RECAP: Over 50 Injured After Strong M7.5 Quake Strikes Northern Japan

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off Aomori late Monday, December 8, triggering tsunami warnings across Hokkaido and Tohoku before being lifted early Tuesday. Over 50 injuries and power outages were reported. Authorities warn of a heightened risk of another major quake in the coming week.

Summer heat in Hokkaido

Summer heat in Hokkaido

A child plays at a fountain in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on July 24, 2025, as the temperature reaches close to 40 C amid unusually hot summer heat in the northern Japan city.

Summer heat in Hokkaido

Summer heat in Hokkaido

A thermometer in front of JR Obihiro Station in Hokkaido shows the temperature reaching close to 40 C amid unusually hot summer heat in the northern Japan city on July 24, 2025.

Summer heat in Hokkaido

Summer heat in Hokkaido

A thermometer in front of JR Obihiro Station in Hokkaido shows the temperature reaching close to 40 C amid unusually hot summer heat in the northern Japan city on July 24, 2025.

Summer heat in Hokkaido

Summer heat in Hokkaido

A thermometer in front of JR Obihiro Station in Hokkaido shows the temperature reaching close to 40 C amid unusually hot summer heat in the northern Japan city on July 24, 2025.

Summer heat in Hokkaido

Summer heat in Hokkaido

A thermometer in front of JR Obihiro Station in Hokkaido shows the temperature reaching close to 40 C amid unusually hot summer heat in the northern Japan city on July 24, 2025.

Summer heat in Hokkaido

Summer heat in Hokkaido

A thermometer in front of JR Obihiro Station in Hokkaido shows the temperature reaching close to 40 C amid unusually hot summer heat in the northern Japan city on July 24, 2025.

US: EF-1 Tornado Touches Down In Athens, AL, Leaving Devastating Damage

The National Weather Service in Huntsville has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in downtown Athens, Alabama, on Saturday night, December 28.

Banei Keiba, horse racing

Banei Keiba, horse racing

Horses and jockeys at the Banei Horse Race held at Obihiro Racecourse.

Asian Games: Takagi wins women's 3,000 meters speed skating

Asian Games: Takagi wins women's 3,000 meters speed skating

Miho Takagi of Japan competes in the women's 3,000 meters speed skating at the Asian Winter Games in the northern Japan city of Obihiro on Feb. 20, 2017. Takagi won the event in an Asian record time of 4:05.75. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Asian Games: Takagi wins women's 3,000 meters speed skating

Asian Games: Takagi wins women's 3,000 meters speed skating

Miho Takagi of Japan competes in the women's 3,000 meters speed skating at the Asian Winter Games in the northern Japan city of Obihiro on Feb. 20, 2017. Takagi won the event in an Asian record time of 4:05.75. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Kodaira top, Takagi 2nd in women's 1,000 meters speed skating

Kodaira top, Takagi 2nd in women's 1,000 meters speed skating

Japanese speed skaters Nao Kodaira (R) and Miho Takagi celebrate on the podium after winning gold and silver, respectively, in the women's 1,000 meters at the Asian Winter Games in the northern Japan city of Obihiro on Feb. 20, 2017. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Kodaira top, Takagi 2nd in women's 1,000 meters speed skating

Kodaira top, Takagi 2nd in women's 1,000 meters speed skating

Japanese speed skaters Nao Kodaira (R) and Miho Takagi show off their medals after winning gold and silver, respectively, in the women's 1,000 meters at the Asian Winter Games in the northern Japan city of Obihiro on Feb. 20, 2017. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Asian Games: Takagi 2nd in women's 1,000 meters speed skating

Asian Games: Takagi 2nd in women's 1,000 meters speed skating

Miho Takagi of Japan competes in the women's 1,000 meters speed skating at the Asian Winter Games in the northern Japan city of Obihiro on Feb. 20, 2017. Takagi finished second, while compatriot Nao Kodaira won the event. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Asian Games: Kodaira claims speed skating gold in women's 1,000

Asian Games: Kodaira claims speed skating gold in women's 1,000

Nao Kodaira of Japan acknowledges the crowd after her victory in the women's 1,000 meters speed skating at the Asian Winter Games in the northern Japan city of Obihiro on Feb. 20, 2017. Kodaira won the event in an Asian record time of 1 minute, 15.19 seconds. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Asian Games: Kodaira claims speed skating gold in women's 1,000

Asian Games: Kodaira claims speed skating gold in women's 1,000

Nao Kodaira of Japan acknowledges the crowd after her victory in the women's 1,000 meters speed skating at the Asian Winter Games in the northern Japan city of Obihiro on Feb. 20, 2017. Kodaira won the event in an Asian record time of 1 minute, 15.19 seconds. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Asian Games: Kodaira claims speed skating gold in women's 1,000

Asian Games: Kodaira claims speed skating gold in women's 1,000

Nao Kodaira of Japan competes in the women's 1,000 meters speed skating at the Asian Winter Games in the northern Japan city of Obihiro on Feb. 20, 2017. Kodaira won the event in an Asian record time of 1 minute, 15.19 seconds. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

PM Abe meets with local farm representatives in typhoon-damaged area

PM Abe meets with local farm representatives in typhoon-damaged area

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) meets with local farm representatives in Obihiro on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Sept. 14, 2016. The city suffered damage caused by torrential rains brought by Typhoon Lionrock in late August. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

PM Abe meets with local farm representatives in typhoon-damaged area

PM Abe meets with local farm representatives in typhoon-damaged area

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) meets with local farm representatives in Obihiro on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Sept. 14, 2016. The city suffered damage caused by torrential rains brought by Typhoon Lionrock in late August. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

PM Abe takes helicopter tour over typhoon-damaged area

PM Abe takes helicopter tour over typhoon-damaged area

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) arrives at a Ground Self-Defense Force camp in Obihiro on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Sept. 14, 2016, after taking a helicopter tour over the city to examine the damage caused by torrential rains brought by Typhoon Lionrock in late August. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

PM Abe takes helicopter tour over typhoon-damaged area

PM Abe takes helicopter tour over typhoon-damaged area

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) arrives at a Ground Self-Defense Force camp in Obihiro on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Sept. 14, 2016, after taking a helicopter tour over the city to examine the damage caused by torrential rains brought by Typhoon Lionrock in late August. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

PM Abe takes helicopter tour over typhoon-damaged area

PM Abe takes helicopter tour over typhoon-damaged area

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (2nd from top) disembarks from a Self-Defense Forces helicopter in Obihiro on Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido on Sept. 14, 2016. Abe took a helicopter tour over the city to examine damage caused by torrential rains brought by Typhoon Lionrock in late August. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo