Magnitude 7.5 earthquake strikes northeast Japan, triggering tsunami alert and transport disruptions
via Le Matin1 min read
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck northeast Japan at 4:53 PM local time, at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency JMA. The tremor registered a "5 upper" on Japan's 7-level seismic scale. The JMA issued a warning for tsunami waves up to three meters that could rapidly impact the coasts of Hokkaido and Iwate prefectures. Japanese media reported that a tsunami was subsequently observed off the coasts of Iwate and Aomori prefectures. No immediate reports of damage or casualties were available. Kyodo News stated that Shinkansen high-speed train services between Tokyo and Aomori were preventively suspended for infrastructure inspections. Operators confirmed no anomalies at nuclear power plants in Aomori and Miyagi prefectures. Japan, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences frequent strong earthquakes and possesses one of the world's most advanced seismic and tsunami warning systems.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
The AUSIM猫tre 2026 report indicates an improvement in the cybersecurity maturity of Moroccan organizations, with the overall maturity index reaching 56% compared to 49% the previous year. This progress is attributed to strengthened governance and increased investments in cybersecurity. However, the report highlights persistent weaknesses in digital sovereignty, revealing that only 35% of organizations in Morocco have mastered this aspect. The findings suggest that while organizations are enhancing their cybersecurity measures, there is still a significant gap in achieving full digital sovereignty.
In accordance with the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, addressed to the Minister of Interior and the President of the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Central Election Monitoring Commission was activated on Monday, July 20, at the Ministry of Interior. This activation aims to ensure the sincerity and integrity of the legislative elections for the election of members of the House of Representatives, scheduled for September 23, 2026. Provincial election monitoring commissions were also activated across various prefectures, provinces, and district prefectures, comprising the Wali or Governor and the King's Attorney General or the King's Prosecutor. Regional commissions were also established to support the work of the provincial commissions. The primary mission of these commissions is to implement practical measures to preserve and guarantee the integrity and sincerity of electoral operations. They will monitor all stages of the electoral process, intervening against any potential disruptions from the current phase until election day and the proclamation of results. The commissions will operate in strict adherence to current laws and regulations, without prejudice to the powers of legislative, judicial, and administrative authorities. To safeguard the integrity of the upcoming electoral process and protect the free choice of voters, these commissions will promptly identify electoral offenses and initiate investigations or legal proceedings as necessary. The Cent
Casablanca's new seawater desalination plant, the largest in Morocco, is scheduled to commence operations in February 2027, according to Nizar Baraka, the Minister of Equipment and Water. The project, launched in June 2024 by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, represents an investment of approximately 11 billion dirhams through a public-private partnership. It is part of the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program 2020-2027. The plant will initially produce 200 million cubic meters of water annually, expanding to 300 million cubic meters after an extension. Most of this production will supply drinking water to Casablanca and surrounding areas, with the remainder used for agricultural irrigation to reduce pressure on conventional water sources. This initiative addresses several years of drought and declining dam levels, particularly in the Oum Er-Rbia basin, a key water source for the Casablanca-Settat region. The plant will utilize reverse osmosis technology and be powered by a wind farm to minimize its carbon footprint and production costs, aligning with national energy transition and sustainable development goals. The project also includes seawater intake structures, treated water discharge facilities, pumping stations, storage reservoirs, a control and management center, and a water transport network. This plant is a cornerstone of Morocco's water security policy, which emphasizes diversifying water resources, constructing dams, reusing treated