧠 Rare “Megaquake Advisory” Issued
Japan’s meteorological authority, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), has issued a megaquake advisory following the M 7.5 quake — a rare alert indicating elevated seismic risk. This advisory:
Does not predict when (or if) a larger earthquake will occur. Signals that the probability of a more powerful quake (M 8.0+) has increased temporarily for the next several days or week. Specifically, a formerly tiny ~0.1% weekly chance has risen to roughly ~1 %. Applies along a long stretch of Japan’s Pacific coast — from Chiba Prefecture in the south up through Hokkaido in the north — where the Pacific tectonic plate is actively subducting beneath Japan.
Officials emphasize that this is an advisory, not a prediction, and it’s issued to encourage preparedness: securing furniture, reviewing evacuation plans, and keeping emergency kits ready.
🌏 Aftershocks and Continued Seismic Activity
Even after the main quake, strong aftershocks have been recorded in the region — including quakes in the magnitude 5–6 range. This ongoing activity is consistent with a typical aftershock sequence but reinforces the public safety message to stay alert.
Later smaller tremors — including a reported M 6.0 event — have been felt near Aomori and Hokkaido, though none have triggered additional tsunami warnings.
🛡 Government Response & Public Safety
The Japanese government has mobilized an emergency task force to:
Assess damage and coordinate response efforts across affected regions. Monitor infrastructure — including roads, utilities, and nuclear facilities — for any damage or safety issues. Keep the public informed and ready for possible aftershocks or other quakes.
Schools, businesses and local municipalities continue to evaluate safety conditions and may adjust operations accordingly.
📌 What This Means for Residents & Visitors
✔ Immediate tsunami danger has passed, but vigilance is still needed due to aftershocks.
✔ Preparedness is crucial, especially in coastal and northern regions that felt the quake strongest.
✔ If you’re in Japan or planning travel, follow JMA updates and local government advisories for current regional guidance.
🧭 In Summary
Japan is dealing with the impacts of a major offshore earthquake that shook the northern Pacific coast and prompted widespread alerts. Although immediate tsunami threats were limited and damage appears relatively light so far, a rare megaquake advisory remains in effect — not as a definitive forecast, but as a cautionary alert to stay prepared in the coming days.
Despite this elevated alert level, experts stress that while seismic risk is higher than normal, a massive quake is not imminent and the advisory’s purpose is to keep people ready rather than alarmed.
- Japan Meteorological Agency — Earthquake Information (official)
- Reuters — Japan lifts tsunami warning after 7.5-magnitude earthquake
- Associated Press — Japan assesses damage from 7.5 magnitude quake
- The Guardian — Japan issues megaquake advisory
Links open in a new tab. Please follow official JMA updates for real-time alerts.
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awards
2026 Oscar Race Updates: ‘Sinners’ Breaks Records and More
The 2026 Oscar race is underway as Sinners breaks nomination records and the Best Picture and acting categories remain wide open. Here’s the latest awards season update.
The 2026 Oscar race is heating up, and this year’s nominations have brought both historic milestones and a fiercely competitive field. Here’s what you need to know about the frontrunners, surprises, and standout achievements in this year’s Academy Awards.
🎬 ‘Sinners’ Makes History
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is leading the pack with a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations, more than any other film in history, including Titanic and La La Land. The film received nods in major categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan. Read more about ‘Sinners’.
🌟 Historic Individual Achievements
- Ruth E. Carter became the most-nominated Black woman in Oscar history with a nomination for Sinners in Costume Design. Learn more
- Emma Stone earned her seventh Oscar nomination for Bugonia, making her the youngest performer to reach this milestone at 37. See details
🏆 Best Picture Contenders
While Sinners leads in nominations, the Best Picture race includes multiple strong films:
- One Battle After Another – 13 nominations and strong awards season momentum. More info
- Marty Supreme – Major contender, especially for Timothée Chalamet in Best Actor. Check predictions
- Hamnet, Frankenstein, Sentimental Value, Bugonia – Also strong contenders throughout predictions. Read more
🎖️ Precursors & Predictions
Awards from critics groups and guilds have set the stage for the Oscars, often predicting momentum:
- Best Picture: Sinners, One Battle After Another, and Hamnet are frontrunners. Full predictions
- Best Actor: Timothée Chalamet (*Marty Supreme*) is leading, with strong competition from Leonardo DiCaprio and others. See odds
- Supporting Categories: Competitive fields may bring surprises. Variety predictions
📅 Dates & Viewing
The 98th Academy Awards will be held on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Conan O’Brien is returning as host. The ceremony will air on ABC and stream on Hulu. Learn more.
