Japan: Earthquake Strikes Aomori, Tsunami Advisory Issued for Coastal Areas 2

A strong earthquake struck Aomori and other parts of northern Japan on Friday, December 12. According to the USGS, the magnitude was 6.7. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami advisory for the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture, the central Pacific coastal areas of Hokkaido, and Miyagi Prefecture.

Japan: Earthquake Strikes Aomori, Tsunami Advisory Issued for Coastal Areas

A strong earthquake struck Aomori and other parts of northern Japan on Friday, December 12. According to the USGS, the magnitude was 6.7. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami advisory for the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture, the central Pacific coastal areas of Hokkaido, and Miyagi Prefecture.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, attends a press conference in Oslo on Dec. 11, 2025, after arriving in the Norwegian capital in the small hours of the day. The award ceremony took place the previous day with her daughter Ana Corina Sosa Machado attending on her behalf.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, attends a press conference in Oslo on Dec. 11, 2025, after arriving in the Norwegian capital in the small hours of the day. The award ceremony took place the previous day with her daughter Ana Corina Sosa Machado attending on her behalf.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, attends a press conference in Oslo on Dec. 11, 2025, after arriving in the Norwegian capital in the small hours of the day. The award ceremony took place the previous day with her daughter Ana Corina Sosa Machado attending on her behalf.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, attends a press conference in Oslo on Dec. 11, 2025, after arriving in the Norwegian capital in the small hours of the day. The award ceremony took place the previous day with her daughter Ana Corina Sosa Machado attending on her behalf.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, acknowledges a crowd of people from the balcony of Grand Hotel Oslo after arriving in the Norwegian capital in the small hours of Dec. 11, 2025. The award ceremony took place the previous day, with her daughter Ana Corina Sosa Machado attending on her behalf.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, acknowledges a crowd of people from the balcony of Grand Hotel Oslo after arriving in the Norwegian capital in the small hours of Dec. 11, 2025. The award ceremony took place the previous day, with her daughter Ana Corina Sosa Machado attending on her behalf.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Nobel Peace Prize winner Machado in Oslo

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, acknowledges a crowd of people from the balcony of Grand Hotel Oslo after arriving in the Norwegian capital in the small hours of Dec. 11, 2025. The award ceremony took place the previous day, with her daughter Ana Corina Sosa Machado attending on her behalf.

Defense Minister Koizumi

Defense Minister Koizumi

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 12, 2025, after talking via telephone with his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, over the recent radar lock incident involving Japanese and Chinese fighter jets.

US: Atmospheric River Brings Major Flooding in Western Washington 12

A powerful atmospheric river brought heavy rain to western Washington on Tuesday, December 9, causing rivers to surge and leading to significant flooding. The weather system continued to drench the region on Wednesday, December 10, pushing water levels even higher and forcing tens of thousands of residents to prepare for evacuation.

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

A protestor from the organization Code Pink is arrested by Capitol Police after protesting during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

A protestor from the organization Code Pink is arrested by Capitol Police after protesting during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

A protestor from the organization Code Pink is arrested by Capitol Police after protesting during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

A protestor from the organization Code Pink is arrested by Capitol Police after protesting during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks to the press before a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

A protestor from the organization Code Pink stands in protest during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks to the press before a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks to the press before a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

Director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks to the press before a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks to the press before a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

Director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks to the press before a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

Director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

Director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

Director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent is seen during a US House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

A protestor from the organization Code Pink is arrested by Capitol Police after protesting during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “World Wide Threats to the Homeland”

A protestor from the organization Code Pink is arrested by Capitol Police after protesting during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats to the Homeland” in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Photo by Mattie Neretin / CNP/ABACAPRESS.COM

Beam Rotation Construction

Beam Rotation Construction

The double turn cast-in-place T-shaped beam of the Yongliu Expressway crossing the Hengliu Railway in Guangxi is undergoing rotation construction in Nanning, Guangxi, China on the early morning of December 12, 2025. The rotating section is 160 meters long for each piece, with a total weight of 32200 tons for the two pieces.

Beam Rotation Construction

Beam Rotation Construction

The double turn cast-in-place T-shaped beam of the Yongliu Expressway crossing the Hengliu Railway in Guangxi is undergoing rotation construction in Nanning, Guangxi, China on the evening of December 11, 2025. The rotating section is 160 meters long for each piece, with a total weight of 32200 tons for the two pieces.

Beam Rotation Construction

Beam Rotation Construction

The double turn cast-in-place T-shaped beam of the Yongliu Expressway crossing the Hengliu Railway in Guangxi is undergoing rotation construction in Nanning, Guangxi, China on the early morning of December 12, 2025. The rotating section is 160 meters long for each piece, with a total weight of 32200 tons for the two pieces.

Beam Rotation Construction

Beam Rotation Construction

The double turn cast-in-place T-shaped beam of the Yongliu Expressway crossing the Hengliu Railway in Guangxi is undergoing rotation construction in Nanning, Guangxi, China on the early morning of December 12, 2025. The rotating section is 160 meters long for each piece, with a total weight of 32200 tons for the two pieces.

Beam Rotation Construction

Beam Rotation Construction

The double turn cast-in-place T-shaped beam of the Yongliu Expressway crossing the Hengliu Railway in Guangxi is undergoing rotation construction in Nanning, Guangxi, China on the early morning of December 12, 2025. The rotating section is 160 meters long for each piece, with a total weight of 32200 tons for the two pieces.

Beam Rotation Construction

Beam Rotation Construction

The double turn cast-in-place T-shaped beam of the Yongliu Expressway crossing the Hengliu Railway in Guangxi is undergoing rotation construction in Nanning, Guangxi, China on the early morning of December 12, 2025. The rotating section is 160 meters long for each piece, with a total weight of 32200 tons for the two pieces.

Beam Rotation Construction

Beam Rotation Construction

The double turn cast-in-place T-shaped beam of the Yongliu Expressway crossing the Hengliu Railway in Guangxi is undergoing rotation construction in Nanning, Guangxi, China on the early morning of December 12, 2025. The rotating section is 160 meters long for each piece, with a total weight of 32200 tons for the two pieces.

Beam Rotation Construction

Beam Rotation Construction

The double turn cast-in-place T-shaped beam of the Yongliu Expressway crossing the Hengliu Railway in Guangxi is undergoing rotation construction in Nanning, Guangxi, China on the evening of December 11, 2025. The rotating section is 160 meters long for each piece, with a total weight of 32200 tons for the two pieces.

Beam Rotation Construction

Beam Rotation Construction

The double turn cast-in-place T-shaped beam of the Yongliu Expressway crossing the Hengliu Railway in Guangxi is undergoing rotation construction in Nanning, Guangxi, China on the early morning of December 12, 2025. The rotating section is 160 meters long for each piece, with a total weight of 32200 tons for the two pieces.

Beam Rotation Construction

Beam Rotation Construction

The double turn cast-in-place T-shaped beam of the Yongliu Expressway crossing the Hengliu Railway in Guangxi is undergoing rotation construction in Nanning, Guangxi, China on the early morning of December 12, 2025. The rotating section is 160 meters long for each piece, with a total weight of 32200 tons for the two pieces.