🔍 Key Takeaways
- Sinners leads the race with historic nominations.
- Best Picture and acting races remain highly competitive.
- Historic milestones for Ruth E. Carter and Emma Stone highlight the season.
- Keep an eye on precursor awards and critics’ picks—they often indicate the likely winners.
Stay tuned to STM Daily News for live Oscar updates, winner announcements, and expert analysis as the 2026 Academy Awards approach.
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Space and Tech
Blue Origin Launches First Human Spaceflight of 2026 with New Shepard NS-38
Blue Origin successfully completed its first human spaceflight of 2026 with New Shepard NS-38, carrying six private astronauts and marking 98 humans flown to space.
Blue Origin has officially kicked off its 2026 flight calendar, successfully completing the 38th mission of its New Shepard program and further solidifying its role in commercial human spaceflight.
The suborbital flight, known as NS-38, carried six private astronauts beyond the Kármán line, offering several minutes of weightlessness and sweeping views of Earth before a safe return to West Texas. The mission marks the first New Shepard launch of 2026 and another milestone for Blue Origin’s reusable spaceflight system.
Metro Transit Update: Sepulveda Corridor & C Line South Bay Recap – STM Daily News Podcast
The NS-38 Crew
The six-person crew aboard NS-38 included:
- Tim Drexler
- Dr. Linda Edwards
- Alain Fernandez
- Alberto Gutiérrez
- Jim Hendren
- Dr. Laura Stiles
With this flight, New Shepard has now flown 98 humans into space, representing 92 individual passengers. The growing total reflects Blue Origin’s emphasis on routine, repeatable access to space—once considered experimental, now becoming operational.
A Reliable Start to 2026
Blue Origin leadership emphasized reliability and customer trust as central priorities moving into the new year.
“As we enter 2026, we’re focused on continuing to deliver transformational experiences for our customers through the proven capability and reliability of New Shepard,” said Phil Joyce, Senior Vice President of New Shepard. “We are grateful for our astronaut customers who put their trust in our team to bring this experience into reality.”
The fully reusable New Shepard rocket and capsule system has demonstrated strong safety performance, autonomous operations, and consistent recovery—key elements in scaling human spaceflight.
Building Toward a Larger Vision
Beyond space tourism, New Shepard plays a foundational role in Blue Origin’s long-term goal of enabling millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth.
As the company’s first operational human spaceflight system, New Shepard supports:
- Reusable launch vehicle testing
- Human-rated safety system validation
- Increased launch cadence and manufacturing expertise
- Future Blue Origin programs and missions
Each successful flight expands operational confidence while helping normalize commercial access to space.
What’s Next for Aspiring Astronauts
Blue Origin continues to accept interest from future New Shepard passengers, with additional flights expected throughout 2026. The company also released commemorative merchandise from the NS-38 mission, now available through the Blue Origin Shop.
As commercial spaceflight matures, missions like NS-38 highlight the industry’s shift from novelty to normalcy—bringing space closer to scientists, explorers, and private citizens alike.
Related Articles & Information
- Blue Origin – New Shepard Program Overview
Official overview of Blue Origin’s reusable suborbital rocket and human spaceflight system. - Blue Origin – Human Spaceflight Missions
Details on past and upcoming crewed New Shepard missions. - NASA: Humans in Space
NASA’s overview of human spaceflight history and current programs. - Commercial Spaceflight: How Private Companies Are Changing Access to Space
STM Daily News coverage of the growing space tourism and commercial launch industry. - Reusable Rockets Explained: Why They Matter
An explainer on reusable rocket technology and its impact on space exploration.
For more updates, insights, and in-depth coverage of space exploration and commercial spaceflight, visit the STM Daily News blog at stmdailynews.com. From mission breakdowns to industry trends and technology explainers, STM Daily News keeps you informed about humanity’s journey beyond Earth.
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The Knowledge
Metro Board Advances Sepulveda Transit Corridor as C Line South Bay Extension Remains Under Review
The Los Angeles Metro Board meeting addressed progress on two key rail projects: the approved underground Sepulveda Transit Corridor, enhancing regional connectivity, and the debated extension of the Metro C Line into the South Bay, which remains undecided.
The future of Los Angeles transit was the focus of a recent Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board meeting, where directors considered progress on two major rail projects: the Sepulveda Transit Corridor and the long-planned extension of the Metro C Line into the South Bay.
While the meeting resulted in a decisive vote on one project, the other continues to generate debate among Metro officials, local cities, and residents.
Sepulveda Transit Corridor: Underground Heavy Rail Moves Forward
The Metro Board unanimously approved the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, marking a major milestone for a project that has been discussed for decades.
The approved alternative calls for a fully underground heavy rail subway connecting the San Fernando Valley to the Westside, running from the Van Nuys Metrolink Station to the Metro E Line’s Expo/Sepulveda Station. The line would pass beneath the Sepulveda Pass, UCLA, and other high-demand travel areas.
Metro officials emphasized that the underground alignment offers the fastest travel times, highest passenger capacity, and the fewest surface-level impacts when compared with earlier aerial or monorail alternatives. The project is expected to significantly reduce congestion along the 405 Freeway corridor and improve regional connectivity.
With the LPA now selected, the Sepulveda Transit Corridor advances toward final environmental clearance, engineering, and eventual construction — a process that will continue over the coming years.
Metro C Line Extension: South Bay Alignment Debate Continues
The Board also discussed the Metro C Line extension into the South Bay, a project intended to extend light rail service approximately 4.5 miles from the current Redondo Beach station to the Torrance Transit Center.
Metro has released the project’s Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), which incorporates years of technical analysis and public input. However, unlike the Sepulveda project, the Board did not take final action to certify the FEIR or formally adopt a locally preferred alignment at this meeting.
Hawthorne Boulevard vs. Metro Right-of-Way
At the center of the C Line discussion is the question of alignment.
Metro staff has identified a “hybrid” alignment using an existing Metro-owned rail right-of-way as the preferred option. This route would largely follow the historic Harbor Subdivision corridor, minimizing new street disruptions while blending at-grade, elevated, and below-grade segments.
Some South Bay cities, however, continue to advocate for a Hawthorne Boulevard alignment, which would place rail tracks within the median of the busy commercial corridor. Supporters argue it offers better street-level access, while Metro has cited higher costs, longer construction timelines, and greater traffic impacts as key concerns.
Metro officials indicated that additional coordination with local jurisdictions and further Board action will be needed before a final decision is made.
What This Means for LA Transit
The contrast between the two projects was clear at the meeting: the Sepulveda Transit Corridor is now firmly on a defined path forward, while the C Line extension remains in a critical decision-making phase.
Together, the projects highlight both the ambition and complexity of expanding transit in Los Angeles County — balancing regional mobility goals, neighborhood impacts, and long-term funding realities.
Further Reading & Official Project Information
Metro Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project Page
– Official Metro overview of the Sepulveda Pass project, including alternatives, maps, timelines, and environmental documents.
Metro Board Considers Locally Preferred Alternative for Sepulveda Corridor
– Metro’s summary of the Board action and rationale behind selecting the underground heavy rail option.
Metro C Line Extension to Torrance Project Page
– Background, station concepts, and status updates for the South Bay light rail extension.
Final Environmental Impact Report: C Line Extension
– Details on the Final EIR, public comments, and next steps toward Board certification.
Metro Project Updates – The Source
– Ongoing Metro blog updates covering major transit projects, board actions, and construction milestones.
LA Metro Board of Directors
– Information on Metro Board members, meeting schedules, agendas, and voting records.
STM Daily News will continue to follow both projects closely, providing updates as Metro moves toward final approvals, construction timelines, and funding decisions that will shape how Angelenos travel for decades to come.
For ongoing coverage of Metro projects, transportation policy, and infrastructure across Southern California, visit STM Daily News.
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